3

my in full force were rapidly advancing on that place. I deemed
it prudent, therefore, to return home and await a more auspicious
moment for resuming my visitations. While in Meridian I preached
on Sunday, 7th, to a large and attentive congregation, composed
chiefly of officers and soldiers, and in the afternoon baptized
the infant son of an officer from Tennessee.

Easter Sunday, March 27th, in addition to the other services
of that Festal Day, I administered the rite of confirmation to one
person, and that person was one of my own soldier boys, thus making
glad my heart by the knowledge that all my children were now pro-
fessed followers of Christ. With renewed confidence I afterwards
committed him to the guardianship of a covenant God, on his return
to a field that was then threatening, as it has since proved itself
to be, a fruitful field of blood.

Thursday (April) 14th, in my own parlor I baptized and con-
firmed a soldier in the cavalry service who had for some time earn-
estly desired thus to dedicate himself to God, and thankfully a-
vailed himself for that purpose of the few moments allowed to him
as he passed through the place. The next day, 15th, e returned,
bringing with him one of his fellow-soldiers, wom I, in like man-
ner, by baptism and confrimation, admitted to the fellowship of
Christ and his Church.

April 28th. This was the day on which our Diocesan Council
was to meet in Columbus. But in consideration of the broken con-
dition of our principal railroads, the general want of private con-
veyances, the absence from the Diocese of many of the Clergy as
well as Laity, and the occupation of a large portion of the State
by the forces of the enemy, I took upon me the responsibility of
postponing the time of our meeting to some future day when we
might assemble with less to hinder and to make us afraid.

Sunday, (May)22d, preached in Jackson in the Senate Chamber
of the Capitol which has been kindly allowed for the use of the
congregation since their Church was destroyed by the enemy.

Thursday, 26th, baptized at Madison Depot one white and two colored children.

Friday, 27th, officiated at the Chapel of the Cross and con-
firmed four colored persons.

Wednesday, May 30th, I entered Vicksburg, them in the possess-
ion of the Federal authorities and remained five days, during
which time I visited all the Church families remaining in the place
and preached on Sunday, June 5th. Although I found most of the
members of the congregation in a depressed condition, it was no