Confederate Soldiers
A letter “To Christians in the Army” from an anonymous Southern Baptist “layman” is published first in Georgia Baptists’ Christian Index, and then today in North Carolina Baptists’ Biblical Recorder. The letter, targeted at young soldiers, represents yet another voice in a larger chorus of Southern Baptist home front pleas for Christian Confederate soldiers to live moral lives and evangelize the majority of soldiers who are not Christians in order to please family and God, convert the army, and ensure Southern victory over the evil North.
My brethren in the Lord, (who are now engaged in fighting the battles of our country) on you, in a great measure depends the moral tone and religious sentiment which shall pervade our army. It is for you to come out boldly and acknowledge yourselves to be Christians–to use those talents which God has given you, and to work for his cause. Pious fathers and mothers, in sending their sons into the field, fear not one half as much the missiles of the enemy or the attacks of disease, as they do the evil and sinful influences to which their sons are exposed; and in looking for the time to come when those who are dear to them shall return to their hearthstones, frequently look with fear and trembling, wondering if their dear ones shall return with the same religious sentiment with which they left, or if they shall come back to them scoffers at religion, profane, and addicted to the many vices incident of camp life. How shall they return? It is with you. Will you allow your lukewarmness in the cause of your master to lead to the loss of a single soul? Awake! Awake, thou that sleepest! and call upon thy God for that assistance which you need, to induce you to commence at once that work which you have so long neglected. Endeavor to keep the young in those paths in which they have been reared, and to lead others by your example to follow the meek and lowly Jesus.
Much can be done by professing christians for their master, if they will only make the effort.
In a company now stationed on the coast, and with whom there has been no chaplain for nearly three months, a christian member proposed holding a prayer meeting on one evening in the week. It was attended by a few. To aid him in his labors were three christians of different denominations, who had never before taken any active part in religious services. The work has steadily progressed, and instead of three to aid him, there are now twelve who boldly but humbly stand forth for their master’s cause.–Meetings for prayer are held every morning immediately after revielle, which are well attended; and the two services on the last Sabbath were attended by more than could obtain seats in the tent, (upwards of forty.) An officer of the company who previously lived an ungodly life, has, we trust, passed from death into life, and made a public proclamation of his faith in Christ. Two estimable and intelligent young men are rejoicing in a Saviour found, and the hearts of their parents have been made glad, and they thank God that their sons had been thrown into a company where there were even but three christians who would stand up in the name of the Lord. Four others of the company are anxious about their soul’s salvation, and at dusk they, with others, can be seen wending their way to the silent woods, to offer to their Heavenly Father their prayers in secret.
Let christian soldiers take courage and commence at once to work for their master. Seek out those in the company who have professed Christ, and begin your meetings; and as God has promised never to forsake those who call upon him, so put your trust in his promise. Neglect not your prayers in private. What better time could you have for your thoughts to dwell on heavenly things, than whilst on your post as sentinel–then you are alone with your God, and your communion with him will be sweet if you but do your duty to yourselves, your fellow men and to your Redeemer.
Source: Layman, “To Christians in the Army,” Biblical Recorder, November 19, 1862 (link)
