h
parties must suffer, even though one may get the advantage. There is
no occasion then for adding to the intrinsic evils of the system the
odious feature of animosity to individuals. In the ranks of the foe
are thousands of plain men who do not understand the principles for
which we are struggling. They are deceived by artful demagogues into
a posture of hostility to those whom, knowing, they would love. It is
against such men that you may perhaps be arrayed, and the laws of war
do not forbid you to pity them even in the act of destroying them. It
is the more important that _we_ should exhibit a proper temper in
this unfortunate contest, because many professed Christians and
ministers of the gospel at the North are breathing out, in their very
prayers and sermons, threatenings and slaughter against us. Oh! how
painful that a gray-headed pastor should publicly exclaim, "_I would
hang them as quick as I would shoot a mad dog!_"

6. Providence has placed you in the midst of thoughtless and
unpardoned men. What a beautiful thing it would be if you could win
some of them to the Saviour. Will you not try? You will have many
opportunities of saying a word in season. The sick you may comfort,
the wavering you may confirm, the backslidden you may reclaim, the
weary and heavy laden you may point to Jesus for rest to the soul. It
is not presumptuous for a young man kindly and meekly to commend the
gospel to his brother soldiers. The hardest of them will not repel a
gentle approach, made in private. And many of them would doubtless be
glad to have the subject introduced to them. They desire to hear of
Jesus, but they lack courage to inquire of his people. An unusually
large proportion of pious men have entered the army, and I trust they
will give a new complexion to military life. Let them search out each
other, and establish a fraternity among all the worshipers of God.
To interchange religious views and administer brotherly counsel will
be mutually edifying. "He that watereth shall be watered also
himself."

And now, as a soldier has but little leisure, I will not occupy you
longer. Be assured that every morning and evening we remember you, at
the family altar, to our Father in Heaven. We pray for "a speedy,
just, and honorable peace," and for the safe return of all the
volunteers to their loved homes. All the children sp