They have not the bray of trumpets nor the
clash of swords to rouse enthusiasm, nor will the land ever resound with
their victories. Theirs is the dark and painful side, the menial and
hidden side, but made light and lovely by the spirit that shines in and
through it all. Glimpses of this agency are familiar to our people; but
not till the history of its inception, progress, and results is calmly
and adequately written out and spread before the public will any idea be
formed of the magnitude and importance of the work which it has done.
Nor even then. Never, till every soldier whose last moments it has
soothed, till every soldier whose flickering life it has gently steadied
into continuance, whose waning reason it has softly lulled into quiet,
whose chilled blood it has warmed into healthful play, whose failing
frame it has nourished into strength, whose fainting heart it has
comforted with sympathy,--never, until every full soul has poured out
its story of gratitude and thanksgiving, will the record be complete;
but long before that time, ever since the moment that its helping hand
was first held forth, comes the Blessed Voice, "Inasmuch as ye have done
it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
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