Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-05-11
From the Central PRESBYTERIAN.
A Happy Meeting.
BY PHILLIP BARRETT.


But a short time after the. memorable bat
tie of Bethel-now a sacred name iESouth-
ern homes-l was standing at the dor of my
tent in conversation with the hero Of he first
victory which crowned our arms. We were
encamped on the beach just belowEhe hills
OF Yorktown ;-above US as far as The eye
could reach, the white-rowed tenk. filled
with strong arms and stout hearts, Stretched
over those noted plains at our feet te calm,
placid waters of the lovely river, Iona, bright
and beautiful in the sunlight of the opening
day.
There wasOne other who made ubour lit
tie circle. He was a gallant young soldier
who for nine long hours stood at hisgun as
it rained its iron torrents of shot and she'll
upon the shattered ranks of the enemy. His
form was erect, his keen grey eye as piercing
as that of the eagles; his brow was bronzed
by long exposure to the beating rays of a hot
Peninsula SUI his cheek was stained with
powder yet he seemed to feel a conscious
pride IN being even "a private in the'ranks"
in this gallant little band which had first met
and beaten the enemy on Southern soil.
The attention of the gallant officer, whose
name is now familiar as household words to
every child in our Confederacy, seemed
drawn towards the young soldier, as be stood
silently listening to his remarks on the deep
ening interest of our soldiers in religion, and
the pleasure he expressed at the large turn
out of his regiment the night before to hear
the Gospel of the. Son of God"
There evidently were features in that no.
BILE young face which he had seen before
Warmly pressing the rough hand o1tbe SOL
dier-boy, said he to him, Are yoLSEAot the
little B. who was once a.member of my
Sabbath school class in Lexington Vag'
At these words from the dear old teacher,
whom he had felt a delicacy in approaching,
the young mans heart seemed to beat with
inexpressible delight, while his cheek glowed
with unusual warmth, and a bright tear ad-
ded a new lustre to his clear eye.
1t was beyond a doubt the Rappiest meet
ing | ever saw. For long years they had beer
separated. They had both, though in fal
different positions, passed through the iron
hail which ratified all around them behind the
earth works of Bethel.
God had taken care of them for "He was
there, though they knew it not" Wher
they parted, this gallant young soldier was
hayward, th~oughtless, boy. Now they me
both fighting under the same banners-the,
were soldiers of the Cross, and soldiers ofth
Confederacy. .
Both of these soldiers have passed unharm
ed through nearly all the battles OF our rev.
~olution., The teacher has risen to the high
est position Of our army /; the scholar sti
stands by his gun, though both he and it hav
seen two long years of hard service, and mos
OF all, stands by the Cross of Christ
This little incident, my dear young friends
is full of interest and instruction.
It teaches how wonderful are Gods deal
Sings with US for he had strangely preserve
through many years, and at. last brought to
gether a teacher and his scholar VINO had a
most entirely forgotten each other.
1t should also impress upon yourrninds tt
: great value of the instructions with you a
receiving from your teachers, AMI that yo
should always cherish the strongest love f
them.
To the teacher, it is foil Of c%on4art, s.
the morning SOW thy seed" and leave tt
rest with God.
To those who think it impossible for t
: soldier to be a Christian, We woulfAsaN 6
: General d. H. Hill thought it . pleasure a
! a privilege, amid the din and tumult of w
) to recognize an old Sabbath scholar, sure
: it is time for cavillers to be silent on tt
; subject; for with him, as with another one
! the heroes Of this war, also a teacher in Il
!. same school, consistent piety has not be
= found at all incompatible with the duties
= military life."s .
S Solomon-The Wise Lan.
Solomon, the son of David, was king