George Washington Flowers 
 Me?norial Collection 
 
 DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 ESTABLISHED BY THE 
 FAMILY OF 
 COLONEL FLOWERS 
 
SERMON 
 
 BY 
 
 REV. H. Q. BUTTERFIELD, 
 
 OF GREAT FALLS., XEW HAMPSSIRE. 
 
 JUXE 30, 1864, 
 
 AT THE FUXEEAL OF 
 
 CAPTAIJ ElISHA E. DODGE, 
 
 (COMPA>'T B, 13th Eeg'T, X. H. YOLS.) 
 
 OF SAL3I0X FALLS, XEW HA:\IPSHIRE, 
 
 WHO TVA3 MORTALLY WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF PETERSBUR&, VIRGIXIA. JUXF. 15, 1SG4, 
 
 AXD DIED AT TOETEESS XOXEOE, JOT 22, 1864. 
 
 BOSTOI^: 
 
 W. H. CHANDLER AND COMPAKY, PRINTERS, 
 
 21 Goes HILL. 
 18 64. 
 
SERMON 
 
 BY 
 
 EEV. H. Q. BUTTERFIELD, 
 
 OF GREAT FALLS, KEW HAMPSHIRE, 
 
 JUNE 30, 1864, 
 
 AX THE FUXEEAL OF 
 
 CAPTAIN ELISHA E. DODGE, 
 
 (COMPAJSTY B, 13th EEG'T, N. H. VOLS.) 
 
 OF SALMOIs FALLS, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 
 
 WHO WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, JLTsTI 15, I86f, 
 
 AXD DIED AT POETRESS ITOXEOE, JrXE 22, IS&i. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 W. H. CHANDLER AND COMPANY, PRINTERS, 
 
 21 COE>-HILL. 
 
 1864. 
 
[ 
 
 Digitized by 
 
 the Internet Arcliive 
 
 
 
 
 in 2015 
 
 
 
 https://archive.org/details/sernnonbyrevhqbutOObutt 
 
IHE FLOWERS COLLECTION 
 
 SERMON. 
 
 "Be not oyercome of evil, but overcome evil with good."— = 
 Eomans xii. 21. 
 
 These words speak of spiritual battle. They bring 
 to our imagination the long lines, the impetuous at- 
 tack, the determined struggle, the glorious victory. 
 They are the orders of the great Captain of our 
 salvation ; and they come to every Christian soldier, 
 — "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil 
 with good." 
 
 The text divides itself into two parts : — 
 I. The first is negative : "Be not overcome of 
 evil." And yet it is negative only in form. Its 
 spirit is intensely positive. It says, Do not yield 
 to evil ; never be thus overcome ; hold every inch 
 you have ; be not captured ; be not defeated ; be not 
 forced back. 
 
 Observe the unconditional character of this com- 
 mand. Not, hold your ground, unless it costs too 
 much ; not, do not yield, unless pressed by an over- 
 
4 
 
 whelming force. It is peremptory. Hold it at all 
 hazards ; be faithful, and hold it even unto death. 
 
 You may mark out every truth essential to the 
 soul's salvation, and this order covers it : here in- 
 trench ; make this position impregnable ; never yield this 
 spot. 
 
 You may take these same truths and turn them 
 into practical principles, applying them to all life's 
 great duties. The same order covers them all. For- 
 tify the whole line, and make it impregnable. Under 
 no circumstances let a retreat be sounded. ^' Be not 
 overcome of evil.'' 
 
