The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-05-07
JOAN OF ARC.

From report of lecture by MIR. WHIP
PIE, IN the Portland Transcript, we make tue
following extract:
Joan was born in l4i1, the daughter of a
poor peasant iu the province of Lorraine,
She was taught 10 sew and spin, but not to
read and write, and TO the last of her career
she could not sign her own immortal name.
She was gentle, beautiful, bashfuI chile,
deeply imbued with religious feelings. Her
religion was the concrete Romanish OF the
| time, and was learned at her mothers knee.
This religious teaching instiiled into her soul,
became the life of her whole being. She
lived in an internal world with saints and au-
gels, and thus inward life became nearer anc
dearer than her outward existence. She vas
poet as well us devote, and the greatest
that France ever had. She was Indifferent
10 the pastimes OF youth, and spent much
time in prayer to ST. Caiharins and St. Mar.
garet. The disturbed state of her country
kindled her devotion into fame of self-is.
voted patriotism. Her internal world became
endowed with external existence, and her
visions pushed themselves into voices, and
shapes, visible 10 her enlranced eyes. The
sense saw what1he soul wished. Atthir.een
years walking in her falher's garden, she
heard the voice of the Archangel Michael
calling upon her 10 60 10 the succor OF The
king. Then came voices naming her the
deliverer OF France. No historian doubtst
her faith in the reality Of what she saw. Tie
most modest and bashful of women she re-.
sisted long this inward impulse The news
OF the siege Of Orleans al lasi decided her.
Then commenced that course of enireaiy
with the governor which at last forced his
common sense 10 yield 10 The persistency of
that sense which is not common. She was
permitted 10 60 10 the Dauphin at Chalons,
$50 leagues through couniry occupied BY
the enemy. She detected the disguised dau.
| phin, told him he was the true heir, and as
sured him heaven had sent her TO see him
crowned in the city OF Rheims. After mich
hesitation her aid was accepted. Her work
was now to relieve Orleans and to see the
dauphin crowned in the city of Rheims, then
in The hands of the English. Her inspired
earnesiness spread enthusiasm around, and
many believed in her powers. She WINS hail
ed as a saint. She reformed the army---con.
verling The soldiers from marauders into cru.
saders, changing the camp into camp-mset.
ing. Her name went before her-and fought
her battics in ito armies Of the EugtIsn. n
was supsrslitious age, aud they said, If she
IS OF God, 1t is impious TO fight against her.
! Oh Inc Devil, how can We prevail against
oil France backed by Satanic powers With
zoo men she entered the city, without oppo-
siuon from the English. Great was the JOY
OF the beseiged. Religious ceremonies were
performed, and then came the attack. Her
military skill consisted only in resolution and
audacity She mounted the walls Of the
English forts, and though struck down by an
arrow, she again assembled, and struck terror
into the English, who thought her dead
They began 10 see visions in their turn, and
declared that St. Michael appeared in the air
cheering on the French. In seven DAYS the
English burned their forts, raised the siege
and retrealed. Two months after, Rheims
opened lis gates and the king was crowned.
Joan's task was done-her vision accom-.
pished! She asked 10 be allowed TO return
10 her mother and the care Of her ilocks.--
Policy dictated a refusal, and she was still re-.
tanned 10 sustain the cause she had saved.
The only reward she asked was, that her ma.
tive village might not be taxed, which ii was
not for 400 years.
But she no longer felt that she was doing
the work of God, her hear. was not in the
work. The saint was sinking into the SOL
der, when she was saved by captivity. She
was taken prisoner by a Burgundian soldier,
and sold 10 the English for 10000 liv,ss.--
Their joy knew no bounds. The hated
"wtch" was at last in their hands, and they
prepared to glut their vengeance. Charged
with heresy and sorcery, she fell into the
hands Of theological wolves and foxes, who
exerlsd all The malice and ingenuity Of their
mean natures 10 enirap her, without success.
Her simplicity and truthfu!ness evaded all
their suares. Having prosecuted her from q
heretic 10 a Catholic, these infamous crea-
lures persecued her from Catholic 10 d
herelc, that they might condemn her 10 the
stake. She was burned In the city Of Rouen
on the 10th Of May, 1881. Thus was con.
summaled one Of the darkest crimes record
ed on The page of history which, as it bla.
zons on The eye, across the interval OF four
centuries, throws u lurd glare Of infamy on
the names Of those who operpeiuated it. Such
beautiful simplicity, such angelic devotion,
was never before, nor mover hereafter will be
witnessed on earth. Victorious over perss-
cuIon, peerless among women, the name Of
Joan of Arc will perish not SO long as beau.
ty, devotion and goodness shall be cherished
among men.
E Governor Wise, of Virginia, has writ
ten letter to New York, which is published
in the Herald of Saturday last, in which ho
strongly advocates the nomination Of Mr.. Bu-
chanan' for the Presidency. Amongst other
reasons for his preference, he says:
"Pennsylvania has always stood by Virgin.
ia, from the days of Simon Snyder and Thom-
as Jefferson down 10 this tay aha II one Of