Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-10-24

CURloUs QU,KER PROPHECY ~ Friend
has copied for us, from the original mnnu--
cript. the following curious prophecy, written
by "A Quaker preacher in the year lSu3. It
is perhaps known to our readers that tie
preachers of that order often profess to be
endowed with a divine foresight, and their
visions are sometimes ne graphic and impress
kive as those of the ancient Hebrews serrs.
The prediction of the division Of religious
denominations in this country, beginning
with the Preshyterians. made in the following
paper, has been literally fulfilled. The civil
war predicted as growing out Of slavery is
already upon US, but we reserve our faith in
the unfulflled portion Of the vision till events
confirm it's accuracy. The document is inter
esting at least from its age and ito quaint
simplicity -
Vision Of Joseph Hoag, a minister Of he
Society offriendS. In the year 1903, in the
9Th or 9th month. | was one day alone in the
field, and observed the sun shone clear, but a
mist eclipsed its brightness. IA | reflected
upon the singuiarity Of the event my mind
was struck into a silence, the most solemn
] ever remember to have experienced; on
all my difficulties were low and unusually
brought into deep silence. | said to myself,
what can all this mean; ] do not recOllect
ever before to have been sensible Of such feel
ings. and | heard a voice from heaven saying:
This which thou see'st which dims the
brightness Of the sun, is a sign Of present and
coming times. ] took tho forefathers Of this
country from a land Of oppression; | planted
them here among the people of the forest, |
sustained them and they became a numerous
people; but now they have become proud and
lifted up. aHd have forgotten Inc who nourish-
ed them, and protected them in the wilder
ness, and are running into every abominatlJn
and evil practice Of which the OH countries
are guilty and have taken q%uietude from the
land and suffered a dividing spirit To come
among them, Lift up thine eyes and brholi"'
And | saw them dividing in great heat
This division began in the church On points
Of doctrine. 1t commenced in the Presoytcr-
ian society, and went through the various
religious denominations, and in its progress
and close it's effects were the same. those that
dissented went Of with high heads and tauu-
ting language, and those who kept &, their
original sentiment appeared ez rcisaI and
%sorrowful; and when the dividing spirit enter
I'd the society of Friends it RACED Iva
ps high a degree as any | had before
? discovered as before those who kept
their ancient principles retired by them
selves. 1t appeared in 10 iEes Of Free
masons it broke out like d volcano, iG-s-
much as it set the country in an uprJ.r fJl q
length Of time, then il entered politics In tic
United States, and dld not stop until D. l'p'
duced a civil war, and -hurdAucH Of human
blood was shed in the course Of tho contest
The Southern States lost their power, an.
slavery was annihillted from their borders
Then a monarchical power arose and took ta.
government Of the States, established nation
ii religion, and made all the people tribute
~ 10 support It's expenses | saw them tax
property from Friends to a large amount,
was annoyed at heholding al this, and
heard a voice p~rocloin " This power shall
not always stand, but with it | viii ch1sris
my church until they raturn unit, the faith
fitness of their fathers. Thou s.e'st wha
IS coming on thy native land for her iniqui
ties, and the blood Of Africa. the rsm.m
hrance Of which has come up before me. TIA
vision is yet for many days
hod no idea Of writing, for many years
until it became such a burden that Tor m
own relief ! have written it.
Jo.Iru lil,D.
r AnrEg r. I.H--.. .r.- $3.50