Year: 1861

Wantto Carry That Flag


A regiment of soldiers from Massachusetts
passed through the city, few weeks since,
on the way to the scat of Government.
While waiting at the Park barracks for the
hour Of starting by the afternoon train, we
stepped into the crowd, and spent little
while in conycrsing among them. One very
intelligent and sterling fellow particularly in-
tcrcsted us. During our brief talk, he said,
earnestly, 81 want to carry that flag! A
man in my company has the post, but mean
to get it if | can. [ will get it honorably; l
won't have it any other way-but e0ant to
carry that aag!"


1t was q noble sentiment, and uttered in o
firm and conscious tone, and carnestness Of
manner that made us feel sure that in his
hands that flag would never be lowered while
he had nerve or d muscle left to hold it..
Fired with undying devotion to the banner
which had Aoated over him in his wandcrings
and services in various parts of the continent,
it was his purpose to carry it aloft, and never
surrender while life should last, and, if posi-.
bic, to plant it again on many hilltop, and
even on the ruined battements of Moultrie
and Sumter.


! We were tempted to an envy of his enthu-
siasm and his heroism. We felt that such
men, and there were scores of thousands, at
the same time, who were all drawing towards
one common centre near the seat OF Govern
ment, afforded arebuke to the protessed follow
ers of Chrisn.


The clarion-peal Of proclamation by the
President electrified the nation, and men
sprung to their feet, and rent the air with
their cry, "To arms" Putting on the ar
NOR, the wheels Of the locomotive were slow,
in their impatience to respond to the appeal.
And to day three hundred thousand men are
enlisted for the war, which is to preserve our
free institutions, or end in despotism and
shame. Leaving home and fami y and friends
animated with spirit of self-sacri6ce and de-
voton, which is the true test of patriotism,
they have gone to support and defend the
starry flag, that has hitherto been the emblem
Of peace and freedom throughout the world


Il want to carry that flag = should be the
cry Of every Christian. 1t should always
be his desire, but at the present time it is
urgently necessary. Worldliness, wealth
seeking formaity, and the pressure of ex-
ternal interests political and financial, have
for years been crowding so much their in
hueuces upon the thoughts and affections Of
men, that true spiritual progress in the inner
life has been retarded, and, in too great de-
gree arrested. The public and national
events, the pressure of political questions,
and the disasters and reverses from which so
many suffer, make such demands upon our
time and sympathies, that the cares of the
world shut out the power of Christ and His
cross from our hearts. Yet at such time
more than ever, the Christian should cling
to the cross he should elevate the standard,
carry the flag always aloft, ane let it be seen
by all, that they may be attracted by its
starry and lovely folds.


| want to carry that flag should be
the cry of the young men of the Church,
who are in doubt, and are asking how they
shall best serve their Master. Not every
soldier is fit for standard-bearer 1t re-
quires tho resolute heart, the strong will, the
untaltering nerve, the unwavoring devotion
Of a whole man, to expose himself thus on
the battlefield. In the Church, to-day, we
need bold and earnest standard -bcarers-men
who will not be afraid to carry the flag even
among the ranks Of the enemy, and die, if
need, covered with honorable wounds The
Church calls--the world cals-heaven and
eternity, and Christ himself calls for true
Disciples who will put on the whole armor Of
light, and will 60 forth to carry the word of
light to perishing souls.


Il want to carry that flag! should be
the cry of every man and woman who goes
to foreign lands, for pleasure, health or prof
it. Even in our ordinary travelling at homo,
every Christian could exert a mighty inAu-
ence, if he always carried that flag. BY
this faithfulness to the great Captain of our
salvation, we should often be rewarded with
pleasures rich and exalting, and cheer and
be cheercd with delightful intercourse with
other Christians. Every individual of the