Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18
5ubbutb Reubing.
From the Lady's Amaranth
THE BAPTISM OF PocHAHoNTAs.

within the limits of the United States, who
when famine ragged, or conspiracy menaced
with swift destruction, ever interposed her be-
nign and gentle influence to supply their wants
and ward off their danger. From all that his
| tory and tradition have preserved, as well as
from the testimonials of the object of her kind
ness and protection, from the particulars OF
her life that have come down to us, and from
every authentic memorial now extant, she ap-
pears to have been both in mind and person,
one of the choicest models the hand OF nature
ever formed. With the purest simplicity she
united the kindest heart, and to the timidity
of spotless virgin she Joined sagacity of
mind, a firmnesss of spirit, and an adventurous
daring, which more than once, when the e1is-
tence of the colony was at stake, prompted
her to traverse the midnight forest alone, and
brave the Indignation of her kindred, to give
advice and warning.
Inseparably interviewer is the name and
history of p Pochahontas with the very existence
of the first permanent Christian community OF
this great confederation, and clothed as she is
with every attribute to call forth our venera-
| ton and gratitude, she most undoubtedly de-
serves the dignity of a historical character
! Though simple Indian maid, hec life and ac-
tions are closely associated with events, which
| in their consequences, have assumed a magni-
| tude that fully entities her to be placed among
| those who exercised influence in the destinies
of states and the course of human events. She
| was therefore deemed a fit subject for Ma
tional Picture painted by order of Congress,
I 4ba h and Of
our ancestors.
| But she had another claim, not less yenera-
be and touching, to the remembrance of pos
| terity, and which addresses itself to all Chris
tian people and churches. She stands foremost
in the train of those wandering children ofthe
forest who have at different times-few indeed,
aud far between-been snatched from the fangs
of a barbarous idolatry to become the lambs in
the fold of the Divine Shepherd. She therefore
appeals to our religious as we'll as our patriotic
| sympathies, and is equally associated with the
rise and progress of the Christian church, as
with the political destinies of the Z. States.
1t was a memorable Sabbath morning when
the sound of the church bells echoed through
| the silent forest about jamestown, to gather to
its consecrated aisles-the first dedicated to
the worship of the living God in British Amer
ica-the pioneers of civilization and Christian
ity in the new world, to witness the sublime
spectacle of this converted heather girl, Po-
chahontas-the daughter of POwhatan-s'tne
first Christian of her nation,'' turning from
her idols to God.
How long and earnestly the s'winning OF
this one soul'' had been looked to in the colo
ny, and by its friends and promoters in Eng
land, numerous letters and chronicles of that
day express in terms that cannot be mistaken
for transient impulse. They placed their hopes
of lasting prosperity in bringing the savage
within the influence of the light of the gospel;
and when the pure minded girl Knelt at the
altar of God, they indulged in pious exulta-
tion at the glorious beginning and prospect of
peace, security and prosperity, that seemed to
dawn upon the colony.
In obedience to the regulation of the town,
the captain of the watch had gone his usual
round, to shut the ports and place sentinels
and the bell having tolled the last time had
searched all the houses of the town, to com
mand every one, of what quality soever, (the
| sick and hurt excepted to repair to church
after which he accompanied all the guards
with their arms (himself being last) into the
church, and laid the keys before the governor
The sergeants took their stations, and the In
dians gathered about the place of ceremony, as
Rolfe supported his destined bride to the rude
baptismal font, hewn from oak of her native
forest. Nantequaas, her favorite brother, whom
Smith calls ssthe most manifest, boldest spirit
he ever saw in a savage" stood nearest to her
own kindred; an elder sister, with her Indian
boy, sat in mute, anxious interest and curiosity
in front, while her uncle, the sulen, cunning
yet daring Opschanbanough shrunk back, and
PROBABLY even then brooded over the deep laid
plan of massacre which he so fearfulIy execu-
ted years after, when that spotlcss Indian girl
had gone to reap her reward in heaven.
The book of prayer is closed, for not until
after that time was there an established form
for the baptism of those ripper years in the SER
vice of the church of England. She bears upon
her forehead the record of her VOW she renoun-
ces the idols of her nation-has confessed the
faith Of Christ, and is baptised. The Indian
child clings closer to his mother, gay snowy
mantle of swan skin, tipped with the plumage
that may be still seen among the thickets and
along the shores about jamestown falling from
her shoulders, discovers to her own the cos
tune OF her adopted people, and an unguard-
ed movement of momentary excitement among
the savage spectators is repeated through the
congregation, as hands fall instinctively on
match-lock and sword-hilt. At the movement
of the picture-another. and she is received
into the fold of Christ, and as pure and beauti-
full spirit as ever knelt at his Holy Sacrament.