haste, that shall win the priz?. But if we fall,let us fall with cur faces upward, our' heartsfumed tc (Sod, our bands iu the work, our

medifatron most suiieJ as a preparation forthe vork of tl;e new year, which in Gcd's

Livrcy we have been permitted to sert. -

Lite has trought to us all " labor aud Bor- -

TELE&E A'PIIJ CREPORTS OF TUL PRESS ASSOCIATION

Endcc$7diVijft0 tof CcfifTCffic the T..T1863, Vj. J S. THaAiHin, ia the Clerk' V-f- c

could easHy show- - lcw true it is tliAt othershave suffered more ard struggled longer. Andshall toe lack the faith to bear ns out in ourstruggle? in otw struggle for liberty and honorand wealth and independence, and a glorioushiture ? for wife and children and home, andall wo hold dear and sacred ? for truth and --

cur altars? for our lives and very existence?Ah vhe who can here m ike haste, and rusheither into submiisioa or despair, and iv upwhen such is the stake he who can makehaste in iha fcolish hope of saving hiajselfwhen the country is perishing, Gad haromercy upon his poor, miserable soul; hut let

vi vu ortfc Coafetfcra--t Statr.fr the Norther District f Ueorgia.

Slirman's UoTeBrnt.FAYETTETILLE March l.-- TI e latest Ir.t.i

ligence from the front locate Sherman at bynciVsCreek. Ha ia supposed to be striking f,,r thecoast. As lite as the 26th, no 'Yankees w. ! eadvancing ia this direction from Wilmington

Other intelligence contraband, but of an en"

couraing character.The Confederate steamer " Chlckamauja " at

destroyed Jby her crew, to prevent her faliin;the hands sftke enemy, at Gray's Poiat, ou tbCape Fear river, on Saturday.

Isecond DIErATCn.FAtfETTEVILLK, .V. C. March. 1. A Grn-tleina- n

just in froin LuiiibertoH, reports tl:courier arrive there last niht from Che raw withiatellijsnce that a portion of Sherman's uvmrhad beta met near rberaw, and defeated, a:ilthat Sherman wai retreating ia tko Jirtction ofCharleston.

this is net official .

Confcderatf Congress.KICIIMONL Feb. 28.TfceSenat. tun

bill to continue in force until July, XtCi, tlto increase the couiper.satin ofoficeii and privates in the ConfederateThe House bill to levy additional tax for-?":- ,

was reported back from the Committee oa fi-

nance, with numerous suend2cnt ; miuoiityreport has been sibniittcd.

After secret scission tbo Sernito adjourned.In the Mouse to day, tbe exemption bill was

referred-t- o the Cc miuittee f Conference. Te Sea- -

ate bill abolishiirg the oflice cf Provest Marshal,except within the limits o f the armies was amend.ed and passed. The Senate bill requiring male

refugees to perform military duty in the reserveforces was pasted, Tho Senate bill authoii.zing the Secretary . of War to negotiatewith the Governments of the several States for

the'emplovmsnt of slave labor with our armin,to work upon fortifications Ac., was amendedand passed -- jcas 45, nars "39. A ft or action oaconsiderable other bills, the II use adjourned.

Northern Sews.RICHMO.Yi), Feb. 23. Xothern journn!.. tf

Saturday ft.at that Capt. Ileal I, a Conn-rlnt-

guerilla," was hure en Governor's Island on Pri-pa- y

afterno"n. His last words tvcio'41 prteptagainst the execution of this sentence ; it is ubso.lute murder brutal murder. 1 die in defenceand ia the service of my country."

An otlicial telegram relative to tho capture cfWilmington, claims seven hundred prisoners,and thirty guns. Captured citizens state thatthe rebels burned. 1,COO bales of cotton, and6,000 Lbls. of rosin. The Union feeling showeditself quite strongly in the city.

Terry followed Hoke northward.There was excitement in Knotvilleon the 22th,

diving to . rep rt of Loojitcet's comutad mov-

ing on that plac.A. .special Washington telegram to the Haifr

Tetr asserts that the visit of Singletos atdHughes, is of a strictly prtTate nature, aad keaisno political significance whatever.

Gn. Caubj will move from l'ensacola to. co-

operate, with Thomas.Recruiting is said to be active in Ohio.In discussing the fortification bill ia CongreM

a Friday Reverdy Johnson stated that if tbe warcontinued two years longer, it was by no nu-ar- s

certain we should not have-foreig- n war. At! ricefrom France, he"said, both public and private, in-dicate tbe purpose of the Emperor to recognizetbe Confederacy, if the rebellion was not quiieJ.within a reasonable period.

CSvld unchanged.

Letter from General Lee oh the Negro i:n- -

listmcnt.The following letter from General Le, on

tho subject wf putting negroes into tho army,clearly de-fine- hi views on that importantsubject :

"IlEArllA RTKHfl'CoN FEDERATE StA' AltMIE, V

ylS,UG.j. j

A SERMON.

breached on the fr st fJanuary, 13G", in

St. VauVs Church, Lichr.vud.ly the rector,

Be v. Chas. 211nr.ig erode, D. D- -

JliKE IIASTI.r.EMF.VKTIiHF. THATIsaiah xxviii. li.

Many ard gb-riou- s things are s;d of fai:h'It is the thereof the Christian pulpit, a u"-j-- ct

which - cannot le exhausted. 1 i'iUupon all ih-- relations of lite ard gives charac-ter to every believr, whatever the circuni-ttirce- s

be in rhlch he may b-- s placed. II iswhole life in its every manifestation, iathought, word and deed, inthe inr.er snnetu-:,r- v

cf bis feelings and aspirations, in hiscu ward bearing in tin word aid towards

he r- - is developed from his position as abeliever.

