Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-12-29


murmurs gave a dreamy influence to the
scene 1t was one of much resort, and
thousands aocked there as they now do to the
Washington and franklin Squares. There
were held in those days the sports of chill
dren, and there the high orgies of the
Fourth OF July were celebrated.
Gertrude and William had nearly reach
ed Centre Square, when they discovered
there was an unusual crowd assembled.
Let us turn aside," said she, there
seems to be something like riot in the
square,"
They paused, and the sounds of sacred
music reached their ear. "There is preach
ing" said William, "or worship at least, let
us see who and what are there"
The couple entered the Square by the
"turnstyle" at the north side, and found
a vast collection of persons, between the
Centre House and the little fountain already
mentioned, and as they reached the outer
end of the crowd, the last words Of the
hymn had been sung, and all eyes turned at
once towards the building, as if expectant
of the appearance of some distinguished per-
son. ,...r.... .... .......
In few minutes, a man of gigantic pro-
portions, rose slowly from the crowd, and
took bis stand upon the upper step of the
Centre house, the position was sufficiently
elevated TO show the whole of his form. He
was more than six feet in height, and his
frame of proportionate size-though his
frame seemed attenuated by mental efforts.
His long black hair slightly notified by age,
was parted from the center top, and thrown
/. over his shoulders His beard hung far
down his breast, while his dark eyes seemed
to wander with the restlesness of insanity.
! The dress of the strange individual was
outre in the extreme, and a loose black
wrapper or gown was thrown over the whole,
with an air that seemed to mock all ideas
OF that clerical propriety, which it was evil
IDENTITY intended to initiate. ....t
When the crowd had settled into an easy
standing position, for seats were not thought
of-the strange man drew himself up to his
utmost height, and cast his eye around upon
his audience.
He then elevated his right hand, in which
he held small copy of the Bible, into which
fingers and the thumb were used to press
together the parted portions Of the sacred
book
The crowd was breathlessly noiscess.-
And the man began:
The words, said the preacher, (which
| have selected for your consideration this
morning, and which will appropriately in
troduce my remarks, you will find recorded
in the I'd Chapter of the Prophecy of Joel,
and in the first verse.
elbow we a trumpet in Zion, and sound
an alarm in my holy mountain let all the
inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day
of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand"
This is the language of denunciatory pro-
phecy whether applicable to the present
times or not, it will not be my duty 10 in
quire. Yet we should all do well to remem-
Der that what was written afore time, was
written for our instruction.
came not TO calculate prophecies, but to
foretelI came not to explain but to ex-
hort. Why should / number the DAYS of
prophecy among the wicked-among those
who number not their own days to apply
their hearts unto wisdom l have been
sent to you, oh people, to declare, not TO
prove-to make known the things that are
at hand-even now at your door. Why
should then stand in the shadow of the
thunder cloud, and talk to you of the terrors
to gathering tempest? Nay, if my voice
be not itself the foretoken Of the storm that
shall sweep you away, then no sign shall be
given, "A. ........,... ...,.. ......'...... e..
For mark, | have called to the people Of
the valleys, and they have listened, and from
the utmost peaks of the mountains have
cried, and my warning has been heard-it
is not given TO all men 10 know the signs of
the times-but when they are disclosed,
woe to him that refuseth to acknowledge
them. 1t is not little thing that utter
it is not that which nations have seen and
lived--it is not that which has swept away
one people and left another to mark its des-
truction, but it is that which shall destroy a
world, and leave no being upon its surface
TO describe its desolation.
la this strain, with extreme emphasis and
wonderful volubility, the remarkable man
continued to attract attention, and never
had l seen an audience more deeply wrap
ped up in the subject TO which their atten-
ton was called by the preacher. The ges-
lures of the speaker were rather abundant
than disciplined, and seemed appropriate,
because NATURAL his voice was sometimes
/. wild and offensive to the ear, and then
again it would sink into delicious tones that
charmed the listener, who readily forgot the
appearance of the preacher, in the startling
events announced, aud the thrilling Ian
guage in which he conveyed his mission.
"You start" said he, sat the annuncia-
ton which make !; thank God you do not
deride-no, you are spared that--the day
and the hour are too near for skepticism it.
self to sport with the awful event You may
disbelieye the prophecy, but you win not
ridicule-you may set down without prepa-