Newspapers / North Carolina Argus (Wadesboro, … / April 30, 1863, edition 1 / Page 1
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' " . . ',' ' . " " .' o:r Y ? V l: r a. 1 v ri 'i 1 x 1 a. a . w- b'v. - j III 11 . v 1 ii 1 1 1 - I !T - I j I ! j ! . 1 I ..-..- -ill 111 1 r 1 . 111 1 1' 1 . 1 .r f ' '., -...-i. ,; ' v 1 V-i S E jU f-YO t; NO; '16: y 4 ; W A D ES DO IlbUG It; C,; TimiDAYVllI30i-l863.i v -T :;.-, t nvHOLfi-Ko;'m,. T V" ., ,, 1 , ,, , . .,., ... , , 1 1 1 Tu ths CitircKe oti Lotrd Cktut in th$ feufplfecl with faithful pastors ? VV6 have ppt toe means of dRterrntning the nurpber entraired in ihe wJio a service hut. rirl ?i'jii in tfo Second Corp of (U Army - ofV -.V I'-ir 4 1 -,.v V , I ;rjrfv;rjifa: 4- . of tfooM'tnmmnnded bylhAlsiiicerVChH f tinn, Lieutenant Genera! J. J; Jackson, wh hnseitren special encoorajjement to the worK 'DiAt BKETHBEt,The' relationi which we kmtain to th varioui branchefof the Chtirch of Christ in our countfand th pf of jupplvinir the corpn wlthrcnplainripl .ultion which we hold in the army of the Con- one-halrof the fpirfmenjf of infantry are siffv fnea. oome enure orisaue uaye no pnan ain at all. ' In the artillery, attached to tn upon the important subject pf the religioua .-instruction of the soldiers enffMced.in the Racfed cause of defending our riphu.our lib erties and jour Jjomes.;.iTbe. one universal -iiwbject of thought and of feeling is the War. 'The hearta of the people with stijrularuna ' nimiry, are enlinted in the common cause, t The olnVrt of special interest to all is the larmy. The poWtlcnhand social interest "involved excite, the jatriotixmfe'nnd move tbe affection of alir There tsIittle hfcessU "ty for exhortation to foy of country, or love to our' sons and brothers, vhyare'fig;hting and falling in bur defence,' Thefe emotions, ''strong in the beginujng. have becotne niore v ' intiusa froai the. heroic fwtitude of our no-' ble, army, and frStnthe wictfd 3esiffns wnd ; infamous conduct of our enemies. The his- lory f Hhe paMwo years of- the war: has : amaiingly developed and macnified th is 7 J sues and strengthened and deepened the con 'victions under, which the coaflict began. Base, bevond all conception, must that heart ;Ih which does not swell with patriotic de ' Motion to our dear and suffering country, " which is not stirred with deep and righteous Mridi gnat ion vhtoiinst our cruel and guilty " foe.s and whlcn 19 hot melted wfth profound and tender sympathy for the privations of 'oursoldicrsandtbeafllictionsofouroppesed 'ifellowcitizensinthcinvrtdeddistricb. While Ubese emotions may exist in some adequate measure, is the religious Interest commen surate with'tha demand of the times 1 Isthe , Church as nwch alive to its.duty aMheStaU Is the Christian as active aud as earnest as the citizen? -Duties nevrr conflict. Our patriotism will lie alhthe stronger and pur t when sanctified by religion. The natu- ral sympathies require tlMycontrolling influ fiice fnd the plastic power of the lave of Christ for their proper regulation. To the " political nnd social must be added the reli- , pious element To patriotism must be added ' ihc mightier principle ot faith. Let love of untry be joined tolove of God " Let the llove of our, suffering brother be associated wkh the love of our crucified Savior. Let -the mporal interests bet . connected with - the eternaL One duty should not be allow---ed to- jexejuda - another nor one 7eniot ion crowd from the heart the holier presence of another The Ch.urch should clearly under stand mid fully estimate the relation which v it sustains to the- man and the duty which it 4wes to the Army. In an important sehse the cause of the country Is.'the cause of the 'Church. The principles involved are those .nf fight,' of rruth and of humahitt, ns well .as of law'of coiistitutional liberty and ofna tlonal independence. !J In a sense equally as t rueTand even more important isthe facf; that thr Churchi iorthc fulj extent of its ability ,and.6pportunityt is responsihle for . ih souls of those who fall irt this conflict. Haashe realized thfs solemn responsibility ? Has she discharged her sacred duty I With -- the opprtunities wbicb we have for estima , ting the work to dune, and ofiobserving what has been ticcomplishedjiwe are con- Httnrinect to sar that shfrbaruofc Sorely her -whole duty has not been done." We trerh ble when we contemplate the results