J. William Jones, Christ in the camp, or religion in Lee's army

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[288] was manifested. There was little or no excitement, and no extraordinary means to promote deep feeling were resorted to. The Spirit of God went with the preached word and earnest, pointed conversation, and the heads of many of the most hardened sinners were bowed down, as “they became convicted of sin, of righteousness, and of a judgment to come.” A deeper sense of sin, or more childlike faith, I have never seen manifested. Another striking characteristic was the eagerness which was manifested by all for the sincere milk of the word. The Bible was the book to which they continually resorted; and those who had tasted of the love of Christ showed the greatest eagerness to lead others to the same precious fountain.

After the services had been continued for a week, a number of the young converts manifested a desire to dedicate themselves to the Lord in baptism. And, though the weather was inclement, it was thought advisable not to postpone the service, as it then seemed probable that the army would move speedily. The service was one of the most solemn and deeply interesting I ever witnessed. The six soldiers to be baptized stood in a line near the blazing camp-fire, surrounded by a large congregation of attentive and interested spectators. The deep darkness of the night, and slight fall of rain, added much to the solemnity of the occasion.

Among the six soldiers who came forward to enlist under the banner of the great Captain of their salvation there was a great variety of character. The first was a poor, weak man, who had given much trouble to the officers of his company; the next, a man of remarkable bravery, had been one of the most notorious sinners in the company. His evidence of conversion was strikingly clear. His sorrow for sin was very deep, and his faith simple and ardent. Then came forward one who had been regarded as one of the most unpromising men in his company— whose previous life had been anything else than religious. He seemed now to be thoroughly in earnest, and manifested the spirit of a genuine penitent. The next was an amiable and moral young man, who had been long seeking the Saviour. The last two were among the bravest and best men in the army. Having nobly struggled as good soldiers of their country, they came forward to enlist zealously in the service of their Redeemer.

When these six were baptized, a very interesting youth, who