The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-10-29
ExecutiOn of a Missionary.

We find the following thrilling sketch. which
doubtless will be read with the iveliest interest.
among the details of the foreign news by the Asia.
letter from Hong Kong, addressed to ths Uni
verso. gives the following details of the execution
Of M. Scheffisr, a missionary priest:
On the lst of May, about noon, by order of the
Grand Mandarin, elephants and horses were pra.
pared, 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 being fitted out, or that an Al.
tack was to be made the haunt of some brieands.
IL was soon, however, understood that ali these
preparations had been ordered for the execution NJ
N. Scheffler. The Mandarin, fearing thai the
Christians would sndeavor to rescue their mission.
ary by force, wished to intimdate them by this dis
play of troops. When his intentions were known.
all the town showed the greatest aff1iction The
Jailers, the prisoners, and all those who had anv
connection with the missionary, expressed their
sorrow and regret. M. Sehefflrr, on the contrary.
was smiling with delight, and he prepared to walk
to the place of execution with greater ease by dress.
ing himself a. lightly as possible
ne mandarin was apprehensive of a riot, and
he took up his position the ramparts surrounded
by his troops all ready for action. The execution
took place outside the town. The cortege of the
martyr was arranged in the following manner |;
Before him marched a soldier carrying a board
affixed to pole, on which was written, Notwith.
standing the severe prohibition against the religion
Of Jesus' . European priest, named Augustin, has
dared 70 come here clandestnely, to preach and se
every thing. His crime is evident Let Augustin
have his head cut of, and thrown into the river.
Fourth year of Tu Du; First of she Third Moon.
Eight soldiers. with drawn sabres, marched by the
side OF M Sch9ffier; one hundred men, armed
with muskets or lances, formed the head Of The
procession; two elephants formed the rear guard.
The martyr held up his chains when walking he
walked quickly, as If Fastening towards his tri-
umph, and continually offered up Thanksgiving.
He was surrounded by an immense crowd the
greater number OF these Pagans were struck with
religious admiration there were some, however,
| who rallied and blasphemed.
"On arriving at the place of ofexscution, the mar.
tyr fell on his knees, kissed the crucifx three times
and, at the request of the execuoner, he took of
his coat, and turned down the collar of his shirt.
The exeeutioner, having afterwards tied his hands
behind his back, the martyr said TO him, Do your
business as quickly as possble' mo, no. replied
| the Mandarin, who was informed of what M,
SchDffler had said, follow the signal Of the GYM
bal, and only strike at the third sound' The signal
was given the hand of the executioner 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 order detach the head from
the body. In Cochin China those who are presen,
at executions are accustomed 10 dsperse imme-
diatey it il over but on this OCCASION although the
greater number 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 re,
some portion of the garments of the MARTYR /,
was remarked that an inferior Mandarin, Pagan
before the execution, threw coat of white silk.
and piece of white linen, at the feet of the mar.
tyr, in the hope that it would be stained with his
blood. M. Schefler thinking, doubtless, tha, thew
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 sub.
ordinate had done, he ordered him to receive
several blows with stick he, however, went of
very much delighted with the Possession Of his
precious relics. The Christians obtained the BODY
Of NJ. Sh@fflsr, but the head was thrown into the
river, and had not been found when the above lei
/ ter was written" H M sta