Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-03-09
The vision of Westminster.

I
The following description Is related
by Anthony Sherman, gentleman of
ninety years, who had it from the old
General himself darkest period
of the American revolution was in
the year 1777, when Washington,
after dreadful reverses, retired to
Valley Forge, to encampe during the
winter. Often did l see the tears of
distress course down the cheeks of
the loved commander, when he re-
iected on the extreme sufferings of
his brave soldiers. Washington had
the habit of praying to God for help
and prosperity. The assistance of
Jehovah alone he well knew could
avail. A certain day Washington
spent by himself alone in his chamber,
and when he came out he looked un
usually pallid. Then he related as
follows:
AS l sat this afternoon writing,
and my mind was deeply weighed
down with trouble, l discovered op-
posite me most beautiful female
form. was much surprised. for l
had given most peremptory orders
not to be disturbed by any one. l
could not, on the moment, fiud words
to inquire of this unlocked for visi-
tor. Three or four times 1 inquired
without receiving an answer. She
only elevated her eyes little Inow
felt a most extraordinary sensation
throughout my whole body. l would
have risen up, but the staring of my
mysterious visitor made me displeas-
ed with her. l attempted again to
address her but my tongue was tied.
A certain unknown, mysterious, IL
resistable power overpowered me.
l was unable to do anything more
than TO stare at the apparition. BY
degrees the room became filled with
a remarkable light; the image herself
became luminous and bright. now
had the feeling of dying person. /
could not think, reflect, or move l
am only conscious of this fact, that l
looked stearnly on the vision. Here
l heard the voice saying, "Son of the
Republic, look and learn at the
same time the figure stretched out her
arm and pointed with her finger cast
ward. Transparent clouds arose in
the distance; and these lifting them
selves, there was formed most as
tonishing figure before me. Before
me there spread all the countries of
Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
Between Europe and America 1 saw
tremendous waves brandisbing; and
also between America and Asia.
Again the voice repeated, "Son of the
Republic look up and learn" instant
ly l beheld darksome image, as of
an angel, poising between Europe
and America. He dipped water with
both hands, and with his right hand
he poured it upon America, and with
his left hand on Europe. In a mo-
ment black clouds arose from both
countries, which met half way upon
the Atlantic. Here they tarried
awhile, and then moved westward,
and then covered the terrafirma of
America. Livid lightnings flashed
through the dark clouds. l heard
the deep groanipgs of the American
people. Again the angel dipped and
sprinkled as before; then the dark
clouds receded and sank into the
ocean. Now for the third time l
heard the voice, "Son Of the Repnb
lie, look up and learn" l looked up
and saw in America populous towns
and cities and improvements spread
ing from the borders of the Atlantic
to the coasts of the Pacific. Upon
this the dark angel turned toward the
South; and saw a horrid grizzly
spectre approaching from Africa to
our country 1t moved slowly and
heavily over our towns and lands
The population now arose for war
and paraded in battle array, one part
against the other. AS I contemplate
ed this scene 1 discovered an angel of
light, and on his head he had a glori
Gus crown, with the word Union in
scribed. In his hand he bore the
American banner and crie1 out ''Re-
member you are bretheren." I'm
mediately the armed hosts threw
down their weapons, became friends
and marshaled under the Star Span
gled Banner. Again / heard the
sound, ''Son of the Re
public, the second danger has passed
over, look up and learn" And now
| saw towns and cities, and fields
increasing in numbers until the whole
land was thickly covered from the
Atlantic unto the Pacific; and the
people were as stars of the firmanent
and the sands OF the sea shore-in-
Again l heard, Son of
the Republic, the end Of one century
is approaching, look up and learn"
Upon this the dark angel set . trump |
ct to his mouth and blasted thrice
and dipped water with his hands and
poured iton Asia Europe and Africa
Now my eyes beheld most terrible
scene. From each Of these countries
arose black and heavy clouds which
united in one great mass; through
these spread lurid lightning, and
beheld immense leigons of armed
multituaes. marching and sailing to
wards America, which was soon en-
veloped in the dark clouds. And now
l beheld how these immense armies
wasted and burned our towns aud
cities. And now heard the thunder
of cannon, the furious clash ofswor6s,
and the war shouts of millions en-
countered in deadly strife. / again
heard the mysterious sound, '.Son of
the Republic ,look up and learn"
After this the dark angel gave an
other loud, long, and fearful blast
Now suddenly broke forth and dis
persed the black clouds from over
the American country. After this l
saw the angel with the glorious crown
inscribed Union descending from
Heaven accompanied by legions of