At p?-c-o with Gcd ihnugh faith in Jesus

Chri-t- , he i. anson ihe arm of Omnip ior.c3anl rerc-- as the m of Infinite VVu- -

d'j-.- n : and frm these two premises follow, 0.1

their ifgitirr.ate and blessed results, the twocr-ii;u- i characteristics of the Christian ; Jm-;- (;

j c:ad true, calm, fearless ma-din- e :s.As he looks up t-- i God, he finds a Father's

lo-.o.- a Father's faithfulness, a Father's heme,ui.d ''ihc everlasting arms are under-i.eu- h

;" a::d trustfudv, humbly he commitshim.-el-f and all to Him to whom he has com-

mits 1 his highest, his eternal interests.S.'c rein that guardian care aud covenantedlove, he then descends into the relations ofordinary life, and enters cheerfully and

upon Ids daily duties and trills.Stipp'jited by the promise, which for the

re.d fc lic-ve-r matures into fruition, Chri.t'sprcscico and ever-acti- ve sympathy : by thegui iirg power of Him that is greater than allthat caa be against 1dm, by the Spirit thatreveah; to his own spirit mora and more theutftiling love of Christ; secure iu the highest

grantee, that "He who spired not Lis Son,but Je'ievcred kiin up for u.--j all, shall stmdywith him freely give us all things," aud thepositive pledge "all things shall work togetherf.r g 5cd to thorn that love God :"' he canhurl&o'ir th 2 hope, that however weak andunwoitby he shall not utterly fhll nor f..il

. cf hi portion ; and in his intercoursewith the world diow him.-el- A man in thfuHe.--t ar.d highest sense of the word, a mansufficient for the dut'u s sr:d trials of life, whohallow bi3 every act by doiug it to the glor

f (i-- d, wiio lciirns to do all things tliri.u-- h

Christ that strengthens him,, and tu bcr allthin- - which in his service he may enc-.unlc-- .

Surtly, Brethren, he teat thus believel'i '

"shall not make haste." Tribulation he shallhave iu this world, but "he'is ofood cheer

fjr Chril has overcome the world." Hor-rj.- t.i

wiil fid to his share ss to the lot t'i adlaeti, b-i- t ,4fe sorrows not as those who havero hope." Trials must cera-- , trials and af-liic- ti.

n, r,bich checker the hf--j of all f bat har?iiiTiib r- -, that (iod "cho seth As pe.'pin the fariuce of ntdiction ;" and he meets :i!lthat life cm I. ring him, of duties or trials orte;.pt:itii tl A iu the imj?nctrablo urmonrof t G. rcl of peac J : "li thy day so shallthy strength be ;"' "My gra-i- is fufd. intfor tl.co." Trials are but God's disciplinefor our gxd : ' he chastens thos v.h ;;n helores." He who thus belh.veth shall uot bethrown down from his trust ir Gjd, mt to Lerjhielof ii. it pMce which repots in hisIjvc v.i.d fa'thfu!uoo3; he cuinvt become thepia tJiir.g of every pv.'T rf ulversity or pros-p-r:- ty

j.iA rt. lire under G i's pruvider-e3- ,

rmp.itier.t ft' his discipline, forgetful of ad thef vf-rl- i .?H; gu-ir.ij;t:f- i.e r-s- ;s on vA tr.emar.i y I- ; .nu ,a:ioii that h is marked out histour.-.- L, rrive.i to the ;;.ad career ' f pre-pur- .:-

li : . or cast ii.tj the sluugh of desoof cy.

.S;.:ch i itnlecd the stf adf line's of the be-hev- fr.

Tj.i.s makes him truly greit andraauiy in the vicissitudes of life: "ha rhalli..t !n..kf h ist."

ihit, ihethren, who of us will boast of sychunulivrii g, fith ? Who isther, that should not k e moved to self- -. X4nd- -

nation and better resolutions by the Yor-.i- ofour test ?

'! th" believer we give it as a test, to tryhis truth and vitality. The unbed-jve- r wepoint t1 it, as the only way to that mardi-ne.-- s,

w;!!k m which our life and all its pur-poses, aud rums must prove a failure.

Is it ii.i want ( f faith, which is the root cfall that murmuring against; G-kJ'- s providence,that iripat ece at dehy ami the frustration

t our plan.---, that repird.ig uadcr the pr re

of miiforl'ines au4 losses a .il reverses? ofthu hsty spirit wlii.h charges ur lossesvpo-- ih- - r ;, and iln 's relief in censure anddistrust ? which acts upon the ituptilse of themom";-.- : u:.i funs its conclusions from tliopi.-sir-g events q( tha day, ju Jges of the favourof G d by a ami ot his disple iure bvarvti.o? which allows itself to be toss.ejab"ut by id friges w hich iccet us in our earih-l- y

lite, and ru-h- es with cquil thoughtless --

ncss or reckh ssuess now into pre.-iunpti-an

on the crtst of a prosperous wave "g'i'm i'.toutter d'po:,dc:icy, aye sitiks down in de.--p iir,v, ii u ti," billows lis. above us an 1 seemready r swallow" us up.

