Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-02

A Religious Epistle from Old Brown.

A Religious Epistle from Old Brown.
LETTER TO HIS LlTCHFIELD scHooLMAsTER,
WRITTEN IN PRISON.
The Independent publishes the following
letter written by Old Brown in prison to the
Rev. Fl. L. Vail, of LitchGeld Conn, who
remembers him as having been under his in
struction in 1877, at Morris Academy
The words in italics are underscore1 in the
original:
CHARLEsrowN, VA, Nov. Is, 1859.
Rev. H. L. VAIL: My dear, steadfast
friend - Your most kind and most welcome
letter Of the 9Th inst. reached me in due
time.
lam Gerry grateful for all the good feeling
you express, and also for the kind counsels
you give, together with your prayers in my
behalf. ALLOW me here to say, notwithstan-
ding my soul is amongst lions. still | be-
lieve that "God in every deed is with me- .
You will not, therefore, feel surprised when
| tell you that | am Joyful in my tribula-
Itions;" that | do not feel condemned of. him
wease judgment is just, nor ofmy own con
scene Nor do | feel degraded by ny i'm
pr,sonmsst, my chains, or prospect of the
ga,lo"s' ihaye not only been (though ut
'efiy un"o,eny9 permitted to ''suffer attic
ton with Gods people," but have also had
q great many rare Opportunities for .spreach-
ing righteousness in the INSTRUMENTATION. =
| trust it will not all be lost The iai)o,
Gin whose charge amy and his family and
assistants, have all been most kind; and NOT
withstanding he was one Of the bravcst q
all who fought me, be is now abused for his
humanity. So far as my observation goes
none but brace men are likely to be humans
to fallen fee. edwards prove thor cour
age by their .ferocity" It may be done il
that way with but little risk.
wish ! could write you about a few onl,
Of the interesting times | here experience
with different classes Of men, cze,yynaen a
mong others. Christ, the great captain O
liberty as well as of salvation, and who be-
gan his mission, as foretold Of him, by pro.
claiming it, saw fit to take from me sword
Of steel after I had carried it for time; but
khe has put another in my hand (.'the SWORD
u the Spirit, ~ and pray God to make me
a faithful soldier, wherever he may send ne
not less on the scaffold than when surroun.
ded by my warmest sympathizers.
My dear old friend, / do assure YOU !
have not forgotten our last meeting, nor our
retrospective look over the route by which
God had then led us; and I bless His name
that He has again enabled me to hear youl
words Of cheering and comfort at time
when |, at least. am on the shrink of Jor-
dan" (see Bunyan's Pilgrim } God, ii
infinite mercy, grant US soon another meet
ing on the opposite shore. | have often pas
sed under the rod Of Him whom call nv
Father; and, certainly, no son ever needed
it oftener; and yet I haye enjoyed much 81
life, as [ was enabled to discover the secret
Of this somewhat early. It has been il ma
king the prosperity and happiness Of others
my oacn; SO that really | have had great
deal Of prosperity. am vary prosperous
still, and looking forward to a time when
peace on earth and good will to men, shall
everywhere prevail. ] have no murmuring
thoughts or envious feelings to fret nv
mind: "l'll praise my Maker with my
breath"
! am an unworthy nephew Of Deacon
John, and | loved him much and in view
OF the many choice friends | have had here
I am led the more earnestly to pray 'gath.
er now my soul with the unrightcous"
Your assurances Of the earnest sympathy
Of the friends in my native land is very
grateful to my feelings, and allow me to
say word Of comfort to them -
AS believe most firmly that God reigns,
| cannot believe that anything have done,
suffered, Or may yet suffer, aoil!bezost to the
cause Of God or Of humanity. And before
! began my work at Harper's Ferry, I felt
assured that, in the worst event, it would
certainly PAY, often expressed that be-
lief, and ! can now see no possible cause to
alter my mind am not as vet in the
main at all disappointed. I have been
good deal disappointed as it regards myself
IN not keeping up tong olen plans; but now
feel entirely reconciled to that event; for
Gods plan was infinitely better, no doubt,
or should have kept my own. Had Samp-
son kept to his determination of not telling
Delllah wherein his great strength lay, he
" o"A~ - OoSEAJ huFO utVCf UFeftuFEeu the
house. did not tell Dellah but was in
duccd to act very contrary to my better judy
ment; and have lost my two noble boys,
and other friends, if not my tho eyes.
But Goods will, not mine, he done.''--
| feel a comfortable hope that, like that err
ing servant of whom | have just been wri-
ting, eren | may Through infinite mercy in
Christ Jesus) yet die,in faith. AS to both
the time and manner Of my death, I have
but very little trouble on that score and
am able to be Gas you ezhort) Of ''good
cheer"
| send through you my best; wishes to
Mrs. W and her son George, and to
all dear friends. May the God Of the poor
and oppressed BE- the God and Saviour Of
you all. Farewell, till We meet again. -
Your friend in truth,
JOHN BROWN.
ne John Randolph of RnannIra wao