Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-10-28
EXECUTION OF A MISSIONARY.

EAECO llOlS Of \ MlOS1O1'AHN'
A letter from Hong Kong, addressed to the
Universe, gives the following details Of the en-
ecution ola M. Scheffler, a missionary priest
"On the LIST of May, about noon, by order OF
the Grand Mandarin, elephants and horses were
prepaired and two regiments Of satellites were
under arms The muskets were loaded, and
every one expected that it was an expedition
against the rebels, which was beiog fitted out,
or that an attack was to be made on the haunt
of some brigands. ltwas soon, however, un-
derstood that all these preparations had been
ordered for the execution of NJ ShGffler. The
Mandarin, fearing that the Christians would
endeavor to rescue their missionary by force,
wished to intirnidate them by this display OF
troops When his intentions were known, all
the town showed the greatest afilicton. The
iaolers, the prisoners, and all those who had
any connection with the missionary, expressed
their sorrow and regret. NJ. Shelter, on the
contrary, was smiling with delight, and he pre-
pared to walk to the place of execution with
greater ease by dressing himself as lightly as
possible.
The Mandarin was apprehensive of riot,
and he took up his position on the ramparts.
surrounded by his troops, all ready for action.
The execution took place outside the town. The
cortege of the martyr was arranged III the fol-
lowing manner: Before him marched a soldier,
carving board affixed to pole, on which
was written: Nothwithstan ding the severe
prohibition against the religion Of Jesus, Eu'
ropean priest, named Augustin, has dared to
come here clandestinely, to preach and seduce
the people. When arrested he confessed eve
&c Iaf in
have his head cut off, and thrown into the RI
ver Fourth year Of Tu Du; First of the
Third Moon Eight soldiers with drawn sa-
bers, marched by the side of NJ Schef1er; one
hundred men, armed with muskets or lances,
formed the head Of the procession; two ele-
plants formed the rear guard. The martyr held
up his chains when walking, he walked quick
", as if fastening towards his triumph, and
continually offered up thanksgiviugs. He was
Surrounded by an immense crowd the greater
number of these Pagans were struck win re-.
ligicus admiration there were some, however,
who rallied and blasphemed!
On arriving at the place of execution, the
martyr fell on his knees kissed the crucifx
three times and at the request Of the execu-
TONERS he took off his coat, and turned down
the collar of his shirt The executioner, hav
ing afterwards tied his hands behind his back,
the martyr said 10 him, "Do your business as
quickly as possible" "No, no. replied the
Mandarin, who was informed Of what M.
Schefier had said, "follow the signal of the
cymbal, and only strike at the third sound"
The sigr al was given. The hand of the exccu.
toner trembled. He struck three blows Of his
sabre on the neck of his victim, and was at
length obliged to cut the flesh with knife. in Or
der to detach the head from the body. In Cochin
-CiriHu tiruso "hu In1sv"t at rNroutIois arc
accustomed to disperse Immediately it is over,
but on this occasion, although the greater num-
Der present were Pagans, for there are very
few Christians at Son Tay, they rushed for
ward to collect some drops of the blood, and
to get some portion of the garments of the
martyr.
1t was remarked that an inferior Mandarin,
Pagan, before the execution, threw coat Of
white silk, and a piece of white linen, at the
feet of the martyr, in the hope that it would be
stained with his blood. NJ Shpffler thinking
Doubtless, that they belonged to some Christian,
took them up, and placed them inside his shirt
next his heart When the Chief Mandarin was
informed Of what his subordinate had done, he
ordered him to receive several blows with
stick > he, however went off very delighted with
the possession Of his precious relies. The
Christians obtained tie body Of NJ. ShGffler,
but the head was thrown into the river, and had
not been found when the above lettcrwas writ.
ten.