Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-05-10
Our ll1ar Correspondence.
A Soldiers Letter. No. go.
THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.
CAMP MAR BRANDY STATION, Va,
April 26th, 1864

EDITOR FREEMAN The station Of the Chris
tan Commission here has been taken away. 1t
was removed week ago to-day. This was done
suppose because it was thought the army here
was about to break up csmp. The station was
called the Vermont Station Of the u. 5. Christ an
four different delegates though not more than 20
at one time. Rey c. C. Parker, Ond J. W. H..
Bsker, we're succeeded by Reys. VIM. NJ. Taylor,
from Pennsylvania, and George Moore Smith,
from Connecticut. These we're all faithful, earnest
men-men who appeared anxious only for The
soldiers good, both spiritual and temporal. The
last few days Mr.. Smith d the whole care, NJ.
Taylor hsving left for other fields Of usefulness
Mr. Smith preached regular sermon every eve
ming, attended the Bible class at noon each day
beside the multitude Of other duties that cier-
gyman has to perform in a place Ike this. PoT-
ton. OF the day be assigned for those who might
wish to call on him for private religious instruc
ton, besides which be visited the sick in the hos
pital, the sick IN their tents, and minisered to The
wants OF the needy everywhere. have seen him
mile from the station, among the other camps
with hayersaok slung on his shoulder, filled,
suppose, with teslamenls and tracts, that he bad
been giving away to the boys. lie evidently un-
deTstood bis work, his heart was in il, and be did
it well. lie told me he though the soldiers much
more susceptible OF religious instruction than the
same number Of people at home. 1t was easier
to preach to them. Their susceptibility did not
come Of Ignorance, or stupidity, but on the con-
tr.ry, the soldiers we're intelligent and earnest in
the matter. They required just as good preach
Ing as the average Of people anywhere. Their
cordial apprecadve earueslness made preaching
easy. There appeared to be, he said, entire una
nimity among them. No ssctsriansm or bigotry
msred the harmony Of the meetings. Nobody
inquired of another if he was Mslhodsl,a Bip
tist, an Episcopalan, and no one seemed to cars
for religion, preferences. II man was Chris
tan, it was enough. The first Sabbath of this
mcnth the sacrament Of the Lords Supper was
partsken of about thirty communicants. Eleven
made profession Of faith, md three were,baptized
Th. Christian Commission has become to be
respected by all the boys. Even those who care
but little about its benefits personally speak well
Of il, and think it very good thing. The idea of
an enterprise OF such infnitude being carried on
and supported by voluntary contributions from
those who are interested in our welfare mainly
because we belong to the common brotherhood
~ id nd hava
bodies to preserve, carries with it such weight
Of argument for the sincerity and power Of that
christian principle which begels this spirit of be-
usvolence, that no man attempts to gain'ay or
resist it.
The worst Of soldiers know and appreciate what
10 good in human nature, as well as the best,
though they may not initiate it themselves. The
world may call US rough and ronsh many
Of US certainly are, rougher than there is any
need or excuse for but, beneath this rough ex-
terror you will generally find heart that can be
easily touched by kind and benevolent atten
tons, as the hearts OF those who have acquired a
more icy polish, and who aspire to belong to a
more refined e,ass Of people. A llottentot will
appreciate and respect really disiuterested and
snsehsh act, aud should be 10th to admit that
any Of Us soldiers, were less manly than they.
believe the soldiers like these Christian Commits
sion delegates better than they do the regular
army chapains. ! mean as general thing The
shsplans they say, all they care for is to come
out here and see the country, hold office, get a
good ssad Of greenbOcks every pay day, perhaps
preach &. .tolerable good sermon on Sunday, il the
weather is perfectly right, distribute the mai
when it comes, and then when they get tired d
this coatrve some way to be out of health, resign
and 90 home. | am half inclined TO believe
myself, ,ha. some Of them "pAy it in just thai
way. II an army chaplain pays no heed TO The
divine requirements, he can very eusily co oil th'
army regulations require Of him. Occasionally
vo have what Beecher would say was Gods idea
oil an army chaplain, but alas they are scarce
But these delegates are just the men that th
army wants. 1t is hard work for the most malig
nant TO oav at what they do. They give thei
time and their services, and generally work hare
aud work willingly. Their term is short, an
they endeavor 10 make the most OF IL. II the
we're selfish enough to think Of it, they would NJ
want to be ouidone by their saccessor, or by ho'
whom they had succeeded. Not many bowevc
would leave tteir charge at home, und come o.
here to labor for US without any compensate
from the Government, OF any connection silh
Whatever, unless they we're animated with desi
TO do good, rat ,r than 10 make themselves co
spcuous. We who receive their minisIratio
are 40. asked or expected to give them anythi