The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-09
RELIGION AT CAMP ALGER.
Interesting Letter from the Chaplain
OF the Third Regiment.


The following letter will DO read win
interest by many people IN hlchmon1
and in Virginia:
Rev. j. Calvin stewart:
My Dear Sir and Brothcr,-On account
of the press OF duties, | have not ac-
knowdeged the receipt OF the tent, when
reached Us last week Ga good condition.
l cannot express my thanks for this TIC
government makes no provisions Tor
tents for religious purposes, ana we were
exceedingly anxious 10 have some shell
ter. The Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation has a number Of tents. but would
not give as one, as we were among the
last to reach the camp and are of TO one
side. Since we have tent they are will
ing TO send a worker and furnish us with
supplies. They sent over some stationery
and ink.
The Alexandria Ladies' Relief Assoc
citation for tho Third Regiment, Virginia
Volunteers. have helped exceedingly.
They have given us lamps, OIL candles
hymn books. magazines and papers, De-
sides their aid % the hospitals
We have constructed am arbor under
which services have been held every suh-
day and every night when the weather
permitted. But, Of course. a tent u
available I'm wet weather, and ln changing
lOCdlOuN can ha ANiNhtg '.NNN'H't "t'
booth and tent have proved OF great benz
eft, as they are much cooler during the
hot weather than the smaller tents Of the
men. We have tables FOR reading and
writing. and all day long they are well
filed with men-reading, writing. cnat-
ting and sleeping We make 10 a great
place to loaf II IS the 'Privatcs' Head
quarters and my Bureau or lniorma-
ton" y
As the government failed 90 supply is y
with sufficient tents for the recruits !
have offered the use OF the tent Tor tmpt
to sleep in, which is a great blessing oN
q rainy night.
The men attend the nightly services
in goodly numbers and enter with a heart
into the singing. Never a night passes
without a dozen or more requests for
prayer. They are all serious and atten-
tive and will gladly receive any religious
literature.
Brother W. S. Campbell sent me 5oo
OF Mo0dys cOlportage books and they
were eagerly sought and they were al
distributed I'm a few minutes.
The Testaments distributed while In
Richmond are highly appreciated Otten
I see the men reading them. one young
man, wrose mother had died when ha
was quite young and he had lett MS
for the FIRST time in his life he had read
tho Bible which was given 20 him IN
Richmond They ere also very fond OK
CromweIs Soldiers Pocket Bible. which
is reprinted hy the American Tract So'
ciety and distributed by them. II -
quite quaint. convenient size, and mada
.ip of texts from tho Bible under approf
pirate heads. Ministers aid me IN con-
Quoting service. and the variety and tai
eut is highly appreciated by ALL
Tho health OF the men Is good and
their spirits are somewhat more cheer
ful. They do not complain OF their rare
as they had cause at first.
ann happy 90 state that our colonel
does NOT drink. nor does he permit drink
ine at headquarters. intoxicating drink
Is q c0utrabaud OF war, and any ono
found drunk while away on leave VIII
be- punished and find % dihcult 20 optill'
another pass. The boys call TINS
"I(eelcy Institute" on one oedaiyhi
when the colonel and his stan were th9
recipients of hospitality at another COM
manImg officers quarters and some
LIQUID refreshments were passed arouna,
the colonel took only glass or cSd
water. and I am glad 90 say that on the
same occasion General Graham, the com,
mandant Of the Second Army corps ala
the same.
1 write thus fully that our people may
know that I'm this regiment an Is pelns
done that discipline can do.
Please give thanks 10 the ministerial
conference and ask their prayers.
Yours for Christ
II. c.. FERGUSON,
Chaplain Third Virginia Volunteers
Camp Alger. Va, July Z. 1895.