 Be free from swearing, and hold yourself reverent. 
 Be free from drinking, and hold yourself abstinent. 
 Be free from licentiousness, and hold yourself chaste. 
 Be free from lying, and hold yourself truthful. Be 
 free from fraud, and hold yourself honest. Be free 
 from avarice, and hold yourself generous. Be free 
 from sedition and secession and slavery, from all 
 such sibilant sins, and hold yourself a patriot, ready 
 to do, or to die, for your country. Be free from all 
 sins. Be overcome of no evil. Hold the whole line 
 of Christian duty. As often as the foe assails, let 
 that line blaze with musketry and roar with cannon- 
 ade. Be invincible in the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Such is the spirit these words breathe. They 
 have been obeyed. Into millions of his soldiers 
 
5 
 
 Christ has wrought these great truths', making them 
 spiritual heroes, warriors invincible. You may take 
 anything belonging to the Gospel's pith and puis- 
 sance, it will be found wrought into their lives, 
 blent forever with their beings. At every risk and 
 sacrifice have they obeyed the command, " Be not 
 overcome of evil." They have taken joyfully the 
 spoiling of their goods. Like the friends of James, 
 like the AYaldenses and the Scottish Covenanters, 
 they have hid in the caves ; like the early Eoman 
 Christians, they have burrovved in the Catacombs ; 
 like Silas, they have lain in prisons ; like Jeremiah, 
 they have moulded in dungeons ; like Paul, they 
 have been beaten, stoned, beheaded ; like Peter, 
 they have been crucified. 
 
 But there has been no yielding. Down into their 
 being has this Pauline truth struck its deep and 
 ineradicable grasp. Even their ashes, falling about 
 the stake, have shown scintillations of the heavenly 
 fire, — have scattered the fragrance of these imper- 
 ishable words : "Be not overcome of evil." And now 
 they are dying in thousands rather than see the na- 
 tion perish; rather than let secession "evil" crumble 
 the Government. 
 
 II. The second part of the text is positive : 
 " But overcome evil with good." It is aggressive. 
 
6 
 
 We are not merely to hold our own. Taking the 
 proper weapons, and usmg the proper means, we 
 are to dislodge the foe, and win a decisive victory 
 on his soil. Much land is to be reconquered and 
 possessed. Every Christian belongs to an invading 
 host ; he is marching against the enemy's capital. 
 " Carthage must be destroyed." Richmond must be 
 taken. " Evil" must be overcome with " good." All 
 the rebellion in the universe must be crushed. 
 
 Among the wonderful visions passing before John 
 in Patmos is the war in heaven. He sees the great 
 leaders, Michael and Satan ; he sees the hosts mus- 
 tered, and the battle joined ; he sees the lines bend- 
 ing and buckling in the tremendous struggle. The 
 whole campaign passes before him dramatically. At 
 last the scale tips, and the victory comes. The rout 
 is ghastly and final. Satan's demoralized and broken 
 columns are hurled down the slopes, and forever dis- 
 lodged from heaven. 
 
 That, my friends, symbolizes the war the Christian 
 washes. That is the victorv foreshadowed in the text. 
 That is the triumph that thrills and burns in its clos- 
 ing words : " But overcome evil with good." Every 
 believer is to overcome through Christ. 
 
 And not only so ; there is to be a general triumph. 
 " Good" is everywhere to overcome "evil." Through 
 all the hardships and sacrifices of the Christian war- 
 
7 
 
 fare, I catch the gleam and glory of that commg vic- 
 tory. It is forever settled in heaven, that the foe is 
 to be finally vanquished. 
 
 "Thy saints, in all this' glorious war, 
 Shall conquer, though they die." 
 
 Indeed, to die is sometimes the only way to con- 
 quer. To every officer and private in God's " sacra- 
 mental host." how remote soever he may stand in 
 time or space, flash the words of the text, carrying 
 assurance of victory : ''Be not overcome of evil, but 
 overcome evil with good." 
 
 And because I regard this Eebellion against our 
 Government as an organic part of that first great 
 rebellion against God, the text gives me assurance 
 that it will be crushed. And if my faith needed 
 anything more than a just cause, slowly and surely 
 winning advantage, it would find great reinforcement 
 in the fact that Christian patriots are so ready to lay 
 down their lives. Never since Cromwell's Ironsides 
 broke the squares of Prince Kupert, has so much 
 Christian patriotism gone into the field. It perme- 
 ates the whole army ; it is seen in soldiers of all 
 ranks, from privates to major generals ; it lives in 
 the saddles of Burnside and Howard ; it speaks from 
 the graves of Eice and Mitchell. 
 