I i all this, Ufbved cw: hf.maiily speii:-i-'.- g

:h r is :iu principle exjepi our TudiL-n..- -sa-.- l u:: belief; there is no tlromes-- , no

rruu lice sows discord, wh on our very rxis- -tence is in dtfngcr ; the rie'eg of manvwhuh k ready u tve li and sink ih. snHdespair, and withholds the needful help at themost critical tim?, and spreads the spirit ofdrssatt.f:ctioa ard despondency, and wouldnet s uink even froni poisoning the minds ofthose who utb the grest btAark betweenourselves iaj d;sirUcti0n : it ft this? the fearthat we may not ba true to ourselves becausewe arc faltering in our faith in God, whichprefer-t-- tie dangerous .aspect of our presentcrisis. Oh J if we could take with us intothe i.ew year the lesson of our text ; if wec-u-

'ti stop every croaKer ana nerve everytrjiia patnut- - if we conld allay every impa- -

uence anct Touse all to b?ar what others havebgmc before, and drive away fheir unmaclvfears toy trust in God, by truly, prayerfullycomm;tting themselves and the country intoHis hands from whom c metri our help, andurge there on, to do and bar, to brave theirdangers and erdure thejx pritations, to betrue men and aot as eueh.: tha threateningdangers with which the year 'opens upon uswould in God's mercy be "changed into bles-

sings, and this year witness the growth ofur national strength and our training for tha

final victory 1 "IIo that believeth shall notmake haste." If this sentiment was realizedby alh -- rulers and people alike and follow-ed up in a God-feariu- g spirit, submitting tohis chasti-ements'a- nd learning the lessons ofadversity in patience and calm, courageousresolution, in mutual bearing and lorbearicg,in that manUrs which yields where the

ood of the country requires it, and subordi-nates eelt t the high and holy cause iu whichwe are engaged, in that devotion which con-secrates all and sacrifices all to the will ofGod and the common good if our prayersc uid effect this, there would be no cause leftf r fear; but from our reverses we would risein new. strength, and against whatever dan-gers aid by however slow degrees enterupon that course- - which must brinrj vicmryaud peace! It would give us that truecourage which shines most conspicuously whenall looks threatening, which becomes calm indanger and perseveres to the last, faithful to

piiatiph;; which rest3 impregnably upon theyock of faith, and there finds, strength to doall things and bear all things inthe dischargeof duty.

(1.) "He that believeth shall not makehaste." This does not exclude work ; it in-

cludes it. Haste is opp s-- d to proper speed,to the conscientious and judicious use of theproper means, opposed to the faithful dis-

charge of duty. It is true "not by might,ncr by power- - but by my Spirit, saith theLord ;" 'but this excludes only --a reliance oaa might and power which is net sanctionedby God a might and power of their own,which the faithless iu their basse substitutefor that might and power cf God's Spiritwhich shall accomplish his work in his owngood time by the legitimate means of man'sactivity aud faithful, persevering labor.

'Here"wehave the true piiciples: the con-

scientious, ddijenl u?e 'of means, but of --meansichich God has sanctioned, and which his Spiritblesses. ' When we speak of trust iu God, we donot advocate superstition or fauatichsm. Theday of miracles is passed. No" legions fromabove snail descend, and, as in the legends ofold, lead our armies. No miraculous interposition can be looked for to termiuate our strug-gle or give us by a sudden supernatural visi-

tation, the victory, which we were not faithfulenough U achieve by the judicious and hornetuse of the means placed iu our bauds, the pow-er entrusted us. God everywhere works bymeans ; he blesses thetn.the gives theru success,but only vrhea they are used in accordancewith his design ; aud only upon their use cumwe count. on his blessing. G:.d helps thos?who help themselves, who through faihin hiairise with their work thir work. Justas every ('hristian trusts as if Gad did every-thing and he nothing, but he also works ifthe whole rested upe n that, and hi canwork, for he knows "it is God that worketh iubiin to will and to do."

Yes, Brethren, here must be our strength.We took an esumate of our means and curstrength when we entered upon this war. Letus take a aew census for this .year, honestly,Conscientiously. Let us couut all tht can beand 'ought to be in the army;, all the resourceswe have the command of, we can husband ndincrease; all the wealth with which in God'smercy we yet ' are biesst-d- , and which no Jcsthan our lives gaud our children's lires aredue to the' service of the c untry, whichothers have often sacrificed on its altars,and which it would be folly to attempt to saveat the risk of the ruin of tu country whichalone can shield us in its possession ; which veroust part whoa we part with our liberty andindependence, iiet us add every motive ofiK'n; r and solemn pledges and patriotism : theprospect of the nltercate isvae of succtss or de-

feat ; and ttitn throw into the scale that faithin G d which those should Lave-wh- tight in ajust cause, who defer. el their altars arid their

the lives and. honor of their wives aadchildren ; who would be craven could, theyshrink from any b'jcrifioe to save all that rnn.uhold, dear and sacred; those who indeed wouldhunible themselves beforiGod and acknowledgetbefju-tic- e of their chastisement, yet who trustto his .overruling providence, and put them-selves under h's protection, and commit theirull to Jlim in whose Lauds a--

e the issues of lifeand death an! Ihe destinies of naticus, "whoeair suve by many or by few ;" and who are re-

solved in His n.iine, and by Ilis heip, to do theirwhole duty and never weary in its discharge,'and endure to the end, faittiful unto death : ar.dBrethren, is it for su-.- to make haste audthrough unbelief deny their every premise andgive up their every-hope- , and turu from theirlofty goal ia selfish fear, in weak despair?Away with faintheartedness! "Heart withinaud'God o'erhead i" L- -t us do our duty, befaithful iu our work, and wc can safely leaveresults with Goi ! The might and power whichour enemies bring against us, are not the mightand power cf Gou'3 Spirit, we niisy be eurc---excep- t

so far as they are riermittcd to chastenus fr our sins auxl train us for the hardshipsof a godly warfare Trust in his. Spirit and ia Jhis ruiz.'it and gracious 'promises : aad that 1

trut shall buey us up to do cur part ia thework cf our deliverance aud independence.Oh ! when L. recollect what others havedene in ihe struggle for their liberty and ex:s-tet.e- e,

the sacrifices they have brought, the gi-

gantic energy which even the aggressor andthe compierer developes, must I not say, hereis our path and here our duty 1

