The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-06

to wear anything to church, in the limo OF head
gear. except n sunbonnct. The new preachers
wife was a woman of common sense, tactful.
and patient. She was Quick to soc that she was
looked upon critically. She tried 10 conform TO
the surroundings, but she was the kind OF n
dict Of the sisters of the session was against
her. They cut her socially. They hurried away
IL pleasant for their husbands. The meetings Of
the session came to be dreaded. The p,as'or
tried to warm up the church with n revival. but
changed,
HoSannas languished on our tongues
And our devotion died.
There was not n brand snatChcd from the
burning. l do not know whnt the result OF this
condition would have been IL the war had not
broken over the land. People always refer TO
that war as a calamity. Itw a blessing, as
well, to some. 1t was n blessing to the church
of which / am speaking. II was II blessing TO
the new preacher. who was a worthy man, u
good preacher, nnd one OF the most cOmpuniOg.
able men / ever knew.
churches OF the town had union service. Oar
preacher delivered the discourse. lie MAIDEN
strong plea for the preservation OF the Union,
and said IL would be tho duty OF Christians 10
fight for its perpetuity.
first town in the West TO fly rebel rolors and
recruit rebel volunteers. Such n sermon as |
have mentioned. from n man who Ind como
from the South. crowded out every thing else tor
week. The SIN bonnet sisters of The wCnk'kncCd
session OF our church did not wait 10 cal on ono
another in tho usual conventional manner.
They climbed The fences, ana sometimes they
tnlkea from the windows OF their homes. They
refused to go to moctin'.' They refused 10 send
their children to the SUNDAY srhoOI. and the 5rS-
sion met around in the homes where the wives
could hear what was said.
Zone day the preacher was in the store OF ono
of the session. The war Was the topic. The
member OF the session, an insignificant chap
who afterwRrd deserted his family ami clUpcd
with his wife's niece, assnilcd the preachers
Thanksgiving sermon. The debate was hot, and
the preacher, had been goadcd long enough,
as you may know from all have said, knpgk0I
the commercial member Of his session hat.
That was the climax, The plpurs had
colorcd accounts of the affairs. IL wHs town
talk. OF course the sisters OF The session were
happy. They piled on the facets. or course tho
fell to pieces. 1t never had a pastor aftcrwArd.
Just then the war cloud broke, and the latG
pastor was one OF tho first chaplUins IN tho
Union army in the West. They say he could
night rs well rs pray, aud that he served liEOy-;il
tho war. left the denomination In which he had
done such faithful srrN ice, Joined ]aluIho., ana
went to California.
EVERY member OF that session was unfOrtu.
nate ia business and UtnrF affairs unlli The end.
Not one Is alive. Suulc died IN Disgrace.
$50 much for the prejudice OF Ignorance
against fashion; 50 much for the -uHbuunut
league OF the church. These. no doubt, Cunbit-
tered this man toward the ucOplc OF his section.
These had much TO do with giving many Union
soldiers u fricnd. WAS never a | Mon man my
self until since the war, hut the fate OF that
church has AWAY appeared TO me as an GN-
ample OF the wrath OF the Almighty against
ignorance, prejudice. rank INJUSTICE. anu an un-
reasonable sentiment OF disunion.'