, 1864-11-23

! in ccilcd houses: It's rooms are not capaclous
or gorgeous. There was joint Of mutton,
soit Dneao, apple sauce, potatoes, tomatoes,
dlnnef-plain, simple, wholesome fare, There
Mas no ceremony, no sitting after dinner, for
there was no timo TO spare. Each man was
up from the table and 1T his work, unpackine
bo1eg just arrived, selecting parcels needed
for afternoon use, and then away to the hos
pitals~~ They had been their morning rounds,
md Tere of for the afternoon. In that un-
commission carries on ite operations at very
small e1Pense-not niggga1dly, but measuring
means with ends: The delegates sleep in 4
Largo chapel tent on Tenth street. The
Commission has taken firm hold upon
the, hearts Of the people. 1t is seen
That the ministrationa reach the SOL
needed The Surgeon q sacnelal s has % ent.sed ass
heartily into its work. Gen. Grant, Gen.
Meade, Gen. Patrick (the Provost Marshal Of
the army, Gen. Burnside, Gen. Hancock, Can
Butler and other commanders, have given
their testimony in its favor. Gen. Burnside
called upon the field agent In his Corps, Mr..
shealer, and thanked him personally for rhat
the Commission had done for his men-not
only In the hospitals, but in the field aud in
the trenches.
The work has arrived at such magnitude
TINT the Commission has been forced to en-
large It's quarters; but instead Of leasing
blocks Of fine buildings. 1t il erecting large
wooden building on 10th street. 1t is built
economically. It is spacious and airy,
high, and will contain room for stores, bath
room, cook-roor, dining and sleeping. The
entire cost of the building will be s., ,1O0-not
more than years rent for such room as
would be needed to accommodate the inercas-
ing operations.
DELEGATES WORK.
Twas present at the tent on Sunday even
Ing Inst when the delegates came in md mar
rated their experiences Of the day. From my
were about fifty delegates present. The mar
Eatiyes were condcnsed. Thcir work is wash
ing and dressing wounds, aiding the sick and
wounded In every possible way, distributing
reading matter, writing letters for those una.
les md religious exercises III viii the the r peP-
mission OF The Surgeon Ia charge. No 3eic-
gate Is allowed to givo jc11fes and wines as
food, or to hold meetings. In any ward, unless
permission is first obtained from the Surgeons.
1t Is rule OF the Commission, and not Of the
medical department. The principle is to do
anything possible for the good Of the men, and
nothing for their hurt.
oEE-THRD CHRISTIANS.
The Carver Hospital delegate reported that
he found full one-third of the men In his
wards protesting Christians. They were glad
to see him. Very glad to get religious read
ing. A few days before he gave an old man
the little book entitled the q Blood Of Jesus;'
saw him to-day. The old man greeted him
with smile. II have found Jesus, and oh,
lie Is SO precious r. said the old soldier.
CAN'T KEP TRACK or SUNDAY.
Another delegate from the same hospital:
found among the patients a minister who
enlisted rs 8 priyate. He has been In the
hospital sixteen months, and has maintained
his Christian character through ali the trials
Of camp and hospital life. found some con
Sals5esnts at 1as png s,,,as, sards NY boys yon
"N Isn't Sunday, is III Why hang II all
Chaplain, we can't keep track Of the days in
I talked to them of home, and of their
mothers. The tears rolled down their checks,
They put up their cards, and read the papers
gave them.
WANTS TO BE 4 CHRISTIAN.
saw men 50 ready to receive religious instruc-
ton, or who were so easily impressed with
Their truths. ] am satisfied that this is a
golden opportunity to the Christian Church.
found young man to-day, Who said: II
want you, Chaplin, to tell me just what
have 10 do to be Christian. will do Just
what you say. IWant to be Christian" It
was o sincere desire. find that the Catho-
lies are just as eager to have religious in
structfon Is others.
Another delegate of the same hospital said
found Sergeant -, Of Massachusetts, very
low, but tie met me with smile: at is al
right. Lam happy, and die coutent. Tell
Another delegate said: hare been over
the river to see some detached regiments
men who are not in hospital. asked one
uoble-looking soldier If he loved Jesus.
t'No, I DON'T"
"Are you married p"
NO: but I have a sister. She isn't t Chris
tan, but she wrote me that she wanted me to
become ono and guess, Chaplain, that cy
erybody who believes the Bible, feels Just so.
friends to be.s
found another soldier writing letter: on
little bit Of paper. / gaFt him . full sheet
s.4re you Christian Commission man:"
<Ycs.h
"You arc d-d good set Of fallows.''
t*Hold on soldier, not quite so hard"
beg your pardon, Chaplain, I didn't
into % Tie &c hs6it out III here IN the amy, and It
comes right out before I think"
Won't you try to leave 1t off?'
"Yes, Chaplain, will"
Another delegate: I vent among tho men
and they all gathered about me with great
ea=crness. They we're little disappointed,
however, when they saw that I was dele
gate Of the Commission. They took me to
*<But 1'bave something that is better than
tGive mr. some Of it,,' said one. the sou
Of a Baptist minister, !ender-hcarsed Ch'is-
tian.
a GOSPEL pRvM.
Another delegate just returned from the
army al Petersburg, said that he. had come
across a drummer boy Of one Of tho A1assa-
chusetts regiments, . member Of The Sab
bath-school at home, who had lost lis Bible
during the campaign, bn: had written the
heads Of his drum all over with texts of
Scripture from memory. he beat gospel
drum.
An hon: was spent in hearing the reports,
and the meeting closed By singing Nearer,
my God, TO Thee"
TIE PRIVATE soIp1ER's COMMISSION.
These notes will show the friends Of the
Commission what the delegates are doing.
may add that have seen its operations IL
the hospital and In the trenches, and can
speak In unqualified terms OF its efficiency
and power to do good. There are some sur
geons who are opposed 10 It. There are some
upon the affections Of the men. It reaches
them. The supplies contributed do not go
to the officers, but are placed In the hands of
the men by tho delegates, and by the Chap
1ains Of the regiments. It is entitled to The
fullest confidence Of the community.
A SILVER DR{CH,
The Christian Commission has received
valuable contribution to its treasury, In the
shape OF = solid silver brick, virgin pure from
the mines, contributed By citizens Of Virginia
and Gold Hill, Nevada Territory. It's in
trineic vRlue Is about three thousand dollars.
It ought to be purchased at high premium,
and preserved sacred as relic Of tie Chris.
tim munifccnce OF these times.
A DAY AT THE FRONT.
WORE DONE CNDER TIE REBEL GINS.
The following record of days labor at the
S., rF41 itA$r