Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-06-09

o
trunk of an immense oak; and for about
half an hour exchanged earnest and eau
tlous conversation. The discussion seemed
to turn upon the best mode of proceeding
to be adopted by the rural pop pulation Of
Protestant faith. The chief disputants
were the young minister and an elderly
gentleman, who seemed to counsel mod
Grafton which was dis:asteful to his com
pauioR.
But, Messire Mouilere," said the
young minister, in an inpassioned whisper,
" are we always to be slaves? Are we to
bow our necks to the yoke, and 60 at the
bidding of kings mistress to worship
the gods of Baal For one, say, sooner
would | perish ! At least, we shall die
like freemen y:
"But, my dear Messire la Fontaine,"
SAID the other, in the same tone, "what
can we do! 1t is but submission to the
storm as it passes involving no denial OF
faith"
No denial. an ahjuration such as.
soon viii beforced upon us, no denial !"
" AT least, there are many excellent men
who preach non resistance"
"Yes !" said Fontaine, with a sudden
rush OF blood to his cheeks, Eyes and
this preaching has brought upon US all our
woesw
Would you counsel resistance to hi,
Majesty, Messire-armed resistance ?"
II would-and would appeal to tn
Lord of Hosts, to the God Of Battles, for the
rest I! All, Sire Mouillere! how long shall we
be forced to hear these arguments-to listen
to these views l say 10 you that our fore
fathers consented to lay down their arms.
because religious federation was conceded tc.
them! L say that it is miserable breach o.
faith In his Majesty to revoke that edict ! |
say that |, for one, candidate for the minis
try though | be, am ready to buckle on nv
sword, and abide by the issue, whether life
or death ~
A murmur of applause greeted these
passionate words, and for moment there
But" persisted Mouillere, shaking his
head, you forget that the poor people of
the province have not your resolution;
they have no means to fly in the event of
defeat ; they"
'WiIl die at least with arms in their
hands, not be dragooned to death in spite
of their abjuration -
Subdued by the enthusiasm of his oppo-
nent, or finding the struggle too much for
him, Messire Mouillere did not reply. For
time no sound disturbed the silence, but
the sighing of the wind in the huge branch
es overhead, and the Suppressed breathing
of the assemblage. At last this silence
, was broken by the gentleman who concealed
beneath his cloak the uniform of the kings
guards.
81 am of the opinion of Messire Jacques
de la Fontaine," he said, in deep voice
G which he made no effort to moderate. 81
, think that the time has come to preach
and practice resistance resistance to the
IS death take my place by Messire de Ia
IL Fontaine, and I will take the chances of the
e cause.-the or death! -
NJ Thanks thanks y replied Fontaine
r "I recognize there the true blood of Dupuy
q Messire Barthelemi, | salute you"
"'Tis no time for compliments" replie'
Messire Dupuy," and [ see that we can no
70 at present come to any decision. there
e. fore propose, friends, that we break up ou
ne meeting, to assemble again a. such pIac
ad and time as shall be agreed on"
IS A murmur of appreciation replied to tn
;e. words-and 10 moment all were kneclin
tie before Messire Jacques de la Fontain, VIII
he offered up passionate and strangely elo
en- quent prayer.
" 1t was singular spectacle, that of the.
,n' men thus kneeling beneath the branch,
ie- of the great oak of the forest, upon whic
II the shades of night were rapidly decendins
Ia praying to One bevond the stars for SUI
u.s. cor. Their cathedral was the gloon
'eS' wood, with it, gnarled and knotted trunk
use their organ the low wind that began
was moan IN the branches their light the sta
in the dropping canopy above them. A
or yet we know that He who looks to t
maj heart alone was listening, that the prayt
en- of Jacques de la Fontaine reached t
Ken throne of Heaven.
;on ru Ere long the last place in which t
hor w the last footsteps had died away-a soler
no silence reigned in the forest, unbroken
- the fall of branch or the note of bi
p,sio AHA are you there 2" came suddel
18th from the wide boughs of the great oa
seIv I and descending with the agility of a cat
1 or1 spy who had uttered these words ste
, of upon the ground.
his "Aha !" he repeated, looking caution
- around with his cunning eyes. AS S
were as my names August, advocate, III str
o'nS' Won, one and all, for this. All my Dir