Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-16
The Clergy Of the Revolution.
No. VII.
RGV.JUDAH CHAMPION: PATRIOTIC
TRAYER: STRANGE SABBATH
SCENE AN UNEXPECTED
DINNER: BECOMES
CHAPLAIN.
By J. I. HEADLEY,
Author Of Washington and his Generals Sc /
From the New York Observer.

FROM the Il eW orK observer.
MIR Champion was settled in Litch-
field at the commencement Of the Revo-
lation, and threw himself. with all his
energy and burning eloquence, into the
struggle. Major Tallmage, passing
through the town with a regiment Of
cavalry, remained over the Sabbath and
attended his church. Their presence
aroused all hispa5riiotism, and he de-
livered an eloquent sermon on the
peril Of the Colonies, the wrong Of
oppression, and the duty Of the citizens.
Becoming excited with his theme, he
SUDDENLY burst forth: 80 Lord, we
view, with dismay, the enemies Of our
holy religion. Wilt though send storm
and tempest, to toss them upon the sea,
to overwhelm them in the mighty deep,
or scatter them to the uttermost parts
Of the earth? But, peradventure, should
they escape thy vengeance, collect
them together again in the hollow Of
thine hand and let thy lightenlngs play
upon them. y He then prayed for the
soldiers in his presence. The whole
prayer reminded one Of the old prophets
invoking vengeance on God'se nemies.
One pleasant Sabbath morning the
congregation had gathered and had
just commenced the morning hymn,
When, through the still street there
came the sharp clatter Of horse hoofs
always so ominous, at that time, of
tidings from the army. AS usual when
the courier arrived in any town on the
Sabbath, he. made straight for the
''meeting-house." Reaching the door,
he dismounted, and, flinging the bride
eVe4s the horse S neck, entered the build
ing. The singing ceased, and every eye
was turned on the stranger as be walked
up the broad aisle and ascended the pull
pit stairs. He handed Mr. Champion a
paper, who, with smile Of triumph on
his face, arose and read: ''SE johns as
tokea." 1t must be remebered that
this place had been besieged six weeks,
TIL people began almost to despair of
it's ever being taken. The noble pas
tor, the moment he had finished the
sentence, lifted his eyes to heaven and
exclaimed: ''Thank God for the veto
rY."
The chorister, sitting opposite the
pulpit, in the gallery, clapped his hands
md shouted: ''Anaen and AmenW For
awhile the joy was unrestrained, but
the pastor soon checked it by saying
''there is something more to be heard. -
He then read a lengthy communication,
stating that the army was in suffering
condition. 1t was now the latter part
of November, and there on the borders
OF Canada, the winter was already set
ting in, and yet the troops were about
to march for Quebec to undergo the
rigors Of a winter campaign. L des-
cribed in vivid language their suffering
condition. They were destitute OF
clothing, without shoes or stockings,
and yet were ordered to travel the
frozen fields Of the north.
The touching description lost none
Of its pathos as read by the pastor and
commented on by him at its close.
When he had finished, there was hard
ly dry eye in the house Especially
the women were overcome with emotion.
As soon as the congregation was dis
missed, a few prominent ladies were
seen to gather round the pastor with
eager countenanceS. They were evident
ly asking him some questions, and it
was equally evident, from his beneyo-
lent smiles and nodding head that he
answering them satisfactorily
Soon they began to move
rapidly among the otgether wo-
men that, in turn, gathered into groups
IN earnest conversation. After little
while they all dispersed to their homes.
When the congregation assembled FOL
the afternoon service not woman was
in the church. The wives, mothers
and maldens had laid aside their Sab
bath apparel and drawn forth then
spinning wheels, set in motion then
looms, and brought out their knitting
needles and handcards. and the will
age suddenly became hive of Indus
try. On that usully still Puritan Sab
bath afternoon there now rung out on
every side the hum Of the wheel and
the click of the shuttle-sounds never
before heard in Litchfeld on the Sab
bath day, and which contrasted strange
" with those of prayer and praise IN
the adjoining sanctuary. Yet both
believed that they were serving God.
The women were working for those
brave patriots who were about to march,