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THE SOLDIERS’ COLUMN. THE UNSEEN BATTLE-FIELD. There is an unseen battle-field In every human breast, Where two opposing forces meet, And where they seldom rest. That field is veiled from mortal sight, ’Tis only seen by One Who knows alone where victory lies, When each day’s fight is done. One army clusters strong and fierce, Their chief of demon form; Ilis brow is like the thunder-cloud, His voice the bursting storm. Ilis captains, Pride, and Lust, and Hate, Whose troops watch night and day, Swift to detect the weakest point, And thirsting for the fray. Contending with this mighty force Is but a little band; Yet there, with an unquailing front, Those warriors firmly stand I Their leader is of God-like form, Os countenance serene; And glowing on his naked breast A naked cross is seen. Ilis captains, Faith, and Hope, and Love, Point to that wondrous sign; And gazing on it, all receive Strength from a source Divine. They feel it speaks a glorious truth, A truth as great as sure, That to be victors they must learn To love, confide, endure. That faith sublime, in wildest strife, Imparts a holy calm; Fer every deadly blow a shield, For every wound a balm. And when they win that battle-field, Past toil is quite forgot; The plain where carnage once had reigned, Becomes a hallowed spot: A spot where flowers of joy and peace Spring from the fertile sod, Ami breathe the perftHhe of their praise On every breeze—to God. 77ia Baptist Banner.] The Work of God among the Sol diers. Rev. W. L. Pitchers writes from Peters burg: “I leave the results of my labors ( with God, praying that He may abundant ly bless them to the good of souls. Some say to me, ‘ It is a great comfort to have ' you to supply us with such good reading.’ ' Others say, ‘ We love dearly to read these things; they make us feel as we used to when at home.’ One said to me, ‘1 wish that I could have a new tract every hour of the day.’ Every time I go around in the hospitals, I htyir many things that would well illustrate the good that is being done by the Word of the Lord; but I make no note of them, and they soon pass from my memory.” I lev. Alex. Eubank, of Liberty: “I re ceived the package of tracts which you sent, and have distributed them. I have visited every cot in the hospitals, and have con versed with large numbers on the subject of religion. All receive my tracts, and what I say to them, with grateful hearts.— We have here a wide, field of usefulness.— The soldiers are specially anxious to be supplied with Hymn Books.” Rev. .1. 11. Weatherly, near Knoxville, Tenn.: “The tracts you sent me when our regiment was at Mobile, I have turned over ' to the chaplain, who is a very good man, 1 and he had distributed them. They have i obviously done good. But we need a great variety, and especially some-addressed to 1 officers. They have an immense influence. J Many of our men are remarkably fond of 1 singing. They carry Hymn Books, but wc I need about one hundred more “ (’amp 1 Hymns.” More than ever before I now t enjoy reading the Word of God and His I service, though I am a private in the ranks, J and have to perform the full duties of a t soldier.” I Rev. B. B. Ross, Mobile, Ala.: “I am • just from a pleasant tour of ten days to the ’ hospitals in Mississippi and Alabama. At < several points 1 found the work of God be- ' ing revived. The chaplains in and near ' this city have done a handsome work in ! distributing tracts. Never have I known ' more earnest heed given to the Word of the Lord.” Brother M. D. Anderson: “Since my last report my labors have been mostly confined to Drury’s Bluff’. A soldier whom I visited in the hospital recognized me, and inquired, ‘ Don’t you remember conversing with me on the subject of religion in Cul pepper?’ He asked me to pray with and for him. He has found the Saviour, been restored to health, and is a most active and zealous Christian, and may be often seen distributing tracts among his comrades.” Rev. J. H. Martin, Knoxville, Tenn.: “A soldier said to me that he had never wit- < nessed such a reformation as had been es- ; fected in his regiment by the distribution of tracts. He instanced, ‘ The Living Epis tle and ‘ Don't. Swear,’ ascribing wonder ful influence to the latter in reforming men 1 from swearing. 1 inquired, ‘Do von know 1 any upon whom it has had this effect ?’. ‘ 1 know one' said he, referring to himsvlf, ‘ |!i have an oath since reading it.’”< i ( aptain'W-*jßjun Miller.