PREFACE. URING the dread struggle through which the na- tion has passed, no conviction was stronger or more universal, than that of Gods interference in human affairs. So clear were the revealings of His hand, that even theundevout were compelled to bow before them with awe and reverence. There is ground for the fear, that this impression is becoming weaker with the return ofPeace and that unbelief and indiffer- ence are creeping back to their old seats in the public conscience. Sad, indeed, will it be, if the great teach- ings, which the Almighty has inscribed, in letters of blood and fire, on the most pregnant page of our history, shall fade away, and leave us as unwise and as unregard- ful as in the former days. In the hope of contributing, however slightly, to the prevention of such a result, the writer has been induced to send forth the present vol- ume. The thoughts which it contains were pondered, and, for the most part, written out, while the startling events of the war were still in progress or while every heart was yet thrilling with the wonders of its end. Change of circumstances may have lessened their inter- est, but not their importance for the truths to which they relate, are eternal, and, therefore, never inoppor- tune. And, perhaps, at this calmer hour, the momen- tous questions which the conflict has decided, may be more intelligently and effectively considered, than when that conflict was at its height. To Him, whohas so sig- nally come forth for the vindication of His own honor, this feeble attempt to trace the way of His outgoing is humbly committed. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE WAR FOR THE UNION A RIGHTEOUS WAR . CHAPTER II. . 9 REASONS FOR GRATEFUL CONFIDENCE .... 35 CHAPTER in. GREAT ERAS MARKED BY GREAT JUDGMENTS ... 60 CHAPTER IV. PIOUS MEN THE NATIONS HOPE 104 CHAPTER V. THE MOVING PILLAR . 135 viy CONTENTS. CHAPTER VI. THE FREEDMEN OF THE WAK . CHAPTER VII. THE LAND CARING FOR ITS DEFENDERS CHAPTER VIII. THE DEEP PLEADING FOR ITS HEROES .... 203 CHAPTER IX. MEMORIES AND LESSONS . . .224 CHAPTER X. GODS METHOD OF RECONSTRUCTION 254 OUR DAY AND ITS WORK . CHAPTER XI. 182 . 282 BATTLE ECHOES. CHAPTER I. THE WAR FOR THE UNION A RIGHTEOUS WAR. AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WENT UP AND WEPT BEFORE THE LORD UNTIL EVEN, AND ASKED COUNSEL OF THE LORD, SAYING, SHALL I GO UP AGAIN TO BATTLE AGAINST THE CHILDREN OF BEN- JAMIN JIY BROTHER AND THE LORD SAID, GO UP AGAINST HIM. Judges xx. 23. geologist, in exploring the earths crust, finds numerous petrified remains of animals and plants, which are supposed to have lived and perished ages before the creation of man, or of any of the present forms of or- ganized life. These fossilized bodies, though be- longing to races long since extinct, have yet so many points of analogy with races now existing on the earth, as to furnish abundant evidence that they were produced by the same Divine Hand, and are included in the same general system. Hence they have for the student of natural science a living in- terest, and shed an important light on the field of his inquiries. j0 BATTLE ECHOES. similar is the relation which the narratives Very of the Bible sustain to the facts of to-day. The men and the events to... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.