Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-04-27
From the Protestant Episcopdlian.
A REMARKABLE DREAM.

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talents, Of great eloquence. and of great &c
centricity His pecularilies, often entirel.
inofensvo, were frequently misinterpreted
& not unfrequently unkindly & malciousll
misrcprese Il so happened that it cam'
TO his ears that an officer Of his church
one of his Deacons had secretly been max
ing very free with his character. He wat
exceedingly wounded at this unkindness il
one ofhis own flock and one whose ofiic,
ought to have led him to protect, rather thar
traduce his pastors reputation be adopted
the following pointed and effectual way tt
give him a rebuke. Those who are in the
habit of assailing the clergy. and particular
ly Of finding fault with the pastors, may
perhaps derive some benefit from the story
For their special edi6cut;on the narrative
is given. He went to the house OF the ira.
Queer, and was received. as usual, with great
cordialty. Heseemed Indifferent, however,
TO the assiduilies which were shown; and
appeared distressed and sad His friend
inquired the cause. OF this singular change
in his department for he was Of remarka-
blv cheerful and communicative disposition
The minister told him he was sad indeed
and had good reason TO be so /; for he had
ascerlained that even some, upon whom he
had relied as his friends, were secretly ira
ducing his character and undermining his
official influence The deacon expressed
great regret at this Information, and assured
him of his support and influence at all times.
He then told him that he was weighed
down under the frightfu impression OF
dream, which he had had the night before.
and which he could not Danish from his
mind; and that after the assurance he
had Just received of his attachment and
confidence il troubled him more than ever
Pressed 10 repeat this remarkable dream, he
told it thus: | dreamed last night that
died. AS soon as my spirit parted from Any
body it was taken in charge by an angel,
by whom it was conducted. through dark
passage, OF frightful gloom and horror AT
one particular spot in this dismal valley.
heard groans and shrieks, and canking
Of chains at the noise of which | started
back in terror. My conductor, encouraging
" babe me feel no harm, and told me kindly |
hat we were passing the mouth OF the place /
Of condemned spirits but that we should |
soon be beyond the hearing Of their suffer.
ngs. He told me, also, that It felt the de.
,ire and had the courage, he would give
me view of this place of torment; and |
consented. He took me TO an iron door,
which flew open at his touch and immedi.
,tely found myself on the verge of an i'm
nence cone, inside Of which there was a
,piral staircase leading down 10 the bottom.
was led along these steps and every now
md then we came to the grated opening OF
dungeon, through which ! saw some mis-
,rable being in The agonies OF his condemn
ltion. Al last. we reached the stairs. which
ed us directly into large room, which
Jaw crowded with criminals seeming TO
await their doom. and laughing. and exul.
ing like fends | saw the devil, seated
lpon an elevated throne, with massy scep.
re in his hand. AS we entered saw him
ast fierce and malignant glance at par.
ocular person in the crowd and sterny com
nand him 10 be brought before him. The
thus pointed out advanced with
rembling steps, and with horrible agitation,
eeming to anlici pate his fate, stood up in
ort of box, guarded by frightful looking de-
mons, who seemed to exult in his dismay. [
aught glance Of his coun,enauce and.
deacon il was you | could not believe
ny sight--but | soon heard your name call
d and verified, your voice. | found in
Iced 10 my horror, that it was you. The
levil seated on his throne, called out 10 YOU
n a stern voice. that made me culver, TO de- :
lare yourself, and answer the questions
hat should be put 10 you. And there en-.
ued the following dialogue.
The devil asked you il you had been
protesting Christian, and if so, to what {
hurch you were attached, You answered
hat You had been for years member and
fisr in - church. The devil asked you ,
Who was your pasior--to which you an
wered the Rev. Mr.--.-- The devil
sked you il he was what people called
God man-to which you answered, YOU had !
lways so considered him, and he always
ad that general character. The devil :
sked you if you and your pastor had
cen perfectly intimate, and If you had ever
rofcssed devoted friendshiplo him-to which
on answered in the affirmative The devil
len asked you if you had been in the habit
praising him TO his face, and warmly
his character, and his preach.
'g, and his course OF proceeding as pastor
the church--to which you answered
rmly. yes. The devil then told YOU 10 p
'nsider, l saw you hesitate moment. a
~ az ,"S' you uIihiy answered you had
he devil then asked you. in sly, arch B
ne, il you had ever gone about the parish =
INSPIRING things against your minister
'ou hesitated and futered; but the devil
'aring out most hideously, stamping his 1
lot and shaking his huge sceplre, com. re
anded you sternIy 10 answer. In faint.
,ivering voice, heard you to my aston.
hment, answer YES He then inquired il
was true that you had written certain
ionymous letter to your minister. of fault