The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-20
Second Presbyterian Church,

The waters are considerably troubled
in the Second Presbyterian Church in
this place Last winter Mr.. j, M. HAM
mToN, Elder in that church, addressed
the following very apostolical epistle to
Rev. j. s. HAYS, the pious and excellent
pastor of the church, who, although
very quiet on the subject of politics, was
known 10 be unflinchingly loyal, and
since his removal to Frankfort, Kentucky,
has shouldered his musket to fight the
Rebels
NASHVILLE, June 20, 1861.
Rev. AND DEAR SIR Your note with
out date or address, of which the fol-
lowing is an exact copy to-wit:
"I wish an unambiguous statement Of
"the reasons you have for believing
"should no longer continue TO be the
Pastor of the Second Presbyterian
"Church."
Signed ~. S. HAYS"
Was handed to me by yourselfthis morn
ing, and which | beg leave TO answer in
as unambiguOus a way as | am capable
OF; not, however, admitting what your note
seems rather harshly to insinuate, that |
am in the habit of using ambiguous Ian
guage, 60 prevent myself from being pro-
perly understood
Every interview you and / have had
in relation to this much to be regretted
subject, has been at your own seeking.
NY reason for advising you to resign the
Pastoral Charge of the Second Presby-
terian Church is, that you said to me that
you did not desire and could not con-
scientiously pray for the success Of the
armies Of Tennessee, in defending our
homes, and firesides in the present con-
test Our homes and iiresides, meaning
the State OF Tennessee.
The war on the part Of the North is
one of invasion, conquest and subjuga-
tiOn, on the part of the South simply Of
i defense; in which members of our con-
gregation, and Sunday School Teachers,
and Scholars, have volunteered The
idea of having Pastor in our midst, who
does not desire, and cannot Conscien-
tiously pray for the success of our efforts
in protecting and defending our homes,
property and iiresides, is TO mo simply
intorable. In this contest, he that is
not for us is against u.s."
Respectfully, j. NJ. HAMILTON.
To Rev j. s. HAYS.
Rev, Mr. HAYS pastorate thus abruptly
terminated, and the church was handed
over by Elder HAMILTON and a portion OF
the congregation to the Rebellion and the
Devil. Cot MILLER subsequently, while
in command Of this post, ordered the
church 10 be delivered to the charge OF
its loyal officers and members; and ex-
cellent preaching has since been held in
it, by loyal ministers. Mr.. HAMILTON
clerk Of the church, when called on 10
hand over the Church Records TO Elder
Dicky, a loyal man, reluctantly delivered
an nimportant book, but said he knew
nothing about the other Records II il
charged also that the book given up has
been mutlatcd, portion Of the record
being torn out. The Provost Marshal il
determined not TO be bafiied in this man
ner, nor TO suffer the orders of the au-
thorities to be disobeyed; and unless the
other records are forthcoming will adj
minister summary punishment 10 the Of
Tending parties, The whole matter illus
trates the tyrannical and reckless course
Of even protesting Christians who are
infected with the faint of treason, and
the intolerant spirit of rebellion.