The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-09-04
The Christian Commission,
" iLLIAMSTOWV. VT. :

NiLLLNSroWN. VT, !
aug. Sth, 1863.
Mr.. EDITOR Dear Sir. VIII YOU, for
the benefit of the Omitted States Christian
Commission" land SO for the benefit Of our
soldiers, for their interests are one,) give
place in the CALEDONIAN 10 the following ex-
tracts from letter in the last number of the
New York Observer, from j. W. Stevenson,
Secretary of the American Tract Society?
Mr. s. is writing of hospital labors after
the late battle at Gettysburg, and after speak
ng of the effort put forth by benevolent So
c.eties for the relief of the sick, wounded end
dying, he says
Il cannot doubt that numerous lives were
saved, and vast suffering prevented by this
united and earnest Christian effort. Nor
could tithe OF this good have been effected
II the benevolent at home had withheld the
stores used by the laborers. Thousands of
men have been relieved, strengthened, and
pat upon the way of recovery, by the cordials,
fruits, stlmulantS and delicacies prepared at
lar northern homes, by willing hands, and
set forward with sympathizing prayers.
And let me here answer a question often
asked me as | psss through the land and
llcad for the soldiers, namely this: "Do
the provisions and delcacies prepared so
aSslduous Y by fond friends and sent forward,
ever reach the soldiers for whom they are
intended, or do not the employees of the as
SocIatlon regale themselves upon the del;ca-
ccS and leave the poor patients unsuppli-
ed ~ have usually given to the charge
implied in this question an indignant denial.
30 far as my observation has extended, main
!. IN connection with the the Christian Com
mission, prompt denial is all that is need
The delicacies adapted to the wants of
the sick soldiers, sent through the Christian
Commission, reach their OBJECT.
$50 Tar as good men can be relied on TO
work uns-fiShly for their fellow men, so far
may donors rely upon the workers in the
Christian Commission 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 el,e would
rot DC dsne, and v ehich we believe was never
fetore done Ter any army. The de,tituio0
0! religious reading at Gettysburg for the
NoGndad, during the first week after the bat
lie, was greatly to be regretted. While the
irst Want OF wounded man is that his bodi-
~ 'utryings be aleyiated. his next is some
- :. --,unv KS mind. AID met lh I"a-.-
iag> OF IL, heart This mental and spiritual
craving inces>unt aud almost Unsuitable.
The soldier is cut Of from many domestic
a"d social erjoympn:s. his mind is stimulated
10 un"onted activity, and if not furnished
with mental ailment in printed form. he will
resort to games and then 70 gambling. or to
The rough and Nroiane amusements so rife in
camp. No greater kindness to the men.
therefore, is possible, than to give then, this
mental aliment. ltwas remarkable how soon
this want Of religi ious reading was felt. Scarce
rad tn. roar CT artillery ceased tc geyer5tr,
ate from the peaks of South Mountain when
The cry was for books papers, the Testa-
ment."
Mr., S. says further, that Chaplin Farm
shaw of the regular army remarked TO hiG
that he had found men repeatedly who had
died holding tract, or the Testament, oper
before their now glazed eyes. Their spirits
had evidently passed away while dwelling
upon some precious truth there written
While there is abundant reason for graft
tude and thanksgiving that through the time