Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-05-01
JOAN OF ARCS PREDICTIONS

times subsequently al ether places, that
during a terrible and mnrderous struggle
at Orleans she should be seriously wound
ed bat she had also predicted that the
assauit should nevertheless be complete
" successful. After this the word Of
Joan became among the admiring soldie-
ry and the exnliins populace perfect
oracle among all who believed in the de-
Iyeranee Of France. Joan on the oeca-
sion Of the assault manifested surprising
ability in takingher military dispositions.
The impetuosi,y with which she herself
plunged head formost into the roar and
vortex Of the struggle. could only be
equalled 10y the admirable GOODNESS Of
her intrepidity in preparing for it. Ow-
lug to tie suPerhuman confidence with
which this young lioness inspired her
devoted followers, and the rage and vex-
alton of the exasperated enemy, TIE
strdggle that ensucd wns one Of the most
terrible on record. In the rage Of the
/ fight javelin struck Joan, passed above
the breast. between the neck and the
! shoulder, and hurled her TO the EARTH
When lifted up, all bloody, Joan, not
thinking of herself, ordered the banner
TO be borne 10 the front, and placed wav-
ing on the rampant, a beacon 10 the
French, terror TO the English. And
| Immediately above the forest of lanees,
amid that storm of war, the whole army
saw, OF imagined they saw, the CLEAN of
ten thousand wings tanning the air and
blazing around that standard, as If the
hosts Of the Lord had prceipitated them
selves from on high to take her place
and to keep armed guard upon the conse-
Grated banner of the wounded heroine.
The banner which was seen amid the
storm Of war ruiiling from the ramparts,
was composed of white tissue, known
in France by the name Of boueassin.-
The surface was sprinkled with lilies
the types Of purity-and the figure of
the Saviour Of mankind seated amid the
clouds, and holding a globe in his hand,
was seen in the centre. Two angels
were represented on the right and left,
in the attitude of alteration, one of whom
p held lily, while the words Jesus Maria
was emblazoned on the other side of the
banner.
The oldest knights affirm that when
the gauntleted hands Of the eager soldie-
ry placed this banner on high the French
asccndrd the stony rampant as readily as
if it were a staircase,--a circumstance
which they considered as purely mira
: culous.-angel hands had helped them
up. As the quaiIing army Of England
was paralyzed with terror, and il was
impossible to lead their reluctant men-at-
= arms against the very citizens whom
English commanders determined on re-
treating from before a town which they
! despaired Of taking. Meantime, in the
! open air, between the walls Of the city
e and the camp Of the enemy, a splendid
, altar was erecting sat the suggestion Of
: Joan, thar the success Of the French
, might be celebrated by religion. The
5 whole congregation were chanting fer
vent Te Deum" which rose to Heaven
like a long cry Of dcliyerance from their
grateful hearts, when the columns Of the
English enemy were seen 10 be in mo-
ton, not 20 attack the French. as was at
e first supposed, but IN foil retreat towards
l Meung. III a moment the whole congre-
A grafton seattered.-lhere was arming in
n every direction the busy pages, eager
esquires, and iiupeiuous knights were
+. riveting their harness or mounting their
a chargers in all quarters. But their hot
haste aud feryid excitement was quelled
by the solemn voice Of Joan. They
are going lei them 20. This is Sunday.
Let Us not on this holy festival redden
our isands with Christian blood, bat re-
: turn thanks to God for his great deliver
ance.7 The soldiers, the citizens, priests.
knights and peasants we're seen AZ once
70 arrange themselves in form Of pro-
eesaior. and carrying alof ihe beautiful
Z eirl, ihr0ugh whose fundamentally God
= lad designed 70 perform this great mi-
" raele, they laii ibs Foundation Of that
I heart-eherished union which while the
. earsh exists. viii blend the gratitude ol
Orleans with che memory Of Joan.
The city of Orleans was free, and
: France, % bong inanimaie under the in
eubas u Eagland. drea the breath Of re.
: turning iife. Joan's predictions bad been
! falailed
G. lie WHO betraya anoihers seers
4. because be has suasreied wiih him, VA