Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-01-06
MR.. MoODY's DENIAL.

In the course of one of his sermons in
Richmond on Sunday Mr.. Moody said that
he had understood that some ofthe brethren
in Richmond had something against him
that be had been reported rs having abused
Lee and Jackson, two men greatly beloved
in the South. He desired to say that that
report was incorrect; that neither in New
York nor at any other time or place had he
ever done anything of the sort. His SER
mons had all been geographically report
ed, and were accessible. He de6ed any
body to find anything of the sort in any OF
his utterances. He thought the proof OF
went from New York straight to Augusta,
Ga where he would not have bad the col
dial response which they gave him in Au-
gusta if he had been guilty of any such out
rage on their feelings. As an emphatic
proof that he could not have used the words
attributed to him he said he had always
cherished for Lee and Jackson the highest
respect and he asserted that it was morally
i'm possible for him to have said anything
derogatory Of their character. Even during
the war, while q Northern man in his sym
pat HES and feelings, he had always looked
upon Lee and Jackson as not only great mil.
itary men, but men of the highest Christian
character. He had frequently spoken OF
them in that way both privately and public
ly. But notwithstanding this, he wanted
TO say that if he had ever said anything to
offend any Of his brethren in this latitude
be would in the most unreserved manner
apologize Tor it and ask their forgiveness.
He wanted to get all obstacles out of the
way so that with united hearts and hands,
we might enter on this work.
When Mr. Moody uttered these senti-
ments there was involuntary applause on
the part of some in the AUDIENCE. The ap.
pla,,se was promptly checked.
Mr. Core, who wrote the first letter charg.
ing Mr.. Moody with aspersing the charac
ter Of Lee and Jackson, in O communication
to the State says: 81 have no apology to
offer for my letter Of the 2lst utimo, as /
told truth, and still reiterate that the illus
tration spoken of therein was drawn by
Mr.. Moody, and the names mentioned there
in were used in that illustration as stated
in my article. I know that it is very pos
sible for one to be mistaken, but my under
standing Of the illustration was in harmony
with that of Mrs. Mary Stuart Smith, who
published the facts, as she understood them,
to the world over her own signature in the
Religious Herald of May llth, 1876, and if
their correctness has ever been questioned
am not aware of it. felt the illustration
great and cruel wrong, and it lived like
canker worm in my very soul from that
hour till now. Lee and Jackson are names
dear to my heart, and word against them
wherever heard, or by whomsoever spoken,
will ever be resented by me with every
power that is within me regardless of conse-
quences. But as have just been Informed
that Mr. Moody has done all that brave
man and Christian gentleman eau, after per-
petrating a wrong, say truly that now
entertain no unkindly feelings towards him,
and sincerely hope one and all may fully
and freely grant him the pardon he has
asked at your hands,"