The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

Some had arquebuses, others pistols, pikes, swords,
pitchforks, poniards, clubs. The preacher, for
whose apprehension a fresh reward had been
offered, was escorted to his pulpit by a hundred
mounted troopers. He begged his audience not to
be scared from the Word of God by menace;
assured them that although but a poor preacher
himself, he held a divine commission, and that he
had no fear of death; that should he fall, there were
many better than he to supply his place, and fifty
thousand men to avenge his murder.
“The duchess sent forth proclamations by
hundreds. She ordered the instant suppression of
these armed assemblies, and the arrest of the
preachers: but of what avail were proclamations
against such numbers with weapons in their hands?
Why irritate to madness these hordes of
enthusiasts, who were now entirely pacific, and
who marched back to the city at the conclusion of
divine service with perfect decorum? All classes of
the population went eagerly to the sermons. The
gentry of the place, the rich merchants, the
notables, as well as the humble artisans and
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