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the work required—some of them have the work of a brigade.
We want more and the best.
Let our Churches be content to spare them.
‘We want vastly more religious reading.
Oh, it is affecting to see the soldiers crowd and press about the preacher for what of tracts, etc., he has to distribute, and it is sad to see hundreds retiring without being supplied!
One wishes to give himself away to meet the want.
While the country is expending hundreds of millions of dollars, and pouring out its blood like water on the altar of patriotism, let the
Church be as prominent in devotion and zeal to religion in the army.
Let religion rival patriotism in activity.
Light up the great camp of war with celestial fire.’
Rev. J. M. Stokes,
chaplain Third Georgia, reported to the
Southern Christian Advocate:
Zion is flourishing again in this army.
There are as many as twenty chapels.
We have had a meeting in progress two weeks, and the interest is increasing daily.
We have had several conversions, and there were, I reckon, fifty mourners at the altar for prayer last evening.
Our chapel seats between 300 and 400, and is full every night unless the weather is very inclement.
Rev. B. T. Lacy, chaplain in General Ewell's Corps, visited and preached for us about a week ago. He preached us a most excellent sermon, and gave us much advice and encouragement privately.
His visits to the different brigades can but have the most gratifying effect both upon the chaplains and their congregations.
I wish we had just such a man to every division to superintend its spiritual matters.
There is a great harvest here, which ought to be reaped at once, and if it should pass this season we fear that much of it will be gathered by the enemy of souls.
Rev. J. O. A. Cook,
chaplain Second Georgia Battalion,
Wright's Brigade, wrote:
It would do your heart good to witness our camp-services, to see the immense throngs that crowd our rude chapels, to listen to the soul-stirring music, as with one voice and one heart they unite in singing the sweet songs of Zion, and to note the deep interest and solemn earnestness with which they listen to the preaching of the word.
I have never seen anything like it. I can but believe that the blessing of God is upon us, and that He is preparing us for a speedy and glorious peace.
