Rev. J. C. Granberry, Methodist missionary to Hill's Corps (and, by the way, one of the ablest preachers and most efficient workers I know), has, within the past two Sabbaths, preached on army missions and taken up collections at Washington street and Market street Methodist Churches, Petersburg. At the former he secured five thousand and at the latter seven thousand dollars—a liberal contribution, when we remember the circumstances which surround these churches; and some of our more highly-favored brethren who ‘eat the bread of quietness,’ would do well to imitate this noble example in sending the Gospel to our brave soldiers. Our Virginia Baptist Colportage Board is in need of funds to carry on its work, and, as it has never regarded State lines in the prosecution of its work in the army, but has sent its colporters and missionaries and distributed its publications amongst the troops of all States alike, it has claims upon the brethren of Georgia which have not been and will not be disregarded.
The people of Petersburg are bearing themselves nobly in this crisis in their history; there is nothing like a panic, but the men have shouldered their muskets determined to defend their homes to the last, and the women (God bless them) are devoting themselves nobly to the relief of our sick and wounded. I was at a hospital the other day from which the wounded were being removed because of the shelling, and saw a number of ladies bearing delicacies to our poor fellows and ministering with the utmost tenderness to their wants, regardless of the missiles of death which the foe was hurling at them. On yesterday (Saturday) most of the churches were opened, and Yankee shells mingled their discordant notes with the songs of praise. Save this continued shelling all was quiet along the lines on yesterday, and it was my privilege to spend the day in the trenches ‘breaking the bread of life’ to our brave boys who crowded to hear the Gospel, and receive the large number of Indexes which I fortunately had for distribution. As I passed through the hospital the other day a gallant Georgia offices recognized the Index in my hand, called to me for one, and seemed as glad to get it as if he had just met a friend from home.
