Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1874-07-11

Perhaps many an earnest prayer
was offered up for him that day-per-
haps he was even remembered in the
for the living when the
minister Of Gods mercy stood before
His altar Of sacrifice and love. But
the story runs, that in the after
noon Of that bright day, just as the
SUN was setting. he was seen stag
CARING towards the doorway Of the
church; at last, he crossed its thresh-
old, and hurried with strange, wild
look, along the nave, towards the
silent altar. The sanctuary lamp
burned steadily though dim, and the
crucif1, enfolded in the growing
gloom of it's close walls, showed the
dead Christ, white and real-like hang
ing on its arms. A look of almost
defiant pleasure stole across the
strangers face; while scornful smile
quivered around his lips as he gazed
at the helpless figure whose wounds
to him, were dropping with unavail-
ing blood. Suddenly, above the
bowed head of the cruciGed, fierce
glow spread it's crimson stain upon
the white ceiling Of the wall. He
laised his hands arpexl;ngiy; but the
liquid luster smote the trembling
palms. He dropped his arms; but
the crimson stream poured full upon
his breast. He started to his feet,
bat his who frame seemed flooded in
a tide of blood. With a fearful
shrek he sprang from the denounclng
vision, rushed frantical|y along the
silent nave, \. fell, at last, before a
priest Of God whose pitying heart
had lei him towards the conscience
stricken sinner in tle church. Here
at the feet of one who has the power
to bind aid loose, the stranger told
his fearful tale OF suffering and san,
and offered up his life in atonement
Tor the cue that he had taken.
The tradition of the college then
relates how be taased out Of the
church Just as the setting SIM d's"p-
pearsd behind the monntain, AMI
slowly went his way towards the
lonely grotte- Here the eloop rose
up to ind him PROSTATE on the dead
leaves about the statue feet; but as
the eastern sun flung its beams over
The lonely shriae, tue hagsard face
looked up towards the sky, while a
roseate, tender glow flooding all ma
,ure with its CLEAN lighted up, as
with 4 hsie, his caisea, appealing
hands, and then in q mist of golden
Light, the stranger passed down the
mountain side into the peace:al val
ley-to return no more.
Bat when a feY mouths later; the
college Fathers bade the students
remember in their prayers, a poor
cri .linal who, having voluntarily
given himself up tojustice and there
by restored liberty aud life to one ac-
cused wrongfuliy Of his own dark sin,
was to suffer the death-penalty that
day, at set Of sun, in one Of the dis
tant cities of the State. the ever SYM
pathetic hearts Of boyhood recalled
the way.ward stranger SO lately seen
around their college grounds. but
most vivid was the recollection, and
most earnest were the supplicatioas
there, ia the lonely grotto all shrouded
with the dead October leaves, where
the sweet, sad face Of Her who is
called the Help Of Christians, aeemed
to look with pity on their prayers.
And also ia the church before the
Cruci6ed, above whose head still lay
crimson cloud; but in the center
Of which there palpitated softer
flush which touched all beho]ders
as though trembling heart wa,
thence appealing for Gods mercy aad
mea $ prayers.
And thus ends our American ls.
gepd, beautiful with the memory o1
October leaves, and touching with
the reccllections of the grand old
Mountain church; and If scoffer
think it fancful or wierd, We know il
spoke most solemnly in our young
days of Gods great mercy to poor
repentant sinners, and made us realize
with grateful hearts how small
sometimes, are the means He de-
signs to use to bring the prodigal sor
once more unto His loving arms.
Bald Mountain is quiet, It's got
wig