Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-01-05
M(istellaneoQs.
FOR TnE SPIRIT OF II Ass
Praying for the Soldiers.

ped the parting tear and gave the farewell
kiss TO a weeping mother and loving Sis
tiers. We were going to fight the bat
ties Of our country, and when We ask
ed them to pray for Us, they replied-"Our
prayers shall ever follow thee" We ask
cd the church in which we had been
brought up from our-childhood, to remem'
Der Us in their praye rs, and We were per-
mitted to hear the prayers Of the church
incur behalf, even before we left, antlcl-
pating the trials and temptations through
which we were soon to pass. We met our
brothers and sisters of the Division room,
for the last time-the place where we had
30 often met and pledged ourselvesto remain
firm to the cause of temperance, and to seek
the,good of our fellow men where we
had SO often been cheered with the smiles
of those we loved, and charmed with the
solemn yet..delightful music, Father of
mercies condescend to hear our fervent
prayer" &c.
We again, with fearful eyes, " renewed
tho covenant not only to continue faith
ful advocates Of the Order O. the Sons of
Temperance but to pray for each other.
So that our parting, though painful, was
not altogether unpleasant, for we bad hop
cd that we would meet again in a brighter
circle than that.
We babe adieu to friends at home,
Twas thus We left them there
And OIL we thought where eer We roam,
Well have their constant prayer.
Thus We left our many friends, and tho
our heart was sad at parting, yet as love
of country and duty urged us on, we felt
that we could climb mountains of trouble,
assisted by that Hard whose power was
constantly besought in our behalf. We
were thus enabled to cor many trials
and difficulties that seemed mountain high
to US Tor often when gloom and sadness
would seem to surround Us, and danger
and even death would stare Us in the face,
we would call to mind the promises Of our
friends to pray for us, and then in our i'm
agination, we could see. many beams of
light piercing the heavens, and concen-
trating at the throne of God; some as
cending from the family circle, some from
the church and some from the Division
room, besieging a throne rich in mercy /;
and all these prayers offered for me-. 1t
was then We we were constrained to cry
w;,hi s0Or M and H Why art thou disauisted
shall yet praise him for the help of his
countenance."
Thus have we often been induced to
pray for ourself, when we remembered that
Others were praying for US. By this means
We are often, not only comforted, but en-
couraged to continue Faithful to the
END, 4" that we may obtain "a crown of
life." Oh how many soldiers have been
encouraged to pray on, fight on and hope
on, till the war shall end, that We NAV
"come off more than conquerors through
Him that loved us and gave himself Tor
Us" But alas a change has certainly
taken place. The soldiers, to some extent,
seem to be forgotten. A few weeks ago,
after being sick for months, we were kind
ly permitted to visit the loved ones at home.
After a few days rest, one evening, we
heard the church bell, in loud tones, Civ
ing notice that the hour for Soldiers
prayer meeting" was at hand. We had
often heard Of these meetings and Of
ten thought of them when in camp and
imagined that we could see many kneel-
ing together Offering up their ~feryent
prayers for the protection of husbands,
brothers and sons that were out upon the
bloody fields of Va. But alas! when we
entered the church We saw but ffeD there
to spend an hour, praying to the God of
battles for our p, election. On another
occasion, we understand that only t,Uo Ht>
tie girls, out of the many inhabitants of
this beautiful town, met with the ministers
to pray for the soldiers! Oh ! reader, is
there encouragement to be found ut home
for the tempted and sorely tried soldier !
When we walk our streets, and see and
hear men cursing and blaspheming the
name of God, can we expect anything but
utter destruction for our wickedness 3
When We remember that our existence, as
a nation, is threatened, and know that it
depends alone upon God whether We pros.
per or whether we be destroyed in wick
edness, should not we repent in dust and
ashes, and "Ail men everywhere pray g.
We leave this fol- the church, the reader
and an RnHghtencd country to answer.
Lord thou hast scourged our guilty land
Behold thy people mourn:
Shall vengeance always guide thy hand,
And mercy ne sr return -
Beneath the terrors of thine eye,
Earth's naughty towers decay;
Thy frowning mantle spreads the sky.
And mortals melt away.
Our Zion trembles at thy stroke,
And breads thy lifted hand
Oil heal the people thou hast broke,
And save the sinking land.
Our Troops beneath thy guardian hand
Shall gain . glad renown; .
'Tis God who makes the feeble stand,