Ye-- ', Brethren, " he tint believeth shill notmake LaMe ;" f r his faith will teach him retordy to act and do the necrstsarv work andmase the requisite exertion?, i also nervelim to endure and Lear all that must be home.R a;iy I am the last person tha; would un-- dt

rate cur and our sicrifices thatL A. 1.1. - f

; yet jei. us rememoer weare not Ilg oniv or.es that have thus' beencaiied on to sutler. How true are the wordsof the present Governor of South Carolina,when in his Inaugural Le said: "Other na-tion?, fur lesser purposed, have striven longer,endured more than we nave, and we n for!hme,rt--s imperishable honor. Let us noth s.t-tt- e iu cur purpose, or falter ia its execu-tion '

Aye, Brethren, no rntien ever gainedits freedom without sulitring; and hadv.e time ta refer to tue facts of history, we

wounds in th breast, with blessings not cur--sec Upon our lips; and all is not lost! Wehave retained our honor, wo have done ourduty to the last, ind lived and died as theser-- .vants of God, lived in faith "and died in thehope of glory!

. But this bright new years sun, this gloriousSabbath-mor- n whicft ushers it in amidst thepraytrs and praises of God's people it doesnet aufftir failure or defeat. It rises liko astar of hope upon the dark clouds iu whichthe last year has set, and I do believe that ourpresent reverses are token's, rot of God's anger and Li abandonment of our cause, but amerciful dhe:p ine, a fatherly chast setnent forour sin?, to make us more humble before Limand dependent on his a'one saving grace, moreearnest and single-hearte- d in duties ofour life; to call forth the Ulcnt energies thatstill sleep within ts and shall wake at thetouch.ef his Omnipotent hand, and arm oursouls with un conquerable strength by faith inIrs promises, and by the prayers which shallascend to the throne of graco and bring downhis blessing upon 'us.

B.dovcd B ethren, let us devote ourselvrs,our souls at,ddoJy, to his service, and bringto his alter the sacrifice of all we have and allwe are. Lt this be the . resolution withwhichjwe enter the new year, that His wewid be, and His ehall be our heart and strengthand ti-ti- e and wealth ard lifs. Let us bearour present trials as His dispensation, audtherefore "quit us as . men and be stroug,"and "net mtke haste !'' L:t u make it cursacred duty to uphold and increase not toshake or undermine, public confidence; butforgettiag all enemios and jealousies, surrenderirig all prejudices and selfish aims, joinhand and heart, ancl as a band" cf brothers,enlisted in Christ's'service, ' let us seal ourvows of leyalty to God and man, our country,and our every duty, in hoty sacrament towhich the day invites us! And may Godsmile upon us and give us his blessing, andcrown the year with his mercy and goodness,aacr beautity us with his salvation I

War News.TKICIIMOXD AND PETERSBURG.

'The Richmond Disjatcli of tli3 25th ult.saye :

Unbroken quiet reigns along the lines cntnc norm siuo ol James river.

The enemv concentrated on tho new nosi- - -j.

tion oq Hatcher's mu during Tuesday andWednesday, but nothing of eons quence hasgrown out of the movement. They captureda portion of t ur picket line in this vicinity onTuesday night, but the line wasbv our forces the next morning.

A very handsome little affxir occurred oneday last week, in the vicinity of Burwelljsbay, in which about two hundred and fattyYankees, belonging to th? -- celebrated .Navalbrigade, were defeated and routed by a ewmparatively small force of Confederate tcoutsunder command of Sersreant ShadSurne. m- -

sistcd by a party of" the independent signalcorps, und.er command of Lieutenant Woodley.This force ot the enemy had been sent out tointercept and capture a secret expeditionknown to have been dispatched in that di-

rection recently by our Government. Whileresting at Burwell's bav. this force was vi'sr

orously attacked by the scouts and signalcorps men, whoeventually succeeded in killingana vvounumg a number and putting the balance to flight. Sixteen drad bodies were aubsequenily found six lying on the road.-i.d-e

leautng to rtmitnnei'J, and ten in bmithhelctw! o had died of their wounds there. Wdid not learn whether anv nrisoners were ta- -- r g

ken, but a number of .wounded Yankees werecarried ufT by their comrade3. So the partywho came out to wnip got whipped.BOLD EXPLOIT THE YANKEE GENERALS CROCK

- AND KELLY CAPTURED." The following interesting oflicial telegram

was received at the. War Department at Richroond'en the 24ih ult.:" Hoii. J C. lireclinriarje, Skcy of War:

"Gen. Early reports that Lieut. McNeilwith thirty men, on the morning of the ltentered Cumberland, cp'i.rcd- - and breughont Generals Crook and KeUv. the" AdintantGeneral rf the department, two private? andthe headquarters ihcr. without firmer a trun.though a considerable force is stationed in thevicinity.

