Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-23
WHOLE NO. 405.
Fighting and Praying.


life took their notions about military men
from the prurient English comedies of
George HIS period when, to be an Of
fcer of the army implied code of NOR
ais offensive to public taste and domestic
happiness, in which code, if to love your
neighbor was not inculcated, to love your
neighbor's wife was. According to that
code, religion was at count,
and praying soldier was a
"canting hound" Caricature, as this
undoubtedly was, of English society, it
has been, in all time, absolutely false OF
the American army. A better set of
men than our old army could not be
found in equal numbers taken at random
from any other profession, and among
them some of the very best officers have
been devoutly religious. But it is not of
such men we mean to speak. Our pres
ent purpose is to point out the preya-
lence Of the religious element among all
classes Of fighting men; the fact that
those who hold their lives in their hands,
leaving "senseless bigots" to fight "for
forms of creed" recognize the God of
battles, and pray for themselves and
their country in the midst of danger.
The simplest expression of the relations
of praying and fighting" was, perhaps,
the blunt order-"Put your trust in God,
and keep your powder dry" 1t is easy
to prove what we have said, by refer
ence to modern history. The Mussul-
man humbly obeys the muezzin's call be-
fore he plunges into the fight to reap
glory, or gain Paradise and tie Hours.
Indeed he rather outstrips the Christian
in regularity of prayer. Cromwell and
and his praying Puritans were danger
Gus men to meet in battle the "Sword
of the Lord and of Gideon" was exceed
ing sharp, tempered as ii was with hourly
prayers. Nor were the Cavaliers want
ing in prayer, although despising the So
called cant of the Roundheads. The
kings men repeated their collects for
church and king. "Boys, my brave
boys" said Major Shippen, spray well
and fight well, and God will certainly
give US the victory" "Oh Lord p said
another, eff forget Thee, as in the press
of battle / may, do not Thou forget me-"
There is something sublime in the
spectacle of Gustayus Adolphus and his
vast army, on the eve of the battle of
Lutzen, in which he fell, praying on
bended knee, and then chanting
"Be Of good cheer-your cause belongs
To Him who can avenge your wrongs;
Leave it to Him, our Lord"
The king fell, but the battle was glori-
ously won. 1t is related of the celebrat-
ed soldier La Hire, that when about to
60 into battle he sent for the priest to
obtain absolution. He WAS told to con-
less. He had no time to go into detail,
be, said, but he confessed sail the usual
sins Of soldiers life" Upon receiving
lbsolution, he made his prayer as fol-
lows: ooh Lord, do unto me this day
as | would unto Thee if / were God
and Thou was La Hire" II sounds
marsh to us now, but the proud old
Frenchman thought he was very devout.
Who can ever forget the touching collo-
luy between my Uncle Toby and Corpo-
al Trim, concering the prayers of SOL
iiers. 1t is eloquent, patriotic and true.
Find it, oh reader, in the inestimable
Tristram, and enjoy it again. If it
peaks volumes for my uncle and the cor
'oral, it says much also for "our army in
Flanders" especially considering that
'ther accounts may make them "swear
erribly."
All the world knows that Stonewall
Jackson struck harder blows because he
'rayed so much. He was evidently of
he fanatical stamp, and his prayers were
alher dervish like than intellicible
christian petitions, and yet they fired
he men who fought better than any
ther rebels. Rosecrans, deyout Ro-
lan Catholic, just before his designed
tack upon Chattanooga, had masses
aid in all the churches of Cincinnati for
he success Of his arms. The same SOL
mn spirit pregnant with results And
o it must always be. Before going in
D battle the foolish, wicked, unmeaning
ath is silent with the bracing of the
erves, there goes up silent prayer for
irength and valor and deliverence. The
rounded pray to be saved from death
ne dying recall the words of old petitions
armed in their childhood, and in these
roken accents commit their souls to
lod. On the battlefield of Gettysburg
ere found broad-strewn, Bibles and
rayer books. Carried in coat bosoms
: pockets, they came forth in the bitter
solace to the wounded and
ying, and a proof that soldiers pray as
ell as fight. All honor and thanks 10
le worthy chaplains who foster this no.
lie spirit, and to the philanthropie men
Tho care for the soldiers interest at
ONE, taking with them, in timely visits
NasaHH l.. Il L