During the last days of the Civil War, when many men were deserting
the Southern flag, Secretary Stanton sent out a notice from the war
department that no more refugees should be taken into the Union army.
A Southern soldier who had not seen that order came into the Union
lines, and they read it to him. He didn't know what to do. If he went
back into the Southern army he would be shot as a deserter, and the
Northern army wouldn't have him. So he went into the woods, and stayed
there, living on roots and whatever else he could get, until finally
he was starving.
One day he saw an officer riding by. He rushed out of the woods,
caught the horse's bridle, and said he would kill the officer if he
didn't help him. The officer asked what was the trouble, and he told
him.
"But haven't you heard the news?" said the officer.
"No; what news?"
"Why, the war is over! Lee has surrendered, and peace has been
declared. Go to the nearest town and get all the food you want."
The man waved his hat, and went off as fast as he could.
I want to say that peace has been declared between God and man. Be
reconciled to God. The blood is on the mercy-seat, and the vilest
sinner can be saved for time and eternity.