The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-07-01

I
was always well adapted Ia his auditory
aud varied much IL original leeIpg, ~ wei
rs mental power YET his wofbs were It,
the arrow at ehilful archer, lie arrow
drawn IN the head aud sent home IL the
mark cue great iaculty ofhis mind, con.
sisted IN sclzing The interesting events 81
thepassing moment zeatching the manners
living - they ppse before him, and embo-
dying them in his dlscourses 50 that every
vital feeling should rally rosnd the truth,
which he designed 10 mcucate, and IN.
press them on the heart with eloquenee of
soul.
When George Whileield first visited
/ Edinburgh he WAS cordially received by
mnllludes of people AT that time an eS -
ecutinn took place. Perhaps, mol disposed
10 interfere with the minister undcr whose
care the criminal was, or 10 lntrude on
them in a land where he felt himself yet
stranger, he only indnlgcd his curiosity
10 see the manners of the people by mixing
in the crowd. But his appearance drew
the eyes Of many on him, aud gave rise tO
| almost rs many opinions, and perhaps, as
Varluus rs the magiuailons Ola number Of
individuals were likely Ia generate. The
next day he preached 10 a large body of
persons IN u field near the city. We may
Judge Of the crowds attending his first
sermons AZ Edinburgh, when IN London,
where he was known, ten, twenty aud
thirty thousand persons would often attend
hls preachng--at five o'clock IN the morn
lug.
On the subject OF the execution he
addressed his Edinburgh audience, nearly
a. follows. KNOW said he" that many
| Of you will find II difficult to reconcile my
appearance yesterday, with my character;
many Of YOU, know will say, that py
time would have been better employed in
praying for TIM unhappy man, than in
attending him Ia the fatal tree, aud that,
perhaps curiosity was the only cause that
converted me into q spectator on the oeca-
| SION but those who aserlbe that unehaIi
table motive are under mistake. wit
messed the conduct of almost every one
present on that occasion, with which was
highly pleased, aud indeed, it has left on
my mind, a very favorable impression of
! the Scottish nation. Your sympathy was
visible on your countenanccs, and reflected
the greatest credit on your hearts ; parti-
| cnlarly when the moment arrived that
your unhappy fellow creature was to close
his eyes on This world for ever, y0u, NJ u
all toiH oac Impulse turned yom heads astd,,
dad Wept These tears were precious, and
will be held in remembrance. How differ
ent when the SaNlonr Of mankind was
extended on the cross. The Jews, instead
Of sympalhslna, triumphed III his sorrows.
fHI.,g
with words even more bitter than the gall
aud vinegar which they handed him 10
drink NOT osE of all that witnessed
bis pans turned the head aside, even
IN the last paug-ycS, there ,ras one, That
glorious luminny pointing Ia the SUM-
yelled his bright face aud saled on in ten.
fold night
Well may such an apostle be held in
sencrated remembrance The beauty Of
the scene, every eye suiused in tears, e,c-
ry face yellcd in sorrow the apt contrast
between the feelings of men under the in
ilurnce OF Christianity, and those who cru-
cited is author, with the sublime recol-
lection, yes, tlrre WAS one ~ II new
| light had bramcd on b. memory all bring
HIM IT, The minds eye rs great man with
consrcratrd talents and devoted zeal elicc-
tuaIiy ilnprcssing powerful truths ON the
susceptible heart, AS absent yet present, rs
ole that being dead yet spoakclh. THIS
transaction took place many years past
/ In 1871, the author of this article was IN
Edinburgh. Two young men were then
sentenced to death for murder. The Eng
FISH law--has the motto, "ch IT down,
/ =, ' "a .p,,,,nI ~ IL
dcrs execution within - hours after the
sentence is passcd. The Scotch laws
have inbbed more Of n gospel spirit
The criminal, after sentence, is allowed
SIX week., as time for repentance. On
the day ofcxecuiiOn the author had been
AT Lelh, and on walking back to the city,
II distance Of two miles, met innltitudes OF
persons, returning IN crowds from the
spectacle. The strong muscular figure OF
many evidently IN humble conditions of life
bcspake as FAR as simple shape aud fca-
lures could Indicate, bodies of iron and
hearts Of stceI---but they walked in solemn
pace, rs if they had just been attending to
the grave, the last remains Of a near rela-
ton. They we're silent MS well rs solemn
aud many an hardy countenance evident
ly shon ed the channels aud traces OF tears
The effect Of the unexpected meeting lef
a lasting impression On the mind for tin
execution took place in Edinburgh, and II
walking hom Leilh, TO which crowd
were returning, the writer had full view
Of almost every persons counienance
andsaw almost every face had recent,
been swcled with tears, and the feeling
of his heart then responded To the scntl
J menl Of Whitefeld, 10 giving HIM yer!
high opinion of the Scottish nation, 70
: those tears were precious aud viii be llel'
J IN remembrance.
The clergy and magistrates entered int
consideration Of what could have been th
cnilae 20 nriglnaie an increaan Of Grimm