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poverty.
God grant that “brother Johnnie” and the “young massa” may become savingly interested in the great salvation!
Mr. Dickinson wisely secured the influence and help of our best men, as the following will show. Hon. John Randolph Tucker has been for years a member of the Presbyterian Church, and one of those public men who never hesitates ‘to show his colors’—to speak out for Christ.
Messrs. Editors: The following letter from John Randolph Tucker, Esq., Attorney-General of Virginia, will be of service to the cause I have the honor to represent.
Mr. Tucker evinces the depth and sincerity of his conviction in this matter by his deeds, as, in addition to former gifts, this letter enclosed a handsome donation.
Richmond, June 19, 1862.
Dear Sir: In compliance with your request I take great pleasure in expressing the conviction of my mind, that the scheme of colportage for the army under your charge is worthy of the support of every Christian and every patriot.
Our cause, under God, is committed to the keeping of our noble army.
That cause rises far above all secular objects; for it involves within it our religion in its purity and in its successful dissemination throughout our whole Southern country.
The enemy has not only invaded our homes, but has desecrated our churches and stifled the voice of prayer in the temples of God, and seized His ministers clinging to the very horns of the altar.
Freedom to worship God has ceased wherever the legions of the foe have advanced; and the conscience of an outraged people, forbidden to utter its voice in public devotion, can only breathe its prayers for the rescue of our land from the enemies of our country and the despisers of our religion.
But shall the defenders of a free faith and of our hearthstones be without the word of God and the means of personal salvation?
The scheme of colportage answers the question.
By it religion noiselessly walks through the camp, sowing the precious seed among the soldiers of the South.
It enters the hospitals and speaks peace to the sick and the dying, and lifts the broken and wounded spirit to the hope
