The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-15

There was time, and ot very long ago,
when the majority Of th9ipevple in civil life
took their notions about lailitary men from
the prurient English coinsss5s IF George Ills
period; when, to be an officer Of the army i'm
piled code of morals ofensive to public taste
and domestic happiness. according to that
code religion was at discount, and a pray
ing soldier was "canting hound"
Caricature, as this unSoubtably was, of
English society, it has been in all time, abso-
lutely false of the American army. A better
set Of men than our old army could not be
found in equal numbers teken at random
from any other profession, and among them
some of the very best officers have been de-
voutly religious But it is not of such men
we mean to speak. ourpresent purpose is to
point out the prevalence Of the religious ele-
ment among all classes of Sighting men; the
fact that those who hold 5sssaar lives in their
hand recognize tho Godsoz sSles, and pray
rur 'ri4cmseisSs and flssir c0Ii2fry 'inSe MUS
of danger, The simplest Expression oe the
relations. Of praying and lssting" Wis, per
l.
God, and keep your powder dry"
1t is easy to prove what we have said, by
reference to modern history. Cromwell and
his praying Puritans were dangerous men to
meet in battle; tho Sword Of the Lord and
of Gideon" was exceedingly sharp, tempered
as it was with hourly prayers.
Nor were the Cavaliers wanting in prayer
although despising the so-called cant of the
Roundheads. The Kings men repeated
their collects for Church aud King. "Boys,
my brave boys" said Col. Shippen, "pray
well and fight well, and God will certainly give
us the victory" "0h Lord!' said another,
if forget thee, as in the press of battle
may, do not thou forget me"
There is something sublime in the specta-
Gle of Gustayus Adolphus and his vast army,
on the eve of the battle of Lutzen; in which
he fell, praying on bendeas ISsse, and then
chanting
"Be of good chcer-your cause belongs
To Him who avenge your wrongs;
Leave it to Him, our Lord"
The King fell, but the battle was gloriously
won.
Who can ever forget the touching colloquy
between my Uncle Toby and Corporal Trim,
concerning the prayers of soldiers. 1t is elo-
quent, patriotic and true. Find it, oh reader,
in the inestimable Tristrgm, and enjoy it
again. If it speaks volumes for my Uncle
and the Corporal, it says much also for "our
army in Flanders" especially considering
that other accounts may make them "swear
terribly"
All the world knows that Stonewall Jack
son struck harder blows because he prayed
so mnch.
Rosccrans, devout Romg6 Catholic, jnst
before his designed attack on Chattanooga,
had mass said in all the churches Of Cincin-
natl for the success Of his arms. The same
solemn spirit pregnant with results
And so it must always.be. Before going
into battle, the foolish, wicked, unmeaning
oath is silent with the braeing of the nerves
there goes up a silent prayerfor strength and
valor and deliverance. Tha wounded pray
to be saved from death; the dying recall
the words of old petitions learned in their
childhood, and in these broken accents com
nit their souls to God.
On the battlefield of Gettysburg were
found brood-strewn, Bibles and prayer-books
Carried in coat bosoms or pockets, they came
forth in the bitter moments, solace to the
wounded and dying, and a proof that soldiers
pray as well as fight. All honor and thanks
to the worthy chaplains. whe. fsster their no
bic spirit, and to this phiIanthropie men witt
care for the soldiers interest at home, taking
with them, in timely visits on battle-felds
and in crowded hospitals, comforts for th'
poor suffering mortal bodies, and holy book
and words of prayer for the well-boing of tn
immortal souls.
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