Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-11-24
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
The Ringing of. the Church Bell.

Mr.. EDITOR: Since home, with all its
sweets, loved ones and fond associations
have been torn away from us by this I'M
godiy war, there are many things, wherev.
er we go, which cause us to feel their luss.
But nothing hurries me back SO rapidly to
gladstone days, since [ have been march
ing under my country's banner, as the ring
ing Of the Church bell.
This morning the sun lifted his golden
crest above the eastern hills, casting his
beams of light over our camp, as if to give
US another Sabbath of rest-another day
to bow in submission before the God Of
Peace. The Church bell in the little vii
lage B~erryville) tolled a solemn invitation
to the kind citizens, inviting them to the
house of Him who has promised rest to
all who seek it. AS its mellowing tones
died away in the distant valley and along
the craggy hills of the Blue Ridge, I was
sitting on my little bed of straw, quietly
thinking of the old church, within the
walls of which l have so often met with
loved friends and while thus in my i'm
aginatiou l was living o7er those sweet
hours, listening to those soft, harmonious
songs of praise, those ~fervert prayers and
gospel calls, the cannon, with the voice oil
angry thunder, mingled its furious groans
with the dying tones of the church bell,
at once tearing me away from the r~ecollec
tons Of home, hurrying me in imagination
to the rough field of battle where the
clashing of arms, the groans Of the dying
and the screams of the manglcd are the
only sounds that meet the ear.
Where is the soldier who endures the
horrors of war, who on sore feet marcLe,
day after day, and makes his bed at nigh
on the cold ground, that can listen to tn,
ringing of the c. urch bell and to the bel
lowing canaon without truly approaching
the liberty, the homes, the friends and as
sociations we have lost.
Do our friends vet in these enjoyment
know how they are favored! Do. they
when they meet in the old church yard
know with what distinguished mercy the
are blests 0 do they there meet to tail
of domestic interests? Do they, Will
bowed before Hin who holdeth in Hi
hands the destiny of all, offer a s~acriic,
reasonable..and acceptable? Or do they
as sinful man is wont to do, rather ask ia
Vol in some specializing schcme? 0 tia
God would speed the day of humility
those church members-those professin
christians who we learn" are seeking til
gold of earth to such a shameful degree
SO far lost to goodness as to make, sci
and even drink the accursed stuff whic
they call brandy, could but pass along wit
the weary soldier on his way O 'triaI, the
too could feel the loss of the church bel
and like rs dread the thunder of a~rtiller
We are fighting on, and we expect
fight on. Sometimes we feel like despon,
ing under the heavy yoke, but if we YOU
share the freedom, let US bear the toll
We look, we wish, we impatiently ava
the rising of freedoms sun. Why, O wi
the delay? How long will darkness GOV
our land! We know we look 10 vain f
light while our army so neglects the vol
of Jehovah and our citizens at home, wi
outstretched arms, are grasping at t
world. As long as you will be my pc
pie, [ will be your God, saith the A
mighty.
!, We are yet near B~erryvifle, that is, o
!, Division. We 500 expect to move.
where to, | need not say. We are loo
, ing and listening for the bloody strife, a
: the murderous roar.
! Hoping | may live to give you SON
! thing of more interest soon, [ remain
: Yours, &C., M. G. DAVIS.
Camp near Berryville, Va, Nov. IL.