from Parson Amen, who was still pouring out his soul in prayer, while endeavoring to bring things back to their original state, he suddenly found himself surrounded and disarmed.  From that instant, the corporal changed his tactics.  So long as he was armed, and comparatively free, he had bethought him only of the means of resistance; now that these were denied him, he submitted, and summoned all his resolution to bear the penalties of his captivity, in a manner that might not do discredit to his regiment.  This was the third time that Corporal Flint had been a prisoner among the Indians, and he was not now to learn the nature of their tender mercies.  His forebodings were not of the most pleasant character; but that which could not be helped, he was disposed to bear with manly fortitude.  His greatest concern, at that fearful moment, was for the honor of his corps.

All this time, Parson Amen continued his prayer.  So completely was his spirit occupied with the duty of offering up his petition, that he was utterly unconscious of what else had passed; nor had he heard one of the corporal’s appeals for “attention,” and to be “steady,” and to march “by the left flank.”  In a word, the whole man was intent on prayer; and when thus employed, a six-pounder discharged in the circle would hardly have disconcerted him.  He persevered, therefore, uninterrupted by his conquerors, until he concluded in his own way.  Having thus fortified his soul, and asked for succor where he had now so long been accustomed to seek and to find it, the worthy missionary took his seat quietly on a log, on which the corporal had been previously placed by his captors.

The time had arrived for the chiefs to proceed in the execution of their purposes.  Peter, profoundly struck with the prayers of the missionary in behalf of his enemies, had taken a station a little on one side, where he stood ruminating on what he had just heard.  If ever precept bore the stamp of a divine origin, it is this.  The more we reflect on it, the clearer do our perceptions of this truth become.  The whole scheme of Christ’s redemption and future existence is founded in love, and such a system would be imperfect while any were excluded from its benefits.  To love those who reciprocate our feelings is so very natural, that the sympathies which engender this feeling are soonest attracted by a knowledge of their existence, love producing love, as power increases power.  But to love those who hate us, and to strive to do good to those who are plotting evil against ourselves, greatly exceeds the moral strength of man, unaided from above.  This was the idea that puzzled Peter, and he now actually interrupted the proceedings, in order to satisfy his mind on a subject so totally new to him.  Previously, however, to taking this step, he asked the permission of the principal chiefs, awakening in their bosoms by means of his explanations some of the interest in this subject that he felt himself.