44 Lieut McNeil and 'party. deserve muchcredit for the bold exploit.

44 Their prisoners will reach Staunton to-dc- y4.

44 R. E. LEE."ANCTUE ACCOUNT.

The following telegram was received at Rich-mond, on the 24th :

"Habrisonbitp.o, February 24. Mnjor Gen-era sB. F. Kcltcy and deerg? Crook, nnd Maj.Thayer Melvin, of General Crook's staff, arehere, en route for Richmond. They were cap-tured in Cumberland, Maryland, last TuesdayrnorniDg at 3 o'clock, by Lieutenant John Mc-Ni- el

and forty-fiv- e of his men, and fifteen, ofGeneral Itossei-'- s furloughed men. They wilfreach your city by the cars cn the Central rail-road

VAUG1IAJ1 AT WO?.K IN EAST TENNESSEE A

RAID BEYOND KNOXVILLE.The folic wing was received at Richmond, on

the 14th: ".

'

"Hkadquakters, February 24, 18G4.

"Him.J. C. Breckinridge Secretary of War :4,General Echol Trports that detachments

of Vaughan's cavalry struck the railroad benyond Knnxville at Sweetwater and Athens,capturing the garrison at both places. Sixtymen of the Tw ntytie;h Ohio regia.c-nt- , withhcrsesand rrprpments, were takti.

4

Signed K. Eee."MOSBY MEN OPERATING ON THE PENINSULA.

From the following dispatch from GeneralIre, it will be seen that Mosby's tnea haveagain been at work to some purpose :44 Bin. J. G. Bre kinridge, Sec'y of War;

44 Major A. E. Riehards, of Mosby's right,reports that, on the 18th inst., with' thirty-eis- ht

raeniie attacked a party of the enjerny,one hundred and twenty strong, of whom hekilled and wounded twen'y-five- . Among thewounded were a Major and Captain. II ? cap-tured sixty-ftu- r prisoners and ninety horses.He Lad c&e man slightly wounded.

44 R. E.LEE."

Release of Political- - Prisoners. TheYankee authorities have ordered the release ofall political prisoners now confined in North-ern bastiles, upon their subscribing to a parolete. rexder no aid to the enemies of the UnitedStates, except spies, ar.d ethers whose releaseis deemed incompatible with the public safety.

From the tone of Augusta, papers received,we itfer that the people of. that city are netmuch concerned about the Yankees. TheState is almost entirely free from them.

"

Thisi don't lock a great deal like feubjujation.

' ,Tr.,-i-,'- c nil r.nr miM hness. As Wewbok I and con-u- it the experience of he

yast, :.iA look f and fain woahi ask ofthe cai.ing year its h( p s and fears, its pi sand T.e-tha- not find a mt-r- im-

portant and useful truth th u that of my text.The ief sons of the-pa--t year may be humilia-tiro- -

and sad, and we all more or l;ss havebe. n Eulfcringjrom that late which u so in-

consistent in the true believer; the prospectcf the iutiire may be dark it is aU the move

ry that we ehor.hi arm ourselves for itsc.-min- days vith bat faith which alon ena-bles us " to stand in tho evil da'j ana havir.gd'uaa all, to stand."

TbVas eriion of the text applies to our in-n- cr

life, the hidden life of the sou I iu thesight of U A, its "growth amiibt tha manyspiritual trials and temptations and disap-pointm- ei

ts and drawbacks which belong toour training and probation-lif- e. And it ap-plies to life m nil itsJarms and all its demandsupon the individual, in our daily tasks ande ;ch one's peculiar sphere. And oh ! as I seeso many rushing along wildly, without -- asteadfast and a godly principle ; see-the- m en-

tering on the new year, with its unknownevents, without the support of faith, withouttirj guide ot a heavenly light, hastening on

upon the dictates of their o n wisdom, throw-i.i- g

asalu the alone support for their laboring .

spirits, yielding t the tyrranny of the mo-

ment and the power of mere circumstances, tofall into murmuring or iuipatiartce, into. reck-lessness to enjoy trie pieut t and staketheir ail Lpou it, " cpres nous deluge' b.-cau-sa

they have no hopyj renting upon a sure andlasting foundation into anddet-piir- , becausa they have iott Shght of God'3 .

overruling providence and merciful promisesdwindling dDwn in their own puy selves,

and sl ivering in terror at the trials whichgive strength to the brave : I would throwmyself in the breach, throw-- myself in th-i- r

way, and stem their clown ward course by rais-

ing the banner offaith and saving " be thatbvdieveth shall not make haste."

liat conscience bids me make a further ap-

plication ot my text this day. Theyear thath s paseI has brought us untold sorrows andtrials as a people, lie verses have foi lowed usiu many parts of our country, and the y.-a- r

upcus with dark and threatening clouds, whichhav--e ca:-- t their shadovs over every brow.What we need is a stout heirt, and a firm,si'ticd mind ; and oh! may we 'as a nationremember," he that believe th shall not makehaste.''

