The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1862-11-06
Religion in the Army.

Extracts from letter Of Rev, Or. Stiles,
published in the Christian Observer. DR..
Stiles is laboring in the army of the Poto-
mac.
At his earnest request, l preached to
Gen. Pryor's brigade last Sabbath. Upon
one hours notice, he marched up twelve or
fifteen hundred men, who listened with so
much interest to long sermon that was
not surprised to hear of such a beginning
of religious interest in various regiments Of
the brigade, as issued in a halfway promise
on my part to fall in with the proposal Of
the General to preach regularly to his sol
diers for succession of nights. In Gen.
Lawton's brigade there is more decided
state of religious excitement. The great
body Of the soldiers in some of the regi
mentg meet for prayer and exhortation eve
~ night, exhibit the deepest solemnity, and
present themselves nnmerously for the
prayers of the chaplains and the church.
Quite pleasant number express hope in
Christ. In all other portions of Gen Ear
ly's division, (fOrmerly Gen. Ewell's) a
similar religious sensibility prevails.
In Gen. Trimble's, and the Immediately
neighboring brigades, there is a progress,
at this hour, of one Of the most glorious re-
vivals ever Witnessed. Some days ago, a
young chaplain of the Baptist church-as q
representative Of three others of the same
denominatiCn-took long ride to solicit
my cooperation, stating that promising
seriousness had sprung up within their do
ce5e. have now been with him three days
and nights, preaching and laboring con.
stantly with the soldiers when not on drill.
The audiences and the interest have grown
to glorious dimensions. 1t would rejoice
you greatly to glance for one instant
On our night meeting in the Wild woods, IN
der full moon, aided by the light of our
side-stands. You would behold mass of
men seated on the earth all around you, q
was going to say for the space Of half on
acre. fringed in all its circumference by a
line Of standing officers and soldiera-two
or three deep-all exhibiting the most sol
emn and respectful earHestness that Chris
tian assembly ever displayed. An officer
said to me, last night, on returning from
worship, he never had witnessed such
scene, though Presbyterian elder, eape-
cially such an abiding aolemnity and delight
in the services as prevented all whispering
in the outskirts, leaving the congrega-
. ton, or restless change Of position.
The oficers, especially Gems Jackson
and Early, have modified military rules for
our accommodation. have Just learned
that Gen. A. P. Hills division enjoys as
rich dispensation of Gods Spirit as Gen.
Early's, Ask all the brethren and sisters
to pray for US and the army at large.
One thing more. We famish for the want
of tracts. The chaplains are constantly in
curing Ct Inc on the subject, and can see
the tracts promptly and judiciou8ly diatrib-
uted. They would be of vast assistance
and consolation at present.
P. ST. have opened this letter the sec
ond time to INFORM you Of the widespread
holy influence. In Gen. Pickett's division,
also, there are said to Ge REVEALS of reli-
gion,
The Winston n G. Sentinel saws:
"Quite an interesting religions revival is
in progress in the 9Th brigade, Of which the
Dist n. G. regiment constitutes q part
Religious meetings are held nightly and are
largely attended by the troops of the brig
ade; the ministers officiating being chap
lains of different regiments. Gen. jackson
was a frequent attendant at these meetings,
and it was a subject of remark that every
commissioned officer in the brigade had on
several occasions been present at preach
ing"
A correspondent of the Richmond Chris
tian Adrocate writes that "while encamped
near Martinsburg, some religious interest
began to be manifested in our regiment the
18th Va. Vols, regular prayeI-meetirgs
were commenced, and have been kept up
ever since as opportunity has served. Bro.
Taylor, Presbyterian minister, and chap-
lain to the 9th Va. Vols, has been very At
tentiye and has aided much in the conduct !