lington, desires me to present to you, in his behalf, this sword and this belt.

The giver bears the name and inherits the blood of one who stood among freedom's first martyrs on the green at Lexington, on the 19th of April, 1775; and now that that honored anniversary has been baptized anew in the blood of Massachusetts men, and thank God, that blood has been avenged, as of old, he wishes to express his sympathy with you and your brave companions. You and they are going from among men who honor and love you, to meet with men who despise and hate you. A band of traitors and conspirators, whose fields and plantations, as has been well said, our fathers scoured and cleared from a foreign invader in the Revolution, have dared to undertake to subvert our government, to take possession of our capital, and destroy our liberties. We have not provoked this contest. Our patience has been met with scorn. We have been smitten on one cheek. We have turned to show the other, and have been smitten on that, too. We have held forth the olive-branch, it has been converted into a rod. The charity which suffereth long, which hopeth, beareth, believeth, and endureth all things, has at last been exhausted; and now that nothing remains but the sword, and never was it drawn in a cause more righteous,

'May God put forth his might,

May God defend the right.

Stand back to back in God's name,

And fight it to the last.'

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We know this sword will meet with no dishonor in your hands. If you come back, as we hope and pray, with your country's liberties secured, and your country's honor maintained, you shall receive the dearest reward of freemen, the gratitude and love of your country. To have been one of you will hereafter be deemed a patent of nobility better than coronet or crown. And, if you fall, the tears of surviving countrymen, eternal praise, deathless affection, will embalm your memories. Your names will be repeated, as we now repeat the names of the men of Bunker Hill and Lexington. Those who bear them, or share your blood, will say to each other in future times, we, too, had a kinsman who defended Washington. And, better than earthly praise, - the spirits of the sainted dead, which hover over you now, will receive yours to conduct them to the presence of your fathers' God, for his approbation of lives freely laid down in the cause he has so often blessed."

Adjutant Goodhue expressed his deep gratitude with much feeling. He said he should endeavor to do his duty, and if his country's welfare required a new baptism of blood, he was ready to make the sacrifice in her cause.

When the present of nearly $1,000 was made to the Emmet Guards, Mayor Davis expressed the hope that they would emulate the bravery of that son of an Irishman, Andrew Jackson, and cover themselves in so doing, with honor and glory. When the long and loud cheering had subsided, Captain McConville briefly replied, returning thanks in behalf of his company, and assuring the donors that the sum should be scrupulously used for the welfare of the men under his command without regard to rank. In the evening the company was visited by Rev. Messrs. Boyce and O'Reilly, each of whom offered prayer for their success, and addressed them in the kindest and most paternal manner. The former trusted they would do their duty manfully, so that they could look him in the face when they returned, or not return at all; that they would rather perish in the battle-field than prove recreant to their country and their honor. The Guards gave their spiritual advisers three hearty cheers, and bade them adicu with most cheerful and happy feelings.

Thus in about seven days after the requisition was made, Worcester had furnished every man of her quota, equipped for service, and many of them were already in the field of action. The city had the good fortune to contribute three hundred men who knew not what it was to falter in the hour of trial and danger.

As the train moved off towards midnight of Saturday, the good wishes and prayers of the assembled people were poured out from earnest and anxious, but hopeful hearts. The soldiers went on their way, to unknown scenes of danger, some of them never to return in life, but all of them with hearts resolved to do their duty, and if need be, give up their lives in their country's service. The people, fathers and mothers, wives and sisters-returned to their homes with chastened feelings. They had cheered their friends as they parted, and they were glad and proud to think that their friends were in the devoted band; but they felt the sacrifice they had made. Promptly and nobly had the city done its

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duty, and all were grateful to those who had stepped forward to represent them in the field of danger.

The news of the surrender of Fort Sumter had come with startling suddenness on Sunday evening. It was almost incredible that a fort supposed to be impregnable had been compelled to yield to the rebels in less than two short days. It suggested the fear that other strongholds would in like manner yield, and the rebellion become formidable. But there was no faltering, no panic, no hesitation. A firm and holy resolution seemed at once to take possession of all hearts that the government should be upheld, the rebellion should be crushed, and if possible, the cause of the rebellion should be done away forever. The proclamation of the president, and the call of the governor came. The people were ready, and at once the requisition was filled. In three days three hundred men were armed, equipped, and ready to march. One company was at the baptism of blood in Baltimore before the week closed, and the battalion was on its way. What a week of excitement, of action, of accomplishment! It was time for rest and recuperation. The wearied citizens retired to sleep, and awaited the sacred stillness of the Sabbath.

CHAPTER II.

PREPARATION FOR THE CONFLICT.

BEFORE following the Light Infantry and the Third Battalion Rifles to their respective fields of service and danger, we must take note, at some length, of the state of feeling here at home, and of the exertions to which it prompted. Much was said and done during the succeeding six weeks which directly tended to encourage the soldiers, between whom and their friends here there was constant communication by letter or by messengers; and much also by way of preparation for future enlistments.

As in the Revolution, so in this war for national existence and impartial freedom, the pulpit was a most efficient agency. Without exception the clergy of the city were prompt and earnest in denouncing the rebellion, and in urging the people to make heroic sacrifices for its suppression. So frequent and so able were their discourses and addresses, in support of the government, that a large and interesting volume might be made up of them, with an appropriate title, "The Worcester Pulpit in the War." Such a volume would be a memorial honorable alike to the ministers and their people, evincing as it would the attitude and spirit of the better part of the community in this day of trial. The narrow limits of these pages will only admit of brief sketches of sermons delivered on suitable occasions, which will serve, however, to show the relation of the ministers to the war.

The first Sunday after the news came of the surrender of Fort Sumter was a day of solemn interest. The people had sprung to arms in a moment, had raised money for the equip

ment of the volunteers, and had sent off some three or four hundred of their own fathers, brothers and sons to the war. From the first dawn of Monday to the midnight hour of Saturday, all had been in a state of intense excitement and activity. On the morning of the succeeding Sabbath they resorted to their various places of worship, to render thanks for what had been done, and to implore the help of God in regard to what remained for them to do. According to the papers of the day, there was a general reference to the condition of affairs in the prayers and sermons; the church gave its inspiration to the patriotism of the soldiers, and the movement against the rebels seemed to assume the nature of a "War of the Lord." The reports of only two discourses of this date can be found, and of these a brief abstract will be given.

The Rev. Dr. Hill, pastor of the First Unitarian Church, as reported in the Palladium, said that he had been unable to obtain sufficient composure to write a sermon, but would speak such thoughts as the times suggested to him.

"Never before have we assembled, in the usual routine of Sabbath service, on an occasion like this. Hitherto we have enjoyed peaceful Sabbaths. The very day has assisted us in composing our minds; but this morning, everything conspires to make our bosoms throb. It seems a month since last Sunday so many events have been crowded into the days of the last week. Such scenes in our own city! Near and dear friends buckling on the armor and going to the conflict. I have ascertained that ten of our own number are away; and more than three hundred of our neighbors and friends have reached the scene of conflict.

It becomes us then to reflect; and one fact must inspire us. This worst of wars in which we can engage, this civil war, has not been of our seeking. It is a righteous war; a war that must be sustained. True, it is a dreadful war; but there are worse things than this. Cowardice is worse. I feel the utmost respect for our young men who have gone into this war under a solemn conviction of duty. I believe it to be a righteous war. There may be those who think this trouble might have been averted by compromise. Events are now showing us that we could not make compromises without disgrace, infamy! Furthermore, compromises are not what our opponents want.

I feel it to be a most righteous cause. All available means have been