Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-02

There was no answer; for the wealth of the
world the chaplain could not have spoken now.
That tone unconscious OF danger, that eye so
full Of sympathy Still a strange silence What
did it mean? The sick mans inquirng glance
changed for moment 10 one of intense terror.
lie raised both arms-lct them fall heavily upon
the coveret at his side, and in voice totally al
tered by emotion, he gasped-
Great heaven YOU mean me-
MY dear friend, said the chaplain unnamed.
II am 70 die, ncn-and-how--longy His
eyes once more sought that of the chaplain
~ Gu have made your peace with God, lot death
come as soon as it will, he will call YOU over the
river
Eyes; but this is awiully sudden awfully sud-
den. ~ his lips quvered he looked up grieynglyS
=" and shall not see my mother
"Christ is better than a mother" murmured the
chaplain
Yes" The word came in a whisper His
eyes were closed the lips still wore that trem-
bling grief, as if the chastsement were too sore
too hard to be borne but the minutes passed,
and the soul lifted itself up stronger and more
steadily upon the wings Of prayer, the countenancc
grew calmer, the lips steadier, aud when the eyes
were openedagain, there was light in their depths
that could have come only from Heaven
81 thank you for your courage he said, more
feebly taking the hand Of the chaplain
1.-The bitterness is over now, and feel willing
to die. Tell my mothcr'-he paused, gave one
sob, dry, and iull OF the last anguish OF earth
tell her how | longed TO her but If God will
permit me | will be near her. Tell her to com
tort all who loved me, to say that | thought OF
them all. Tell my father ] am glad he gave me
his consent and that other fathers will mourn for
other sons. Tell my minister, by word or letter,
that thought OF him. and that / thank him for all
his counSels. Tell him that / find that Christ will
not desert the passing soul and that | 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 with mt =
Oh what emotions sweed the heart of that de
voted man, as he kneced by the bedside OF that
dying volunteer, the young soldier OF Christ and
with tones so low that only the ear of God and
that of HIM who was passing away could hear, be-
sought Gods grace and presence. Never ia all
his experience had his heart been so powerfully
wrought upon never had feeling of such uuut-
terable tenderness taken possession of his soul.
lie seemed already in the presence of a gloried
spirit and after the prayer was over, restraining
his sobs, he bent down, aud pressed upon the
beautiful brow, already chilled with the breath of
the coming angel twice, thrice, a ierent kiss.
They might have been as tokens from the father
and mother, as well as himself. So, perhaps.
thought the dying soldier, for a heavenly smile
touched his face with new beauty, as he said,
." Thank you! | won't trouble YOU any longer
you are weared out--go to your rest
1.-The Lord God be with you was the feryent
response
Amen :" trembled from the fast whitening lips
Another hour passed The chaplain still moved
uneasly around his room. There were hurried
sounds overhead, and footsteps the stairs. lie
opened his door; encountered the surgeon, who
whispered one little word
"Gono r.
Christ's soldierhad found the Captain OF his sal
vaton.