Another, whose hip was shattered, when asked a similar question, replied, "Tell them I die as I have lived, triumphing in Christ."

Such are some of the relics and the dying utterances from the plain of conflict for the Republic and its enslaved millions. What a history it will have can be fully known only when the record in heaven shall be revealed.

IX. WORDS OF THE MARTYR STEPHEN.

At the battle of Shiloh (relates one who took part in it), a young man of our regiment was wounded by a rifle-bullet in the breast, as we were forming in line of battle, and before we had fired upon the enemy. We carried him back to a tent in the rear of our position. The surgeon examined his wound and whispered to me that it was mortal. The soldier overheard what the surgeon said, and replied, "Do not be anxious for me; I am not afraid to die. Understand me; I am not afraid to die. I went into battle repeating to myself what Stephen the first Christian martyr said, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' I believe he heard my prayer, and beyond that I have no anxiety."

He was in such pain that he could not bear to be moved any further, and, as the enemy were driving our troops back at that time, and bullets were whizzing through the tent, even while we were dressing his wound, we were obliged, after doing what we could for him, to leave him on the spot and hurry away. Shells and cannon-balls were raining around us as we made our escape.

We never expected to see our comrade again in this life. But, to our surprise, he was brought into camp, after having lain forty-eight hours on the battle-field. The rebels occupied that part of the ground nearly all the time after we

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left him, and the Lord put it into their hearts to be very kind to this young man. They brought him water when the canteen that we left for him was empty, and, as he said, "they treated me as a brother."

He lived two days after he was brought into camp. His sufferings were very great. But he never complained. He always looked up with a smile when I went into the tent. His trust was in Jesus; and the Saviour was with him, helping him to bear the pain, and driving away from him the fear of death. It was a sad and yet a beautiful sight, to see the young soldier dying so peacefully in our hospital tent in the woods of Tennessee.

In the battle of Fort Donelson there was a lad, fifteen years old only, who had enlisted as a drummer. He was remarkable for a tender conscience, for earnestness of spirit. He had been accustomed to take an active part in the meetings for prayer in the camp, and had inspired all who knew him with the utmost confidence in his intelligence and sincerity as a Christian disciple. In this fearful battle he was wounded, having one of his arms shot off close to the shoulder. An eye-witness reports that when last seen, this child, as we may almost call him, was sitting, leaning against a tree, and, as the tide of life was ebbing, from the loss of blood, his countenance was radiant with joy, while he sang the hymn,—

"Nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee,

A young soldier, having received a package of tracts, wrote a letter of the following purport to the donor as a testimony to the value of such publications.

"I have been in the service,” he says, "nineteen months. When I first volunteered for my country, I was wild and reckless; but I bless God I was not left long in that condition. I had not been in the army over two months, when I was called to risk my life in the battle of Peach Mountain, but, happily I was not without a friend in that trying hour. I had a brother with me in the same company, who, I believe, was a true Christian. When we were led up in line of battle against the enemy, this brother was by my side, and whispered these words into my ear: 'I shall fall in this battle, but I fall for my country, and God will take care of my soul.' This was a true presentiment. The third round was not fired before I held him in my arms, shot through the breast, but apparently in no pain.

"I shall never forget the words he spoke to me at that moment. His first thought was not for himself, but his country, dearer to him than life. Oh,' he exclaimed, 'are we beaten?' I told him, No. Leave me,' he says; 'go to your post and fight. It is a good cause, and I am willing to die for it.' He took me by the hand, and said, 'Hear my last words, brother: Be a praying man, and you need not then fear death, whether it comes at home or in battle.' "He requested me to take all the things out of his pocket,

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and among them was a tract headed 'Come to Jesus. As he saw me looking at it, he asked me what it was. I told him. Yes,' said he, 'that is the tract that has made me what I am. I owe to it this peace, and all my hopes. Brother,' he continued, 'keep it, read it, and pray God to bless it to you, and to forgive you.'

"I have done as he bade me. The blessing followed, and I share, I trust, the peace which supported him. I believe God has done for me all that can be done for man in this world. I have now a hope of seeing that slain brother again in heaven."

XII. THE MODEL OF A CHAPLAIN.

A soldier on board of a steamer on the Mississippi was asked respecting the character of the chaplain in his regiment. His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm and delight at the mention of his name.

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Why," said he, "over at Frederickstown, as our lines were beginning to give way, and many thought the day was lost, our chaplain stepped right forward from the ranks, between us and the enemy's lines, knelt down upon the ground and lifted up his voice in most earnest prayer to God for divine help in the hour of need. I never was so impressed by any human act in my life. An inspiration as from God seemed to seize us all. We rallied at the instant, charged, drove the enemy before us, and gained the important victory of Frederickstown, which perhaps has saved to us the State of Mississippi."

It was an outburst of genuine Christian heroism; for this same chaplain is at the same time unsurpassed for his devotion to the line of his more strictly official duties.

Another soldier says of him, "He is one of the best

men in the world. He has a temperance-meeting and a Sabbath school one evening in the week, and has a prayermeeting twice a week, and other meetings besides, as he is able to hold them; and then he labors personally among the men, especially giving us good books to read." He continued, "You would hardly believe if I should tell you the change that has come over our company. We had not when we enlisted, as far as I know, a single Christian man among them. It would not be easy to find a rougher set of fellows any where than were most of us; but now they have nearly all pledged themselves to abstain from profane swearing, from gambling, from intemperance, and other vices; and a good many have been converted to Christ. He comforts the sick and dying. I saw him with one of our comrades before he died, watching with him, and praying with him; and when he died, he closed his eyes, and prepared his body with his own hands for the grave."

The Rev. Mr. Savage, who reports the case of this chaplain, found the body of a personal friend among the slain, on the battle-field of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing. He was a Congregational clergyman, in the first years of his manhood, who enlisted from motives of pure Christian patriotism. He was faithful, also, to the great Captain of our salvation.

I had furnished him at different times with publications, which he had faithfully distributed in camp. He fell early in the battle of Sunday, and died, as the chaplain of the regiment testifies, "with a sweet, serene smile resting upon his finely-wrought features, - a smile that left its impress on the cold clay."

Among the wounded on the same field he found another

1 Who has earned for himself so excellent a name as a Christian laborer in our armies at the West.