Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-10-14


rode of. There was not probably an
interval gilmore ,han five minutes be
tween their advance and their retreat
After that time, they dared attack nc
more houses. DR.. Blount's son, has ac-
copied the midshipman's warrant, pre-
scented to him for his bravery on that &C.
casion, by the President of the United
States.-Rich. Com.
50
From The Southern Religious TelcgrGoh
A TRUE PROPHECY.
Mr.. Editor,-
heard the late and much lamented
DIR. Rice preach sermon on the injury
done to religion by ignorant preachers
In one part of it he ventured to make a
prediction, which has been SO remarka-
bly, fulfilled by the late occurrences in
Southampton that [ am indSced 20 send il
to you for publication. The,e6act manner
in which the prophecy has been fulfill
ed, is some proof of the foresight and
discernment of that extraordinary man,
who made it. The sermon to which |
have alluded was published in the Lite
rary and Evangelical Magazine, in Nov.
lS25-I think the publication ofthe fol-
lowing extract from it, would CRAFTY
some of your readers.
Yours, &c. in haste.
cit is most Obvious to the carefulobser-
yer thatthey (ourslaves) are withdrawing
more and more from those ministrations,
where they can learn the true character
Of christianity and insist, with increas-
ing pertinacity on holding meetings in
their own way, and having preachers OF
their own color. The profession reli-
gion among them is becoming percepti-
bly, less beneficial; SO that in some neigh
borhoods this very thing generates sus-
picion of the professor, rather than con-
'fidence in his integrity. The preachers
among them, although extremely igno-
rant, (often unable to read verse in the
Bible, or line in the hymn-book, are
frequently shrewd. cunning men. They
see what influence misdirected religious
feeling gives them over their brethren,
and they take advantage ofit-many of
them feel their Importance and assume
the port Of men of great consequence.
This thing is growing in the southern
country while efforts to afford
these people salutary instruction have
been repressed or abandoned, spirit of
lahaticism has been spreading, which
threatens the most alarming consequent
ces. Without pretending TO be prophet,
| venture to predict that If ecer that hor-
rid crent should take Mace, Ciich is Gnfi-
cipated and greatly dreaded By many g.
mong us, some crispc-haired prophet,
some Pretender 10 inspiration, tciH be The
ring-teader as ,ceH as The iastjgator of The
plot. By .feigning' communication from
hearen, he WiH rouse the fanaticisul of his
brethren, md they wiH be prepared for
ony lcork hol0erer deSolating and murder
Gus. The opinion has already been start
ed among them, that men may make
such progress in religion that nothing
they can do will be sinful, even should
it be the murder of those, whom they are
now required to serve 81 obey! The pre-
sent state of the country presents pros
pect truly alarming: and when the ra-
pid growth of our population both white
and black is considered, it requires a
man Of stout heart indeed, TO view the
scene without dismay. 1t is appalling,
when such a mighty power as that af-
forded by the religious principle, is
welded in most cases by ignorant and
fanatical men. Shall we, then, let this
matter alone ~