BECOME A 5 FIVER SA R Y OF, THE “" TI. 8. CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. Immense Meeting in the American Acade my of Music, Philadelphia. JTOBLE TESTIMOHY FROM DISTIN GUISHED GENERALS 1: AND OTHERS. [Specially reported for our columns.] There have been few, if any, meetings, of a religious character claiming-sucH a large.share of public interest and attention as the second anniversary of the TJ. S. Christian Commis sion, held in the beautiful and commodious Academy of Music, in this city, on the even ing of the 280£ of'January. From the time the, firsbintimation vras given to. the public that such a meeting was to be held, up to the very Hour that it took place, the demand for tickets of admission was entirely unprecedented. . We know associations and institutions which have grown old holding anniversaries, and they halve often found it difficult to get a sufficient num ber of persons interested to fill an ordinary sized hall. The great difficulty experienced, by the members of the Christian Commission was the impossibility of, getting a building of auch enormous capacity as would accommodate all who wished to be present. The Academy of .Music has the largest auditorium of any building in this city, of, we .'believe, in the country. When filled as it was on Thursday evening it'can accommodate between' four and five thousand persons, and yet: thousands, eager to attend, were unable to gain admission. Large delegations, composed of gentlemen emi nent in the waits of feligion an'd' business, and foremost in the Reading enterprises of the church, were present from Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Rochester, and othee Such an audience ne^er,'before: assembled within the walls of tne’Academy since Its.dedi cation. When the full glare of the numerous gfta jofe in the magnifi<Knt l chandelier lit up the vast audience chamber, the scene presented ■rtaS of the most brilliant and interesting cha racter. ' Every seat in the house was occupied, and standing room w»s diijigult of, obtaining, even in the more remote parts of‘the'house. The house itself was unusually attractive. Around the front of the balcony and family circle were Araped continuous folds of the tri color, and looped in graceful festoonings, and heavy flags formed ttellbaek ground of the platform, while ~State and ( 4?*tio«al' standards were arranged' around the sides of the proscenium boxes, the fronts'of wliieh were coveted with the stats stripes. It was a grand ‘pageant, exhibitingtip every variety the oojors that the Red', White, and Blue; 'Thp;platform ,was : occupied by- a of v the : clergy of the city, among them being some Of the must prominent divines in the community*; together-with a number of our most eminent citizens. The Germania Orchestra, one of the finest in the country, wasp, resent and enlivened the pcoasion with selepljipps. of Some idea of Ihe interesting, character of the meeting may be obtained when it,is .stated that the vast assembly sat from seven till, half patt eleven o’clock, and eveb at that late hour the interest did not seem‘ diminished. The f . ’■ ' . r t .. ,J !- . addresses.as our will lcarn from our ▼ery /full report, were ypfr the most thrilling character.': Majbr-Ge'nOralHoward, freChfrorri the heroic fields of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, stood before .tbeimmcnse audience, with his armless coat sleeve pinned to his side, and bore' U'glorioub te6tihioiii T ’to the power of the Gospel and Gross of Jesus Christ. When he arose to speak, the scene .presented'defied description. The whole assembly arose-.to their feet. Hats and handkerchiefs were waved, amid the most unbounded enthusiasm. Sel dom have we seen a more hearty ovation than was tendered this gallant soldier of the Union and of the. Cross of Christ, A lady, who was present oh- the dccasiori,-'sent; next day, to George.H. Stuart, Chairman of the Commis sion, a - Kundrfed dollars, with an interesting letter, from which we make.a single extract: — 11 1 esteem it a'privilege.: to have attended the meeting, to listen jto those interesting ad dresses, ana to have witnessed the enthusiasm of feeling manifested; but above every thing else, to have been permitted to hear the testi mony of such a man as General Howard, in favor of our holy, religion. To me that was one of fhAgreatest Sermons I have ever heard. If we many;’such men as he in the army, we may surely look for the favor atid blessing of Gdd. With him; I Isay, 1 God* the Christian Ooijnnjssion,’;which, not neglect the bodies of our soldiers, cares especially for th|irj souls.” As might he expected, the meeting was full of true patriotism. Every allusion toiotit com mon nationality, the'President of the United States,.the old fl|g, find the brave iiien who defend it on land : anp sea, called forth hearty tokens of appxtajj. f .6 ■ At 7J o'clockpGeorge H.Stuart, Esq., Presi dent of the Christian Commission, came for ward and said : Ladies akd ■ Genti-emen:—We shall: com mence'the exercises of the second anniversary of the United States Christian Commission for the Army and Navy, by calling upon Mr. John Bower toleadthe audience in singing God’s praise in the first hymn on the programme. The immense assembly then arose and, assist ed by the. Germania Orchestra, united in sing ing, to the tune of “ Old Hundred,” the follow ing hymn: • V Lord, while for.ail mankind we pray, • Of every clime and coast, , . 