Newspaper Page Text
May 23d. A visit from the doctor Oo I
Yan, after a long toterval. He appears to
be fully convinced of the trigii of the Christ
tian religion, and ofhisownxlark and sinful 5
etate. He compares hinftelf to a person
who rejoices at intervals, in the light of a
glow-worm, but finds, alas, that it is but mo
mentary. He was accompanied by Moung
Myat-lah, who appears almost decided.—
Says he is going to visit his former teacher,
Moung Shwa-gnong. He seems to have
made no advance, in any respect, since the
last visit.
May 28th, Lord’s Day. A considerable
company at worship. After worship, had
a difficult discussion with Oo Yan, on the
reconcileableness of the divine veracity
with the doctrine of vicarious atonement.
In the evening, Moung Myat-yah (men
tioned March 26th) and Moung Thah-yah
requested baptism. The former has given
satisfactory evidence for some time. The
latter has been constant in attending on the
means, and appears somewhat hopeful; but
we did not expect that he would come for
ward so soon.
May 29th. Moung Thah-yah has been
greatly distressed, since we doubted the re
ality of his conversion. He appears to be
really in earnest, and his conversation this
evening constrains us to believe t/iat he is
the subject of true Christian exercises.
June 3d. Another visit from Moung
Shwa-gnong more encouraging than the
last. He was accompanied by several of
the inquirers. Mab Mv at-1 a and Mah Doke
give some evidence of being subjects of a
work of grace. In the evening, determin
ed >o receive Moung Myat-yah and Moung
Thah-yah into church fellowship.
June 4th, Lord’s Day. All the visiters of
yesterday, and some others present at wor
ship. In the evening administered baptism
to the two new disciples.
June 16th. Received letters from Ben
gal. News from Bombay, that a Mahom
etan has professed the Gospel, and from Ja
va, that brother Robinson has baptized
the first Chinese convert. Thus there
seems to he a beginning in several very
important stations. May the little one be
come a thousand. Rejoiced to hear that
brother Coiman had safely arrived at Ben
gal, and embarked in a boat for Chittagong,
and that thus far he had not met with any
molestation or interruption from the police.
May he get a footing in Chittagong, for
every thing here, in regard to toleration,
grows darker.
June 25th, Lord's day. Had an interview
with the principal one of the Nan-dau-gong
visiters, from which ! conclude, that they
are far trom daring to profess the Christian
religion, though I feel satisfied that they
have received it in their hearts.
The Man-gen teacher has returned from
Ava with fresh eclat, and recommenced his
ecclesiastical operations. He came down
under the special patronage of the new
Pia-woon or vice-goverriour of the place.
It is the prevailing report that no viceroy
will be seht down, until the eroperour is
nearly ready to march in person to conduct
the Siamese war; and that, at any rate,
the old viceroy. Mya-day-men, from whom
we hoped to receive some protection, will
be detained at Ava.
June 27th. Mrs. J. after having been
through two courses of salivation for the
liver complaint, at length despairs of re
covering, without some proper medical as
sistance. For a few days, we have hoped,
that she would get some relief from the
various applications which are made,
though at the expeuse of an almost total
exhaustion of strength : but this morning,
to our utter disappointment, the disorder
has returned with increased violence ; and
her constitution appears to be rapidly fail
ing. I have intended, for some tune past,
to send her alone to Bengal ; but she has
become too weak, and the present circum
stances es the complaint arc too alarming,
to allow such a measure, aod I have, there
fore, though with great reluctance and
much conflict of mind, concluded to accom
pany her to Bengal. We have a special
inducement to embrace the opportunity af
forded us by the ship which lately brought
our letters, since, if we reject this, we shall
have to wait several mpnths for another
opportunity, during which time Mrs. J. will
in all probability, be placed beyond tiie
reach of medical assistance.
