Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-08-30
The Flight from Norfolk.-Profession
and Practice

The Norfolk Argus of SATURDAY, saws: s
general and precipitate fight as that which
has recently taken place here, we never ex.
pected TO witness. The thought of diseas.
and sudden death, the knowledge Of nm ex-
lstlng pestilence, we know are appalling "a
sinful man, and an instructive love OF health
and life naturally hurrcs him away beyond
the limits of the destroying agent to a purer
atmosphere and healthier cline. The
strong man in his prime breads the presence
Of an air that posons the life-blood and kills
In day; and even the sincere christian feels
solemn when he reflects upon so sad a vista.
ton from the great Being in whom he trusts
and whom he loves. But should christians
ny too, from the danger, al the very time
when their presence is most required?-when
their words of advice, instruction and comfort
are so necessary?-when nursing and watch.
ing are so much needed? al was sick, and
We visited me not"
Surely If there ever was time when The
true disciples of Christ should be active and
IN the line of their duty in Norfolk, this Is
the time; for verify, 'the pestlence walketh
in darkness and the destruction wasteth at
MONDAY" Our friends, neighbors and ac-
qualntances are prostrated by disease-burn-
ing with fever and tortured with mains: and
how important the spothiilr wond OF the
christian at such a timel Bat among the
most panic-struck, the most alarmed. and
most eager to hasten away, there were hun
oleis OF professors; and many indeed who
are wont, in days of healthfulness. in times
OF happiness, peace and prosperity, to make
the loudest profession, TO assume the most
grave and religious aspect, and 20 be the
most ready and forward to give words of re-
proof for delinquency, and apparently un-
christian conduct. Do not some show now,
that they have beam in their eyes? There
Is deep meaning in this conduct.
OF the four or five members of the Clergy
who have hurried of, it may not become us
tospeak now. They know their duty. Per-
haps this is not the time to indulge in vitu-
peration; for although the disease is not As
bad as reported, Gods Christening hand IS upon
u. Onr stores are nearly all closed; our
streets are deserted; the dead and diving are
around us; excepting the rattle of the phy-
sician's coach, hearses, and hospital wagons.
the silence in our streets is often absolutely
oppressive. The frantic wall of the widow
falls dOlefully on the ear; the piieous crv Of
the orphan rings out shrilly and dies away
upon the night wind; friends are parting. per-
chance till the judgment; and the lSmenta-
ton of the mother is heard, like Rachel
weeping for her children, snd refusing to he
comiorted because they are not" 1t is in
deei a sad and gloomy time in our loved and
devoted city; and how much the calamitous
visitation is increased in its intensity by the
inconsiderate flight and absence of religious
friends, and the deprivation of their consola-
tory instructions and prayers in the room
where death claims and seizes its victims, we
leave to the imagination of the panic-stricken
professors who have sought a more
salubrious climate and less dangerous loca-
ton.
That mighty man Luther, when the plague
broke out IN Wittemburg, in 1916, '27 and
80, inspired by the true courage which faith
in Christ alone can give. fearlessly looked
death In the face, in its most terrible guise.
Three times no remained in the midst of the
danger, though earnestly urged to fly. I'll
hope," said he, "the world may stand, though |
Martin Luther fall Here | must remain: | /
HS 1S2 not am nsK 5 a nS Ss1s p5sd dP aa H @ fur ee
trust God viii protect
me from all my fears.v When the greater
I'VE are not alone; Christ and yoltr prayers
are Nth as; also the holy angels, invisible, bit
poaceJW! Let every one dispose his mind
this way: if he be bound 10 remain and as
sist his fellow men in their death struggles, /
let him resign himself to God and say, "Lord
| am in Thy hands; Thou hast me here,
Thy will be DONE" "He administered the
last consolations of religion 10 dying women
In the infected room, and the different de-
grecs of the fear of death stalk along as a
never ending funeral train"
We heard one of our ministers say, who
has not proved recreant to the high and holy
duties of his Office, and who goes willingly TO
the abodes of woe and death, that he found
a 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, 81 must lie, and Die alone"
And there was boy with the black vomit,
and no one but young sister to attend him
during the slow and sad hours of long night
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 pesti-
lence. They pray for the sick and the dying,
and whisper sweet words of faith and conso-
lation in the ears of the sufferers, whose
thanks and prayers and blessings, will be re-
membered in time and in eternity; and If the
faithful Soldier of the Cross falls while do
ing his duty when most needed, he falls glo-
riously, aid his reward viii be, unspeakable
and eternal.-N T. Sun.