The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-17
WILLIS RISES TO EXPLAIN.

We published on Monday O sermon from Metho-
dist mintster which was In many respects remark
able. Rarely have we seen 1t equaed IN bitter
ness OF spirit or bOldness OF expression, and
when, as the preacher acknowledged, Christianity
and humanity demanded that he should tread
lightly and speak gently, he grew fierce IN his
'denunciatOns ana defiant IN his abuse OF the dead
James Fisk is dead, and the SHOWS OF Vermont
cover his newly raised grave. He cannot reply to
the ISLANDERS nor can he be affected Dy anything
good Or bad that may be uttered against him
or In his favor. But his friends and defenders
live. and they are many, and their number has
greatly Increased within the past week. The Rev.
Mr. Willis has. perhaps, more than any other minis
ter OF the Gospel VINO last sunday preached upon
the dead Fisk helped toward this result. The nu-
merous letters which this day publish VIII give
the public some faint idea Of the value OF such dia-
tribes as Mr.. Willis in forming or changing the
general character Of the community. There Ii In
society an innate love for fair play, and while 1t
dcmns with equal severity the assassin and the
DEFAMERs OF The LATE COLONEL FISK,
1t does not either intentionally or by implication de-
fend or applaud MS vicious acts which nave been
made the basis for sensational discourses.
Our correspondents, who embrace both sexes and
all classes, have but one sentiment IN common IN
regard to the pulpit utterances Of last Sunday.
Men and women, Christians and sinners alike note
the lack OF charity and Christian sympathy mani
tested by the ministers. While they unqualifedly
ana vehemently condemn the murdered man, they
touch the assassin very lightly, If at all. How I'M
like the words OF some OF The parsons who preached
about James Fisk were the last words OF Mr.. Fisk him.
sell, who hoped that he might live
TO SAVE STOKES FROM THE GALLONS.
We think that any impartial ana unbiased judge
win see herein more Of the spirit Of Christ than
Of our @ very ns sR
the parsons the same question which the Saviour
tDrOpOunded eighteen hundred years ago to a self
righteous crowd, VINO wished him 10 pronounce
judgment upon an unfortunate wOman-"Let him
that s without sin among you cast the first stone"
would better become the Christian ministers Than
the wholesale condemnation Of Fisk In which they
One Of our correspondents Is 80 reigiously indig.
nant as to demand public meeting TO condemn
such pulpit sensaonalism which Is contrary to the
spirit and teaching OF Christ and His Apostles.
Another writer thinks that II the ministers spent
more time In secret PRAYER in their closets they
whether living or dead; that they mistake their
calling who think the people want or are pleased
der and vituperatlon OF the dead and and opening
the wounds and adding TO the sorrows OF the llv-
ing ing TINS s. writer a,,, thinks also that cergyme1
and society as great az Mr.. Frsk's. While
MIR. FisK's vices were Known ana blazoned
throughout the country, his virtues were known
only TO his Maker, himself and the benefciaries Of
his bounty. The very last cheek drawn by him was
for poor family wnOm he had Oefrlenled Oft and
again. unknown ana unseen by the outside world.
western correspondent does not think that vltu-
peratlOn and
DEFAMATION OF RvEN GROSSLY WICKED MEN
form any part Of Christianity or oil the duty OF q
Christian minister. Neither do we; and we fully
agree VIII him that the mallgnity OF language used
against MI. Fisk is enough TO make one shudder.
But we submit the letters themselves as fair ex.
pressions OF the public mind upon the latest sensa-
ton.
Below will be found a so the substance OF an IN
tervew with Rev. Mr.. Willis, who cknowedgcs
that his only sources OF information regarding Mr..
Flsk's character were newspaper reports and
second hand testimony from perhaps Interested
parties. fhe HERALD has frequently condemned
clergymeh Tor their
IGNORANT CONDENSATION OF PERSONS
and things with which they might have become
acquainted and OF which. IN common justice, they
ought to have known something before they spoke
or else have held their peace. Mr.. Willis thinks IL
was sufficient excuse for him not to have 'preacncd
as much 10 Mr.. Fisk as he did about him,"
that ''Mr Fisk kept himself where no minister nor
Christian gentleman can safely ener' II that is SO
IT Is a sal comment upon the responsibility
OF the Christianity OF the present day,
which is wasting its energies and DESTROY
ing Its power Not such was the religion
taught by Christ nor the example lie lett to
His Church. Adulterers, thieves swindlers and
men ana women guilty OF every crime with which
Mr.. Fisk has been charged. and OF many more
which have not been ald at his door, were not too
low Tor the SavIOur's notice, and the world today
fnds hinge upon which to hang hope OF mercy
even Tor a Judas or u Barabbas. But Christian min.
listers IN this city IN the nineteenth century can
scarcely accord even tins to poor Fisk.