0h hear us lor our native lard, — The land we love tbe'jnost. Oh guard our shores from eyery foe; With pease .our borders-Hess— :Onr oitiee-with prosperity, ’ ' ■ Our'fleldsjbVith pfeuteousnese. Unite us In',tße "sacred love . Of knowledge, truth and thee, , And let our hills and, valleys'chant The songs of liberty. * Lord of the nations, thug to .thee - Our country we commend"; ~ k hei’frußt- Her g. friend; *. At the.close of the singing, Mr. Stuart said: I had hoped to have been relieved from oc cupying the chair this evening. The Committee of Arrangements tendered that position to his Excellency, Governor Curtin; and we had hoped that his official,, duties would have permitted him to comply with our invitation. The fol. lowing letter, however, will give the reasons for his absence. • ■ , ' ' i GOVERNOR CURTIN’S LETTER, Executive Chamber, Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 23d,-1864.— George H. Stuart, Esq., Chairman, &c. Dear Sir: —Your very hind letters of the 12th and 21st instants, inviting me to preside at the anniversary meeting of the United States Christian Commission, to be held at the Academy of Music, in Phila delphia, on Thursday evening, January, 28th, have been received and' answered briefly by telegraph. I find, upon consideration, that my public duties during the ensuing week will be such as to prevent my attendance at your meeting. is ■ • Believe me when I say. tlrpt I feel highly honored by the preference shown by your iCqmmission, and that I regret deeply that it iSjORt ;of my power to lend my voice, on'the, interesting occasion referred to. ,1 have long, known your wide spread usefulness and bene volence, and have looked .on.with pride and pleasure when your agents, were ministering to the comforts _ and welfare of the defenders of the Constitution. 1 felt it my duty after each of the sangui nary conflicts of Antietam,. Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, to visit the Army of the Potomae and look after the comfort of our men, and while I confess that my heart sank -within me at the contempla tion of scenes so terrific;and so far beyond all description, it was ; gladdened by witnessing the calm courage with which wounds.ahd dis ease/wCrfe 1 horde by our soldiery, and the un ceasing efforts of the benevolent and good in their ministrations for the:partial?alleviation of the distressed. Among the foremost in discharge of these sacred- and self-sacrificing duties I saw the Christian Commission. , So long as this War lasts may yob continue your career of usefulness ■ ant good, sustained by the means of the affluent, and the prayers and blessings of those ,to whom you have proved benefactors. I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. G. Curtin. Opening Remarks of the Chairman. After reading the above letter, .-Mr. Stuart said: ' My friends, I decline occupying your valua ble time by any remarks of iny own: I may observe,’however, that this interesting occa; sion: is one which calls for your profound gratitude to God, for we are constrained to believe that thehand of Providence has marked this organization from the day'that it had its birth down to the-present moment. I therefore ask you to : unite with the Rev. Dr. Mnsgrave,. of this, city, in giving thanks to God for the means by which He has’ enabled you; during the past year, to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the noble men.whp.are defending, the Stars and, Stripes, ef .onribeloybd country, (ap plause) and also to invoke Heaven’s blessing upon our nation, during the present desperate struggle for-national- unityj-and- to-ask that 'those noble defenders of our country may be sustained and upheld on every field of battle! Prayer by Rev. Geo. W. Musgrave, Di D. Oh, great God, the-Father offlighty from whom cometji every good, and perfect gift, weeaf nestly implore fThy We thank Thee that'TKdu-hats-ipermitted Thy servants to on.this,, the second anni versary of the Christian iCbminission, iinder'cirt ’ cumstanbes so highly endouraiging. We bless Thee for the organization of this Christian Com mission/- -We bless'Thee forajl the-ptfiSmthropy and Christian love which have characterized the labors of Thy servants; and we rejoicearid give' Thee thanks for the. immeasurable good that has beer, accomplished by.its; instrumentality,, for the thousands whose physical sufferings and wants have been relieved and : supplied, -and e s pecially for the hundreds who have been hope fully converted to God and made the heirs of eternal life. We invoke Thy continued favors and'blessings upon this institution. WiitT-tiou' give wisdom and grace to its President, tS'all its officers dn.d managers, to aU'itßrepresentatives‘l And do Thou crowh with Thy blessing all their efforts to do good. And we praise Thee for, the liberality which has sustained this institution thus far. ' We in voke the blessing of Godupon this people' and pray that they may feel the truth of the’ divine declaration, “It is more blessed'io-give than.to receive.” And we pray that God would em ploy this asseciation still more and 'morey its sphere of usefulness may be extended: and' that it may not only relieve the temporal wants, of men but that it may be especially • insjHi- ? mental in spreading the knowledge ■ off; the-i Truth.as it is in Jesus and in .leading iunltihides’' to the Cross of Christ. We, pray for tjiy blessii ing on our beloved country. WelJikank ;God that we are still a nation; that! onri^Svefnment has been providentially preserved. A-id we re joice, this night, that: under,jifS; protection we can meet in safety and engage in these patriotic efforts. . " Bless our respected and beloved Chief Ma.