Difference between revisions of "MEDITATION LVII."
(Created page with "====MEDITATION LVII.==== '''UNFORTUNATE RETREAT.''' St. Cas, Sept. 12, 1756. (Our forces having made a descent on the coast of France, the enemy assembled their forces, bef...") |
(No difference)
|
Latest revision as of 02:03, 6 January 2020
MEDITATION LVII.
UNFORTUNATE RETREAT.
St. Cas, Sept. 12, 1756.
(Our forces having made a descent on the coast of France, the enemy assembled their forces, before whom our little army retreated. But while the greater part of us escaped, the enemy killed or made prisoners of some 1400 men, in the two hour battle.)
Ah, mournful day! what pathetic sights, what melting sounds have I seen and heard by sea and land this day! My heart bleeds for the men of war, who boldly shed their blood. For though their scanty number was overpowered by the enemy—yet their courage was conspicuous to the last. Ah, doleful event of one fatal day! Many, mirthful and cheerful in the morning—lay gasping at noon—and are clay-cold by the evening twilight! My heartstrings are pierced with pain, while I remember the anguish of their last moments!
They fall, but none to lift them up; they groan, but no kindly sympathizer; they die, and there is no tender-hearted mourner, none to lament them. The little army is broken by superior numbers, and take to flight; but where can they fly? A victorious enemy is in front of them, rocks on every side, and a raging sea behind them. Some tried to escape into the water—and are shot while wading for life, or perish in the waves!
How vain the confidence of man! How empty the boast of invincible courage! Let men remember that God gives the victory; and that at his frown heroes fall, and armies fly.
Methinks I see the yet more awful, universal, and conclusive day—when the heavens shall open in tremendous thunders, when the dreadful trumpet, with louder sounds than ever echoed from the martial plains, shall raise the sleeping dust, and the tremendous Judge descend in flaming vengeance on his fiery throne; before whom the nations shall be assembled, and by whom the final sentence passed. This is the decision that shall concern the victors and the vanquished—the survivors and the slain—sovereigns and their subjects—yes, the whole world and myself!
Back to Meditations 31 to 60