Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-08-05
Aug. S, 1910

a bv many Of the planters. Some tlmor-
ans families did not 60 to bed on the night
II the 3lst of July; fear drove sleep from
heir eyes. and they awaited with fiutter-
mo- p1lse the hour of midnight, fearing :
lest the same bell which sounded the ju0l.
lee Of the slaves might toll the death knell
Of the masters" ;,
The more intelligent, who understood I
The disposition of the negroes, and con-
temulated the natural tendencies OF eman-
cipation, through philosophical principles
and in the light Of human nature and MS
tory, were free from alarm. !,
TO convey to the reader some IDEA Oh
the manner in which the great crisis pass
ed. we give the substance OF several &C
coon,s which were related to US in differ
emf parts of the island, by those who wit |
messed them.
The Wesleyans kept watch-nighr in
all their chapels on the night OF the 3lst
July. One of the Wesleyan missionaries
cave US an account OF dhe watch meeting
al the chapel in St. Johns. The spacious
house was filled with the candidates for
liberty. All was animation and eager
ness. A mighty chorus of voices SWELL
ed the song of expectation and joy, and as
they united in prayer, the voice OF the
leader was drowned in the universal ac-
Carnations Of thanksgiving and praise,
and blessing, and honor, and glory to
God, who had come down FOR their deliv-
france. In such exercises the evening
was spent until the hour of twelve APP
preached The missionary then propos-
"a that when the clock on the cathedral
should begin 10 strike, the whole congre-
rulion should fall upon their knees and
receive The boon of freedom In silence
Accordingly, as the loud bell tolled is
FIRST note, the immense assembly fell
orostrate on their knees. All was ST.
lence, save the quivering half-stified
breath of the struggling spirit. The
slow notes Of the clock fell upon the mul
tlude; peal on peal, peal on peal, rolled
over The. PROSTATE throng, In tones OF an
geIs' voices, thrilling among the desolal'
chords and weary heart strings. Scare
had the clock sounded its last note, wheI
he lightning flashed wildly around, an
loud peal Of thunder roared along Lh
,kv.-God's pillar of fire, and trump @
Eu6ilee A moment Of profoundest silenc
Oassed-then came the burst-they brok
6rlh in prayer; they shouted, they suns
glory 'alleluia : they clapped the
bands, Ieaped up, fell down, clasped eac
aher in their free arms, cried, laughe
and went 10 and fro, tossing upward the
nfsitered hands; but high above Il
whole there was mighty sound whl'
ever and anon swelled up; it was the
erines in broken negro dialect Of gratltu
: 10 God.
s After this gush Of excitement had spee
self and the congregation became cal
DO religious exercises were resumed a
Ne remainder Of the night ~as occupIl
b singing and prayer, in reading the
e. aud in addresses from the mlsslo'
1 hes explaining the nature OF The treeo
! M received and exhorting the freed
n q be industrious, steady, obedien
!. ~ laws, and TO show themselves IN
= incs worthy Of the high boon wh
:; Cod had conferred upon them. :,
y The fist of August came on Eric
;, and release was proclaimed from
&. work until the next Monday. The
ID MAS chiefly spent by the great mass Of
& hsoroes in the churches ard chapel
IL T6nher they focked as clouds an
- ioyes 10 heir windows The clergy
missionaries throughout The island
ne lttiyeIy engaged, Selling the opport,u
ng HI order 10 enlighten the people on al
g, daties aud responsibilities OF their
are relation, and above all, urging Inc
ME IL attainment of that higher liberty
~. wB;ch Christ maketh his children lr'
a.. Ii every quarter we were assured IN
~ dae was like a Sabbath. Work
ceased the hum of business was
'rh-s and noise and tumult were unheard Q
} in streets Sabbath indeed wher
1884, wicked ceased from tiouoling' au
,sti- weary were at rest, and the slave wa
lose rOm his masterl The planters mic
a be Us that they went to the chapeis
rI;. heir own people were assembled, g
"'' them SHOOT, hands with them, al
e " changed the most hearty good wlsn 50,
Iu'" The churches and chapels were :, !
not ed ali over the island. Al Cedar I
Norayion station, the crowd was so
from Mat the minister was Obliged 10
the NE meeting from the chapel to mel
way ing grove.
'NeU' We were informed by merchant 0. ?!
a but Au, several American vessels winch na ~
stion, JuIy. and made their escape, through ae
itics Sshe island would Id, Dc os ,beV Earnestly
intry, our informant to escape from the island
Take O'd his life
dants BAPTIST MISSIONARY MAeAi
b you Contents of August Moves
Mission TO West Africa, map