It trust I'll be forgiven the introduction ofthis subject. God forbid that I should, speak .

as a mere man and not as the 'miuister ofChrist, that I should introduce politics whereIteligion alone should raise, her voiqe, discussmeasures and men where only principles canbe laid down.- - Il is as God's messenger that "

I speak and preach his gospel tn the faith,whijh is" the alone princip e that can steadyour course and laise our hearts in hope. Wepreach to men under the circumstances inwhich we find them placed in God's provi-d?r.- c;

; wo britig them the appeals and com-fon- ts

of God's word according to their wants,lljeir peculiar duties and trials. That iuo.tJJudly man, than whim no one was furtherremoved firm desecrating the pulpit withpolitics, that most uncompromising; preacherof the gospel iu its purity and holiness, thoapostolic li'shop Meade with ivs propheticeye upon the struggle tn which he knew thevery existence of his buloved Stat 3' would boii.vnlved, iu which he foresaw the tdals thatw uhi behdl us and how the faith of manyvou'd wax cold in the hour ot danger, whoanticipated what all combatants for truth andliberty have expt rienced in their struggl?, re-ver- .s

and despondcfcy, and ptrhaps defec-tion ; hut whose faith never waver d as to thejustice of our cause and the ultimate victoryof truth and right he foretold his miniutrrsthat the time might come vh:n It would betleir duty to encourage the timid, and by theirproclamation of G id's 'ruth, uphold thecau3and strengthen the hands of the faithful ; andon his dying beJ besought us to do our dutyaud boldly proclaim air mcs-age- . In hissp:rit, and id obedience- to my heavenly Mas-

ter's call, I would rah-,-c my oic;e iu this thodarkest day of our struggle, aud in the only

"way in which I can do my duty; as-- a Christianpatriot speak to V.I, people ar.d rulers, ad-minis- 'ri

i u and iegis'atiou, soldiers and citl-- z

r.s, to all whom God has caiied into thisfrirful cor.ll ct, to all up-- u whose faithfulnessa r ! m?.ny course our i auso'under God depends,and beseech tiie-- to rally on thai faith whichaloa can bear us thrc tun, and steady curhearts, and nerve our arms, and ive us soulspatient a;d endu iug aud loyal, and lift usfr- - m our danger and despondency to n bTcrre- - luth ns and brighter iiop-s-

. " He that bo-- J

evth ihill trot tnako hasv."What is it that makes the present crisis so

pdnful?Our reverter 1 No, Ireihren. Fur great

as they have been, (and no honest man wouldhide their cx ent,) we have had reverses he-for- e,

and Go! always has blessed them to us,made them the source of greater haimonyamong ciirselves, reused us to tev acdjgrea'rrtxe-r'-ins- , and tau;f-.- is to bear them ar.d re-pi- ir

tiiem a.-- m rj. Vv'hat makes the resentcrisis so painful and perilous 'ies nor. in whatthe CLemy has de ne to us with his armies-- , butin icJfii our otcn coicord, feilhl ss, S'lf-.-

hearts m ty d The ail but general de:--p r,-- cy,

the lack of faith in ourselves sud in God'sassi' oce, the e with which, fr.)rn vra:;tof faith, many would rush to this or t'aatwild exoeohnt, th-- . ugh at the sacrifice of all

haps at tho sacrifice of honor and truin ;I the mutual recrimmatiou which c arses our

revtr.-e- s here or there, and with ui31tldio;r

After tlv: terrible defeat of tLe Ronun Ie-jio- ns

at IItracI?.a in their rirst decisive encounterwith i'Vrrhus, itorne was thrown into the jreat-p- t

alarm, and Pyrrhuj desired to &Tail hiuirelfot" thi to secure the ii uits of his victory, ilisshrewd unnistcr, the diplomatic Ciceis, "wboitjtongue had w-.- tiui more battles than his ownsword," wa 5ent th?re, and by his address grain-ed th moit dangerous ialluence. Although theterms he had to ofier were stringert and ruitiou.to Route's position, yet ha to pliyed upon tleirfears, and von irpna them by-- his insinuatingways, that he wouid have persuaded the Senateto "submit to these terras it" it had not been forone ruan. This was Appius Ciaudiu, ttie Ccn-f- r

lie W33 notv in extreme old age ; te hdbeen blind for u tny years, and had long ceasedto take part in public aifaiis. Cat now, when hehpard or' the proposed surrender, he caused hitn-se!- f

to be conducted to the Senate-holis- m by hisfour sons andhisliira sons in law, -- and there, withthe autaoritat'.re4 eloquence of ano racie, be coc-firra- ed

the wavering spirits of the fathers, and: dictated the only answer worthy of Koine thatj the triii4 ndt treat of peace tciih Pyrrhns till he! ha l quitted the uhort oj Jtafy." Tue dying pa-- I

triotisr of Appias saved Koine. 3Jay hi spiritdescend upon our Senate, cur m.ers, our people!"Cineas returned to Pyrrhus bafil-- d and withoutbop?." il told his "master that "to fig-a-

t withKaman people wat like tightiagr with tba iiydrra;"he declared that ' the city wa as a temple of theGods, and the Senate aa assembty of kitgs."And tho people upheld them,'5and l'yrihus readhi? ihom in tho lirraces3 pt the Romans uaderdefeat. . .

him b a.s a becon hg!it to warn off everyhouest son of his country, and teach u3 tp sekthat steadfastness and loyalty which truefaith ensures..

Let us confess it, brethren, thre has beenno nation which has started upa her careerof freedom with such boastfulness, and lookedupon her struggles as so transient, her victoryas so easily achieved, as ours. Shall wc befound boasters indeed, vain boasters ?

There have been many whose great stimu-lant was not the principle of national freedomand the sacred cause of constitutional and in-- --

alienable rights, but the aspirations f t wealthand power an 1 a great new empire. But" pride gceth b.fore a fall" can .we wonderthat such a fall should overtake us? I3utshall we cast down arid not ra'Jier take it asa solemn, painful lesson to profit by, and rife

led to the trua and only foundation of all rightand hope anch prosperity ? Shall it be said ofus, that." we begun tcfbuild a; d were njt ableto finish?"

