And now with seers of old, mine eager eye
Strains to behold the unknown hidden paths
Which lie before us.

There is light beyond—

And dove-like peace with gentle wing descends; See, as she comes the hideous bird of death Flaps his dark plumage, shrieking as he flies From fields whereon he looked for future prey.

Brethren, united as in former days,
Consult together for the common weal;
Chastened in spirit, more forbearing they,
Loving God better for their punishment,—
Columbia's Genius, smiling, looks abroad,
And cries, exultant, "ALL, AT LAST, IS SAFE."

APPENDIX.

UNITED STATES CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.

THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION is one of the most active and useful agencies our present national crisis has developed. Its design is purely benevolent. It is that of relieving sufferings and other necessities occasioned by the casualties of the war. These sufferings and necessities appear in the camps, on board the vessels, and in the hospitals of the army and navy, and most of all in the terrific exhibition of the battle fields. They relate to both the temporal and spiritual requirements of the soldiers of the army and the marines of the navy; the officers in command, the men of the ranks; the disabled in the tents of the camp and in the wards of the hospital. The mission is that of love and mercy. It follows the good Samaritan to the spot where the sufferer lies, and without inquiring who he is, and how he was hurt, proceeds to the binding up of his wounds, and the use of the oil and the wine that are necessary for his relief and recovery.

FIRST MOVEMENT FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SICK AND DISABLED.

The first movement in the organization of an association for the purpose of ministering to the temporal and spiritual wants of the soldiers and sailors of the army and navy, was made in Baltimore City early in May, 1861. Before the idea of the camp and the hospital was fully disclosed, the necessities of the army upon its march, and the navy on board the war vessel, were realized. It was the supply of the Bible and the tract, and the devotional book to the man in health and upon the march and the voyage

that was at first suggested. But this humane consideration was soon succeeded by the call from the camp, and the war vessel, and the hospital for the comforts and consolations of religion. There were but few chaplains for the camps, and none for the vessels and hospitals that were first ordered. The wards of the National Hospital on Camden Street, Baltimore, were well filled with the sick, many of whom had died before there was any official provision for the ministrations of religion to the sufferers. A number of the clergy of the city and of the members of the newly organized Relief Association, volunteered for the service, and for several months gave such attention as could be afforded to the sick, the dying, and the dead. So irregular was the service when it was first administered, that a number of the sick were neglected in their last hours, and the dead were buried without the ceremonies of religion. Notwithstanding this condition, complaint was made by surgeons of hospitals that the clergy and others visiting the wards were frequently in attendance in such numbers as to be hindrances to one another in the performance of their needed and desired offices. While the surgeons were complaining and desiring the discontinuance of such irregular visitations, intelligence of the fact was communicated to the President of the United States, who immediately proceeded to the inauguration of a measure which supplied each hospital with a chaplain. This is certainly one of the best features of the hospital service, and the honor of its establishment is due to the President, by whose promptness and energy of action it was accomplished.

The Baltimore Association was commenced by a few persons who agreed with each other to visit and minister to the sick and disabled of the hospitals and camps. While in the performance of their religious services, distributing Bibles, tracts and devotional books, and reading, conversing and praying with the subjects of their interest, they were induced to give attention to their temporal needs in the administration of such delicacies as are grateful to the sick and suffering. With his reading matter in one hand and his basket of conserves and nicely prepared nourishing food in the other, the member of the little band was frequently to be seen pursuing his way to the ward of his afflicted brother, to re

lieve the sufferings of his physical system, while he cheered his spirits with his conversation and consoled him with the assurances of religion and his prayers for his present comfort and everlasting safety.

EXTENSION OF THE FIELD OF LABOR.

As the war progressed the work of the Association increased. Camps and hospitals were multiplied in and around the city. Additional laborers were required to furnish the necessary ministrations to the continually increasing numbers of the afflicted. As the field of labor extended, the necessary laborers were providentially supplied. The number was soon increased to fifty and subsequently to seventy men, all of whom are now actively and industriously engaged in the work. Monthly meetings for the recital and record of experience and reciprocal encouragement are held, and thus animated and animating each other with zeal in the good cause, the laborers of this department of the Lord's vineyard are doing the work of relief to thousands of their afflicted fellow men. Their services are rendered in assistance of the chaplains, by whose approval and under whose directions they appropriate their time and energies and means.

ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSPITALS.

The first regular hospital was established in the buildings of the National Hotel, Camden Street, Baltimore. It was called the National Hospital, in consequence of its location. The first surgeon, who, when others were appointed, became chief, was afterwards chosen as the Surgeon General of the United States. It was under his auspices that the hospital system was inaugurated. So rapid was the progress of the war that in a few months it became necessary to establish a number of hospitals in Baltimore, Washington City, Alexandria and other places, in which large numbers of the sick and otherwise disabled, were placed.

CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS.

The organization known as the Young Men's Christian Association, branches of which are established in every city of the United

States, manifested an early interest on behalf of the multitudes of their fellow citizens who volunteered their services to the cause of the Constitution and the Union. The subject of their privations and necessities was frequently and freely discussed, and methods of relief considered. Through this agency Bibles and other reading matter were supplied to the soldiers of the regiments as they passed through the several cities. In some instances the regiments were stopped for a time that refreshments consisting of biscuits, coffee &c., might be distributed among the men. It was in these ministrations that the sympathies of the soldiers on their way to the seat of war, and those of their friends that remained at home were intermingled, and the idea of mutual service developed. The defenders were followed in their expeditions of hardship and danger by the interests and prayers of the defended, and while away in pursuit of their patriotic enterprise, the defenders were remembered and cared for by their brethren, for the protection of whose liberties and laws and government, they had gone forth to imperil their lives. The consideration of such a topic under such circumstances could not be long continued without the resort to the most active and effective means possible for the protection and comfort of those on whose behalf it was suggested.

ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED STATES CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. The most active and energetic operator of all the branches of the Young Men's Christian Association, was Mr. GEORGE R. STUART, one of the most prominent and successful merchants of Philadelphia. It was at his instance that the proposition was considered of organizing a body of gentlemen for the management of a great benevolent and religious service for the army and navy. A convention composed of delegates from the several branches of the Young Men's Christian Association, was accordingly ordered. The convention assembled in the city of New York on the 16th of November, 1861. It was by this convention that the UNITED STATES CHRISTIAN COMMISSION was established. Measures were adopted by which the work was to be introduced into all the loyal States.

The object of the COMMISSION thus formed, was stated to be that of ministering to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the officers