A Mother's Parting Words To Her Soldier Boy

I would have you, my son, not only to be a Christian, but to honor that sacred name. Make the Bible your constant companion- prayer your delightful employment- and the glory of Christ the end of all your deeds. Seek to be adorned with all the graces of the Spirit, and to abound in all the fruits of righteousness. Keep aloof from all the vices which corrupt and degrade the army. I need not warn you against profanity, that common but ill bred sin, which you have been taught to detest; but I would especially guard you against drunkenness, that most insidious, prevalent and degrading vice. All the toils, exposures and privations of a campaign may be endured without it, and better without it than with it.

I am sure, my child, you will not be a worse soldier for being a good Christian. Piety will not make you effeminate or cowardly. Some of the bravest soldiers of the world have been humble Christians. Our own illustrious Washington maintained the claims of Christianity, amid the demoralizing influences of the Revolution, with a zeal corresponding with the heroism with which he fought the battles of our independence. Why should not the Christian be courageous? He has less cause to love life and dread death than other men. In the path of duty has has nothing to fear. Life and death may be equally pleasing to him. The apostle Paul in the prospect of martyrdom could say: “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” Philippians 1:23, 24, NIV.

The farewell and benediction:

And now, my dear soldier boy, I must take leave of you. Remember that you have a large share in my love, my sympathies, and my prayers. By day and by night, you are in my thoughts: and often the unbidden tear flows down my cheek when I think of your sufferings and dangers. Let me have joy of you, my son, and I can have no greater joy than to hear that you are doing your duty- your whole duty- to your country and to God. I trust we shall meet again. I pray the Father of mercies to cover your head in the day of battle. Should life be preserved through the perils of the camp and conflict, and you be permitted to return to your home, I need not assure you that you will find a welcome, and that your presence will diffuse a sunshine over your domestic circle; and among all the loving hearts that will greet your return, none will be so thrilled with delight as your mother’s. And should you come back to my fond embrace, not corrupted and degraded by the temptations of camp life, but purified and adorned by the grace of the gospel, in answer to my poor prayers, then I can exclaim with the patriarch Jacob, when he heard that his favorite son, Joseph, was living, and raised to the Governorship of Egypt, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”” Genesis 45:28, NIV. But should you fall in the stern conflict for your country’s rights, you will fill an honored grave; and I humbly trust that, through the grace and righteousness of our Redeemer, we may meet in a world, where wars and rumors of wars can never disturb us; but where love, peace, and joy, forever rein. It shall be my earnest endeavor, as I entreat you that it may be yours, to be meet for a participation in the delights and glories of that world. Receive now the blessing from your own and only Mother.