The Central Presbyterian

MISSIONS IN THE ARMY.

Can our difficulties in prosecuting this work be overcome? Having already stated where in they mainly consist, it becomes us to search for suitable remedies. We say remedies—for a complicated disease calls for a compound medicine.

1. Are any brethren unwilling to sacrifice the comforts of home for the hardships of camp? Let public opinion frown upon them. Let the self-denial, the sufferings, the life-blood of so many thousands of their countrymen shame them. Above all let the love of Christ constrain them.

2. Do any congregations refuse to give up, for a time, a pastor well suited for this work, and ready to go? Let them also ponder the hints just mentioned. And besides, if one congregation may act thus, why not others? Why not all? And then what becomes of the whole work in the army? It would be withered under such selfishness. And the church itself refusing, upon insufficient grounds, its consent to a pastor willing to go, has great reason to fear more than the contempt of the world. How can it expect the blessing of Christ, while showing so little of his Spirit?

We trust, however, that the number of such is small. Certainly our ministers, and the people of churches of all names, have been behind no other in their devotion to our memorable struggle.

3. Legislation by Congress. This is needed, at least upon two points. First, many chaplains now confined by law to regiments numbering only two or three hundred, might be assigned to brigades numbering less than a thousand. An army being a concentrated body, a much greater number can be served than in a congregation more or less dispersed.

Next, missionaries to the army should be allowed rations. At least they should be permitted to purchase them. Something of this kind is in fact indispensable; and for want of it some excellent brethren have been compelled to leave the army, and many others have been prevented from going to it. To be left to the courtesy of officers for bread to eat (which sometimes can be ill spared) is painful to any man of refined feelings.

On this part of the subject we are gratified to know, from some members of our Congress who have the matter in hand, and much at heart that an effort will soon be made to provide the proper relief. We believe it will be successful; if so, very much will have been gained.

4. Efforts among the churches. This we think should be twofold. First, our brethren of the ministry should arrange to make visits of a month or more to the army. Let those who must remain at home give their congregations a liberal portion of their time. Our Presbyteries in North Carolina have carried out plans of this kind with excellent effect. We are not mistaken in asserting that these visits have accomplished great good. But besides this, wherever a suitable man can be secured whose whole time may be consecrated to the army, by all means let him be sent. Second, without liberal and enlarged contributions of money, we cannot sustain our missions to the army with the vigor demanded. We beg therefore to suggest whether the extraordinary occasion does not more than justify—does not demand of our committees of missions in the several Presbyteries, to set on foot some such special agency for this purpose, as the one undertaken by the Rev. Dr. White, and Rev. W. H. Ruffner in the Presbytery of Lexington.

With these hints briefly presented, we leave this subject, vast as it is in its interests. The season is at hand when our troops may be expected to be comparatively quiet, and when the means of grace may be more profitably attended. Whatever is done, should be done quickly. May the Lord give his people a willing heart, and establish the work of their hands upon them!