-, gistrate, the President of the United States. Do Thou give him wisdom and strength that he may-faiffifullyand‘successfully discharge All his official duties. Do Thou bless his admintration and make it a blessing to this great country. We pray Thee to preside over the deliberations of our National Congress. Do Thou guide them. Aid them in the adoption of wise laws and ne cessary measures. Rebuke all factious opposi tion to the government and make all our pub lic-servants truly patriotic. And we praise God for the loyalty of the masses of the people and beseech Thee to give us all faith and fortafede i and courage and perseverance,. -'Make the peo ple willing to. endure all things, to submit to every necessary 'sacrifice, to put forth all ne cessary efforts to sustain the government, to preserve our country undivided, to restore peace, harmony and prosperity to our whole land. 0 Lord, bring this civil war. to a speedy close by subduing the rebels in arms, by bang ing them to see the folly, the wickedness, the desperation oftheir rebellion. Do Thou quicken their consciences that they may realize that their treason is a crime against their country not Only, but a crime against the Almighty him self, that they are resisting bis servants, his di- : vinely established ordinance. And d,o Thou, bless onr army and our navy. . Give their commanders skill and-courage and ’ PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, EEBRUAEY 4, 1 8 64. success. Bless all the people of our land that they maybe patient, that they may be faithful to suffer, if needs be, death itseli in the support of a righteous cause. And we pray Thee to give them strength and courage in the hour- of conflict ; and grant them decisive victory: The Lord bless the sick and the wounded connected with our army and navy; And do Thou mi nister to their, wants; comfort them in their dis tress, spare their lives if consistent with Thy will. 1 Butif appointed to die, prepare them for that solemn event and take them to. Thyself in heaven. Now, Lord, we ask Thy blessing upon those who shall address this large assembly. Db'.Thbu give thhm wisdom that their words, their thoughts, their sentiments may be ap proved, off God and be made useful t§ all who ■hear them. Do Thou bless the people here piesent. Make us all yet more and, more pa triotic. Help us to seek the glory of .‘God, the welfare of our country and, the happihfe of our race—r Which We,-ask, with the pardon of our, sins; wholly in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, - our Mediator and Redeemer; Ainep. . . Reading-the Scriptures by Rev. Benjamin .The -Rev. Dr. Watson, of this city, was then introduced, ahd proceeded to read the XXY chapter, of the gospel, as recorded by Matthew, from the 31st verse to, of the chapter. Mr. Stuart— Yeliave received a number of letters which will be published in the report of the proceedings of this anniversary. . I will not take up the time of the meeting further than simply to refer to; one or. two of them. The letter I hold in-my hand is from the Secre tary of State, Hon. Williain -H. Seward. ■, SECRETARY SEWARD'S LETTER.- * ’Department of State, Washington,’ January 23d, 1864;—T0 George H? Stuart, Chairman United States, Christian Commis sion, No. l?3Bank Street, Philadelphia.—My Dear Sir: —I rejoice more than I can express in the manifestations which appear 'in ,$6 many quarters,’ that the “social and religious forces of the country are being diverteairom the. .unprofitable and hurtful controversies, with' which this great national trial- of ours opened, _ to ah earnest, popular, harmonious 1 and, united; co-operation with the President, the Congress, the Army and the Nayy. the loyal States, the loyal Governors, the loyal Courts, the loyal Ministers, the loyal Consuls, the loyal Doctors, the ; loyal Clergy, the loyal Teachers, and the loykl Pi-ess in maintaining this Union in its broadest proportions, and upon its impregnable material and moral foundations, against all’ assaults at home or from abroad. ;It is the only true way now to. preserve either national or individual prospe rity, or civilor religious freedom. ; ; : Relief to the sufferers and consolation to the. mourners in the cause, is a suggestion equally pf'patridtisin and of Christianity. If it were possible, : therefore, I would be with 'the C'hristian,Oommission, not only, in its proposed demonstration here, but also in its projected celebration in Philadelphia-; -I would be with it, and with the - Sanitary, C.ommjssiop,; with the Freedmen’S Association, and with all the? other noble charities which are springing ujl/ among us,; always, and, wherever they might lx. found. In f this,great struggle I know ho loyal and humaite association with'which I do hdt delight to -fraternize with- my whole soul, heart’ and mind. • I am, dear sir, • Yery obedieqt servant, .. i: iWmLTAsr'H.' SeWard. - The following-letter-was; received' from the Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury. SECRETARY -CHASE’S'LETTER., p, ?toEASURY/DEpARTSfENT, January 14th, ■lB64.