which may follow from sufch delinquency. To estimate correctly the Work which the Church is called to' perform, we, must con raider the vast numler of our citizens who ' now compose the armies. All the men of "the country below the age- of forty ara in - -theHield. To these- must- be added many T'jlahdhy patriotic men .above the prescribed ages.4; The intellec tual and physical strength of the entire, court try is assembled in martial array. The ratio of religious instructors assigned by the bill ; "for. the appointment of Chaplains (a bill in . .some importantirespects st)l defective) is ' one chaplain for every regiment.,, How has - this arrangement hern seeoiwiea ry tne ' Church and 'the.Ministry t ' How maryy oi is a high privilegVand a great' iarisniction bc ollwed ,by the'elgnal blessing of-Al to preach to soldiers to whorrt God has given -uch signal victories.' "The moral Influence i l a justn4 ;dglneo,uk crtusa?j3 i lppyi'Fj roaucuon to, ana a gooa prepara, ion lur the holier 'cause'.of religion. The4objects for which our soldiers' are fightin!? pssess incalculable, power in contrb)ingfthe natu rally demoralizing influences of war, f,Vy are thaukful t JiHlforttheJargo number f Christian (oflicersi Jvhot command our corps, the destitution is still greater. Wit h-J .armies, nnd aid us in 'our worlui The pres- 1 " 1- - . 1 1 . C - I . , et 'j 1 s 1 1 ji. L: .' ?nee tacts ueiore us isjuoo mucn loamrni that thpre pre not two hundred chaplain? now in the. field in all our armies.- -Af the same time will not the statistics of the differ ent Churchea In the Confederate States show an aggregate of five or six thousand rtriinisters of thf gospel. ' ' : Ministerial brethren ! ougfit this thtnr,so tobe ? Churohof the livingGod, awake from your lethargy and arouse to your duty.' Vye are well aware of the pure nnd lofty patri otism of the Southern ministry. We khow that vour hearts are as truly and deeply tit listed in the Cause of the country as oufs; and we are also" a ware of the lact that a large number of chaplains are stationed at posts and -laboring faithfully in hospitals and many ministers of the gospel are serv ing as officers and as privates in the army. But how great is the destitution in the field ? And how.niany or our soldiers are'perishing without the bread of life? - 'There are no great difficulties in the way of obtaining an appointment for any suitable minister in any denomination of Christians. God has opened a wide and effectual door of access to thfi work. ;In the work Itself there are no difficulties which zeal and faith cannot readily overcome. The chief ob structions are those which exist everywhere in the conflict between sin and holiness. There are no vices nor prejudices peculiar erioa ofsii many nicras men in the rahks gives us a cnurcn in aimosi every repimeni 10 De gin with; Thejntercourse and communion of Christian brethren in the army is as inti mate and precious as anywhere upon earth.' It is an interesting fact that by this work ministers of the'different denominations are hro ighf into closer and more harmonious cooperation, fhus promoting the unity and charity of the whole cliurch, and greatly encouraging each ot her. Many of the great, est temptations to. vice are excluded, from the army. , There is much time for profit able reflection. The near approach to death excites to serious thought. Religious read ing is4sought and appreciated. Many op: portunities for personal kindness to the sick and the wounded on the battle-field and in thelcamp. bind grateful Tiearts to faithful Chaplains. In preaching -the word con ducting prayer-meetings and Bible-classes, by circulating the Scriptures and other religious reading, and by frequent conver sation in private; we have ample opportuni ty for doing our Master's work and laboring for immortal souls. Our greatest encour agement, however, has been from the pres-, ence nnd power of. the Holy Spirit among us- He who has led our armies to victory, conducting them,, like the hosts of Israel, with the billar of cloud and of fire by night and by, day, has also encompassed round to the army which are any greater hmdrari-J about us. and the tabernacle ot the Lord . . c ' 1 l 1 ...k!.L 1 - . 