"It is not necessary to await your determination. In the
solicitude you feel to approve yourselves worthy of such a trust,
every thought of what is afflicting in warfare, every apprehension
of danger, must vanish, and you are impatient to mingle in the
battle of the civilised world.

"Go then, ye defenders of your country, accompanied with every
auspicious omen; advance with alacrity into the field, where God
Himself musters the hosts of war. Religion is too much interested
in your success not to lend you her aid; she will shed over this
enterprise her selectest influences. While you are engaged in the
field many will repair to the closet, many to the sanctuary; the
faithful of every name will employ that prayer which has power
with God; the feeble hands which are unequal to any other weapon
will grasp the sword of the Spirit; from myriads of humble,
contrite hearts, the voice of intercession, supplication, and
weeping, will mingle in its ascent to heaven with the shouts of
battle and the shock of arms.

"While you have everything to fear from the success of the enemy,
you have every means of preventing that success, so that it is
next to impossible for victory not to crown your exertions. The
extent of your resources, under God, is equal to the justice of
your cause.

"But should Providence determine otherwise; should you fall in
this struggle, should the nation fall, you will have the
satisfaction (the purest allotted to man) of having performed your
part; your names will be enrolled with the most illustrious dead,
while posterity to the end of time, as often as they revolve the