MUSCULAR CHRISTIANS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 262, 2 December 1876, Page 2

MUSCULAR CHRISTIANS.

New York, Aug. 30th.— The city across the river known as the City of Churches is rapidly acquiring the right to extend its title and be known as the City of Church Scandals. One of these, of recent date, has the authority of the Brooklyn "Eagle" and other responsible testimony. A few weeks ago, Kev. De Witt Talmage and family left their Oxford-street mansion ki the keeping of Elder Cobb and his wife, prominent and active members of the Tabernacle congregation, >and went off summering. The couple left in charge felt lonely in the great house and obtained permission to take a young couple also members of the Tabernacle, with them. The latter soon became tired of their associations and departed, when a Mr Squires and his wife, also members of the hock, took their places. It was reported that Mrs. Cobb's tongue Avas an Unruly _n.t-.ber, and matters became hot until at last Mr. Cobb sent a letter to the office of Mr. Squires, reflecting upon the character of the ladies in the latter's family. Naturally, Mr. Squires was indignant. The rupture was now an open one, and Mr. Squires called on Elder Cobb for an explanation and a retraction, but could get neither. He then demanded that the matter be laid before the church— he to select two and the elder two, and those four to select a fifth. The elder was about to accede to this proposition, and would have done so had not ids wife put her foot down, Avith the remark, " Joseph, you shan't consent to that meeting." And Joseph did not, neither trpuld he grant permission that the conference should be held in Dr. Talmage's parlors. Finding all peaceable efforts unavailing, Mr. Squires informed the elder that, he must either meet him and have the whole matter settled, or he would make him trouble before the Courts. The elder didn't scare worth a cent. He was acting under instructions now, like a little man, and he stood up to the rack bravely, almost rashly. Finding that no good could be accomplished by remaining 'longer, the Squires on last Saturday determined to remove and made arrangements accordingly. During the day some time the elder went through the house, taking possession, of the keys, and insisted that Mrs. Squires and her sister should leaAe immediately, accompanying tlie mandate with i__u_ecessarj r and ungentlemanly remarks. This was the laet straw. That night Mr. Squire's rage burst its bounds. Seeking the detractor he demanded a retraction. The little man, reinforced by his helpmeet, refused, and professed himself ready for war, and right there ; within the precincts, hallowed by the oft presence of the apostle off the bluest kind of Presbyterianism, these two men, Christians both, and one of them an elder of the church, pulled off their coats, and went in for a rough and tumble fight. While Squires punched the elder's head, the elder belabored the sides of Squires, kicked at his slims, and bit and scratched him like all possessed. Murder might have been done had not strategy, in the person of Sirs. Cobb, obtruded herself. Among the improvements and conveniences of the doctor's dwelling a District Telegraph instrument is included, and the elder's wife hurriedly sounded the burglar alarm. In the meantime the fight Mas progressing with considerable advantage to the agile Squires. Instead of hurrying into the house, the police officers, of whom there was two, possessed of the belief that thieves were there, deployed themselves in masterly method about the dwelling to intercept tlie marauders avlio would soon be flying to avoid their clutches. Warned by the cry of " Stop thief I" which the boys in the street set up, Squires relinquished the elder, and goingout the front door, passed the policeman on guard, who interposed no objection, started up the avenue toward Cumberland street. Turning the corner, he had not gone far before he heard the patter of feet behind him. Turning, he beheld his antagonist, no av thoroughly aroused and intent upon blood. Again he demanded retraction from his Avife's traducer, and again Avas he refused. The result was this — the conflict was reneAved, and the elder emerged therefrom a sadly shattered man. All this time the policemen had been investigating the house. Into the right ear of each the elder's wife poured her story: into the left ear the counter etory of the Squires found entrance. The police had sense sufficient to see that it was a family quarrel and declined to interfere. A \/eil is drawn over the intervening Sunday. ' On Monday Mr Squires and family shook the duet off their shoes and left the ministerial mansion forever. The matter now itfl;o come before the church.