pimwy «i @<tn$tt$$ 
 
 <lFta|t E 6 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
INFORMATION 
 
 FOR 
 
 ARMY MEETINGS. 
 
 In many places the fourth Sabbath evening of the month is devoted to 3 
 Union Monthly Concert of Prayer for the Army and Navy. The deepest in- 
 terest has been excited by these meetings. It is humbly suggested to all who 
 believe- in the power of prayer, to form such meetings during the crisis of our 
 nation's destiny. This tract is compiled with the view of affording information 
 for these- Army Meetings. Please circulate it. 
 
 JANUARY, 1865. , 
 
 GEORGE H. STUART, Esq.., Chairman. 
 
 JOSEPH PATTERSON, Esq., Treasurer. 
 
 Rev. W. E. BOARDMAN, Secretary. 
 
 Rev. LEMUEL MOSS, Secretary Home Organization. 
 
 Rev. BERNICE D. AMES, Secretary Field Organization. 
 
 (tfxmitm (Sammiitic. 
 
 GEO. II. STUART, Esq., Philadelphia. 
 Rev. Bishop E. S. JANES, D.D., N. Y. 
 C. DEMOND, Esq., Boston, Mass. 
 JNO. P. CROZER, Esq., Philadelphia. 
 JAY COOKE, Esq., 
 JOSEPH PATTERSON, Esq., " 
 Rev. Bishop M. Simpson, D.D., " 
 
 
 
 STEPHEN COLWELL, Esq., PhiWLi. 
 Hon. WM. E. DODGE, Esq., New York. 
 Rev. HEMAN DYER, D.D., 
 W. S. GRIFFITHS, Esq., Brooklyn,N. Y. 
 . S. GRIFFITHS, Esq., Baltimore, Md. 
 II. G. JONES, Esq., Philadelphia. 
 Rev. W.E. BOARDMAN, Ex. Off. Phila. 
 
 JAS. B. BODOERS, PR., 52 AND 54 NORTH SIXTH ST., FHILADA. 
 
COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS 
 
 May be sent to any of the following places, as may be most convenient. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA.— Letters to Rev. W. E. Boardman, Rev. Lemuel Moss, or 
 Rev. Bernice D. Ames, 11 Bank Street ; money to Joseph Patterson, at the 
 Western Bank : stores to George H. Stuart, li Bank Street. 
 
 ALBANY, N. Y.— Supplies to Thos. W. Olcott; letters to Levi Dedrick; mo- 
 ney to Wm, McElroy. 
 
 BALTIMORE.— Letters to Rov. J. McJilton, D.D.; money to Rev. G. P. Hays ; 
 stores to G. S. Griffith, 89 & 91 West Baltimore Street. 
 
 BANGOR, ME.— Letters, money and supplies to T. G. Stickney. 
 
 BOSTON. — Letters to C. Demond, 91 Washington Street; money to Joseph 
 Storey, 112 Tremont Street, stores to L. P. Rowland, Jr., Tremont Temple. 
 
 BROOKLYN, L. I.— Letters to Rev. J. B. Waterbury, D. D.; supplies to W. S. 
 Griffith, and money to Samuel B. Caldwell. Rooms, 16 Court Street. 
 
 BUFFALO, N. Y.— Letters to Rev. S. Hunt ; money to F. Gridley ; supplies to 
 J. D. Hill, M. D. Commission Rooms at 41 Pearl St. 
 
 CHICAGO.— Letters to B. F. Jacobs, P. 0. Box 5801 ; money to John E. Far- 
 well; supplies to Rooms Y. M. C. A., Methodist Church Block. 
 
 CINCINNATI. — Letters to Rev. J. F. Marlay; money and supplies to A. E. 
 Chamberlain, 51 Vine Street. 
 
 CLEVELAND, 0.— Letters to L. F. Mellen; money to S. H. Mather; suppliw! 
 to Stillman Witt. 
 
 DETROIT, MICH.— Letters and money to C. F. Clarke, stores to E. C. Walker. 
 
 FREDERICK, MD. — Letters, money and supplies to Gideon Bantz. 
 
 HAGERSTOWN, MD.— Letters, money and supplies to Rev. J. Evans. 
 
 HAE.TF0RD : Connecticut Brandt — Letters to Rev. H. Powers ; money to A. 
 G. Hammond, Exchange Bank; supplies to Rooms of Ladies' Soldiers' Aid 
 Society, 87 Asylum Street. 
 
 HARRISBURG, PA. — Letters, money and supplies to Rev. T. H. Robinson. 
 
 INDIANAPOLIS, IND.— Letters to C.N.Todd; money to James M.Ray; sup- 
 plies to G. W. Clippinger. 
 
 LAMBERTVILLE, N. J.— Supplies and money to J. A. Anderson; letters to 
 C. Pierson. 
 
 LOUISVILLE, KY. — Letters, monev and supplies to J. Edward Hardy, care 
 of J. G. Dodge & Co., 325 Main Street. 
 
 MILWAUKEE, WIS.— Letters to D. W. Perkins; money to John A. Dutcher; 
 stores to Walter S. Cartel', care Dutcher, Ball & Goodrich, 103 E. Water St. 
 
 NEW YORK.— Letters and supplies to Dr. N. Bishop; Rooms U. S. C. C, 30 
 Bible House; money to James M. Brown, 59 Wall Street. 
 
 PEORIA, ILL. — Money to Theo. Higbee ; letters and supplies to Wm. Reynolds. 
 Rooms 10 South Adams Street (up-stairs.) 
 
 PITTSBURG, PA.— Letters to Robert C. Totten : money to Wm. Frew, Jas. 
 McCally & Co., 172 Wood St. ; Stores to Wm. P. Weyman, 79 Smithfield St. 
 
 PORTLAND, ME. — Letters and supplies to Thomas R.Hayes; money to C. 
 Sturdivant. 
 
 PORTLAND, OREGON.— W. S. Ladd, Treasurer; of firm of Ladd & Tilton. 
 Letters to Rev. G. H. Atkinson. 
 
 PROVIDENCE, R. I.— Money to W. Vernon ; letters and supplies to W. J. King. 
 
 ROCHESTER, N. Y.— Money and supplies to Oliver D. Grosvenor, 75 State St. 
 
 SACRAMENTO, CAL.— Letters to Rev. J. S. McDonald; money to Dr. R. H. 
 McDonald ; supplies to Rev. N. R. Peck. 
 
 ST. LOUIS. — Money to Edwin Ticknor; Letters and supplies to Rev. J. H. 
 Parsons, Cor. Secretary Christian Commission Rooms under Lindell Hotel.. 
 
 ST. PAUL'S. MINN.— Letters to H. M. Knox; money to D. D. Merrill; sup- 
 plies to D. W. Ingersoll. 
 
 SAN FRANCISCO.— Letters to Rev. E. Thomas, 711 Mission St., money to P. 
 Sather, (Sather & Co.,) supplies to J. B. Roberts, 215 California St. 
 
 TROY, N. Y.— Letters and money to F. P. Allen; supplies to J. II. Willard. 
 
 UTICA, N. Y. — Letters, money, and supplies to R. S. Williams, Treasure 
 Army Com. Y. M. C. A., Oneida Bank. 
 
 VIRGINIA, NEV. — Letters and money to Rev. Franklin Rising. 
 
 WASHINGTON, D. C— Letters, money, and supplies to William Ballantyne, 
 498 Seventh Street, or Rev. J. J. Abbott, 500 II St. 
 
 WHEELING, W. V.— Letters, money and supplies to R. Crangle. 
 
