In religion he is broad and free. Is not priest-ridden. He cordially recognizes whatever of good there is in the “religious societies” and spreads the wide mantle of charity over all their errors. Is very willing and very anxious to learn in regard to the great beyond, but is not willing to take bit and be reined by priest or prelate. Desires liberty in regard to religious thought and action.
“Be industrious, be honest, be clean, be true to yourself and charitable to others, and lift like a Hercules to lighten the burden of those who are heavily loaded and weary in the journey of life. These things are religion.”—Taylor.
“The practice of moral duties without a belief in a Divine law-giver, and without reference to His will or commands, is not religion.”—Webster.
Who shall decide when doctors disagree?
WILLIAM TODD, Illinois Soldier’s Home, Quincy, Illinois.
April, 1861-May 25, 1865. Was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, but left the bleak, barren hills of his native land in 1849 and came to Chicago. Was twenty-nine years and nine months old when enlisted. Captured near Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864, and for many months confined in Confederate prisons.
Since putting foot upon the western continent William has been an enthusiastic American. He believes America should be protected. We should not break down the walls and allow the country to be flooded with goods from foreign shores. We want work to do and plenty of it. An idle brain is the devil’s shop. Don’t let the English, the Dutch or the French work for us, howsoever cheaply they offer their services. Comrade Todd is an idolator. He worships the republican party. He is wedded to his idol—let him alone.
In regard to religion, he writes this: “I am a Christian, i. e., a believer in Christ and his teachings. I am not connected with any denomination, but have a leaning to the Congregational. My father was of that denomination in Scotland, the name for them there and in England being Independents.” Became a Kendall county man by adoption.
“I enlisted at Champaign, Ill., April 18, 1861, but when we went into camp at Joliet that Company had four men above the maximum number, and the Kendall county Company lacked two men of the minimum number. I and another transferred ourselves from A to K, and were put on the muster roll as having enlisted in Company K April 24, 1861. So you can put me down in roster as having enlisted at Newark, Kendall county, Illinois, April 24, 1861.”
Comrade Todd is badly broken in health. Right side partly paralyzed. He says he “cannot write worth a continental.” Is a shoemaker. Has worked at that trade principally since the war, but has been otherwise employed and, he writes, “I finally got in here.” He receives from Uncle Sam at Washington a regular remittance at the rate of six dollars a month. I should think the old fellow could do a little better than that.