| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 2 |
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During the early moths of the Civil War the Young Men’s Christian Association of Washington and New York and the Tract Society of New Your and Boston sought to give help both temporal and spiritual to the soldiers. The work was too great, however, for the handful of workers which these agencies could put in the field. So the National Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association called a convention which met in New York City November 14, 1861, to consider the needs of the army. The work of the United States Christian Commission was outlined and the organization completed next day. Twelve members were named who were to carry out the purpose of the convention. George H. Stuart of Philadelphia was made chairman of the new organization which began its work at once, with the hearty endorsement of President Lincoln, the Secretary of War, the commanding general, and others in authority.
The work of the Commission, as outlined at the convention, was both special and general. The official records of the body defined the activities thus:
“The relief and care of the wounded, during and immediately after battle, and meeting the wants of men in such places as parole and convalescent camp, and other emergencies, may be called ‘Special Work.’
“The supply of religious service in aid of chaplains, or in their place, for hospitals and regiments without chaplains, the supply of reading matter to men in hospitals and throughout the army, the distribution of bodily comforts, and the promotion of intercourse with home, may be called ‘General Work.’”
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