Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-02-13

! his manner SO naturall I'll be there pres
emily" And left alone he threw himse
upon his knees to wrestle for strength il
prayer.
The atmosphere was filed with low sigh
from the strugglers with pain and disease
Going softly up TO the couch, at which h,
had stood before, the chaplain gazed upSr
the face before him. 1t looked as calm a,
that Of sleeping infant but he did no
sleep. Hearing q slight noise, his eyes few
open and rested in some surprise upon tha
chaplain.
IL felt as if must see you again before
! retired" said the latter striving to steady
I his voice. GLOW do you feel now 2"
"Oh better, thank you in fact, almost
well. The pain is gone, and feel quite
hopeful l rather think the surgeon does
though he said nothing"
Again that fearful swelling in the chan
lain's throat. How should he tell him of
his danger-how prepare the mind SO
calmly resting on almost certainty the
poor, hopeful SOUL that would never look
with earthly eyes on The mother he so lonced
for. Another moment, and the young man
appeared to be struck with some peculiarity
in the face or movements of the chaplain.
the large eyes sought his with intenseness
that was painful, and he strove to interpret
that which made the difference between
this and his former demeanor.
"Your cares weary you, chaplain" he
said, quietly; "you must be very faithful,
for it is past midnight"
81 was on the point of going to bed, when
| was called to prepare dying man for his
last hour" was the fearful response.
'Indeed what poor fellow goes next?"
rejoined the young man, with look Of
mournful inquiry.
There was no answer; for the wealth of
worlds the chaplain could not have spoken
now. That tone 80 unconscious of danger;
that eye so full of sympathy Still strange
silence What did it mean2 The sick
mans inquiring glance changed for mo-
ment TO one of intense terror. He raised
both arms-let them fall heavily on the
coverlet at his side, and in voice totally
altered by emotion, he gasped;
"Great Heaven you mean meW
"Nly dear FRIEND" said the chaplain, un-
manned.
~ am to die, then-and- -how-long p"
his eye once more sought that of the chap
lain.
"You have made your peace with God,
let death come as soon as it will. He will
carry you over the river"
ayes: but this is awfully sudden aw-
fully suddeup' his lips quivered; he looked
up, grievingly-"and shall not see my
mother"
"Christ is better than mother" MUIR
INJURED the chaplain.
| "Yes" The word came in q whisper.
Ills eyes were closed; the lips that wore
that trembling grief, as if the chastisement
were too sore, too hard to be born; but as
the minutes passed. and the soul lifted it
self stronger and more steadily upon the
wings of prayer, the countenance grew
calmer, the lips steadier, and when the eyes
were opened again, there was light in
their depths that could have come only from
heaven.
~ thank you for your courage" he said =,
more feebly, taking the hand of the chap
lain. "The bitterness is over now, and
feel willing TO die. Tell my mother'-he
paused, gave one sob, dry and full of the
last anguish of earth-"tell her how longed
to see her; but if God will permit me,
will be near her. Tell her to comfort all
who loved me, to say that thought of them
all. Tell my father that am glad he gave
me his consent, and that other fathers will
mourn for other sons. Tell my minister,
by word or letter, that l thought of him,
and that | thank him for all his counsels.
Tell him | find that Christ will not desert
the passing soul and that 1 wish him to
give my testimony to the living, that moth
ing is of real worth but the religion of
Jesus. And now will you pray for me ?"
Oh, what emotions sweled the heart of
that devoted man, as he knelt by the bed
side Of the dying volunteer-the young SOL
dier of Christ-and with tones so low that
only the ear OF God and that of him
who was passing away could hear, besought
Gods grace and presence! Never III all
his experience had his heart been so power
fully wrought upon never had a feeling of
such unutterable tenderness taken posses
sion of his soul. He seemed already in the
presence Of glorifed spirit; and after the
prayer was over restraining his sobs, he
bent down, and pressed upon the beautiful
brow, already chilled with the breath of the
coming angel, twice, thrice, fervent kiss.
They might have been as tokens from the
father and the mother, as we'll as himself.
So perhaps thought the dying soldier for
heavenly smile touched his face with new
beauty, as he said, "Thank you won't
trouble you any longer you are wearied
out-go TO you're st"
"The Lord God be with your was the
fervent response.
"Amen |" trembled from the fast whiten-
ing lips.
Another hour passed. The chaplain still
moved uneasIly around his room. There
were hurried sounds overhead and footsteps
on the stairs. He opened his door and en-
cOuntered the surgeon, who whispered one
little word
"Genem m
Christ's soldier had found the captain of
his salvation