Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-08-05

The MsIhOdist Church, North, as an
Element In the Preservation oT our
Ltbe rites.
Whoever writes the history Of the pre-
sent ttragEle which Western Virginia Is
undergoing IN her contest with the enc
mica Of the Union, both within and with,
out her borders, will be bound ~ 4 faith
lul historian to stop and lingrr over the
part that has been performed by the Meth
odl't Church, NOrth---lhe largest aud most
Influential religious denomination within
our limits, We speak not Of the denom-
nation in the light Of It's creed or of is dis.
tlnrtlye features rs religious seet-but Of
the spirit that has peryaded the individual
membership Of that church and more rspc.
cially It's pastors, to al extent and energy
that has given the effect produced the APP
penrance Of M nrIicle Of religious faith
We believe earnestly this day that the sal.
walton Of Western Virginia 30 far as it has
yet been accomplished, is due in great
degree to the membership of the Methodist
Church, North. Asa body they have been
true TO the cause of the Union, and their
pastors have been like so many Peter tue
preaching everywhere, in thepul-
pit and out of II, and in season ind out Of
it, loyalty and devotion to the flag Of their
country,
Never were men made Of more heroic
ntuE than the far out.of,the way back
woods preachers Of this denomination
and in the fiery ordeal which, in many
of the interior countless they have been
compelled to undergo, they have quilted
themselves like worthy followers of those
primitive men who, without scrip or
bread or money. or places to lay their
heads, stood up against every odds for the
faith that was in them. 1t has been our
fortune, in the stormy career OF journalism
which VIC have had 40 far in life, to have
been brought into large aud, in many in.
stances, an intimate correspondence and
acquaintance with many of these men,
Very many Of them had strong sympathieS
with tho principles We have I'LL along I'D.
vosated, and there were many days when
We iclt that they were the brcnkwaters that
stood between US and the waves of lntol.
erunce aud prescription which we have
been compelled to buffet. ln this way We
have gathered our knowledge OF the labors
Of these men. They have been unwearying
in their efforts to libCraliEe the public mind
Not that they have stepped aside from their
ministerial calling to preach partisan pol.
tiles, Far from it. But simply that, like
the preacher Of EcrleSIaSieS, they "still
taught the people knowledge" concerning
the every day questions OF life at oppor-
tune times. In this way the vast masses
under their charge were prepared to ra-
iionAlly and iutelligently consider the
great issue which the traitors have forced
upon the country. Aud to their praise be
1t recorded, they have stood like "llving
wAll--A human wood" throughout North
Western Virginia, against the treason that
so imminently threatened u.s.
10 saying thus much, we think we may
claim TO be simply rendering impartial
justice to a great aud patriotic people
educated as we have been, to dissent from
their religious faith. And We have been
led to-day to remark upon the subject, by
an account which we have just read of
their proceedings ut an immense Camp
Meeting near ChicagO-Nt which Bishop
Simpson presided. The description Of the
scene there occurring upon the receipt Of
the adverse news FROM Manassas, is glow.
ing. The occasion had beeu uncummonly
profitable and pleasing to them 10 reIi-
giOus point Of view, They were about to
break up ,heir encnmpmeut, and at the
last hour the Bishop and preachers placed
themselves at the head Of procession !;
all soon joined in; they then marched
around their tents; the head Of the column
struck up a jabilAnt strain; ii passed from
lip to lip; from thousands of voice., the
account reads, "frOm the fullusss Of rs
many hearts came ringing through the
grove the old familiar melody,
ave arr travelling home 70 God,
In the way our iathOIs trSk
They arr harry NV, and ye,
som Their happiuess thAil ~.
t.orl obeiiSHtly will We 81
Gladly leaving all below;
Ouly thou or leader he,
Add WS still will follow thee"
The Cueampment is Cneircled by = Gordon
Of human beings, II isa last good bye
Hand presses baud, eye sptaSS back to eye.
Every act and tone aud look Is = NANTES.
,aton OF love and brotherhood. Just be.
fore the prOnOuncing Of the bsnedlction,
the Gag, which during the week bad era.
eed the tent occupied by Bishop Simeon,
Elder Boring, Dc. Eddy, and Simeon Far.
we'll, was extended acrOss the front Of the
pulpit. The lsads sgan to sing.
s ss!. :i sss !. :,, .S:''
aud America rolled np Erandly from