PRAYERS AT HOME THE SOLDIERS' DEFENCE.

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X. THE PRAYERS AT HOME THE SOLDIERS' DEFENCE.

At the close of the preceding service, says Dr. Peck, and after the benediction had been pronounced, an incident occurred, not less inspiriting at the moment than it was matter of earnest gratulation afterwards, as a token of Christian alertness and tact in days to come.

The congregation was on the point of moving out, when one word "Steady!" clear and sharp, arrested every foot. Silence the most profound ensued; while Colonel Leasure advanced to the foot of the pulpit stairs, and spoke to his Roundheads, whose very breath seemed to hang upon his words, in nearly the following terms:

"By the waters of the Yough, the Monongahela, the Slippery-rock, the Conoquanessing, the Neshannock, the Shenango, the Mahoning, the Hantaba, and the Sunny Beavers, those dearer to us than the lives we have come here to lay down, if need be, to preserve for their inheritance a country worthy of them, are met to-day in their holy places, their sanctuaries, to worship the God of our country and our salvation. I need not ask any one here whose names are graven on their hearts, while their united prayers ascend to heaven for their absent soldiers. In the midst of peace and rest, they pray for the dear absent, who, for aught they know, may be enduring the hardness of toil or battle at this hour. Does any soldier here feel that he is less a man, less patriotic, or less brave to endure or dare whatever duty may command, because he feels that a column of prayer, reaching to heaven, constantly follows to support our advance ?

"In the times that are past, we have occupied our appropriate places at their side in the sanctuary. To-day, far separated, our prayers and devotions blend harmoniously

before the face of our common Father. In the midst of a hostile people, on an enemy's coast, with our foemen menacing us, in their very presence, we, too, have a sacred, peaceful day of Sabbath rest and worship. Contrary to anything we could have hoped for, we have sat in a house. dedicated to the worship of God, and have had his word expounded to us by a chosen minister, while two other ministers of the gospel sit on either side, and assist in the solemn services. To-day is, to us, a day of peace and rest, literally, a Sabbath. We know not when we may have another. Another Sabbath may find us on the march; or we know not where, nor in what circumstances of toil or danger. It is good to serve God while we have the opportunity, in his appointed way, according to his chosen ordi

nances.

"We have here present a minister of the gospel, the Rev. Mr. Evans, of Stamford, Connecticut, the land of steady habits,' who visits us from his distant home, and returns to-morrow. He can meet us here this afternoon, if you so desire; and we may again join in the worship of God and hearing of the Word, at the same hour when our dear ones at home shall be engaged in like service. It will not lessen our devotions to know whose prayers for us meet ours for them in the ear of our heavenly Father.

"So many as are in favor of afternoon service at three o'clock will raise their right hands."

On the instant, as if by word of military command, every right hand was above the shoulder. The colonel proceeded with rapid but clear utterance:

"There will be service in this house at three o'clock this afternoon. At half-past two, companies will form on their company parades; the captains will carefully inspect the arms, accoutrements and ammunition, and see that all are in perfect order, and in a state of readiness for instant use;

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for we must remember that we are soldiers, as well as worshippers; and that, while we pray to God to prosper our arms, we must also keep our powder dry. After inspection, the regiment will form under arms, in line of battle, on the regimental parade, and march to this place, to join in the further religious observance of the day.

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Silently now, without haste, without delay, file from the left of companies to the street, form into columns, the right resting northward, and take, at the word, the line of march to your quarters."

XI. LAST WORDS OF A DYING HERO.

The following letter of Colonel Brodhead, killed in one of Pope's battles, in front of Washington, in the summer of 1862, written to his wife in his dying moments, has been published at the request of friends who believe that it belongs to the nation as well as to his family. It recalls to us one of the darkest hours through which we have passed amid the alternations of the war. Its touching pathos and high-toned patriotism will awaken fresh regrets for the death of this noble soldier and true man. He was

a colonel, we believe, of one of the Pennsylvania regiments.1

MY DEAREST WIFE:-I write to you, mortally wounded, from the battle-field. We are again defeated, and ere this reaches you, your children will be fatherless. Had all those in command done their duty as I did mine, and led their forces bravely, loyally, the dear old flag had waved in triumph.

1 Colonel Brodhead was the son of Rev. John Brodhead, a Methodist clergyman, whom many will still remember for his unwearied and useful labors in different parts of New England. He died in New Hampshire in 1838, after a ministry of forty-four years.

I wrote to you yesterday morning. To-day is Sunday, and to-day I sink to the green couch of our final rest. I have fought well, my darling, and I was shot in the endeavor to rally our broken battalions. I could have escaped, but would not until all hope was gone, and I was shot, about the only one of our forces left on the field. Our cause is just, and our generals, not those of the enemy, have defeated us. In God's good time he will give us victory.

And now, good-by, wife and children. Bring them up, I know you will, in the fear of God and love for the Saviour. But for you and the dear ones dependent, I should die happy. I know the blow will fall with crushing weight on you. Trust in Him who gave manna in the wilderness. Dr. Nash is with me. It is now after midnight, and I have spent most of the night in sending messages to you. Two bullets have gone through my chest, and directly through the lungs. I suffer but little now, but at first the pain was acute. I have won the soldier's name, and am ready to meet now, as I must, the soldier's fate. I hope that from heaven I may see the glorious old flag wave again over the undivided Union I have loved so well. Farewell, wife and babes, and friends. We shall meet again.

Your loving

THORNTON.

XII. DYING FOR HIS COUNTRY A PRIVILEGE.

In the sanguinary battle of Antietam an officer of a Massachusetts regiment was mortally wounded. He had passed unhurt through the thickest of the fight. At one time, when his regiment had captured a flag from the enemy, he seized it, and, waving it proudly in the air, galloped

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fearlessly up and down the lines, his men cheering most lustily, and the bullets falling about him like hail. Later in the day, and when in a comparatively sheltered position, a random shot struck him, from the effects of which he died two days afterward.

As he lay near to death, and conscious of his approaching end, the musicians of the regiment happened to pass. by. He called to them with a cheerful voice, and asked them to play the "Star-Spangled Banner." They played the grand old tune, and as he listened, the countenance of the dying soldier beamed with joy. He heard no more music until he heard that of heaven, where "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." He inquired the result of the battle, and, when told it was a victory, triumphantly exclaimed, "Oh! it is glorious to die for one's country at such a time as this!" Then, speaking in the most affecting manner to his chaplain, who was with him to the last moment, he said, "Tell my mother I love her. Tell her I feel I have a God and Father in heaven. Tell her I trust fully in my Lord Jesus Christ." These were the last words he uttered. Thus he died, a noble example of a soldier, a patriot, and a Christian.

When such sacrifices are laid upon the altar of our country, we have surely new incentives to uphold the cause for which they are made, and, with God's help, not to allow the treason which has slain so many victims, to accomplish its purpose. And, through this bloody baptism, shall not our nation be purified at length, and fitted to act a nobler part in the world's history?