1 December 1861

December, Sunday, 1st 1861 Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Neh. 7-8 Hebr. 13 James 1-2. This morning we had dress parade, then co. inspection. I then received a note from Prof. Hibben, Chapln. of the Ind. 11th, to go and preach in the Presbyterian church. I went, found the house crowded, and for the first time since the 9th day of June last, I preached. My text was the 3d vrs. of the 6th chp. of Neh. I returned to my qrts. and spent the day in reading.

[Loren was a Methodist Lay-preacher...]

Neh.6
[3] And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?