The Mena weekly star., 1897-11-03
THE YOUNG CHAPLAIN.
An OId-Time Revival Among the On.
 dets nt West Point.


 dets nt West Point.
 One night in 1925 clergyman was taking tea with John c. Calhoun, then secretary of war. Suddenly Mir. Cal houn said to his guest:
 Will you accept the place of chap lain and professor of ethics at West Point? If you will, I will appoint you at once."
 The clergyman was Charles F. Me. subsequently known as the Bishop oi Ohio." He accepted the appointment because West Point then had an un- savory reputation. There was not I Christian among officers and cadets Many of them were skeptics, and the others were coolly indifferent to re ligion. He was received as gentlemen receive gentleman, but no one showed the least sympathy with him as clergy man. For months his preaching seemed as words spoken in the air. His first encouragement was an offensive expres sion.
 He was walking home from church one Sunday few feet in advance oi several officers. "The chaplain's preach ing is getting hotter and hotter" h. heard one of them say.
 In few days he received another bit of encouragement. He was dining with company at the house of an officer A lieutenant, scoffer, hurled a bitter sneer at clergymen. The chaplain left +Lo talIo rha offsnarc fbraafapc1 f. send the lieutenant to Coventry" if he did not apologize. He called anc asked the chapIain's pardon. Another officer took offense at one oi the chaplains sermons and wrote him bold avowal of skeptical opinions. The chaplain, seeing in these incl dents evidence that the chronic indif ference was giving way to opposition persevered. But opposition was all the encouragement he received during the rear. Not a cadet had visited him ol even sought his acquaintance. But one Saturday, the only day the cadets were allowed to visit an officer without special permission, one of tn, most popular of the cadets knocked al the chaplain's door. He wished to be gin the Christian life then and there and asked for counsel. In a day or two another cadet called on a similar errand; then another and another Then several officers came. X meeting for prayer was appointed twice week It was the first public prayer meeting held at West Point. Officers and cadets crowded in, though all who came pro fessed thereby to begin n religious life At first it required as much courage to enter that room as it did to lead a forlorn hope.
 One of the cadets was Leonidas Polk afterward bishop of Louisiana. Intel. | ligent, high-toned and commanding in person, he was the conspicuous cadet Seeing that it was his duty to make d public confession of his faith in Christ, he asked for baptism.
 After baptizing him the chaplain raade a brief address, closing with 8 : charge to be faithful. "Amen," re. sponded Polk, in voice that rang through the church. The "amen" was from the heart. Immediately the bap- tized cadet became missionary to his comrades.
 A solemnity pervaded the academy during the remaining two years that this clergyman served as chaplain. Hall | the corps became Christian men. Sey- cTal of them. leaving the army, were promoted to the ministry. Many oi those who entered the army rose to eminence. They adorned their profess sion and the Christian religion. Thls era in West Point was created through divine aid by young man who simply did his duty patiently and | left the result with God.-Christian at Work.