 
INFORMATION 
 
 JANUARY. MEETINGS, 
 
 Qvmij f flu g^iomar* 
 
 An Officer's Appeal for the Gospel. 
 Since the memorable message of Cornelius the Cen- 
 turian to the Apostle Peter, we have seen nothing of the 
 kind so noteworthy, as the following letter from an officer 
 of high position in the regular army, at the head-quarters, 
 of the army of the Potomac. Whether we consider the 
 position of the writer, the force of the arguments, the 
 fervor of its spirit, or the novelty of a soldier pleading 
 with ministers of Christ to give the gospel to the army, 
 we must be deeply impressed by it. It was read to the 
 Executive Committee of the Christian Commission on 
 the day that a proposal to supply over two hundred cha- 
 pel-tents, at a cost of $123,000, was under consideration. 
 We need scarcely say that the decision to supply them, 
 
if the eliurcli would raise the means, was unanimous. 
 Mr. Morris K. Jessup's plan of asking each church to 
 buy a tent, to be inscribed with its name, was simulta- 
 neously, and without consultation, proposed and acted 
 on by the Presbyterian church of Tuscarora, Pa., and 
 the Thompson Tuscarora Tabernacle is now on its way 
 to Nashville. Thus the Lord has been preparing soldiers 
 to ask for, and the churches to give, the means of grace. 
 Let every church send on speedily its camp chapel-tent 
 and every town an able preacher for six weeks to occupy 
 it, 
 
 The Christian Commission and its Work. 
 
 Tt has never been my pleasure to have the opportunity 
 of listening to the claims of the United States Christian 
 Commission, as presented by any of its agents. Almost 
 constant field service during the war, has precluded the 
 possibility of my becoming acquainted with the feelings 
 of Christians North towards the Commission. How do 
 you estimate the importance of its operation? If the re- 
 sults of its work have been communicated, very great in- 
 terest must have been excited therein. 
 
 I fear, however, that the sympathy of the churches in 
 the workings of the Commission, is not proportionate to 
 the interest they may feel in the result of its labors. 
 
 Hard to get Preachers. 
 
 \ am led to infer this from the fact, as I have learned, 
 
 that it is very difficult to secure, not money, but the ser- 
 
 of the right kind of preachers, for t\\e most limited 
 
 | /I prescribed by the regulations of the Commission. 
 
 What is the reason of this? One might inquire if it 
 
 1 ■ Prom lack of patriotism; but, whenever I have been 
 
North, I have found ray Christian friends there especially 
 anxious that this war should be fought out to the most 
 bitter end. In every prayer-meeting I heard most ear- 
 nest prayers offered for the efficiency of our armies — for 
 the spiritual, as well as the temporal good of the soldier; 
 especially for the sick and wounded of their number. Is 
 not this patriotic ? Is it not very kind that the soldier 
 should be thus remembered? Then, look at the dona- 
 tions that are made to the Christian and Sanitary Com- 
 missions. Are they not magnificent specimens of beire- 
 ficence? It would seem so. All these are certainly most 
 commendable; and were the like done in behalf of any 
 other cause, it would be marvellously virtuous. 
 
 Pra3*ing is Neither Fighting nor Preaching. 
 
 But, in this case, suppose all should pray for the coun- 
 try, make donations, and hope that the war would be 
 vigorously prosecuted — and do nothing more. If that 
 would do the work, how gladly would our brave sold 
 do all this over and over again, iri lieu of the terrible 
 hardships and exposures of their present life, nor think 
 themselves either patriotic or benevolent! 
 
 In order to maintain that great and holy struggle, it is 
 necessary that a certain aggregate number of citizens 
 shall be in th.Q field, denying themselves of all that is uY- 
 sirable in life while they live, and ready in any Element 
 to sacrifice that for which a man will give all that he 
 hath. 
 
 Your Business. 
 
 It would be very difficult to select those who, more 
 than some others, ought to make this sacrifice. My 
 country is equally your country, and your country 
 
h equally my country. The object fur which we are 
 fighting is equally dear to each, and is common to 
 all. Every citizen owes, if ncad be, his life to his 
 country. If, to avert from all a general danger, cer- 
 tain particular citizens nobly volunteer their services 
 and their lives on the battle-field, would you call it 
 benevolence, when some of the rest, who are to share 
 equally the reward won by the heroic few, donate a few 
 dollars to relieve the hardships of their brave defenders? 
 ])o they not owe every thing they have, even to their 
 very lives, to those who are fighting their battles, though 
 under no more obligation to do so than their fellow-citi- 
 zens, who practically have not sacrificed one accustomed 
 luxury for their country's good? Are not all citizens, 
 and especially Christian citizens, not in the army, under 
 the deepest obligations, demanded alike by common gra- 
 titude and justice, to contribute all that may be expedient 
 to promote the benefit of those noble men who soon may 
 lie heavily and cold on the bloody field, for them ? 
 
 Can't Spare our Pastor. 
 And yet there are some very patriotic churches which 
 '"don't feel able to spare our pastor, to preaeh to the sol- 
 diers in the army, for more than two weeks at most;" al- 
 though mean while good supplies might be obtained to 
 ]) roach quite as usefully at home. The cushioned seats 
 would remain quite as soft, and the temperature of 
 the building would be just as nicely regulated, as if the 
 pastor preached in his accustomed place. 
 
No Prayer-Meeting for Three Years. 
 
 Not a week ago, I heard a Christian soldier state, in 
 one of our camp prayer-meetings: — "I have been in the 
 army three years, and this is the first privilege of this 
 kind that I have enjoyed." All this time the brethren 
 of his own church had not been deprived of a single ser- 
 vice in consequence of the war. They had, indeed, 
 prayed for their brethren in the army, but did not feel 
 able to spare their pastor, to go and preach to their breth- 
 ren in the army, though they were spiritually starving 
 and dying in defence of the religious luxuries of thosa 
 staying at home. 
 
 I am sure it is only necessary for the churches at home 
 to get a correct view of the facts, to secure the most 
 prompt and unreserved co-operation with the Commission 
 in every particular. 
 
 An Eye-Witness. 
 Having held official positions in the field, both East 
 and West, which allowed of very extensive observation, 
 and having never in any way been connected with thu 
 (Commission, my opinions concerning it are perfectly in- 
 dependent : they are presented on my own responsibility, 
 in the hope that they may help the churches to form a 
 j list appreciation of their duties and the privileges in con- 
 nection with the work under consideration. 
 
 An Open Door. 
 The advantages which the army offers during tJte win- 
 ter as afield of Christian labor are unparalleled,. 
 
 At vast expense, we send missionaries to preach the 
 
8 
 
 gospel in China and India, where, before one idea can be 
 communicated to the people, weary months must be spent 
 in the study of the language. After this is partially ac- 
 quired, through innumerable difficulties, the missionary 
 succeeds in collecting perhaps an audience, here and 
 there, of children, women, and men, of by no means the 
 most intelligent class. The good work is one eminently of 
 faith and patience. The city pastor has an audience alike 
 composed of different classes and grades, of such variety, 
 that on many subjects it is difficult to address more than 
 a small per centage of the audience directly at the same 
 time. Then there are many who are too young, and 
 many others too old, to afford much probability of suc- 
 cessful fruition of the seed, no matter how earnestly it 
 may have been scattered. 
 
 All, whether young or old, and of every class, are more 
 or less pre-occupied by the various occupations and ex- 
 citements of city life, tending to preclude meditation on 
 divine things. 
 
 A Selected Congregation. 
 
 If that pastor visit the army, as a delegate of the 
 Christian Commission, he may go from one end of the 
 line to the other, and throughout the entire army he will 
 find but one style of audience; and that of the best pos- 
 sible class, in this — it consists almost exclusively of young 
 men. They possess good average intelligence; are not 
 pre-occupied; arc not harassed by family cares; they 
 are provided for; they have simply to obey orders when 
 they come, and in the interim, have to endure so much 
 wearisome monotony, that many who would not take the 
 trouble to attend church when at home, would now glad- 
 ly listen to any thing or any body. 
 
