Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-03-04
Fer ths EnQGirer.
IV 1H6 ENYEE7eT.
CoIpcsrass among the SoldierE-Interest-
ing facts and Incidents.

CoIpcsraSs among itbe Soldiers-Interest-
ius facts and Incidents.
RICHMOND, Aarch:3, 1852.
As all classes Of the community arc int
rested in the neral culture Of our army, | con-
clude sc Gull, from the numerous reports which
have been sent to mo by our co!porteurE, some
facts and incidents which will repay perusal.
Rev. q. G. Crews writes from Winchester:
IA Young man in the hosplta! upon being
asked il 40 was q Christian, replied: 7 have
been one, But have gone astray.' | urged
him to repent of his backslidipg and to return
unto God He seemed deeply moved, and, with
mois.ened eyes, asked that / would visit him
again. All tho sick seemed comforted by Eay-
ing religious conversation many who make
no uretont;ons 10 piety listen with solemn att
~tentiou. A,!ieutensnt desired to be supplied
with tracts that ne might distribute them
amocc bis men. The same request has been
msde 5y others. IN the hotels and saloons |
have distributed tracts as well As on the
streets ID the hundred who como in from the
CAMPS around. 0, it is q blessed work to care
for the souls CT our brave boys. If I could
reach the ear Of every Christian in the Con-
fede.acy I would cry--'msn Of Israel! help!'"
Mr. J. O. Cloptor, who has been iaboring at
the hospitals in Stanton, and at the Rock.
bridge Alum Springs, writes: "Oftentimes
see the soldiers reading tho tracts for days
after they have been received, and manisesting
the most esger desire 10 be benefited by them.
Passing along TO the hospital, l SAW u group Of
soldiers, acd at once / was tempted to be
ashamed of tho work, and was about to pass
them without giving any tracts, butitoccurred
to me that this might DO q temptation Of the
evil one, and ! determined to overlook no one.
Going up to a soldier, | asked II he was q
Christian. Hs was deeply moved, and replied,
y wish TO have some conversation with you
can you sit down with mt a whiieP He told
me that he had been . professor Of religion
had enjoyed thu smile Of God on his soul but
that temptation and vice had led MIN astray
unit! nov be vas almost ready TO despair
Weeping and sobbing he confessed his sin. l
UT ged him again to seek tho smile and favor Of
God. 4 very sick man said 10 me, oh, sir, l
would give worlds for an interest in the blood
of Jesus. and the pardon Of sin. He has since
passed away"
Rev. J. T. Skinner writes from Centreville
There is grea. demand for reading matter,
and I have met with fine success in selling,
az we'll as in giving. / have preached and
held prayer meetings whenever an opportuni-
ty has presented itself. Oh! it is sad to see
hoH many noble young men are being swept
away b. camp wees.
4 Chaplain writes from Williamsburg, 81
know twelve men in my regiment who have
professsd conversion from reading your
tracts. One came 20 me with a tract in his
hand, and tears flowing down his cheeks, and
said, 81 would not tako thousands for this
tract. Ny parents heyc prayed for me, and
wept over me bat it vas left for this tract to
bring me, a poor convicted sinner, to the feet
of Jesus. Oh! Sit, Efeel today that am a
new man, and have set out for Heaven"
Another Chaplain, whose regiment is near
Yorktown, says "For three months / have
not preached a sermon. We have no preach-
ing plscs, and I do not know when we shall
have one. The most that can be done is by
colportage work, FROM camp to camp, distribu.
ting the pages Of Divine truth. The soldiers
are anxious for testamen;s and tracts, and read
them most eagerly"
Az so many thousands are rushing to the
tented field, we ought to attempt vastly moro
In this great enterprise. Who will help to
provide 6 wholesome, Evangelical literature for
cur soldiers? 4. Z. DICKINSON.