West-Jersey pioneer., 1869-06-25
IT'S JUST LIKE HIM.

The following incident, illustrating the
true manliness of Christian soldier, the
power of right early training, and the way
in which the Christian Commission was
not unfrequently the direct channel Of
good news, has been preserved by an agent
of the Commission, who was for short
time on duty before Vicksburg:-
The night scenes were sometimes grand
indeed; shells discharged from the land
batteries traced their beautiful, fiery paths
high into the air above the beleaguered
city, and meeting there the missiles as
cending on the same errand from Com
modore Porter's feet, crossed them in bril-.
liant curves, making the beholder almost
forgetful of the mission on which the mon
sters were sent
On one of these brilliant nights, I came
upon regimental prayer-meeting, under
bluff within short musketrange of the
enemy's works. Whenever there was a
discharge from our batteries, the rebel
sharpshooters along their lines would reply
by shower of minnie balls, which cut the
leaves over our heads, and occasionally
glanced down to the ground at our feet.
By order of the brigade commander, to
prevent drawing the attention, and per-
haps the fire of the enemy. the hymns
we're sung in low, muf1ed voice, but
loud enough to "make melody in our
hearts" The meeting was led by one of
the captains of the regiment. There was
something genuine and manly in the
piety of the leader, which seemed to win
the affection and attention of the soldiers
was so much struck with it that I could
not forbear seeking his acquaintance; and,
on invitation, meeting him the next day,
we walked over to the colonels tent.
AS the custom was, we were courteously
offered drink from the ubiquitous bottle
As the single glass passed round the circle,
nearing me every moment, | questioned
in my own mind what terms | should use
in declining; but was yet more inter-
ested to see what course my Christian
captain would take. When the colonel
called upon him, he declined; was invited
again, and again declined; and the third
time did it SO decidedly, and yet respect
fully as not to give offence nor to be
further importuned. I said to him after,
wards" Captain, do you always do
that 2"
eyes," said he.
"Do you mean that yon have never
taken any intoxicating liquor 2"
Yes, just that"
"What, not even to correct this Yazoo
water 2"
"Never."
"You must have belonged to the cold
water army in your boyhood ?"
I" Yes; but l learned something better
than that, my mother taught me this one
thing what is right, is right and COM
ing to Mississippi don't make any differ
ence. 1t would not be right for me to ac-
cept an invitation to drink at home; | don't
believe it's right here-therefore don't
drink"
A few weeks afterwards, passing up
the Mississippi river, [ addressed Sab
bath evening congregation. After the
service, lady came to inquire about her
boy" foolishly," she said, for it was not
likely that in an army of forty thousand
men had seen her boy; but still she
wanted to ask me if l had met him. She
told me of her anxiety for his welfare
how she feared that the bad influences Of
the camp would lead him astray.
He promised me that be would do
well." said she, and I've no reason to
think he doesn't do well; but if could
only see somebody who could tell me from
actual knowledge how he is doing, it
would be such a relief"
She told me his name and regiment.
I assured her that there was hardly ground
for all the fears mothers were exercising
for their absent boys; that many soldiers
were actually becoming better men, grow
ing strong under trial. And then, to illus
trate, l told her, without mentioning
names, of my captain, of the prayer-meet-
ing, and of the scene in the coloneps
tent
ooh p said she, "that't beautiful
that's beautiful. His mother must be
proud Of him.
eyes" said I "that she is--and yo,s
are the proud mother p
| never shall forget the joy that leapt
into her face, and how she sprang across
the carpet and catching my hand in both
hers, wet it with grateful tears.
''Is that my boy-is that Will? It's
just like him; l knew he would do SO.
He always was good boy; he told me he