write, but I feel unwilling to withhold any longer some account of my labors from the Commission. On arriving at Baltimore, July 8, and reporting to you, I was assigned to Camp Parole, near Annapolis, Maryland. One evening, on the steps of the Chapel of the Naval Hospital, I conversed with a young captain of the 183d Pennsylvania, who while deprecating fear or anxiety in regard to death, or the hardships and perils of the battle, confessed that one thing gave him uneasiness, and that was the state after death. I responded to the effect that such solicitude was rational, and I tried to commend to him the one resource and means of safety and consolation, viz., looking to Jesus. I pray that good may result. The more, in view of a very sad detail of a Vermont officer a short time previous, of great losses in his regiment in the recent fighting under Grant in Virginia, especially the loss of intimate personal friends.

Prayer meeting this evening, July 15th-Brother Paine of the Sanitory Commission leading. It is indeed a place of interest, where these men from all states, gone forth in the nation's defence, sing and pray and speak, engaging zealously in the worship of God. The exercises throughout are generally intelligent, earnest and devout.

Distributed reading matter yesterday, and to-day also gave out the Pardoned Soldier, the Black Valley R. R., a curious and significant representation of the woes of intemperance, and other tracts to a battalion of men (say 300) just going to Washington to Camp Distribution, to be forwarded to their various regiments.

I went through Hospital A, wards 1 and 2, distributing, and here and there saying a word of exhortation. Found one man from Pennsylvania, who shed tears copiously in conversation, evidently very tender. He confesses past neglect of God, but since the war he desires to return and trust in Almighty grace.

At his request, purchased some lemons at the sutler's, and brought thern to him.

Another sick man, and pious, from Massachusetts, I have several times seen. Both wish me to write and ask some dear one at home to come and see them. I shall write this evening. Another, youthful looking and modest man, from Fredonia, New York, interested me. He was a member of the 112th New York, under poor killed Colonel Drake. He says the Colonel was very forward, mounting rebel entrenchments, though previously wounded in the head, and was subsequently shot in the abdomen, dying in a few hours. (Colonel Drake was formerly pastor of the Paptist Church in Westfleld, New York.) Gave some reading matter to men in front of the guard-house, and others.

Got some rice gratis, at cook-house, near the Chapel. Rice, blackberries, crackers, tea, and a little meat with pickles, though all in a homely style, are abundantly satisfactory. Let the praise be given to the Giver.

Sabbath, 5 P. M.-Preached in the Chapel this morning, from Romans v. 1. "Wherefore being justified by faith," &c. Just before service, was requested by Dr. Brown, formerly of 94th regiment New York, to attend the funeral service of two men drowned yesterday at

Annapolis. Service held at Ward 4, Hospital A, consisting of reading Scripture, exhortation and prayer. United States flag was wrapped around the two coffins. How suddenly were these two young men ushered into eternity! They were re-enlisted veterans, just returned to camp after (I think) a thirty-five days' furlough each. Excellent soldiers they were, I hear; but alas, I fear unprepared for the great change. We accompanied the dead to the place of interment, with military order, and a farewell volley was fired over the graves. How thickly lie the dead in that cemetery! How impressive the sight of those steep mounds of red earth, rising in close order, each with its little white head-board, telling in language so sadly eloquent of the fearful and fiery ordeal through which the nation is passing. It is the harvest time of the Reaper Death! Perhaps a thousand dead lie here. I have written to the friends of the men.

Evening Preached in the Chapel to night. Good congregation and good freedom in utterance. Closed with prayer meeting-time well improved, some of the men expecting to leave in the morning. At the close a man requested to speak with me. He is almost heartbroken at the reported death of his brother, who is said to have sank exhausted, Saturday, July 9, at the battle of the Monocacy. Poor man! He wept freely, being not only keenly distressed with this affliction, but also suffering some qualms of conscience in regard to the Scriptural allowableness or right of war, or fighting at all. I tried to comfort and edify him as well as I could.

Had a conversation with Dr. a young surgeon, intelligent, but unconverted. He has been through battles and dangers in Grant's campaign. It was an interesting interview. Hope it may do good. Saw brother Kelly again, of Sabbath night's interview, and rejoiced to see him cheered with the news that his brother is alive, although a prisoner. The praise is the Lord's.

