1. Avoid Profaneness. Said GEORGE WASHINGTON to the United States troops, in July, 1776, “The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary, but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and libertics of his country." "The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing-a vice hitherto little known in an American army-is growing into fashion; he hopes the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it; and that both they and the men will reflect that we can have little hope of the blessing of Heaven upon our arms if we insult God by our impiety and folly." 2. Do not neglect Prayer. No soldier should be indifferent to this means of spiritual profit. The Christian, at least, will certainly appreciate it. It would seem that every step of his battalion, every stroke of his drum, should beat the time of his heart's throbbings after God, who is going up to the battle before him. Whatever else is neglected, let not the soldier be for a day or an hour absent from the felt presence of his heavenly Father, in whose hand are all the fortunes of war. RULES OF CONDUCT. 3. Avoid Intemperance. 23 There is no vice more destructive to the soldier, both morally and physically, than love of strong drink. The excitements, fatigues, uninviting rations, and loss of domestic influence, together with a depressing consciousness of danger, make the social glass and the optional ration of liquor more dangerous foes than an army of traitors. Not only does the daily use of intoxicating liquors impair the moral courage and self-sacrificing purpose essential to a good warfare, but it unfits the physical constitution to endure the exposures of climate, the fatigues of forced marches, and the loss of blood when wounded in battle. At the time when the stimulants are needed, their medicinal virtue will have been exhausted by daily abuses. Forget not how Alexander, the conqueror of a world, was himself vanquished by wine, and died a drunkard; and that it were far better to die in the defense of our country, than to escape the sword to return to honored kinsfolks a slave to the cup, and experience the truth that "no drunkard shall ever enter the kingdom of heaven." 4. Shun Licentiousness. There is always a legion of devils attendant upon the camp life of the soldier. Their forms of approach are according to circumstances. Sometimes they appear in the guise of plunder, and destroy all respect for the right of property and sanctity of home. Woman should always be protected in her virtue, though she be an enemy; while vicious women should be shunned like the doorkeepers of hell, even though they come in the guise of matrons and nurses. "Resist the devil" in whatever guise," and he will flee from you." "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." You will be made by His presence continually sensitive to every degrading license, and though maimed perchance in body, you will be a welcome guest in the homes of the virtuous, wherever you are. Shun every loose association of thought, word, and deed, as you would a secret poison; for only so can a man be elevated into sympathy with his Maker, and meet the true end of his being. 5. Take Care of your whole Manhood. He The United States soldier should in every respect seek to fulfill his mission as a man and as a warrior. should as far as possible be able-bodied, calm-headed, and pure-hearted. He should discipline his mind and body to do his whole duty in the fear of God, for the good of man. He is morally bound to care for his physical strength, and cultivate the power of endurance and prompt and efficient action. His body is the instrument through which he exerts his patriotism in the military crisis. It should be kept in a cleanly, hardy, and alert condition, completely subjected to the mind, even though they be separated the next moment, and the spirit go to God who gave it. His mind should be disciplined to obey orders, and act through the body, in most perfect concert with the rank and file about him. There is no scene RULES OF CONDUCT. 25 on earth where moral courage may more sublimely rule the mind, and every nerve and muscle of the body, than where the Christian soldier meets a foeman worthy of his steel and deadly aim. A single charge in such a moment may be the united act of a thousand executioners firm to do their duty for the highest good of unborn millions. The worthy bearing of the soldier in the crisis moment may be worth more to mankind than an ordinary lifetime. Let the grandeur of his cause lead him, with calm, physi cal, mental, and moral courage, to act on every occasion with an unfaltering fidelity to his mission. Whether he be brought into any sanguinary engagement or not, the whole man should be put in all reasonable readiness for it, and all so consecrated to God and His cause, that his immortal nature shall be elevated rather than degraded by his providential calling. The soldier fighting our battles in this crisis should seek first to know the will of God, and then bend his whole manhood to accomplish it. Let his warfare thus be waged under the banner of Christ-that at last, when dismissed to his rest, he may be enabled to exclaim with joyful recollections of the past, and bright hopes of the future, "I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." 2 THE BATTLE OF LIBERTY. FOURTH OF JULY, EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE BY A. DICKINSON. Joyous let us hail the morning Day of Freedom! day of wonders! Starry banners are bright streaming And all heaven with light is gleaming On the glorious retinue. Hosts are pouring down the mountains; All the valleys overflow, Like the rush of foaming fountains From the craggy mountain brow. Every mountain, every valley For our country fight and die. |