As the Battle of Chacellorsville (Virginia) winds down and proves to be a victory for the Confederacy, this week’s readers of the North Carolina Biblical Recorder read more letters from army missionaries serving among Confederate soldiers.
One such letter is written by army colporter J. A. Stradley, who, during this time of growing revivals within the Confederate army, offers some encouraging words regarding the receptivity of Confederate soldiers to the good news of Christ.
Before our troops left the vicinity of Washington [NC] I spent a few days among them, but was not able to do a great deal owing to bad health. I found the soldiers generally very anxious for religious reading of any kind. I conversed with several who seemed to be tired of the ways of sin, and who were seeking rest and peace through the blood of Christ. One young man, in deep distress, on learning who I was, sought a private interview with me, in order to obtain instruction. I instructed him the best I could and gave him the tract, “Living Water for the Thirsty.” He said several of his friends wanted tracts. I gave him a bundle to distribute.
Sources: Battle of Chancellorsville (link); J. A. Stradley, letter, Biblical Recorder, May 6, 1863 (link)
