Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-09-12

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received BY the Secretary Of the American
Tract Society ct Boston;
AUGUST 10, 1851.
Dear Sir: Your books and tracts for
The soldiers are just the things they like.
Although you supplied US literally, never
could get half enough, the demand Was 30
gFest, ] have seen dozen handa ct once
stretched out TO get the same book. In the
camp, If one takes q package Of them
amongst the soldiers, he is sure 10 have q
crowd around him at once; and have
seen tho officers forced 20 interfere 10 pre-
vent tk6 ruah Of the wen 10 obtain them.
Mays Christian has been walked up on
receiving them; and many, do not doubt,
have been converted by them, while thou.
sands have been restrained from vice by
their perussl.
Twill give you some instances from my
own observation. Wag lastweek visiting
q hospital in the District of Columbia, in
which are some two hundred wounded
men. In going through one Of the wards
where some thirty suffering soldiers were
lying on their cots, took the large pack
age you sent me, opened ii, and allowed
each man to choose for himself There
were lives Of Wears, Of Haveloek, :" Col.
Gardner" Stories Of the Son, The Roll
call, Welcome TO Jesus, and tracts on the
" Soldiers Welcome Home, on Swearing,
on Temperance, and many others. As each
wounded man chose book, he would raise
himself up on his cot and inquire Of his
neiRhbor, What book he had chosen p
and having ascertsined he would then Sc
leet some other, and remark, When We
have read each ouroWn We will exchange
While they were thus engaged, a number
Of the wounded who we're seated out on IN
open verandGh enjoying the cooler air, es-
pying through an open window the pack.
age and what vas going on within, sent
several Of their number hobbllng in to
make O selection for them. took the bun
die out 10 them, and the majority having
selected Hymn Books, in few minutes l
heard them al singing the hymn begin,
ming
" There is fountain alled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuels veins" SC.
And thus we're brave and noble fellows
from the Maine Fourth, the Wisconsin, In
diana, Connecticut Third, and tho New
York Fire Zouaves, cheerful as they we're
courageous, and the gallant Highlander,
faT away from home, with limbs decorated
in defense Of the liberties Of their country,
singing in that evening twilight, with
hearty zeal, that beaptiful hymn.
1 went into another ward where I was
told 5 volunteer from one Of the Maine reg
iments vas lying dangerously i'll from q
gun R9h0t wound in the thigh. There he
LAY, peer fellow, pale, emaciatsd, fast sink.
ing 1t needed but one look to see that he
could not long survive, 1 inquired his
name. William J.n-he could hardly re-
ply. had several Of your little books in
my hand; placed them by his pillow.
Be reached out his feeble hand, and look
ing them over picking cut one with the
on a purple cover, whispered to me to
Hplace that Onithe window sill before him,
upright 50 that he could see those words
without turning his head did 80. The
surgeon came to dress bis wounds; he held
out his hand to thank me, and Igleft him.
That night he died. The last comforting
message he had was, as L have reason. to
believe the glorious one, tiWELoolfE TO
-JBsUs." But what passage that was
thank you, sir, and the liberal people who
sustain you for furnishing sush q means
fo- Suforting the parting seul in such an
/ hour. 81 a. sah @
! could relate ln9ny more sinstanSSs, bui
] might tire you. Allow me word in fa'
vor Of the bright and beautiful covers, viii
gilt letters, which you have adopted fol
eSIs eost 81 81 {ESe5s {8sss oo0Ksh hats Sea t69a
forms living in many tent, and besid'
manv sick mans bedside, long after th'
plsinsr ones had served 10 lightsa sObaeet
nine Men have an innate love Of IN
beaufifiIl and the precious contents OF thos
tiuv volumes are often read by' nen ate
D,S, soleSS~ ~ az.s0unt Of their inEitln
- - .ss3l 1o tius1 s7l
I TilI add q word shout the way the 90
dier welcomes the eolporteur. Sir, hav
had retinents thr6w their caps in the 81
and cheer the humble book distributor ta
avrav from his home. The soldiers houl
{ are often lonely, the drill becomes monot
Z nous :. the camp, the tent, the same faces
messmates and officers grow tlresome, eve
3 the food and the drink grow ever the sam
4 But let it be announced (as soon after n
arrival it will be) that q stranger, mas con
! with bookL, which he gives away ana II
Z mediately from tent and heldi ana sns'
z grove. ne men viii pour out 70 Welcon
him. There is no happier man than 81. s8
- an one having good supply Of books vi
1 him., The most kindly questions, cheeri
4 remarks and thankful gratulations VIII
4 heaped upon him. .Aen viii moass4y .
\ vhsn hooks are offered, l have no me
ey." Eay, butthey cost you nothing.
q - GWhatl such pretty books cost nothang
q i have seen the brave mems lips guy
Il vbeu I have replied, Hyour Friends
Z home pay for them."-BOstOs 4FaVsssr', :
As Faithfully yoprsuF w