Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-08-18
The Christian Commission.
WILLIAMsTowy. Vt. Auo. Id

The Christian Commission.
WlLLAMsrowN, VT, Aug. S!h, 1868.
Mr.. EDITOR Dear Sir. viii you, for the
benefit Of the United States Christian Commits
sion, land so for the benefit Of our soldiers, for
their interests are one,) give place in the Freeman
to the following extracts from letter in the last
number of the New York Observer, from J. w.
Stevenson, Secretary Of the American Tract So
cety Mr.. S. is writing Of hospital labors after
the late battle at Gettysburg, and after speaking
Of the efforts put forth by benevolent societies for
the relief Of the sick, wounded and dying, he
says
4" ! cannot doubt that numerous lives were
saved, and vast suffering prevented by this united
and earnest Christian effort. Nor could 8 ttbe
Of this good have been effected il the benevolent
at home had withheld the stores used by the ia
borers. Thousands Of men have been reli we'd
strengthened, and put upon the way Of recovery,
by the cordias, fruits, stimulants and delicsces,
prepared at far northern homes, by willing haud',
and sent forward with sympathlsing prayers.
And let me here answer a question often asked
me as pass through the land and plead for the
soldiers, namely this: :" DO the provisions and
delicaces prepared so assiduousy by fond friends,
and sent forward, ever reach the soldiers for
whom they are intended, or do not the employees
Of the association regale themselves upon the del
cacies and leave the poor patients unsuppleds
| have usually given TO the charge implied in this
| question an indignant denial. So far as my OBJ
servalion has extended, mainly in connection with
the Christian Commission, prompt denial Is all
that is needed.
"The delicacies adapted to the wants Of the
sick soldiers, sent through the Christian Commits.
sion reach their object.
40 far as good men can be relied on to work
unselfshly for their fellow men, so far may donors
rely upon the workers in the Christian Commis-
sion to do wisely and well with the stores put at
their disposal. For this special work at and after
battles, there is absolute need OF this form Of effort
/ The delegates do grand work, which else would
not be done, ard which we believe was never be-
tore done for any army. The desttution Of re-
1 igious reading at Gettysburg for the wounded,
during the first week after the battle, was greatly
/ to be regretted. While .he first want Of wound
ed man is that hls bodily suffsrings be allevatsd,
bis next is something TO occupy his mind, and
meet the ongings Of his heart. This .nenial and
spiritual craving 10 ncessant AID almost lusatiible
The soldier is cut off from many domestic and 30
c al erjoyments, his mind is stimulated TO unwont
ed activity, and if not furnished with mental ali
ment in printed form, be will resort TO games and
then to gambling, or TO the rough and profans
amusemen,s so rife IN camp. No greater kind.
ness to the men, therefore, is possible than 10 Civ,
them this mental aliment. 1t wM remarkable how
soon this want Of regious reading wasfelt. Scarce
had the roar OF artillery ceased TO reverberate from
the peaks of South Mountain when the cry va'
for books, papers, the Testament"
Mr.. S. says further, that Chaplain Earm,haw Of
the regular army remarked to him :" that he had
found men repeatedly who had died holding \
tract, orthe Testament, open before bis now glazed
eyes. Their spirit, had evidently pa"ed away
while dwelling upon some precious truth there
written"
While there is abundant reason for gratitude
and thanksgiving that through the timely aid o
our citizens the lives Of SO many Of our soldiers
have been saved, and so much Of their suffering
aeviated, the painful fact forces itself upon VI
that much more could and ought 10 hare been don't
for them. How many brave fellow, having en-
dured every hardship in his country, cause, il
now sleeping in death3 How many wife has
been widowed, how many children made orphan.
all which, proper selt,denidl on the part OF oui
people at home might hare sdued2 At the tint
IL IL. L. -. Gntt ha Chr
tan Commission, though it had from $50 to 2OC
men on the field, we're unable, for want OF " means
and stores sufficient, to accept the proff.rs'
services Of hundreds Of other men as delegates Il
ministerlto the sick and wounded there.
II ever, hereafter, during this war, poo
suffering dying soldier must be denied consolation
and relief for want Of means to send mer
who are more than willing to carry it to them
shall 1t be because the people Of Vermont bav
not done their duty in the matter ? God forbi
that Vermont citizens should thus tarnish th
glory, which Vermont soldiers have achieved 70
our State The Christian Commission has score
Of selfdenyiug, earnest Christian men in ou
army as delegates who are giving time and labor
,siihom remuneration, aud yet its efficiency
greatly impaired by want of means to carry OF
its benevolent plans. viii not Vermont lend I
its aid p Money, hospital stores of every kin'
reading matter, &C., are greatly needed by th
Commission. Money may be sent to Chsrl'
Demoud, Esq, No. 4, Court St. Boston, Mass
hospital stores to L. P Rowland, Jr., No. 5, Tr
mont Temple, Boston, Mass. Packages or box'
of good reading matter, secular and religion
such as papers, magazines and books sent to NJ
Demond will be Immediately forwarded to ii
nmy.-Any information respecting the Commi
sion, will bo chesrfuy communicated by Mr. ID
mond or myself
/ remain, sir, your obodicut servant,
GEo. A, AISswoRTH,
Agent Christian Commission.
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