Year: 1865

There were many thrilling scenes IN the New
( England churches during the Revolutionary Var
The following occurred in New Sharon, Conn,
under the ministry of Rev. Cotton Mather Smith
4 1t is found in Headley's Chaplains of the Rev
olution


/ Mr.. Smith one Sunday took for his text part
of Isaiah xxi Hip . Watchman what of the
night ~ The Waterman said" The morning
cometh" The question in the first part OF this
passage had been the daily, almost hourly in
quiry for nearly month, of every one OF the
congregation. and hence its appropriateness was
keenly felt but the startling announcement
- The morning cometh' took them by surprise,
and they could not at first comprehend its sig
nifcance, or how it could be adapted to the pres
ent gloomy prospect Had he heard any good
news? What h~l happened that he could say
so confidently, The morning comcth


No, he had nothing to tell them, only to
proclaim over again his mistaken confidence in
! God 5 promises He did not attempt to conceal
or lessen the calamites that had befaen the
country deny that fearful crisis was at
hand. He acknowledged that to human appear
ance clouds and darkness were round about
Gods throne" but said that the eye of faith
could pierce the gloom. The throne was there,
though wrapped in impenetrable darkness. In
al disasters that had successively overwhelmed
them he traced the hand of God, and declared
that to his mind. they clearly indicated some
striking interposition of Divine Providence about
to take place in their behalf. % Man extremity
had come, and now was the time for him to make
bare his arm for the deliverance of the people.


Prophet-like, kindiipg with the vision on which
the eve of his faith rested, he boldly dropped the
subject of God faithfulness, and told his aston
ished hearers that he believed they were on the
point of hearia" extraordinary news of victory
to our arms. lie would not wait for an ndeti-
mite future to prove his faith to be well founded
he was willing to bring it to the test of the pres
ent. They might Judge whether hc was right or
wrong, for, said he, - The morning now cometh.
( see its beams already gliding the mountain
tops. and you shall soon behold its brightness
/ bursting over the land"


! One cannot imagine the effect Of such language
uttered by the minister of God in that time of
! doubt and suspense. He ceased, and he clos
ed the Bible and exclaimed Amen so let il be
silence. profound and death-like. rested on the
audience. Each one seemed to feel as if an in
visible presence there. and some weighty
announcement was Just on hand.


suddenly the deep hush was broken by the
distant clattcr of horses hoofs along the road
The sharp and rapid strokes told of swift riding
and of urgent haste. They knew at once what
it meant For DAYS and weeks their eyes had
strained up the streets that led northward to
catch sight of the messenger Of good evil IL
dings that was hourly expected.


+ lie had come at last. and as nearer. clearer
rang the sound of that gallop on the listening
ear, each looked in mute and earnest inquiry in
to his peighbors face. Right on through the
place. straight for the meeting house. darted the
swift rider, and drawing rein at the door, leaped
from the saddle. and leaving the foam-covered
stecd unattended strobe into the main aisle
On the deep silence that filed the building like
sensible presence. his armed heel rung like the
blows of hammer As he passed along. a sud
den palcness spreadaover the crowd Of faces turn
cd with painful eagerness towards him. But


looking neither to the right hand nor the left
the dread messenger passed on, and mounting the
pulpit stairs. handed the pastor letter.


Notwithstanding the good mans faith his hand
trembled. and an asby hue overspread his face
as he reached out his hand to receive it. Bur-
/ GoYNE HAS SURRENDERED were the first words
that met his eye. lie staggered under them as
under a blow. The next moment a radiance like
that of the morning broke over his countenance.
and he burst into tears. Rising to read the in
credible tidings, such tide of emotion flooded
his heart that he could scarcely utter them aloud
The audience sat fora moment ovcrwhe hemed and
stupefed, then as their pastor folded his hands
and turned his eyes towards heaven in thankful
prayer. impelled by simultaneous movement
they fell like on their kneSs and wept
aloud Sobs. sighs. and fervently uttered
- Amens were heard every side. attcstng
the depth Of their gratitude and the ecStacy of
their ioy The morning had come bright and
glorious and its radiance filled all the heavens 2"
! FOREIGN CLAIMS UPON REBEL PROPERTY
at New Orleans, which is not only interesting in
itSelf hu+ i hiUhiv i,nOOr-ant nrecndent