Smyrna times., 1861-05-23
Vision Of joseph Hoag.

| The following has been handed US by gen.
tleman of Little Creek Hundred for publica-
tion.-ED.
| Joseph Hoag's parents were Presbyteria ms,
who endeavored,to educate their children in ac-
cOrdance with their tenets, but, he early became
a member of the religious Society of Friends,
and, in process of time, an acknowledged
minister, in which capacity he travelled ex-
t'nsiv-ly. He and his wife (Huldah, who was
also minster) were the parents of large
f.mlly, all OF whom became ministers. Joseph
was born in the year 1862, and resided, in
early life, in the wilderness part of New York,
where he experienced many hardships; he
afterward removed to Vermont, and there died
1916. Though The following vision was not
much known until recently, yet he communi.
Gated the same TO his children and some of his
| friends many years ago. Joseph's estimabl
character, as wei! as that of his family, forbid
The supposition of doubt as to the genulueuess
of the vision.
Ia the year 1903, in the eighth or ninth
month, was one day alene in the field, aud
observed that the sun shOne clear, but a mist
ecIpsed It's brightness.
A. | reflected upon the sngularity of the
event, my mind was struck into silence the
most solemn ever remember to have witnessed
ior all my faculties were low, and unusually
brought INTO deep silence. | said TO myself
what can all this mean! do not recoIlect
ever before 10 have been sensible of such feel
ings."
And | heard a voice from Heaven, saying,
This which thou seest is a sign of the present
Coming times. took the torefathers of this
country from a land of oppression; placed
them here among the people of the forest;
sustained them, and while they were humble,
blessed them and fed them, and they became
numerous people. But they have now be-
come proud, and have forgotten me, who nour-
lshed them and protected them in the wilder
ness. and are running into every abomInaton
aud evil practice OF which the old countries are
gully, and have taken quletude from the and
and suffered dividing spIrIt TO Come among
them-lIft up thine eyes and behold" And |
saw them dividing in great heat.
The division began in the churches on points
of doctrine. 1t commenced in the Presbyte-
rian society and went through the various re-
lgIOns denominations, aud in its progress and
close Its effects were the same. Those who
dlssented went off with high heads and taunt
/ lug anguage, ana tnose who Kept 10 their
Orlgl al sentim nls appeared exercised and
sorrowful. And when the dividing spirit en-
tered the Society of Friends, it raged 10 as
high degree as any | had noticed or before
discovered; and, as before, those who separated
went off with lofty looks and tagntng. .censuruug
language. Those who kept their ancient prln-
cIPles retired by themselves. 1t next appeared
in the Lodges of the Free Masons 1t broke
out ln appearance like Volcano inasmuch as il
set the country in an uprOar for a time.
Then it entered politics throughout the
United States and did sOt stop until it produ-
ced civil war. An abundance OF blood was
shed in the course of the combat.
The Southern States lost their forces, and
slavery was annihiated from their BORDERS.
Then monarchic.l power sprang up, took the
government of the States, established a Nation.
al religion, and made all societies tributary to
support Its expences: saw them take property
from friends. | was amazed at behOlding all
this, and heard a voice proclaiming this pow
er shall not always stand, but with 1t will chas-
tise my church until they return to the faith
fulness of their forefathers.
Thou seest what is coming upon thy native
country for the iniquiles nd the blood of Africa,
the remembrance of which has come up before
me. This Vision isyet for many days.
had no idea of writing it for many years
until 1t became such burden that for my own
relief have written it.