1 ' ' e : .i f If l. ces to tl e work of gracer than thosv which are to be encountered in the cities and throuahout the country. Oar work is a hard work, and there are privntions which must be endured.' The fare of the chaplain is that of the soldier. The exposures and discomforts to be encountered are in strik ing contra? t wit lit he previous li ves of most ministers of the gospel. The health of some has failed, in the. service, and some indeed have laid down their lives for their breth ren.but to many the change ol habits has been beneficial, nnd the feeble have come to en dure hardness as gofd sldiers. The chap lain, however faithful, will at times be dis courageimMert will seem to take litt ie4n terestin his preaching! pt'ofanity. card-playing and Sabbath breaking'will be on the in crease, his presence often' will be no re straint upon vice. and .when he has faithful ly discharged his duty he may meet with censure and ridicule: In camp life there is an indolence of mind produced and an aver sion to serious thought. There is alsoadis- position toseek.entertainnient in all manner of foolish talking and jesting. On the march ahd onanactive"campaigiithe attention t Scriptures have been put into the bands of . 1 , 1- 1 . f. . . .? 1 1 1 1 1 1 ..ii.... is much absorbed and time is often wanting lor religious duties, the carelessness ana open apostacy of professors of religion are here, as well as everywhere else, a great hindrance to the'success of thegospel. The readiness with which chaplains have resign ed their places, or absented themselves from their regiments is a source of discourage ment to t he - sold iers nd : to-thei r- hret hren who remain.'-' In the : hasty opinions and sweeping judgments of many jn 'and out of the army, the deficiencies of some have been unjustly attribured to others, and the failure ot a tew regaraert as me -aiiure ot aiu put (here, you perceive brethren, are essentially the same difficulties in a different form which the minister of od. must encounter every- wbiwlnaliiamfvidflJQutch of discouragement, however, is in ourselves. With more faith in God and more love for the souls of men. wi th more of the spirit ol our blessed Lord, we should behold greater and more precious results. ; ;',. If there are discouragements peculiar toom work, there are pecul tar e.ncouragemeiit also. We believe" that God is with us, not only to own ami bless His. word to the sal has been in the midst of our tents. Vv e be lieve there have been more powerful arid blessed revivals of religion in the army than out. of' it during the last two years. We know of a large church in which almost all the additions for more than a year have been of young men visiting their homes on furloughs from the arniy. At" this very t ime, a most interesting and extensive work of grace is jn progress amongst the troops sta tioned in and around the desolated city of Fredericksburg. The evidences of God's love and mercy are thus brought into imme diate and striking contrast with the works f cruely and barbarity of man. t- Brethren do noHhesemoveroents of the lloly GhTfsf mdfeaf should follow, and in what work they should engage ? Our work, though hard, is a pleas ant work; and we feel it to be a precious and glorious work."r Much more has been accomplished ' than has been, made known abroad." Comparatively few publications have been sent out by the Chaplains, but manv earnest and faithful sermons have been" preached, many copies of the. Holy f a. : -.'L-t: -r:z : . U "V wit .l he soldiers by Chaplains and,Colprteurs, and much ; printed matter in the form of religious newspapers and tracts has been circulated and eagerly read ; preciotis com munions ha ve been held and souls ha ver been added to the Church of Christ of such as, we believe, shall be saviVd. Eternity alone can disclose the extent of the blessed worfc-whtehfaithfUl Chaplains have aecom plished in our armies. ' ' , " "; : We have told you these ihingsbrethren; that your interest ! might be increased in this cause,' and in ourselves, as identified with the c a use. 7,1 f we Ha ye only mentioned what was befbre;faauiiar io you, we desire to stir up your pure, minds by. way of re memorance We would respectfully and in f hrlstiah love submit the following s.igges- ions lor vour. consideration, earnestly be seeching your cooperation, your.' sympathy and your prayers : ' Trft Let the Church humble herself before her Lord. Let all Christians of every name in iur land engage in acts of humiliation and bfsyer. - The frequent calls of our ex cellent and pious President to this 'duty mve oeeu aiicuuru 1 -.cviucim -n'lvciia mighty God;'' and may the' solemDday.be kopj -hoiyunttlie Lord by, the army and : bjall hapeopfe called to prostrate itself at the; foot eft the cross j: and to" iuppljeate the mererdf jdpd , wttn strongcmngaiia learsH is ims; mou, we oeueye wui oeVr. HSron? uurene but tbit iehvcrancatriust come in an 10 prayer. 