Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-05-15
Beautiful Incident.

We recently saw an item brought by late for
eign arrival, which affected very deeply. After
reading il, we put the paper aside for future use,
but have not been able to find it since. The fact
stated was that the Rev. Mr. KING, the American
Missionary at Athens, who--after having been i'm
rrisoned and much annoyed by the Patriarchs and
members Of the Greek church, had to flee for his
life, as is well known BY those who read mission
ary intelicence-since his return TO that city has
continued lis meetings OF enquiry in small house
contiguous to his own. For some time he has
been unmolestei. Recently, however, several
youth have resorteI to him for evangelc ns,ruc-
ton. While engaged in this laudahle office, sever
al, to the amount Of fifty, came in on one occasion,
and while Mr. X. was explaining some portion Of
the bibles of the visitors interruptnely asked
very irrelevant and rather impudent question. Mr.
X. endeavoredto put him off by informing him that
that question not then under discussion. but
il he would wait until they were through with what
was then before them, he would attend to him.
The interrogator insisted upon having an imme-
date answer. The regular students, as well as Mr.
King, protested against such treatment. This was
the signal for general row on the part of the in
truders, when they abused Mr. X. and his disciples
outrageously as to compel him to flee to his own
house. Even here he would not have been safe,
probably, had it not been for one thing. Reader,
can you imagine what that was? twas not the red
mouthed cannon or the death-dealing rifle, that
kept his pursuers at bay. II was prayer alone,
even, although he was a man Of prayer. II was
the American Flag. As soon as he reached his
house he hoisted the American flag, anc the sight
of that led his prosecutors to fall back.
That was the circum stance that engraved itself
on our memory and made MS wish to transcrihe il.
What fruitful theme for the rect or the painter.
The bare reading oft casually fol- future use, sent
thrill of Joy through our frame which led us at
the time thank God thai that flag was the insignia
of eonr own. our native land" and that we were
living under the free and full protection Of its am.
pie folds, without any fear OF moestation or harm
from eccies higotry fanaticism. In olden
time il was the practice to fee to one of the cities
Of refuge to escape the fury of excited popalace
ubsequently, those pursued resortea to the Sane
tuary and took hold of the horns of the Altar for
the security Of their persons. These were ordained
of heaven. But to our mind there is not whit less
sublimity in witnessing scene like this. where is
seen an American citizen, in foreign land, unable
to protect himself from the violence Of an Infatuated
mob. throwing himself it'll confidence and success
under the protection OF simple piece Of bunting,
with nothing on il but few stars and stripes. The
simplicity OF the act, coupled with its effect, con-
stitutes its suhlimity. This was done in that an
cent seat OF learning and refine ment, where, eigh-
teen hundred years ago, PAUL reminded the Athe-
mans Of their supcrstitious idolatry. He escaped
scourging, by prociaimins himself to Be Roman
citizen. Kiso is aged in the same work, eigh-
teen centuries ater, and in the same place, and he
escapes similar or worse treatment by proving
himself to be an American citizen. Would that all
appreciated the value OF such distinguished posi-
ton. Would that all would rally around that fias
and religiously derrecate above al things its beng
dishonored, or tra:led in the dust Of anarchy and
disunion.