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Orange Court House, August 25, 1863.
The chaplains of the Second and Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, met, according to adjournment, at 10 A. M., in the Baptist church.
The former Moderator introduced Rev. J. H. Bocock, D. D., to the meeting, who preached the opening sermon from Song of Solomon III. 3, “Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?”
The speaker tenderly urged that all Christians, particularly Christ's ministers in the army, should see Christ: (1) In God's word; (2) In His mercies; (3) In the furnace; (4) On the throne, as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Devotional services being over, the meeting was organized by electing Rev. J. M. Anderson, Fortieth Virginia, Moderator.
Brother Vass, the Permanent Clerk, being absent, Rev. A. C. Hopkins, Second Virginia, was requested to act as Temporary Clerk.
A free conversation on the subject of religion in the army being engaged in, revealed a general and deep interest in nearly every part of both corps, and also that the last fast-day had been universally and solemnly observed.
Brother Lacy had preached, Friday morning, at General Ewell's Headquarters, and in the afternoon, in Mahone's Brigade, to large and peculiarly attentive congregations.
He thought God's work in the army still progressing.
Brother Jones reported that in Smith's Brigade religious interest was increasing.
Since last meeting, between forty and fifty had been hopefully converted.
His daily meetings were large, and he had frequently enjoyed the ministrations of Dr. Broadus.
In Hayes's Brigade, particularly in the Ninth Louisiana Regiment, he reported that congregations were large and many interested about the salvation of their souls.
Christians seemed alive, and had interested themselves to obtain a chaplain.
Brother Talley stated that in Rodes's Brigade there was a gracious state of things.
He had been laboring as chaplain only about two weeks, and had been most warmly received by officers and men. Fast-day had been unusually interesting, having been observed by sunrise prayer-meeting and three other public services during the day. Christians had formed an association in the brigade, which promised well.
In Mahone's Brigade some thirty or forty conversions had occurred, and seventy-five or eighty were eagerly inquiring what they must do to be saved.
Brother Booker stated that in Jones's Brigade fast-day had been well observed in four services.
Much secret interest was discovered among the command.
In Wilcox's Brigade the interest continued unabated.
There had been seventyfive conversions since we came into camp, near Orange Court House. Brothers Power, Lewis, and others, had been helping the chaplains.
Preaching had been suspended and substituted by prayer-meetings, which were thought advisable.
Fastday had been strictly observed by all.
In Posey's Brigade the work of grace continued, and a great revival was progressing.
There had been some fifty or sixty accessions to the Church of Christ, and from forty to fifty persons nightly presented themselves for the prayers of God's people.
Fast-day had been observed by everybody in the command.
Brother Hyman stated that in Thomas's Brigade the Spirit of the Lord still wrought mightily.
Fifty persons had joined the Church, and there had been many more conversions.
Fast-day had been well observed in brigade and regimental services.
In Doles's, Daniels's, Scales's, and Stonewall Brigades a good state of religious feeling was existing; congregations good, and services were held daily.
Brother Hall, from Louisiana, had been in the army a few days; had been preaching in the Washington Artillery to a most attentive congregation.
Out of 470 men in the corps, nearly all were out at preaching on fast-day.
Israelites, Catholics and Protestants exhibited profound interest on the subject of religion.
Brother Hall had come to labor in the army.
Brother Seay had been preaching, by way of experiment, for two weeks in the army.
He was greatly surprised by the great religious spirit of the army, and thought it presented a very happy contrast with the spirit of the community.
