The camps and hospitals — interesting facts.
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Rev. Mr. Dickinson has done us the kindness of supplying us with the reports of the colporteurs now at work among the soldiers in and around the city.
He has here
seven men, whose whole time is given to this service, while twice that number give portions of their time.
One of these gentlemen reports having sold at the rate of $30 worth of religious books a day, besides giving away large numbers.
For several days he has sold as much as $45 worth.
This shows how anxious soldiers are for reading matter, and at the same time it proves that they are men who appreciate religious truth.
These reports make mention of the kind aid which officers and surgeons render the colporteurs.
They are welcomed, and are furnished every facility of reaching the men.--This is right, and we accord it to the honor of the authorities.
From one of the reports we copy the following interesting paragraphs:
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"I visited an interesting young man, the near relative of a distinguished clergyman of this State, and, as he was not a professor of religion, I tried to explain to him the plan of salvation." He listened attentively, and then raised himself in his bed and said, 'Read to me some comforting passages of Scripture.' Day after day it was my pleasure to visit this dear young man, who, far from home and friends, was sinking beneath the ravages of disease.
The light gradually dawned upon his soul until he could rejoice in the love of
Christ. 'How do you feel now?' I inquired on one occasion.
He replied, 'I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.' At another time, upon being asked how he was, he said, 'I have a desire to depart and be with
Christ, which is far better,' Again he said, 'To me the grave has no victory, and death has no sting;' and so it was, for in an ecstasy of joy he passed away to his final home.
"I have been spending some days among the sick at
Ashland.
The doctors are very kind to me. Two of them said to me, 'We are glad to have you here.
We wish you to instruct the patients in regard to divine things, for they are dying very fast.' Though from the beginning of the war I have been constantly engaged in working among the soldiers, I never felt more encouraged and hopeful than at present."
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