Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-07-14
miscellaneous.
A CLERGYMAN TURNED SOLDIER.

A -
some twenty years ago, a young man, whom I
shall name Jamie" was pastor Of a large congre-
gait )n of the Established Church of Scotland. Vt
school and at college lac was distinguished for his
iove of learning, and, as a minister, was unrivallod
for his cloquenoo and mental attainmcnts. lie had
been settled about u year, and was upon the eve Of
being married to a fine young woman, whom he
had loved from childhood, when the hcritors and
several English gentlemen, who were then on a
visit to tho North, attended kirk to hear the famous
preacher. lie moro than verified his fame he en-
raptured his audience. His theme was tho story of
his church. Its many years of disastrous wars, its
martyrs, its heroes, its undying hope, even when
despair seems to shroad il in endless night; its
unweariod tolls, and its final triumrhs were each
in turn presented to the minds Of tho hearers, with
n power and feeling that defy description. He
stood the genius of ~eloqucncc personifcd. But
there was one among his hearers who was not be-
wildcrcd by his glowing pictures.
Tho gentle. hearted Bella, his b~etrothed, when
the congregation dispersed, followed him to the
manse. lie received her in his study, but while
conducting her to a chair she sank upon the floor,
and burst into tears. Oh, Jamie! Jamie!" she
exclaimed, as he raised her tcndorly in his arms
and seated her on q sofa, "ye hae broken my puir
heart!" GLOW so, my Bella? explain ?" aye
were drunk, raving drunk, Jamie, and | wonder
the elders did nae tax yc out O. the pulpit! Yo
whined and ranted, and sometimes, God forgive
me for saying sac, | thought | saw the Evil One
standing beside you, laughing and ~clapping you
on the shoulder. My puir brain reelcd-I was
mad, and knew it--I'm mad now Gamma live
out this day feel my blood freeze-O, God, be
merciful to me, a sinner, and save, q, save my
jamie % Her head roclined upon his bosom, she
gazcd upon him for n moment, and expired IN his
arms.
lie had preached his last sermon. No ontrcaties
of n congregation whe loved him-no natterinr
offers OF future p~rcfcrment, rendered by the gon-
try, could induce him to resume his labOrs as min
lister.
Five or six years passed, when the writer of this,
who Was his schoolfellow, accidentally met him
in London. Jamie was one of the principal
teachers in a large educational establishment, and
was highly esteemed for the moral excellence Of
his character, as well as his varied learning and
skill as q successful teacher. lie was dressed in
deep mourning, stunned society, and when the la
bors of the day closed, he either wandered alone-
through tho streets, or retired to his lodgings. The
scene of Bellas death was ever present to his
memory.
Her pure soul, he said, saw him as he was, a
poor, vain, selfconceited sinner. For the pur-
pose of concentrating his thoughts and infusing
life into his sermons, he was in the habit of taking
a glass Of whiskey before entering the pulpit. The
morning before he preached the fatal sermon, he
felt rather nervous, for he knew there would be
strangers to hear him, and he took nearly two
glasses. What he said, or how he conducted him
self, no effort of memory could recall-the death
of Bella alone had merged itself into the doings of
that dreadful day. The compliments which he re.
ceived sounded on his ears like satire and mockery,
anu Vc very haule VI liquor Impressed MN With
horror!
lie left home and came to London, where he OBJ
tanned a situation as a teacher bat everything ap-
peared so black to him that he expressed fear he
should, in some unguarded moment, destroy him
self.
His friend, who was a sailor, suggested some
active employment, that would call into play his
physical faculties, and thus give his mind a spell,
and ended by Offering to procure him a place be-
fore the mast in a ship. like your suggestion"
said he, "but dislike the sea-" "Then turn sol
der, and seek employment in India, where there
is always plenty of lighting" al WILL" he said,
springing from hts chair, g when my engagement
expires, l will purchase an Ensign's commission.
| wonder the thought never suggested itself to me,
for my ancestors, as far back as l can trace them,
were soldiers. Better, far better, die on the field
Of battle, than fall by ones own hand!" We sep
arated.
A few weeks SINCE, in running my eye along the
list of those who had distinguished themselves at
the battle of Inkermann, l saw the name of Lieut..
COL. A letter from my friends has since in
formed me that he had served in India under Lord
Cough, and was promoted for his gallant conduct
in three campaigns. lie was present at the battles
of Alma, Balaklava and Inkermann, and at last
accounts WAS in good health, engaged in the siege
of Sevastopol. lie was still single his heart
was lead to love !"-BOStOn alias.