miniature world that
the miles of mountains had enclosed around him. He had lived every phase
of the life of his people, and lived them openly. When he renounced
drinking and gambling he was through with them for all time. When he
joined the church, his religion was made the large part of the new plan
of his life.

It was while at Camp Gordon that he reconciled his religious convictions
with his patriotic duty to his country.

The rugged manhood within him had made him refuse to ask exemption from
service and danger on the ground that the doctrine of his church opposed
war. But his conscience was troubled that he was deliberately on the
mission to kill his fellow man. It was these thoughts that caused his
companions to note his moody silences.

In behalf of his mother, who, with many mothers of the land, was bravely
trying to still her heart with the thought that her son was on an errand
of mercy, the pastor of the church in the valley made out the strongest
case he could for Alvin's exemption, and sent it to the officers of his
regiment.

Lieut. Col. Edward Buxton, Jr., and Maj. E. C. B. Danford, who was then
the captain of York's company, sent for him. They explained the
conditions under which it were possible, if he chose, to secure
exemption. They pointed out the way he could remain in the service of
his country and not be among the combat troops. The sincerity, the
earnestness of York impressed the officers, and they had not one but a
number of talks in which the Scriptures were quoted to show the Savior's
teachings "when man seeth the sword come upon the land." They brought
out many facts about the war that the Tennessee mountaineer had not
known.

York did not take the release that lay within his grasp. Instead, he
thumbed his Bible in search of passages that justified the use of force.

One day, before the regiment sailed for France, when York's company was
leaving the drill-field, Capt. Danford sent for him. Together they went
over many passages of the Bible which both had found.

"If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight."

They were together several hours. At last York said:

"All right; I'm satisfied."

After that there was no reference to religious objection. From the first
he had seen the justice of the war. He now saw the righteousness of it.

York's abilities as a soldier were soon revealed. He quickly qualified
as a sharp-shooter, both as skirmisher and from the top of