Year: 1864

or their work. but on the contrary, they distribute
their gifts to us most literally. Testamenls in
English, German, and French, are given freely to
any and all who wish to receive them, aud so are
religious books, newspapers, tracts IN enormous
quantities. and these gifls are received, read and
appreciated For a missionary field, there is
none half 50 promising as the army none half 70
white for the harvest al this No missionary IN
any field can receive heartier welcome than the
soldier is willing to accord to the delegates Of the
Christian Commission and, il my opinion ia Of
any account, no more can be accomplished any
where else than can be accomplished here. Some
who have been with US and seen how easily great
results are obtained, have called it revival, when
really it is not revival, it is only what can be
done anywhere in the amy at snytim&by the
same means


We shall ever remember with gratitude what
has been done for US here, and some will have q ]
eternity to b. grateful in Probably no other
army was ever cared for as ours has been. Euro
pean armies knew no Christian Commission. Ma
poeon thought the worse lhs mao the better the
soldier. Many Of u would be sorry indeed if
that principle had sway in lhi, army. OF course,
camp life must always present peculiar aud pow
er'ul temptations An army collects great many
very bad men, aud theil example here is all
the more pernicious, because it has wider range
Of liberty to develop itself, and there is no public
sentiment TO crush it. Away from the restraints
Of society, and Of home, it is the easiest thing in
the world TO drop in with the current call il the
+" soldiers style" " live while you do live" and
let the end take care Of ITSELF The Christian
Commission may not be able to wholly remedy
lhi., 10 one can expect so much as that but just
so iAr as they are able 10 bring the influences Of
home aOd religion among US, just SO far they will
couulersct the opposing influences Of vice and
immortality. They may not be able to make the
camp what home is, but they can make il great
deal better than it Is now Nov. though say
/ it myself and surely ! ought TO know, there is
nothing that so stimulates the soldier to endure
what he has to endure as that moral strength
which comes Of the thought, that friends a, home
ere not unmndful Of US, but anxious to do US
good whenever il lies in their power The Chris.
tan Commission is well got up, ably conducted
and thoroughly efficient. All who contribute Of
their means to this noble organization may rest
assured that what they give is not given for moth
ing, nor is it received into lhankless hands.


We we're sorry TO see cur chapel torn down,
aud the delegates take their leave. We sh II
miss very much the books and newspapers they
gave us, and miss the good preaching We had the
privilege Of hearing. But, because we broke up
our camp the Commission does not forsake US.
1t will follow US on to the field, and be ready to
assist US Just when we shall need assistance most
Hand in hand with the Sanitary Commission thsy
will attend to the wounded men, when but for
them, these victims of war nigh, be beyond the
need Of attendance God bless them both


ANTLREBgL,