Different denominations serve unique roles in the Christian army's mission work and defense.
I believe, sir, we are on the eve of a general engagement. Now, sir, borrowing the allusion, will you permit me to marshal the Christian army on those principles of union I have endeavored to sustain? Let, then, our Bible societies, with their auxiliaries, be a line of forts established along the enemy's frontier as bulwarks of defence; let them be military magazines well stored with spiritual weapons and gospel ammunition, general rallying-points for the whole army, and strongholds from whence our missionary riflemen may sally forth on the enemy. Let our sabbath schools be military academies, in which the young cadets may be trained for the battles of the Lord. Let the tract societies be as so many shot-houses for the manufacture of that small but useful material. Having thus, sir, disposed of the outworks, let us endeavor to arrange the army. Suppose, sir, for example, we begin with the Methodists; and as they are said to be tolerable pioneers and excellent foragers in new countries, and active, withal, I propose that we mount them on horseback, and employ them as cavalry, especially on the frontiers. And as our Presbyterian brethren love an open field, and act in concert, and move in solid bodies, let them constitute our infantry; let them occupy the centre in solid columns, and fight, according to Napoleon's tactics, in military squares, ever presenting a firm front to the enemy. Our Baptist brethren we will station along the rivers and lakes, which, we doubt not, they will gallantly defend, and win many laurels in the lake warfare. Our brethren of the Protestant-Episcopal Church shall man the garrisons, inspect the magazines, and direct the batteries. But, sir, we want artillerymen. Whom shall we employ? The light field-pieces and the heavy ordnance must be served. I propose, sir, that we commit this very important department to our brethren of the Dutch Reformed Church; and, sir, may they acquit themselves with a valor worthy their ancestors, when the proud flag of De Witt swept the sea, and the thunder of Van Tromp shook the ocean. And now, sir, the army is arranged. We have one great Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose orders we are all bound to obey. Our standard is the cross, and "Onward!" is the watchword. Let us give no quarter: we fight for death or victory. At the same time, let us preserve our original order. United in spirit and design, let us be distinct in movement. Let not the cavalry, infantry, and artillerymen mingle in one indiscriminate mass. Let each keep his proper position, adopt his peculiar uniform, act under his local colors, and fight in his own peculiar manner. Thus we shall act with consistency and vigor, without discomposing each other, or disordering the ranks. Let a strict religious discipline prevail throughout the camp; for we must not suffer that shameful reproach,—that we recommend to others what we practise not ourselves. Accordingly, let us, like the soldiers of Oliver Cromwell, read our Bible, and pray twice a day in each of the tents.
— G. C. Cookman
