The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-14
To the Peoule Of Maine.

The United States Christian Commission.
organized and conducted BY Christian men OF
high standing in their respective denomlna-
tons, having the hearty approval OF President
Lincoln, Secretaries Seward, ) anton ana
Wells, and Lit. Gen. Grant, Vice Admiral Far
ragut, and other distinguished officers OF the
Army and Navy, has, in the past three years
and hall, accomplished an untold amount OF
good for our soldiers and sailors, IN whlch our
sons and brothers from Maine have been equal
sharers with others from all parts OF our
land.
IFS FUNDs-ever small ia proportion TO the
field OF labor occupied-having ever relied
upon the spontaneous gifts OF those who love
God, our country and its observation-disclosures
having been swelled by the contribution OF
million alta time-dre entirely exhausted.
The delegates of the Commission are now
daily meeting hundreds OF our poor, SICK,
starved, returned prisoners, at Aiken's Land
ing, tenderly supplying all their wants, aud
accompanying and nursing them on tnelr way
home.
This work, with the constant movements of
the various armies, gives active employment
to nearly three hundred unpaid delegates.
With the first general battle, that may oc-
cur at any moment, very large outlay ior
battle field stores will be required; and, unless
the present urgent call is promptly and gen.
erOusiy met, the men who shall fight these
battles, under Grant and Sherman, and achieve
for us the final victory, will be without the
sympathy and ministratlons OF the delegates
OF the Christian Commission. Shall the "God
bless YOU OF the soldier, "ready to PERISH
who is saved by the aid we send, be ours?
With this statement OF its organization and
standing, the work it is now doing, and its
immediate wants, we most earnestly and heart
lily commend to the people OF Maine this llb-
eral and National Association as a most eff
flcent aud economical medium for their con-
tributions to its soldiers and sailors.
Let us who are at home, enjoying the bless
ings of peace and comfort, not forget those
who have been, and are now, purchasing these
privileges for us at the risk Of their lives; and
though we may not be able personally to min
lister to their wants, let our contributions,
carried to them by Christian men, testify to
our interest in their behalf The present pros
pect is, that there will be short but terrible
conflict before our armies will be triumphant.
1t may be our brothers and sons will be en-
gagged in it. Let US give, then, literally to
this noble charity, not only from love to our
friends, who are exposed to suffering and
death, but also from love to our country and
| the cause of humanity.
SIGNED BY
| Hon Samuel Cony, Rev Champlin, I'D,
| Hon VIM Pitt Fessender, Rev Geo Shepa d. ID,
| Hon Ha lnibal Hamln, Rev Geo Leon Walker,
| Hon Geo Patten, Rev Leo w Field,
| Hon Putnam, Byr Greepoueh, E.q,
| Hon Seth May, Morse Esq.
| Hon j Perry, Saml X Bean. Esq.
| Hon Johu Godfrey, Nelson Dingley, jr. Esq,
Rev Enoch Pond, DID, ID Lockwood, Esq,
1t is to be hoped that we are to have a
speedy peace, but our soldiers will for long
time need the kind offices which this Commits
| sion offers; the sick, wounded and poor will
claim our sympathy and help.
| Contributions in stores or money can be
| sent to
| THos. R. HAYES, Portland Me. 10 Middle st.
| CYRUS ST0RDIvANr, 80 Csmmeroia st.
| CHAs DoUGLAs and G. ii. PALMER, Bath.
T. G. STICKNEY, Bar gor.