Tuesday, November 29, 2011

22 - 26 Nov 1863

Nov 22 - Sunday.  Some headache all night and a paroxysm about 10 a.m. but passed off entirely by noon.  Had church papers to read.  A very fair attendance at serve at 10:30 a.m.  Men seem to come more freely since I have marched with them.  P.m. taught the negroes some.  Eve a good p[rayer] meeting.  Spoke to the unpenitent.  "How sweet is the sabbath to me"

Nov 23 - Mild but cloudy.  Unwell and kept pretty quiet which had a good effect.  Found an empty store room and got permission to use it for a meeting house.  Soon a volunteer detail were at work preparing it for a church.  May I fill this field of usefulness.

Nov 24 - Felt unwell.  Drizzled till p.m.  Cleaned up in eve.  Write some on Thanksgiving sermon.  Got absorbed in "Miss Gilbert's career"* in p.m.  Eve the meeting house nicely fitted with seats and pulpit.  I spoke to a full congregation.  Hope the Lord will favor us with conversions.  Home by moonlight.

Nov 25 - Most beautiful and exhilarating day.  Made pastoral visits and wrote some in a.m.  Col Swayne and me determined on a thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  I went to engage extra cookery.  Halted at Mr. Westman's - well bred people.  My man is much improved.  Eve a good and crowded meeting.  What a hopeful field for good.  Two men captured we fear, Murphy and Jones.

Nov 26 - Thanksgiving day.  A thinly attended service.  Felt thankful in review of the year.  Got a letter from Ella.  The boy is wearing short clothes and learning to walk.  Had a fine dinner for all officers.  Our church - Our church taken to store meal.

* "Miss Gilbert's career: an American story" by Josiah Gilbert Holland.  First published in 1860.

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