Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-07-15

nhNN " :. - WAsHINoTryS.~Juty 10. :
Rev. Dr. Gillette, psster Of the First Bsp
tist Church, improved the sulemnities of tn,
past week by AhSappropriate discourse, es
| pecially to young men. : q. t'lf ssf "a ]
| He had never been more impressed with
the Importance of his duty than during. tbs
sixteen hours which he passed with the con
victs in the penitentiary between Thursday
AFTERNOON aud that of Friday. u t7se 'iA !
| On Thursday DR.. g. was called upon by
Assistant Secretary of War Eckert, who in.
vited him to visit tie cells OF the doomed
conyicts for the purpose of administering
to them such spiritual conscientious as were
needed. Stepping into the Secretarys car.
riage, he at once accompanied him thither
On their arrival, Mr.. Eckert introduced hin,
to other officers, anti then to the cOnvicts.
The first call was upon Payne, whose real
name they soon ascertained to be Lewis
Thornton Powell, his Middle name being
after the Rev. DIR. fhorntOn, Presbyterian
clergyman of Charleston, South Carolina. y
Powell welcomed him, and at once pro-
ceeded TO relate his earl yshstory. His faith
er was II Baptist minister. The convict had
been from infancy brought up under reiigi-
Gus Influence. At twelve years oI age he
was by his own father cUnsecrated to God
In Baptism, and became a member Of the
church. In direct opposition to the wishes
OF his family, he entered the rebellion. For
u time he endeavored to retain his religious
character, but became connected with Gil
mor. This was his second great step down
ward. This was followed by his getting
'into Mosby's gang, which was far worse.
His next company was Booth. ga5adg
81 DIR. Gillette found Powell to besa youfg
man of cultivated mind ngenuous,y iratk ,
candid and aii earnest sppplicant for Divine
iavOr. T-.
In conversation, he rclarred to his mother
and wept bltterly-tO his sisters to the
pleasant seasons once enjoyed by him in the
church, the SABBATH school and tile social cir-
cles. 7 a = At Z. yLF-' ~.
4, Powell frankly stated his conyictio of
the enormity of his crime. The moment lie
fled from the house of Secretary Seward and
ieapcd into the saddle Of his horse, his mind
was quickened.i into realizing sense of the
horror of the damnable deed which he had
perpctrated, and he became miserable,
wrelclied--life itself became oailisome
The doctor here corrected TIVE points in
the published statement. 1t was reported
that he wore "a jaunty hat" That hat was
placed upon his head by the advice and
hands of DR.. e., when Poweli's hands were
pinioned behind him DR.. g.. suggested
the hat on account OF the Intense heat of the
sun.
Secondly. 1t WAS said on the morning of
the execution he ate heartily, &c. On that
morning he positively declined taking any
food; and he was cquaIy persistent in re-
lusing stimulants of ANY Kind.
Ills last prayer was, rs suggested 10y his
friend, the Doctor, Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit
DIR. Gillette here addressed his audance
with deep feelings, referring to his own sons,
to tue sons OF his congregation, to the young
men ot the city who habitualy visit drink
ing houses. restaurants, dc.
The preacher then visited Harold and
his description correspondent with those al
ready published. With great eloquencc he
described the scene in which lInIolds sis
tiers were present. One Of them read to him
from heI pray er book; ant. after DR. q. had
ntilIc,t tue prayer the s;sile sister iOlowed
in an iuuucaiinn to the Throne of Divine
Grace on behalf of her bro, der, " hich Affect
ed all the present, 'I.r--r il.r
His next call WAS on Aizcroit He at
oice commenced remarks which cir,n,matcd
Mrs. Suruti, but was gently rrmiuicd that
higher duties nos dcto.yri upon hin--a
preparation 10 meet his God. In this he
acquicsrcd. For twcntv,liinc wears he .pr-
the victim of base passions, and the wlles
OF artiul, designing men. His wondor was,
ii his soul could bs saved, Rev. Mr.. Buter,
the Lutheran preacher, soon arrived, and at
tended hIm most faithfully. From ;hc lat
,cr Clergyman We learn that he proteSsed to
have found peace with Heaven.
The pecullaritcs Of the Catholic Church
prevented INN from Offering any assistance
to Mrs. Surutt, tor she WAS well attended by
the Rev. Fathers Wigct aud Walter. Dr.
q. described the scene of the daughter 5
iIasty return to her mothers cell-tbe anxi-
Gus inquiries of that mother, Il. there any
hope!" She replied, hope is gone" On,
Father Wigct and Walter prepare my moth
er Tor death!n In her agony, she tell agains!
the speaker in the door way, and said hope
is fled" ...-
The doctor stated that these remarks were
made strictly in the religious point OF view,
that being The place for nome other. ... ..
The congregation wa5 very large anl at
tentive. ..H. I'D
4