 This subject has a good illustration in the life of 
 him whose body lies before us. 
 
8 
 
 Captain Elisha E. Dodge was born in Eden, Vt., 
 November 17, 1827. He died 'at Fortress Monroe, 
 June 22, 1864, of a wound received just a week be- 
 fore in a successful assault on the enemy's works at 
 Petersburg. 
 
 He was a patriot. Feeling deeply his duty to the 
 country, he left a good business in this village, and, 
 in the Fall of 1862, took the field as Captain of 
 Company B, in the New Hampshire Thirteenth. Not 
 bred a soldier, he toughened himself into one. He 
 inured himself to war's bloody work to serve his 
 country. 
 
 I suppose he had read this vigorous text which 
 says: Overcome evil with good;'' and he could 
 see good'' in taking the sword. 
 
 There is a weak and sanctimonious sentimentality 
 which talks about the " wickedness " of fighting to 
 sustain the Government, which quotes our Lord's 
 words : " But I say unto you that ye resist not 
 evil ; " a precept designed wholly for the relations 
 of private life, and tries to bring it to bear against 
 this war. Did Christ's words really bear upon 
 government, they would be its demolition and 
 disintegration. Law would lose its penalties ; the 
 state would have no punitive power. No more 
 murderers could be hung. No more criminals could 
 be arrested. Captain Dodge did not so reason. For 
 
9 
 
 in only the fourth verse from our text, he found the 
 magistrate commissioned to bear "the sword," and as 
 God's minister and avenger, " to execute wrath on 
 him that doeth evil." In obedience to that magistrate's 
 voice, he took the sword. In these tremendous words 
 he found God's authority for using it. "Whosoever, 
 therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance 
 of God ; and tliey that resist shall receive to them- 
 selves damna^tion." He used it bravely. He used it 
 without stint. He used it as the only goocV by 
 which, in the nature of things, this secession " eviV 
 can now be " overcome." He made that sword 
 drink the blood of traitors, until death came and 
 sheathed it. 
 
 Captain Dodge was a brave and dauntless soldier. 
 The blood so nobly shed at Petersburg had pulsed 
 in the veins of Eevolutionary ancestors, and of a 
 father, Mr. Malachi F. Dodge,* who fought in the 
 war of 1812. He had, therefore, the best right to 
 be brave and patriotic. Giving back, or giving up, 
 did not belong to the blood that had fought in two 
 wars victoriously. 
 
 His was the glorious spirit of the text : " Be not 
 overcome of evil." He could be trusted to hold 
 the most trying position, to execute the most dif- 
 ficult order. He said to a friend on leaving for 
 
 Now living in isfaslina, N. H, 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 the field: ""V^'henever you hear that Company B. 
 has broken and run, or acted badly in battle, you 
 may know I am dead." A battalion of the 13th 
 was on a reconnoissance ; a charge was ordered up 
 a hill ; the Rebels were ensconced in the woods on 
 the top ; a Pennsylvania regiment reached the brow 
 of the hill and dropped behind a fence. Soon Major 
 Storer and Captain Dodge, far in advance of their 
 men, shot by, waving their swords, and encouraging 
 the battalion, drawing it right up by the mighty 
 magnetism of their personal bravery. Their men 
 charged up the hill, charged over the fence, charged 
 into the woods, and drove the Rebels out at the 
 point of the bayonet. 
 
