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L.L.p. 411 - No. 88

Head Quarters, Assistant Commissioner. 
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 
District of Maryland and Delaware.
Baltimore Md., February 12th, 1868.
Private Circular: 
                 It has been brought to the notice of the Assistant Commissioner of this District, that the late hours to which evening Religious meetings are prolonged, are injurious to the cause of religion and the welfare of the Colored community. It creates habits of keeping late hours; it delays the domestics concerns of families, and enables evil disposed persons to create disturbances at unseasonable hours, and make complaints against the freedom of colored people.
       The Assistant Commissioner disclaims any desire to restrain religious liberty, but on the contrary he is convinced that the holding of such frequent prolonged meetings is injuring the cause which he sincerely desires to promote.
        It is therefore enjoined upon all Pastors, Officers of churches and School Teachers, and all leading colored persons to use their influence and exert every efforts to remedy this abuse. Religious exercises confined to reasonable hours can but have a tendency to promote the physical and mental, as well as the moral welfare of the colored race.
                               H. Brooks,
                                 Ass't. Commissioner
                                   Bvt, Brig. Genl. U.S.A.