About two miles from Annapolis and a short walk from the Railroad is the location of Camp Parole. It is on flat ground and surrounded on nearly all sides by shrubbery and trees. The situation is retired, and enjoys advantages of good supplies of water and pure air. The buildings are of wood and regularly arranged. Although working under the title of Camp Parole, and used as the place of temporary residence of the paroled men of the Federal Army, there is in connection with the camp one of the largest of the hospitals of the district. We have learned that over two thousand of the sick and disabled have been crowded into the hospital department. Until the present period we have not been able to secure the appointment of a Chaplain for the camp, although as many as thirty-two thousand men have been located there at one time. The Committee used every possible means for several months to secure a permanent supply of religious services for the camp without being able to accomplish it. At length a few Christian ladies, of years of experience, undertook the work. At the risk of neglect and ill treatment, they provided themselves shelter by the erection of wooden buildings, and made their residence among the large number, not less than seven to eight, reaching to over thirty thousand men, some of them among the most vicious and abandoned characters in the army. Through the perseverance of these noble spirited ladies, the work of reformation was commenced, and it was carried on until a change for the better was perceptible in every portion of the camp. For two years and a half all the religious services. rendered the camp and hospital have been supplied by the Christian Commission.

The officers and Surgeons of the Camp during the first months of its existence were greatly troubled and perplexed by the conduct of the men. It was with great satisfaction that they beheld the work of reformation in its progress. They are represented as kind and gentlemanly in their treatment of those under their authority and care. Much of their kindness and gentlemanly treatment was lost upon characters, who appeared as though they could not appreciate the favor, much less render a return in kind for its bestowal.

Through the instrumentality of the ladies, assisted by our Committee, and by delegates, some of whom were clergymen sent by us for the purpose, the Government was induced to erect a Chapel for religious services. The building is over eighty feet in length and accommodates several hundred persons. In this Chapel meetings are held on Sunday for preaching, and as many as seven to ten prayer meetings and experience meetings have been held during the week. Often during these services the building has been crowded to overflowing by men, who before, either cared but little for religious worship, or denounced it as foolish and effeminate. These men have anxiously and earnestly inquired, what they must do to be saved, and with great eagerness, some of them have obeyed the directions given them, and with repentant tears and purposes of amendment, they have sought and found the way of life.

The Rev. G. H. Townsend and the Rev. Erastus Colton are now acting as Chaplains of the camp and hospital under our direction. Reports from those gentlemen show the necessity of their presence as well as afford a view of the important service they are rendering.

Social meetings are held in the Chapel and in the barracks and tents, during which, the Scriptures are read and conversed upon, and the men express their experience to one another and pledge themselves mutually in purposes of amendment. Many a tale of wickedness and penitence and prayer and amended life, has been told in these meetings and many a pledge has been given and received to pursue the better path.

The following letter from the Rev. G. H. Townsend tells an interesting story of labor and success among the varied characters of Camp Parole:

CAMP PAROLE, August 24, 1864.

G. S. GRIFFTH Esq., Chairman Md. Com. Christian Committee :

DEAR SIR-You doubtless are aware that the addition of some two thousand sick and wounded soldiers to this camp within a few weeks has greatly increased the care and responsibility of the Christian Commission here, devolving upon your agent an amount of labor and anxiety that causes

him to feel at times, after exerting all his energies, that the work must still suffer for lack of service. I am happy to be enabled to report the spiritual condition of the camp as very encouraging. I have been here nearly three months, and have attended on an average as many as seven meetings per week in the Chapel, besides funerals and ward meetings, attending upon, and conversing and prayer with, and writing for the sick and wounded. The meetings have been very well attended. The Chapel, though some eighty feet or more in length, has often been so crowded that we have had to fill the aisles with extra seats. No week, I think, has passed without some soul being brought to Christ. And some weeks would average one or more each day who professed to find the Saviour. The Surgeons as well as other officers have been very kind, affording every needed facility for visiting and holding meetings in their several wards. Our social meetings are often seasons of great interest.

