WASHINGTON’S VISION.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1718, 27 August 1862, Page 6

WASHINGTON’S VISION.

The following narrative was related by Anthony Sherman, an octogenarian, who heard the account from Washington’s own lips. The darkest period of our Revolution was the year 1777, when Washington, after experiencing many reverses, went into winter quarters at Valley Forge. Often I observed tears course down the cheeks of our beloved commander when he was considering the sufferings of his brave soldiers. Washington was in the habit of praying in secret and calling upon God for assistance; and it was only by the help of God we passed safely through those days of adversity. One day Washington spent the whole afternoon in his room alone. When he came out I observed that he was much paler than usual, when he related to me the following:— “ Whilst T was sitting at ray table this afternoon engaged in writing, and my mind heavy with sorrow, I suddenly observed directly opposite to me a most beautiful female. I was so much surprised, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that I could not find words at the moment to inquire the object of this unexpected visit. Two, three, and even four times I repeated the question without receiving an answer, the only effect being that she raised her eyes a little. “ I now experienced a most carious sensation spread over my whole body. I wished to rise from ray seat, but the steady gaze of my mysterious visitor kept me spell-bound. I again tried to speak to her, but my tongue was tied. An unknown, mysterious, irresistible power had taken me prisoner. I could do nothing but steadily gaze at the apparition. Gradually the room filled with light, and the form grew more clear and bright. Mv feelings were those of a dying man; I could neither think nor act. My steady gaze at the figure was all I was aware of. “ I now heard a voice which said: ‘ Son of the Republic, behold and learn 1’ At the same time the figure stcrtched out its arm and pointed with the finger towards the east. Light clouds arose in the distance, which dispersed and revealed to my eyes a most astonishing picture. Before me all the countries of the earth were spread out —Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Between Europe and America I saw the waves of the Atlantic Ocean toss backward and forward, and between America and Asia the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Again 1 heard the voice, ‘ Son of the Republic, behold and learn!’ “ Immediately a dark form, like that of an angel, appeared over the ocean between Europe and America. It then dipped water from the ocean with both hands, and with its right hand sprinkled it over America, and with its left hand over Europe. Immediately dark clouds arose from both ot these countries, which met in the middle of the ocean; here they remained stationary a short while, then moved westward and wrapped America in darkness. Lightning flashed through the dark clouds, and 1 heard the groaning and shrieking of the American people. “ Again the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it as before. The black clouds withdrew and sunk into the sea. For the third time I heard the voice: 1 Son of the Republic, behold and leam!’ “I looked towards America and saw populous villages and cities spread out from the Atlantic coait to the Pacific ocean. Again I heard the mysterious voice: ‘ Son of the Republic, the end of the century is near at hand; behold and learn!’ “ The dark form of the angel then turned towards the South, and coming from Africa I observed a horrible phantom make its way to our country. It floated slow and heavily over our iowns and the country'; the inhabitants arose to make war on each other, and formed in battle arrry. As I looked at this scene, I observed an angel surrounded with light; on his head he wore a beautiful crown, on which was inscribed the word ‘ Union;’ in his hand he held the American Star Spangled Banner; this he planted between the contending armies, crying out: ‘ Remember, you are brothers !’ “ Immediately the nations threw away their arms became friends again and gathered around the star spangled banner. Again I heard the mysterious voice: ‘Son of the Republic, the.second danger is passed; behold and learn!’ “ And I saw villages and cities steadily increase in size and number, until the whole country was covered with them—the whole extent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, and the nation had multiplied in as countless numbers as the stars in Heaven or the sand on the sea shore. Again I hoard the voice; ‘ Son of the Republic, the end of a century is at hand; behold and learn!’ “ The dark angel then put a trumpet to his mouth blow in it three times; then dipped out some water from the sea with his hand and sprinkled it over Europe, Asia, and Africa. “My eyes now beheld a most terrible scene. From each of the se countries dark, heavy clouds arose and united in one mass; through this mass dark lightnin"' played. 1 saw troops of armed men marching, and then sail across the sea to America, which was immediately covered by the black cloud. And I saw how these immense armies desolated the land, and laid towns and villages in ashes. I heard the roar of the cannon, the clashing of swords, the cry of the victorious and vanquished millions engaged in deadly strife —when again I heard the mysterious voice proclaim : 4 Son of the Republic, behold and learn!’ “ The dark angel then again took up the trumpet nm| gave one long and terrible blow. Suddenly, a light bnrsted forth and drove away the dark cloud hovering over America. At the same time I saw the angel with the beautiful crown, on which was inscribed the word 4 Union,' descend from heaven, holding in one hand the star-spangled banner and in the other a sword, and accompanied by legions of heavenly spirits. These united with the American people, when the latter were almost overpowered, who then took fresh courage and formed in battle array. Again amid the horrible noise of war, I heard the mysterious voice: 4 Son of the Republic, behold and learn!’ 44 After this voice, the dark angel dipped out water for the last time from the sea and sprinkled it over America, and immediately the dark cloud retreated with its armies which it had brought along, leaving the victory to the Americans. I then again saw towns and villages rise in the same places where they had stood before, whilst the heavenly angel planted the star-spangled banner among the people ami cried mu with n loud voice; 4 /Is Ion ] as (h«i stars are in heaven,

and as long as the daa.descendt from heavtnZ long shall this Republic exist,* At the «am£ took the beautiful crown from his head £ inscribed the word ‘ Union,* placed it ™T 4 ** spangled banner, and the people kneelintr doZ Bt * f * out ‘ Amen.’ 6 n > died “ The apparition then gradually began to and at last the mysterious female was all that „ . It *> before me in my room, and again I heard ' Son of the Republic, what you have seen is zLTfa as follows: three dangers will come over thispl l?® 4 the second is the most to be dreaded; when passed, the whole world cannot conquer her jrZ ** child of the Republic learn to serve his Gad iTT ***? and the Onion! W«k th« wort, “I arose from my chair with the firm con^T 1 that the birth, progress and fate of the & the United States of America had been * These words, says Mr. Sherman. I _ from General Washington’s own lips. a “W