— My Dear Sir:-rThe-profound .interest I; feel ih the work of the Christian ComnffiSfbii' makes! me :very desiroufe iortee'present with you on the 28th instent, if praqtiqable., I,fete-,. hbwfeVef, that itaperative quttes 1 here,will pfe ventdti ft Vonte most truly; ? kr-i .S.,P;;Chase...V ? M:R ;S®ui!BT-r i -"W?e Hadr.expected;td:have ot( the platform this evening, that distinguished son of Pennsylvania, General Meade, (applause) Within :the past Bout,; we impressed General Howard, one of his gallant Corps commanders, into our service. General Meade deeply'regret® ; his inability to-be-present; and'he has sent-?a note, written by his; son, which, being short, I will roadyou. ... . ...• • GENERAL MEADE'S LETTER, “ ■ No-'2037 Pine Street, 'Jan!‘26th, 1864. Geo. H. STUART,"CHairman’'’'U. S:?C.-C.:— Dear Sir : —My father requests me,to acknow ledge the receipt of. your, invitation'to' be pre-? sen't at'the Second Anniversary of the Chris; tian Commissioii, next Thursday evening?, The;General, as you are probably aware*, has been very sick, and delayed answering your note in the hope that ho might be sufficiently recovered to- be,present at 'the : anniverSagy.' He was anxious to show,by his presence, the interest he felt in the. good work of the : Commission. ■■ He now desires ; me to’ ; 'stkte : :fhat;it.will be .impossible for him to beipreft sent. He is very much better,.Jbjit will be confined to’the Abuse for several dir?s yet.~ ‘ Yerytruly yours, J; Sergeant, Meade; Mi^^kuApT:—Let us pray to .God'.that his life may be long spared to the country.! r We had hoped to have the pleasnije of haying Upon “the platform, as one of the speakers this evening,'that apd gallant son of the navy, -Admifal’ Duponf. He sends us a’ -letter, which, being'also short, I ask the liberty of reading: ; uri admiral dupont’s letter. LomaEßg," near.WilmingtoN;, Del. Jan. 9,1864; — : My Dear Sir:—l have (he pleasure to acknowledge your communication or the 6th. inst., informing me that I had been recently selected by the Executive Committee of the United States Christian Commission to repre sent the nayy at the approaching anniversary of their organization. I have followed with deep interest the work of the Christian Comtnisssion during this Re bellion—a work worthy of the Chairman and of its other active members, and I hope it will not be considered as any diminution of this in terest on my part that I am compelled to de cline the gratifying invitation extended to me. Will yon do me the favor to present my thanks to the Executive Committee, with my heartfelt wishes for the success of their most laudable endeavors which have already done so much good. and which I shall deem it; a: privilege to promote. ...r ... Believe me, dear sir, yours, most truly, t S. F. Dupont.' Geor-H, Stuart, Esq. Chairman Christian Commission, Philadelphia, : Mb, SruxaT.— -TheJ£letter . ; was;3tcconiptfiniba by R handsome check,, whicht was sent to our Treasurer.: (Applause.) : .kU The next'thing’upon tWC ‘programme is the Watson, D. D. reading of the Abstract of the Annual Report. We shall dispense with this, as the audience will find it upon the third page of the pro gramme, and can all read it for themselves. Abstract of the Animal Report for 1863. Cash received at the Central Office and Branch during the year, £358,239,29; value of Stores donated, 385,829,07; value of Scriptures contributed by American Bible So ciety, 45.071,50; value of Scriptures contri buted by British and Foreign Bible Society, .1,677, 70; value of Railroad facilities contri buted, 44,210,00 ; value of Telegraph facilities contributed, 9,390;00; value ofDelegates ser vices, 72,420,00—T0ta1,5916,837,65. _ Cash expended in purchase Of Stores, Pub lications, expenses of Delegates,’ &c.y $265,- 211,28; balance'on hand at Central Office, Ist Januaty, 1864, 43,547, 41; balance on hand at Branch office. Ist January, 1864;. 49,480,- 6Q; Christian Ministers and. Laymen commis-, sioned to minister to men on Battle-fields and Camps, Hospitals, and Ships during the year,' 1,207; copies of Scriptures distributed, 465,- 715; v. Hymn and Psalm Books distributed, 371,859; .Knapsack Books distributed; 1,254,- 5.91,; Library Books distributed, 39,713; Ma gazines; and Pamphlets distributed, 120,492,; Religious Newspapers distributed,, 2,931,469; pages of Tracts distributed, 11,976,722; Si lent. Copiforters, &c. , distributed, 3,285. The .increasing work’of the Commission is drawing heavily upon the Treasury from day to.day. The balance on hand is small com pared with the prospective. demands of the winter and spring. NECESSITIES JIET, 1. The necessity for a living link by living messengers going and returning between the home and the field. 2. That for full-handed, full-hearted dele gates from home' to seek the the sick, the worn, the wounded, wherever they they might be found,, and .give them the per sonal cheer, sympathy, and relief they require. 3. That for Stores to fill the hands of these delegates with the means of immediate .per sonal relief, by counsel and consent of surgeons, id every case of want and suffering they can find. 'ir.’ A: v 4. That for a special corps of minute men to send .to. the field in time of battle, with am ple battle-field stores to.relieve the weary, aid the surgeons in saving the wounded, give comfort aud counsel to the dying, and Chris tian burial to the dead, maik their graves, and transmit tenderly the sad tokens of love and intelligence of death to the bereaved at home. ; 5. That for. securing and sending reading matter, constant, various, and fresh from tbe preSS of the various denominations, to alleviate the famine for something to read incident to military life and the vicissitudes of war. 16. That for ministerial laborers to supply the lack of chaplain service in the large part of our forces 'h aving no chaplains. . 7. That of aid and cheer to chaplains in the service by supplying them on the ground with, the Scriptures, books, papers, Una tracts, for use and distribution, by. indispensable assis ! tance. in erecting chapels; and by the. personal services: as required, of.ministerial- ahd lay delegates in benefitting their men. 8. That of filling the hands and strengthen ing tl)e. hearts of good men in the service, surgeons, officers and privates, in their efforts to aojrood to those'around them. ; 9: That of ah agency for a thorough, con ? tinuoiis, systematic distribution of the Scrip tures furnished by the American ißible Society; : land reading matter from, all sources beyond ..thpse,portions of: our! National- forqeß.whieh may b.e supplied through chaplains and others in the'“service. , , . .. . . j, im ; PBINOIELES OF ACTION. ;..' ; T.: iGatholicity: v : ■ b * " 11. Nationality.- : ! . ■' • ' J The church of Chris tof various names united ! in Behalf of the men. of e very State'gone to thewat; , ' ? 111. Voluntariness'. : ' : i : Services of members of the "Commission, iand its numerous branches with their chief 'executive officers, the use of offices and; store rooms. The supply of? all the SordptifrCs ire squired from the American; Bible ? Spciefy, gnd ailarge fimount of publications, and'stores from lithe religibus; press.and,. the pebple? ' The reg ,plated freedom of 20,000 rtiiles of railway and ,201000 miles oftelegraph; and the services of more than 1500 ministers and laymen as d'ele fßteskrall without pajj freely received,.freely estewed. . IY. Combination of benefits for body and soul;'; ‘- , Y Reliahce upon men, Christian ministers and laynien; mainly as the. agency for giving the benefits heeded to tbe men in the fidd.' . YI: Rersonal distribution with persOhal ministrations. Stores given. - Never, if the soldier, ig , under the surgeon’ s care without his counsel and. consent, but ’always if .possible directly by the delegate to the soldier. And always 1 adding such personal service and reli gious'counsel to the'Value bf the gift as the case demands. - 1 , ; ! Yllf'iClo-Dperation with chaplains,surgeons, officers and;alljgpqd. pien, _by. aupplyiiig and aidinglhem io benefit thpse ground them. YULl.^Respect.for authorities,. National, medical. Strengthening confi dence ingfche-Government, add faith’rn God for ,6b e suppression Of the rebellion. And in structing all delegates .to report to and coun sel with, those; in-,authority,- wherever they go, 4nd ,obsejw,e‘eyery regulation egtablished, ,and to repeat ,or report any thing affecting ; public Or personal interest® without consent of, tho'Se coneerned or in command. Mk , ..STUART. r -I, have the pleasure of intro ducing Bisiiop E. S, J anes, D. D-, of New York, one of thejfqunders of tbe'U. S-ftGbristian-Com mission, and one. from whom the Commission has:derived;mueh' valnablehounSel and assist? ance. :fj ■ f 1 ‘ ' :i: ■ '■ "■ ■ ■ - ’■ ’ l5 j j 4 Bishop Janes's Statement,...... Among -the necessities of mankind, pressed upon at all times and.under,all circumstances, the want of daily, bread, the want of intellectual food, the want of social enjoyment, the want of a divipe religion are felt to be necessities of every day aii'd'kvery place. Certain, circumstances of need, and peculiar emergencies, demand to be met with peculiar and special agencies. 'Sickness requires medicineand efficient nursing. Afflictioni or age. or peril, or ; death, enhances the value, of Christian ministrations, and makes our Lord and Savious Jesus Christ peculiarly precious. Now all of these classes of necessities exist urgently and extensively in the army and navy of the United States. As a class, the men who compose our army and: navy are intelligent. They are men who have been accustomed to have their newspayers, their books, and to converse with intelligent minds, and those of intellectual habits. Many of these men have had domestic altars, and Christian saiictiiaries and religious -meetings which they have'che-' rished and. enjoyed. And the want of these r is &: painful to them in their present .condition. A large portion of these men are suffering in hospittals from disease and from: wounds. ; All of them are liable to the terrible casualties • of the battle-field, or the more in sidious yet oftentimes .equal dangers of the .camp. I'bejieve'that our government has ap. ireciatefi.these necessities of our soldiers, and" ias. done all that.it could; to relieVe them, by its narses l surgeons and chaplains. This’ ac. tion of toe government'has been supplemented. to some extent and in some particulars by generous individual effort and by benevolent associations. Still, the intelligent, watchful Christian young men of the country saw that these necessities were but partially relieved, and that some of them were not even contem. plated by the action to which we have