Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-11-26


fobh tirswn, IN prison, tn hl- old schools
mastcr ---IEis Views OF Death and Roilg-
ious Hopes.---An Interesting heiter.
LETTER FROM HKv o., W. BACON,
10 the Editor Of the Independents
My aged friend, Row. H. Ia Vail, Of this
place, remembers John Brown os having been
under his instruction in the yesr 1917, at Nor
ris Academy. II was godly youth, labor
ing &, recover from bis disadvantages Of early
educ ticn, in the hope OF entering the ministry
OF ilo Gospel Since then the teacher and
pupil have met but once to take "a retrospee-
tive look over the route by which God had
led them" But short time since Mr. Vail
wrote 10 Brown in bis prison letter Of Chris
tan friendship, to which he has received the
following heroic and sublime reply.
Has ever such an epistle cen written from
cohdemued cell since tho letter'to Timotbeus,"
when Paul "was brought before Nero the
second timer
have copied it faithfully from the autos
graph that lies before me, without the change
or omission OF a word, except 10 omit the full
name OF the friends to whom he sends his mes
cage.
The words in italics and capitals are so un.
derseorcd in the original The handwriting is
clear and firm, but toward the end of the sheet
seems to show that the sick Old mans hand
was growing weary. The very characters make
an appeal 10 us for our sympathy aud prayers.
His salutation With his ov hand Remem.
Der his bonds" Truly yours,
l.. W. BACON
Litchfeld, c., Nov. 81, 1859.
lETrER FROM CAPTAIN BROWN IN PRISON.
CnARLEsTowN, jefferson county, Va,
November 10, 1859.
Rev II. L. Vaill--M My Dear Steadfast Friend:
Your most kind and most welcome letter of the
| 9Th inst. reached me in due time.
/ am uery grateful for the good feeling you
express, and also for the Rind counsels you give,
together with your prayers in my behalf
Allow me here TO say, notwithstanding "my
soul is amongst lions, still believe that "God
| in very deed is with me-" You will not, there
/ fore, feel surprised when tell you that am
! Joyful in all my tTibulations"; that do not
feel condemned Of him whose judgment is just,
/ nor Of my own conscience. Nor do feel de-
/ graded by my imprisonment, my chains, or pros
peet of the gallows | have not only been
| Though utterly uuworthy) permitted TO "su1er
sfilicnon with Gods people" butt also had
a great many rare opportunities for preaching
] righteousness in the great congregation"
trust 1T will not all be lost. The jailor lin
whose charge am) and his family, and assist.
ants, have all been most kind; and notwith-
standing he was one of the bravest of all who
fought me. he is aoto being abused for his hu-
manity So far as my observation goes mona
but Jrdpe men are likely to be humane TO a fallen
zoe. "Cowards prove their courage by their
Jeroeity" II may be done in that way withbut
little risk.
wish could write yon about few only OF
the interesting times / here experience with
different classes of men, elergymen among
Others. Christ, the great captain of liberty as
well as Of salvation and who began lis mission,
as fotetod Of him, by proclaiming is, saw fit to
take from me a sword of steel after he'd cor.
ried 1t lor time; but he has put another in my
hand, ("the sword OF the Spirit, y ami pray
God to make me faithful soldier, wherever
he may send me, not less on the scaifold thar
when surrounded by my warmest sympa
thisars.
My dear old friend, do assure you have
not forgotten our last meeting, nor our retrospec
tive look over the route by which God had then
led Us; and bless his name that he has again
enabled me to hear your words of cheering anC
comfort at a time when l, at least, am on the
"brink of jordan" See Buuyan's Pilgrim
God in infinite mercy grantus soon another
meeting on the opposite shore. ] have Otter
passed under the rod of him whom | call my
Father; and no son ever eeeded it oftener
enabled to discover the secret Of this somewha
early. II has been in making the prosperit,
happiness of others my Oion; so that really
have had great deal ofprosperity. l am very
prosperous still; and looking forward to tim
when "peace on earth and good will 10 mem
shall everywhere prevail. have no murmur
ing thoughts OF envous feelings to fret I'M
> mind an praise my Maker with my breath
E am an unworthy nephew of Deacon John
and loved him much; and IN view of the ma
) ny choice friends | have had here, | am led th
, more earnest to pray, "gather not my sou
, with the Hnrighteous.
, Your assurance of the earnest sympathy o
the friends in my native land is very gratefu
I to my feelings; and allow me to say a word o
comfort to them:
As believe most firmly that God reigns,
cannot believe that anything that have done
suffered, or may yet suffer, riH be lost to III
cause of God or Of humanity And before | be
gan my work at51arper's Ferry, | felt assured
that at the loqSt epeht it would certainly PAY
J | often expressed that belief; and / can nov
see no possible cause to alter my mind. / an
not as yet, in the man, at all disappointed
! have been good deal disappointed it regard
myself in not keeping up TO my oleR plans; bu
| now feel entirely Teconciled TO that, even; 70
Gods plan was infinitely better, no doubt, or
SlOulu hdNe hepJ 70 Ily OWil. ldu Oalllsol
kept to his determination of not telling Delila
} wherein his great strength lay, he would prob
3 ably have never overturned the house. / di
D not tell Deliah, but / was induced to act YER
E contrary to my better Judgment and have los
. my tloO noble boys. and other friends, if nc
my tipo eyes.
= But Goods will, not NINE be done" / fe,
/, a comfortable hope that like that erring Sc
want of whom have just been writing, eben
y may (through infinite mercy in Christ Jesu,
I yet "die in faith" As to both the time an
T manner of my death-I have but very littl
y trouble on that score; and am able to be (as yo
S exhoTt) ,'of good cheer"
e send through you my best wishes to Mr.
s W and her son George, and to all det
friends. May the God of the poor and Oppres
$ ed be the God and Saviour OF you all
.s Farewell, till we meet again.
II Your friend in truth,
JOHN BRowN.
John Browns Last Appeal to Cont.