Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-02-08
BY DAVID OVER.
The Marriage Of Pocahontas.
Ry BENSON j. LOSING.

s&Ett cav s8G
DURINa the lovely Indian summer time
in the autumn Of 1908, there was marriage
on the banks of the Powhatan, where the
Ea siish had laid the eorner stone Of the
graaffabric Of Angle Saxon Empire in the
New N'atlA lt vas celebratcd in the second
church waiei. ths Eagiish settlers had ere ct
ed there. hike their first, which fire had
devoared the previous winter, ii was rude
structure, whose roof rested upon rough
pine celsmns, fresh from the virgin ferest,
aaa whose a,lofnings we're htte indebted to.
tie band of art. The officiating priest was
s,cosd Haster Hunter y who had lost all
his books bysthe confagration. History,
poetry, and song, have kept dutiful silence
respecting that 6rst English marriage in
America, because John Laydoa aud Anne
burrows we're common people. The BRIDE
.groon was 3 carpenter. among the first adj
yeutufers who aseen9ed the Powllatan, then
mined Jslaes ia honor Of bad king; ard
the bride was waiting to sENIistress
Forrest, ,wife of Thomas Forrest. geutle-
mem These where the first white wonsen
ever seen atthe jamestown settlement.
Almost Eve years later, was another mar
riage at Old jamestown, in honor of which,
history, poetry, and song have been employ
Cd. Tie bridegroom was ''Master John
Ro!fe, an honest gentleman, aud of good
behaviour from the realm OF England;
and the bride was princess royal, named
Na;oa, or Poeahon,as, the we'll beloved
daughter CT the Emperor Of the great Pow
hatan eonfederacy, on the Virgiuian penin-
eula. The officiating priest was Master
Aexan1er Whitaker, u noble apostle Of
Christianity, who went TO Virginia for the
cure of souls, Sir Thomas Dale, then Gov
ernor Of the colony, thus briefly teAs hls
masters of the Company in London, the
story Of Pocahoutas: 'Powhatau's daughter
I caused to be carefully instructed in the
Christian religion, who, after she had made
good progress therein, renowned publicly
her eouutFy's idclatfy, openly confessed her
Christian faith, was, as she desired, baptlsed,
and is since married to III EugfiSh gentle
lneu Of good understanding (as BY bis letter
unto me. containing the reasoa OF his mar
riase OF her, YOU may preeeise,1 another
knot TO bind this peace the stronger. Her
father aud friends gave appreciation 10 Il,
and he. uncle gave her to him 10 the church.
She lives civiliy and lovingly With him,
and, / trust viii increase in goodness, as the
knowledge Of God iucfeaseth in her. She
will 20 to England with nc, and, were 1t
bnt the ginning Of this one spni, l will
think my time, toll, and preseilt stay, we'll
spent
So discoussed Sir ThomaS Dale. Carios-
nv would know more Of the Princess and
Ler marriage, and curiosity may here be
gratifed TO the extent of the revelations OF
recorded history. ea,t,..,rs
The finger Of special Povidenee, POINT
Ing down the vista Of ages, is seen IN the
character and acts OF Poeahcntas. She was
the daughter Of pagan king who had never
heard of Jesus of Nazareth, yet her heart
was overfowing with the cardinal virtues of
chgis'isa lie
la,.d.ca.,o II mild rth
ia Where all was harmony, and calm quiets
m Luxuriaiit, budding ''-BYEos. G.asE
When Capt4in Smith, the boldest ana
bestof the early adventures in Virginia,
spenetratel the dense forest he was made a
prisoner, was conducted IN triumph from
village TO village, until he Stood in the pres
encc Of Powhatan, the supreme ruler, aud
was then cor nieniued 10 die, asE .sW
Upon the barron sand e
single captive stood;
Around him came, with bow and brand,
The red-men of the wood.
Like him Of old his doom he hears,
Rocs bound on oceans rim:
Ee CllSikAlD AASs ~ tSH'Sf
Aud bre4thed prayer for hini.
Above his head in air
The savage war-ciub swung.
Ne frantic girl, In Wild despair,
Her arms around him dung.
Then shook ths warriors OF the shade,
Like ivaves on aspen-ilnb-
Su6dued by that hcioic maid
Who preathed prayer for him,
"Unbihl Mn..'' gasped the chief
"obey your kings decree!a
lie kissed away licr tears OF grief,
And set the captive free.
'Tis ever thus, when in iif.'s storm,
Hopes star TO man grows dim,
An angel kneels 10 wouan;s forla,
And bseathss prayer for him.
~ GroIoE T. MoG ais.
How could that stern old king dsay