North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-04-13

'Oh !! the rari'y of Christion charity"
WIN not some New England clergyman of
modern orthodoxy. shed at least one tear
over the scarle! sins of his own ancestors
who assisted IN the murder Of this poor wo-
man in Bnston Common, while he IS weep
ing As if ms head was a fountain OF waters
over the landing of the Dutch ship with
slaves at JamestownE
p But again, saws the same friendly historian:
1T was at the beginning Of this year that many
persons of pety an good understanding were again
led to believe in the great prevalence OF Wtchcratt
in the province. Promanenr among the most credu-
lOus of these was Cotton Mather son to the ReVer-
end Increase Mather, for some time past the agent
OF Massachusetts, in England and h'mselt a clergy
man. The alarm of witchcraft
was gain sounded. Tie min sters tasted and pray
ed with the distressed father. The villagers OF Sa-
lem also tasted and prayel and the fear OF demonl-
aca infuen es becoming general, day OF fasting
prayer was specially set apart to be kept by the
Who'll colony The belief in witchcratt being thus
solemnly recognized and fostereI it was not long
before the delusion spread across the whole breadth
tos he province The number Of victims so rapidly
increased that many Of the colOnsts, perfectly panic
stricken, became the ac-users of others, lest they
should be brought under sus irIOn themselves. The
execution at Salem village of Mr. Burr 'ughS, min
lster of batneess life, terrible instance of the
power which the deusion exercised over the strong
this strange belief held possession of the popular
faith During this period ont of twenty eight persons
captaly convicted of witchcraft, nineteeL had been
hangedand one pressed to dea tn.
Sir.et not these remarks and cords of
faithful history be construed into an attack
upon the ministers Of our divine religion
| have enaeavnred rather to portray the evil
results which flow from a de~ecration of that
trgh calling To my mind there is no ~vnca-
ion III this side of the mysterious river
which divides time from eternity 50 lofty, no
career off 50 serenely beautiful and Dor
dering 81 closely upon Heaven as the bencv-
oleut pursuits of him who tenders the cup of
salvation to the lips of a fallen world. A ha-
10 hovprs around his head which tells that he
walks IN the fpotsteD$ of his blessed Master.
In the presence Of such man | would stand
uncovered and do him reverent homage
And there are many such whose pure and
nOisless lives pass almost unheeded by the
busy, striving world hut aruund whom the
comforting angels of the Lord cncamp by
night aud by day. In their keeping are all
the future hopes of the church
the christian welfare Of mankind
The youth of the land should sit at their
feet and learn wisdom, and both young and
old shoi'd rise up and call them blessed
Bnt in this bright category OF human excel
Icnce this high galaxy Of stars shining with
an urea "thly spendor-there is no place for
such rs take charge Of churches by order OF
the War Dcpar, ruent. and preach the gospel
as commanded by tie President of the Uni
ted States. Tie vineya rds where they labor
Will never bear the fruits It peace-n"ver
smile with domestic ranquI'ty Before
them do not plead my cause. From them
! expect to hear no v"lce save the Continued
ana pro,racted cry of havoc.
lCoHCLUDED NEXT WEEK.