A mother's parting words to her soldier boy

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Ta\CT FOR SOLDIERS.] ]^0. 18.

A MOTHER'S PARTING WORDS

TO HER SOLDIER ROY.

Mr Dear Son; —

At the time of oursopaiation, my hoart was too teu-
<1erly and deeply uffccfed to permit me to give uiierauce to the
words of affjcLionatc couuscl, which I longed Lopoar into your
car. My min^le.l emotions of love, grief, and anxiety could
find vc;ii only in tcara. But l have concluded in this manner
to transmit to you the words of inslru?t'on, warning and encour-
agement, which I should have preferred to speak to you with
my lips, h:id not th'^ feelinj^s awakened by 3''our departure for
the army, overpowered my self-control. Ton need not be told
that I love you, tint I chcrisli a deep solicitude for your welfare,
and that my happiness is bound up with your prosperity. 1
have a claim to 3'our attention which T am sure your filial af-
fection will not allow you to disregard.

I gave up my son, without reluctance, indeed, I may say
with joy, to enter the army of his-country. The war in which
we are unfortunately involved, has been forced upon us. VTe
have askcdfor nothing but to be let alone. We are contending
for the great fundamental principle of the American Revolution:
that all authority is derived from the consent of the governed.
The attempt on tho part of the Federal Government to coerce,
not, as it is f^ilsely pretended, a factious party, but free and
independent vStates, governed by unprecedented majorities, is
utterly subversive of republican government. The question to
be settled by this conflict is, whether the Confederate States
shall be permitted to govern themselves, or whether they shall
begovernsd by States whose political views, and social institut'
ions, are widely diftereut from their own. To the South no-
thing remaina but absolute subjugation and debasement, or

2 A mothee's parting words

victoiy. Ill such a strife, I cheerfully oflfor my son, the cher-
ished jewel of my heart, on my country's altar; and if 1 had
ten sons, I wouid resign them all with equal pleasure. I trust
that my son will act the mah. Fighting, as he is, for indepen-
dence, home, ho'tior, everything dear to the iieart of a freeman,
he would be unworthy of the soil that gave him birth — the land
of patriots and heroes — the father whose name he bears, and
the mother who nursed him, if he should not prove himself to
be ioyal and brave. Let me urge you, then, ray son, to be what I
am sure you will be, a good soldier. Obey the commands of
your superiors, be courteous to your equals, and be kind to the
distressed, even to your enemies, so far as you mny be without
strengthening the cause in which they are engaged.

But I write to you chiefly, my boy, to impress on your heart
the importance of enlisting under the banner of the Cross.
The searcher of hearts knows that my greatest desire is, that
you should be a sincere and lonsistent Christian. I have feebly
endeavored by my instructions, prayers and example, to win you
to the service of Christ. You may havethoughtit strange that
1 have conversed directly with you so httle concerning your
religious state and destiny. I desire to confess to you, and with
shame before God, my deflciencj in this respect. I have ever
found a difficulty in speaking to my children on the subject of
salvation, arising from I know not what else but timidity, that
has caused me great sorrow, and especially since you have pas-
sed to the dangers of the tented field, and beyond the veach of
my anxious, beseeching words. Forgive me this wrong, and ac-
cept this communication as the best atonement which under the
circum-tances, I can offer. I feel now, that if I could see you, I
would, from the fulness of my fond and bui'dened heart, entreat
you in such words as follow :

You did not cease to be a moral agent when you became a
soldier. Assuming new responsibilities to your country, you
did not weaken your responsibilities to God. You should oot
only render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's but unto
God the thini^s that are God's. Many good and intelligent
men have maintained that a profession of arms is incooi-
patible with a life of piety. It must ba conceded that the genius
and spirit of Christianity are utterly opposed to war. Christ
lethePrinc* of peace; at hi& biitb the heavenly host sang

TO HER SOLDIER BOT. "^ ;;

"peace on earth;" tho Gospel is a message of peace, and its un-
iversal diffusion and influence will banish war from the earth,
tsa. 11. 2-4. But a careful examination of the Scriptures must
convince us, that there is nothing in the demands of a just and
defensive warfare at variance with the spirit and duties of
Christianity. To say nothing of Moses, Joshua and David, who
were renowned alike' for their piety and their military achieve-
ments, we find that several Roman Centurions, in the very sun-
light of the Apostolic age, were comnended for their faith, de-
votion, and good works. Lu. VII, 9. Acts X. John, the fear-
less harbinger of Christ, exhorted the Roman soldiers, not to
abandon their standards, but to avoid the vices incident to their
profession. " Do violence," said he, "to no man, neither accuse
any faleely ; ar.d be content with your wages." Lu. Ill, 14. I re-
fer to these texts for the twofold purpose of confirming my
views, and leading you to consult the Scriptures, the only safe
guide in faith and practice. ,

There are great and appalling obstacles in the way of your
conversion amid the din and temptations of a camp. The lack
of religious instruction, and of opportunities for retirement and
secret prayer, together with the excitements and corrupting
influences which attend a soldiei's life, are serious but not in-
superable hindrances to piety. Without abating one iota from
his dutiei to the country, the soldier may find time forreligious
meditation, secret prayer, and the consecration of himself to
Christ. Two young men, I have been credibly informed, at the
close of the baUle of Bethel, were so impressed with the Divine
goodness in their preservation, that they retired to the forest,
and made a full, solemi) and joyful surrender of themselves to
the Prince of peace.

