The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-04-06
Fighting Preachers.

Mr.. Chauncey NJ. Depew said re-
Gently: 81 find that the most warlike
men are the eyclergymen.
Thisis very sweeping remark, but
it is true .that the preachers of the
gospel Of peace have been among the
most heroic soldiers of history.
Cromwell was not exactly a preach
er, but he was very nearly one. In
our day he would be called class
leader or c1horter. Carlyle classes
Cromwell with Hannibal and Caesar
as one of the greatest soldiers of the
world. and the estimate is just. There
we're in Cromwell's invincible army
many MEN who had preached in Puri-
tan churches. Cardinal Richelieu al,
ways displayed more pride in his
record as soldier than in his fame as
a priest.
One Of the shining heroes of the
revolution was John Peter Gabriel
Muhlenburg, of Pennsylvania. He
was the Episcopal clergyman at Wood
stock, Virginia, when the war Of inde>
pendence began. Washington knew
he had fighting blood in him and Of
fered him a colonel's commission,
which he promptly accepted. He
took leave of his congregation in a
patriotic sermon Of great power in
which he set forth the wrongs Of the
colonies at the hands of Great Britain,
and in conclusion said:
'sThere is time fer all things-a
time to preach and time to pray;
but there is also time to fight and
that time has now come He then
pronounced the benediction, threw off
his sacred robe and appeared in full
military uniform before his congrega-
ton, whom his eloquence had wrought
to high pitch Of patriotic ardor. He
served with great distinction through
out the war.
Pennsylvania has placed statue of
this preacher-soldier in the statuary
hall Of the Federal capitol, which
represents him casting aside his robe
and displaying his uniform and sword.
The Confederacy had no more gal
liant officer than General Leonidas
Polk, who resigned as Bishop of
Louisiana to fight for his country. He
was killed at Lost Mountain on Johns
ton retreat toward Atlanta. There
were in both the Confederate and
Union armies many chaplains who laid
down their Bibles and took up mus
kets whenever they were in the neigh
borhood of battle. One of these,
the late Rev. A. NJ. Thigpen, Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
was known in the Sixth Georgia as
the Fighting Chaplain. There were
many chaplains in both armies like
him, ready to pray, preach or fight, as
suited the occasion. Rev. Father
Kelly, one of the most beloved Catho-
lie priests in the South, and one whom
Atlanta regretted to give up not long
ago, was one Of the most heroic of the
soldiers who followed Lee.
We might mention other preachers
who have similar distinction. The
best and most useful preachers are
those whose human symrathies are
warm and quick. So long as We have
such clergymen we shall have fighting
preachers. One Of the most delight
full characters in Bulwers novelsss
the country clergyman who taught
Kenelym Chillingby that muscular
Christianity was the true article.
Mr. Depew's remark was probably
called forth by the numerous warlikc
sermons which have been delivered
recently by preachers Of almost every
denomination and in all parts of the
country. One Of the most notable of
these sermons was that of the Presi-
dents pastor Sunday before last, and
the President heard it.
1t may be set down as certain that if
we have to whip Spain good many
preachers will help us do it.--lt|""'o
.journ"i.