Tuesday, 6 P. M., July 19.-Distributed religious papers through nearly twenty wards, and also to cars just starting off with soldiers, (perhaps 150 of them.) Also procured of the paymaster nearly $300 for absent soldiers, at their request, to be forwarded to them when I learn their address. Also have assisted in unloading and unpacking stores for Christian Commission, such as hospital stores, &c. Work not yet done, and will take part of the day to-morrow.

Wednesday, 20th.-Attended prayer meeting last evening. Good congregation of saints. Came home tired and a little dispirited. Brother Townsend, who has been a short time absent, returned last night. He is poorly with diarrhœa.

6 P. M.-Went to Annapolis to pay D E. Price his money. Tried to obtain pay for another soldier. Finally took him, got a pass, and was successful. Paymaster, Major Wilson, a kind man. Talked with negroes that dig graves in the cemetery. They say they are Methodists. Exhorted them to duty. Exhorted swearing boys to forbear their oaths. Got back tired. Found Baptist brother Bacon, of Toumansburg here to get men furloughed. Glad of his society.

Thursday-Helped an Irishwoman from New York to find her wounded son in Hospital A, Ward 1.

Called on Colonel Root at his headquarters, and also on his mother at her room. Suggested to the Colonel whether he might not give the cause of religion more aid. by signifying at least a personal wish that the soldiers in Camp as a body should attend Divine service on the Sabbath, or to that effect. To which I was sorry to hear him give a negative answer, and the more as he is known to be a professed Christian. Still I may misjudge in regard to his duty. Received applications from four soldiers at Alexandria for money to be collected and sent. Money ready for two. Distributed papers in some wards and at the guard-house. Propose to commence ward preaching to-morrow with brother Townsend.

Friday, 10 A. M.-Prayer meeting last night. Service in a ward, the second from this building this morning, forty or fifty present. Brother Townsend spoke.

Saturday, 10 A. M.-Yesterday went to Annapolis to obtain pay for

two men.

At evening attended prayer meeting. Brother Bacon is gone home with his men. Glad of his success. After meeting last evening had an opportunity to renew conversation with the young surgeon (and a companion also, cultivated and intelligent) on some of the great themes of the Gospel, though sorry to discover, and obliged to combat some tendencies to infidelity. They may soon be at the post of danger, doing active field duty again. I pray for their illumination and salvation. This morning attended prayer meeting at Chapel at 8.

Afternoon-This morning distributed tracts through twelve wards, and letters to write.

Sunday, July 24.-Preached this morning in the Chapel, with great difficulty through infirmity. Heard brother Paine (Sanitary Commission) in the afternoon. Then a good conference. Affected by the remarks of brother W. H. Ball, of S. W. Virginia, an apparently humble Christian, who left his Southern home to fight for the Union, leaving his family behind, from whom he has heard not a word in more than three years.

Reading to-day Matthew Mead's "Almost Christian Discovered." Brother Townsend preached a vigorous sermon in the evening.

Monday-Rainy, and rain very welcome, but rather difficult to get about. Felt discouraged last night. Prayed earnestly. Comforted a little with a work called "The Blood of Jesus." Send $40 by Express to McGrath, Arlington Heights.

Afternoon-Distributed tracts and papers in about eighteen wards. Prayer meeting in the evening. Had liberty and comfort to say a few words.

Tuesday-Went through some wards having a little religious conversation. The same in the afternoon. Found a backslider, a Baptist, from Ohio. Counselled him to duty. Evening prayer. Inquirer at the close, who had conversation with brother Townsend.

Wednesday-Ward meeting at 8 o'clock; ward, No. 28. Brother Evans spoke. Prayed to close. Wounded boy from Jamestown sat at my side. He would like to be a Christian. I pointed him to the Lord. Visited two wards. Found a New Hampshire soldier, a

Christian and re-enlisted veteran, whose wife lay sick at home with consumption. Ventured some words of consolation, as I saw how deeply he seemed to feel this affliction.

Tried to instruct another, who on being interrogated, dwelt on the "difficulty of being a Christian." Conversed with two next door men, one having a harassing and perhaps dangerous cough, and the other a bullet in his back, which entered at the jaw. Preached this evening. Text, "Submit yourselves therefore to God." Thought and longed to submit more thoroughly myself. The Lord grant it. Brother Townsend followed with forcible remarks.

