. Reminiscences of Montclair : with some account of Montclair's part in the Civil War . women were largely loyal and did valuableservice to the country. For years preceding the warthere was a growing sentiment in the churches againstslavery, particularly its extension. At the same timethere was a conservative feeling with many that itwas unwise to refer to it in public service. I remem-ber very well when public prayer for the enslavedwould by many be regarded with disfavor. But whenFort Sumter was fired upon, conservatism weakenedand the Christian Church was foremost in its declara-tion for th
. Reminiscences of Montclair : with some account of Montclair's part in the Civil War . women were largely loyal and did valuableservice to the country. For years preceding the warthere was a growing sentiment in the churches againstslavery, particularly its extension. At the same timethere was a conservative feeling with many that itwas unwise to refer to it in public service. I remem-ber very well when public prayer for the enslavedwould by many be regarded with disfavor. But whenFort Sumter was fired upon, conservatism weakenedand the Christian Church was foremost in its declara-tion for the Union, and this was particularly true ofour old First Presbyterian Church, as minutes on itsrecords will show. Dr. J. Addison Priest was thepastor, -but had just offered his resignation when thefirst guns were fired, and almost his last service wasa strong patriotic deliverance urging his people tostand by the Union. It was received with thrillinginterest and hearty approval. A particularly interesting event of the final ser-vices of Dr. Priest was his officiating at the marriage. RE\. NlitSON Mri,I,ARD, Reminiscences ojMontclair 93 of one of our young ladies to Lieut. Cranford, of NewYork, on a Sabbath afternoon in the church. Thebridegroom had been summoned with his regiment tothe front and hastily came to the town when arrange-ments were made for the marriage that afternoon. Theyoung people suitably decorated the audience-roomwith United States flags, and with the church well filledwith friends the beautiful young bride was conductedto the altar by her aged grandfather, Capt. JosephMunn, where she was met by the bridegroom in fullmilitary costume and they were united according tothe Church formula in holy matrimony. Those whowere present and now living still recall this impressiveand beautiful service. Lieut. Cranford served his termin the army and died a number of years ago in thecity of Washington, D. C, where his widow and twosons still live. Rev. Nelson Millard, a
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