July 9th. Lord's day. Moung Nyo-dwa
and Moung Garay request baptism. We
have bad a good hope of the former for
some time. With the latter we are very
slightly acquainted, though he has been a
very constant attendant on evening worship
for nearly two months. This application,
however, i- approved by some of the most
discerning of the church. The Nan-dau
gong people hope that they shall get grace
and courage enough to profess the Chris
tian religion by the time I return from Ben
gal.
July 15th. Have been very busy all the
part week in getting ready for the voyage.
In procuring a governmental passport, re
ceived essential assistance from Mr. Sausa
ge, (a Spaniard) the present collector of
the port, and one of the chief magistrates
of the place during the absence ofthe vice
roy. He has also promised to protect the
people whom we leave on the mission
pr- oises.
July 16th, Lord’s day. A few days ago
we concluded to receive the two new ap
plicants for baptism ; but I thought it most
prudent, (partly by way of trying their sin
cerity.) to send them a message, suggest
ing, that since I was greatly occupied in
getting ready for sea, arid since one of them
was not so well acquainted with the doc
trines of religion as was desirable, it might
be belter to defer their baptism till my re
turn.
This morning they came upi in much;
trouble They stated, that as thpy had
fully mbraced the Christiau religion in
heir “t arts, they could not remain easy
Tfttii .1 being baptized, according to the
I command of Christ; that no man could tell
whether I should ever return or not; anti
Ltkat it was theif earnest petition, that ifll
could possibly find trtie, and thought them
worthy of the ordinance, I would administer
it to them before I went away. They did
not wish me to go out to the usual place, as
that was at some distance, but would be
baptized in a small pond near the mission
house. Moung Gway said, that though he
was very ignorant, he knew enough of this
religion to love it sincerely, and to trust in
Christ for salvation from all his sins. I
re-examined them both, stated to them the
great danger of professing a foreign relig
ion, &c. and on their urging their request,
told them I would baptize them in the eve
ning.
Was obliged to be out all (he afternoon,
getting our things aboard the ship, as we
expect to move down the river tomorrow j
morning. At night baptized the two new
disciples, after which vve partook of the
Lord’s supper for the last time.
July 17th. Ship to be detained two days.
In the forenoon, the teacher Moung Shwa
gnong came in. I received him with some
reserve ; but soon found that he had not
staid away so long from choice, having been
ill with a fever forsome time, and occupied
also with the illness of his family and ad
herents. He gradually wore away my re
serve ; and we had not been together two
hours, before I felt more satisfied than ever
from his account of his mental trials, his
struggles with sin, his strivings to be holy,
liis penitence, his faith, his exercises in se
cret prayer, that he is a subject of the spe
cia! operations of the Holy Spirit, that he
is indeed a true disciple. He staid all day.
’ In the aftemcnn, the fiv’e Nan-dau-gong
visiters, the doctor Oo Yan, and several
others camo together, and we had much in
teresting conversation. Towards the close
Monng Shwa-gnong, as if to bring things to
a crisis, addressed me thus : “My lord
teacher, there are now several of us
present who have long considered this re
ligion. I hope that we are all believers in
Jesus Christ.” lam afraid, replied I, to
say that; however, it is easily ascertained;
and let me begin with you teacher. I have
heretofore thought that you fully believed
in the eternal God; but I have had some
doubt whether you fully believed iu the
Son of God, and the atonement which he
has. made. “ I assure you,” he replied,
“ that lain as fully persuaded of the latter as
ofthe former.” Doyou believe theD, 1 con
tinued, that none but the disciples of Christ
will be saved from sin and hell ? “None
i but his disciples.” How then can you re
■ main, without taking the oath of allegiance
|to Jesus Christ and becoming liis full dis-j
jciple in body and soul? “ It is my earnest