 Of course, the men all had confidence in such a 
 leader. All respected, trusted, loved him. This 
 feeling was shared by the citizens at home, and the 
 soldiers in the field ; by subordinates and superiors 
 in rank, alike. Says Col. Stevens : " He was brave, 
 daring, generous, and self-sacrificing. He had the 
 capacity and the qualities of a good soldier. On 
 the day on which he fell, I had ample opportunity 
 to test his coolness and bravery, for he shared, with 
 the command, in the trying dangers of a severe fire 
 from the enemy for eight hours preceding the assault. 
 . . . . I shall cherish his memory as one of the 
 gallant spirits who, from a sense of highest duty, 
 have given their lives to the country." ^ 
 
11 
 
 It is enough to say he was a true exponent, a 
 solid, integral, indomitable part of that iron army of 
 which one justly says : "It cannot be broken ; it can- 
 not be overcome; it cannot be reduced to despair. 
 It has no thought but of continuous struggles, through 
 cloud and through sunshine ; no prospect but of ulti- 
 mate success. You feel this everywhere. You see 
 it among the private soldiers, and among the offi- 
 cers. You notice it in the fore front of the battle- 
 line, and around the nightly camp-fire. You see its 
 deep impress on all faces." 
 
 O brave soldiers ! O wondrous army ! Never has 
 the earth trembled under the tread of a braver host ! 
 Never has a purer patriotism been seen ! Never has 
 a sublimer courage shone forth ! O brave veterans ! 
 We weep over the noble men that have fallen in 
 your stern march, in your tremendous wrestlings ! 
 We pour out our heartiest sympathies for all, who, 
 like these friends, are weeping over their heroic dead ! 
 But a stern joy pulses in our hearts, as we read your 
 inflexible determination. Our souls take fire at every 
 thought of your fiery valor. We shout to you the 
 mighty words of the text : " Be not overcome of evil ; 
 but overcome evil with good." Every sabre -stroke 
 sets a bondman free. Every cannon-shot cuts a clean 
 path to freedom. Every bursting shell scatters a cloud 
 of ignorance and barbarism. And the blood of every 
 
12 
 
 Christian patriot, like this, — I know it is not shed in 
 vain. Like that of righteous Abel, it will always cry 
 from the ground for justice. It carries a mystic virtue 
 that is to strengthen Law, and Government, and Pa- 
 triotism, and Religion forever. 
 
 Captain Dodge died a believer, trusting for salvation 
 to the cruciiied Christ. For several months before his 
 death, his heart was evidently growing tender, and the 
 elements of his belief were getting ready to crystallize 
 around the cross. He was much interested in the 
 revival that blest this place last vv^inter. He hoped 
 the converts would stand firm and hold out. To 
 show his interest in religious matters, he wrote to a 
 friend, begging to be assessed his full share for sup- 
 porting preaching, and authorizing him to draw for 
 any reasonable amount at any time. In short, the 
 grace of God was surely fitting him for the approach- 
 ing change. 
 
 He fell in the victorious charge that carried some 
 of the outer works at Petersburg. He saw the victory. 
 Pie did not die defeated. Lingering a w^eek, and suf- 
 fering greatly, he composedly arranged his business, 
 and sent loving messages to the loved ones at home. 
 These all breathed of hope and heaven, — of future 
 meetings in the world of glory. 
 
 Kot a murmur escaped his lips. Not a shadow 
 clouded his brow. A smile lighted up his face, as 
 
13 
 
 often as matron or chaplain came witli their tender 
 ministrations. On the 2 2d of June, he fought his 
 last light, and gained his last victory. As the Hght 
 dawned, and the full day came in, — 
 
 " He passed tlirough Glory's morDing gate, 
 And walked in Paradise." 
 
 To the people of this place I vrould say : You 
 have lost a worth} citizen. Cherish his memory. 
 Strive to rival him in all those qualities which made 
 the good citizen, the true man, and which, under 
 God's ^ moulding poAver, at last took shape in the 
 Christian hero. His blood alone is enough to make 
 this place sacred and historic. Let his name never 
 die. You remember his promise, when you gave 
 him that sv\'ord. lie would never disJiouor it. How 
 gloriously has he made those words good. He chose 
 to die rather than let '-evil" overcome "good." Be 
 always ready to follow his example. 
 
