The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-06
United States Christian commission.


ed States Christian Commission has just
been issued. 1t makes neat volume of
nearly 500 pages, and is throughout
work of thrilling interest. We shall here
after often transfer some of it's incidents
and facts to our columns. This morning
we call the attention of our readers to the
general statements with which the report
opens:
The year opened with great promise for the
work of the United States Christian Commis-
sion. 1t closes with every promise more than
fulfilled. And the indications for the coming
year are those of q work for our defenders. our
country and our God, of still greater extent,
interest and power.
The favor of God and the people has steadily
advanced with our increasing work and its
wants. The Government Railway and Tele-
graph Companies and commanders in the field,
have given us great and generuOS facilities.
Ministers and laymen have volunteered as un-
paid delegates in increasing numbers. Ladies
in their aid Societies" " aud christian Com
missions" have piled their skill withceaseless as
duty andI dIshown enterprise by gathering money
and stores from their willing neghbors. Little
girls of the Sabbath schools, by their "house-
wives and letters have helped materially to
comfort the soldiers. The churches have con-
tributed with cheerfulness, frequency and libz
erality, willing it would seem to have Thanks,
giving days, with collections on each for the
Commission, come as often as Gods blessing
on the valOr of our soldiers and seamen can
give the President occasion to proclaim them,
and to seize every opportunity between to
keep our treasury supplied. Merchant and
railway princes, bankers and brokers, invest
from time to time in our stock, some of them
1orrr l11fo1 o1,s
eral of our large cities have opened their doors
to delegates and members of the Commission
free of charge. Welcome remembrances from
Americans abroad, and cheering tokens from
Others in other lands, though no appeal to
them has been made, are occasionally receiv-
ed. Missionaries in Turkey, China. In
dia, Labrador, &C., have sent us money,
asking to have Fellowship" with US in our
'great and good work" Our soldiers, singly
and by companies and regiment, add to their
universal, "God bless the Christian Commis-
son," their cash contributions, mos soelconae,
but merer solicited in growing number and
amount. On shipboard, our men in the fore
castle have met to send us, from the Gulf and
from the Pacific, their united voices over the
waters to cheer us, and their liberal contribu
tiOns to aid Us; and the officers on quarterback
have joined with them to swell the volume of
both cheer and aid. The American Bible So
ciety has continued to pour into our channels,
",
ample streams of the waters of the river Oflife.
Tract Societies, Publishing Boards and Houses,
and prOprietOrs of religious periodicals have
favored the Commission by large grants end re-
duction of prices, and editors of both religious
and secular journals have published infOrma-
tion freely and given the great weight of their
warm and frequent cOnmendations to the cause
of the Commission.
Thus, we have been sustained, supplied and
cheered on in our warfare of peace and battles
of love; and God has given us the arduOus
work and unbOunded luxury of such a service
for Him, for our country. and for our
soldiers, as seldom falls to the lot of
mortal men. Wounded heroes on the battle
field have been rescued from death and given
back to the nation and to their families. Those
wearied, worn and exhausted on long marches
and from hard fighting, have been refreshed
and saved from perishing. Bread has been
dealt to the hungry, clothing to the needy,
lescing, and cheer to all. Prisoners at Rich
mond. victims of hunger, cold, verm!n and
filth, have been relieved and supplied with
food clothing medicine and reading matter
Men in the field, far away from church and
church privileges, and from the press and its
issues. have had the Go rel preached to them,
and Testaments. books, papers and tracts Civ
en- them upon Gospel terms. Those long alb
sent from home have been brought nigh in
many ways, by visits OF delegates fresh and
frequent from home circles; by tokens of love.
transmitted from home to the soldiers and
from soldiers to their homes; by thousands,
distributed every week, of their own family
papers, familiar as household faces by
free writing tables, opened at each
station, accessible to all, and well sup
piled with pens, paper, ink and envelopes
stamps, tOo if needed, without money or
price; and by thousands of letters written for
disabled soldiers by delegates themselves con.
Meeting the tent and the hearth by I" living
electric chain" as one of our noble workers
has styled the Christian Commission. The
cause OF our imperilled country has been
strengthened in the field by saving and
strengthening our defenders, and at home by
toning up public sentiment, kindling patriotism
and piety, and encouraging faith in God Re-
iiglon In Its purity and power, and in its
breadth OF application to the whole nature of
man, body and soul and in its benefcent free
ness and unbounded catholicity, has been ex-
emplifed in living and grand illustration.
Many prodigals have been led to return. many
soldiers to enlist under the banner of Christ,
many jewels set in the crown of our King
many aching hearts and anxious homes glad
dened by tidings from afar of the dead made
alive and of the lost found; there has been
joy in the presence of God over many repent
ing sinners and the song of the heavenlv host