referred. They consequently called a convention of delegates from the several Christian Associa* tions of the country, which convention, with prayer and conference, formed the Christian Commission for the Army and Navy, the second anniversary, of which we are now celebrating. - Up to that period, there had been no general, organized, extensive plan for the supply of these (Treat needs. The greatness of the necessity may be partly inferred from the extent of the work of the Commission during the past year, in their attempts to supply it. In 'this work they have -circulated 465,715 copies of the Holy .Scriptures; they have circulated over a million and a half of religious books, some of them small; to be sure, but all of them suited to the circumstances, of the men for whom they were designed. They have also distributed three millions of'magazines and religions papers,- aird some i . twelve million pages of tracts; , Now .I - submit to the imagination of this congregation the-estimaie of the greatness of the benefit which this amount of useful reading matter has been to the army and navy of the country For I am sure that my words cannot state these benefit^’. ; ; It has been found: a -more difficult work to meet the social wants of the army;’ We cannot take to these Husbands, fathers and brothers their homes; And ! we bave'hvo' substitutes for their .hoines to give ,them. No. The best, which it has been possible for us to do was to send faithful messengers to thein, inquire into their wants, and welfare, and report home their condition. Thus the Christian Commis sion has sent m ore than 1,200 of these delegates among our soldiers with instructions to assist the surgeons in binding up, their .wounds* Jo nurse them in the hospitals, to administer in connection with their bodily needs the conso lations of the gospel, to mark the place of their burial, and to return to surviving friends at Home the ; last sad mementoes of the dying. They have therefore almost uniformly been welcomed and received as ministers of healing and comfort, as messengers of hope and mercy. The Christian Commission has, however, al ways felt that, the inpral and religious interests of the army and navy were the more important concerns. They have therefore sent out their delegates to.preaeh.the gospel of Christ, to fur nish the Holy Scriptures, and the reading mat ter to Which T Have 1 -referred: : THey have in structed their delegates,to co-operate with the chaplains, and as they have opportunity to hold social meetings for prayer and religious conversation, and in every practical way pro mote the religious: interests of those to whom they were sent.' And lam happy to say, to my certain knowledge, that many men who went into the army wicked , men, as wicked as evil agencies could make them, have been regene rated by the grace of God,'and haVe returned to their homes'to adorn the-doctrine of our Lord and Sayionr Jesus Christ. , , .... From these statements it will be seen that in our work we do hot neglect the physical neces sities of the men. On the contrary, we have given to. them the deepest,, and tenderest sympathy; and we have given to, sufferers the most direct, effectual, and apprdpriate minis tries which they have received.; Butthe dele gates remember that the men are immortal, ac countable, that they are destined'to a life be yond this, and the^r,'therefore: seek to promote their Christian character, their well-being here and hereafter,'hotb now and forever. ■TEe CSristiahrComiriission illustrates as hap pily as ever ban be illustrated, the maxim that charity is twice blessed,,bf>th in him who gives and in themyrho receive,, Tjje, messages which • have'beeif seiit By every deWgate irbrn the sol , diers in the army to their friends at home, often the statement of,the .fact that they died as Christians, that they received a Christian burial • —a statement of these facts ‘ has been hailed with joy and thanksgiving by many hearts, and in many homes throughout this land. ' The enlisting ahd marshalling of the im mense armies orohr 'conntry in so short a time,'- has been a snbliine event, that will emblazon one of the most. wonderful pages, of -human, history. And the movement of. these immense, armies, because of the vastness of .the interests in peril, and the millions of the present and the coming'’ generations, whose welfare was in volved, has’had an importance and solemnity which cannot be exceeded except it be by the interests of. eternity ■ and the, transactions of -the Deity. And yet I question whether, in the whole history of the war, there has been an hour of greater interest than will' he attached to that hour when these armies shall be dis banded, when’ these men’ shall return home. The introduction of'such a number of persons into new society, into the diffrrent homes and neighborhoods of :the country, cannot but be pregnant with great effects, and it becomes a question of great interest, what shall be that effect?