Morning journal and courier., 1883-07-27
CORRESPONDENCE.
The Reunion of Army ChapIains and Members of the Christian and Sanitary Commission

Members of the Christian and Sanitary
 Commission.
 1 OCEAN GROVE, N. J., July 18th.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER
 During the war of the rebellion there was
 large religious force in active operation.
 including, besides the regularly appointed
 chapIains, nearly 5000 members of the :. Christian commission, and perhaps as many
 more of the sanitary commission. An effort
 was made four years ago to collect in a l gathering at Ohatauqua, N. Y., as many as possible of the widely scattered survivors | of this great body of Christian workers
 Another meeting was held at the same locali- ty the next year. Last year the gathering was at Lake Bluff, near Chicago. This year the spot selected was Ocean Grove, where the delegates are so we'll suited that they have unanimously voted to meet here again | in 1884. The ranks have been sadly thinned | by death, and many who were in their prime during war times are now too aged to under 1 take the settlements of travel. One of the most interesting parts of the service held here this week was the reading by Secretary Foster of the letters of greeting and regret sent by those persons who could not meet with us.
 The principal address was made on Suns day by that eccentric yet noble and eminent ly useful Welsh minister, Rev. B. w. Chid- flaw, D. D., of Ohio. who did heroic services 1 in the army at the West. Among the strik- ing facts stated by him was the distribution by religious workers during the war of eleven million Bibles and thirty-nine mil lions of religious newspapers among the sol diers in hospitals and at the front A cap- ital sermon was preached Sunday night by Rev. Dr. Mingins, of New York. The delegates occupied the platform, and presented very dignifed appearance. The audiences assembled at the various meetings ranged in numbers from 1000 to 4. 900 and the greatest enthusiasm was manifested throughout the three days devoted to the re- union. Among those who made addresses on Monday morning special mention should be made of Mrs. Bancroft of Maine, and Mrs. Wlttenmeyer, now of Philadelphia, but formerly of Louisville, and who besides man. aging the "diet-kitchens," so effective and beneficial during the war, has written several of our favorite religious songs.
 Four adjacent posts of the Grand Army of the Republic marched into the auditorium on Monday afternoon and greeted the chaplains through Commander Nevins, to whom Hon. George H. Stuart, president of the Christian commission, and Rev. J. O. Foster, of Illin- ois, the worthy secretary, responded. A glowing speech of welcome by Rev. Dr. Stokes, of Ocean Grove, was interrupted by a storm. The services took the shape of an lmpromptu praise meeting. The effect was sublime of chorus of 1,OOO voices singing
  compartment of the thunder and lightning.
 At night the large auditorium was well filled, notwithstanding tho rain, between 9 GOO and 5000 being present. Rev. Dr. Hunt, of New York, who had charge of the Buffalo office during the war, gave an &C., count of what was done there for the Chris tian commission, and gave some of his per sonal experiences while on the field, in help ing the sick and wounded. The next speak | CT was Rev. Dr. Hovey, of New Haven, whom the president introduced as "coming from the State that none had exceeded in | gifts for the sick and wounded soldiers" | He first exhibited some interest | ing relics, the keys of Libby pris- on, etc, and then gave description of re igious work performed amid the iron hail of | the Wilderness and Cold Harbor. The speak CT was in Richmond the second day after its surrender, and, along with others, helped to | feed the starving citizens for an entire week, before it was possible for them to get aid in any other way. At this point in the address several delegates sprang to their feet, and | grasping the speakers hand exclaimed that | they too were there, and witnessed those | terrible scenes that have never yet been ad- | equately portrayed.
 Among the first to address the meeting on | Tuesday morning was Chaplain W. c. Wal | ker, of the 18th Connecticut regiment of | volunteers, who gave an interesting account | of the letters sent to and from | the h6zless of the soldiers. It is II a curious fact that although there were so | many different speakers, none of them went over the ground already traversed by others The interest was kept up from first to last. Hon G. H. Stuart presented 8 chapter of important historical facts as to the origin and progress of the Christian commission. Rev. s B. Rooney followed with eulogy on Stuart himself. John Patterson, who was the very first delegate sent to the field gave his testi- mony that no nation on earth had done so nobly for it's soldiers ours. Rev. s. w. Duffield interested the audience by reminis- cences of service rendered by Bermuda and Chaplain Gallaher tried to show how the ties were being renewed, bind ing together the North and the South. and offered a series of resolutions in favor of the more general cultivation of the religious eie- nent in,the celebration of the national holi- lay, the Fourth of July.
 more fully reported, for very earnest and eloquent words were spoken by Chaplain Eddy Rev. J. B. Davis, Rev John O. Foster, Dr. Wheeler, ,Dr. Perine, Dr. Malmsberry and others. The poem on Tuesday night, by Rev. G. l.. Taylor, form ,rly of New Haven, on Columbia Victress," vas enthusiastically applauded and will prob Lbly be published in full The closing ad lress WAS by Gen. c. B. Fiske. and was American citizens everywhere to be true to heir trust thrilled every soul. Dr. Stokes hen read farewell poem and the delegates epaired to the Arlington for their annual banquet, which was bountiful and gave op- 'ortunity for an interchange of experiences nd renewal of friendships.
 CHAPLAIN