Another letter from the Rev. H. A. Henderson--affairs in Kentucky.
The subjoined letter, written by the Rev. H. A. Henderson, of Kentucky, to the New Orleans Christian Adequate, gives a highly interesting view of affairs in Kentucky. The writer says: ‘ Having but lately left Kentucky, I may be able to invite an interesting letter for your readers. During the summer I have been engaged in enlisting soldiers for the Confederate Army. This was regarded as treaton by some pious Unionists, and threats were made that charges would be preferred against me at the Alabama Conference. I replied that "being a citizen of the Confederate States, I could not be guilty of treason to the United States;" and as for their complaints, to send them along and the Conference would pass my character with a cheer — that the Alabama Conference, on the 21st of last December, passed, unanimously, an ordinance approving of the secession of our State, and that preachers and people were ready to defend the infant liberties of the Confederacy with their lives and whatever of fortune they possessed, if necessary." Some of these pious complainants (preachers of the Ky. Conference) mustered every Saturday afternoon in Union Home Guard companies with Lincoln muskets. About two-thirds of the Kentucky Conference Methodist Episcopal Church, South, are Union men, and some of them heartily approve of the war on their brethren of the South. They denounce secession bitterly as a dire heresy, forgetting that Wesley, and his followers seceded from, the Church of England, and that they themselves seceded from the Methodist Episcopal Church upon the slavery question. If Kentucky remains in the Union, it is a matter of conjecture as to the future relationship of Kentucky Methodism. My own opinion is, that in such a case, the Union preachers will seek an alliance with the Baltimore and other Conferences et id omise genus, and establish a middle Church. There are thousands of Methodists in Kentucky that will never submit to a Northern ministry. Their fealty is to the Church South, and they will never yield their ecclesiastical loyalty, whatever the mass may do. To give you the animus of the Northern Methodist Church in Kentucky, allow me to tell your readers about one Rev. (?) Mr. Black, stationed in Newport, opposite Cincinnati. On one Sabbath he had his church ornamented with U. S. flags and brass eagles; his hymned were the "Star Spangled Banner," "The Red, White, and Blue," and " Hall Columbia," He prayed that the Union may be preserved, even though blood may come out of the wine press even unto the horses bridles by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs." In the course of his sermon, he said, "I trust our troops will rally and wipe out the disgrace of Manassas, though it cost the life of every rebel under arms. Let Davis and Beauregard be captured to meet the fate of Haman. Hang them up on Mason and Dison's line, that traitors of both sections may be warned. Let them hang until the vultures shall eat their rotten flesh from their bones; let them hang until shall build their filthy nests the crows in their skeletons; let them hang until the rope rots and then let their dismembered bones fall so deep in the earth that God Almighty can't find them in the day of the Resurrection." Where is an instance recorded of such vile blasphemy? Black as Satan? Per contract When I arrived in Nashville Sunday morning, I learned of a quarterly meeting at McKendree Chapel. I went to the church. The Presiding Elder prayed that "this young Confederacy may be blessed of God, and illustrate the proverb, Righteousness exalleth a nation; that the Angel of Peace may soon spread his wing over the land; that a better spirit may possess those who molest us, etc. " After the sermon, redolent with piety, scores flocked to the sacramental board. Among the number were Methodist soldiers — soldiers of the Confederacy and the Cross. Oh, how my heart thanked God for the scene! I thought of the sword of Glucon and the Lord, and had faith to believe that "through God we shall do valiantly; for He it is that shall tread down our enemies." ’ To return to Kentucky. Everything that marks the early progress of a mighty revolution is rapidly developing in Kentucky. "The dark and bloody ground" will soon receive another crimson baptism. That Kentucky will soon make common cause with the Southern Confederacy, is now certain. She is jealous for her liberty and proud of her foregone history. When the Governor beats the fifty thousand bright swords will leap from the thighs of her heroes. The people of this proud State will not consent longer to ‘ "be boughtAnd sold and be an appendage to these
Who shall despise hot."
They know full well that if the State submits to Lincoln despotism,
"She shall stoop to be
A province for an empire,
with slaves for senates,
Beggars for nobles, ponders for a people."
’ When fully aroused, Kentucky's sword will leap from its scabbard in vindication of a grievously violated centrality, to which she has vainly trusted as a palladium of her peace, property, and principles. In defence of his hearth to the honor of his wife, and the chastity of his daughter, pro arit et focis, Kentucky's gellant son will redden his sword to the hilt in the black breast of the vandal. ‘ "To patriot vengeance near bath sword
More terrible libations poured."
’ I shall watch and pray for Kentucky's coming. If she falters now, my heart will sink within me. Sad will be the day when I shall have to repudiate sympathy with my native State. God grant that I may never see her the Niobe of the nations. Howard A. M. Henderson. Demopolis, Ala., Sept. 11, 1861.