Soldiers Think. 
 The soldier's life, though not favorable for reading, is 
 very conducive to reflection. The drum beats, and he 
 awakes, or gets his rations, or goes to bed, as the case 
 may be, until it beats again. Without need for farther 
 thought or care, he is (in winter-quarters) " as if he were 
 a boy again." Their life is thus favorable both to atten- 
 tion and reflection. Of similar age, with common pur- 
 suits and dangers, they have common tastes and feelings. 
 What is adapted to one, suits all. 
 
 Ho Half-Fall Meetings. 
 
 The soldiers are willing to hear the truth. I have 
 never attended a meeting held by the Christian Commis- 
 sion that was only half full. As a rule, they are over- 
 flowing, even where they are held every evening in the 
 week. 
 
 Ho Stereotyped Meetings. 
 
 It seems impossible to have meetings conducted in the 
 uniform style so common in the churches North. Al- 
 ways, after the first few meetings, a spirit of deep interest 
 is awakened, taking on the character of what is termed a 
 revival. 
 
 Home and Sabbath-School. 
 
 This, I think, is attributable to the fact that the ma- 
 jority of our soldiers have once been under the influence 
 of Sabbath-schools or Christian homes, so that the buried 
 seed has only to be a little watered, and it springs up 
 with a freshness that is truly reviving to witness. It 
 matters not how profane and irreverent they may have 
 become, with the soldier as with the sailor, the memories 
 
10 
 
 of home and the Sabbath-school are very sacred, and even 
 though nothing that is said may in itself interest them, 
 there is always one certain clue; let something be said 
 which shall awaken their early associations, and their 
 feelings are immediately enlisted. They will never " go 
 back," as they term it, on their "bringing up." 
 
 Death Real, 
 At home, should they be addressed on the uncertainty 
 of life, youth and growing strength form a never-failing 
 shield on which these admonitions are received; but 
 here, touch that point ever so delicately, and every word 
 brings up visions of dead comrades and hair-breadth 
 escapes, to supersede any argument on that question. 
 Death is to them as much a reality as life is. 
 
 Wants Something to Love. 
 The condition of the soldier* exhibits an advantage for 
 the reception of truth, like to that which grows out of 
 bereavement. So long has he been absent from those he 
 loves, he begins to think of them with those who were 
 dead long ago; and as at midnight hour, beneath the si- 
 lent stars, he keeps his lonely watch, he comes, more than 
 other men, to feel the want of something to love. In 
 this yearning mood, the soul is very apt to feel after God. 
 Many facts have I met with of soldiers coming off picket 
 much wiser and much happier than when they went on. 
 
 Will Have a God or an Idol. 
 How, then, is it we have been accustomed to consider 
 the life of the soldier so conducive to profligacy? Be- 
 cause it is so. When the tide of feeling, rising in the 
 
11 
 
 soldier's breast, is not taken at the flood by kind counsel 
 and Christian sympathy, it bursts in scattered foam and 
 dissipation. When reflection but starts accusing voices, 
 its spell must be broken by loud oaths, the troubled spi- 
 rit must be soothed by drink. Therefore is it most ur- 
 gent efforts should be made to surround the soldier with 
 every possible religious influence, seeing he is so easily 
 saved from so much. 
 
 Fearful Corruption. 
 
 In the absence of these privileges, the men are, week 
 after week, and perhaps month after month, lying crowd- 
 ed in winter quarters, the intolerable ennui relieved only 
 by a mutual exchange of all the filthy garbage that the 
 vilest may have scraped from the filthiest kennels of hu- 
 man depravity. 
 
 The fearful corruption thus engendered, is truly ap- 
 palling, rendering the atmosphere too often totally fatal to 
 the last spark of youthful virtue. 
 
 The Only Help. 
 If the Christian Commission fail to do the work it 
 contemplates, it icill be left undone. 
 
 No Chapel Tents. 
 During the winter it is impossible to have religious 
 services in the open air. Yet there is not a tent in the 
 ( Government service, to my knowledge, provided for this 
 purpose. 
 
 A Revival at Every Chapel. 
 I cannot conceive of any thing in which a benevolent 
 Christian can make such a good investment for Christ as 
 
12 
 
 in the presentation of a chapel-tent to the army. I have 
 never seen one in use any where, but it became not only 
 the occasion of deep awakening, but also inevitably a cen- 
 tre round which, in various camps adjoining, a work of 
 
 grace would commence. 
 
 Besides one or two at each Corps Hospital, there should 
 Lte one for every Brigade in the army. 
 
 There is no other source, except the Commission, 
 through which reading of any kind, except daily news, 
 will reach the soldier. In no other way but by an orga- 
 nization of this kind, recognized by the churches and by 
 she Government, can chapels, Christian laborers, and re- 
 ligious reading, be provided in any measure; as under 
 no other circumstances could the necessary transporta- 
 tion, passes, and mail facilities be obtained. 
 
 Scarcity of Chaplains. 
 Are there not Chaplains commissioned on purpose to 
 do tins work?' Yes, but with some of the regiments 
 only. In the Fifth Corps, which, I suppose, is as well 
 supplied as any in the army, there are to-day thirty-seven 
 regiments which have no chaplain. Then, as in every 
 other corps, there is a brigade of artillery, there are in- 
 dependent batteries, division field hospitals, ambulance 
 trains, wagon trains, and all the various head-quarters, 
 none of which are allowed chaplains at any time. For 
 all this work: there are only six delegates and two chapel 
 tents. Besides, supposing there was a superfluity of 
 chaplains, what could they do comparatively without cha- 
 pels, books, tracts, etc.? In the Second Corps there are 
 to-day thirty-eight regiments without chaplains, besides 
 all these, the separate commands in it detailed above. 
 
With this corps there are now but three working dele- 
 gates. All the regular troops that have been in the army 
 of the Potomac, with the exception of one regiment, have 
 been totally without chaplains, even to bury their dead, 
 and within a hundred miles of Washington have been less 
 erred for than the rceognized heathen. There is a base 
 hospital near City Point for many thousand patients. 
 Shall that be supplied with chaplains by transferring 
 them from the few regiments which have them ? 
 
 So far as the magnitude of the operations of the Com- 
 mission are concerned, it would seem that the presence 
 or absence of a few chaplains, more or less, should scarce- 
 ly be taken into account. 
 
 The delegate of the Christian Commission has many 
 advantages. ******* 
 
 No Eestrictions. 
 He is subject to no restrictions, except those made in 
 the division of the labor by the Commission. If he is 
 not well received in one place, he can walk a few steps 
 farther on to another camp. A missionary in Pekin 
 would meei with about as much limitation. He has no 
 military orders to give, or to obey. He is understood to 
 be working for the good of the soldier, not for pay; this 
 is a free pass to the soldier's heart. 
 
 Neighborly. 
 He comes full of fresh enthusiasm, which is exceed- 
 ingly refreshing and encouraging, especially to the sick 
 soldier. It does him good to see the clean, smiling face 
 of a civilian, and he likes to tell him of his many adven- 
 tures, it seems so neighborly. Then comes the mutual 
 
14 
 
 sympathy, followed by the gracious word, dropped into 
 the open heart of the grateful soldier, who is made hap- 
 pier for the coming week by the friendly interview. 
 
 If the delegate happen to come from the same county 
 as some of the men, they feel just like school-boys when 
 visited by a relative from their distant home. The effect 
 Ls more, cheering than any grown-up people at home will 
 understand. 
 
 We Want the Best. 
 
 TIlc hind of delegates most needed, are not good readers 
 of sermons. The real, main work of the (Commission 
 must be done by steady, hard-working, faithful Christian 
 men. The most desirable combination for a good dele- 
 gate, would be a happy faculty of extemporaneous dis- 
 course, with cheerful conversational qualities. There are 
 in the army a large number of officers and men of very 
 high intelligence, who, prior to entering the service, were 
 accustomed to the best pulpit talent in the country. For 
 three or four years they have heard but a few occasional 
 sermons, and would seem to receive new life, could they 
 but hear once more the inspiring words of their old pas- 
 tor. 
 
