Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-04-01
Our Arntp Correspondents.
LETTER FROM REV. r. y. BARNARD no
HIS pARISU1ONEpC
CHRISTIAN Commission TINT, 4
NRnAR SrLrLnN Man Rnrnr VI \ I

HIS TRANSFORMERS.
Christian COMMISSION TENT,l
CRDAR srlrtoN, (NEAR BRANDY, VAL
March 18th, 1864. J
My Dear Brethren and Friends :-Separat-
ed as an from you and as cannot write to
you individually IL seems proper and certain
ly very much in accordance with my feelings
20 write you letter in which you may all
have part, being assured that you are in
diyidually remembered. 1t was aud has been
very pleasant for me 10 think Of the kind and
considerate view you seemed to take Of my
request for leave Of absence to engage in this
work under the Christian Commission. /
trust you may find a blessing in what YOU
have done. to yourselves, and that it may an
pear sooner or later that some good has been
done to others.
arrived at brandy Station, the Head
quarters Of the Commission for this region,
last Friday. My first meeting was with
company of contrabands, and was not sorry
that II was 80 ordered. One Of their own
member took the lead Of the meeting. At
its opening he spoke briefly Of some Of the
great truths Of the gospel. Of the duty Of
thanking God for their blessings "And
Why" said he, "should we thank God ?"
"Becsuse he has sent his Son to do for us
what we could not do for ourselves" |
thought he had got hold of the root of the
matter. And so others spoke and prayed in
the same spirit, in broken language indeed,
with many crude and fnneiful ideas, yet com
ing round TO these great truths, that we are
lost IN sin, and that Christ has died to save
sinners and we must trust in him. told
them when had an opportunity to say few
words, that this was the first prayer meeting
had attended in Virginia, and that l was
glad to be with them and that wanted they
should pray for me that my labors among the
soldiers might be blessed Very soon one
man knelt down and prayed. very earnestly,
and appropriately for me, and certainly be-
lieve that that prayer will come up with ac-
ceptance before God, and il do any good i,
Will be owing to that, with other prayers Of
Tered for me. On Saturday | was called twice
to othcate at funerals, visited Hospital, dis
tributed paper and envelops to those needing
l asked one man If be would like any of
these. o. yes, be would like some to write
to his friends, "but l haven't any money to
pay for them" ! told him came to supply
just such ones. He seemed very grateful, as
did others. | went through the four wards
speaking here and there a word Of encourage
ment, and pointing to Christ, the great
Physician. They seemed glad to hear. and
the warm pressure Of the hand spoke Of the
feelings of the heart Sabbath came, but o,
how different the surroundings from those at
home. We are in the midst of the din and
confusion Of war, and war-liko preparation.
Yet think even here there is some regard
for the Sabbath, and many sigh for its quiet
rest and sacred privileges. l met a man as
was going to my preaching place, who seeing
my badge and bundle of papers and Hymn
Books, said, you are going to keep the Sab
bath, but we are not, we must work here or the
cars will be in the ditch, but we would like to
go to the service" | gave him and his COM
pany few papers and passed on. And on
that Sabbath morning while you were in your
sanctuary at home, your Pastor was entering
the Theatre, and for the first time in his life, |
think, but went there to preach Christ |
and him crucifed. A corps OF engineers have |
built them a house which is used on week |
days for amusements, &c. and on the Sabbath |
FOR meetings. Here / met about a hundred |
noble intelligent men who listened very at
ientively. | did not see one sleepy one
imong them. If you could come out here |
md look upon such company of men, and |
hey are all about. you would feel that rarely
IRE inviting felds opened for preaching |
he gospel. ] could tell you of other labors
IN the Sabbath, but have not time
yesterday, came from the central station
10 this out station, which is to be the par
ocular field for me to cultivate. am sur |
'ounded by batteries, and among the men |
connected with them / am to labor. We have
convenient chapel, rude indeed, yet com
ortable, and tent near by which affords us |
convenient quarters in which to eat, sleep, |
write. &c. Last evening for the first time 1 |
preached to my charge, and must say never |
preached to more attentive audience OF more
Intelligent. There are a number of profess !
ors and they seem disposed to work with |
Is. Some have recently expressed hope, and |
think are quite thoughtful. One young |
nan came into the tent after service to con-
'erse awhile about his soul. He hopes he |
las given his heart to God. Has been very
'rofane, wicked boy. is very ignorant about
he Bible, and yet Gays he means to serve
jod in spite of all opposition. We knelt in
,rayer at the close of the interview. asked |
he Others to pray with us /; as this ones turn
anne, he began; Our Father in heaven"
nd stopped 81 can't put it together" said
le, and said nothing more; and yet was it
lot q prayer, and will not God accept il. |
would like to tell you OF other matters--the
title chapels on every hand, the evident dis
position on the part of the christian men to
cork, but have not time now. May God bless
'ou all. am very happy in my work and
Pray for me.
Your affectionate Pastor,
p f. RARNARD