—This brother,’.; formerly of noW Captain | ’ in Gen. Jackson's “De not fail to send more men, and anabunrrrrft, supply of Testaments, Hymn Books and Tracts, to this army. Gen. Jackson’s com mand have claims upon the whole South. His veterans bear their breasts to lets of the invader at every turn. Then ought they not to have the Word of God! and good pious men to labor for their souls ? O, my brother, say to the fathers and mothers throughout the Confederacy, that they can not do better than to give freely to the noble work of army colport age, and then follow with earnest prayers their gifts. Fray for us. We, professors and non-profeasors, need the prayers of God’s people.” I hope that the request of this pious ofli oct - will be remembered. There is not, in all the ranks of our army, a nobler manor ‘ SMB BAJPSSSS BABHBM. a more devoted Christian. Driven from his home in Alexandria, and from his church of which he was a deacan, he has sought in every way to do good to the souls of his men, sending as much as SSO at a time to supply them with religious reading. And now he gives as his deliberate judgment, that in no way can those at home better the great cause, than by giving “ freely to army colportage.” A. E. Dickinson, Superintendent Army Colportage. [For The Baptist Banner.] Army Missions. Brother Hornady : I herewith send you two letters from our indefatigable missionary men stationed at Chattanooga, by which your readers can see the amount of work still to be done in the army. I hope you will be able to send Brother Williams 10,000 pages of tracts for gratuitous distribution, and a supply of Testaments if possible. They are all much needed. Send me your bill for the Testa ments, if they can be supplied. Yours truly, M. T. Sumner, Corresponding Secretary. Chattanooga, Tenn., Oct. 27, 1862. Rev. M. T. Sumner—Dear Brother : Your letter of the 16th and 22d are on hand, the latter “received to-day. I am greatly obliged for the increase of salary. Enclosed please find receipt for last month’s salary, and for express expense. Since I last wrote my time has been divided between the hospitals of General Withers’ division, 12 miles distant. My supply of Hymn Books, Testaments,Tracts, and Religious newspapers has been al most entirely derived from Presbyterian sources. The Presbyterian church in this place provide money for the support of a resident col porter here and to furnish him with Tracts, &c. He and his pastor have seen fit to furnish me from their stock— This colporter and myself often go out to gether among the men. The tracts we have are from the Charleston T. S., and from the Evangelical T. S., of Petersburg. We have had a good supply latterly of these, though only a limited supply of Tes taments and Hymn Books. 1 have sent or ders to Rev. 11. C. Hornady, Atlanta, Ga., but have received only one small package of Tracts. It may be a questoin what we do with Tracts to such an ampunt here. Let it be remembered that there is “Camp Direction” here whose numbers, ever changing, some times reach two thousand. Then the hos pitals frequently send oil large numbers whose places arc soon supplied by squads from the army. Besides regiments are passing frequently On the cars, and just now Breckinridge’s division is passing to Mur freesboro, and various other troops are con gregating at this place ; and it is rumored that Bragg’s Army will soon be here. No one, then, can be at a loss to know what is done with Tracts. Why, if I were to visit the hospitals here for half a day without Tracts, 1 should be besieged with the question : any more of them little pamphlets to give us ?” Some times I am asked for them as I pass back to my stopping place after having distribu ted my bundle. ’There is constant demand for Hymn Books and Testaments. And, my brother, it is indeed a hard thing for a Chris tian to be asked for the bread of life and give nothing. It can truly be said of this field that it is white for the harvest; but few are the laborers, and scanty the means for the gathering. The religious feeling of the men is often in the advance of my own. But a day or two since I handed a sick man, as he lay upon his couch, a tract, at the same time asking him, in a perhaps of ficial manner, if he was a professor of reli gion. The reply was, “ No, sir ; but I do wish I was;” and he burst into tears. One often has to go away from these visits re buking himself for his coldness, and pray ing for the warming influence of the Divine Spirit, and for the zeal and affectionate in terest in others which our Saviour ever manifested when among men. This seriousness and feeling of which 1 speak, is particularly manifest in the hospi tals not only here, but also, as a friend writes me from Richmond, in the extensive hospitals there. . In the regiment it is often found otherwise. But a few days ago, lof sered some tracts to a soldier who was on a train of cars loaded with soldiers. With an oath he replied, “ You had better put that money to something else.” His ad vice was so eccentric, however, that I wish I had asked his name and his rank, (for he is an officer,) so that 1 might keep watch of him, and see to what point of distinction so remarkable a man will attain. Sometimes 1 have unbounded joy in the humble ministrations which I undertake.