 Practise as Well as Preach. 
 
 Why cannot the best men in the country visit the army 
 occasionally, and encourage the brave men in the per- 
 formance of those duties they once urged them to under- 
 take? Are they not deserving of it? Would our com- 
 fortable brethren at home be thus making a grower sa- 
 crifice for us, than we are making for them? It is very 
 desirable that our Christian brethren, who are eager for 
 young men to enter the army, should, as far as possible, 
 share -their burdens after they are in it, and thus in ear 
 
If) 
 
 common cause manifest a common sympathy of Christian 
 patriotism. 
 
 A Eevivod Minister and Church. 
 
 The church which sends its pastor to the army as a de- 
 legate, will not loss any thing- 
 
 The advantage is a mutual cue. The change is often 
 yqhj beneficial to the health of the delegate. It opens 
 to him a new world, enlarges his knowledge of men, of a 
 thousand things which he failed before to comprehend, 
 furnishes him with a new field for illustration, and quick- 
 ens his zeal for the salvation of men. 
 
 Preaching to Men in their Grave Clothes- 
 lie preaches over graves here, and he feels that men 
 are mortal. He exhorts men daily to come here to di-3, 
 and they sit before him in their grave-clothes. 
 
 Eeal Prayer-Meetings. 
 
 The prayer-meetings in the army are not tame, formal, 
 weakly meetings; they are as real as life anddeath, for sin- 
 cerity and earnestness. I can compare them only to the 
 old Fulton street daily prayer-meetings during the great 
 revival, and they must contribute to the benefit of the 
 pastor as well as of the soldier. 
 
 The Holy Spirit seems to be secretly working in anti- 
 cipation of the co-operation of God's servants. Both at 
 City Point and nearer the front, sinners are coming to 
 Christ, not likes tray sheep, but as doves flocking to their 
 windows. 
 
 Unprecedented Eagerness for Truth. 
 
 During the ensuing winter, the field will be fully 
 available ; it seems ripe for the harvest, and waiting only 
 
16 
 
 for the church to thrust in the sickle. From what I have 
 seen, I think there is a universal eagerness for religious 
 truth in the army which is beyond all precedent. This 
 is a work which demands no mean offering. It deserves 
 not only the money of the church, but a liberal contribu- 
 tion of its best talent and of its most faithful pastors, as 
 the demands of the Commission may require. 
 
 B. H., U. S. A. 
 Head-quarters Army Potomac, Nov. 21, 186-1. 
 
 Port Hudson, La., ) 
 Nov. 23, 1864. / 
 
 Dr. Smith. — Dear Sir: I received from you, last Sa- 
 turday, two barrels, two packages, and a cask of Chris- 
 tian Commission stores. 
 
 Glad, indeed, to get them, especially the clothing, 
 which is just the thing needed here during this cold wea- 
 ther. I have but very little left of any kind. Socks are 
 needed most. Please send more, as soon as you can. 
 Forward to us all the socks you can spare. I am entire- 
 ly out of diarrhoea medicine : please send us some of the 
 blackberry cordial as soon as you can. 
 
 The cask of pickles I delivered to Dr. Davids, the post 
 surgeon, just as I received them. He was very glad to 
 get them; said they were next to potatoes for the scur- 
 vy, of which disease he had a number of cases. He 
 said he should prescribe such a number of them to a pa- 
 tient daily as medicine. The books and papers you sent 
 
17 
 
 me, are all needed here, and can be profitably distri- 
 buted. 
 
 It is getting very cold in my room this weather. I 
 have established weekly prayer-meetings here: we have 
 one to-night. I am trying to do good by the blessing 
 of God, and feel his presence with me. Help us by your 
 prayers. 
 
 Please remember me to brothers Brown, Diosse and 
 Horton, and tell them I wish to be remembered in their 
 prayers. 
 
 Please send me some more of the U. S. Primers. I 
 am all out, and they are daily calling for them; also, 
 some Hymn-books for the Army and 'Navy. I have 
 plenty of the Song Books. 
 
 From your most obedient servant, 
 
 True Whittier. 
 
 In March, 1864, the two counties of Sagadahoc and 
 Lincoln were assigned by the U. S. Christian Commission 
 to the Bath Army Committee, for them to canvass in be- 
 half of that Commission. This Committee's field of la- 
 bor having been enlarged, now embracing five counties, 
 namely, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Lincoln, 
 and Knox, they wish to present to tne public the follow- 
 ing statement of money and stores received and forward- 
 ed by them from May 1st to November 1st: 
 
 Bath, cash, $1,338 06 
 
 " 12 boxes stores. 
 Wiscasset, cash n± 55 
 
18 
 
 Richmond, cash 185 80 
 
 Dresden, " 31 15 
 
 " 2 boxes stores. 
 
 Boothbay, cash 4SG 52 
 
 Southport, " 200 00 
 
 Winnesrance, cash 106 00 
 
 " 1 box stores. 
 
 Phipsburg, cash 175 88 
 
 " 1 box stores. 
 
 Bowdoinham, cash 455 00 
 
 " 4 boxes stores. 
 
 Bowdoin, cash 92 75 
 
 " 2 boxes stores. 
 
 West Bath, cash i.. 146 46 
 
 Woolwich, " 236 00 
 
 " 4 boxes stores. 
 
 Durham Union Church, cash 5 00 
 
 " " " 1 box stores. 
 
 Lewiston Factory, cash • 18 35 
 
 Durham Congregational Church, cash 15 00 
 
 Sundry collections and friends, cash 31 76 
 
 Total, cash $3,939 .00 
 
 27 boxes stores, valued at 1,350 00 
 
 Whole amount, $5,289 00 
 
 The work of the Christian Commission has been con- 
 stantly increasing on the hands of the Executive Com- 
 mittee, so that, in their words, "It is estimated that we 
 shall need at least a million dollars to carry us through 
 the winter with our present large operations." The work 
 in Maine has been thoroughly organized, and it is hoped 
 
19 
 
 that the middle district, embracing the above-named 
 counties, will not be backward in doing its part in the 
 glorious work of providing comforts for the noble men 
 who are fighting our battles for us. 
 
 Money and stores may be sent to either Charles Doug- 
 lass or G-. H. Palmer, Bath, and will be immediately for- 
 warded to the army. 
 
 Charles Douglass, 
 
 A. F. Beard, 
 
 GrERSHOM H. PALMER. 
 
 Army Com. for the Middle Dist. of Maine. 
 
 Sit* glxttmuftMh ?all*g. 
 
 Stations and Delegates U. S. C. C. 
 It is now two and a half months since I entered on 
 my duties in this department, and they have been months 
 of constant activity, and I believe, too, of important re- 
 sults for good. There was but one station in the Valley 
 at that time — at Sandy Hook — and but three delegates — 
 Revs. Woods, Curtis, and Brackett. At present we have 
 stations at the following places: Saniy Hook, Harper's 
 Ferry, Winchester, Martinsburg, Cumberland, one near 
 Gen. Sheridan's headquarters, and one at Stephenson's 
 Station, the present terminus of the Winchester Rail- 
 road. Several other stations will be established as soon as 
 the army becomes more settled. Delegates have also been 
 sent to Frederick, and one is about to go to Hagerstown, 
 to assist Rev. J. Evans in the work at that point. During 
 these two and a half months we have had seventy-five 
 
20 
 
 delegates in the field, of whom about twenty-five are at 
 present engaged. These have been noble men — Chris- 
 tian ministers and laymen — who came with a desire to 
 benefit the bodies and souls of our soldiers. They have 
 been men of piety and good works, who could prepare 
 food for the hungry, wash, dress, and nurse the wounded- 
 and who could at the same time pray with a dying man. 
 and point him to the Great Physician. 
 
 Angols' Visits. 
 