1 1 answer f.i' , '!., ' 1 ! t -VI ft ...' ' " T " In order, that our nriavers'mav belieanL and out solemn days be not an abomination '6nfdthe"Lord, we mUst put, awa'y sm from among us. I herearesms, both of a nation- al and -individual chaVacter,, w hich Tft rap- f iaiy( engenoereq m a .time iiKe wt i spint of-recklessness,. and profioity, a.disregard of theaws of life .and ,of property ; too -great a reliance upon an arm of fles ; and it. may be, under .peculiar' aggravations, a sinful feeling of malignant and blood thirsty revenge has been indulged Buf more tlian all, a spirit of unhallowed reed,. ,ofr un- , righteous extortion. Ill gotten gains will . . proye a curse to the individual, and in jurious to the country.' It , is no time; for amassing wealth. : Can the true patriot, canltbe true. Christian ' grow rich in theu hour of -bis country's peril? If in any properand legitimate manner, without inju ry to others, money is accumulated, give tt to vour - countrv : ffiv it to the nobr: crive it ,to , the suffering families, of the ; sol-' 1 diersj send a Chaplain to the army, and -assist -in the. support of bis family while he is . engaged in the work. Let the Churchr of Jusus Christ clear herself of . this sin," and let not the hidden wedge and the Babylonish garment be( touhd in her tents. ; By precept and example, let the Church seek" to foster a; irene'rotis and self sacrificing spirit' among all classes of - the people , ; T C 7 ' C J'? ,ureinren,sena us more onapiams. , ne harvest truly Is great,VhHabnrer are few. We send abroad to the churches the Mace jdonian cry, Pome and help us. The work is ,.- an earnest, a pressing work Now is emphatically the accepted time for the army. . The cause will not brook "delay. A series of battles which may speedily fol low the "opening of the campaign, will sweep awav thousands of our brave com rades and friends' thousands' of your own sons and brothers.; Then come "while it is called to-day. Come up to help of the Lord, o help of the Lord against; the mighty, and : escape the curse ot Meroz. ; vye espepiaiiy ,( ' apreal to the churches , in itneirorganized ' capacity, and ask for C6nventions,,Cpnfer--iij A encesrresb apart men ot the best talent and largest ex perience unto this work." Such a call, com ing with tha potential authority of a Church of God would doubtless decide many of the 'ablest ministers in the eountrytO cast in their lots'with us. We "cordially -land ear nestly invite" the VeW the Church' to visit the army and "preach for a few days or weeks in the regiments, ouch voluntary labqrsrinanyinstancesrhave been signally blessed. " The churches ehou Id. be willing " to 1 spare Itbeir ; pasters for this 1 work, and i seek temporary supplies from J neighboring ministers;; or at Je.ist, all con- j gregations might allow their ministers to visit the army for a time, and labor for those who have gone forth, in . their defence. Have not the soldiers who are'' awav from theirr.ipmes and ich claim a- part of the time of their own pas'- tors r But especially do we call upon the younger ; menrbecause ypuare strongcome tale part in this sacred cause and this holy fellowship witJ ; - If ' the ministers of the gospel, "below the age of forty are exempted from ordinary miuiary,uuiy, are mey uwi oounu w wrvo their count ry and the, army in the capacity of chaplains ? Have you a right to stay away while. this destitution exists U We urge no extreme dr fanatical vie w.i Let all the regiments be suppjiedt and still tho vast majority of ministers 'will remain at home with their Congregations. ;1 VVe plead only for that which is just and equal. ; Aqd we feel that we but do this wh we main tain tham?ongregations should assist in.the 1 ? I?' 15 'IK : "-4i'i.' ii 4. A, ----i v 4- X "4 TJt- 14J 3 oi vjtioh of men, but that His blessing re!H,hrt Divine favor. ' May the obervuncejsuj 4' h
North Carolina Argus (Wadesboro, N.C.)
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April 30, 1863, edition 1
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