— My heart is full ; my tongue like the pen of a ready writer; my spirits buoyant; my soul all aglow' with religious fervor— with love to fallen man. Again I tug up a mountain’s steep, rough side, stepping tim idly anxiously, lest an unfriendly ty, and bury Ul< ‘efforts in its massive rums. then, you ..T 1 "*! .lost sight of the Captain of my Salvatm£> | —have forgotten the lofty sentiment of Paul: “ 1 can do all things through Chrhtj who strengthens me.” (), that I might al ways keep looking to Jesus—l should be unconscious of any terrors by the way. j I I spent several days at the hospital of \\ ithers Division, very pleasantly. Saw, Christians happy under the distresses of al sick bed in camp, rejoicing at the approach ot death, triumphing in that dread hour.— I visited from tent to tent during the day ' and at night w e gathered a circle of conva lescents around a blazing fire, and’ had prayer-meetings. Several’of the brethren took part in the exercises, and the meetings were deeply interesting. There were some conversions and many anxious inquirers. Brethren’s hearts were knit to- i gether in love, and new desires prompted i to meet together where “congregations t ne’er break up.” We exhorted each other s —talked and sung —wept and prayed over > the unhappy state of our country, “the 1 loved ones at home,” and mourning sinners ■> bowed before us. r Hospitals here are being filled rapidly, ? and new ones being opened. The weather is severe on those in tents. Night before last it snowed and the winds are cold. Your brother in Christ, G. F. Williams. Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 4, 1862. Rev. M. T. Sumner : - ] Dear Brother—There has been no re markable change in this field of Christian * labor since I last wrote you. Os course, the sick are accumulating in our hospitals, r for the army is being transported to Mid- P die Tennessee through this place. This i seems to be the most suitable place to leave the sick, and large hospitals, though at present with scanty supplies of clothing and medicine, are now permanently estab lished. The sudden influx of sick soldiers from Knoxville has made it impossible as yet to furnish comforts for them in the large hotel which in one day was converted into a hospital. In passing through that hospital, it is interesting to seo how eager- 1 ly men, stretched upon their blankets on the floor, will listen to a word about reli f gion, and read the tracts —men, too, some of whom were “hauled” (for most of our ambulances are nothing but common wag ons) from beyond Cumberland Gap to Knoxville, and then moved here in box cars, having rested but a night or two on the whole way, and in the cold snow storm, unprotected and barefooted, at that. In many cases, these ministrations to the soul silence the groan, calm the restless spirit, and bathe the distorted countenance of dis tress in the sun-light of hope —the hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil. But the supply of tracts is not sufficient to furnish these, more es pecially the convalescent, with as much reading as would be profitable. I have suggested to the pastor of the Presbyteri an church to invite the people to bring us such interesting books as can be spared from their libraries, that we may furnish more reading with the soldiers. We have not as much preaching now as a while ago, though the men would be as ready listeners. ‘‘Being now quite familiar with the locality of the hospitals and camps here, I try to get every preacher I meet to leave at least one of his good sermons with some of them. Preachers, however, like gold at present, are not very plenty. For a few days past 1 have been much interested in nursing a Captain of my ac quaintance, whom I happened to meet in the depot, “worn out” and very sick. 1 took him to my own bed in a private house, and he is now almost a new man.