The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-06-29
General Butler.

About month ago it was currently report |
cd that General BUTLER had sent word to
Richmond that he intended to visit this town
IN time TO hear one of our popular preachers on
the succeeding Sunday.
We don't know that Major General BENJA-
MIN +. BUTLER is any relative OF the late BEN
JANIs T. BUTLER, of New York, famous for his
anxiety to be found with the STATED preach
inc of the Gospel" The latter made no mill
tary prctensions, we believe, and differed, more
over. from his Old Point namesake III beng
spiritually latter his fashion, rather than spi-
rituously minded. Both of them seem to have
some relish for good preaching, which, III
the ease Of the Old Point man, may yet be
turned to good account But, 1t is Impossible
for any man to make much progress heaven
ward without using the means. 1.-The king
dom of Heaven is taken by violence ana the
violent take it by force" IT, therefore, Major
General BUTLER intended to avail himself of
the spiritual mnistrati0ns Of the clergyman
aforesaid, why is he so tardy in working out
his salvation? Can faith, without work, save
a man? The Apostle says not; and, II BUT
LRR believed he could put himself as far
as Richmond ON his way to Heaven three
weeks ago last Sunday, why has he not
worked his way single step in that direction
to this hour? II will not do for him to say
that he sent PIERCE towards Richmond, ana
that he found the path beset with difficulties
lie ought to recolect that the road to saliva
ton is straight and narrow, and, moreover
that no man can be saved by deputy. III
ought to have accompanied General PIERCE OF
his expedition ; he ought to have led the way
aud then, when he beheld the now famous spo
of the late battle, he might have exclaimed, a
the patriarch JACOB did when he beheld Beth
el of old, "This is the gate of Heaven J;
though before he got through, the languag
in which Scripture describes the patriarch
emotions at Bethel might have been added -
Sand he was afraid, and said how dreadful
this place!
But let not Gen. BUTLER be discouraged
There is no virtue more valuable than perse
yerance, especially tie perseverance of tn
saints We feel great solicitudc about But
LrR's conversion. The con version Of such
sinner would be miracle of grace. His ap
pearance at the vestibule of the Celestial City
unless accompanied by & passport signed b.
"a General Council of the Church militant
would be the signal for q universal stamped
from Heaven. The saints and angels, at tn
appearance of such an object would sinu
taneously lift their wings aud fly away
come higher region, where iinpurity and d.
basement could not enter. We don't behe'
that Sr. PETER would admit him on any term
even if he had letter of recommendation IT"
the Holy Father and the whole College
Cardinals. Nevertheless, we would gladly $
Esjor General BuTLER put in the way OF "a
walton. We understand that the Dispot
sometimes finds its way n Old Point, and '
write this for ais special ediheation. In
present unregenerate state, he may have Il
vanity to suppose that our interest in b
spiritual welfare is dictated solely by bis
appreciation Of his character and talents and
desire for his individual happiness. We CT
assure him that our benevolence has wild
aud deeper scope. There is said to be JOY
Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, and,
- BUTLER should repent, there would be joy
another place also. Satan would be spar
the annoyance Of having ass in lio
skin roaming through his dominions, d
the condition Of the Inhabitants would not
rendered ridiculous as well Ms miserable by
interminabls hrayings.
Ia this view Of the case, our solieiuie
rise EurLsR all the benefits OF 'sta
nraaehing" is 50 great, that II he will
come voluntarily to Richmond, il may beet
necessary for cur missionaries to 60 forth !
es,ooel him to csms in We mus' see bin
RICHMOND be shall not disappo'as US I;
shslI listen 70 the Reversed gentleman va
church he promised TO attend three weeks
.aa. to that end, we shall expect the Rev.
afAcauDgs 70 indoetrinate him In the fslts
So lid Point, for it Is clssr that sEe will nos .
~ a8ectiop4.s inri,a.ions Of that essrE
x..lst % esas u Bethel and Do esnhi
" t'NAH ,au-t 80 alter bin. sad coy!set
lAsakt .!sst.sdist pini1ter 14 e. INF