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Rev. Wm. T. Leacock page two

not previously heard of this mode of evading, at once, the requirements of the Church and the Commanding General. He rose in his place and said, "Stop sir, it is my duty to bring these excercises to a close; I came here for the sole purpose of worshipping God but inasmuch as your minister has seen fit to omit invoking a blessing as our Church services requires upon the President of the United States I propose to close the services. This house will be shut in tne minutes" The clergyman astounded began to remonstrate "This is no time for discussion Sir," said the Major. The minister was indignant and speechless. The ladies flashed wrath upon the officer who stold motionless with folded arems. The men scowled on him. The minister pronounced the benediction, the Congregation dispersed and Major Strong retired to report the circumstances at head-quarters."
This brought matters to a crisis. General Butler sent for the Episcopal Cleryman Dr. Leacock, Dr. Goodrich, Dr. Fulton and others who were accustomed to omit prayer for the President and pray in silence for the triumph of treason. The general patiently and courteously argued the point with them quoting Bible Rubrics and History. They replied that in omitting the Prayer they were only obeying the orders of Rt. Rev. Maj. General Polk their ecclesiasstical superior. The General denied the authority of that Military Prelate to change the liturgy and contended that omission of the prayer in the peculiar circumstances of the time and place was an overt act of treason. "But General" said Dr. Leacock "your insisting upon taking of the Oath of allegiance is causing half of my Church members to perjure themselves. "Well" replied the General "if that is the result of your nine years preaching, if your people commit perjury so freely the sooner you leave