Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-14
REV i II I.EETWICu

1t has been published already how Rev. j. T.
Leftwich, of Alexandria, Va had his Church clo-
scd against him for time, by the invaders who,
alas! still tyrannise in that city. The circumstances
having been miSrepresrntcd the following writ
ten in correction. 1t was published in The Wash
ington Star accompanied ny very coarse. and vul-
gar criticism Characteristic however, of It's source:
W. D. WALLACH, ESq.-Sir: ! find in the last is
sue of the Star two letters from your COrrespOn-
dents whose reports of the occurrences Of last Sab
bath contain mis- statements which | trust, your
love Of fairness will afford the use Of your COL
umnS to correct. | shall endeavor to give you
ly the pth of the matter: In my second prayer
last Sabbath morning in advertng to public affairs,
mplorcd as has been my wont, that God would
avert impending caamitieS and restore to eople
the blessings of prosperity and peace; but that if
lie had ordained Judgment, and not mercy, and the
sections now in hostile array should meet in the
shock Of battle He would, if consistent with truth
and right, give the victory to our arms. At the
close Of the service Twas waited upon by an officer,
who c0urteouSy invited me to go and see Col.
UentZleman Upon arriving at that officers head
Quarters he told INC that he had learned that had
been preaching and praying secession" answer
ed that regarded my preaching, was studousy
avoiding any allusiou to our national complications
but that had PRAYED for the SUCCESS Of the South
crn arms lie said that such proceedings would not
be allowed-that if | prayed at all, | should not
pray for the South nut should pray for the success
Of the United States forces. asked him if should
understand that l 40. s 10 be denied the liberty #
prayer, TO lchich he re 1lied that should, unless
PRAYED for the success Of the United States. told
him as this would conflict with my convictions of
right should never cons emf to do lie then decar
ed that should then he de 0rived Of the of my
pulpit and the doors of the church should be closed
answered that he had the power and could exer-
else it, but that at the appoin ed time should pro-
coed to the church. aud if pei United to preach con-
Al L. r.
the sexton went to light the building, preparatory
to worship, he was stopped by guard stationed at
the door, who told him that he had instructions to
prevent our occupying the church that evening.
At quarter past eight, however, half an hour af-
ter the usual time for opening the church, and a
quarter of an hour after the congregation should
have been seated and the services commenced, the
Provost Marshal called at my hoo and very kindly
informed me that the prohibition had been with
drawn and that could proceed with the services
But as it was then half hour III er the time, and
the sexton had disappeared, and es 1ecally, as the
crowd around the church had become too excited
for profitable participation in the services deter
mined after consultation with my elders that there
should he To preaching that night. Thus, sir, for
the first time perhaps in the history of tue Govern
ment house of worship has been closed by armed
men, against unofending people, because their
minister chose to exercise in his own pulpit the In
aenable liberty of prayer
IL remains 10 De seen whether dCI VIII UC
sanctioned as of the necessities of war. Is it
not time for all thoughtful men to pause and con-
slider whittier we are drifting, when conscience is
required to about face at the bidding Of the militia
ry, and our very prayers are guided heavenward by
the point Of the bayonet?
As to the alleged division of sentiment, in my
church. all that shall say is, that unless the signs
are strangely deceptive my prayers carry weekly
to God the earnest and honest desires of a united
and devoted people. If there be more than one sup
porter of the administration in my congregation,
am vet to learn his name. ! am not alone in this
kind of offence, if offence it can be called. As
look at these hills now whitened with tents, feel
assured that beyond them there is scarcely brook
side on which some Jacob is not wrestling for the
results which have invoked, and in all those sweep
ing ranges scarcely mountain from which good
men, with eyes wrapt as were Moses upon Nebo,
are not fondly beholding visions of success.
JAMES 7. LEFTWICH,
Pastor of the I'd Presbyterian Church,
Alexandria, Virginia