The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1870-06-24
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Among t&Tministcrs now in Louis
vile attending the session of the Presby-
terrain General Assembly is one having
a slight figure and swagthy composites
who a ttracts a degree of attention some
what out of proportion to his rather IN
imposing presence and unobtrusivc de-
meanor. One would hardly take this
man for famous divine, and still less for
brilliant orator. lie moves about
quietly like shadow, but he is an ac-
tive religious leader, and close, observ
ant scrutiny will presently detect GER
tain tone and character in his method of
moving and having his being; a certain
glow in the eye; certain exceptional
play of features which mark the differ
cnco between great faculties in a COM
mon case and ordinary faculties in large
and snowy casc-thc distinction, in
short, between outward port and pres
encc and inward genius. The man is
named Palmer, and he comes from New
Orleans.
OF this man the Louisville Courier
Journal relates the following story
at was in the summer of 1862. 1t
was in a little, old rusty depot town. 1t
was in the midst Of war. The popular
! fury had not quite spent its force nor
the passion nor the gloss Of arms wore
off, like gilt-braid, and lost their shiny
charm.
cit was the golden prime of the Ap-
gust of 1862. 1t was at Chattanoo-
ga. 1t was under weird guardianship Of
that beautiful brown peak from whose
fair lookout not a note, save notes OF
love, had been sent. 1t was on the
banks of that great stream whose silver
many multiplying horseshoe had never
known hostile pontoon bridge, twas
day of thanksgiving, for we thought
VIC had something to be thankful about.
Nay, in those days we were easy to
please, and withal, somewhat genial, il
not iocose, in dealings with Providence.
But this as it may, it was a day of
thanksgiving, and great number Of Of
fceEs and soldiers had come up from the
front to do little church going and a
little counting, and more especially after
this combination of piety and sentiment,
to hear the famous DR.. Palmer of New
Orleans.
"The church was crowded. Not a
pew was vacant, not a seat was unoccu-
pied, and chairs had been placed up and
down the aisles. Gold lace and cooked
hats and cavalry boots and prottily
mounted sabres were mixed up indis-
criminatcly with ribbons and muslins
and the profuse whmsics, jim cracks
and fall lals that enter into the mystcri-
Gus and ambitious hnery ola woman's,
of many womcn's, summer dressing. It
was, of a truth, a sight to sec. Without,
five hundred horses hitched carclessly to
trees and dusty streets and quiet pas
turc lands hanked round about by pic
turesquo Tennessee hills. Within, a
tropical flower garden, quiet peaceful in
its loneliness and warlke in its splendor.
Be sure the pcrlidious thought Of the hat
ed Yankee persisted before it entered
there. BE sure there was not in the
mind of all that multitude so much as
the echo of the idea Of an advance Of the
enemy.
"Dr. Palmer was in the pulpit. The
congregation had been looking and lis
tening with curious attention while he
read some announcements and gave out
a hymn. The hymn was sung stcnto-
riously, and then began the long pray
or, everybody standing and not the rus
/ tie of frocll nor the cIanll of a spur
disturbing the serenity Of the moment.
ooh, Lord the good man was saying,
give us grace, in the midst Of war; to
do Gods service OH earth of peace and
good will to men; make us, amid the
tumult and the rack of arms, as still and
fixed in the service of God as the ever
lasting hi-'Qang -'hills'-(whcw J
1t was the ringing report Of cannon,
and it came from over the river, fetch
ing twelve pound schrapncl with it
This is deposited in the centre ola group
of startled darkies outside, who were
watching the horses and carriages Of the
white folks. Two more followed be
fore the preacher had time to complete
his sentence. He did complete it, how
ever, in very measured and solemn
way. But the spirit of the Lord could
not wholly and on the instant subdae
the impulse of poor weak tuman nature;
The CONSERVATION was immediate and
intense, and yet, strange to say, not
noisy. There was single cry OF alarm.
/ A number of officers, who had posts OF
duty to fill, quilted the place; two or
three ladies approached the door, but
DIR. Palmer did not bulge a muscle nor
alter tone. He proceeded with his
prayer as the shells came faster and the
din grew louder. There was just never