The question resolves itself into this : Shallwo be of tha number of those, who in thocrucible of affliction,' were fouud wanting, and ,

proved themselves unworthy of the prlza theyfought for ? or, shall we be of those who,through trials and fiery persecution, enduredand glorified God and honored themselves art iblessed their country by remaining faithful,and in every danger proved themselves truemen, brave men., Christain heroes?

Yes, Christian eroe? ! For however theworldiog, the infidel, and all " whb makehaste, may sneer at it, the only true basis,, theonly perfect guarantee for loyal iy and faith-fulne- ss

in our earthly relations and earthlyduties, is faith in Go. This is as true asthe word of God is true. -- Let ns bo Christians,let us .ickuowledge our relation to God, 1st us

'realize him as our aovenent God and Father jlet us do our.duty 'as in His sight and to Hisglory, in His faith and His strength, and ihobedience to His will, and we canno', we shallnever fail I " Some trust in chariots and somein horse,; but we will remember the name ofthe Lord our God. They are brought downand fallen; bat we have risen and staudupright."

Can we take these promises which ir?

their fu!ist sense belong to the Church ofGod can we take them ourselvp 3 ? Can wo

apply them to our cause and country ? Breth-ren, the answer to this , question rests with.you.- - Oh ! if wo individually place ourselvesunder his protection and his 'guidance ; if weindividually try to do our duty, and our wholeduty do it whenever we may be placed, be-

cause we fear to sin against God ; if his ser-

vants, watching for souls, can on their roundsfrom house to house and town to town, frompost to post

- ana corps to corps, can pui ioeach other " all is well,'t we need not fear ;and the more this spirit spreads the safer our.condition.

The new year has opened upon us. Whatsh all it brine-- 7

The horoscope is easily cast. There are buttwo alternatives. If, indeed, we give up ourstrength, and every high modve and .soul-elevati- ng

hope, ruin is certain we wouldhe hastening to it. Nor would such a nationbe worth Faviucr ; they would not ba fit to metheir success to God's elry and their owu

But if we stand in his faith, and, eh-- P

'rolont upon His help, continie to labor andto work, and having done all, commit ourselvesand our causn-t- o Him, then whatever tinetrinporal issues may be, wo cannot perish ; wccan still say, in tl o fullest assurance of faith,"The Lord of hosts is with us, the God ofJacob is our refuge.'

Dear Brethren. I look for brigh'er days intho new year. I trjst in God's mercy, audhope-h-e will send us his blessing.

I cannot depa'r.ot cur caure, which in myheart of hearts I Lelh vo to be the cause ofright and truth. I will not believe that ourpeople are so craven, so lost to all that everhas distinguished them, as to forget and betraytheir pledge of wealth and life and eacretl

--honor to their country's cause.I do believe, that under God's blessing the

right means will be used and used conscien-tiously, zealously and quickly; that the peo-ple are eufliciently determined to endure andto presevere that boih our admiuistra'ive andour legislative tutborihe? "will so act as torestore and increase confidence. Errors havebeen con: mitted, failures have Veen madewhere in the history of the wc'rhl has this not-bee-

the case ? Who is exempt from them V

But it is not a generous spirit which huntsd wn its victims. When C. Terrentius Varrohad by his imprudence and bad generalshiplost the fatal battle of Cannaie and broughtthe Republic tv the -- ergo of ruin, after heh d delivered the fugitives he had rallied atVenusia and Casilietim into the bauds of hissuccessor, himself set out to ' Home to ro.;ko apersonal report of his conduct. With what,fee! in os he approached the city may bo im-sgi.- '.e

i. But as he drew near the Senst? andpeople went out to meet him, and publiclythanked him " for that he had not despairedof th;? Republic" Saith fhe Roman historian :' History presents no nobler spectacle than

. n .,i l. i r i ,this iiau nu ut-e- u u i'ii wiagtcau g' ncraj, nvenule! i.ava be n ciucihtd. 'h:ch ' codeshall Christians natiens adopt?

Errors, grave errors have been committed,no doubt. Only let us acknowledge the handof God even there, even injour failures ; andlet us remember that the great eirjr, the greatdifficulty is in us, in ourselves, in our ownfai.hlcss hearts, and sinful, lives, and selfishfears, and hasty judgments; and oh! I doprfy and hop that Gotl will have mercyUKn us, and give us better minis and stouthearts and unfailing faith, that.3ha!l not make

I thint the literature given to our peoplechithV in the daily newspaper! should be of anencuraging and inspiring, not a depressinjj andoften demoralizing tendency; of a character tounite them in the great causejand not'to excite themand spread disaffection. This applies especially toour armies. Our soldiers are different from others;they are n mercenaries; bj mere machines. Theyare our tqu5s, and wili thick and judge for them-selves. What a solemn responsibility to guidethat judgment aright 1 In numbers we will alwaysbe interior no matter ; for it is minorities whichalways have achieved the greatest triumphs, liutin their spirit, their patriotic convictions andmotives and hopes, we have an overbalancing su-periority.' Let that spirit be to all a sacred tain ;for if once this foundation of our strength weresapped, the i?sue would be fearful. Thank Goda religious life which has spread in our rmy, forthe blessing of His grac? which has ennobled som.vay ot" cur soldiers. As lon as men ar e faith-ful soldiers and servants of the-Lor- d Jesus against-sin- ,

the world and the devil ; so loa they will befaithful to their coun try, faithful ia every dutv,"they shall cot make haste." -

