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more than three hundred Testaments to those who called at his tent. On the next Sabbath, he gave away, in the same manner, more than three hundred of your hymnbooks; and, from that time, has distributed every week from five hundred to a thousand religious papers, small books, and tracts. These were uniformly read, and deep and permanent religious impressions were produced.

We were for three months without any shelter or tent for religious worship; but uniformly had two services on the Sabbath day, and one or more prayer-meetings during the week.

In the month of December, the heart of the chaplain was cheered by more than one soldier coming to him, confessing his sins, and asking prayers. Others came to the chaplain earnestly desiring religious instruction, and professing some interest in the question of their salvation.

About the last of January, through the kindness of some Christian friends in Pittsburg, I was enabled to purchase a tent for worship. This we immediately pitched, and on a rainy night, and the mud fabulously deep in camp, we met in the new tent, and, without fire and almost without light, stood up and dedicated it to God.

The following Sabbath was one of marked solemnity. Many of the soldiers were deeply moved. The chaplain announced, during the service, that he would that day take measures to organize a church in the regiment, and invited all Christians to unite with the new association, and thus aid to advance the cause of the gospel in the army. Many gave their names that day, and rejoiced greatly in the privilege of "standing up for Jesus." The evening was marked by still greater solemnity, and many requested the privilege of enrolling themselves with the people of God. On Monday morning, I commenced going from tent to tent, talking to the soldiers and officers in each, and pray

ing in several. I found that the Lord had gone before me, and that it was wholly his work. Many had been deeply impressed by recent letters from home. There had been excited in Western Pennsylvania a great interest for the moral and spiritual welfare of the army. The papers abounded with appalling details descriptive of the crimes, vices, and impiety of the troops upon the Potomac. These accounts, when read, excited the deepest concern in many hearts, and led to letters of entreaty, warning, and earnest appeal. No doubt these letters were often wet with tears, and sent with many prayers.

During the week, the religious solemnity increased. We held meetings every morning, and again visited from tent to tent. I was nowhere repulsed, but in many places received kindly, and often with gratitude. Often, the mess of a tent would confess their sins, and promise to each other a better life. While I was talking with one of these companies of soldiers, one of the mess, with tears in his eyes, lifted from under a pile of books and clothes a pack of cards, and put them, with the approbation of all, into the fire.

During this week, I was, for many hours each day, conversing and praying with those who came to seek advice and help. We celebrated the Lord's Supper on the morning of the third of February. The day was most beautiful and balmy; never had there been such quiet and stillness in camp. It was like a Sabbath in one of the most orderly of our villages. We had a most delightful prayer-meeting at nine o'clock, and commenced more public services at half-past ten.

First, after singing and prayer, I read the Articles of Faith which were the basis of union, then administered baptism to six young men, and read the names of those who desired to associate themselves as a church in the

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army. There were one hundred and fifty-nine names, among which forty-six were the names of those who had been recently converted, and confessed Christ for the first time.

There were, likewise, thirteen persons who placed themselves under the care and teaching of the church as catechumens or inquirers. Several of these, I have no doubt, will soon be confirmed in the love of God.

In the afternoon, I preached at the hospital, during which there was a most precious prayer-meeting held in the tent, and many spoke, and with the deepest emotion told of the new joys they felt. Sabbath night I preached on the words, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man." Five or six remained after preaching for religious conversation and prayer. Thus ended the most memorable day in the life of many, and one that must have a most important influence on our future in time and eternity.

VII. PREACHING BY MOONLIGHT.

The Rev. Mr. Alvord, who has written so much, as well as travelled so much, for the soldiers, illustrates the varied nature of his Christian mission by the following vivid sketch. I can hardly doubt that "the guides" will hereafter point out the spot to which he refers as one of the memorable places, the place where, in the war of the Rebellion, the soldier's friend preached by moonlight. In a letter to a correspondent, Mr. Alvord says,—

Last evening was beautifully moonlight, and I had a scene which you would have delighted to witness. On the hillside yonder lies a cloud of canvas, and the chaplain proposed that I should go up and have preaching. "Of course," I said; and soon the church-call from the bugle brought me a crowd of two or three hundred. There they

stood, forming a circle a number of rods in diameter, and two or three feet deep. The moon swam through the heavens above, the great blue dome resting on surrounding hills and distant water. Far over the Potomac, the sun in going down had left behind a gorgeous aurora, his dayrobes thrown off at bedtime. Near and below us were

the transports dotting the water or hanging along the rude wharves, and all the bustle of the day was sinking into a hum broken only by some neighing horse, or sweet bugle strains from afar, and nearer, by the in-tent talk of multitudes.

In such a church, with such galleries, we broke forth with "Come, Holy Spirit," and then the chaplain's strong voice was heard in prayer. Again, "Live on the battlefield" rolled out in the night air. It was a kind of inspiration. All eyes were now upon me. I could not see the eyes of any one. A ring of grim warriors in great-coats, each face seemingly alike, (shadowy cartoons), centred eye and ear and heart upon my lips. It was easy to preach, and I trust with a blessing. Again the song rose more loudly than before, and with a short benediction the strange assembly dispersed. The majority wheeled into squads and marched to quarters. Others, especially officers, came around to thank me for the service. I retired, feeling that the word of the Lord is fitted to all people and all places, and that we may in the morning sow our seed, and in the evening hold not our hand.

VIII. A SOUL BROUGHT TO JESUS.

A correspondent of the "Boston Recorder," over the initials "J. J. M.," writes as follows:

In one of my visits to the Court House Hospital, in Gettysburg, I noticed lying in the hall, among many others,

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an individual of a large and powerful frame. There was something in his countenance that fixed my attention at once, and awakened a special sympathy in his behalf. He had the look of a man who had never known fear, nor asked for help, he could suffer without a groan and die without a complaint.

In answer to my inquiries, I learned that he was from Wisconsin, and of the Sixth Regiment; he had been wounded on the first of July, and the fatal ball had entered the right breast and passed out near the spine.

He did not ask me, as many others, if I thought he might recover; but said, in answer to an inquiry in regard to his religious hopes,

"Sir, I am anxious to do everything I can for my soul. I have received no religious education. Can you teach me, and tell me what I must do to be saved?"

I knelt on the floor by his side and endeavored to explain to him the first principles of Christian faith. He told me that during the days and nights that he had been lying wounded and alone, he had been thinking most of the time of his sins against God; much of the time he had despaired of forgiveness. And he wished to know if there was any way in which God could forgive them, for he felt that he himself could do nothing.

I sought to unfold to him the way of life, and to lead him to the Lamb of God. I was rejoiced that he comprehended every truth, and appeared to rest upon the blessed promise, "I will be merciful to your unrighteousness, and your sins and your iniquities will I remember no more."1 Before I left him, he said to me, "Sir, I want you to baptize me; I believe in Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and I wish to confess him before I die."

I found on proper examination that he did not rely on

1 Hebrews viii. 12.