Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-09-02


Rev j. p Thompson, Of New York, hav-
Ing lately returned from a visit 20 Gen. Sher-
man army, as a delegate Of the Christian
Commission, has written for the C0Hgregq-
u9u0Is' several articles, giving an account Of
his experience ut the front. DR.. Thompson
had very favorable opportunities for seeing
tae methods and working Of both the Santa
~ and Christian Commissions. although his
stay was short. lie was present at the bat
lie eof Resaca, and had much 70 DO with ale
Waiting the suffering OF the wounded, and in
soothing the spirits of the diving. He was
in many hospitals all the way from Louisville
down. and saw and helped with his words Of
good cheer many sick and discouraged sol
ditrs
Dr. Th1mps0n'- opinions are So widely and
SD highly valued that the following extract
from one of bis communications T. the Con-
q eyatiouaIa will be read with interest by
al the friends OF the soldiers who wish them
90 receive the largest benefit possible from
the efforts made IN their behalf Dr. Thomp-
sons saws OF the two Commissions
Our personal observation. and an extensive
comparison Of views with those most competent
90 Judge. have convinced Us that some arrange
ucut must be made at headquarters Of the Chris
t.an and sanitary Commissions, to ensure their
harmonious working upon the held. In the West
this harmony already exists 10 a commendable
degree. Il 5 favored by the leading minds Of
both Commissions, and Is practically numbered
only by the incompetent and or ill-adyised sub
oriiuates Of either.
A few simple facts and principles IN this mat
ter are so obvious, that the public will insist up
on their being regarded by the two Commissions
T. The work Of the Sanitary Commission IS
indispensable to the best physical condition Of the
army, and 20 the prompt succor and reliefo the
wounded
3 Its purely humane object enables it TO ap-
peal % the widest range Of sympathies. and 10
draw from the amplest field Of resources.
g. Its thorough systemization enables it to
act with high degree OF efficiency, and with
small percentage Of waste.
T. It's principle Of distribution, through the
official requs.tion Of the medical direction Of the
army, With limited discretion Of personal dis
Jr.butiou by its agents, IS obviously the sound
principle, and Secures TO this Commission the
proper facilities for access to the army.
D. The composition of the Commission is a
guaranty against either sectarianlsm or irrelgiOn
in its prevailing tone. That some members Of
the Commission may have sought to give it a sec
tariautbias is possible, that some Of its agents
L1Nt Nttu AAtu VI lAANAiNlNA1 AAA ANtNA - q ~
but these are evils that can and will be rectiied
by the Commission itself under the healthy ac-
ton ofpublc opinion.
6. The Christian Commission is Of incalcula-
be importance TO the raj and spiritual vel
fare Of the army. II can hardly be eover-estima-
ted. For its long winter ministrations when the
army Is in quarters, and for ITS steady work in
hospitals, as also for the general superintend-
ence of a department, it should have men o
wisdom and experience, who viii devote their
time 20 the work for months and even for years.
Such men are the Rev. L. P Smith at Nashville,
and his worthy coadjutor, Mr.. Ewing. Some,
however, have been employed in this work who
had nothing to recommend them but religious
zeal The special ministration Of the Commis-
sion. when the army IS in an active campaign,
opens 5 field for temporary agents and especially
for pastors, who know how to deal with the souls
Of men, under every variety Of experience.
:. To further their spiritual ministrations,
the agents Of the Christian Commission should
be furnished with sanitary stores, and should be
able 10 contribute TO the physical comfort Of the
soldiers upon equal terms iCith the agents Of the
Sanitary Commission.
s But in order to do this. it is not necessary
that there should be two sets Of warehouses, two
systems Of transpOrtations, two distributing
agencies over all the army field, nor that the
Ohrlsfan COMMISSION snOulu enter lhto cohpe-
tltion with the Sanitary Commission in raising
material and stores for the army. A compact
can be made between the two Commissions by
which the agents of the Christian Commission
shall draw supplies from the Sanitary, as a mat
ter of rule and Of right, TO be distributed under
regulations jointly agreed upon.
g. By this system the Christian Commission
can stand before the churches upon the high
ground OF its blessed spiritual work, and for this
It will draw to it all the resources that it can
possibly expend.
10 Pastors and churches must and will in
-ist upon this common sense economy in the
administration of these two great kindred chari-
ties All which Is submitted with Difference to
whom it may concern.
New York, June 8.