The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-09-27

JLr Editor Some time since, you
published in your paper, an article with
reference to the Yellow Fever at Norfolk:
headed "M5nisters " deserting their focks-
The flight Of christians, DC.
That justice ray be done will you
insert in this weeks issue, the following
from the Philadelphia Presbyterian. NJ.
The Norfolk Ministers and the Pestilence.
Rarely for years past has an alarming
epideuio prevailed in one of our cities,
but that some of the secular newspapers
have announced that the ministers of the
gospel had fed, leaving their focks un-
cared for in the midst of sickness, sorrow,
and death. A statement of this sort, ac-
compaDied by severe structures, having
been published in reference to the terri
ble scourge with which Norfolk and the
adjacent towns is now afflicted, we wrote
our valued friend and brother, the Rev.
Dr. Armstrong, pastor of the Presbyteri-
an church at Norfolk, inquiring into the
truth of the allegations We subjoin his
reply, from which it will be seen that the
statements referred to are untrue.
"NoRFoLK, Va, Aug. %, 1855.
"Rev. and Dear Sy-Your letter Of
the lst reached me this morning.
have witnessed so many scenes of affiic-
tion in the last few weeks, that what man
"a Of
moment; yet, as you suggest, for the hon
or of Christ's cause, such rumours as that
to which you refer ought to be corrected.
l send you the following statement of
facts for you to make such use of as you
may think best. Of the settled pastors
in the city of Norfolk, but one has left
the place since the fever appeared among
US. One of the Baptist churhes had just
become vacant, in consequence of their
former pastor accepting call to another
charge. The Reformed Methodist church,
the smallest organized church in the city,
has for its pastor one who is at the same
time President of the Virginia Conference,
and is required to spend almost all the
summer in visiting the other churches of
that Conference. He has been absent
for two or three months. The pastor of
Christ's church, DR.. Minigerode, started
for Germany a month before the fever
appeared here; but his place is supplied
by the Rev. Mr.. Wake, who is at his
post, labouring faithfully in visiting the
sick and afflicted. The pastors of the re-
naming four Protestant churches are all
at their posts, and constant in labours,
both in preaching the gospel and in visit
ing the sick. For myself, l have not
spent one hour in my study for two weeks,
being constantly employed in visiting the
sick and afflicted. At the commence
ment of the fever among US, made the
request from the pulpit that if any of
those then present should know of any
case among the poor in which | could be
useful, | would take it as a favour if they
would inform me Of it. And as soon as
our Howard Association was organized,
| offered them my services in visiting the
sick or afflicted in any part of the city
| mention this, not as something singular
on my part, but because can state the
facts in my own case, and l know that
my brethern in the ministry of she gospel
Of Christ in our city have all acted in the
same spirit As illustrating this spirit,
| may mention that the day my nephew,
Mr.. Edmund A. James, died of the fever
At my house, l could not leave him, and
he Rev. Mr.. Wake of the Episcopal
church, hearing of my affiiction, came and
I 70
NY congregation that l thought might
need the visit of minister. In stating
hese facts respecting the Protestant pas.
.ors in our city, it is but an act of justice
hat add that the Roman Catholic priest
stationed here has been labouring con-
tantly from the first appearance of the
ever among US.
"The fever, for several days past, has
,een on the increase among Us; but I
hink from what l see of it, assuming
milder and more manageable
orm. My impression is, that there are
lot far from four hundred cases in the
'ity, iand from fifteen to twenty deaths
lay. Most Of the deaths, though not all,
lave been among the poor, and but for
he kindness of our sister cities, there must
ave been extreme suffering among them.
)ur streets present gloomy appearance
indeed; and what may be before US for
he remaining two months which must in
ervene before frost, l know not-this on
Y | know, We have fallen into the hands
+ the Lord Yours in Christian bonds,
GEORGE D, ARMSTRONG.