Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-10
Cesl! Cooler. Csslest!!!-Mawwerm cast
In the shade.

the snade
w. ID. WALLACE, Eso.-Siy: ] hnd In the last
issue OF The Star two letters from your correspond
sns, whose reports Of the occurrences Of last Sab
bath contain Measurements which I trust your
love OF fairness will afford me the use Of your
columns to correct. 1 shall endeavor to give you
merely the pith Of the matter: In my second
prayer last sabbath morning, In advert!ng to
public affairs, implored, as has been my won't,
that God would avert impending calamities and
restore to our people the blessings of prosperity
and peace, but that II He had ordained jud gment
and not mercy, and the sections now In hostilS
array should meet in the shock Of battle, He
would, IL consistent with truth and right give
the victory 10 cur arms. At the close CT the
services | was waited upon by an officer, W ho
courteously invited me TO 90 over and see Col
onel Heintzleman. Upon srriving at that Of
hcpr's head quarters, he told me that be had
learned that ] had been preaching and pray
ing secession" | answered that IS regarded
my preaching, | Was studOusly avoiding any
al1usion to our national complications, but
that | had prayed for the success Of the
Southern arms He said that such proceed
ings would not be allowed-that If I prayed
at all, should not pray for the South, but ShORH
pray for the success Of the United States forces
| asked him II | should understand that ] to1S e.
De DENIED the liberty Of prayer to Which he replied
thdi %hoKld, unless / prayed for the success Of
the United States. J told him as this would con-
hict with nv convictions of right, should never
consent to do So He then declared that should
then be deprived of the use Of my pulpit, and the
doors Of the church should be closed | answered
that he bad the power and could exercise il, but
that at the appointed time should proceed to the
church, and, If permitted to preach, conduct the
services as before. When in the evening the sex
ton went to light the building, preparatory to
worship, he was stopped by guard stationed at
The door, who told him that he had instructions
10 prevent our occupying the church that evening.
AT quarter past eight. however, hslf an hour
after the usual time for opening the church, and
quarter of an hour after the congregatio should
have been seated and the services commenced the
Provost Marshal called ut my house and very
kindly Informed me that the prohibition had
been Withdrawn, ard that | could proceed with
the services. But as II was then haitian hour after
the time, and the sexton had disappeared, and
especially, as the crowd around the church had
become too excited for a profitable partcipation
in the services, determined, after consultation
with my elders that there should be no preaC hing
that night Thus, sir, for the first time perhaps
IN the history Of the Government a house of wOr-
ship has been closed by armed men, against an I'M
offending people, because their minister chose to
exercise in his own pull pit the nalenable liberty
Of prayer.
1t remains to be seen whether this act will be
sanctioned as one of the necessities of war IS 1t
not line for all tnoug htful TO pause and con-
slder whittier we are drifting, when conscience is
required to about face at the bidding Of the mill
tary, and our very prayers are guided heavenward
by the point of tue bayonet?
As to the alleged division of sentiment in my
church, ali tina. | snali say Is, tnat unless the
signs are strangely deceptive, my prayers carry
weekly TO 6od the earnest and honest desires Of a
united and devoted people. Ii there be more than
one supporter of the administration In my CON
greGatlon, ] am vet to learn his name. | am not
alone In this kind of offsnse, If offense II be
called. as look az these hills, now whitened
with tents, feel assured that beyond them there
IS scarcely brook side on which some Jacob Ia
not wrestling for the results which have invoked
ana IN all those sweeping ranges scarcely noun.
taln Hcln which good men with eyes Tapt dis were
hosess upon Nebo, are not fondly behOldng
visions Of Success JAMES T. LBFFwICH
Pastor Of the I'd Presby terrain Church,
Alexandra, Virginia
NoTEs 1t is undoubtedly true, that no other
class Of people can equal inscriptions men anon"
the clergy in putting unblushing ''whopper,r
upon the public, when, casting the obligation Of
their calling behind their backs, they undertake
20 meddle In politics. IL further proof were
wanted Of the fact, this statement from the pen of
the Rev. MIR. Leftwich certainly affords it,
We accidentally met Col. Heintzleman yester-
day, and from the lips Of that blunt aud simple.
hearted soldier learned the truth concerning his
portion Of tue affair set forth above by the meek
follower of''-Uncle Sambo. He had been in
formed that the Rev. Mr. Leftwich was using the
privileges Of the sacred desk In Alexandra to ell.
courage treason there. Tha, his information was
correct, letter printed above proves IN rs every
sentence. Sending for Mr.. Leftwich, he remon.
strated mildly with him, and explained the i'm
possibility Ct permitting the use of a pulpit in
there, under pretense Of wo.shfpipSlna God MT
Leftwich replied by asking him whether be
should obey God, or man? The Colonel doubling
whether God had instructed him to use his minis
terial privilege to AID and abet theft murder arson
treason and the destruction Of the civil liberties
OF his fellow-citzens in order to fasten on the
necks Tor all time the government Of an usurpine
cligarchy, then fatty tod him thst he should no,
preach In public again in Alexandria while he
| tCol Hein'zeman) commanded there. unless b.
RETAINED from encouraging treason under ORE.
tense OF preaching Christianity and that h,
meant to lie obeyed In that particular.
| so much for tie truth concerning the interview
That Mr.. Leftwich is simply bent on stirring
up notwithstanding the cause of treason
while protesting - preach the gospel of peace I,
SO clearly apparent in the tone OF his letter as ta,
we need comment no further upon it. He is eyi.
deltly fair subject to receive the promo, atten.
ton Of Col Heintzleman's provost guard: AZ I, f.
clear that while he may be permitted to labor, as
ne 10 oent on laboring, In Uncle Sambo,s caus.
there is no hope Of opening the eyes Of the neonle
OF Alexandra to the fact that they must speedily
| make up their minds to bear true aIIeyianc. n
the United States or to be treated as enemies o,
| their country.
ne TAT Out OF the Bag-What is said "A,
| Fairfax Court House CONCERNING The 10,