The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-11

the Christian Commission, prompt denial is III
that is needed.
"The delicacies adapted to the wants of the
sick soldiers, sent through the Christian Commits
sion, reach their object.
$50 far as good men can be relied on to work
unsefshly for their fellow men, so far may donors
rely upon the workers in the Christian Commits
sion to do wisely and we'll with the stores put at
their disposal. For this special work at and after
baltes there is absolute need OF this form of effort.
The delegates do grand work. which else would
not be done, al which We believe was never be-
fore done for any army. The restitution of re-
llgous reading at Gettysburg for the wounded,
during the first week after the battle, was greatly
to be regretted. While the first want of wound
ed man is that bis bodily sufferings be aeviated,
his next is something to occupy his mind, and
meet the ongings Of his heart. This .nenta and
spiritual craving is incessant aud almost Unsuitable
The soldier is cut off from many domestic and So
cial enjoyments, his mind is stimulated to unwont-
ed activity, and if not furnished with mental ali
ment in printed form, he will resort to games and
then to gambling, or to the rough and profane
amuSements so rife IN camp. No greater kind
ness to the men, therefore, is possible, than to give
them this entalaliment. 1t was remarkable how
soon this want of regous reading wastelt. Scarce
had the roar of artillery ceased to reverberate from
the peaks of South Mountain when the cry was
for books, papers, the Testament"
Mr.. s. says further, that Chaplain Earmshaw of
the regular army remarked to him that he had
found men repeatedly who had died holding
tract, or the Testament, open before his now glazed
eyes. Their spirits had evidently passed away
while dwelling upon some precious truth there
written"
While there is abundant reason for gratitude
and thanksgiving that through the timely aid of
our citizens the lives of SO many of our soldiers
have been saved, and so much of their suffering
alleviated, the painful fact forces itself upon us
that much more could and ought 10 hare bees done
for them. How many brave fellow, having en-
dured every hardship in his countrys cause, is
now sleeping in death? How many wife has
been widowed, how many children made orphans
all which, proper seLt-demiat on the part of our
people at home might haze SAVED? At the time
of the late terrible battle at Gettysburg the Chris
tan Commission, though it had from $50 to 200
men on the field, we're unable, for want Of " means
and " stores sufficient to accept the proffered
services of hundreds Of other men as delegates to
minstersto the sick and wounded there.
If ever, hereafter, during this war, a poor
suffering, dying soldier must be denied consolation
and relief for want of means " to send men
who are more than willing to carry it to them
shall 1t be because the people of Vermont have
not done their duty in the matter God forbid
that Vermont citizens should thus tarnsh the
glory, which Vermont soldiers have achieved for
our State ! The Christian Commission has scores
of set-denying, earnest Christian men in our
army as delegates who are giving time and labor
wdhout remuneration, and yet its efficiency is
greatly impaired by want of means to carry out
its benevolent plans. Will not Vermont lend us
its aid Money, hospital stores of every kind
reading matter, &c, are greatly needed by the
Commission. Money may be sent to Charles
Demond, Esq, No. 4, Court St. Boston, Mass.
hospital stores to l.. P. Rowland, Jr, No. 5, Ire
mont Temple, Boston, Mass. Packages or boxes
of COED reading matter, secular and religious,
such as papers, magazines and books sent to Mr..
Demond will be Immediately forwarded to the
army.-Any information respecting the Commits
sion will be chserfully communicated by Mr.. De-
mond or myself.
l remain, sir, your obedient servant,
GEO. A. A1NswoRTH,
Agent Chpstian Coron.;..:.-