South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-04-10
VISION OF JOSEPH HOAG.
truBLlsuEp Br KEovEsr.1

Joseph Hoag's parents were Presbyterians
who endeavored 20 educate their children
IN accordance with their ,euets but he ear
iy became a member Of the religious socie-
ty OF Friends aud in process Of time, an
acknowledged minister, in which capacity
be travelled extensively. He and his wife
(Huldah, who was also minister were
parents of a large family, all Of whom be-
came ministers. Joseph was born in the
year 1862 and resided in early life in the
wilderness part Of New York, where he e1-
perienced many bnrdships. lie afterward
removed to Vermont and there died in 1876
Though the following vision was not much
known until recently, yet he communion
ted the same to his children and some Of
his friends many years ago. Joseph's esti-
mabe character, as well rs that Of his fam
lily, forbid the superstition of doubt as to
the genuiness of the yison.
In the year 1903, in the eighth or ninth
month, was one day alone in the field
and observed tina. the sun shone clear but
mist eclipsed its brightness.
As | reflected upon the singularity of
tho event, my mind was struck into n ST.
lence the most solemn l ever remember 30
have witnessed, for all my faculties were
low, and unusually brought into deep ST.
lence. said to myself: "What can all
this mean | 60 not recOllect ever before
to Lave been sensible of such feelings.
And heard a voice from Heaven saw
! ing This which thou seest is sign of the
present coming times. took the forefath-
ers of this country from land of oppres-
sion; and placed them here among the peo-
Ir,lo go h. L IL 7 L
they were humble I blessed them and fed
them and they became a numerous people
| But they have now become proud, and for
( gotten M, who nourished them and pro-
tected them in the wilderness, and are run
Mug into every abomination aud evil prac-
tice of which the old countries arc guilty,
and have taken quetness from the land and
suffered dividing spirit to come among
thcm-lift up thy eyes and behold" And
| saw them dividing in great haste The
division began in the churches on points
of doctrine, it commenced in the Presbyte-
rian Society AMI went through the various
religious denominations, and its progress,
close, and lis effects we're the same Those
who dissent went off with high heads and
haunting language and those who kept to
their original sentiments appeared exercised
and sorrowful. Aud when the dividing
spirit entered the society of Friends, it rag
ed in as high degree as in any had no
ticed As before those who separated went
of with lofty looks and taunting ceusuring
language. Those who kept their ancient
principals retired by themselves
1t next appeared in the lodges of the
free masons, in appearance like volcano
in as much as it set the whole country in
an uproar for time
Then it entered politics for time through
out the United States, and did not stop un-
I'll it produced civil war. An abundance
of blood was shed in course Of the combat,
the Southern States lost their power, and
slavery was annihilated from their borders,
then monlrchal power sprang up, took
tho government Of the States, established a
national religion and made all societies con
tribute to support its expenses. | saw
them take property from Friends / was
amazed at beholdiug all this, and heard
voice proclainiing: This power shall
not always stand, but with it | will chas-
fise my church until they will return IA
the faithfulness Of their forefathers. Thou
seest what is coming upon thy native
country, for their iniquities and the blood
Of Africa, the remembrance of which has
come up before me"
This vision is yet for many days had
no idea of writing it for many years-un.
al It became such burthcn that for my own
relief, have written it.