 To his associates in this Order let me say: You 
 know his virtues. I need not recite them. May 
 they live in your memories, and be copied in your 
 lives. The same lofty devotion to the country, the 
 same religious principle, the same fealty to Christ.^ — 
 O, may these ever be yours. Blessed be God for 
 all such inspiriting examples. 
 
 To his company, and to the regiment of which he 
 
14 
 
 was so soon to be made Major, 'I would say : Ee- 
 member this leader. Let his unselfish patriotism 
 warm your hearts. Let his dauntless courage fire 
 your spirits, and nerve your arms to heroic deeds. 
 " Be not overcome of evil," in any shape. Dare to 
 die sooner than let yourselves be stained with sin, or 
 your country be stained with treason. Be faithful 
 unto death. 
 
 To his stricken brothers and sisters let me say : 
 You are fortunate in having such a brother to give 
 to the country. You mourn ; but you would hardly 
 be willing to reverse the past. Hardships, wounds, 
 sufferings, death, — O, what a record have they left! 
 "What a crystalline character have they built ! I give 
 you my hearty sympathy, I know not how soon the 
 same bitter cup will be pressed to my lips. I know 
 the bloody contingency ; and as I look upon your 
 brother's war-worn 'face, that contingency seems — 
 
 " Nearer, clearer, deadlier than before." 
 
 But I have only counted the cost, the uttermost far- 
 thing of which you have now paid down. I com- 
 mend you to Christ and his precious words. 
 
 And may God send comfort to these parents, bowed 
 with age and grief. May He temper the wind that 
 is so roughly blowing upon you. May He be mer- 
 ciful unto you, and bless you, and cause his face to 
 
shine upon your tearful countenances. Look beyond 
 the dark river. You have chosen the same Friend ; 
 you are following the same dear Christ that was with 
 him in the last struggle. You will soon meet this 
 darling son in that " better country," which is never 
 rent with civil feuds ; whose inhabitants never say : 
 "I am sick;" "I am wounded;" '*! am dying;" in 
 which "No war or battle's sound" will disturb your 
 eternal repose. 
 
 And what can I say to this stricken wife ? I hardly 
 know how to approach this central, sacred grief. And 
 yet, I doubt not, the wife of such a man shares in 
 the noble patriotism that led her husband to die for 
 his country. Death has left every^thing to comfort 
 you except what it is his very nature to take 
 away. The living speech, the loving face, the noble 
 form, — these he cannot leave. But he has left you 
 the lofty patriotism, the heroic valor, the Christian 
 character, the imperishable name. O, who would 
 not thrice and four times rather lie there, enshrouded 
 in his country's flag, than live to rail at this holy 
 cause, and defame its brave defenders ! Believe me^ 
 dear Madam, the wife of such a reprobate is far 
 more to be commisserated than yourself No robust 
 health, no peaceful possessions, no outward circum- 
 stances, how favorable soever they may be, can offset 
 such hideous moral defects, can balance the everlasting 
 disgrace sure to settle on that man's name ! 
 
16 
 
 With you all is different. The past is solid, safe, 
 crystalline. The future is certain and increasingly 
 glorious. Your husband has proved himself a man, 
 a patriot, a hero, a Christian. He has sounded out 
 the text to its greatest amplitude. He has stood his 
 ground. He has made determined assaults upon 
 " evil," and poured out his blood to "overcome" it. 
 He has gotten the final victory. He has earned a 
 title to the Pauline triumph : "I have fought a good 
 fight ; I have finished my course ; I have kept the 
 faith." And now he has gone up to receive the 
 crown of righteousness from the hands of the right- 
 eous Judge. 
 
 There entertain him all the saints above, 
 In solemn troops and sweet societies, 
 
 That sing, and singing, in their glory move ; 
 And wipe the tears forever from his eyesJ^ 
 
 I commend you to that Christ who is able to wipe 
 the tears from your eyes here. And I commend you 
 to that heaven in which your husband's society will 
 be vours forever. 
 
7 
 
 Date Due 
 
\ 
 
 .-79 Z99)Av.5 nos.l-li 343880 
 
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