— He was one of my classmates at Green ville, S. C., is a Baptist minister, and a skillful and brave officer. I have also a Lieutenant from the same regiment in an other private house, under my care. Both were in a bad condition when I found them, but, by the blessing of God, are doing well now. It is cheering to know that a good revi val is going on in the Army of the Poto mac. Shall it not be so here ? Yes, with labor and prayer. 1 have received no Tes taments, Tracts, nor Hymn Books since I last wrote. Your brother in Christ, G. F. Williams. [For The Baptist Banner.] From our Army Evangelist. THE WAR SANCTIFIED—SABBATH IN CAMPS—PLEA SANT EXPERIENCE—DEATH OF A SOLDIER—MEET fcINGS BY MOONLIGHT—BRIGADE MEETING—A SOL DIER’S WELCOME. Several years ago, one of the most tal ented young men I have ever known, a promising church-member, backslid from the path of righteousness and brought re proach on the cause of Christ. An affec tionate and earnest letter which 1 wrote him, and which I heard was kindly receiv ed, remained unanswered until when 1 saw him in this city on his return from the wars. He assures me the effect of that letter had not been lost; that he had preserved it, and read it and re-read it many times ; and that this, together with the scenes through which he has recently passed, has been sanctified to his restora tion to the right way. He enjoys peace with God, is serious and devout, and is re solved henceforth to devote himself to the , cause of Christ. His repentance seems to be genuine, and his reformation thorough. I was forcibly reminded of the words, “ Cast thy bread upon the waters, for Z/iou shult find it after many days.” On a certain Sabbath forenoon I preach- ' ed to Col. Williams’ regiment, of which . Rev. 11. E. Cassidey is chaplain. The at- < tendance was not large, owing, no doubt, in ] part to the coldness of the weather and the bleakness of the situation we occupied.— Col. Williams is a Baptist minister, who has followed the example of'Bishop Polk and others by laying aside, for the time (being, the gown for the sword. He has more of an officer-look and bearing , u?; an expect, and I have no doubt ' position f trust that when the retiu.. of p eace perm i t h; m to sheath his swchu, w jq rea j to i wield the Sword of Un- Spirit *f ternoon I preached to sever.,' h „ n , lrt .j *' Col. Harrison s regiment, Kev.M r ,Q rf%ene chaplain, being sick. My own heart x / 'deeply touched when I saw the large drops' [coursing down scores of up-turned faces around me; and especially when, in the close, about one hundred poor fellows pre sented themselves for prayer. Oh, that ! Christians could offer prevailing prayers for , these precious souls! Having heard that the Louisiana Batta lion was a “ rough crowd,” I could but feel , some trepidation upon entering their lines 1 for the purpose of distributing Tracts. — ' Never was I more agreeably disappointed, however, for the most cordial welcome and the most respectful treatment were extend ed to me by both officers and privates. 1 A few evenings ago, a young .man, a member of the Bartow Artillery, was in . fine health and spirits at 11 roll call/’ and next morning was a cold, bloody corpse.— 1 It is said he came to his end by the hands of two of his companions, in a drunken row in the city. The .painful event cast a gloom over the whole company. 1 sought to improve the occasion by holding a spe cial meeting with them around their camp fire by moonlight. . The deepest solemnity pervaded the little assembly, while they were exhorted to adopt the prayer of the Psalmist, “Lord, make me to know mine end,” &c. Another moonlight meeting was held with the 47th Georgia regiment. When I walked to the place selected for meeting, which was in the midst of the camps, all manner of noises saluted my ears —talking, laughing, whooping, popping of crackers, &c. As soon, however, as one of the good old songs of Zion began to float on the evening breeze, the men desist ed from their sports, gathered around, and gave the most respectful attention to the Word preached. And when those rough men (of course I allude only to their exte rior) were exhorted to pray for themselves, and were reminded that, at that very hour, thousands throughout the land were pray ing for them, tears flowed down their cheeks, and even sobs escaped their bo soms. In these “ meetings by moonlight,” there is a fascination and solemnity which I have never witnessed elsewhere. Last Sabbath forenoon I preached to the Louisiana Battalion.