Year: 1861

"IKNow ny MorHsR IS PRAyINs FOR xE"-There
are moments Of triii throsgh which We sometimes
have to pass that testhe strength Of our strong
holds where our own skill avais nething. and
we can only surrender blindl 10 sta eet throw our
selves upon the power and meryy of ths unseen
Arm. Well for as, if we have not waited for the
hour Of trial. ere we have sought pity and Protec-
ton from this Divine source 1gs :.


Upon the battlefield, where our gallant sp3diers
are gathering now, to- brave suffering and ds9th-L
how many prayers are winged to heaven from h1arts
which scorned to pray beforel How many are glad
to believe, who remembering the God whom they
sought in the peace and quiet Of home, lift TO Him
their strong yearnng souls in loving trust though
the cannons boom around and death Is on every
scenes of conflict, and all the horrid din Of war,
remember mothsr's prayers, and their hearts are
made strong to endure and hope, or suffer and die.
Of one such we know. The bullets fell like hail
around the daring soldier, as he forded the river
alone yet his courage failed not so long as he had
strength to lift his arm and return the fire. But
becoming chilled and exhausted, be began to think
that only death was before him, and there was no
power to save Instantly the thought flashed
through his soul, :" I Lnow my mother i praying
for me, and I shall be saped" Just ct that mo-
ment he was ordered to surrender, and be- with
other prisoners, were taken to the enemy's camp,
where they were warmed and fed The d 1icer at
tending him proved himself friend, giving him q
warm overcoat and putting him upon his horse
When they halted, this officer said to him, II be-
lieve recognize an old acquaintance in you, SIR"
But with fatigue and excitement he could not re-
turn the recognition until tue scenes of their former
meeting were brought more particularly before him.
So, though prisoner, he was guest and cared
for by his enemy friend, as if he were brother;
and when permitted to return TO his home, he was
sent away with God bless you'll"


When the brave son was clasped in his mothers
arms, and he recounted to her his peril and his
preservation did she not tell him that in that
fearful hour she aoas praying for him with strong
crying and tears, "Oh! Father, spare my son, and
bring him back to me once morer'


Who shall say there are not moments in our lives,
when the soul has flashes of inner
if so we please to call them, when that which Is
spiritual within us, perceives and knows that an.
other soul linked with our own in tcnderest ties is
yearning over us, with love and longing unuttef-
able, and that spirit is keeping watch with ours
When that intrepid soldier felt that his faraway
mother even then bowed in prayer, not all that
armed multitude could daunt him, or make him
believe it was only fancy the cannon's roar, nor
cleaning sword, could not alright or drive away
his faith. 1t was mor'lly sublime to thus face
death; but was noble-hoy to fear it not, because
he knew away in his quiet home, q mother prayed
for him.


Blessed inheritance mothers prayers they
ascend from palace homes, or lowest roof they are
waited up to heavel and He who said on the cross,
behold thy mother p remembers them.


Orphaned, lonely and badly equipped, is that poor
soldier who can never say, Z" / knop my mother Is
praying for me ~ Commonwealth.