The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-03-09
S26

purchased to be remembered. I would elevate
our rejoicing above mere ebullition of buoyant
passion, of pride, of military clarifying, and love
of conquest, into region of higher and holier
feelings IF have remembered that our victo-
ries are shouted over our brave soldiers graves
and in the midst ofthousands of bereaved homes,
it is because / have also remembered that the
highest joy is achieved only through sorrow;
and would lift up this hour of victory above
the boisterous shoutingsof the streets, nottotake
from it it's glory but that we may see it clothed
in more exalted glory. remember that the
highest glory that was given to the EARTH
won by the offering of the most precious blood
that the earth ever nourished. 1t was JOY for
man when Christ was born; well might Angels
have sung over his cradle, "Peace on earth, good
will towards men - yet it was not in Bethlehem,
but on Calvary, that the highest joy he had to
give was perfected; it from the Cross that
he led captivity captive, - and gave his richest
gifts to men for not until his fidelity was per-
fected by this perfect sacrifice, was it crowned
with the highest glory.
Human affection, physical Weakness shrank
for moment from that dreadful test. Involun-
tarily came the utterance, "Now is my soul
troubled and what shall 1 say Father,
me from this hourr' No, not that; not for
moment could the unsubmissive thought be
tertained The contending forces were too grand
to admit such element, the issue too mighty
to be risked such weakness; it was truth
contendng with error, light with darkness, right
eousness with violence; any life, even his,
too precious to give for Truth and Right and
Righteousness? No, not to be saved! The hui
man within him might for moment make that
prayer, but the divine too strong for this
very hour this very crisis, had he come into the
world it was the hour of deepest agony; yet it
the hour of highest triumph; it was the hour
of greatest sacrifice; it the hour therefore of
the most exalted Qualification And SO the holy
lips prayed not to be spared but with lofty
submissiveness "Father, glorify thy name;' y
and though he went to the cross, he walked as
though to victory-now the hour is come, that
the Son of Man should be glorifed.''
&c. my friends, 1 would lift this hour of victo-
ry into the region of these highest sanctites of
suffering and grief, in order thereby to show it
in it's aspect of divinest glory. The nation to-
day stands gloriied because it has been cruciied.
1t has borne the pangs of mortal agony that it
may wear the crown of Immortal life. 1t has
given its hands and its feet to the cruel nails it's
side to the boisterous thrust of the spear, it's
whole body to the inhuman usages of violence,
in order that it may ascend to theserene heights
of heavenly peace. The stripes are laid upon
us, but we are healed our brothers lie slain on
the CORY fields of battle our homes have become
fountains of tears, but the country is thereby
purified and redeemed-We are made desolate,
but full of glory
The hour is come that the Son of Man should
r be gloriied." The greatest glory of these times
even of this hour, lies not in the triumph of bat
tle-heds; not in the Victories of physical force ;
not in the splendid successes of military skill ;
.~.xA IL