The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-08-23
The Fever at Norfolk.
Ministers DESERVING their F2Ocks.-1h
Flight of Christians, dc.

The Fever at Norfolk.
Ministers Deserting their F1Ocks.- Tile
Flight Of Christians, dc.
The Norfolk Argus OF Saturday thus
alludes to the fight of the citizens of that
place -
So general and precipitate fight as
that which has recently taken place here,
we never expected to witness. The
thought of disease and sudden death, the
knowledge of an existing pestilence, We
know are appalling to sinful m an, and an
instructive love of health and life natural
ly hurries him away beyond the limits of
the destroying agent, to purer atmos-
phere and healthier cline The strong
man in his prime breads the presence of
an air that poisons the life blood and kills
in day; and even the sincere Christian
feels solemn when he reflects upon SO sad
a visitation from the great Being in whom
lie trusts and whom be loves. But should
Christians Ay, too, from the danger, at the
very time when their presence is most re-
quired!-when their words of advice, In
struction and comfort are so necessary!
when nursing and watching are so much
needed! i was sick, and ye visited me
not
Surely if there ever was time when
the true disciples of Christ should be ac-
tive and in the line of their duty in Norfolk,
this is the time; for varily, 'the pestilence
walketh in darkness and the destruction
wasteth at MONDAY Our friends, neigh
bors and acquaintances are prostrated by
disease-burning with fever and tortured
with pains; and how important the sooth-
ing words of the Christian at such a time!
But among the most panic-struck, the
most alarmed, the most eager to hasten
away, there were hundreds of professors;
and many indeed who were wont, in days
of healthfulness, in times Of happiness,
peace and prosperity, to make the loud
est profession, to assume the most grave
and religious aspect, and to be most ready
and forward to give words of reproof for
delinquency, and apparently unchristian
COuUuCks bO uOb obO"1 hO"J Iuol
they have beam in their eye! There is
deep meaning in this conduct.
Of the four or FIVE members Of the
clergy who have hurried off, it may not
become us to speak now. They know
their duty. Perhaps this is not the time
to indulge in vituperation; for although
the disease is not as bad as reported, God s
chastening hand is upon US. Our stores
are nearly all closed; our streets are de-
serted; the dead and the dying are around
us; excepting the rattle of the physician S
coach, hearses and hospital wagons, the
silence in our streets is often absolutely
oppr essive. The frantic will of the wild
ow fails dolefully on the ear; the piteous
cry of the orphan rings out shrilly and
dies away OF the night wind; friends are
parting, perchance till the judgment; and
the lamentations of the mother is heard
like Rachel, weeping fer her children,
and refusing to be comforsed because they
are not
1t is indeed sad and gloomy time in
our loved and devoted city; and how muc b
the calamitous visitation is increased in
its intensity, by the inconsiderate fight
and absence of religious friend. and the
deprivation of their consolatory instruc-
tions and prayers in the room where death
claims and seizes his victims, we leave 10
the Imagination Of the panic-stricken
Christian professors, who have sought a
more salubrious climate and less dang
erous location.
We heard one Of our ministers say, who
has not proved recreant to the high and
holy duties of his Office, and who goes will
lingly to the abodes of woe and death,
that he iouudi q woman whose husband
had just died of the fever. She, too, was
attacked, and no one was there to nurse
and comfort her. He looked. out and the
neighbors had all gone-their doors and
windows were closed. Here said she,
Il must lie and die alone And there
was a boy with the black vomit, and no
enc but a young sister to attend him, dur
ing the slow and sad hours Of long eight
of pain and sorrow.
But some noble souls and great hearts
are left, and their recompense will be
great They shrink not from their duty.
They breathe still the deadly breath of
the pestilence; they pray for the sick and
the dying, ann whisper sweet words of
faith and consolation in the ears of the
sufferers, whose thanks and prayers and
blessings, will be remembered in time and
eternity; and if the faithful soldier of the
Cross falls while doing his duty, when
most needed, efalls gloriously, and his
reward will be unspeakable and eternal.
Are sisters Sal and Nance resources