The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-09-02
NO..':49,

make them repent Of the stesdfAstness
of principle to which it had been sacri-
feed, they who settled here called their
home in n strange land after that homo
in the land Of their fathers which wss
so full Of saddening recollections.
Rochelle! The name is talismsntic-
as sweet in its melody as sublime in its
memory. 1t tells of faith and fortitude
so heroic, enduring, unquenchable, that.
the heart thrills to recall while it forbids
the tongue power to describe them. The
record Of that last siege of Rochelle has
never been and never can be, adequate
ly tola. We only know of that one
spirit ruled in high and low, strong snd
weak. matron and maid-the spirit Of
faithfulncss unto death for that which
was more than them to life. We may
draw from it the inspiration Of like in
domitable steadfastness to the truth
which they sealed with their blood, or
made more sacredly dear by their suf-
ferings. Their children may learn from
it to be as worthy as they are proud to
wear the name which they received in q
new lustre.
Upon you, Huguenots of New
Rochelle, peculiar honor. You may
paint. not to Speeding vine, blooming
almost in mockery Of dead or dispers-
cd colony, but to- hearts and lives and
homes which keep pure the faith and
hn or ~
found refuge here. Guard we'll your
heritage of ancestry; your sacred patri-
mony Of truth, the name which links
you so. .inseperably to glorious past.
The world is waking to recognition Of
men of whom, in their time, it was not
worthy. Nay, even their children are
but beginning to prize their more than
loyal lineage. You cannot hold il too
dear.
I Not of the same, but Of . kindred
race your present speaker. for many
years associated with the only distinct, .
i've Huguenot Church in this country,
has become nm enthusiast in all that
relates to Huguenot memorials. Some OF
my brethren here doubtless, regard mo
as too zealously narrow and sensitive
as to preserving the original forms and
features and not being content with the
substantial perpetuity Of the fact Of
Huguenot faith. II so, I must claim
whilst rejoicing in
the privilege and opportunity Of
cleaving immovably and alike
to form and fact as they unite in the
dear church which serve, even. though
thus it must stand alone and apart in.
external organization from its honored
sister churches elsewhere. It is the
vine which the Huguenot fathers of
Carolina brought with them to their
new home, under whose shadow they
sat with great delight and which lives
yet, to bear for their children the same
fruit which made fathers true and good,
honored and trusted, glad and great, ~,
There is prayer still preserved,
which made part Of liturgy of the siege
Of La Rochelle, which needs only trans-
ference to our present circumstances in
defending the fortress Of Huguenot
memories, as we'll for their power over.
our own lives as Cor their inestimable
value in themselves to prescribe the
spirit by which we should be ruled. lt
battlcments of that beleagncred and
famine-stricken town. Let It be ours,
in oil its spiritual meaning and practical
application. and mankind will have res-
son to bless the pious and patriotic pur-
pose to recall and repeat the ives. af
the Huguenot fathera. -.
Conceive the scene The ancient
city, enooiu passed with innumerable and
implacab.e foes without, and with the
horrors of want and suffering within.
Before setting forth upon their solitary
and pcrilous vigils, the sentinels bowed
before God in these words of sublime
trust: =
"Oh Lord God. since it hath pleased
Thee to establish US upon the watch for
tho preservation of this place, in which
are now gathered great number Of Thy
faithful servants. vouchsafe to grant ua
grace that sleep overtake us not, and
that we be brave and constant in sus-
tanning and bearing patiently, for Thy
| Son, Jesus yhrist, suffered death,l iii
work and injury from the weather, es-
tceming ourselves happy, since in so do.
ing we shall be keeping with Thee the
watch OF Israel, which never slumbess,
and wearies not of. doing good TO its
own; and, above all, may we walk upon
this guard as before Thee, who seest siI
things. even to the innermost heapk ID
that, in all loyalty and fidelity each ona
of US may discharge his duty towards
Thee and Thy Church, as we'll a. obev
the commands. which our captains Rivs
us, according to the. authority vSich
Thou hast given them over us. Pr.v.
ling Thee also that Thou wilt vouchsafa
to give them a.ways wisdom and yirtue
to lead us well and to command in con.
formitY to Thy will. g 81
sand in order that we, maintain thess
things, and others like unto than. eyer
as now everything is disappearing. cav,