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diff --git a/19482.txt b/19482.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5244638 --- /dev/null +++ b/19482.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1085 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ancient Banner, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ancient Banner + Or, Brief Sketches of Persons and Scenes in the Early History of Friends + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: October 6, 2006 [EBook #19482] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANCIENT BANNER *** + + + + +Produced by Jason Isbell, K.D. Thornton, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Transcriber's Notes: + Corrections made: + canvass corrected to canvas + buffetted corrected to buffeted + multipled corrected to multiplied + Equiped corrected to Equipped + steadfastnesss corrected to steadfastness] + + + + THE + ANCIENT BANNER; + + OR + + Brief Sketches + OF PERSONS AND SCENES IN THE EARLY HISTORY + OF FRIENDS. + + + +"THOU HAST GIVEN A BANNER TO THEM THAT FEARED THEE, +THAT IT MAY BE DISPLAYED BECAUSE OF THE TRUTH." + Psalm 60,--4. + + + + + PHILADELPHIA: + + JOSEPH KITE & CO., PRINTERS, + No. 50 North Fourth Street. + 1846. + + + + + THE + ANCIENT BANNER. + + + In boundless mercy, the Redeemer left, + The bosom of his Father, and assumed + A servant's form, though he had reigned a king, + In realms of glory, ere the worlds were made, + Or the creating words, "Let there be light" + In heaven were uttered. But though veiled in flesh, + His Deity and his Omnipotence, + Were manifest in miracles. Disease + Fled at his bidding, and the buried dead + Rose from the sepulchre, reanimate, + At his command, or, on the passing bier + Sat upright, when he touched it. But he came, + Not for this only, but to introduce + A glorious dispensation, in the place + Of types and shadows of the Jewish code. + Upon the mount, and round Jerusalem, + He taught a purer, and a holier law,-- + His everlasting Gospel, which is yet + To fill the earth with gladness; for all climes + Shall feel its influence, and shall own its power. + He came to suffer, as a sacrifice + Acceptable to God. The sins of all + Were laid upon Him, when in agony + He bowed upon the cross. The temple's veil + Was rent asunder, and the mighty rocks, + Trembled, as the incarnate Deity, + By his atoning blood, opened that door, + Through which the soul, can have communion with + Its great Creator; and when purified, + From all defilements, find acceptance too, + Where it can finally partake of all + The joys of His salvation. + But the pure Church he planted,--the pure Church + Which his apostles watered,--and for which, + The blood of countless martyrs freely flowed, + In Roman Amphitheatres,--on racks,-- + And in the dungeon's gloom,--this blessed Church, + Which grew in suffering, when it overspread + Surrounding nations, lost its purity. + Its truth was hidden, and its light obscured + By gross corruption, and idolatry. + As things of worship, it had images, + And even painted canvas was adored. + It had a head and bishop, but this head + Was not the Saviour, but the Pope of Rome. + Religion was a traffic. Men defiled, + Professed to pardon sin, and even sell, + The joys of heaven for money,--and to raise + Souls out of darkness to eternal light, + For paltry silver lavished upon them. + And thus thick darkness, overspread the Church + As with a mantle. + At length the midnight of apostacy + Passed by, and in the horizon appeared, + Day dawning upon Christendom. The light, + Grew stronger, as the Reformation spread. + For Luther, and Melancthon, could not be + Silenced by papal bulls, nor by decrees + Of excommunication thundered forth + Out of the Vatican. And yet the light, + Of Luther's reformation, never reached + Beyond the morning's dawn. The noontide blaze + Of Truth's unclouded day, he never saw. + Yet after him, its rising sun displayed + More and more light upon the horizon. + Though thus enlightened, the professing Church, + Was far from many of the precious truths + Of the Redeemer's gospel; and as yet, + Owned not his Spirit's government therein. + But now the time approached, when he would pour + A larger measure of his light below; + And as he chose unlearned fishermen + To spread his gospel when first introduced, + So now he passed mere human learning by, + And chose an instrument, comparable + To the small stone the youthful David used, + To smite the champion who defied the Lord. + Apart from human dwellings, in a green + Rich pasturage of England, sat a youth, + Who seemed a shepherd, for around him there + A flock was feeding, and the sportive lambs + Gambolled amid the herbage. But his face + Bore evidence of sadness. On his knee + The sacred book lay open, upon which + The youth looked long and earnestly, and then, + Closing the book, gazed upward, in deep thought + This was the instrument by whom the Lord + Designed to spread a clearer light below + And fuller reformation. He appeared, + Like ancient Samuel, to be set apart + For the Lord's service from his very birth. + Even in early childhood, he refrained + From