desire to do so, by icceiving baptism ; and :
for the very purpose o< expressing that de-1
sire I have come here to day.” You
say you are desirous of receiving baptism,
may I ask when you are desirous to receive
it ? “At any time you will please.” Do
you wish to receive baptism in puhiick or
in private ? “ I will receive it at any time
and in any circumstances, that you please
to direct.” I then sai l—teacher, lam sat
isfied from your conversation this forenoon
that you are a true disciple ; and 1 reply,
therefore, that l am as desirous of giving
you baptism as you are of receiving it.—
This conversation had a great effect on all
present. The disciples rejoiced ; the rest
were astonished ; for though they have
long thought that he beiieved the Christian
religion, they could not think that such a 1
man could easily be brought to profess it,
and suffer himself to be put underwater by
a foreigner. 1 then turned to Moung Tha-a
one ol the Nan-dau-gong people, who, 1
hope, is a true believer—Are you willing
to take the oath of allegiance to Jesus
Christ ? “If the teacher, Moung Shwa
gnong, consents,” said he, “ why should 1
hesitate ?” And if he does not consent, what
then ? “ I must wait a little longer.” Stand
by, said I, you trust in Moung Shaw-gnong,
rather than in Jesus Christ. You are not
ivorthj’ of being baptized. Moung Myat
lah, on being similarly interrogated, wish
ed to consider a little longer. Oo Yan was
“till farther from committing himself. Os
the women present, I interrogated Mah
men-la only. She had evidently a consid
erable struggle in her mind, probably on
account of her husband’s having just decli
ned. At length she said that if I thought it
suitable tor her to be baptized, she was de
sirous of receiving the ordinance. 1 told !
her that her reply was not satisfactory. I
could not consent to baptize any one, who
could possibly remain easy without being
baptized, and l then related the story of the
two last disciples ; after which the party
broke up.
In the evening I laid the case of Moung
Shwa-gnong before the church, and we
joyfully agreed to receive him to com
munion, on his being baptized.
July 13.—1n the morning, the teacher
again made his appearance; I again asked
him’ whether he preferred heing baptized
in the day or in the evening ; and tie again
left it to my decision: on which I advised
him to wait till night. He appeared very
well through the day—his deportment
solemn—his conversation spiritual. Ju a t
at night I called in two or three of the dis
ciples, read the account of the baptism of.
the eunuch, made the baptismal prayer,
and then proceeded with the teacher to
the accustomed place, went down into the
water and baptized him.
On my return, I found that Mah Men-la,
whom I had left with Mrs. Judson, had gone
away. As soon as she saw that the teach-,
er had actually gone to be baptized, she t
exclaimed, “ Ah ! he has now gone to obpy
the command of Jesus Christ, while I re
main without obeying. I shall not be able
to sleep this night. 1 must go home and
consult my husband, and return.” In the i
evening we again partook of the Lord’s
Supper, in consequence of the admission
ofjhe teacher, and my expected departure i
186
on the morrow.
when, about nine A9 i *MP !n
turned, accompanied by the two otheT vtuM
men from her village- She immediatelH
requested to be baptized. The disciple,
preseutjjgsented without hesitation. I told
her rejoiced to baptize her, having
been satisfied that she had received i
the grace of Christ; and, it being very late, I
I led her'out to the pond, near the house,
by lantern light, and thus baptized the 10th
Barman convert, and the first woman.
Mah-Men-la is fifty-one years old, ol most
extensive acquaintance through the place,
| of much strength of mind, decision of char
acter, and consequent influence over oth
ers. She is, indeed, among women, what
! Moung Shwa-gnong is among men.
On reluming to the house, she said, Now
I have taken the oath of allegiance to Je
! sus Christ, and I have nothing to do but to
commit myself, soul and body, into the
hands of my Lord, assured that he will nev
er sutler me to fall away. Several ol the
visitersspent the night at the mission house.
