The National tribune., 1898-07-21
THE CHRISTIHN COMMISSION.
Evangelist Moody Tells of It's Work in th'
WAR with Spain.

Evangelist Moody Tells of It's Work in the
WAR with Spain.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I have
thought that many of the old soldiers
reached so largely by your paper, would be
interested in the work of the Army and
Navy Christian Commission. The name,
Christian Commission" is very familiar
one to all the veterans of '61-'65. There
are not many of them who did not receive
some benefit from its work during those dark
days.
In the present war large part of the
work of the old Commission is being done by
the Red Cross Society. This society is sup
plementing the Commissary and Surgeons
Departments, and doing it so thoroughly and
well as to leave little to be desired in that
direction. The other department Of the work
of the old Commissions strictly religious
work. supplementary to that of the Chap
lains-is being done by the new Army and
Navy Christian Commission This organiza-
ton was largely formed by two men who
were actively interested in the same work in
1S61-Maj. Gen. O. o. Howard and D. L.
Moody.
When the war began these two men, who
had seen so much of the good accomplished
by the Christian Commission in the civil
for our troops now in the field. Accordingly
Gen Howard, accompanied by Maj. D. W.
Whittle,-formeriy member of his staff,
now widely-known evangelist, waited
upon Secretary Alger and secured his written
permission to enter all the camps of the
United States troops in this country, Cuba,
and the Philippines. They then went TO
Tampa to begin their work.
TTpo,, arriving af Tamnn Cen Howard
found that two or three other organizations
were beginning a religious work there. To
simplify matters they all got together and
agreed to form one organization, to be known
as the Army and Navy Christian Commits
sion, with VIM. y. Millar, of the Interna-
tional Committee of Young Mems Christian
Associations, as Secretary, and d. l.. Moody
as Chairman of the Evangeiistic Department.
From the start the work was most enthu-
siastically received. No tent in camp would
begin to hold the crowds of men that at
tended the meetings. Sometimes as many
as 5000 soldiers would gather about the
speaker, giving him their most earnest and
respectful attention. To help on the work
an army hymn-book was prepared, and thou
sands of copies given away to the troops.
They at once became very popular, the men
singing the songs heartily, not only in the
meetings but also in groups about the camp.
A large proportion of the Regular troops now
investing Santiago carry Testaments and
hymn-beoks given them at Tampa
AS soon as it was found that the way was
fully opened for an aggressive work, several
weli-known pastors and eyangelists were sent
TO the front DR.. A. G. Dixon. of Brooklyn;
Dr. HI. NJ. Wharton, Of Baltimore and Ira d.
Sankey went to Tampa, and Rev. II. A. Torrey,
of Chicago; Rev. ID. s. Toy. of Staten Island;
Maj. Whittle, Ferdinand Schiyerea and j. III.
Burke went to Chickamauga.
In each Of these places q most remarkable
work has been done. Dr.. Dixon said he never
had preached to such responsive and appre-
ciative audiences as those in the camp at
Tampa. Maj. Whittle, at Camp Thomas
said that he and all the other preachers there
were having the most delightful experience
of their lives. great revival is in progress,
and l believe from reports / have received
that over 1000 men have already been con-
verted.
The Commission has als0 taken up two
other branches of work. They have pitched
large tent within reach of each regiment rs
far as possible, and fitted it UP as. "a reading
room. An assortment of the latest magazines
and papers is provided, and also writing
paper, envelopes, pen and ink for those who
wish to write. Ice water in abundance makes
the tents additionally attractive, and they
are literally packed with men from morning
till night
the free distribution Of good reading matter.