itude of the subject involved. Let
us look at the subject involved here. We see some thousands of the
most devoted Christian people the world has ever known standing in
jeopardy; not one of all their number seems to know what to do. Their
situation at this time reminds one of Israel camped on the mountain
beside the valley of Elah, in hearing of the guttural defiance of the
giant. At this critical hour, when something must be done, when some
special but heretofore untried effort must be put forth to avert the
impending destruction, a MAN of the Brethren, unassuming in all
respects, about five feet seven inches in height, heavy-set, with a
large but symmetrical face, hair down to the neck beautifully parted
from the forehead across the middle of the head, voluntarily sets to
work in secret through the mails to see what can be done. God only
knows the full measure of Brother John Kline's service and influence
in this way. It is a true saying that "to succeed is the best proof of
success," and subsequent events show that Brother Kline fully realized
this proof. As a humble observer of the movements of that day, and
with a tolerably clear recollection of them, the Editor can only
express his belief that Brother Kline's correspondence, with his other
influence, contributed largely toward the enactment of the Confederate
provision by which all the members of regularly organized Christian
denominations or churches which have from their earliest establishment
uniformly taught and practiced as one tenet of their faith
non-arms-bearing and nonresistant principles, shall be perpetually
exempt from all military duty to the Confederate States of America, or
to any state belonging thereto, upon the payment of five hundred
dollars to the person duly appointed to receive the same, for every
member so exempted, and otherwise subject to military duty under
existing orders.

The above is not the "Law of Exemptions" in exact words, but it is
that part of it which was made for the Brethren, in _exact sense_.

SATURDAY, April 5. This forenoon I am about home. In the afternoon I
am taken to Harrisonburg and put in the guard house. My place is in
the large jury room of the court house, up stairs, with others who are
captives with myself. Rain this evening.

SUNDAY, April 6. Rain and snow all last night, and continues on so all
day. Have preaching in our captive hall. My subject is "Righteousness,
Temperance, and a Judgment to Come." I aimed