youthful follies, and his mind was turned + To things of highest moment. He was filled + With awful feelings, by the wickedness + He saw around him. As he grew in years, + Horror of sin grew stronger; and his mind + Became so clothed with sadness, and so full + Of soul-felt longings, for the healing streams + Of heavenly consolation, that he left + His earthly kindred, seeking quietude + In solitary places, where he read + The book of inspiration, and in prayer, + Sought heavenly counsel. + In this deep-proving season he was told, + Of priests, whose reputation had spread wide + For sanctity and wisdom; and from these + He sought for consolation,--but in vain. + One of these ministers became enraged, + Because the youth had inadvertently + Misstepped within his garden; and a priest + Of greater reputation, counselled him + To use tobacco, and sing holy psalms! + And the inquirer found a third to be + But as an empty, hollow cask at best. + Finding no help in man, the youthful Fox, + Turned to a higher and a holier source, + For light and knowledge. In his Saviour's school, + He sat a scholar, and was clearly shown + The deep corruption, that had overspread + Professing Christendom. And one by one, + The doctrines of the Gospel, were unveiled, + To the attentive student,--doctrines, which, + Though clearly written on the sacred page, + Had long been hidden, by the rubbish man's + Perversions and inventions heaped thereon. + He saw that colleges, could not confer, + A saving knowledge of the way of Truth, + Nor qualify a minister to preach + The everlasting Gospel; but that Christ, + Is the true Teacher, and that he alone + Has power to call, anoint, and qualify, + And send a Gospel minister to preach + Glad tidings of salvation. He was shown, + No outward building, made of wood and stone + Could be a holy place,--and that the Church-- + The only true and living Church--must be + A holy people gathered to the Lord, + And to his teaching. He was clearly taught, + The nature of baptism, by which souls + Are purified and fitted for this Church; + That this was not, by being dipped into, + Or sprinkled with clear water, but it was + The one baptism of the Holy Ghost. + He saw the Supper was no outward food, + Made and administered by human hands,-- + But the Lord's Table was within the heart; + Where in communion with him, holy bread + Was blessed and broken, and the heavenly wine, + Which cheers the fainting spirit, handed forth. + The Saviour showed him that all outward wars, + Are now forbidden,--that the warfare here, + Is to be waged within. Its weapons too, + Though mighty, even to the pulling down, + Of the strong holds of Satan, are yet all + The Spirit's weapons. He was shown, that oaths + Judicial or profane, are banished from + The Christian dispensation, which commands, + "Swear not at all." He saw the compliments,-- + Hat honour, and lip service of the world, + Sprang from pride's evil root, and were opposed + To the pure spirit of Christ's holy law. + And by His inward Light, was clearly seen + The perfect purity of heart and life + For which that Saviour calls, who never asked, + Things unattainable. + These truths and others, being thus revealed, + Fox was prepared and qualified to preach, + The unveiled Gospel, to the sons of men. + Clothed with divine authority, he went + Abroad through Britain, and proclaimed that Light, + Which Christ's illuminating Spirit sheds, + In the dark heart of man. Some heard of this, + Who seemed prepared and waiting, to receive + His Gospel message, and were turned to Him, + Whose Holy Spirit sealed it on their hearts. + And not a few of these, were called upon, + To take the message, and themselves declare + The way of Truth to others. But the Priests, + Carnal professors, and some magistrates, + Heard of the inward light, and purity, + With indignation, and they seized upon, + And thrust the Preacher within prison walls. + Not once alone, but often was he found, + Amid the very dregs of wickedness-- + With robbers, and with blood-stained criminals, + Locked up in loathsome jails. And when abroad + Upon his Master's service, he was still + Reviled and buffeted, and spit upon. + But none of these things moved him, for within + He felt that soul-sustaining evidence, + Which bore his spirit high above the waves, + Of bitter persecution. + But now the time approached, for his release + From suffering and from labour. He had spent, + Long years in travel for the cause of Truth,-- + Not all in Britain,--for he preached its light, + And power in Holland,--the West Indian isles, + And North America. Far through the wild, + And trackless wilderness, this faithful man, + Carried his Master's message; he lived, + To see Truth's banner fearlessly displayed + Upon both continents. He lived to see, + Pure hearted men and women gathered to + The inward teaching of the Saviour's will,-- + Banded together in the covenant, + Of light and life. But his allotted work, + Was now accomplished, and his soul prepared, + For an inheritance with saints in light, + And with his loins all girded, he put off + His earthly shackles, triumphing in death, + That the Seed reigned, and