July 19.—1n the morning we all met for
worship. After l had prayed, Moung
Thah-ljh and Moung Shwa-ba both prayed,
with mrch propriety and feeling. In the
course of the forenoon, Mah Men-la’s hus
band, and Moung Thah-a, and the doctor,
and several others came in, so that we had
quite a house full. At noon we set out tor j
the river, followed by near a hundred peo-j
pie, the women crying aloud, iu the Bur
man manner, and almost all deeply affected..
When we entered the boat, I called the!
teacher and MabMeu-D, and a few others,!
to go with us to (he ship, which lay at some j
distance in ihp rii/er. The rest remained i
on ttie wharf, bidding us farewell, telling us
to cotne back soon, &c. Thus we left the
shores of Rangoon. Those who accom
panied us to the ship, staid an hour or two,
and returned. YVe stood as long on the
q iarler-deck, looking at them, as the oth
ers had stood on the wharf looking at us.
July 20th.—The ship having been una
ble to move yesterday, on account of the
i anchor's being foul, the teacher, Moung
i Shwa-gnong, espied the masts from his vil
| lage, and c.ime off in a boat, with his wife
j and another woman. Soon after most of
| the Nan-dau-gong j ople came to the mis
j sion house, and lit. u.sig that the ship had not
I dropped down, ca ne off, accompanied by
; several of our own people. YVe were
| much gratified by tins fresh proof of their
attachment; but toe ship got under weigh
I immediately, and they were obliged to
I leave us for the last time.
I July 21st.—Reached the search village,
, and passed the customary examination.
| July 22d.—Continued to move down with
the tide. At night, anchored near the Ele
phant, in full view of the sea.
July 26th.—VY'e have been obliged to
wait till this time on account of the threat
ening appearance of the weather. This
morning ventured over the bar; the pilot
soon after left us, and we find ourselves
once more launched into the boundless
ocean. Mrs. J’s disorder experienced a
slight abatement about a week before we
embarked, in consequence of our succeed
ing in raising a very large blister on her:
side. This temporary relief enabled her
to prepare for the voyage, and to get on
board ship with more ease and facility than
we had expected. Since, however, we
have been lying at anchor, the pain has
returned as violent as ever. Yesterday
she was confined to her couch the whole
day.
August 18lh.—Early this morning we
arrived in Calcutta, and repaired to the.
house of brother Lawson.
Mrs. J. has appeared rather better dur
ing the voyage; but we fear that she has
obtained no essential hpnefit.
Scrumpore, August 27th.—Induced by the
more healthful climate of this place, we
removed hither to-dav, and found a resting
place in the house of brother Hough, not
fir from the mission premises.
September 7th.—l am happy to be able
to state, at length, that Mrs. J. appears to
be on the recovery, particularly since our
removal to Serampore. Dr. Chalmers,
however, who now a'tends her, does not
allow her to think of returning to Rangoon
for the present. It is, therefore, my pre
vailing intention to leave her under his
care, and return myself, by the first oppor
tunity; and under this impression I close
the present number of the journal, to be
forwarded by a ship which is just ready to
sail for Salem.
A LETTER OF THANKS FROM A CONVER
TED BURM AN.
The following letter, both in the original and
with the subsequent translation, has been forwar
ded to tbo Board of Managers of the Baptist Gen
eral Convention, by brother Judson. Who that
! reads it, can regret the attempts that have been
made to rescue an idolatrous empire from the do
minion of ignorance and death ; or rather, we
might ask, who that reads it, and has a heart that
loves the Redeemer, and is concerned for the
present and immortal weltare of men, can refrain
from the pious exultation, or withhold his pray
ers and his labours that the kingdom of the Son
of God may grow and increase exceedingly ? The
exhibitions of earthly monarchs avail little when
the Spirit of the Lord enlightens the understan
ding, calms the conscience,"and sanctifies the con
versation of men. O that occasion for gratitude,
like the present, may multiply with every succee
ding year !
1 Brethren all, who live in America! The
brethren, who live in Burmah, address
you.
