Thanks for that article, Kevin.  I have some information on MT's support of
the church in my book, MT & Spiritual Crisis, pp. 50-52 or so, and more
generally I report on his church activities in Nevada, including some strong
friendships with preachers such as Rising.  Orion was a pretty frenzied
stalwart of that particular church, I believe, and probably accounts for
Twain's involvement.

I'm unclear why any of this would seem so odd, however.   I find it fairly
predictable for MT to be generous in supporting social good works, religious
communities, and so on, throughout much of his career-- he raised funds for
religious activities throughout most of his life.

Is it funny because "Presbyterian"? ( which you put in higher case)??  If
so, again that escapes me --  I would also point out that MT often
proclaimed himself to be a Presbyterian (when in a properly Victorian mood,
that is) until rather late in life, one time most memorably describing his
status as a "brevet Presbyterian."

I take it that it's funny because of our common perception of MT as
anti-religious and anti-church -- so again, I'm glad to see further evidence
of his religious inclinations. At the very least, I think we should agree
that his attitude toward the church was pretty mixed through most of his
career.

-hb

Harold K. Bush, Ph.D
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO  63108