The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-03-18

hadan Importance and solcmnity winch
cannot be exceeded except it be by the
interests of eternity and the transac-
tons of the Deity And yet | ques-
ton whether. in the whole history Of
the war, there has been an hour OF
greater interest than will be attached
to that hour when these armies shall
he disbandcd, when these men shall
return home. The introduction OF
such number of persons into new
society, into the different homes and
neiglborhoods of the country, cannot
but be pregnant with great effects, and
1t becomes "A question of great interest,
what shall be that ciect2 These men
viii not be obscure persons. Every
one of them has history, and a name,
and story and these returning sol
dicrs are TO have the ear of the boy
hood of the nation for the ncNt thirty
years. What shall be the character of
their communications Shall they be
corrupted, or shall they inspire this
boyhood with noble patriotism and
with love to God? answer that the
influence which they shall exert viii
be strikingly in accordance with then
character and their character when
they return home will be very much
in harmony with the Influences that
have been thrown around them while
they were in the army.
This fact makes the sending OF these
mon with the influence Of Christian
homes, the influence Of good reading
the influence of home associations
the influence Of Christian circles and
of religious services, n matter of thC
intcnscst moment. / say, therefore
that the work of this Association is q
work of patriotism swell rs q work OF
philanthropy and of piety-the threC
highest attributes that ever onnoblcd
a human enterprise.
This is not only a work Of useful
ness and goodness II is also q great
work. Its yastness may be inferred
from the multiiudcs that compose this
army and this navy, from the variety
Of their circumstances from the mlu-
ences under which they are placed, and
the interests which gather around the
circles, and the families sromWiuchthe
men have come. And willhere add that
the number of those for whom we care
and to whom we minister is thus aug
mentcd 10y our attentions and services
rendered to those who even at home
are thus brought within the range o
the influence and aim of these lab0rs
The greatness of the work may
also be inferred from what has beer
contributed from the loyal land il
money, and in stores, andn other val
liable gifts, of which this Christian
country has made the Christian Com
mission the almoners TO our army ano
navy Of nearly million dollars worth
/ have but one thought more. | con
clude by saying that these men tC
whom wepropose tomnister are worth,
Of our ministry applause. They M,
soldiers fighting for our nationality
They are soldiers lighting the BATH,
Of this world. CApplause-) They or'
well worthy Of our loving and Of on
kindcst offices. My task is done
have given you but binds eye yiey
Of the Christian Commission, and
now leave to the distinguished orator
of the evening to unfold the work, an,
pray that the blessing of Almight,
God may rest upon this congregation
and upon the great interests of tn
Christian Commission in its work O
blessing to the army and navy Of on
beloved country