We inform you, brethren, that trusting
in the grace of the eternal God, the divine
Spirit, and the excellent Son, the Lord Je-;
stis Christ, we remain happy; and seeing!
our real state and circumstances, we have \
repentance of soul, and an anticipation of
the happiness of heaven.
God, the sum of all perfection, without
beginning and without end, subsists through
successive ages; and this world, the earth
1 and sky, and all things therein, which he
creutefejj gfcft
U purity, and is exempt from old age sick-
death and annihilation; and thus, there
is uone that can compare with him.
It is contained in the scriptures, that God,
i in his own nature, uuites three, the Father,
I the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and is (yet)
mysteriously one God; that he is in all pla
ces, but dwells in heaven, by the clearer
manifestation of his glory; that his power
and wisdom are unrivalled; and that he en
joys happiness incomprehensible to crea
tures.
But the Burmans know not the true God;
they know not the true religion ; they wor
ship a false god; they practise a false reli
gion ; and (thus) they transgress the divine
law, and sin against the most estimable ben
efactor. 4nd, therefore, they neither ex
piate their sins, nor acquire merit. And
by excessively loving themselves and the
tilth of this world, they love not, nor wor
ship the eternal God, nor believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ; but regard the good
things of this world merely.
That the Burmans, who know not the way
to eternal happiness, might become acquain
ted with it; that they might be renewed ;
and that they might escape everlasting pun
! ishment, the American teacher Judson, and
wife, have both come to Burirah, and pro
| claimed the gospel of the divine Sod, the
Lord Jesus Christ; on which some Burmans
; have become disciples. And an these ac
i counts, the disciple Moung Shwa-ba says,
! that your favour is very great (or he gives
! you very many thanks.)
j Those, who love divine grace, who be
j lieve, who hear and consider the gospel,
j who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who
1 repent of their sios, attain the state ofdis
'ciples. And that this religion may spread
every where, Moung Shwa-ba is making
endeavours, and constantly praying, to pro
claim the gospel. And he prays thus :—O
: Eternal God, graciously grant the favour
i which I desire. Graciously grant, that I
1 may have regard to thy divine will, and be
confoitEPd thereto. Be pleased to take no
tice of my supplications, O God. I desire
not to seek my own prnfit: I desire constant
ly to seek the profit of others. Thou art
the creator of all thing*; and if thou art
pleased to be gracious, O grant, that 1 may
W! enabled to promote the good of others.
Open thou the eyes of my mind, and give
me light. And when I shall preach in va
rious places, evermore senS forth the di
vine Spirit, that multitudes may become dis
ciples. That thou wilt grant these things,
I beseech thee, O God.
The disciple Moung Shwa-ba has com
posed ibis writing, and committed it to the
: hand of the teacher; (even) in the Burman
year 1182, on the 7th of the waxing ofthe
moon VVah-goung, he has written this, and
delivered it to the teacher and his wife.
P. S. Brethren, there are, in the coun
try ol Burmah, nine persons who have be
come disciples.
The above is a literal translation of a let
ter in Burman, which Moung Shwa-ba wrote
of his own accord, and handed to me, to be
: translated and forwarded to America. The
postscript seems to have been written in the
interval, between the baptism ofthe teach
er Moung Shwa-gnong, and that of Mah
Men-la, on the 18th of July last, just belore
my departure from Rangoon.
A. JUDSON, Juu.
On passage to Bengal, J
August 9 th, 1 820. $
SANDWICH ISLAND MISSION.
The Treasurer of the American Board of Com
missioners for Foreign Missions, has just received
th e box of tetters, which was mentioned in our
last, as having arrived in New-York from the
Missionaries to the Sandwich Islands; and has
communicated to us the following particulars.
The Ihaddeus had a fine passage round Cape
Horn, and a very rapid progress thence to the
Equator, passing over 50 degrees of latitude and
30 of longitude in 28 days.