 The two points of greatest, need during the campaign 
 have been Winchester and Martinsburg: the former as 
 tlie centre of our great hospitals, and the latter chiefly 
 as the feeding station where the men stopped on their 
 way to other hospitals, and where our delegates have 
 labored night after night in feeding, washing and dress- 
 ing, and in assisting the men into the cars. It deserves 
 to be recorded of the loyal ladies of Winchester and Mar- 
 tinsburg that in this campaign they have proved their 
 devotion to their country's cause by doing every thing in 
 their power to alleviate the sufferings of those who have 
 fallen in the country's battles. Early and late we have 
 found them in the hospitals, hastening noiselessly from cot 
 to cot, bearing thefduxuries and delicacies of their own 
 tables to nourish the weary sufferers, and with smiles and 
 cheerful welcomes reviving many a drooping heart — wo- 
 men whose sole design is to aid them in caring for their 
 men. Every thing is working smoothly, successfully, and 
 harmoniously, and the blessing of God is accompanying 
 and following our labors. 
 
 Praying that the richest blessings of Heaven may still 
 rest upon yon, and upon all your co-laborers, and begging 
 
21 
 
 myself an interest in your prayers, and the prayers of all 
 our friends, I remain, 
 
 Most truly yours, 
 
 J. E. Miller. 
 
 The Ladies of the Christian Commission. 
 Interesting- Items. 
 
 At the Convention of Western Branches, of which a re- 
 port appears on another page, Mrs. Wittenrnyer was lis- 
 tened to with great interest while she detailed to some 
 extent the kitchen work of the Commission. This auxi- 
 liary was adopted last January, and originated with Mrs. 
 Wittenmyer, and since that time she has been laboring 
 in that behalf. Army surgeons recognize it to be a fact 
 that the cooking of hospitals is very deficient, and also 
 that good diet is very essential to the comfort and reco- 
 very of the sick and wounded. At one time there were 
 twenty-four of these kitchens in successful operation. 
 They are more generally used in the army of the Cum- 
 berland than elsewhere, where they have been very effi- 
 cient. The kitchens are supplemental to the hospitals, 
 subordinate to the military authorities. 
 
 In the operations of the kitchen, there is, first, a general 
 table for all those who are able to walk, who get full ra- 
 tions; and, secondly, a special diet kitchen for the very 
 sick, where the fare is good enough for Abraham Lincoln 
 and his cabinet. Soups, meats, delicacies, and every thing 
 palatable for sick men, are gotten up in this department. 
 The demand for potatoes and all kinds of vegetables is very 
 great. These kitchens have an independent store-room, 
 and the lady in charge carries the key, so that there is little 
 fear of a misapplication of any supplies. These kitchens, 
 
22 
 
 in addition to the good done by them to the physical 
 wants of the soldiers, secure the presence of good, practi- 
 cal Christian women, which results in great good to the 
 spiritual wants of the soldiers. The ladies write their 
 letters, talk and sing to them, read the Bible, and minis, 
 tor in a thousand ways that women only know. Mrs. 
 Wittenmyer has lately visited the army of the Cumber- 
 land, and made arrangements for extending these Com- 
 mission kitchens in that military department. To give 
 some idea of the work, she referred to the Oumbeflahd 
 hospital, at Nashville, where the kitchen is in charge of 
 Miss Morehead. There were there at one time over 
 eight hundred on special diet, for whom over twenty dif- 
 ferent dishes had to be prepared daily, and sometiiriea 
 the number ran over eleven hundred. There are three 
 thousand five hundred patients in the hospital most of 
 the time, and one day^fter all the other work, the ladies 
 issued over five hundred arm-slings to poor mutilated 
 soldiers after one of the battles. In addition to the work 
 germain to the diet kitchen, it was often found necessary 
 to work all night in preparing straps and bandages, which 
 the women at home could do just as well, if they were 
 only aroused to the necessity of their laboring. She 
 hoped American women would renew their efforts for 
 soldiers, and relieve their sisters in the field of such work 
 as could be done in the rear. Contributions are needed 
 pf canned and dried fruits, all kinds of vegetables, and 
 other articles useful in that department. 
 
Legacies, 
 Mr. Chamberlain, of Cincinnati, exhibited two notes, 
 one a five dollar greenback, received from a dying soldier. 
 accompanied with the simple words : " This is all I have 
 to leave on earth. I want to give it to the best friend I 
 have ever had — the Christian Commission. " The other 
 a two dollar note given by an old lady, with the re- 
 mark that "This was all John had when he died; and, as 
 the Christian Commission was instrumental in bringing 
 him to Christ, I know he would want me to give it to 
 that Commission, if he were alive." 
 
 Mr. B. F. Jacobs, of Chicago, stated, at the Convention 
 of Western Christian Commission Branches, in Indianapo- 
 lis, last month, that in one brigade, in Texas, five hun- 
 dred and fifty-seven men had joined the army church in 
 five weeks. 
 
 A Messenger of the Churches. 
 
 The heralds of salvation and messengers of mercy are 
 painted with wings, to show their power of rapid move- 
 ment. Many of the delegates of the Christian Commis- 
 sion seem to be in training for angelic honors. Rev. 
 M. Hitchcock's report is a specimen of the labors of these 
 messengers of mercy. 
 
 Tea Days Neglected. 
 I reached Fredericksburg, in company with others, 
 Thursday evening, May 19. We walked from Belle Plain: 
 
24 
 
 carrying our luggage. Friday morning was assigned to 
 duty in the Gth corps, 2d division, 2d ward, hospital E. 
 Found here fifteen men. Occupied myself with two men 
 cf the worst, — one from Vermont and one from Massa- 
 chusetts; had been wounded ten clays, and not even the 
 blood washed off their hands and faces since. Washed 
 them, cut their hair and beard. Grot some gruel from 
 our rooms; and at noon all were removed, except the one 
 for whom I had done the most; he had died. I felt that 
 to be able to make him comfortable the last three hours 
 of his life was a real privilege. 
 
 The Mill. 
 P. M. — Went to an old mill, just being filled up It 
 was two miles up the river, opposite Falmouth ; contained 
 about two hundred and sixty-five men. With others, I 
 labored as hard as I could, — conscious, all the time, that 
 men were suffering, — until Monday night. When this 
 hospital was evacuated, I was one of the first at Fredericks- 
 burg. I did not get water to wash a single one's face, or 
 time to write a letter, until Sabbath afternoon. I. had 
 two services that day, however. 
 
 Stimulus to Labor 
 Tuesday, A. M. — I repaired to the railroad station, 
 where lay six hundred poor fellows on the ground, where 
 they had been since midnight. Here I remained until 
 Thursday noon, with scaccely any sleep or rest, coming 
 to Washington, with the last load of wounded, in charge 
 of the Christian Commission tent and remaining stores, 
 where we arrived Friday noon. I think I never did 
 more physical labor, — preaching the gospel and minister- 
 
25 
 
 ing to the comfort of suffering men, — in any previous 
 four weeks of my life. 
 
 Freight of Wounded. 
 
 Monday, May 30, P. M. — The company, with twenty- 
 six delegates, went on board a chartered steamer, drawn 
 by a tug, with stores for White House. I was put in 
 charge of all. Reached White House, after a pleasant 
 passage, Wednesday afternoon. That night and the re- 
 mainder of the week, taking care of men brought from 
 the battle-field, and putting up tents. Saturday after- 
 noon, was directed, by the medical director, with eleven 
 others, to proceed to Washington, on board a steamer 
 then leaving, with wounded men. I had the care of this 
 company and four hundred and fifty wounded. There 
 had been no suitable superintendence in having the 
 steamer ready, with supplies, and the captain was most 
 unsympathizing with regard to the wants of the poor 
 suffering men. We delegates thought we had a hard 
 time of it, being quite worn out when we arrived at Alex- 
 andria, Monday afternoon. 
 