One says: "I have been a very great sinner. When at home my mother would pray and I would swear. I came to this camp very wicked and profane. But the other evening, while attending meeting here I thought this would never do, and I made up my mind to live a different life, to stop swearing and begin to pray; and I want you all to pray for me. A paroled man said: "When I was in a Rebel prison, without thinking much of my sins, I prayed earnestly to be delivered out of the hands ofthe Rebels, and the Lord heard my prayers and delivered me. Since I came

to Camp Parole I have felt that I was a sinner, and I have been asking God to forgive my sins and He has done it, and I am happy." Another said: "I love my Bible. I learned to love it when, by Rebel hands, I daily expected to be led out and shot, as I was threatened, and as numbers of my comrades were. But I never loved it as I do now.” One in substance, said: "I feel since I came to this Camp as though I had got at least half way to heaven. For I am sure that the transition from here to heaven cannot be much greater than from Richmond here.” Another tremblingly arose and said: "This is the first time I ever attempted to speak in a religious meeting. I was brought up a Catholic; but I have been reading the Bible, which has shown me that I was a great sinner, and pointed me to the Saviour. I have come to that Saviour and he as forgiven me my sins. A German said: "When I came to this country at twentytwo years of age I had never seen a Bible. I obtained one, read it, and was led to renounce the errors of my life, and to embrace the pure gospel of Christ. My mind

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has been so enlightened by it that I want every body to read the Bible and see how much more intelligent and happy they will be."

PRIVATE INTERVIEWS.

A wounded soldier came to my room one day saying: "When I enlisted, I belonged to the B-church, but I soon allowed myself to be led astray, and then withdrew from the church. Now I am very far away." I conversed and prayed with him, and then lent him a book on prayer. The next day he came again, his countenance lit up with a smile of joy, saying: "O Chaplain, I am so thankful for your counsel and for that book you lent me. It has been the means of bringing me back to the Saviour, and I once more have peace.

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One day, a man apparently in deep concern about his soul, approaching me asked a private interview. I invited him to my room, when he stated that he had experienced religion since he joined the army and had been baptized. But," said he, "I have been led away and lost my religion. I have been wishing for some time to come to. see you, but was afraid. I have been praying, but God does not hear my prayer. What shall I do?" I conversed and prayed with him, and he prayed. The Lord heard his prayer, and he left rejoicing in hope. A Lieutenant, who had just been dishonorably dismissed from service, came to me for counsel and help. I conversed and prayed with him. He wept bitterly. But I fear it was more on account of disgrace incurred than sins committed. I told him plainly that while I deeply sympathized with him, I saw no help, unless he would cease to imbibe and begin to pray. He offered to pay me to go and see his father and some influential friends in his State. But I told him that the friend he needed most could be found without going out of the State. I fear he will make flesh his arm and inherit

a curse.

THE LONE ORPHAN.

Soon after I arrived here I observed in camp a sad but intelligent lad of some eleven summers, who proved to be the only child of a late wealthy lawyer in Jackson, Miss. His mother had died when he was but two years of age, leaving him the pet and pride of a fond father who would not allow his little Charlie to be separated from him, not even when doomed, for love of country, to a rebel prison, where, after

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eight months of solitude and privation, he died, leaving his little son unprotected and alone in the hands of enemies who had caused his own death. Charlie had just been sent with paroled prisoners to this camp. With the consent and advice of Col. R. I took him in charge, looked up his relatives and found for him in the family of a wealthy uncle in New York a hearty welcome and a pleasant home, where, in spite of the surroundings of wealth and the smiles of friends, Charlie will oft grow tearful and sad as he thinks of the cruel death of that affectionate father, whose remains are still in Rebel hands or planted in secession soil. May the Father of the fatherless protect and save him, so that inherited wealth may not hinder him from heaven.

SAD BUT HOPEFUL.

A few days since, approaching a freight train from which more than one hundred sick and wounded soldiers had just been removed, I found lying alone in the straw nearly in a nude state, covered with filth and flies, a young soldier who at first appeared to be dead. Finding signs of life I applied stimulants until he revived so as to give his name and declare his faith and trust in Christ, and then sunk back into a stateof unconsciousnes from which he never revived. I wrote to his father, a clergyman in Ohio, who called at my door a few evenings after and anxiously inquired after his son. Painful as it was I had to reply: "Your son is in his grave, or rather, I trust, in heaven.' His voice trembled as he said; This is the first breach death has been permitted to make in my family. I must be resigned. I am resigned. He was a pious boy. A son of great promise. Though not eighteen years of age he had entered his last year in college. He greatly excelled as a mathematician and linguist. He had only enlisted for one hundred days, and his time had nearly expired. I was counting the days when he would be home. Ah! but has he not gone home! Safely home! I must not complain. I would not have him back.' kneeled, and wept, and prayed together, and were greatly comforted.

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I must not forget to mention that Rev. Brs. Tatlock and Colegrove were here about three weeks each during the summer, and rendered valuable and efficient services to the Christian Commission.

Your obedient servant,

G. H. TOWNSEND,

Agent U. S. C. C. Camp Parole, Md.