Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-01-25
? As THY DAY Is, so SHALL THY
STRENGTH BE-

STRENGTH BE.
BIT rs. ARrHUR.
War. The very word sent shudder to the
heart Of Mrs. Irwin. From q child up, IL hsd
been associated in her mind with all that was
horrible and, wicked; To become q soldier
seemed, to her perception Of the case; to inyolFe
cruel instinct. She saw no glory in the pro.
fession OF arms. Toy drums and swords were
never seen in the hands Of her children, except
through the unwelcoms agency of aunts,
uncles, or friends; and they were, in these
: cases, soon removed, with sober homilies on
their bad Significance. =
81 win teach my children" !" she weuld saw.
/" to love their enemies; not to hate and destroy
them. To be ever on the side Of peace and
goodwill to mankind; not on the side of
hatred and destruction :
Mrs. Irwin read tracts and books published
by peace societies, and in the argument against
war crowded her mind with facts statistics
and reasons to a degree that made her formi-
dsble debater on the non-combative question,
with almost every one that happened to be
drawn into an argument. II was useless to
talk with her about the undying antagonism
between good and evil, and the necessity of
external as well as internal combats; of ma.
tional regeneration through the baptism of
blood; Of a stable peace only through the de-
struction Of enemies She denied the positions
All wars were wrong, she contended, and
might be avoided
Net in anything had Mrs. Irwin swerved
from her peace principles, up to the time when
Sumter fell. But that event was like throw
Ing, suddenly, into a strong, smooth current
broad obstruction. Her whole being was in
tumult. She caught her breath like one in
danger Of suffocation She felt as though the
firm foundations on which she had been stand
Ing for years, were crumbling under her feet
Mrs. Irwin loved her country and reyered its
Tag; and this assault upon the one, and desc
Grafton Of the other, fired her soul with indig.
nation; and when her oldest boy, not yet in
his tWenty-6rst year. said to her with clenchea
hands and flashing eyes,
Mother, this must be avenged 20
She did not answer, but sat, with pale lips
and face, looking at him in such trouble and
beUilderment Of mind that no thoughts be-
came coherent enough for words, until he
added, as he drew his slender form to its
utmost height
i" And there is one ready.''
John john" fell in weak remonstrance
from Mrs. Irwin. "Don't speak so! don't let
q murderous spirit bear you away"
Don't say murderous," replied the boy,
with 30 much Of rebuke in his tones that his
mother answered quickly
"A spirit Of revenge, then, John. Ven
geance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will
repay it."
"Mothsr! shall we tamely submit to see
this nation destroyed, and its flag. which has
been honored throughout the world for eighty
years, SHOT at, rent, and trampled upon ?''
The boys eyes cleaned herceIy. "For one,
gay no And / have mistaken my mothers
heart, if it does not echo back the word. do
net forget the lesson you taught me years ago.
that love Of country is next to love of God'
And If We love an object purely, will we not
defend it when sssailed? Nay, even Law down
our lives in its protection ?'
In spite Of all her peace principles, and
horror Of war, there flowed into the mind of
Mrs Irwin such feeling Of admiration for
this outspoken patriotism Of her son, that
even be read pride and approval in her humid
eyes
War is an awful thing, John" said Mrs.
Irwin"
az know 1t is, mother But there are worse
things than war; and that worse thing is at
our dsOr. You understand this as well as do.
They have thrown down the guase Of war, and
there Is nothing left for rs but to accept the
hard necessity.b
But you are not called to this work, John, {"
said Mrs Irwin, the words faltering on her
tongue There are strong men enough who
viii respond to the Presidents call. cannot
let you go, my son." The wet eyes Of Mrs
Irwin oVerAowed.
John laid his hands firmly on his mothers
shoulders, and looked steadily into her face.
Then he kissed her tenderly. "For the
blessings We enjoy, did not the mothers of the
Geld ?"
"I cannot bear it, my son am not strong
enough for this" And Mrs Irwin laid her
asringly.
As our day il, 90 shall our strength be,
mother. Don't you believe this7''
Il do, John" answered Mrs Irwin, lifting
her face, and through half binding tears
looking at him wonderingly. Nay, more than
wonderingiy with rising glow Of pride in
her breast. Every woman admires courage In
q man; and the true mother loves IL in her
son. a new sentiment was taking force in the
mind Of Mrs. Irwin, and giving strength for
duty and for sacrifice. She seemed to herself
like one undergoing quick transform alton.
New ideas and new estimate of things were
pressing upon her, and thrusting old forms of
but never thought to see this day.
The day has come upon u.s." replied the
young man, "and shall we not be equal TO
its demand' am ready, and you are ready
also :" -
He spoke in q quick, inspiring voice, for he
saw strength In the eyes Of his mother. and q
gathering frmness about her mouth.
Only little while longer was there strife In
the mind OF Mrs. Irwin only little while
longer did old prejudices and foregone conclu-
sions battle with new convictions; only q little
while longer did shrinking natural fear stand
In the way Of duty.
A week later, and Mrs. Irwin held the hand
Of her con in parting. How changed be was !!
In single week be had seemed to grow older
by years. The firmly knit mouth the deep,
steady eyes; the finely erect figure; the
already browning face, for he had been drill
ing in the open air for days; the brave, reso-
lutte bearing, were all wonderful 10 look upon
as the work Of % brief q time. Is Ii strange
that Mrs. Irwin was proud Of her soldier bow
She held bis hand in parting.
DO Jour duty. John, % she said, in no weak
ness Of tone lIs
"I will, mother" sE4f35-..-s s-,-E.-
"Bs brave"
81 will never turn my back upon the en-
envy" r,-.,r ..--a -.
God bless you and keep you, INV son ~