 Tuesday, on board the mail steamer, I returned to 
 White House, in charge of a company of delegates. 
 From Wednesday afternoon until Saturday, had the 
 superintendence of a cavalry corps. Saturday, went to 
 Cold Harbor, walking a good share of the distance in the 
 hot sun, which proved too much for me. The next day 
 the army moved, starting for James River. The 18th 
 corps went to the Y/hite House, where I was left, Mon- 
 day morning, to go around with the supplies. But, being 
 no better on Thursday, it was thought best I should go 
 at once to Washington, via steamer to Baltimore. After 
 
26 
 
 two days' rest, I was enough better to attend to duty. 
 Two days I spent with a Massachusetts officer, Captain 
 Alley, and was then put into the store-room 500 II Street, 
 where I remained until the evening of July 5th, a period 
 of fifteen days. 
 
 Keeps one of his Church Members in his Place. 
 Both at Fredericksburg and White House, and on the 
 "Utica," my work was such as it was difficult to keep an 
 account of. It was genuine hard work all of the time, 
 and it wore upon me gradually until the time I was taken 
 sick. But it was most delightful service. A member 
 of my church is now at City Point, and I hope to keep 
 one there until I can go again, or there be no more oc- 
 casion for delegates. 
 
 Most truly yours, 
 
 M. H. Hitchcock. 
 
 11 <& ©Itofcttott (Btoromtejsiuw, 
 
 Convention of the Western Branches'. 
 
 Upon the call of the Secretary of the Home Organi- 
 zation, representatives of the various Western Branches 1 
 of the U. S. Christian Commission met in Convention, 
 in the city of Indianapolis, (in Wesley Chapel,) on Tues- 
 day, November 29th, and continued in session three 
 days. 
 
 Members were present as follows : 
 
 Central Office, Philadelphia. — Kev. W. E. Boardman, 
 Corresponding Secretary; Rev. Lemuel Moss, Home 
 Secretary. 
 
 Wheeling. — Rev. S. B. Barnitz. 
 
27 
 
 Cincinnati. — Judge Bellamy Storer, A. E. Chamber- 
 lain, Rev. B. W. Chidlaw. 
 
 Cleveland. — Joseph Perkins, George Mygatt. 
 
 Milwaukee. — W. S. Carter, J. A. Dutchcr. 
 
 Peoria. — Rev. W. E. M'Laren, George H. M'llvaine. 
 
 St. Louis. — Rev. S. Wells, J. H. Parsons, Isaac S. 
 Smyth. 
 
 Chicago. — B. F. Jacobs, Rev. J. M. Strong. 
 
 Indianapolis. — Dr. Clippinger, James M. Ray, Rev. F. 
 C. Holliday, J. T. Dunn, J. C. Hereth, C. N. Todd. 
 
 Louisville. — Isaac Russell. 
 
 Nashville. — Rev. J. C. Thomas. 
 
 Memphis. — K. A. Burnell. 
 
 Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer, being present, was invited 
 to sit as a delegate. 
 
 The officers of the Convention were : 
 
 For President. — Hon. Bellamy Storer, of Cincinnati. 
 
 For Vice President. — Isaac S. Smyth, of St. Louis, 
 Joseph Perkins, of Cleveland. 
 
 For Secretary. — G. II. M'llvaine. 
 
 The Principal Committees were : 
 
 Committee on Enrolment. — C. N. Todd, George H. 
 M'llvaine, J. A. Dutcher. 
 
 Committee on Permanent Organization. — Isaac Rus- 
 sell, W. E. M'Laren, B. F. Jacobs. 
 
 Committee on Business. — A. E. Chamberlain, J. II. 
 Parsons, Chaplain J. C. Thomas, W. S. Carter, Joseph 
 Perkins. 
 
 The three days were fully occupied in discussions upon 
 the whole work of the Commission, at home and in the 
 field. Rarely has such a gathering been more strongly 
 characterized by earnest attention to business and by a 
 
28 
 
 spirit of Christian devotion and harmony. All felt that 
 God had committed to them, as his stewards, the most 
 important trusts, and that they were animated by com- 
 mon desires and aims. Interesting reports were mado 
 from the various home districts. Chaplain Thomas 
 warmed all hearts by the details of his system of libra- 
 ries for hospitals, &c. Mrs. Wittenmyer gave a full out- 
 line of the diet-kitchen work. Public meetings were 
 held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, which were 
 largely attended. 
 
 We cannot give even a brief synopsis of the entire 
 proceedings. Some of the more important points and 
 resolutions are presented : 
 
 Mr. Chamberlain offered the following resolution, 
 which had received the sanction of the Philadelphia 
 office, which was adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That the experience of the IT. S. Christian 
 Commission has shown that its work can be most properly 
 carried on by a conjunction of the distribution of religious 
 reading matter and stores, and the personal ministrations 
 of delegates ; and that stores for the purpose should b© 
 under the immediate control and command of the Com- 
 mission, and to this end we commend to the several 
 Branches the collection of stores, with which to aid in 
 supplying delegates for their work. 
 
 By the same gentleman, from the Business Com- 
 mittee, which was also adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That in the work of the United States Chris- 
 tian Commission, there is committed to our care a most 
 sacred trust; and that it is our duty, as members of this 
 Commission, to use every means to insure the direct appli- 
 cation of all stores and funds so generously contribute^, 
 to the appropriate work of our commission, viz.: the care 
 of the army and navy of the United States. 
 
 2d. That we individually, and as a commission, most 
 cordially bid God speed to every organization at work for 
 the good of our soldiers, refugees and freedmen. 
 
29 
 
 Tlie Convention endorsed the voluntary and econo- 
 mical conduct of the work, in the following : 
 
 Resolved, That in the work of organization and collec- 
 tions at home, for the supply of army work of the Chris- 
 tian Commission, the voluntary principle of an unpaid 
 Agency should be strictly and sacredly adhered to ; but 
 that a permanent paid Agency may be and ought to be 
 employed so far, and only so far as is necessary to direct, 
 systematize, and render thorough, the unpaid services of 
 returned delegates and others. 
 
 On the subject of thoroughly canvassing the coun- 
 try, and organizing in every community, the Business 
 Committee reported the following, which were adopted : 
 
 That, in addition to the branch organizations, there 
 should be formed in every locality, where it may be done 
 to advantage, army committees to carry forward the work 
 as auxiliaries to the Branch of the district embracing 
 that locality. 
 
 That effort should be made every where to interest the 
 ladies in this work, and to induce them, if not already 
 associated together in some other soldiers' aid organiza- 
 tion, to form Ladies' Christian Commissions, into whieh 
 all the ladies should be gathered, and with them all the 
 men, and the children, if possible, as members, that 
 every individual, old and young, male and female, may 
 have membership in the Commission and part in the 
 work. 
 
 That, in this great work, the press should be fully em- 
 ployed in newspaper articles, and by circulars and pam- 
 phlets. 
 
 Respecting railroad, and other facilities, it was unani- 
 mously 
 
 Resolved, That our different Branches be instructed to 
 exercise the severest fidelity, scrutiny and care, in regard 
 to the railroad, express, steamboat and telegraph facilities 
 so generously accorded to us. 
 
 Reference is made, elsewhere, to the subject of diet- 
 kitchens. 
 
30 
 
 The great question of chapels for the army was fully 
 discussed, many facts of interest brought out, and the 
 following resolution passed : 
 
 Resolved, That this Convention approve the building of 
 field chapels and chapel roofs, and that the public bo 
 earnestly appealed to, to furnish all the means to build 
 them. 
 