- These nienwill not be obscure per sons! Every one o’fthem has a history, and a name, and a story'; and these returning soldiers are to have the ear of the boyhood of the nation the next thirty years, Whitt shallbe the charac ter of :their,communications ? Shall they be cor rupted, .or shall they-inspire this boyhood with noble patriotism and with love to .jGod? I answer that the influences which they shall exert will be strikingly in accordance with their- character'; and their character when they return'" home will-'be very much in har mony with the influences that have been thrown, around them while, they were in the army. This fact makes the seeding of these men with ,the.influence of- Christian homes, thei in fluehce of good reading, the influence of home associations, the influence of Christian circles and faf religious service, a matter of the in tensest ■ moment. I say;- therefore, that the work of this Association is a work of patriot ism as well as a work of philanthropy and of piety—the three highest;'attributes that ever, ennobled a human enterprise." This is not only; a work of usefulness and goodness. It is also a great work. Its vast ness may be inferred from, the multitudes that compose the army and the navy, from the in fluences under which they are placed, and the interests which gather around the circles and families from which these men have come And I. will here add that the number of those for whom we care and .to whom, wo minister is augmented by our attentions and ser vices rendered to those Confederates who are brought within, the. range of ' the influence and aim of these labors'. The greatness of the -work may also be inferred from what has been contributed from the loyal land in money, and in stores, and in other valuable gifts, of which the Christian country, has made the Christian Commission the, almoners to our array and navy, of nearly a million of dollars’ worth. I have but one thought more. I conclude by saying that these, men to whom we propose to minister are worthy of our ministry. (Ap plause.) ■ They are soldiers fighting for onr nationality. They are soldiers fighting the battle, of .this world. ( Applause.) They are well worthy of our loving and of onr kindest offices: M-y task is done. 1 have given you bjit a bird’s eye view of the. Christian Commis sion, and I now leave :t.o the distinguished-ora tors of'the evening to unfold the worb' : ahd pray that the blessing of Almighty God’ may rest 'upon- this congregation-and-uponi-the l great interests of the Christian .Commission in its work of. blessing to the army and navy of our beloved country. , r When Bishop Janes had concluded, the au dience united in singing the following hymn : Jesus shall reign where’er the sun Does his successive journeys run; His kingdbm- spread from Bhbre'to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more. For him shall endless prayer be made, And endless praises crown his head; His name, like sweet perftune, shall rise With every morning sacrifice. Blessings abound where’er he reigns; The prisoner leaps to loose his chains; The weary finds eternal rest, “ - ' And all the sons of want are blest. . Let every creature rise and,bring Peculiar honors to our King; Angels descend with songs again, And earth repeat the loud Ajfnen. Mr. Stuart —l desire to introduce as the representative of that great national catholic institntiohj the American Bible Society,' the Rev. Dr. Taylor Address of Rev. W. J. R. Taylor, D. D. Mb. Chairman, and members op the Chris tian Commission Tour Commission has the sanction pf the heads of Departments, of Generals in the Army, and of the President of the United States. < ißnt, sir, you hold your title at a nobler Hand. ~ Tour, Commission bears the .signature of the'Prince of the Kingdoms of Earth. In that worthy Name the Commission haß gone forth to* prosecute its Christ-like labors of meroy and love. ■- Put, sir, what has religion to do amid the conflict of battle? What has Christianity to do in all this horrid stri|p? One of the representatives of the school of non-combatants said to me recently, •‘ Does thee think that God has anything to do with;this.war?”, “Most certainly I do!” “I: do not,” was the quick reply, “God is, a Bock, and he is not moved'by the passions and crimes of men. He leaves them in their wickedness to reap the awful results of their follies.” God is indeed our Rock. But it is the glory of our common faith that he, is the Rock of Ages in whose cleft even the rebels may find a refuge while we see his glory pafeing by. It is the glory of our faith,thotwe have not a High Priest who > cannot be touched with a feeling of onr infirmities,., but was tempted in all points like as we are, yet' without sin. Why, sir, the sympathy of Jesus is the key to, the work of your Commission. It is because' Christ sits Upon the throne that his church moves in her glorious pathway of light and love. ,Andthis- Christian Commission repre r . sents the Church of Christ in her most benevolent efforts. Whyi Mr. President, when you went up upon this Christian errand to our noble soldiers, you soon found that you could not do thework.of Christ witbo'ut having the Word of Christ to behr in your hands to those to whom you ministered in their sufferings. It was much every way in re- , sponsibility to that great Institution which God in ,his providence has raised up and sustained by the bencficence'of bis church forhaH a century, were committed so largely the oracle'B of God. And when you, came to it, it was not unmindful of its responsibility and its privilege; for I here give testimony that the large grants made to the Christian Commission, have been most cheerfully made by the Managers of the American Bible Society; and distribution has been effected of more than (five