Ihe lofty mountain of Owhyhee appeared in
sight on the 30th of March ; and, on the next day,
intelligence was received from the shore, giving
the particulars of the destruction of idodatry,
which had taken place in November; a fact with
which our readers have been acquainted several
months.
After various negotiations, part of the Mission
aries were landed at the king’s residence in Owhy
hee ; but the majority went to Woahoo, and com
menced their work. The various arrangements,
preparatory to the landing at both places, occu
pied about three weeks.
The brig then sailed to Afooi, and Capt. Blan
chard delivered George to his father. The long
absent son was received with great tenderness
and affection, and was immediately invested with
power and distinction. Messrs. Whitney and
Ruggley*accompanied George, at his request, with
V'-IT t 0 ascertain, whether the island would be
eligible as a missionary station.
After eight weeks residence there, they retur
ned to Woahoo, and it was unanimously resolved
at they should settle in Atooi, as Tainoree was
very urgent to have them, and as the field appear
ed very inviting. Accordingly thev, with their
wives, went down to Atooi, as the ’place of their
permanent station, about the last of July.
The Journal of the Mission has been received,
roro the embarcation of the Missionaries at Bos
ton, to July 19th, and letters from Messrs. Whit
ney and Ruggles to Aug. 2d.
Ihe general aspect of the intelligence is ex
tremely fovourable. Some severe trials had been
experienced ; and they should always be expec
ted in Missionary operations.
The Joint Letter of the Missionaries, and a
considerable portion of their journal may be ex
pected m the Missionary Herald for April.
Boston Recorder.
To the Rev. President and Directors of the Sa
vannah Missionary Society.
- .. Smyrna, Nov. 22, 1820.
Gentlemen—A letter from your Secretary,
dated June 30, was received last evenipg. From
this 1 learn that you have received my letters No.
7 and 8. No. 9 was sent from this place in
March, No. 10 from Scio in July. Since my last
was written I have received the painful intelli
gence of the death of your former veuerable Pre
sident. 1 his event you no doubt felt to be a deep
affliction. When I received the intelligence I
felt that I had lost a friend and patron to whom
l was under great obligations. A great breach is
made on the walls of Zion. An important sta
tion is left unoccupied. My fervent prayer is
msy be found to fill the
of truth and holiness
Ks to gain ;■.<! vantage l,y
A shorWroe since I had the pleasure of reading
in the “ Missionary,” your last Annual Report.
1 hope you will be able annually to furnish the
poblick with richer and richer entertainment.
Already it seems to me that you have cause to
thank God and take courage.
Tlie principal method of doing good in which
we have os yet been able to engage, is the distri
bution of religious tracts, principally in modern
Greek, I’uriog the summer anil fall we distri
buted nearly 5000, have supplied the principal
Cireelt colleges and schools, several monasteries,
and a large number of priests, merchants and
others. YVe have sold about 20 and given awuy
about 40 testaments; several of them to Chris
tian priests who had never seen the scriptures be
fore in their own tongue. One of these priests
was so much interested that he read from the first
of Matthew to Corinthians, in course, within two
days. Ivlany of the tracts have been read with
a lively interest, and we hope and pray that the
Last Day may shew that it has been in many in
stances with saving benefit.
Last evening vv e returned from a journey of
three weeks in the country, in which we visited
Pergamos, Thyalira, Sardis and Philadelphia. In
all these places we have supplied the priests and
some others with testaments and tracts.
Through the kinduess of our Father in heaven
we are preserved in good health and find increa
sing encouragement and happiness in our work.
