Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-06-29
A Startling Scene in Church.


There were many thrilling scenes in the
New England churches during the revolution
ary war. The following one occurred in
Sharon, Connecticut, uiider the ministry of
Rev. Cotton Mathcr Smith. 1t is foind in
Hcadleys Chaplain of the Revolution
Mr.. Smith one Sunday took for his text
part Of Isaial xxi IL, IL " Watchman, what
of the night? The watchman said The MORN
ing cometl." The qustion in tile first part
of this passage had been the daily, almost
hourly, inquiry for nearly month, of every
one Of that congregation. and hence its ap-
propriatencss was keenly felt, but the start
ling announcelheiit :" The morning cometh,'
took them by surprise. and they could not at
first comprehend its significance, or how it
could be adaptea to The present gloomy pros
pcct. Had he heard any good ncws7 What
happened that he could say so confidently: :
1.-THE tiorhing cometh7" No, lie had moth
ing new to tell them, only to proclaim over
again his unshaken confidence in Gods promi-
ses. He did not attempt to conceal or lessen
the calamities that had befallen the country,
nor deny that fearful crisis was at hand
He acknowledged that to human appcarahco
"clouds and darkness were round about Gods
throne" but said that The eye of faith could
pierce tho gloom. Tho throne was there
though wrapped in impenetrablo dnrknoss.--
In all the disasters that had successivcly over
whclmcd them, he traced the hand of God,
and declared that, to his mind, they clearly
indicated some striking intcrposition of Divine
Protidetee abuut To take place in their behalf
Mans extremity #ds Gods opportunity"
Our extremity had come, and now was the
time for him to make bare ellis arm for the
deliverance Of the people"
Prophet-liko, kindlng with the vision on
which the eyes of his faith rested, he boldly
dropped the general subject of Gods faithful
ness, and told his astonished hearers that he
believed they were on the point of hearing
extraordinary news of victory to our drris. lie
| would not wait for dt Indefinite future to
prove his faith to be welfounded- was will
ling to bring it to tho test of the present
They might judge whether hc was right or
wrong ftt, said he, "' Tho morning now
cometh," l see its beams already gliding the
mountain tops, and you shall soon behold its
brightness bursting over the land"
One cEnnot imagihc the effect of such Ian
guage Uttered by the minister of God in such
a timo of doubt and suspense. lie ceased,
and as ho closed tho Bible and exclaimed
"Amen so letit be-" a silence, profound and
death-likc, rested on the audience. Each one
seeitied to feel as if an invisible presence was
there. and some weighty announcement was
just at hand. .... .r
Suddenly the deep hush was broken by the
distaht clattcr Of a horse's hoof along the road.
The sharp and rapid strokes told of swift RI
ding and of urgent haste. They knew at once
what it meant. For days and weeks their
| eyes had strained up the street that led tiorth-
ward, to catch sight Of the messenger Of good
or evil tidings that was hourly expected. Tic
had come at last, and as nearer; clearer, fang
the sound Of that wild gdllop oh the listening
ear; each looked in mute and carnest inquiry
Into Ills neighbor's face. Right on through
Tie place, straigh. for the meeting house, dar-
ted the swift tidbf and drawing rein at the
door, lcaped FROM tlte saddlc, and leaving bis
foam covered steed Unattended, stodc into tie
main aisle: On The Silence that filed The
building like a sSnsblo presence kis ARMED
Heel tdng like the blows Of d hammer. As
he passed alohg sudden pdlcness spread over
the crowd of fades turned with painful eager
ness toward him. But looking neither TO the
right nor tile left, tile dread Messenger pas
sed on, and, mounting the pulpit stairs, han
ded The pastor letter. .....
Notwithstanding the good mans faith his
lfand trcmblcd, and an ashy hue ovcrsproad
his face as he reached out to receive it.
Burgdyte las surrendered" were the first
words that met his eye. lie staggered under
them as under a blow. The next moment
radiance like that of the morning broke over
his countcnancc, and he bursts into tears
Rising to read the incredible tidings, such
tide of emotion flooded his heart that Ire could
scarcely utter them aloud Tie Audience sat
for niomsnt overwhelmed and atupcfcd,
then, as ths9r pastor folded his hands and
turncd his eyes toward heaven in thankful
prayer, impellcd by simultaneous movement
they fell like ote man on their knees and went
aloud. Sobs, sighs, and fcrvently uttered
"Amens' were heard on every side, attesting
tie depth Of their gratitude and the ecstacy of
their joy. "The morning" had come bright
and glorious, and its radiance filled all Che
heavens.
| J2f. 3d..
A young tado, having "sct her cap" for d
rather large specimen of the opposite sex, and
having failed to win, was telling her sorrows to
n connie of confdaufs whom oy,e IF fyto,,, oo, fs