hundred thousand copieß,—and by the grace of God, we will give more than five hundred'thonsand copies more to such a cause! (Applause.) : We have been satisfied with your distribution. We have known how your agents and delegates have worked,. We have known how you have taken these Books in mass and have carried them by the single volume to those who needed them. ; .The reports which bare been made by your delegates have often times written new chapters in the history of this precious wold of God. What has the Bibie to do witk.this war, sir? The dis tinguished gentleman who administers the affairs Of the Department of State, and whose letter of ijecommendation and regard has -been read here to-night, jSome; quarter of a century ago made a public address in which was this statement: “ That;buhfpfr;th,j Bible the . Government of the United States, would have had no existence, and that if there could be in every decade a copy of the Holy Scripture placed in every family of the Union, our institutions would be preserved. inde finitely/* Alas! sir, alasl that this has not been thoroughly accomplished. We knowthatthe basis of .every human law .is the Law of God as we find it Written' in’ fiiS inspired.word. But ft may not be so Well known by the.mess of ibis' audience, that according to the .testimony of the most emi nent expounders ofthe-'system of international law,: the whole system owes its origin clearly and purely to Christianity. One of pur most distin guished public characters, whose eloquence has rung through-this stately hall as he eulogited our Washington, said, so far as I recollect, in these very words: “That the religious systems of Greece andlßome, and originallybftall nations of antiquity, formed the grgat obstacle to the establishment of any great principle of interna tionnllaw,-*butitbatit grew by necessity out of the spiritual religion of the New Testament” And he adduces this striking testimony: “That the whole development of the publielawofthe world was bat the simple application-and exponent of I the principle announced by the Saviour in his sermon on the Mount—‘Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.”’ Now, sir, ,1 takeit that if that simple law had been applied- to our foreign relations during tie. progress of this! War, ;-we never should have had the “Alabama” sent afloat in the place of the .“GeorgeGriswold,” norwould the ocean now be swarming with pirates. This is not all. What do_we hear of the .mighty workings of this Book of God among onr defenders upon the sea &od )tbe l4|id| Iboger a question whether’the men in the army will read the Bible. We know thatftßfcy crave it, and with outetretched hands.' It is ,no longer a question whether they abuse the. Word of God. We know that the instances of abuse are scarcely appreciable in comparison with the effects of. its distribution. - It iq no longer a guesiion . whether Christian men in the-army love'the Word of Bcid as they did at home. Sir, multitudes of them love it more than they ever did .before. But sometimes a question anses as to the waste, the consumption of volumes sent out. 1 . It is even so. But supposing that it were twice .as great as it is, or even three times as great, it were worth all that it costed sir, if we only putrtfie Testament, ot Book of Psalms, or the Gospel- by. John, .in ; the..hauds of some poor dying man whb“ languishing upon the battle-field. But B would Ihave this Christinh‘audii>rice under stand that these men will cling to their Testa ments and Bibles when they throw away their knapsacks, and even their arms. They carry the Word of Gpd with them in their retreat! (Ap plause.; _ I might* appeal with confidence to these leaders ■ of pur armies, who are here to-night; for their, testimony in regard to the influence of the Word of God upon their soldiers. Tellme, sir, ing Gen. Howard,) were the men whom you led to' victory at Gettysburg, or iu the valley of the Lookout at Chattanooga, less brave, less heroio because the carried religion with them into .the battle, and this Book of the wars of the Lord? Tell me, were those who fought Hooker’s battle above the clouds less heroic because they were animated by the spirit of that Book, which taught them to play the man for our people arid for the cities of our God ?; Are the Christianimen in the army—the men who love the Word of God, those whe are trusted least or trusted mbs?? It is one of the significant facte i> regard to this Bible distribution, that our soldiers are beginning to crave the whole Word Of Gbd-they want riot merely to read the Testament, but they are be ginning to long f„r the whole Old Bible. And, s,r ’ s< ? ■ ar as tiie distribution can be discriminate, ana the means of the Society will allow, I be ll?7e . th® day is not far distant wh.en the dis tribution of the whole Bib'e will be made very largely to those who would appreciate it. •v‘ * ’ t - e ver y spirit of an. immortal heroism breathes in that Old Testament: -They who are engaged in the effort to put; down ;this gigantic rebellion will not forget Absalom and Ahithophd, A,bijah, aricLthe rcvoltof the ten tiffbeb. HAriil%iW who are longing for-pence arid prosperity will uiot forget how God brought together the ancient people from their severity ye«rs ; of captivity in a strange land, where they hung their harps upon
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