The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-17

as we used to say, j. e., start some famil,
lar hymn. Upon this the prisoners
would gather often to the number OF
800 or 400. We had the most beauti-
full singing, led by trio of fine voices,
and joined by all present. The singing
leaders in most of the meetings which [
attended during the Summer and Fall
of 1864 were Serg't B. N. Waddell, j..
c. Turner, of Townline, Pa, and David
Anterior, Co. d, Goth N. Y. 1t seems
to me now that theirs were the sweetest
voices l ever heard. One of them,
Brother Waddell, has long since joined
the choir which sings the eternal song
of redeeming love amid the unfading
glories of Heaven. He survived the
cruelties of Andersonville and Florence
only long enough to die beneath the
starry folds of the flag for which he
suffered so much. They used not only
to lead our devotions, but also sometimes
sung patriotic songs to intensely appre-
ciative audiences of their fellow-prisoners
until warned to desist by apprehension
of danger from the guards.
Having no facilities for singing ex-
cept our memories and our voices, we
used only the most familiar pieces.
Such hymns as, Come, thou fount of
every blessing All hail the power of
Jesus name' Jesus, lover of my soul,
and, "A charge to keep | have were
most frequently used. Two others,
which seemed especially appropriate to
our situation, were sung again and
again, always with the greatest feeling
and truest comfort. They we're:
80 When can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,
I'll bid farewell to every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes
How many pious soul feebly and
uncertainty lingering within starving
body, poured forth its hopes of better
and more enduring life in the words of
that old familiar hymn. Another,
which expressed the hope of eternal
joys beyond the grave, apd, at the same
time, in the chorus, furnished a vehicle
for all the tenderness of feeling and in
tensity of longing, awakened by every
thought of home, seemed never to wear
out. 1t was the one sung by SO many
at the Reunion Of Prisoners, at Toledo,
commencing:
my heavenly home Is bright and fair,
NO pain nor woe can enter there;
It's glittering towers the sun outshine-
That heavenly mansion shall be mine.
I'm go ng home to die no more;
To die no more; to die no more;
I'm going home to die no more
eff it be true that the human mind
loves contrasts, how much more amid
dirt, disease and death, far from friends
and native land, surrounded by bitter
foes and daily expecting the most horrid
Of all deaths, must pious hearts have
poured forth in that hymn their quench-
less hope of a better country" y; that is,
a heavenly one, and their abiding con-
viction of the mighty contrast between
earth's most dreadful spot and Heavens
Incompatible glory.
owe usually had prayer meeting and
preaching services on alternate nights.
At the conclusion Of all our meetings
we invited within ring, formed of the
regular workers, all who desired their
to God, or their restoration
to the joys of salvation. | find notices
of this all along in my notes of the
meetings: Monday night, July II;
day in prison annals, six
came out for prayers; the next night
eight, and on the 18th, 10-some in
quirers and some backsliders'
81 find the following recorded Sun
day, July II: -Four inquirers came
out, one protested change of heart and
one was backslider. To-day received
The names of six who have been con-
yerted since our meetings began
Sunday night, July "a, l find this
record: How blessed that, even in this
abode of misery, Jesus meets his people
and inclines the hearts of many sinners
% listen with serious attention to His
word. Seldom do any leave until the
close of the meeting. Four gave their