Let me urge you then, my dear son, to mnke it your first,
chief, cons' ant concern to become a Christian. God demands no
thing but a willing heart. In the hour when you are willing to
forsake all your si^ns, and to receive Christ as your Piophet,
Priest and King vou shall find mercy, and there will be joy in
the presence of the angels of God over you. Clirist never reject-
ed a repeating sinner, and he never will. Ah, my son, if you
have no soul to save,— no sins to be fprgiven, if Christ did not
die for T0U,-~if there h no Heaven, no hell, no in^mortality,—
then vou may live without repentance and salvation. But you

* A MOTHERS PARIING WOKD&

have a soul — you are a sinner — Christ shed his blood for you —
you are immortal, and destined to the joys of Heaven or the
woes of perdition, and therefore, religion is your Rirpreme ne-
cessity. You have motives to piety,- not only as a man, but as
a soldier. Of all men the Foldier has the greater need of piety.

Under the privations nnd hardships of camp life, he greatly
needs the consolations that nothing but grace can minister.
And, what but grace can preserve him from the seductions to
vice by which so many promising soldiers have been ruined ?
He is in frequent peril of losing his life, and should have that
constant preparation for death, which can bo found only in sin-
cere devotion to Christ. Let me urge you theji, my child, by
all the tenderness of a mother's love, by all the anxieties of a.
father's heart, and by, what should have more influence with
you, all the compassion of the Redeemer's bosom, to enlist un-
der the banner of the Prince of life and glory.

You must, my dear boy, be a Christian or suffer a sad and ir-
reparable defeat. You may, without faith in Christ, storm cit-'
ies, win battles, achieve the independence of your beloved coun-
try, and gain imperishable renown ; bi.tyou cannot secure the
kingdom of Heaven. Mohammed promised Paradise to all wl o
should lose their lives in his war ; but Christ does not promi.-e
eternal life to them that fall in the battles of their country.
Hef^at would win a crown of life, must gain a victory over sin.
The kingdom ol God must be taken by storm; but it cante
stormed only by faith, and prayer, and obedience. " The king-
dom of heaven suffeieth violence, and the violent take it by
force," It is not reasonable to suppose that God will accept
the services rendered to Caesnr for those due to himself ; or,
that patriotism should be a substitute for piety. The heroic,
but ungodly soldier, may fill a grave honored by a nation's
tears and marked by a towering monument ; but his soul, alas!
must perish,

I would have you, my son, not only to be a Christian, but to
honor that sacred name. Make the Bible your constant com-
panion—prayer your delightful em.ployment — and the glory of
Christ the the end of all your deeds. Seek to be adorned with
all the graces of the Spirit, and to abound in all the fruits of
righteousness. Keep aloof from all the vices which corrupt and
degrade the army. 1 need not warn vou aoT!in = t profanity., tbnt

TO HER SOLDIER BOY. O

common but ill bred sin, which you have been tanght to dcteirt;
but I would Fpecially p,uard you against drunkenneFP, that
most insidious, pievaJcnt ami dcpardir.g vice. I would have
you abstain from strong drink as you«ivould from henbane.
All experience has demonstrated that it is never nercespary
but as a medicine. All the toils, exposures and privations of a
campaign maybe endure<l without it, and better without it Ihrn
with it.

I am sure, my child, you will not be a wor.sesoldier for being
a good Christian. Piety will not make you efieminatc or
cowardly. Some of the brarest soldiers of the world have been
humble Christians. Cromwell, Gardiner and Ilavelock, thun-
derbolts of war, were as devout as they were heroic. Our own
illustrious Wa?hing;ton maintained the claims of Christianity,
amid the demoralizing inOuences of the Revolution, with a zeal
correspondin/^' with the heroism with which he fought the battles
of our independence. Why should not the Christ:an be cour-
ageous '? lie has less cause -^o love life or dread death than other
men. In the path ofduty he has nothing to fear. Life and death
may be equally pleasing to hiin. The apostle Paul, in the pros-
pect of martyrdom, could say : " I am in a strait betwixt two,
having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ ; which is far
better,— nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for
you.''

