MAY 14

The churches of Christ salute you. Romans 16: 16.

God Bless All The Churches.

(In response to a delegation, headed by Bishop Ames, from the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, May 14, 1864.)

GENTLEMEN:

In response to your address, allow me to attest the accuracy of its historical statements, endorse the sentiments it expresses, and thank you, in the Nation's name, for the sure promise it gives. Nobly sustained, as the Government has, been by all the churches, I would utter nothing which might in the least appear invidious against any. Yet, without this, it may fairly be said that the Methodist Episcopal Church, not less devoted than the best, is, by its greater numbers, the most important of all. It is no fault in others that the Methodist Church sends more soldiers to the field, more nurses to the hospitals, and more prayers to heaven than any. God bless the Methodist Church; bless all the churches; and blessed be God, who, in this our great trial, giveth us the churches.

Like a mighty army moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod;

We are not divided, all one body we

One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

-S. B. Gould.

MAY 15

Our help is in the name of the Lord. Psalms 124: 8.

The Divine Interposition and Favor.

(From his reply to Presbyterian clergyman, in May, 1863.)

It has been my happiness to receive testimonies of a similar nature from, I believe, all denominations of Christians. They are all loyal, but perhaps not in the same degree, or in the same numbers, but I think they all claim to be loyal. This to me is most gratifying, because from the beginning I saw that the issue of our great struggle depended upon the Divine interposition and favor. If we had that, all would be well. The proportions of this rebellion were not for a long time understood. I saw that it involved the greatest difficulties, and would call forth all the powers of the country. The end is not yet. . . . As a pilot I have used my best exertions to keep afloat our ship of state, and shall be glad to resign my trust at the appointed time to another pilot, more skillful and successful than I may prove. In every case and at all hazards, the Government must be perpetuated. Relying as I do upon the Almighty Power, and encouraged as I am by the resolutions which you have just read, with the support which I receive from Christian men, I shall not hesitate to use all the means at my control to secure the termination of this rebellion, and will hope for success.

Lead safely through, O God, we pray,
Lead us, O lead us all the way.
We are but safe when safe with thee,
No other safety can there be;
Pitfalls and darkness strew our way,
Lead us, dear Father, lead, we pray.

-Dr. I. L. Kephart.

MAY 16

This man's religion is vain. James 1: 26.

Not the Right Kind of Religion.

(To a lady from Tennessee, when he ordered the release of her husband as a prisoner of war.)

You say your husband is a religious man; tell him, when you meet him, that I am not much of a judge of religion, but that in my opinion the religion which sets men to rebel and fight against their government, because, as they think, that government does not sufficiently help some men to eat their bread in the sweat of other men's faces, is not the sort of religion upon which people can get to heaven.

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
Till thou return unto the ground; for thou
Out of the ground wast taken, know thy birth,
For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return.

-Milton.