The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-08-21
REV. ]. +. LEFTwIcH.

1t has been published already how Rev.
]. I. Leftwich, Of Alexandria, Va, had his
Church closed against him for time, by the
invaders who, alas still tyrannise in that
city. The circumstances having been mis-
represented, the following was written in
correction. II was published in the Wash
ington Star, accompanied by very coarse
and vulgar criticism, characteristic, howrv-
er, Of lis source:
w. ID. WALLACE, Esq.-Si: find in the
last issue Of the Star two letters from your
correspondents, whose reports Of the occur
rences Of last Sabbath contain mis-state-
ments, which ] trust, your love Of fairness
will afford me the use Of your columns TO
correct. shall endeayor to give you mere
IL the pith Of the matter: In nv second
prayer last Sabbath morning adverting to pub.
lie affairs, implored, a. has been nv won't,
that God would avert impending calamities
and restore TO our people the blessings Of
prosperity and peace; but that il He had
ordained judgment, aud not mercy, and the
sections now in hostile array should meet in
the shock Of battle, lie would. IL consistent
with truth and right, give the victory to our
Il
waited upon BY an officer, who courteously
invited me to 70 over and see Col. Hentzle-
man. Upon arriving At that officers head
quarters, he told me thar he had learned that
[ had been preaching ard praying seces-
sion" answered that as regarded my
preaching, ! was studiously avoiding any az
fusion TO our national IMPLICATIONS, but that
had prayed for the success Of the Southern
arms. lie said that such proceedings would
not be allo9ed-that il prayed at all, 1
should not pray for the South, but should
pray for the success Of the United States
forces. asked him il should understand
that was 70 BE- denied the liberty Of PRAYER,
70 which he replied that ! should, unless |
prayed for the success Of the United States.
! told him as this would conflict with nv
convictions of right, should never consent
TO do 20. lie then declared that | should
then be deprived Of the use of nv pulpit,
and the doors Of the church should be clos.
ed. / answered that be had the power, and
could exercise il, but that al the appointed
time ! should proceed 10 the church, and, If
permitted 10 preach, conduct the services
a. before. When in the evening the sexton
went to light The building. preparatory to
worship, be was stopped by guard station.
ed at the door. who told him that he had in.
structlons 70 prevent our occupying The
church that evening.
Ataquarier past eight, however. half an
hour after the usual time for opening The
church, and J quarter o. an hour after the
congregation should have been seated and
the services commented, the Provost Mar
shal called al my house and very kindly IN.
formed me that the prohibition had been
Withdrawn, and that ! could proceed with
the services. But a. il vas then half an hour
after the time. and the sexton had disappear.
ed, and especially, as the crowd around the
church bad become too excited for a prolific
bic participation il The services, / deter.
mined, after consultation with nv elders.
that there should be 10 preaching that night.
Thus, III, for the first time, perhaps, IN tie
history 81 tie Government, house u sOr.
ship has been closed By armed men, against
an BnOaebding people, because their minister
chose to exercise IN his own pulpit the ina.
lienable liberty Of prayer.
II remain. TO be seen whether this act
will be sanctioned a. one Of the necessities
q war. i il not time for al thoughtful
men y pause and consider whittier we are
drifting. when conscience is required 10 a.
bout face II The bidding 81 ihe military, and
our very prayers are guided heayenward BY
the point 81 the bsyoDet.
| As TO the alleged division Of sentiment,