Where the loved are meeting beyond the stars, Are meeting no more to part, They can smile once more through the crystal bars-- Where never more will the woe of wars O'ershadow the loving heart. THE WAR CHRISTIAN'S THANKSGIVING. _Respectfully dedicated to the War Clergy of the United States._ BY GEORGE H. MILES, OF BALTIMORE. Oh, God of battles! once again, With banner, trump and drum, And garments in thy wine-press dyed, To give Thee thanks we come. No goats or bullocks garlanded, Unto Thine altars go; With brother's blood, by brothers shed, Our glad libations flow. From pest-house and from dungeon foul, Where, maimed and torn, they die, From gory trench and charnel-house, Where, heap on heap, they lie. In every groan that yields a soul, Each shriek a heart that rends, With every breath of tainted air, Our homage, Lord, ascends. We thank Thee for the saber's gash, The cannon's havoc wild; We bless Thee for the widow's tears, The want that starves her child! We give Thee praise that Thou hast lit The torch and fanned the flame; That lust and rapine hunt their prey, Kind Father, in Thy name! That for the songs of idle joy False angels sang of yore, Thou sendest war on earth--ill-will To men for evermore! We know that wisdom, truth and right To us and ours are given; That Thou hast clothed us with the wrath, To do the work of heaven. We know that plains and cities waste Are pleasant in Thine eyes-- Thou lov'st a hearthstone desolate, Thou lov'st a mourner's cries. Let not our weakness fall below The measure of Thy will, And while the press hath wine to bleed, Oh, tread it with us still! Teach us to hate--as Jesus taught Fond fools, of yore, to love; Give us Thy vengeance as our own-- Thy pity, hide above! Teach us to turn, with reeking hands, The pages of Thy word, And learn the blessed curses there, On them that sheathe the sword. Where'er we tread may deserts spring, Till none are left to slay; And when the last red-drop is shed, We'll kneel again--and pray! UP! UP! LET THE STARS OF OUR BANNER. BY M. F. BIGNEY. _Respectfully dedicated to the Soldiers of the South._ Up! up! Let the stars of our banner Flash out like the brilliants above! Beneath them we'll shield from dishonor The homes and the dear ones we love. With "God and our Right!" Our cry in the fight, We'll drive the invader afar, And we'll carve out a name In the temple of Fame With the weapons of glorious war. Arise with an earnest endeavor-- A nation shall hallow the deed; The foe must be silenced forever, Though millions in battle may bleed. With "God and our Right!" etc.