American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-07-12

the only one living Of that prayer meet
ing. He felt that it was good then to
be ehristian-he felt SO now--he felt
so, for his companions sakes /; because he
believed they were prepared to meet
their God
I viii only relate one other incident of
the number reported to us. A young
soldier was convicted of sin, by the
preaching of the word of God in the reg
iment lie came to the prayer meeting
at night, there the conviction was deep
ened At the close Of the meeting, the
awakened one came to the tent of an old
er soldier, very warm-hearted and earn
est christian man, who often led in pray
er. The elder soldier found the younger
under deep conviction of sin and sorrow.
He envited him to join with him in pray
er, in more secluded part of the camp.
ground To this he consented, with
request that a colored man, who had also
given his christian experience at the pray
ermeeting should be envited to go along
They found the negro engaged in religous
devotions, and he Immediately went with
them. They retired to a secluded spot
in the woods. The elder soldier led in
prayer, then the negro, and finally the
young soldier was requested to pray. The
elder soldier said it was hard foi him to
begin to really humble himself, and to
pour out his soul before God, but he did
begin, and in the midst of his prayer, he
began to praise God for His wonderful
goodness to the children Of men in Christ;
having found peace and pardon for his
sins.
The voice Of the elder christian sold
er was often heard in some part of the
camp ground, no.. far from our tent, after
the close of the prayer meeting at night,
praying with some one, whom he desired
to direct to the Lamb of God that taketh
away the sins of the world. This shows
how much good one real christian can do
in aid of the ministry Of the word, by an
active and wise zeal
During the progress Of our labors as
delegates, decidedly religious sentiment
seemed to gain the aseendency in the
whole camp. Officers and men attended
the preaching of the Gospel in large
numbers, listened with attention, and we
trust with profit Several other prayer
meetings were in progress in different
parts of the camp, which our tent was
filed night after night. After the close
of our meetings, our ears would frequent
ly be greeted with the singing of hymns,
by companies of soldiers. Swearing,
drinking, and card playing seemed to de-
crease These and other evidences seem
cd to show that the good leven, of the
Gospel was at work, and that God had
been pleased to own and bless His truth,
and the ministry of the delegates; for
which, blessed be His holy name.
Many thanks went up to God, in the
prayers of the soldiers, for the Christian
Commission cause. and for its blessings
temporal and spiritual to the soldier. 1t
does good work to the souls and bodies
Of our brave, and good men of the army
an amour of good known only to
Him who knoweth all things.
Upon the conclusion of my term Of
service, and my return to Nashville, |
took along with me our Christian Com
mission orphan boy Benny Watord, now
nearly four years of age. Benny's faith
er had died in the rebel army. His
mother had fed to Nashville, because
sick, and died in December last, in Hos
pital No. II, leaving this child. After
| the death of the mother, Mrs. France,
wife of the Surgeon of the hospital, took
charge of Benny; but she removing this
.
spring, brought him to Mrs. Rev. Smith,
wife of the former Field Agent, and mis-
tress of the Christian Commission house.
Nashville, who took farther care Of him.
Here Benny awaited the good pleasure of
the Lord, and the compassion of some
delegate, TO provide farther home for
him. On the way to Pennsylvania,
Benny found favor with God and man,
and especially with the good brethren
Rev w. A. Passavant, ID. d., of Pitts.
burg, and Rev. G. Bassler, Director of
the Orphans Home, at Zelienople, Butler
Co. Pa, where Benny now has found a
permanent home, and where we may lie
assured, he will be trained in the fear of
the Lord and for usefulness in his day
and generation,
Other facts have already been reported
to you, and lest my report should no lon.
ger be brief, | will here close.
Yours in Christian Fellowship,
7 II EpYrz