Weekly Standard

LETTERS FROM TWO CHAPLAINS OF N. C. REGIMENTS.

Our Soldiers anxious for Tracts and the Scriptures.

A chaplain at Suffolk, writes me, "The package of tracts which you so kindly sent me were received in due time. On Sabbath, I distributed a large number of them, and they were gratefully received by the soldiers. The Bibles and Testaments have also come. As soon as it was announced that they were to be distributed, the men crowded to my tent and in two or three hours all the Testaments and most of the Bibles were gone. And now, as I pass through the encampment at leisure hours, I find many of the soldiers reading them. The same is the case in the hospitals which I have supplied. Enclosed you will find five dollars, the voluntary contribution of several officers to your cause." Another writes: "Your timely and appropriate gift of tracts for the soldiers come like a God-send; our men were nearly starved for something to read, and these little messengers of mercy were gladly welcomed throughout the camp. When I began to distribute them, the soldiers flocked around to get one apiece—and some even came out to buy them, men too who make no profession of religion. As soon as our pay day comes, I hope to make a good collection in behalf of the N. C. Tract Agency. I should like to obtain a lot of small Bibles and Testaments. Where can they be had? Many of our men are without them. May the Lord abundantly bless your labors to extend His kingdom." I hope that each one who reads the above, will feel it, not only a duty, but a privilege, to give a donation to help print gospel truth for the present and eternal good of our noble defenders. Every dollar enables us to print here 1,500 pages, approved by all our pastors; and we are now prepared to print over 30,000 tracts in a day, but we must have funds with which to do this. The demand for tracts is greater than the means to supply. Let each minister and christian and patriot do something immediately to aid us in supplying this demand. From a few friends at Warrenton, I have received $40 to aid this cause, which was collected mainly by an active christian lady. A gentleman at Newbern has collected and sent me $37; another there, sent $10 as his own donation. Sundry friends at Hillsboro' sent $99 18; and a few other places and individuals from 20 to 50 cents. We anxiously hope to hear from many others very soon.

Yours truly,
W. J. W. CROWDER,
Tract Agent.

Raleigh, N. C., July, 1861.