And now, my dear soldier boy, I must take leave of you,
Pvcmember that you have a large share in my love, my sym-
pathies, and my prayers. By day and by night, you are in my
thoughts : and often the unbidden tear flows down rny cheek
when I think of your sufferings and dangers. Let me have joy
of you, my son, and I can have no greater joy than to hear that
you are doing your duty — your whole duty — to your country
and to God. I trust we shall meet again. I pray the Father
of mercies to cover your head in the day of battle. Should life
be preserved though the perils of the camp and conflict, and you
be permitted to return in triumph to your home, I need not
assure you that you will find a welcome, andthatyour presence
will dift'use a sunshine over our domestic circle ; and among all
the loving hearts that will greet your return, none will be so
thrilled with delight as your mother's. And should you cr.me
back to my fond embrace, not corrupted and degrnded by the

O . THE SERVANTS PRAY FOR YOU.

temptations of camp life, butpuvifiei and adorned by tho grace
of the gospel, in answer to my poor prayers, then lean exclaim
with the patriarch Jacob, when he heard that his favorite son,
Joseph, was living, ifnd raised to the Viceroyship of Egypt, "It
is enough !" But should yon fall in the stern conflict for your
country's rights, you will fill an honored grave ; and I humbly
trust that, through the grace and righteousness of our Redeem-
er, we may meet in a world, where wars and i-umors of wars
can never disturb us; but where love, peace, and joy, forever
reign. Tt shall be my earnest endeavor, as I entreat you that
it may be yours, to be meet for a participation in the delights
and glories of that world. Receive now the blessing of your
own and only

Mother.

THE SERVANTS PRAY FOR YOU.

A respected Baptist Minister of Alabama, thus writes :
As is my custom, I preached to the colored people in the af-
ternoon of last Lord's day, and after the se^rmon I called upon
William Pitts, servant of Col. D. A. Boyd, to close the services.
Jlc arose at the call— ^as he always does*, and after a few re-
marks, complimenting the sermon and exhorting the congre-
g.ition to heed the warning given, he stated that there was an-
other matter about which l;c would like to speak to them.
He then stated that some of their masters and young masters
had gone off to the wars, and that they were exposed to many
hardships and sufferings ; that some of the soldiers vvere poor
and needy, and he wanted to do something for them ; that he
had conversed with others, and he desired everyone to throw
in a little, if it was but a dime.

William then referred to the recent battle of Manassas, and
spoke of the wounded and slain in n most feeling manner. But
the most touchiuP' of all was his reference to his master William

THE SERVANTS PRAY FOK YOU. 7

—the gallant Lieut. Win. D. Pitts, who fell iu ihe engagement.
Ho spoko of having raiiied him; of the many convcrsationa they'd
had together ; of his feelings when ho now lookod over his plan-
t,ations, and witnessed the sadness and deep mourning that now
tilled the hearts of his weeping servants. During his remarks,
there were to be heard groans and sobbing all around, and tears
to be seen (lowing freely from many eyes. So much feeling, [
have seldom witnessed on any occasion. At the close of
his rcmarKs there was a general rush to the table— and, in half-
dimes and dimes, they contributed live dollars and sixty-five
cents.

Late in the afternoon, an old woman belonging to Capt,
Clark, who was not at the church, having heard what was done
there, came, to my house and handed mo lifty cents — stating
that she could not be at church, but "felt like s'-e wanted t^o
do something for the poor soldiers." She spoke of how tender-
ly some of them had been raised, and how she fult for them
when she heaid of the hardships they had to sutfer. She then
told me much about her master, and how sho prayed that ho
might be bought back safe, &c.

It is due to the colored people to state that but very few-
knew that an effort would be made to raise means to help on tho
the war, and consequently many were unprepared to do any
thing. Indee^l, 1 did not know it myself : I only knew that the
subject had been spoken of by a few individuals.

And now permit me to say, in conclusion, that I have wit-
nessed more feeling in behalf of the company that kft this
place, among the colored people when prayer has been offered
for them in their afternoon meetings, than I have seen among
the whites. They are feeling deeply for their masters who
have gone in defence of the country, and are praying for their
8a f& return.

CHRISTIAN WARFARE.

.1 Soldiers of Christj arise,

And put your armor on,
Strong in the strength which God snppliei-

Through his eternal Son ;

2 Strong in the Lord of Hosts,

And in his mighty power ;
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts,
Is more than conqueror, *■

3 Stand then in his great might,

With all his strength endued ;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God :

4 Tha^. having all things done,

And all your conflicts past,
You may o'ercome, through Christ alone,
And' stand entire at last.

5 From strength 'to strength go on,

Wrestle, and fight, and pray
Tread all the powers of darkness down.
And Avin the well-fought day.

G Still let the Spirit cry

In all his soldiers, ''Come,"

Till Chistthe Lord descend from high
And take the conquerors home*

HoUinger Corp.
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