The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-25
ADDRESS OF REV. DR.. GILLETTE.

The Washington Chronicle, OF the lOth INST,
contains the following interesting facts
Rev Dr. Gillette, pastor Of the First Baptist
Church. improved the solemnitles OF the past
week by an appropriate discourse, especially TO
young men.
He had never been more impressed with the
Importance of this duty than during the sixteen
hours which he passed with the convIcts IN the
nenitentiary between Thursday afternoon and
that of Friday.
On Thursday DR. G. was called upon by Assis-
sant Secretary of War Eekert, who invited him to
visit the cells of the doomed convics for the pur
pose of administering to them such spiritual con-
ISOLATION as were needed. Stepping into the Sec
retarvs carriage, he at once accompanied him
thither On their arrival, Mr. Eckert introduced
him to other officers, and then to the convlcts.
Their first call was upon Payne, whose real
name he soon ascertained to be Lewis Thornton
Powell, his middle name being after the Rev. DR..
Thornton, Presbyterian clergyman OF Charleston,
South Carolina.
Powell welcomed him, and at once proceeded to
relate his early history His father was Bap-
list minister. The convict had been from lnfan-
cy brought up under religious influence. At
twelve years of age he was by his own father
,onsecrated to God in Baptism, and became
member of the church. In direct opposition to
the wishes of his family he entered the rebellion
For time lie endeavored to retain his religious
character.
DR.. Gillette found Powell to be a young man
of cultivated mind, ingenious frank candid and
tn earnest supplicant for Divine favor.
In conversation, he referred to bis mother and
wept bitterly-to his ssters-to the pleasant sea-
sons once enjoyed by him in the church. the sab
bath school and the social circles
Powell frankly stated his conviction of the
enormity of the crime. The moment he fed
from the house of Secretary Seward and leaped
INTO the saddle of his horse his mind was quick
ened into realizing sense of the horror OF the
>lsmnable deed which be had perpetrated, and he
became miserable, wretched-Gfe Itself became
loatlsome.
The doctor here corrected two points in the
published statement. 1t was reported that he
wore "a iaunty hat" That hat was placed upon
his head bv the advice and hands of DR. g., when
Powell's hands were pinioned behind him. DIR
q. suggested the hat on account of the intense
heat of the sun. d.
Secondly 1t was said on the morning of his
execution he ate heartily, DC. On that morning
he positively declined taking any food; and he
was equally persistent in refusing stiniulants of
any kind.
His last prayer was, suggested by his
friend, the Doctor, "Lord Jesus, receive nv spi-
tit"
DR.. Gillette here addressed his audience with
deep feeling, referring to his sons, to Che sons
Of his congregation, to the young men Of this
city who habtuay visit drinking houses, restau-
rants &c.
The preacher Their visited Harold, and his de-
scription correspond with those already pubis h.
ed With great eoquence he described The scene
in which Harold's sisters present. One of
them read to him from her prayer-book; and af-
ter DIR G. had offered prayer, the same sister fol-
lowed in an invocation to the Throne of Divine
Grace on behalf Of her brother which atfectedall
present.
His next call was on Atzerot He at once
commenced remarks which eliminated Mrs. Sur
raft, but gently reminded that higher duties
now devolved upon him-a preparation to meet
his God. In this he acquiesced. For twenty
nine years, he acknowledged, he had been steep
ed in sin; the victim of base passions, and of the
vies Of artful, designing men. His wonder was
if his soul could be saved! Rev. Mr.. Butler, the
Lutheran preacher, soon arrived, and attended
him most faithfully. From the latter clergyman
we learn that he protested to have found peace
with Heaven.
The peculiarities of the Catholic church pre-
vented him from offering any assistance to Mrs.
Surratt, for she was we'll attended by the Rev.
Fathers Wiget and Walter. DIR G. described
the scene of the daughters hasty return to her
mothers ceI-the anxious enquiries of that moth-
er, rs there any hope??" She replied, hope is
gone" "Oh, Father Wiget and Walter prepare
my mother for death!' In her agony, she fell
against the speaker in the doorway, and said,
hope is fed
The Doctor stated that these remarks were
made strictly in a religious point of view, that
beng the place for none other.
The congregation was very large and attentive.
Letters from St. Petersburg announce the
death of General Of Cavalry Dologoroukow. aged