‘
[
336]
It would delight your heart to mark the seriousness, order, and deep feeling which characterize all our meetings.
In
Armistead's Brigade, where I have been most constantly working in co-operation with Brother Cridlin, a Baptist, and chaplain of the Thirty-eighth Virginia, and with other ministers, there have been some seventy professions of conversion, and the altar is filled morning and night with penitents.
The change is manifest in the whole camp.
Men have put away their cards; instead of blasphemy, the voice of prayer and the sweet songs of
Zion are heard at all hours.
There is little gambling, but all seem contented and interested.
We have many proofs that it is a genuine and mighty work of grace.
Yesterday reminded me of Sabbath at camp-meeting.
There reigned here a deeper quiet.
Divine services began at an early hour of the morning, and continued into the night with brief intervals.
At 9 A. M. Sabbath-school was held under the auspices of the Christian Association.
At 10 A. M., 4 and 7 P. M., the congregation met for preaching and other exercises.
It was a happy day—a season of refreshing from the presence of the
Lord.
Brother August is conducting an excellent meeting in his regiment.
Already there have been forty-two professions of faith, and the work deepens and widens.
I have enjoyed the privilege of being with him frequently, and have never seen a revival progress in a more satisfactory and promising manner.
The Christian Associations which have recently been organized in the different brigades will, I doubt not, accomplish great good.
They furnish an opportunity for the public confession of
Christ and the enjoyment of the friendship of saints.
They are a nucleus for lay co-operation with the chaplains, or lay labors in the absence of chaplains.
In
Kemper's Brigade the revival, which began last spring, still goes on, chiefly under the ministry of
Rev. Dr. Pryor, of the Presbyterian Church.
He is a most laborious and efficient workman.’
In a circular sent out to the Churches and people by the Chaplains' Association of the first and second corps of General Lee's army, urging hearty co-operation in the work of saving souls, most cheering accounts of the revival were given:
‘The Lord is doing wonderful things for Zion in the ranks of our army.
Christians are daily growing in grace and fidelity.
Sinners are turning by hundreds to the King of Righteousness and finding that peace which comes by faith; while many are yet seeking the Prince of Life.
We believe that, under God's direction, ’
