The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-04


AT first 1 at loss to make out where
l really was, for everything appeared so new and
strange but looking around few moments
and endeavoring to take in the situation, | soon
discovered that L in vast amphitheater sur
rounded by lofty walls and bounded on every side
by the distant horizon. Within this vast amphi-
theater l could in the distance what seemed
to be bodies OF men going through various mill
tary evolutions and evidently under command of
various individuals here and there, who appeared
to be very prominently and conspicuously direct
ing their movements.
Still in ignorance to where l was and what
all this meant, L happened to cast my eye
upward toward the gate through which | had en-
tered, and written there in exceedingly large
letters the lofty archway the following in
scription "The Grand Camping-Ground and
Hippodrome of the Colossal, Continental, Consoli-
dated and Cooperative Association of the Pres
byterian Churches of the Western World, and
other Churches holding a Similar System of Faith
and Doctrine"
Sakes Alive thinks l to myself, how fortunate
| am. Here am at last in the happy land Of Ca
naan, in the midst of this blissful union and CO.
operation Of the of the kingdom. And now
l shall hear the sweet cooling of the dove, the me
lodious warbling of the minstrels of the skies
and with delight the brilliant birds of Para
disc they fit to and fro through the fields OF
air with their sun-lit plumage and their flashing
hues.
Wishing to learn something more of what was
going and how matters were being managed
in this lovely hippodrome, decided to approach
one of those pompous persOnages that l fig
uring conspicuously among those moving
bodies of men and directing their movements, and
learn from him if possible what was gong on. SO
approaching him with considerable dif6dence as
he had so much of the air of the Great Mogul
about him, l timidly introduced myself as a
stranger i'll those parts and desiring information
as to where l and what was now going on
With air of considerable self-importance and
putting a prodigious amount of assumed ma
Jesty and dignity, he replied, giving his and
address as Colonel Maximus Egotissimus, Chief
of Staff of the Head Commander, and General
Manager OF the Grand Presbyterian Hippodrome,
and pompously offering to conduct me through
the grounds. Sakes alive thinks l to myself
again, how fortunate | once more in striking
upon such a competent person to guide
around you are fortunate indeed stranger"
said the Colonel lin visiting the ground to-day,
as this is general muster and dress parade day,
and you will see the organizations at their best
But yonder at the grandstand is the proper place
for viewing the procession, all the Bodies will
sooner later pass that point" Accordingly
thlther we went and placed ourselves in position
to and learn all that could be seen and learned
to the best advantage.
The first body of men that came along were
marshalled in three divisions and impressed me
very favorably with their fine appearance their
polished arms, well-hlled cartridge-box well
fitted uniforms, steady stately march, perfect
ranks and solid, measured tread with which they
moved. Sakes alive! thinks l to myself, if all
the other bodies of this grand camping-ground
are like these, what nice thing it will be. But
who are they, l inquired of my guide "Those
first fellows" said he, "are the Reformed Dutch
men, the second the Reformed Germans and
the third the Reformed something else but
l cannot exactly make them out as they are
far in the rear of the others, only that they are
in some way reformed from some of their pre-
vious bad habits"
But what in the name Of sense" says l. "is
the difference between a reformed Dutchman and
reformed German?" ooh, very great indeed.
says he, but the principal difference is that one