Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-11-30

O"HSItN1 ehNh thS N"'J 'f'NfS-
perhaps, which was Published in
the Virginia colony. But L can
not refrain from copying, as aD
interesting incident in his history
of the fines, from letter written
by the Rev. Peter Muhlenburg to
his brother in Trappe, Pa, dated
Jan. II, l775, which isstlll preserv-
ed as a valuable revolutionary
relic in the Muhlenburg family.
He says: "The times are getting
troublesome with us, and begin to
wear a hostile appearance. In
dependent companies are forming
in every con 'ty, and politics en-
gross all conversation. had
thrown up my commission as
chairman of tue committee on cor.
respondence, aud of magistrate
likewise, but last week VIZ had q
general election IN the county for
great committee, according to the
resolves Of Congress, aud am
again chosen chairman, so that,
whether | choose or not, [ am to be
politician.
The Rev. Petere Muhlenburg
was chosen a member OF the house
of burgesses in 1775. and soon after
with Patrick Henry, who was the
leader of the war party; and when
it was determined to raise six reg
lments from Virginia, he returned
home with the purpose to doh his
grown and grid on tie regi-
mentals and sword. At the earnest
solicitation OF General w 4shlngton
and PAtrck Henry tie house of
delegates elected him colonel of
the eight Virginia regiment.
Upon his return home, he gave
notice to his scattered Pensioners
tha5 he wonld deliver to them on
the following Sabbath his farewell
ser rnor, The rude country church
was filed to overlooking with the
hardy mountaineers Of the frontier
counties of the valley. 81 great
was the aSsenDiage, th 1t the q liet
burial place was filed with crowds
OF stern, excited meI, who had
gathered together, believing that
something they knew not what
would be done in behalf Of their
Suffering country. They waited
patiently the appearance of their
pastor. He came, and a4cended
the pulpit hls tall form arrayed In
full uniform, over which his gown,
the symbol Of his divine calling
WAS thrown. He preached to tie u
o. a G ID, a SAVIOR, AMI country,
tn all the z.hl and elOqueDce of
a Pail, and they hung upon his
fiery words with all the intensity
Of their souls. His conclusion
turned their thoughts npOn their
sl1erIngS aud wrongs and he
SAID he had unsheathed the SWORD ,
and that, in the language of Holy
Writ, there was a time for all
thiags-a time to preach and a
time to pray, but those times had
passed away and in voice that
echoed through the church like q
trumpet blast, 'that there was =
time to fight and that time had
now Gomez
Alter the benedictlon, his gown
was uuloosed, and falll0g to the
floor he stood before his congrega'
ton a girdrd warrior, and descend :
ing from the pulpit, ordered the
drums at the door to beat for re
eruits. Then followed a bright
example of patriotic devotion
HIS audIencc, excited in the hl gh'
est degree by the impassloned
words which fell from his lips,
hockel around his followers. Old
men were seen bringing forward
Their children, wives their hus-
bands, and widowed mothers their
sons to fight the battles Of their
country. Nearly ;hree hundred
meu that day enlisted under his
banner. What a hOble eighL a
caIse thus supported could not
FAIL
Rpcrnting Scrgeant-FYOu won't