Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-01-23

sick mans Inqniring glance changed TOT
moment to one of intense terror. He rain
ed both arms-let them fall heavily upo
the coverlet at bis side, and in . voice "a
tally altered by emotion, he gasped.
"Great heaven! you mean me-"
Any dear friend!" said the Chaplain
unnamed.
II am to die then-and-how-long
his eyes once more sought those Of hi
chaplain.
"You have made your peace with God
let death come as soon as it will, He vii
carry you over the river"
ayes; but this is awfully sudden! sw.
fully sudden!' bis lips quiversd; be look
ed up grievingly-"and shall not sec my
mother"
"Christ is better than mother" mur
INJURED the chaplain.
"Yes." The word came in . whisper
His eyes were closed; the lips still wort
that trembling grief, as If the chastisemenI
was too sore, too hard to be borne. but a.
the minutes passed, and the soul lifted it.
self up stronger and more steadily upor
the wings of prayer, the countsnancs grew
calmer. the lip steadier, and when the
eyes opened again, there was light in
their depths that could have come only
from heaven.
II thank you for your courage" be said,
more feebly, taking the hand Of the chap.
lain.
"The bitterness is over now, and I feel
willing to die. Tell my mother
paused, gave ono sob, dry, and full of the
last anguish of earth-"tell her how
longed to see her, but if God will permit
me, | will be near her. Tell her to com.
fort all who loved me, to say that l thought
of them all. Tell my father that l am
glad he gave me his consent, and that 9TH
er fathers will mourn for other sons. Tell
my minister, by word or letter, that l
thought of him, and that thank him for
all his counsels. Tell him l find that
Christ will not desert the passing soul;
and that l wish him to give my testimony
to the living, that nothing is of real worth
but the religion of Jesus. And now will
you pray for mes"
on what emotions swelled the heart of
that devoted man, as lie tnelt by the bed
side of the dying volunteer, the young SOL
der of Christ; and with tones so low that
only the ear of God and that of him who
was passing away could hear, besought
Gods grace and presence. Never in all
bis experience had bis heart been so pow
srfully wrought upon: never had feeling
Of such unutterable tenderness taken pos
session of his soul. He seemed already
IN the presence Of glorided spirit; and
sfter the prayer was over, restraining his
'obs, be bent down and pressed upon the
brow, already chilled with the
breath Of the coming angel, twice, thrice,
! fervent kiss. They might have been as
okens from the father and mother, as well
Is himself. So perhaps thought the dy-.
ng soldier, for heavenly smile touched
lis face with new beauty, as he said,
Thank you! I won't trouble you any
onger; you are wearied out-go to your
est"
"The Lord God be with you'll" was the
irm response.
"Amen!" trembled from the fact viii.
ening lips.
"Another hour passed. The chaplain
till moved uneasily around his ROOM
here were hurried sounds overhead, and
on the stairs. He opened bis
oor; encountered the surgeon, who whis-
'ered one little word
"Gone!"
Christ's soldier had found the Captain
t bis salvation!