 Chaplain Thomas was accorded twenty minutes to ex. 
 plain the system of Christian Commission libraries in 
 the army of the Cumberland. There are twenty libraries 
 in the hospitals at Nashville, Chattanooga and Murfrees- 
 boro. Forty more are ordered, and will soon be there, 
 supplying every permanent hospital in the country of 
 which Nashville is the base. In the fifteen military de- 
 partments of the army, there are about one hundred and 
 fifty hospital Chaplains, and sixty-nine thousand three 
 hundred men. An estimate of one hundred and twenty- 
 five volumes to a library, with two men to one volume, 
 would require four libraries to every thousand men. For 
 the seventy thousand men it would require two hundred 
 and eighty libraries. Sixty of these are already had, 
 and twenty more can be made up from volumes already 
 on hand. A great want of literature is felt in the army, 
 wholesome, broad, stirring, deep secular reading, as well 
 as of earnest religious books. The system of Commission 
 libraries works well. From his experience, he knew that 
 there were those in the army who needed sterling, stand- 
 ard reading. The point is to cater to every taste. The 
 nearer you can bring home to the army, the more useful 
 you are. Let the soldiers have the reading which will 
 develop and enlighten, and such as they have been used 
 to at home. X no libraries are all suitable for 1 81110. 16mo, 
 
31 
 
 12mo, and 8vo volumes. A sample of these libraries was 
 in the room. 
 
 The libraries are given to persons who, first, are capa- 
 ble, and, second, religions, who give receipts that the 
 volumes shall be skilfully used and cared for. Registers 
 are kept, and by whom the books are drawn, in what 
 ward and bed, and by this means the volumes are kept 
 and traced beyond a peradventure. The libraries cost 
 fifty dollars, on an average, for one hundred and twenty- 
 five volumes. The cases will admit of one hundred and 
 eighty, but the average number is one hundred and 
 twenty-five. Monthly reports are made of the number 
 of times the book has been drawn, and any incident con- 
 nected with the reading of the book is carefully noted, 
 so that a history of each book is preserved. What a 
 valuable and Christian record will this form when the 
 necessity for them is jiassed away ! These libraries are a 
 part of the history of the war. The Chaplain detailed 
 some of the experiences of the libraries, in the army of 
 the Cumberland, fur the year and a half in which he had 
 been engaged in this work. Tie was listened to with 
 deep attention, and certainly, we may add, that if there 
 be any one branch of the work of the Christian Commis- 
 sion which should be sustained by the people at home, 
 this matter of libraries addresses itself with peculiar and 
 religious force. 
 
 Mrs. Wittenmeyer added her testimony in her hospital 
 work to the importance and Christian usefulness of- Chap- 
 lain Thomas and his system of libraries. Many hundreds 
 of soldiers had she heard give "three cheers for Chap- 
 lain Thomas," or " God bless Chaplain Thomas." The 
 effect of these libraries in breaking up card-playing, and 
 
32 
 
 the frivolous amusements in the army, cannot be com- 
 puted. 
 
 Upon this subject, the Business Committee reported 
 the following resolutions, which were immediately 
 adopted : 
 
 lU'solved, That we cordially endorse/the action of the Exe- 
 cutive Committees in adopting the Magazine enterprise 
 c< mmenced in the Departmer of the Cumberland, and in- 
 cirely hope it may be vigorously carried out by all the neld 
 agents. 
 
 Resolved, That we heartily approve the introduction of the 
 Loan Library system into the Department of the Cumber- 
 land, and urgently request its immediate extension through- 
 out all the Military Departments. 
 
 .Resolved, That we gratefully acknowledge the generous 
 services of the publishers in supplying their publications at 
 J in If price; those of Adams' Express Company in transport- 
 ing them free; and particularly those of Gould & Lincoln, 
 Oi Boston, Poe & Hitchcock, of Cincinnati, Scribner & Co., 
 of New York, and Ashmead & Evans, of Philadelphia, in 
 shipping the publications thus procured without pay. 
 
 It was a thrilling episode, when, in the midst of a dis- 
 cussion^ Judge Storer read a dispatch from Nashville, 
 stating that the enemy had been repulsed at Franklin, 
 Tennessee, with the loss of six thousand men. This was 
 acknowledged by the Convention singing : 
 
 "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," 
 
 and the offering of a fervent prayer for the brave and 
 bleeding soldiers of the Republic, by Rev. Lemuel 
 Moss. Rev. Shepherd Wells gave the Convention a 
 sketch of the country in which the battle occurred, 
 having had his home for eighteen years in the neigh- 
 borhood. 
 
33 
 
 The following stirring letter from General Fisk, 
 received during the session, may properly close our 
 report of the Convention. All who know him, know 
 his hearty participation in our work. 
 
 Head-quarters District North Missouri, ) 
 Macon, Mo., November 26, 1864. } 
 Jicv. Lemuel Moss, Secretary Z7. 8. Christian Commission, 
 Indianapolis, Ind. 
 My Dear Brother: I am quite disappointed that my 
 public duties imperatively demand my presence with my 
 command, and therefore forbid me the pleasure I had 
 anticipated in meeting yourself and others of our blessed 
 Commission at Indianapolis, on the 29th instant. I am 
 glad that you set this movement on foot, and that all the 
 Western Committees will be well and earnestly repre- 
 sented. May God be with you, and direct your counsels 
 in wisdom. The fields of our harvest are widening and 
 whitening daily. Let our power for good be felt in every 
 camp and fortress, in siege, fight, and hospital, on shore 
 and sea. Eush on the work. The Christian public are 
 with us. Did the people of God ever before have such 
 an opportunity. May they wisely improve it in casting 
 their abundance into the treasury of the Lord. 
 Yours, faithfully, 
 
 for Liberty and Union, 
 
 Clinton B. Fisk, 
 Brigadier General U. S. 
 
 tyMtrnxtj. 
 
 Gov. Fairbanks, 
 At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the V. 
 S. Christian Commission, held at the Central Office, No. 
 11 Bank street, Philadelphia, December 2d, 1864, the 
 following minute, relative to the death of the late Gov. 
 Fairbanks, was adopted and ordered to be published : 
 
34 
 
 The Executive Committee have learned with deep re- 
 gret of the death of the late Governor, Erastus Fairbanks, 
 LL. D., member of the Commission for Vermont, which 
 occurred at St. Johnsbury, on the 20th lilt. He is the 
 first member who has been called away by death. He 
 was a successful business man, and, as a manufacturer, 
 his name had become familiar even in foreign countries. 
 His fellow citizens evinced their confidence in his capa- 
 bility and worth by repeatedly electing him their chief 
 magistrate. During his last year of service in this posi- 
 tion, his devoted love of country was exhibited in his 
 efforts to prepare his gallant state for the heroic part she 
 has performed in the present struggle for our nation's 
 life. The manner in which he wielded the influence 
 derived from his great wealth, ability, and high social 
 position, is shown in the character of the community 
 which has grown up around him, which has few rivals 
 even in New England, for the comfort, thrift, intelligence 
 and sobriety, which universally prevail. No intemperate 
 person was employed in the extensive works over which 
 he presided. He was a zealous friend of education, as 
 well as of temperance, and was long a member of the 
 corporation of the University of Vermont. All the great 
 enterprises of the Church to bless and save men, such as 
 the Bible, Tract, Sunday-school, Missionary and Sab- 
 bath Observance movements, found in him an enlight- 
 ened advocate and liberal supporter. In short, he was a 
 man whose death is an unspeakable loss alike to his fa- 
 mily and friends, the Church, the nation and the world. 
 
DTFOBMATIOEft DTSTRUOTIOM" ABOUT SUPPLIES, 
 
 All good and suitable stores are welcomed, and all necessary freight and 
 charges paid on them by the Commission, and are distributed by delogat' s of 
 the Christian Commission personally. 
 
 WHAT TO SEND. — Monet, by all means, if possible. We need funds to 
 pay the expenses of our delegates and laborers in the field; for the purchase 
 of books, tracts, papers, and for the purchase of delicacies and comforts not 
 sent by your loving hearts, which are very necessary for distribution in the 
 hospitals. 
 
 The Special Diet Kitchens connected with the largest hospitals, now in 
 successful operation, where delicacies and wholesome dishes are prepare;! for 
 the sick soldier with the same care and skill as at homo by the ladies em- 
 ployed in the Diet Kitchens by the Christian Commission, involve a large in- 
 crease of labor and outlay of stores and funds. We appeal to the friends of 
 the soldier at home, to meet this great, but necessary expense. 
 
