Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1915-08-13
Muhlenberg and Town Council

:
The article read by Mr.. Morrison
to the Town Council" was written b,
Mrs. Jas. Williams and has beer
published quite number of times
The recital OF parts given in thii
article were published after a careful
research in studies OF the Life O,
Muhlenoerg. Zone thing Mr.. Nor
rison added is not in the paper and il
a mistake. He was under the i'm.
preston the Communion Service, as
we'll as Old Bible and Prayer Book
was still in the church" That service
never belonged to the church it was
sent to the Lutherans some twenty or
more years before the church was
built, and Episcopalians have no
claims to it whatever. The old Bible
and Prayer Book, is still there-and
the Prayer Book that belongs to the
desk is in the possession of Mr.. Lem
Rinker. who has offered to sell it to
the church here, for $4,000 price
far beyond us-he then fell to $50.
Some three months ago Mrs. Will
liams received a letter from lady in
Washington enclosing clipping.
that the said Prayer Book was for
sale, and giving MIR. Rinker's
No.. A petition has been
in the hands of the aprropri-
alton committee OF Congress for four
years-and a copy of the bill before
House was sent Mrs. Williams by
Mr. Hay, and also letters received
from Senators and Members from
Pennsylvania who were then in Con-
gress and Senate, willing to help in
securing the appropriation. The ex-
citement OF Presidential Election and
now the war will of course delay any
action.
Many articles have been written
locating the Muhlenberg incident in
various parts of the country.
Copy of Petition.-With this petit
ton is filed a beautiful design of a
Mound representing Gen Muhlenberg
stepping from the altar with gown on
one arm, and holding his commission
as Col. on the other. Back OF him
pulpit &c. u
PETITION.
General Muhlenbe of Revolution
airy fame read from the pulpit his
commission as Colonel in the Con-
tinentsl Army, and called upon his
congregation to volunteer in defense
of their country. He went into SER
vice in command of the 8th Virginia
Regiment, which like its gallant
leader, distinguished itself at Brandy.
wine, Germantown, Saratoga, Mon
mouth, and yorktown. At the close
of the war he was a Major-General,
then served his country in Congress
and later in the Senate.
In his early life he had been a
Lutheran minister, but when called to
the little church in Woodstock, Va,
it was necessary that he be ordained
a minister in the Episcopal Church
The only recognized church IN the
Colony of Virginia at that time. He
vas ordained in London and the
arge Bible and Prayer book which
ne brought back with him are still in
The Episcopal Church of Woodstock.
In January of l776, after preaching
rom Eccles. 3:S, he closed with the
declaration that he thought the time
10 fight had come, and throwing aside |
mis- robe he appeared in his cont
mental uniform, ard Sunday as it'll
was, drums were beat and enlistment
for his famous Dutch
Regiment. Thus ended his career as
4 minister.
This incident is of so much interest
hat romances are written giving en-
;ireiv fictitious. names and locality. |
The time has come to make this much |
If record for General Muhlenberg the |
soldier, Oy marking |
he spot with a suitable memorial. If
his is not done. within the next fifty |
years our descendants will not know
ruth from fiction, and the fact may
become myth.
Per recital here given and just
wibute to General Muhlenberg, the
Christian patriot and soldier, this
petition begs an appropriation Of
$4,000, as an expression of the ap.
probation of the lovers OF our coun-
Try for those who gave Us our indie
oendence, and that we may regi ster in |
stone the deed and daring of General
berg.
MRS. JAS. WILLIAMS. |
DR. J Leonard Lew who comes to