The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-05-29

the widow, were dragged to prison.
When they we're brought out TO trial
nothing could be urged against them, anC
the thirst of The prosecutors for virgin
blood would have been disappointed hat
they not been asked to take the oath of alb
juratlon, which they steadfastly refused
and so they were condemned 10 die. Ac
cording to Hetherington, who refers tc
Woodrow as his authority, and in whose
words we give the remainder OF this tale
the specific terms of The sentence were
that they should be tied 10 stakes 6xeC
within The flood mark in the water OF Bled
mock, where it meets the sea, and there be
drowned by the tide. From this dread
ful doom the entreaties OF the distracted
fathers prevailed so lar as TO rescue the
innocent girl OF thirteen, yet only by the
payment of a hundred pounds sterling 10
the merciless and mercenary murderers.
But nothing could avail to save the lives
OF the young woman and her widowed
friend. The day of execution came, the
In OF May, 1855, bright it may be with
fresh smiles of the reviving year, but dark
and terrible TO many Il pathizing heart.
Windram and his troop guarded the VIC
tins 10 the place of doom, accompanied by
crowd OF people, filled with fear and
wonder, and still doubling whether the
horrd deed would be done. The stakes
were driven deep into the oozy sand
That to which the aged widow was ued
and placed fartherest in, that she might
perish first. The tide begun TO how,-
the water rose around them,-lhe hoarse
rough pillows came advancing on, swell
ling and mounting inch by inch, over
limb, and breast, and neck, and lip of The
pious and venerable matron, while her
young companion in martyrdom, still in
shallow water, gazed on the awful scene,
anG knew that in few minutes more her
sufterings would be the same. At this
dreadful moment some hearIess ruffian
asked Margaret Wilson what she thought
now of her fellow martyr, in her dying
agones2 Calmly she answered.
"What do | see but Christ, in one of
his members, wrestling there Think
you that we are suferers2 No, it is
Christ in US; for he sends mono q war;
fare on their own charges"
But the water now began 10 swell cold
and deadly round and over her bosom;
and that her last breath might be expend.
ed in the worship of God, she sung the
twenty. fifth psalm, repeated portion of
the eighth chapter of the epistle to the
Romans, and prayed till her voice was
lost amid the rising waves. Before life
was quite extinct, the torturers cut the
cords that bound her to the stake dragged
her out, waited till she was restored 10
consciousness, and then asked her if she
would pray for the king. She answered,
81 wish The salvation of all men, aud
the damnaton of nome"
Dear Margaret" exclaimed one of the
spectators, in accents Of love and sorrow,
SAY God save the king say God save
The king!"
With the steady composure OF one for
whom life had few attractions and death
no terrors, she replied, "God save him, i'll
ne will, tor ii is his salvation | desire."-
Her relative and friends Immediately cried
aloud to the officer, co. sir, she has said
i, she has said t!' The ruthless mons.
er, reluctant thus to lose his victim, re-
lulred her 10 answer the abjuration oath.
In the same firm tone she answered,
81 will not; am one OF Christ's child
'en; let me go !"
By his command she was again
plunged into the heaving waters, and, at.
er brief struggle. the spirit of his vir-
lin martyr entered into the rest and peace
# everlasting happiness.
Sweet was the memory o! Margaret,
n the hearts of those who knew and low,
d her. and there was love that the his,o>
ian knew not of, and we have not ventur-
d to take Liberties with the record he has
eft US. The spirit of Margaret is what
We love and would hold up 10 the im,a-
ion of the world.
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