The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-11-13
DOWN WITH THE CHURCHES
Chaplain McCabe's Dream of
IngersOEIyikle.

Chaplain McCabe's Dream Ol
IngersOllyifle.
l had dream which was not all s
dream. 1 thought Twas on a long jour
ney through beautiful country, wher
suddenly l came to great city with
walls fifteen feet high. At the gate
stood sentinel, whose armor reflected
back the rays of the morning sun
AS l was about to salute him and pass
into the city, he stopped me and said
"Do you believe in the Lord Jesu.
| Christi"
1 answered, ayes, with all my
heart"
"Then," said he, "you cannot en-.
ter here. No man or woman who ac'
knowledges that name can pass in
here. Stand aside said he, "they
are coming"
1 looked down the road, and saw a
vast multitude approaching. 1t was
led by military officer.
"Who is that?" / asked of the sen.
tinel.
"That;" he replied, "is the great
Col. Robert =, the founder of
the city of Ingersollville."
"Who is he?" l ventured to in
quire.
"Ha is a great and mighty warrior,
who fought in many bloody battles for
the Union during the war"
l felt ashamed of my ignorance of
history, and stood silently watching
the procession. l had heard of Col.
/ who resigned in the presence of
the enemy, but, of course, this could
not be the man.
The procession came near enough
for me to recognize some of the faces.
l noticed two infdel editors of nations
al celebrity, followed by great wagons
containing steam presses. There were
also five members of Congress.
All the noted infdes and scoffers of
the country seemed to be there. Most
of them passed in unchallenged by the
sentinel, but at last a meek looking
individual with a white necktie ap-
preached, and he was stopped. saw
at a glance that it was well.known
liberal" preacher of New York.
"Do you believe in the Lord Jesus
Christi" said the sentinel.
"Not much," said the doctor.
Everybody laughed, and he was al
lowed to pass in.
There were artists there, with glo-
rious pictures; singers, with ravlshing
voices; tragedians and comedians,
whose names have worldwide fame.
Then came another division of the
infdel host, burglars, thieves, thugs,
incendiaries, murderers, highwaymen
-all-all marching in. My vision
grew keener. l beheld, and, 10! Satan
himself brought up the rear.
High afoat above the mass was
banner on which was inscribed,
"What has Christianity done for the
country?" ahd another, on which was
inscribed, "Down with the Churches!
Away with Christianity--it interferes
with our happiness! And then came
a murmer of voices, that grew louder
and louder until shout went up like
the roar of Niagara; "Away with himl
Cruelty him, Cruelty himl" l felt
no desire now to enter Ingersollville.
AS the last of the procession enter
ed, a few men and women, with
broad-brimmed hats and bonnets,
made their appearance, and wanted
to 60 in as missionaries, but they we're
turned rudely away. A Jealous young
Methodist exhorter, with a Bible un-
der his arm, asked permission to en-
ter. but the sentinel swore at him aw-
fully. Then l thought 1 saw Brother
Moody applying for admission, but he
was refused. l could not help smil-
ing to hear Moody say, as he turned
sadly way:
"Well! they let me live and work
in Chicago; it is very strange they
won't let me into Ingersollville."
The sentinel went inside the gate
and shut it with bang; and / thought
as soon as it was closed, mighty an
gel came down with a great iron bar,
and barred the gate on the outside,
and wrote upon it in letters of fire;
Doomed to live together six months.
Then he went away, and all was ST.
lent, except the noise of the revelry
and shouting that came from within
the walls.
went away, and as l journeyed
through the land, l could not believe
my eyes. Peace and plenty smiled
everywhere. The jails were all emp
ty, the penitentiaries we're without oc-
cupants. The police of great cities
were idle. Judges sat in court-rooms
with nothing to do. Business was
brisk. Many great buildings, forms
erly crowded with criminals. were
turned into manufacturing establish
ments. Just about this time, the
President of the United States called
for day of thanksgiving. l attend
ed services in Presbyterian church.
The preacher dwelt upon the changed
condition of affairs. As he went on,
and depicted the great prosperity that
had come to the country, and gave
reasons for devout thanksgiving, l
saw one old deacon clap his hand over
his mouth to keep from shouting right
out. An ancient spinster, who never
did like the "noisy" Methodists-a
regular old blue-stocking Presbyteri-