Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-09-14
LETTER FROM A SOLDIER.
CAMP NEAR BERMUDA HUNDREDS, !
July 18th, 1864. (

MR.. EDITOR :-Wo see Dy the NOfCnern
papers that Mr.. Lincoln has appointed a
day OF fasting and prayer; and certainly
however some may ridicule the idea, some
of the things for which he proposes to his
people to pray are good in themselves and
greatly to be desired. Ought not we too
to fast and praya Are we without sins,
and without the need of repentance Are
there no dangers overhanging lis sufficient
ly great to move us to call earnestly upon
God for help9 What if he has been wait
ing to see if we would repent for these
three years past, and has heightened out
our probation and restrained during that
time the power of our enemy to destroy
rsa What if he has been suffering these
great affections to come upon US to lead
us to repentance and what if, seeing that
we have not repented, he should give us
into the power of our enemya ls there
nothing in such thought to stir US up to
repentancei Have wa ever as a people
thought Of our sins as the cause of our suf-
fering and have we been concerned as
much rs we should about getting rid OF
our sins Have we not on the contrary
laid all our sufferings and misfortunes at
the door Of onr enemy, and attributed it
to all their wickedness instead of our own9
Ought we not now begin seriously to ex-
anime eursezv.s? Had we not better hum
Lle ourselves before God than to be hum
bled before our enemiesl When Daniel
was troubled on account of the Affections
of bis people he set himself to fast and
pray, until he had some assurance of the
acceptance of his prayers and the grant
ing Of his petition: When Nineveh was
threatened with destruction, the king and
his subjects put on sackcloth and ashes,
and continued in fasting and prayer until
the threatened doom of their city was re-
. versod.
When we fast and pray ought we not to
have 40 object, and continue in our hu-
initiation until Our prayers are answered Z
Ought we not to be more concerned about
our sins than all other enemiesi Are
they not to be more dreaded than the
Yankeess These latter desolate our fields,
rob us of our property, burn our homes,
Insult our women, and destroy our lives,
and seek to deprive us of our liberties !;
but, thanks be to God, they cannot destroy
our souls. But our sins not only make US
unhappy here, but they rob US of Heay-
en- with its countless treasures and ever
lasting happiness, and inhict upon our
souls eternal death. Are they not then
our greatest enemiess
New, Mr.. Editor, will you allow sol
der to make a proposition to your readers
1t is this: that every one of them that
fears and believes in God, and loves his
country and pties its distresses, will enter
into VOW with him to fast and pray and
humble themselves before Cod every Fri
day morning until - o'clo TX, until He, in
his mercy, shall grant rs deliverance from
our present troubles. Let US pray thai
God would sanctify our affections to oul
good, and soften our hearts, and lead u:
to repentance, and then deliver us from
the power OF our enemies. Let us exam
ING ourselves and forsake our sins, and be
gin to walk humbly and uprightly before
our God. What terrible thing it woule
be if our hearts should be hardened like
fiat Of Pharaoh, and our eyes blinded
and God should give us up to the powe
of our malignant and cruel foe2 What
can God deliver US from the power of on
foest All! how weak is our faith, ane
how prone we are to limit the Almighty
How many of your Christian readers re
ally believe that General Grant and hi
host has no power, except by the permis
sion of God, to harm usl He and his al
my is nothing against the power of God
But will God hear us and help9 Yes
surely, if we humble ourselves before hin
and seek him Alright, he will both bles
and save. He has said in his word tina
unto him who asketh shall be given, an
he who seeks shall find. He will certain
" grant lis clean hearts and pure spirits
lie will surely cleanse us from our sin
and backslidings, and give us grace an
prepare us for our dnties and sufferings.-
will I'LL us with his love, and with Joy an
peace in believing. And being in hi
gracious favor, he will grant all our re
quests as far as il good in his sight. d
has right to dispose of US and our cour
try IS shall seem good in his sight. W
and it are his. Let us humbly seek an
submit to his will
Is it time to be gay and thoughtles
and indulge in sin, when war with all il
dt'solating fury is sweeping over our com
try? Can you laugh and be indiferer
wi,ile the mother and her little one wa,
der houseless and hungryi Can you fe,
, Indifferent when your sisters and mothe,
} are; exposed to insulta Can you feel III
= coriccrned while your cities are burnin
and your fields being deselated9 DO 20
5 really feel any kindness for the poor 50
, die*r, and sympathize in his long ings fl
hornet Do you pity him as he reels
= the battle throng, with thespurple cure,
. rushing from his heart, or when he
0 borne off mangled and mutilated for life
9 And dare you, can you, will you refuse
4 aid III making God our friend, and seekir
g through him deliyerance from our SO
f rows : Will you sin when you kno
I that gin odd, 70 tho p