National Republican., 1880-07-09
REBELS IN the PULPIT.
Rev. DR.. Lsnahan's Call Upon General Han
cock.

Rev. DR.. Lanahan's Call Upon General Han
cock.
General Hancock Is a bravo man, but he
was once forced TO retreat by mothcdst
preacher.
The Rov. John Lauaban, pastor of tho
Foundry church in this city, the samo man
who in connection with the Methodist Book
Concern troubles chose rather to 90 TO jail
than abate the severity of his accusations Of
fraud against the management Of that iusttu.
tion, was deputed by the authorities OF his
church, ut the close OF the war; to reorganiZe
the methodist churches in Virginia. One Of
his charges was at Winchester, where, for q
time, he filled tho pulpit himsolE Ono
Sunday ho announced that he had
secured pastor for the charge,
and would introduce him The next week
When the day arrived, DIR. Lanahan aud the
new minister entered the pulpit. Just before
the hour for beginning the service a minis.
ter named Wilson, who had once boen promi.
nent in the Baltimore conference, but had be-
come n violent rebel, entered the church and
took his place IN the pulpit. lIo opened tho
hymn book and proceeded to conduct the
service. DIR. Lanahan and his companion
glared at the rebel, and tho latter glarcd back.
His sermon was of the flre.eatiug order, and
when he Ind concluded he announced that
he would cfcate at the evening service, aud
ON the following sabbath, and then he dis
missed the congregation.
DIR. Lanahan roso aud requested tho people
TO remain. lie said he had relrained from
interrupting the proceedings, out Of respect
to tho day and the place, but he announced,
with emphasis, that he or his companion
would preach that evening aud thereafter.
During the afternoon DIR. I.anaham called
upon tho commanding officer, aud at his in
stance an officer in civilian dress was sent TO
the rebel minister's house to request that he
abstain from further attempts 10 seizo the
pulpit, which request was needed.
Two or three weeks later the commanding
officer at Winchester told DR.. Lanaban that
his report ofthe affair had been twice returned
to him by General Hancock for revision.
Whom next in Baltimore, DIR. Lanahan called
upon General Hancock in relation to the
affair, and was taken severely to task for his
part in it.
I" You had no right" said the general, gruAly,
in conclusion, Ito interfere with those pco-
pie"
Dr. Lanahan bore for time the comments
of the general, but at last became angry.
" General Hancock" said he, "you think you
are dealing with country preacher who has
no friends. | am probably as well known here
and in Washington as you are, and all | have
TO ask Of you is that you make your decision
one way or the other without delay. It's an
outrage to allow those rebels to try to capture
our church in the very presence OF our troops,
and l give you warning, If ycu decide for
them. | will have your decision reversed over
your head" With this ho stnlked out of the
office.
The next morning he called to ask If the
revised report had been received from the
commanding officer at Winchester. 1t had
not come, but he was treated with tho utmost
Difference by General Hancock, and was
pressed, on going away, to make use of the
Generals carriage. Two or three days later,
being in Washington, DR.. Lsnahan called
upon Secretary Stanton, and began to tell the
story of the affair at Winchester.
"Why," interrupted the secretary, =" that is
all fixed. General Hancock has been here to-
day and made report in your favor."-[N. Y.
Tribune,