14 THE SACRIFICE OF CONTINUAL PRAISE. of resistence, and ajysression too, if needs be, that has com- OCT pelled respect throughout all the world. In all this we recognize the hand of God. Our relations with foreign nations daily grow more and more complicated: so that at times it seems as if collision must be inevitable. From all this we have mercifully been delivered. It is the work of our God. and calls for songs of loudest praise. The year soon about to close has not been barren of victories gained by our brethren in the field. Some of these achievements are worthy of being written, in golden letters, in the military annals of the world's history. The whole record is filled with deeds of noble daring. Forced marclies into an enemy's country, battle after battle fought with an entrenched foe : for days and weeks together sustaining the shock of actual conflict. Who forgets the terrible days of the Wilderness, when the indomitable hero of Vicksburg pertinaciously and bravely fought his way onward ; until now, having driven the enemy into the fortifications of his chief city, he waits to crown his work and make the triumph complete ? Richmond must and shall fall I And shall I speak of Sherman, the gallant commander of the Army of the South West? The annals of warfare contain few, if any records so illustrious as the campaign of this army, terminating in the capture of Atlanta: while the noble Farragut unfurls the flag of victory in the harbor of Mobile. For at least one hundred and fifty miles our brave
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