Thursday, July 28.-Meeting in Ward 34 at 8 A. M. Brother Townsend talked well. Conversed with an East Tennessee boy, and commended him to Christ, and with four others at some length. Call by some soldiers for meeting at 3 P. M. for prayer and conference at the Chapel.

Friday forenoon-Distributed 475 religious papers through thirtyfour wards. Intensely hot and dusty. Intensely hot and dusty. A trial of patience and

strength. Evening prayer meeting.

Saturday-Prayer meeting at 8 A. M. Distributed 130 papers through Parole barracks. Distributed 100 papers in Hospital A, and religious conversation. Thermometer 98 in shade.

Sabbath, July 31.-Extreme heat. Brother Townsend preached at 10 A. M. Brother Evans at 3 P. M. Myself in the evening. Brother Townsend and self distributed papers to companies of New York National Guard, just arrived. Am poorly in health, and feel compelled to leave.

If not considered out of place, I should like to speak of the overwhelming importance of the religious fidelity of officers. How difficult to estimate the responsibility of those who stand in positions of influence so peculiar! Who can tell what an impetus their personal attendance on meetings for Divine worship of officers professing Christianity would give to the cause of Christ, in the camp and in the field? and on the other hand, who can estimate the injury done by their habitual absence? will it suffice to plead mere private integrity at the bar of God as an excuse for inaction? or as a substitute for a known and active Christian interest among the men they command? The officers' presence and co-operation at prayer meeting for example would so manifestly be for the glory of God, that a moment's discussion of the subject is unnecessary. This is a theme of special and peculiar importance.

I am induced to say a word of the undoubted utility of ward meetings. Although not much was done in this direction during my stay at Camp Parole, yet a commencement was made, and I am happy to speak of the ready and evidently efficient adaptation of my colleague, the Rev. Mr. Townsend, to this, as well as almost every kind of religious labor among the soldiers.

The chief consideration and encouragement to ward meetings is the opportunity thus afforded for reaching the men scarcely otherwise accessible. At least the Gospel is brought to the lame and sick and listless and indifferent, and profane men of every class, who seldom or

never attend meeting in the Chapel when time can be given or approI can but regard this as an important in

priated from other labors.

strumentality of good.

C. COLEGROVE.

Report of Rev. Cyril Pearl.

SIX WEEKS WITH THE SOLDIERS OF THE UNION.

G. S. GRIFFITH, Esq., Chairman U. S. Christian Commission :

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER-In accordance with your instructions I give you a report of the labors of six weeks in the service of the United States Christian Commission. I reached this place by the P.M. train. I received the needed passes from the Provost Marshals, and the general commanding allowing me to visit all parts of the Division. After conference with the Medical Director, I decided, by his advice, to report at the Division Hospital at Sandy Hook, and on my way met brother John Turbitt from the State of New York, who had been laboring some weeks in this field, and gave him my letter of introduction from brother Williams. I also met at Sandy Hook brother Francis Durdis, a lay member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from Philadelphia, who had been laboring some weeks in that part of the field. Meeting a cordial reception from the surgeon and other officers of the hospital, I engaged to preach at the dining hall, Sabbath, P. M., and had supper in season to go with some recent converts to prayer meeting at a private house at the base of the mountain. Sabbath the 7th was a day of deep interest. At ten o'clock, by request of brother Durdis, I met and opened the Sabbath school in the Stone school house which he had assisted to organize the Sabbath previous; addressed the children and soldiers again at the close. At one o'clock, I also addressed those assembled for class meeting at the same place. At four o'clock preached to the convalescent patients at Division hospital, and distributed reading matter among them. Attended service at the Stone school house in the evening, and listened to a sermon by Rev. John Turbitt, on the Spirit of Adoption "whereby, we cry "Abba Father." I addressed the congregation at the close. On Monday, brother Durdis left for his home in Philadelphia, leaving only brother T. and myself to labor in a field with some 16,000 soldiers scattered over a circuit of some six miles radius, with parts of regiments ten or twelve miles distant.

A small box of books and papers arriving for brother Durdis at the time of his leaving, he turned over to me with which to commence distribution. Calling on brother Turbitt, he went with me upon Maryland Heights where I made the acquaintance of officers in command of forts and regiments at various points, and the next day I commenced the work of supply. A revival of religion had been for some weeks in progress at Sandy Hook under the labors of circuit preachers of