'ioi. J B'lrksdals, House of h't present a-tiv- es,

Bichmond ;"Sir : i have th,3 b'jnor to acknowledge tho

receipt of your letter of the J2th ir witiireference to the emplovnit nl of iiegr e.ssoldierf. I think the u.ea.-tir-e nt only

but ncc- - ssary. The enemy will cer-

tainly use them against us ii he tan get po-setsi-on

of them ; and ts his pn writ numericalsuperiority will cunt Is hitu to penetrate in. trypails of the coun'ry, I cannot s;ec the wisdomof fho pvdicy of holding them to await Lis ar-

rival, when we' nny, by timely action andjudicious nun igement, use the;u to arrest 1 isprogress- - I d not think that our whitepopulation can supply the i ccesiti(3 cf aIjng w.tr without overtakii-- it 9 capacity andiin potdt g great suffering upon our people ;and 1 believe werhould provide resources fra protracted fatrugla net merely for a balt!oor a ean.puign.

44 In answer to your seeond qr.cst'on, I tanonly say that, in my opinion, the iu gro s, un-der proper circumstances, will make efficientsoldiers. I think we could at least do a wellwith them as the enemy, on ! he attaches grentimportance to their aihianc Under goodc flicersarxl geed instructions. I da r.oi see whythey shopll iiot Lerome Koldb-rs- . '1 h''ysess all the j.hyscal (piahlicutians, and ttieirhabits of rfbedieno- - constiiute a good founda-tion for discipline. They promise a inurepromising material than many nrnres of whichwe read in hit-tory- , which owe i their efficiencyto discipline alone. I think thoe who aroemployed shculd be free. It would be nciher just nor wite, in ;ny rpinkn, to requiro

them to fervc s.slavs. Trie I est course topursue, it seems to me, wotWd b? to call forsuch as arc willing to come with tho consentol their owners. An impre.s-rneu- t or drltwould uot he likely to bring out the best class,and theus of cceroion would make the meas-ure distasteful to them and to their owners."

4I have no doubt tha1. if CoDgrc: wouldauthorize their reception iutn the sorvice, andempower tho President to call upon individ-uals or States f.r tuch a they are willing tocontribute, with the condition of em.tncip-ti.- n

to all enrolled, a suflicieut number wouldbe furthcoming to enable us to try the exper-iment. If it proved successful, most of theobjections to the measure -- would disappear,aid if individuate still remaitcd unwilling tosend their-ncgroe-

s to the army, the force ofpublic opinion ia the States would sojn briDjrabout such legislation as would remove all

I think tbe matter should be left, asfar as possible, U the people an'd to the State,whieh alone can legislate as the ncce-jutt-

a cfthis particular sctv ice may require. As tthe modfi cf organizing them, it thould beleft u free from rest iain t as. possible. ilxfe-rienc- e

will sujrjest the best cuun-e- , aud itwould be inexpedient to tramtuel tho ubj-- ct

with provisions that might, in the pnd, pre-vent the adoption of reforms suscested byactual trial.

"With great respect,. "a" our obedient servant,.

"lV. E. Lee, General."

groatr.rs. no ra uiiine; certainly there is i otaith :;.'ss-i- - :i. moik subiuissijn, whiciiho' a t;-- . Ji vine su.T i'T on the c ssa..d h.i.o !.": vs Thy wdl, not mired. I wh;ca its pattern'''i.i '!!' long-suiIv'iiL-

g b.i7i'.ar a::d re rue tu-

bers that r is n L .'.hick concern in hio proni-i?e- s.

l..:t c! f--n them in lii ;rcy to- -

iu?, aud tosti-- ; ythf i ty,: i.iith, to n-o- t it more deeplyaaa u a v vut in richer fruits. Calmness

If- - m --on though al! muv b'da'!;f r.au; .: aa.l ail earthly pronrhes fad ; foralo oth" st-r- r.i that threatens, ra :cs the L-s- r 1

at wh. .- w r i the waves of th? sea of Gen-i:e--ar- -ih

were irojthr 1 atid ih 2 winds ha.heJi" :: . ce. Chanty t. v.vi'ds all who rr.3yhi-- e ft! ed and b.va uu'ortuLate know ntli.it it i- - God's providence, not man's wi.ioai ;: '.pes events, aud that it is not a uob niindwiu.-l-i tvvets a victim. Steadfast ho e whenalt o s lit trembliBg. because tint hoperests in Gvd. At d inst-- a 1 of failing into des-P-t- ir.

and giving up and sacrificing aii in p;sid iu o.dty or persotvil spi'e, ta.mlj adim,v h;ch i.):t th- - stern r ilrty with courageu : :. i:i reliance on G kI's help, ard trusting'o his mercy, begets its !' to tha work beforeh m. and rcvle ins the timj by using everyliwfai ri eirs and making every tpasoaableceiti n to do his duty and aecinpiijh lis

up-ose-. Such, I say, are the marks of the

true man, of thj Christian, of the b'diever ;who s i all not make" haste, but pTsvvre un-

der trials and against difficulties lid his workis don?; and rLo can Lever fail evea tnougiiher? en earth he should ih.d no ctiicr triumphbwt t..o martyr's crown,

'i 1 is is the true le:-s-- u of life, the sscret of"nr failure cr su 'cess. our victory or d?Jcat int e pr.'l'cn of cur exl-ieoe-e. With ut ttrs

hn v.--e but hasten to destruction. It is the'e;3.u 1 would bring you on this cb.y, the