of the Spirit; from myriads of humble,
contrite hearts, the voice of intercession, supplication, and
weeping, will mingle in its ascent to heaven with the shouts of
battle and the shock of arms.
"While you have everything to fear from the success of the enemy,
you have every means of preventing that success, so that it is
next to impossible for victory not to crown your exertions. The
extent of your resources, under God, is equal to the justice of
your cause.
"But should Providence determine otherwise; should you fall in
this struggle, should the nation fall, you will have the
satisfaction (the purest allotted to man) of having performed your
part; your names will be enrolled with the most illustrious dead,
while posterity to the end of time, as often as they revolve the
events of this period (and they will incessantly revolve them)
will turn to you a reverential eye while they mourn over the
freedom which is entombed in your sepulchre.
"I cannot but imagine the virtuous heroes, legislators, and
patriots, of every age and country, are bending from their
elevated seats to witness this contest, as if they were incapable,
till it be brought to a favourable issue, of enjoying their
eternal repose.
"Enjoy that repose, illustrious immortals! Your mantle fell when
you ascended, and thousands inflamed with your spirit, and
impatient to tread in your steps, are ready 'to swear by Him that
sitteth upon the throne and liveth for ever and ever,' they will
protect freedom in her last asylums, and never desert that cause
which you sustained by your labours and cemented with your blood.
"And Thou, Sole Ruler among the children of men, to whom the
shields of the earth belong, 'gird on Thy sword, Thou most
Mighty'; go forth with our hosts in the day of battle! Impart, in
addition to their hereditary valour, that confidence of success
which springs from Thy Presence!
"Pour into their hearts the spirit of departed heroes! Inspire
them with Thine own, and, while led by Thine Hand and fighting
under Thy banners, open Thou their eyes to behold in every valley
and in every plain, what the prophet beheld by the same
illuminations--chariots of fire, and horses of fire!
"Then shall the strong man be as tow, and the maker of it as a
spark; and they shall both burn together, and
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