of the institution is the Sanitary Commission. It is a standing
answer to Samson's riddle, "Out of the strong came forth sweetness." Out
of the very depths of the agony of this cruel and bloody war springs
this beautiful system, built of the noblest and divinest attributes of
the human soul. Amidst all the heroism of daring and enduring which this
war has developed, amidst all the magnanimity of which it has shown the
race capable, the daring, the endurance, and the greatness of soul which
have been discovered among the men and women who have given their lives
to this work shine as brightly as any on the battle-field,--in some
respects even more brightly. They have not the bray of trumpets nor the
clash of swords to rouse enthusiasm, nor will the land ever resound with
their victories. Theirs is the dark and painful side, the menial and
hidden side, but made light and lovely by the spirit that shines in and
through it all. Glimpses of this agency are familiar to our people; but
not till the history of its inception, progress, and results is calmly
and adequately written out and spread before the public will any idea be
formed of the magnitude and importance of the work which it has done.
Nor even then. Never, till every soldier whose last moments it has
soothed, till every soldier whose flickering life it has gently steadied
into continuance, whose waning reason it has softly lulled into quiet,
whose chilled blood it has warmed into healthful play, whose failing
frame it has nourished into strength, whose fainting heart it has
comforted with sympathy,--never, until every full soul has poured out
its story of gratitude and thanksgiving, will the record be complete;
but long before that time, ever since the moment that its helping hand
was first held forth, comes the Blessed Voice, "Inasmuch as ye have done
it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

An institution asking of Government only permission to live and
opportunity to work, planting itself firmly and squarely on the
generosity of the people, subsisting solely by their free-will
offerings, it is a noble monument of the intelligence, the munificence,
and the efficiency of a free people, and of the alacrity with which it
responds when the right chord is rightly touched. It is, however, not
unnatural that doubts should exist as to the success of a plan so
far-reaching in its aims and hitherto so untried. Stories have been
circulated of