Tarn, Duke University Libraries Prepare for bat Conf Pam 12mo #594 • 83 PREPARE FOR BATTLE. Soldiers ! to-morrow we mu my is just at hand. Darkness only between proud oppressors and rn,en sworn fodie freemen rather than live slave-. Yoiy or death! Whi lateh set looks fort 1 1 to-morrow^ let nol 11 on u man unready for the snook. tie! Lot the fir a I ready, "aye ready I . tin I igl '." ; it, tliai hi , • lb) i ■'- in ; ■•• ply of ammunition,. Fill your water ; for battle brih at t >• knives ani swords — i shou distant, formal salut) deadly, closing stril ao ends bar victors', crowns and patriots's graves J a muscle 1 laxed this night in re- a. till a' J is ready for the fchri] order, "Foritfafd ! 'fonoard my bra&es!" Remember the eneirfy is nigh, Hew our movements, — To guard against surprise, let ever m hi sleep to-night, leaning on his arms, at I n the stern array. Surgeons, be rea- son to our wounded ; for doubt not, many ;i manlj shall bleed pure pati ce another sunset ! Ah I soldiers, prepare f »r th« fight. Prepare for all it But, oh! pare, prepare far its great issues'. You < the confiiet a noble form, dear to many a heart. This you hazard. You bes your PREPARE FOR BATTLE, used y wuntry ami to loved ones at home. l T hit yoa hazard. But, ah ! you bear into that fatal strife a treas- ure worth more than those — an inestimable treasure — an immortal soul which hereafter must shine and sing around the throne of God, or burn and shrink forever in hell! Impenitent soldier, yon hazard your smil to- morrow ! What if the first bullet from the enemy should whistle through vour heart., whtre, 01 where, would be 'that soul? What if, mangled by a cannon ball, you expire in the heat of the contested day, beneath trampling steed-;, and amid fierce shouts and piercing shrieks ami anguished moans, and the flash and roar of artillery — where, when all that fearful scene is past, where will be thy soul? Ah ! fhourarty'st fall a victor. — In the iVyut ranks of the brave you may die, the smiles of triumph placing on your dying f&pe and gleaming in your closing eyes, arid your lips' trembling with shouts of victory. Admiring comrades may mark the spot honored by your patriot blood, and in other days, men, free and independent, may raise the eloquent marble, telling to pasSersrby, "Here fell the brave soldier, all covered with glory" — when, oh, my God! my God! your soul may be in hell! Soldier, tfiere is a preparation of the soul for danger. To this i would warn and entreat you. "Believe on the Lord Jeaus Christ, and thou shaft be saved." Repen- tance toward God and faith in Jesus will insure your soul. Will you not prepare for death, for judgment, for eternity f Brave defender of our country's rights, shall every other preparation be made but mis ? Delay not this matter until the fierce encounter is begun. The dread excitements of battle leave little room for penitent wars and prayers of trembling trust in the Saviour. — Now is your time! 'This nightr— this hour — this moment — fall -nthy knees before thy God, and cry, "bemereb rul to me, a sinner !" Heed the precious encourage- MtEPARI FOR BATTLE. went, "Kim tliat comoth unto me I will in no 0is* east out." Then Ihall pardoning love speak peace to your heart : all will be well. Then shall you be prepared indeed for battle. For the arms of the "Everlasting shall be underneath vau, and his voire shall support you for the dread strife with the heavenly cheering, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, 1 will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteous- ness.'" Then no matter though you die unknown, and are oast with the undistinguished slain into the nearest ditch, no matter — no matter — your praying mother and wife, your pious brothers and sisters, who wept when you went to the war, shall meet you "on the other side of Jordan, in the sweet fields of Eden."' where all is eternal peace, and enduring happiness and immortal glory ! Oli! Soldier] Soldier! prepare., prepare far battle. :V GLORIOUS THING. While the battle of "Williamsburg was raging, and one of our Chaplains was standing by his regiment, en- couraging the men to do their duty, a soldier passed by him, and taking him by the hand, he said to the chap- lain, his face radiant with the peace of God, "It is a glorious thing to be a Christian." The time, tke occa- sion and circumstances under which this remark was made, leave an indelible impression. There was a man, in the midst of bullets, wearing a countenance of per- fect peace' andhappines9. How it illustrates the mighty power of divine grace, that when grace is most needed, 4 PREPARE FOR BATTLE. then it is given. How it encourages us to hold on to the integrity of our Christian profession/ The remark was made by one who could understand what a glorious thing it wag to be a Christian, time will come when all of us wdll have nothing else to comfort us. but the religion of Christ. Without it wo' shall goto another world, poor miserable cdfct-awrfys, having no hap]- . peace forever. Who car. look forward to such a doom wiifloiit consternation? gut with the religion of Christ a* our stay, we can meet with composure all trials and difficulties of life ; and when we depart this life, can look- tip with certainty lo the house not made with hands?, a mansion prepared for us by Qferist, where fullness of blessing will .be our portion f >reverni.'.vi . May we not hope that the cxpenenoe of this Chris- tian soldier will encourage .all our readers to seek first the kingdom of God. We know the devil has no tnore powerful temptation, with the young especially, than to delude them with the belief that religion is a thing of gloom, interfering with happinoss. But those who ha^ e experienced it know better; and- the testimony of all who have made full triad of it is she same as that of our soldier — "it 'is a glorious, thing to.be a Christian." Hoilinger Corp. P H8.5