Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-01-03

Hence, as the good soldier enlists du-
ring the war, SO the Christian enlists du-
ring life. He keeps his spiritual uniform,
arms, equipments, and insignia, all on.
He unlurls bis colors TO the breeze, and
lays down his arms only with his life.
The termination OF the good soldiers
warfare in death, as is often the case, is a
solemn and eveailu period. And so,
empllaticaIly, is the dying hour of any
person. Death ends all his earthly toll,
suffering, hopes, and fears. 1t breaks
the tenderet and warmest ties of affec-
ton, sundering families and social circles
1t closes up everything for eternity. 1t
takes Us into the midst # that swelling
river which all have learned to dread
II opens up eternal realities. 1t is the
commencement of an unendiug state of
being. How fearful to die uureconciled
to God, polluted by sin, aud goaded by
guilty conscience! The voice that
comes up from this narrow charnel house
Of death may ring hollow in our ears, but
with peals like thunder it cries, "be ye
also ready" No age is exempt. No
condition or circumstances of life, no po-
sition or rank, is sufficient to ward off the
sure and certain shafts of death. They
will pierce every heart. No person,
young or old, high or low, should pass
this providence unimproved. Should it
be unimproved, the most fatal conssquen-
ses may follow. 1t is loud call 10 all
these young people. Some whom ad
dress have often gone with the deceased
to the house of God. They had held
sweet converse together-have opeuly
confessed Christ together. You will hear
his god,y counsels no more. He has
gone before you, but you will soon follow.
Let all, old and young, be admonished to
set their house in order, knowing that
they must die and not live.
In conclusion it will not be out of place
for me to make few remarks in refer.
rnce to the personal character Of the de
ceased. 1t may be ia truth said that few
young men have less faults or more vir-
ues than he had Those who knew him
best appreciated his virtues most highly.
10 respect, to esteem, and 10 love him, il
vas necessary only to know him. His
nrhanity of manner, and his warm, con
iding affection secured him friend, eve
ry where His promptitude in the dis
charge of responsibilities, his constant
idcIity of character, his pure and eleva-
Ted purposes, all won for him implicit
confidence and high esteem.
This vast concourse Of people, this dis.
play Of military honors, the solemn fune-
raj dirge set 10 martial music, all conspire
to demonstrate the strong hold he had in
the public estimation. Though he had
been in the rcgimental camp but a few
weeks, he had won the special regard OF
his captain and the colonel OF the reg-
ment He was, above all other things. |
a consistent, ardent, and persevering
Christian. While in camp, lie made il
his practice to attend several religious
meetings each week, wh;h were a source
Of great comfort and enjoyment to him.
1t was hIs rule not 10 attend a social meet
ing without giving in his testimony for
Christ. Hence, when fatal disease seiz-
ed him, he was ready-his work was
done. lie cheerfully gave himself up
to die, being sure of an Inheritance on
high. Though far from home and
friends, yet Christ was there to make his
bed in his hours Of great bodily suffering.
He had thought to have seen victory |
or met death on the battle field, yet he
wasted away by fatal disease amidst the
privations, exposures, and discomforts oI ]
camp life. He is dead; his llcless form
is before us, and his freed spirit has gone
to be with his savior. lie died the sol
dier's death. lie died upon the nations
altar, a sacrifice to the nations welfare
lie lived the life of the good soldier OF
Jesus Christ, and died the death of the
Christian. lie rests where the din of
war, the tread of armies, and the roar OF
cannon are never heard. lie rests where
all is peace, joy, and blessedness forever.
May we all emulate his virtues, and fol-
low his Cody example, that we may all !
die like him in peace and the full assur-
ance of eternal life at the right hand of
the Most High.
G5y Blessed is he who hath nothing |
for ba shall n # lose IT, A poor Frarch-