Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-04-04
From the Albany Atlas and Argus,

From the Albany Atlas and Argus |
The Church Militant.
There have always been rellglonsts In me Worlo
who have interpreted the "Chureh Militant TO mean
a church which propagated its dogmas with tre and
sword These barbarous notions of the mission OF
,ha Christian religion have been gradually softened
hv better understanding Of its true doctrines but
II ia quite evident that they are not yet extlnct-
Under the combined influence of the fanatclsm OF
politics and philanthropy, as connected WIN the
Kansas excitement, the Church Militant" IN this
literal sense, is again in the field, armed, not as OF
old, with sword and faggot. but with Sharpe's RI
fes i" The grand high priest of this portion OF the
church is the Rev Henry Ward Beecher--the same
meek disciple of the Saviour who presented Kossuth
publicly with cannon ball cs fiji emblem of the
mission of the great Magyar, and who has recently
aynressed preference for Sharpe's rifles the
Bible as a great civiliZer. The latest missionary
work which we have heard OF, on the part OF this
son of Mars, was performed al New Haven, where,
on Thursday evening of last week, meeting was
held in the North Church" to e. invoke the lntu-
ence of the Holy Spirit" and bestow " Sharpes RI
hes' upon band OF emigrants about to start Tor
Kansas. Mr.. Beecher the preacher for the oc-
casion and after address, in which plety and
weapons of war were ludicrousy mixed up. and at
Ter relating with great zest the lhreadbae anecdote
that the mock Governor Robinson, when summoned
by Gov Shannon to & We up his rifles said he woulc
" compromise and give him their contents" and also
another saying of the sefconsttuted governor, that
he held to b. an everlasting disgrace to shoot OF
man and not hit him. he proceeded to the more
congenia. if less clerical labor of beating up con-
rbutors for rifles, acting himself auctoneer for
the occas taking that duty out of the hands OF
! Prof Siman, who had commenced it by giving
rifle, but did not continue it with sufficient spirit to
satisfy the reverend gentleman. w quote from the
report of the New York Times
| Mr.. Russell and Rev Mr.. Dnton both at
orce MIR. Russell speaks first " Put me down for
one
Rev. Mr.. Dutton, (pastor OF the church)-One OF
the deacons of this church, Mr. Harvey Hall, is 60.
ing out with the company, and |, as his pastor, de-
sire to present to him a Bible and a Sharpe's rifle.
| Great applause,
Stephen D. Pardee--l give one for myself, and
also for my wife.
Mr. Beecher-I like to see that it is a stroke
right and left [Great laughter.
Charles Ives Put me down for three.
Thomas r. Trowbridg e.-Put me down for four
| Dr. J. l. Howe-I will subscribe for one.
A gentleman said that Miss Mary Dutton would
give one.
DR.. Stephen G HUBBARD One.
Mr. Beecher here stated that if tacenty fUe could be
raised on the spot he would pledge twenty five more
from Plymouth Church-ffty being a sufficient mum
Der for the whole supply. Clarpng Of hands all
over the house.
Prof SiIliman now left Mr. Beecher to speak fol
7 the bid, and sat down to enjoy the occasion.
Mr. Beecher-KUam-Tha a significant name
in connection with Sharpe's rife. Laughter.
Prof. w. A Noron.-One for me )!
Mr.. Vining Another for me
Mr.. Moses Tyler will pledge one of Skarpo'
rifles from the Junior Class in Yale College. Grea
applause
Prot siIliman, (rsing in his seat ard sweeping
the galleries with his eyes )-Ihers four classes
IN Yale College! Immense sensation.
Henry 1rowbridge Cone
! John G. North.-One
MIR. Beecher-I think Kansas will now know tha
, there is North! [Great applause.
William Kingsley One for me
Lucius L. Olm~ted.- One.
i Mr. Dunlap.--I will pledge one for the Senior
Class in Yale College!
} 1t ascertained that, instead of twenty
FIVE. twenty -SeUen rifles had been subscribed.
The reader will be prepared to believe that this
begerent preacher mixed up all this auctioneering
about rifles with exhortations to the good citizens Of
New Haven concerning their duty TO these migrants
g TO commend them to the blessing of God, and in
woke for them His holy keeping" and that he added
that he did not doubt that the influence of th
Holy Spirit would rest upon them, and that their la
bors would be crowned with abundant success"
Good men turn with pain from these exhibition
of fanacism and mpety, and bide their tin for III
prevalence of sound and sober political and regou
5 views