, 1864-11-23

thanks for victories On the battle-aelds. but
powerful Eevlrals In an army are unprrcedeut-
ed causcs for Thanksgiving; assurances that
the Lord Is with Us. and encouragements to
look for work Of converting grace fn all our
regiments, similar to that narrated by Chap
lain r. B. Rose, in the 18th New Jersey vol
untecrs, in which, out Of d regiment Of six
hundred men, two hundred and dfsy men
were converted, not ons Of whom swerved
last winter at Camp Conyalescent, Warren
ton, Brandy Station, Knoxville, Chntta~
nooga, Lookout Mountain, Dalton and
those nov in progress at Camp Distribution,
and City Point, are in no respect inferior to
those Of 1858. Could all our armies be
and villages would speedily catch the heaven
II influence. We cannot, alas, say that ali,
Or even minority of our soldiers. have be.
come religious men but We eau affirm, that
at every station where tract distribution,
Frnyer meetings, and the preaching Of the
gospel hare been regularly carried On, gene
ral morality has been promoted, and namer-
given the harvest wherever the church has
sown the seed.
The cost Of all these expenditures for the
past month Is, $1o7, Al from the Central Of
fec, that Of the branches added Increases it
TO orcr s1eo, 600: or SIX thousand dollars per
day: But we have not yet reached Ill our
soldiers, nor done for any Of them all we are
In duty bound TO do. Tie tleid and post~hos.
pltals must be supplied with large print testa-
mcuts, and hundreds Of thousands of pocket
scrfptures and hymn-books must be furnished
TO the new 1evies, and to the brave men who
have lost their copies in marches and battles.
The friends Of the Bible should see that the
American Bible Society is supplied with funds
for this large demand. Then the soldiers ask
eagerly for the regular religious newspapers;
and the Commission Is making arraneements
to treble their present army circulation. But
copy Of o paper weekly to each man in tho
pay Of the United StatesEand surely to men
ever, this Is little enough-wiu demand one
million Of dollars per annum. Chapel tents,
50 greatly blessed as The scenes Of the reviy.
ais Last winter, must be provided, and should
be IN each brigade. They will cost 5000 each.
The impending CONFLICTS at Richmond,
Charleston and Mobile, will make sudden and
extensive demand for hatt1o-feld stores. As
VIC write, extensive shipments nre going for
ward for the relief Of the heroes who have
cleared the enemy ont Of the Valley Of the
Shenandoah. and for the naked and exchanged
prisoners at Savannah. Unexpected coutfn-
gerclea are continually arising.
To meet the expenses Of the winters work,
The Commission needs not less than one mil
lion Of dollars.
The amount is trihing compared with the
outlay Of tue nation IN this war; being less
than single days expenditure. The church
is amply able to give it. Let every gospel
hearcr only contribute the amount Of his
taxes. The plan proposed, Of liberal thanks
giving collection In every congregation in the
land, will raise that sum, even although the
amount from many congregations should be
small: & Last yeaI, though oey only few days
uted. :.
Christian ministers md people. this work i.
yours. These soldiers arc your brothers and
your sons, fighting for your country and your
God. IT Is high time for you wake up to an
ca1nestness like theirs, who are giving their
In the the deadly strife, and snitten suddenly
down on the battlefield OF let not your
tearsfor them be embittered by the gall Of re-
grct, that you neglected an earnest effort for
their souls salvation. Next month may be
too late God is honoring orr army BY the
presence OF his Spirit as never WAS an army
honorcd before. Let not customary trivial
contributions throw their slight upon such
Fentecost. The universal revival Of our army
WonId be the universal rcviyal Of all the
churches, and villages, aud cities Of our
land, to which our converted soldiers would
carry the whole fire. Rise then, we beseech
you, to the magnitude of this great occasion,
lasts. Make thank-odering worthy Of your
gracious God, your loving Saviour, your great
country, and her brave defenders.
We know you viii for we have faith in
the outponring Of the Spirit Of God upon the
Church OF Christ, no less than on her SOL
diers, The $500, ,0o0, which you have contri-
bnted since The first OF January, are pledge
Of still larger donations.
Please read this Circular to yonr concreca-
tfon on the Sabbath before Thanksgiving dar;
and on that day girc yon.r people an opportu-
nifty Of subscribing, each according 10 his
ability, even although you may hare recently
taken up contribution for the Commission.
Unite in this blessed communion Of saints,
With your brethren in oil parts Of the land,
who will on Thauksgjving-day unite in this
thank offering for Christ and cur country.