Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.
    

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

Washington. Feb’y 1st 1863. Sunday.

Went to the Capitol today and heard the Chaplin Dr Stockton. He is rather dry and tedious, his sermons this winter have been more of a doctrinal, than a practical character. I believe in practical Christianity and practical preaching. I dont suppose that I am very orthodox, for it does not matter much to me whether a man believes this or that particular dogma, or belongs to this or that denomination. If he acts like a christian from day to day. If he is always ready to do as he would be done by. To forgive as he would wish to be forgiven, I am bound to believe that he has the spirit of Christs teachings in him and is a christian. After all my experience in the world I am much given to judging the tree by its fruit, professions of faith and all the “thirty nine Articles” to the contrary notwithstanding. After dinner I walked up to the “Stone Hospital,” got very muddy. Staid there a couple of hours and walked back in a drizzling rain. Not many NY Soldiers there. One, Robert White, must have his foot taken off. He is a brave boy, not over eighteen, says he wants it done soon, as he can then go home after a little while, poor lad, he has much to suffer yet. He is from Westchester Co. of the 9th NY Militia. I have not been out since I returned. Got two good letters from home this morning, one from Wife, and one from Julia. They seem much elated because I spoke in my last of going home in a month or so. I will go if I can consistantly with my duties in the office.

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