 Cotton Shirts, Cotton Drawers, Canton Flannel Shirts and Drawers, Sur- 
 gical Shirts and Drawers, (with tape strings to tie, instead of seams at the 
 sides,) Large Cotton Drawers (to wear in-doors as pants.) Dressing-gowns, 
 Slippers, (if of cloth or carpet, with thick soles,) Sheets, Pillow-cases, Bedticks 
 (single, for filling with straw,) Pillows, Pads for fractured limbs, Ring-pads for 
 wounds, Fans, Netting to protect from flies, Housewives, stored with needles, 
 thread, buttons, pins, &c, Handkerchiefs, Wash-rags, Old Linen. 
 
 Oat-meal, Farina, Corn-starch, Dried Rusk, Jellies, Soda Biscuit, Butter 
 Crackers, Boston Crackers, Pickles, Jams, Onions in Barrels, Apples in barrels, 
 Cranberries, Dried Fruits. Eggs are always needed. They should be care- 
 fully packed in boxes large enough to hold about 100 dozen, made with 
 handles projecting from each end, made strong and packed full, well shaken 
 down as they are packed, and sent by express. Good Black Tea, Chocolate, 
 Lemons, Syrups. All preparations of the blackberry are of double value. 
 
 Good Brandy, Madeira Wine, Port wine, Cordials. Domestic wines are ex- 
 cellent in winter, apt to spoil in summer. 
 
 Stationery is much needed, paper, envelopes and pencils. Send the best 
 Books, Magazines, Periodicals, Pictorials, and late newspapers. 
 
 HOW TO PACK. — Pack in boxes. Barrels are not as good. Secure well. 
 Boxes should not be so large that two cannot conveniently lift them into a 
 wagon. Pack eatables by themselves. Never pack perishable articles, such 
 as oranges, lemons, bread, cakes, nor jars of jollies and jams, with other 
 goods. Bottles and Jars should, when possible, be packed in boxes by them- 
 selves, well filled with saw-dust or straw. Never pack Clothing, or Dried 
 Fruits and Berries, with goods that are liable to break and spill. Tin cans 
 should be soldered; all other modes fail. Stone jars should be corked and 
 firmly bound with oiled linen or leather over the cork, and packed closely in 
 saw-dust or hay, in boxes, never exceeding a dozen and a half in a box, and 
 nailed strongly, to bear rough handling. Jellies in tumblers, covered with 
 paper, and wines, cordials, &c, in bottles, with paper or other poor stoppers, 
 are liable to spill out, and if packed with other things, sure to injure them. 
 
 H<5W TO MARK. — Mark in plain letters and figures, with paint or ink on 
 the boards — cards rub off. On one corner, the number of the box according 
 to the number sent by you in all, numbering your first box *1, your second *2, 
 your third *3, and so on from tho first sent to the last. On another corner, 
 mark each box, as from your Society, giving the name, and have it conspicu- 
 ously ADDRESSED TO THE MOST CONVENIENT BRANCH OF THE U. S. CHRISTIAN 
 COMMISSION, AS DIRECTED ON THE NEXT PAGE. 
 
 To secure acknowledgments, and to save trouble, also send an invoice or list 
 by mail, on paper, the common letter sheet size, written only on one side, 
 specifying each box or barrel by number, and giving the contents of each by 
 itself. Give your own name and post-office in full, with tho name of your 
 State. Place also another list or invoice of the same kind in tho box, under 
 the lid. 
 
tRrafcd 'Sffittii Christian Commission 
 
 OFFICERS: 
 
 GEO. H. STUART, Chairman. 
 
 JOSEPH PATTERSON, Treasurer. 
 
 Rev. W. E. BOARDMAN, Secretary. 
 
 Rev. LEMUEL MOSS, Secretary Home Organization. 
 
 Rev. BERNICE D. AMES, Secretary Field Organization. 
 
 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 
 
 GEO. H. STUART, Philadelphia. 
 
 Rev. Bishop E. S. JANES, D.D., N. Y. 
 
 CHARLES DEMOND, Boston, Mass. 
 
 JOHN P. CROZER, Philadelphia. 
 
 JAY COOKE, 
 
 JOSEPH PATTERSON, 
 
 Rev. Bishop M. SIMPSON, D.D.," 
 
 STEPHEN COLWELL, Philadelphia. 
 Hon. WM. E. DODGE, New York. 
 Rev. HEMAN DYER, D.D., N. Y. 
 W. S. GRIFFITH, Brooklyn, N.Y. 
 G. S. GRIFFITH, Baltimore, Md. 
 HORATIO G. JONES, Philada. 
 Rev.W.E. BOARDMAN, Ex. Off. Phila- 
 
 MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION: 
 
 Hon. George F. Patton, Bath, Me. 
 
 Rev. Jas. Pike, Sanhornton Bridgo,N.H. 
 
 Edward S. Tobey, Boston. 
 
 Rev. Francis Wayland, D.D.,Trov., R.I. 
 
 Rev. Bishop E. S. Janes, D.D., N. Y. 
 
 Rev. Henian Dyer, D.D., N. Y. 
 
 Hon. Wm. E. Dodge, N. Y. 
 
 Nathan Bishop, L.L.D., N. Y. 
 
 Morris K. Jesup, N. Y. 
 
 Geo. II. .Stuart, Philadelphia. 
 
 John P. Crozer, " 
 
 Jay Cooke, " 
 
 Joseph Patterson, " 
 
 Hev. Bi3hop M. Simpson, D.D., Phila. 
 
 G. S. Griffith, Baltimore. 
 
 Hon.Waitman T.Willey, Morgan. W.Y. 
 
 Rev. M. L. R. P. Thompson, D.D., Cin. 
 
 A. E. Chamberlain, Cincinnati. 
 
 Rev. R. J. Breckinridge, D.D., Lex., Ky. 
 
 Hon. John V. Farwell, Chicago. 
 
 Gen. Clinton B. Fisk. St. Louis. 
 
 Rev. S. D. Storrs, Atchison, Kansas. 
 
 J. B. Roberts, San Francisco. 
 
 Hon. Jas. W. Nye, Carson City, Nevada. 
 
 Rev. Rollin H. Neale, D.D., Boston. 
 
 Charles Domond, Boston. 
 
 Hon. W. A. Buckingham, Norwich, Ct. 
 
 Rev. James Eells, Brooklyn. 
 
 Walter S. Griffith, 
 
 Samuel B. Caldwell, " 
 
 John D. Hill, Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 Rev. Chas. Hodge, D.D., Princeton, N.J. 
 
 Stephen Colwell, Philadelphia. 
 
 Rev. W. E. Boardman, Ex. Off., Phila. 
 
 Horatio G. Jones, Philada. 
 
 William Frew, Pittsburg. 
 
 Prof. M. L. Stoever, Gettysburg. 
 
 Rt. Rev. Alfred Lee, D.D., Wilmn, Del. 
 
 Hon. Francis H. Pierpoint, Alex'a, Ya. 
 
 Mitchell H. Miller, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Rt. Rev. C. P. Mcllvaine, Cincinnati, 0. 
 
 Hon. Schuyler Colfax, South Bend, Ind. 
 
 Hon. John Owen, Detroit. 
 
 Walter S. Carter, Milwaukee. 
 
 Hon. Hiram Price, Davenport, Iowa. 
 
 Rev. E. Lehman, Chaska, Minn. 
 
 Rev. S. Cornelius, Portland, Oregon. 
 
 Hon. John Evans, Denver City, Col. 
 
 Send money to Joseph Patterson, Treasurer U. S. Christian Com- 
 mission, Western Bank, Philadelphia. 
 
 Letters and Stores to U. S. Christian Commission, 11 Bank Street, 
 Philadelphia.