Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-15
TRACTS FOR THE SOLDIERS.

have spent most of the time for several weeks
among the soldiers to whom gave about 600 900
pages of tracts and had conversations on personal
religion with over 2 500 in their camps and hospit-
ais l find many Of them pious, daily reading the
Bible and praying to God But, by far, the largest
portion are irreligious In three Companies of
about 800 men, only seven professors of reli-
gion and there were but few Bibles and Testaments
among them. Several benevolent friends have given
from S25 to so cents each, supply the soldiers
with Bibles and Testaments, but have almost en-
hausted my supply, besides what | could get from
other accessible sources.
From full supply of suitable religious books l
am striving to put message of gospel truth in the
hands of every man. In camp life they have many
hours for reading. The dangers to which they are
exposed, incline them to solemn reflection.
lady requested me to give for her all | had Of the
excellent tract Come to Jesus" SlO.76 worth
A copy of which | gave to soldier one Sunday
morning, on which marked the Dist Psalm. The
Sunday following, he wished ME 10 sit with him in
his tent He stated that the tract caused him to
get his Bible to read the Psalm. On opening to 1t
he was surprised to find piece of paper pinned to
this Psalm, upon which written IN beautiful
hand by his sister Emma, these lines
"when from home receding.
And from hearts that ache 10 bleeding,
Think of those behind who love thee;
Think how long the night will be
To the eyes that weep for thee"
God bless thee and keep thee"
The melting tenderness before God in that tent
cannot be expressed Some of his mates were re-
lgious and ready to encourage him in seeking SAL
walton.
All are anxious to get tracts as they brief and
pointed and easy to carry TO read. Being separa-
ted from wives, mothers, sisters and other loved
Ones they long for and heartily respond to express
sions sympathy affection and christian influences
find them to be chiefly our intelligent young men,
the hope of the church and country; and efforts
or means should be spared to supply them with
what is interesting, instructive and saving that they
be not forever ruined by the perilous temptations
and dangers threatening them every moment
am nearly out of tracts, and the way is closed
up so the Tract Society send them to me, for
which the officers express deep regret and promise
to send when the way is open, such publications as
may be desired to supply the annuties to Life d.
rectors and Life Members. And would here state,
for information, if we get nothing from
this Society, it has paid IN cash to Colporteurs sal
aries in North Carolina, besides large grants of
books and tracts, about 81 900 more than have
given the Society from this State.
Although we are cut off from this Society and
the North, yet the Tract cause and must 20 on
and l am appropriating all funds | get to re-
printing the Tracts here for the soldiers at In
stituton for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind 1
have commenced and shall continue this work under
the approval and counsel of all the Pastors of this
City, each of whom have read the Tracts selected
and gave the first donations. l will have $4,000
pages ready very soon; and every dollar given will
enable me to reprint 1900 pages. Rev. F. Fitz-
Gerald, Chaplain of the second Regiment, was the
first to secure five dollars worth, 1900 pages.
Rev. j. N Andrews, Chaplain of the third Regi-
ment, has just ordered supply. There are several
Coporteurs in great want of Tracts.
It is proposed that have the Tract "Come to Je-
sus" and the cheap Testament reprinted, which can
do as soon as the funds given me- Several thou
sand copies of each be printed here for 1000,
about as cheap as at the North. Neither Of these
are printed in the South, and we must have them
for our soldiers. propose to reprint the New Tes-
lament under the sanction of the n c. Bible So
ciety Let friends respond Immediately, and this
work shall be done. A lady writes, Enclosed you
will find check for $3.50. We were very glad to
hear that some way is found out to reprint the
Tracts for the poor soldiers. We are willing to do
what we can for their never-dying souls" May God
speedily raise up many such friends to aid in sup
plying the soldiers with the gospel to read by which
their chapains will be helped in getting them to
cure the peace of God in their souls, as well as the
peace of their country, SO that If they live they
may be Gods children, and if they die that they
may be Gods saints. Yours truly,
-.,---~ W. j. w. CROWDER,
49, Tract agent for NJ G.
Raleigh, June, 1861.