The Portland daily press., 1863-11-13
George ii. Stuart, ESD. and the Christian
Commission.

To The Editor Of the Press:
1t was my good fortune to attend the An
niversary Festival Of the Yonng Mems Chris
tian Association, which was held in I.ancas-
ter Hall on Monday evening and to hear the
address OF George II. Stuart, Esq. OF Phila-
ueiphia- Rarely have listened TO speaker
oil such power and brilliancy, thoroughly con-
versant with his subject, abounding in facts
OF the most interesting character and gifted
with rare powers of description, he riveted
the attention OF the audience for more than
an hour, alternately bowing them with tears
and thrilling them with pride and Joy.
1t seems that Mr.. Stuart is a successful
merchant extensively engaged in the import
ing Dry Goods business, and possessed of a
large fortune. And instead of laboring to in
crease his wealth to colossal proportions, or
applying 1t to the qualification Of elegant and
luxurious tastes, or living in paatial man
sion with all the appendages of costly car
riages and liyeried servants, he devoted his
talents and large share of his time and means
to the relief of our wounded and suffering SOL
ders and the salvation OF their souls And
u there ever was man whose whole heart
was cngrossed with these objects, whose
whole soul was fired with love to God and
his fellow men, and whose zeal and energies
were consecrated TO the work of accomplish
ing the greatest amount of good, it is George
III. Stuart.
He is now the. President of the Christian
Commission, a society which has grown out
oil the necessities ofeehe war and been estab-
! lished through his agency, having its head
quarters in Philadelphia, and extending as a
national institution with branches or agencies
in all of the large cities of the country. The
object OF the commission is noble one wor-
thy OF the cordial cooperation of every patriot
and Christian. 1t is no less than to minister
unto our soldiers in the field, camp or hospi-
tails, whether sick, wounded or well. and sup
ply them with articles necessary for their
physical comfort or relief and their spiritual
consolation. 1t gives food aud raiment to the
body and mama to the soul. To carry bread.
water, lemonade, jellies and comforts to the
wounded and dying and then cheer their hearts
with the precious promises OF the Gospel and
the glorious hopes of Heaven.
This is the work which Mr. Stuart is hearth
ly and vigorously prosecuting. And to this
end he visited our city in order to impart such
information in relation TO the object and de-
sign OF the commission as would tend TO
awaken deeper interest in il here. In doing
so at the Festival, as well as in the CITY Hail
on Sunday evening, he was eloquent and affect
ing with facts, incidents and personal expert
ences among the wounded on the field and
in hospitals Of both armies to degree that
has been rarely equaled. He breathed a spirit
of holy and patriotic inspiration upon the au-
dience and stirred every heart to its lowest
depths with love Of country, devotion to libcr-
ty and sympathy for our brave soldiers. And
he set in motion here an influence which will
bear fruit hundred fold for the good of our
citizens and our soldiers and to the glory of
God.