The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1862-11-27
FROM THE CHRIsrlAs INDEX.
Do you Pray for the Soldiers?

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VIII you think about it, and answer it9
You giye to the soldiers, sm cure. No
object eIicits SO general, SO warm, so liberal
response as anything pertaining to the
welfare of the soldiers. Tracts, clothing,
colporteurs, missionaries, refreshments by
the way, nursing when they return sick or
wounded, tears when they are dead-every-
thing comes freely when it is asked for the
soldiers. Do you pray for them7
You think abOutthe soldiers. In fact you
could hardly help doing so, if you tried
The newspapers are full Of them, of their
auferings. of their achievements. The daily
talk is about the news from the army, the
prospects Of the army. The vacant places
IN our homes, the empty seats in our church
es, the scarcity of laborers, the high prices
Of everything necessary for life, all speak
eloquentlJ Of the absence of the soldiers
And above ali, the ties of affection which
bind your hearts to many Of them forbid
that you should cease to think about them.
Do you carry your thoughts about them TO
CODY Do you mot simply try to bear your
burden Of anxiety about ther-but rather
"cast your burden upon the Lord2" Do
your thoughts of them turn into prayers1
You ought to pray for the soldiers. They
are in danger, and need the protection Of
the God of Hosts, who is sun and shield.
They are in temptation and exposed to the
assaults Of the adversary of souls. They
are in danger for you! And If they fail in
defending our rights, you are ruined. Moth
ing that You may think valuable will be
worth anything to you, as far IS this world
is concerned.
And they desire your prayers.
read letter FROM one of them, dear
Christian brother, who seemed to be cheered
amid ell bis privations and filed with com
fort at the thought that his church at home
was praying without ceasng" for him. He
has fallen row, and is gone to the world
where prayers are tuned into praise. Nor
is it the pious men alone that care for the
PRAYERS Of good peoplr- The uost profsne
and ungOdiy thinh sometimes, and Aheneyef
they do think of a hereafter, they desire
prayer to be made for them, A soldier told
me, that he was sitting once on bank of
earth talking with a comrade, wild, bois-
ferrous, frOlicsome fellow, and the converse.
ton slackened little. The sun was just
setting. Its parting glow was filing all the
Western Ky. His companion looked ST.
lently for some minutes at the scene. 1t
was beautiful enough to engage his atten-
tiOn, but that was not what he was thinking
about. Az last said he-"Do you see that
setting sun2 l know that my dear wife at
home is now boging her knee in prayer for
me, uugodly me: For the last thing she said
to me. after she hal kissed me and told me
goodbye, was, now remember, whenever
the sun is setting I shall be praying for you
And know that, if she is alive, sheis pray
ing nov." Il was not long before that SOL
der began to pray for himself.
You tear prayers for the soldiers. Scarce
ly a Sabbath or sermon is without its pub
lie prayer for them. Scarcely family altar
that is not familiar with the theme. | have
no doubt you have sad prayers for soldiers.
Is il your 'heart's desire aud prayer to God
for them that they might be saved ?" Do
you pray earnestly, constantly, belieyingly
in Christ's name for them?