Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-07
The Secret of his Success

one OF the most useful men met IN my
army life was private in the 104th New
York Volunteers, and farmer before he
had entered the army, by the name of VOL
colt Though possessed Of strong good
sense, he had little education, and could
scarcely write line without an error of
spelling or grammar. The only especial
qualification he had for christian work was
a sunny temperament and tact at getting
at men.
| first became acquainted with him in
the meetings held at Culpepper, which was
one of the centres of the great army revi-
val in 1861. His power in prayer was
something wonderful. Many time l have
seen rough, disappearing men, officers, as
well as priyates, awed into a feeling of the
unusual nearness of God. At such times
it seemed that he talked and plead with
his heavenly Father as Il "man talketh with
his friend" "Why, that man prays," |
have heard it remarked, cas- if he saw God
and just expected to get what he asked
for" OF course he had power with men,
and reached them, it seemed, at will
Many scores of souls were given him as
The reward and glory Of his service.
Our regiment was captured at the battle
Of the Weldon Railroad, August 10, 1864
Wolcott went with the rest of the privates
TO Belle Isle, and then to other southern
prisons; and did not return till the close
Of the war. In letter written to me on
his way home, he gave a description Of his
work at Belle Isle. Though there were
many christians among the multitudes con-
fined there, they seemed cowed; and the
wicked and protane carried everything
with a high hand. He started a prayer
meeting on the night OF his arrival. Its
very novelty helped it; opposition andri
icule were overborne and within week
there was an attendance of a thousand or
twelve hundred. These services were held
every night; and were conducted in a sim
pie informal way by private men, there
were no officers or chaplains on the Island, J
and God blessed them. Souls were con-
verted daily. On one occasion eighteen
testified that they had found their Saviour
and thus the work went on until Wolcott
and his friends were sent south where no
such opportunities were allowed.
One day shortly before his capture as he
was going down with me to the field hos
pital, said TO him, "Wolcott, I'd give
anything to learn your secret. You must
have thought and prayed much and kept
the garden Of your soul well, to have such
power with God and man." NO" said
he, with sort of puzzled air, 81 don't
think that's it. am not much used to ex-
amining myself, and l don't know that ]
can tell you. But, chaplain, l don't think
much about myself anyhow. All my thot's
are about Jesus and his love. There are
not five minutes in the day, when my mind
is not occupied with my necessary duty
that | am not thinking of Him-the first
thing when l wake in the morning and the
last thing at night. Then do everything
for Him. If | have anything to do-why
for instance, getting ready for dress parade
that my duty as soldier requires, lool
right past my officer to Him; and, chap
lain, it does make this rough life sweet anC
easy"
had his secret | trust / have not for
gotten the lesson; and as l look upon hi
sun burnt face, glowing. even then, as
imagine that of Moses did, "took knowl
edge that he had been with Jesus. "-RcU
4. Q. Roe IN Christian Union.