With gratitude for your patronage, and eaiV/
nest prayers that Heaven’s best blessings may
rest on you and the Society,
1 am, gentlemen, yours,
P. FISK.
The following strong, elevated and impressive
language is the concluding passage of a sermon
on the death of an aged minister :
Will notan unfading crown of glory am
ply compensate the most painful sacrifice
and self-denying exertions ? If a green
chaplet, a wreath of man’s applause, was
a powerful stimulus to a Greek or Roman,
how should a Christian be excited to fight
and run that he may win a prize of infinite
worth ! “ The sufferings of this present
time,” however severe, “ are not worthy
to be compared wilh the glory which shall
be revealed in us.” What are pain
sorrow to him, who, before another day,)
may be with Jesus in paradise ? What u
poverty to him, who is soon to possess the
riches of the universe ? What is want to
that man, who expects shortly lo “ be filled
with all the fulness of God?” What are
the contempt and reproach of the vvorid to
an heir of glory, who is soon to be crown
ed as a conqueror, and to sit upon a heav
enly throne with his Redeemer and his
God ? Nay, what is death itself to that
person, who has “ an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens,” into which
he will triumphantly enter, as soon as this
earthly tabernacle is dissolved ? Let us al
so believe and so live, that when we stand
on the margin of eternity, we may adopt
the language of the Apostle, and say, “ I
have fought a good tight, I have finished
my course, I have kept the faith. Hence
forth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, *he right
eous Judge shall give me at that day.”
THE FIELD OF BATTLE.
Extract from Mr. Quincy’s Address to the Massa
chusetts Peace Society.
“ Science and revelation concur in teach
ing, that this ball of earth, which man in
habits. is not the-only world ; that Diillions
of globes like ours, roll in the immensity of
space. The sun, the moon, ‘ those seven
nightly wandering fires,’ those twinkling
stais are worlds. There doubtless dwell
other moral and intellectual natures ; pas
sing what man calls time, in one tmtired
pursuit of truth and duty ; still seeking, still
exploring, ever satisfying, never satiating,
the ethereal, moral, intellectual thirst;
whose delightful task it is—as it should be
ours, to learn the will of the eternal Fa
ther ; to seek the good, which to that end
—for them and us to seek—he hides ; and
finding, to admire, adore and praise—“ Him
first, Him last, Him midst and without end.”
imagine one of these celestial spirits,
bent on this great purpose,descending upon
our globe ; and led, by chance, to an Euro-}
pean plain, at the point of some great bat
lie ; on which to human eye, reckless and
blind to overruling Heaven, the fate of
States and Empires is suspended.
Od a suddeD, the field of combat opens
on his vision. It is a field which men call
“ glorious.” A hundred thousand warri
ours stand in opposed ranks. Light gleams
on their burnished steels. Their plumes
and banners wave. Hill echoes to hill the
noise ol moving rank and squadron ; the
neigh and Iramp of steeds ; the trumpet,
drum and bugle call.
There is a momentary pause ; a silence
like that which precedes the fall of the
thunderbolt; like that awful stillness,which
is precursor to the desolating march of the
whirlwind. In an instant, flash succeeding
flash pours columns of smoke along the
plain. The iron tempest sweeps; heap
ing man, horse and car, in undistinguished
ruin. In shouts of rushing hosts—in shock
of breasting steeds—in peals of musquetry
in artillery’s roar—in sabre’s clash—in
thick and gathering clouds of smoke and
dust, all human eye and ear and sense are
lost. Man sees not, but the sign of onset.
Man hears not but the cry of—“ oDward.”
Not so the celestial stranger. His spir
itual eye, unobscured by artificial night, his
spiritual ear,unaffected by mechanick noise,
witness the real scene, naked in all its cru
el horrours.
He sees—lopped and bleeding limbs scat
tered—gashed, dismembered trunks, out
spread gore-clotted, lifeless ; brains
bursting from crushed skull 9 ; blood gush
ing from sabred necks ; severed heads
whose mouths mutter rage, amidst the pal
syings of the last agony.
He hears—the mingled cry of anguish
and despair, issuing from a thousand bos
oms, in which a thousand bayonets turn —
the convulsive scream of anguisli from
heaps ol manglgd, half-expiring victims,
over whom the heavy artillery wheels luro*