* Brother Cassidey, and the men of his regiment, joined us in this service, where the Colonel and his com mand were as cordial and respectful as we could have desired. In the afternoon I had the privilege of holding the first “ Brigade Meeting” which has ever taken place in this part of the army. This was done with the approbation of Colonel Harrison, (a son of Gen. Harrison,) who is in command, and who established the place of meeting, at tended himself, and at the close renewed an invitation to me to hold such meetings as often as 1 may find it convenient. This was by far the most interesting occasion I have ever witnessed among the soldiers.— About a hundred citizens, ladies and gen tlemen, were present, and manifested the liveliest interest in all that passed. At the tap of the drum the men came flocking to gether by hundreds, and formed a semi-cir cle around me—the front ranks sitting on the grass, the next on camp stools, and those on the outskirts standing. The most perfect decorum was observed by all, the singing was animated, the interest absorb ing, and, when invited to present them selves for prayer, hundreds, with tears and deep emotion, embraced it. On approaching the lines of a regiment, the day after my “ Brigade. Meeting,” the sentinel on duty, without waiting for me to aslj permission, saluted’me most cordially, and said, “ Walk in ! valk in I You’re wel come here ! ” 1 answered, “ You know me then, I suppose.” “ Yes,” said he, “ I heard you preach yesterday, and I shall never lor get your face. I believe God has sent you among us;” and he grasped iny hand, while tears stood in his eyes. I spoke a few words to him in the Master’s name, and passed on. To-night I have preached by moonlight once more, to at least threq hundred sol diers, nearly all of whom were up for pray er at the close. If the Spirit of God is not working mightily on the hearts of these men, then am I greatly deceived. J. 11. Campbell. Savannah, Dec. 2, 1862 [For The Baptist Bannor.] Army C’ol portage. We feel under many obligations to brethren and friends for the interest they have taken in the work of Army Colportage, but we hope they will not permit what they have done to interfere with what they in tend to do in the future. We havg four colporteurs now in the field, and as their salaries are falling due, we must have mon ey to pay them. Will not the brethren send us money at once, so that wc can go on with this great and good work? Wc know you can spare something for the spir itual benefit of the soldiers; and we urge you, by the love of country, and especially by the love of Christ, to help us. Several of our brethren, who subscribed at the Bethel Association, have not paid, and wc earnestly request them to send forward, one half to the undersigned and the other half to brother M. T. Sumner at Marion, Ala. We would also call the attention of the brethren to the importance of forwarding money to send The Banner to the soldiers. They tcill read the religious newspaper, and many of our brethren can spare $5 or $lO for this purpose? Brethren, will you help the soldier on his way to heaven ? 11. C. Hornady, Local Agent Army Colportage, Atlanta, Ga. Brethren, Help Us ! The Society for Army Colportage has done, and is still doing, a great work in supplying our soldiers with religious read ing. Over 15,000,000 pages of Tracts have been circulated, and the Word of Life has been preached to the soldiers by our colpor teurs. We wish to continue this work with increased facilities for doing good.— Will not patriots and Christians help us? brethren, friends, send us money with to su PP I 7 the Word of Life to the sol- • , H. C. IIORNADY, Agent Army Colportage. The religious paj77~7 77“ , and available means of ’’ . our brethren and sisters should * UI ’ the rescue before it is too late. Wh™ e ° our readers ? Shall the sick and wounded soldiers have The Banner ? REVOLUTIONARY PIETY. Among the decidedly religious members of Congress in 1777, Richard Henry Led, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, frotn Virginia, is named. On the capture of Burgoyne, a proclamation for a general thanksgiving was ordered, and R. 11. Lee, Dr. Witherspoon and Samuel Adams—the two latter both known as orthodox Chris tians—were appointed to prepare it. Tneir draft is extant in the Journal as follows: “ Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintend ing providence of Almighty God; to ac knowledge, with gratitude, their obligations to Him for benefits received, and to implore such further blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased Him, in Ilis abundant mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of Ilis common providence, but also to smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war for the independence and establishment of our inalienable rights and liberties; partic ularly in that lie has been pleased, in so great a measure, to prosper the means us6d for the support of our arms, and to crown them with the most signal success: It is, therefore, recommended to the legislative and executive powers of these States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that, with one heart and one voice, the peo ple may express tho’Yeeling of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their Divine Benefactor; and, together with their sincere acknowledgments and of ferings, they may join the penitent confes sion of their manifold sins, whereby they have forfeited every favor, and their hum ble and earnest supplication, that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and biot them out of remembrance; that it may please Him graciously to afford His blessings on the government of these States respective ly, and to prosper the public council of the whole, to inspire our commanders both by sea and land, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these Uni ted Slates the greatest of all blessings, in dependence and peace; that it may please Him to prosper the trade and manufactures of our people, and the labors of the hus bandmen, that our land may yield its in crease ; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for the cultivation of the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under His maturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion, for the pro motion and enlargement of that kingdom which-consisteth in ‘righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.’ ” — November 1, 1777.’ TSE JOYFULNESS OF THE GOSPEL. Oh, the gospel is joyful, it found the race cowering in despair by the forbidden tree, under the threatened vengeance of Je hovah; and it will not leave them till the last of the chosen seed are exulting in eter nal song before their Father’s throne.— When it first visited our world, the earth was groaning and travailing in the bondage of corruption. But the Redeemer shall one day break these chains, and introduce the burdened creation into the glorious lib erty of the children of God. It is already waiting for their manifestation, and leaning forward in eager hope of its own deliver ance. The gospel gloomy ! It is an anthem from the harps of heaven, the music of the River of Life washing its shores on high, and pouring in cascades upon the earth.— Not so cheerful was the song of the morn ing stars, nor the shout of the sons of God so joyful. Gushing from the mountains of eternal harmony, it was first heard on earth in a low tone of solemn gladness, uttered in Eden, by the Lord God himself. This gave the key note of the gospel-song. Pa triarchs caught it up, and taught it to the generations following. It breathed from the harps of Psalmists, and rang like ada rion from tower and mountain top, as pro phets proclaimed the year of jubilee.— Fresh notes from heaven have enriched the harmony, as the Lord of Hosts and his an gels have revealed new promises, and call ed on the suffering children of Zion to be joyful in their King. From bondage and exile, from dens and caves, from bloody fields and fiery stakes, and peaceful death beds, have they answered, in tones which have cheered the disconsolate and made op pressors shake upon their thrones; while sun and moon and all the stars of light, the stormy wind fulfilling His word, the roar ing sea and the fullness thereof, mountains and hills, fruitful fields, and all the trees of the wood, have rejoiced before the Lord, and the coming of His Anointed, for the redemption of'His people and the glory of His holy name. The gospel gloomy I If the best right and the only right to be glad on earth, with the assured prospect of eternal blessedness in heaven; if the light of morning, with its fragrant breath and its singing birds; if health for the sick, return for the banished, pardon for the doomed, and life for the dy ing; if harp and crown, and waving palm, and the everlasting vision of the Redeem er’s glory—be gloomy, then is the Gospel gloomy ! Atlanta Baptist Banner. . FOURTH VOLUME. is the Time Io Subscribe • re* Terms of Toe Baptist Banner, $3 per annum—invariably in advance. James N. Ei.es & Co. Proprietors. All Baptist ministers and others, in the Confederate States, friendly to our paper, are requested to act as Agents. T hosk forwarding names of subscribers or re- I rmt tances, should al ways write the name of Port FICB ’ County, and State, in full.