Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-08-25
Sunday IN Camp.
RICuMoND Anr I

holy, golden clasps which binds the volume
Of the week together. For the moment
the business of war is hushed. Relieved
from all Unnecessary Iabors, the mag are
distributed in various ways and places
Some have gone to the city, some are
lonaging in their tents or under the trees.
and some arc attending divine worship a
few reds distant. Your correspondent
should bo amoug tn. latter class, bat he is
just now IN that condition when by him
SELF, he
Reads sermsns in stones, tales in the trees.
Songs IN running srseks, and
Good in everything"
4 silence almost sanctifed reigns over
the scene, and it requires but little effort
OF niue to change these leafy temples of
nature into the gretesquc labyrinths of
some vast cathedral, and listen to the
Peallng of q grand old anthem.
Probably at no period of the war has
tas religious element in the army been
nsora predominant than it is st present.
la many Instances chaplains, army mis-
slonSriea, colporteurs and tracts have ac-
complished great benefits, but by far the
most cogsnt influences that have opera
ted upon aad subdued the reckless spirit
OF the soldlery, are those which arc born
IA the heart itself, upon the field of battle.
Thore is something irresistible in the ap-
peal whish the Almighty makes when he
strikes from your side, Ia the twinkline OIL
an eye, your friend and conarade, and few
natures are SO utterly deprayed as to en-.
tirely disregard tbs wbisperinxs Of the
still small voice ~ which makes them
selves so wildly heard at such a moment
Every man nnconscious!y ask, himself
" whose turn will come next" and when
at the termination of the conflict. he finds
himself exempted from the awful fiat tina,
has brought death to his very side and al
around him, his gratitude to his create,
! Is alleged, though it may be but dimly
with a holier emotion, which for the tim,
renders him a wiser and better man. T,
this aspect the recent battles have don,
more to make religious converts than al
the homilies and e1hortations aver utters,
from the pulpit. A man who has stoot
upon the threshold Of eternity while il
the din and carnage Of a fight, has listen
ed to eloqnence more fiery and inpressiy,
than ever came from mortal lips.
1t Is net strange therefore as yoa 6,
through various camps, even on a wee
day, that your ears are here and there sa
luted with the melsdy of a choir Of voices
rich, round and full, sung with all thei
seriousness and earnestness 6f true deye
ton ; or that before the lights are out i
the evening, manly tones are heard i
thanksgiving for the blessings of the dav
or that the Bible and Prayer Book ar
common books upon the mess table: O
tsat when Sunday arrives the little stan
from which the Chaplain is wont to dis
course, Is the centre of a cluster of int,
ested and pious listeners.
In many of the regiments much Of tn:
kindly influence is due to the pure and e
evatad character of the officers. Where,
er these arc found, you invariably also fin
a neat, well disciplined, orderly, quiet con
mand, as prompt ia the camp as they a,
brave upon the field. Now and then vo
may hear a tsunt about our praying Ga,
tain or Colonel but even these though
less expressions come IRON men who ven
crate their officers and would follow thel
to the death. As you know, some of OF
ablest Generals are men whe have drou
ped the gown of the christian for the az
parel of the soldier. Polk was a bIshe
Psndlcton a clergyman, d. IL. Hill a re-
llglous author, Jackson a dignitary of Il
church, while scores of others, ~oceupyir
subordinate positions, are equally we
known for their devotion at tho shrine
christianity. All of these gentlemen ha,
been eminently successful in whatever tn,
have undertaken, have passed unharmt
through the dangers by which they h.,
been frequently environed, and are liyir
illustrations of the trnth that a fphtir
christian is as terrible to his enemies as !
Is geAtle to his friends.