[277] that, before the lights are out in the evening, manly tones are heard in thanksgiving for the blessings of the day; or, that the Bible and prayer-book are common books upon the mess-table; or, that when Sunday comes, the little stand from which the chaplain is wont to discourse, is the centre of a cluster of interested and pious listeners.In many of the regiments much of this kindly influence is due to the pure and elevated character of the officers. Wherever these are found, you invariably also find a neat, welldisci-plined, orderly, quiet command, as prompt in the camp as they are brave upon the field. Now and then you may hear a taunt about “our praying captain,” or “colonel;” but even these thoughtless expressions come from men who venerate their officers and would follow them to the death. As you know, some of our ablest generals are men who have dropped the gown of the Christian for the apparel of the soldier. Polk was a bishop, Pendleton a clergyman, D. H. Hill a religious author, Jackson a dignitary of the Church, while scores of others occupying subordinate positions, are equally well known for their devotion at the shrine of Christianity. All of these gentlemen have been eminently successful in whatever they have undertaken, have passed unharmed through the dangers by which they have been frequently environed, and are living illustrations of the truth that a fighting Christian is as terrible to his enemies as he is gentle to his friends.
General Jackson never enters a fight without first invoking God's blessing and protection. The dependence of this strange man upon the Deity seems never to be absent from his mind, and whatever he does or says, it is always prefaced, “by God's blessing.” In one of his official dispatches, he commences— “By God's blessing we have to-day defeated the enemy.” Said one of his officers to him the other day— “Well, general, another candidate (referring to Pope) is waiting your attentions.” “So I observe,” was the quiet reply; “and by God's blessing he shall receive them to his full satisfaction.”
After a battle has been fought, the same rigid remembrance of Divine Power is observed. The army is drawn up in line, the general dismounts from his horse, and there in the presence of his rough, bronzed-face troops, with heads uncovered and bent awe-stricken to the ground, the voice of the good man, which but a few hours before was ringing out in quick and fiery intonations,