Truth was over all! + Where the dark waters of the Delaware, + Roll onward to the ocean, sweeping by, + Primeval forests, where the red man still, + Built his rude wigwam, and the timid deer + Fled for concealment from the Indian's eye, + And the unerring arrow of his bow; + There, in the shadow of these ancient woods, + A sea-worn ship has anchored. On her deck, + Men of grave mien are gathered. One of whom, + Of noble figure, and quick searching eyes, + Surveys the scene, wrapt in the deepest thought. + And this is William Penn. He stands among, + Fellow believers, who have sought a home, + And place of refuge, in this wilderness. + Born of an ancient family, his sire + An English Admiral, the youthful Penn, + Might, with his talents, have soon ranked among + The proudest subjects of the British throne. + He chose the better part--to serve that King + Who is immortal and invisible. + While yet a student within college halls, + He heard Truth's message, and his heart was reached, + And fully owned it, though it came through one + Of that despised and persecuted class, + Called in derision Quakers. Thus convinced, + He left the college worship, to commune + In spirit with his Maker. And for this, + He was expelled from Oxford; and was soon + Maltreated by his father, who, enraged, + Because his only son, had turned away + From brilliant prospects, to pursue the path + Of self-denial, drove him harshly forth + From the paternal roof. But William Penn, + Had still a Father, who supported him, + With strength and courage to perform his will; + And he was called and qualified to preach, + And to bear witness of that blessed Light + Which shines within. He suffered in the cause, + His share of trial. He was dragged before + Judges and juries, and was shut within + The walls of prisons. + Looking abroad through England, he was filled + With deep commiseration, for the jails-- + The loathsome, filthy jails--were crowded with + His brethren in the Truth. For their relief, + He sought the ear of royalty, and plead + Their cruel sufferings; and their innocence; + And thus became the instrument through which + Some prison doors were opened. But he sought + A place of refuge from oppression's power, + That Friends might worship the Creator there, + Free from imprisonment and penalties. + And such a place soon opened to his view, + Far in the Western Wilderness, beyond + The Atlantic's wave. + And here is William Penn, and here a band + Of weary emigrants, who now behold + The promised land before them; but it is + The Indian's country, and the Indian's home. + Penn had indeed, received a royal grant, + To occupy it; but a grant from one + Who had no rightful ownership therein; + He therefore buys it honestly from those + Whose claims are aboriginal, and just. + With these inhabitants, behold, he stands + Beneath an ancient elm, whose spreading limbs + O'erhang the Delaware. The forest chiefs + Sit in grave silence, while the pipe of peace + Goes round the circle. They have made a league + With faithful Onas--a perpetual league, + And treaty of true friendship, to endure + While the sun shines, and while the waters run. + And here was founded in the wilderness, + A refuge from oppression, where all creeds + Found toleration, and where truth and right + Were the foundation of its government, + And its protection. In that early day, + The infant colony sought no defence + But that of justice and of righteousness; + The only guarantees of peace on earth, + Because they ever breathe, good will to men. + His colony thus planted, William Penn + Sought his old field of labour, and again, + Both through the press and vocally, he plead + The right of conscience, and the rights of man; + And frequently, and forcibly he preached + Christ's universal and inshining Light. + His labour was incessant; and the cares, + And the perplexities connected with + His distant province, which he visited + A second time, bore heavily upon + His burdened spirit, which demanded rest;-- + That rest was granted. In the midst of all + His labour and his trials, there was drawn + A veil, in mercy, round his active mind, + Which dimmed all outward things; but he still saw + The beauty and the loveliness of Truth, + And found sweet access to the Source of good. + And thus, shut out from the perplexities + And sorrows of the world, he was prepared + To hear the final summons, to put off + His tattered garments, and be clothed upon + With heavenly raiment. + Scotland, thou hadst a noble citizen, + In him of Ury! Born amid thy hills, + Though educated where enticing scenes, + Crowd giddy Paris, he rejected all + The world's allurements, and unlike the youth + Who talked with Jesus, Barclay turned away + From great possessions, and embraced the Truth. + He early dedicated all the powers + Of a well cultivated intellect + To the Redeemer and His holy cause. + He was a herald, to proclaim aloud, + Glad tidings of salvation; and his life + Preached a loud sermon by its purity. + Not only were his lips made eloquent, + By the live coal that touched them, but his pen, + Moved by a force from the same altar, poured + Light, truth, and wisdom. From it issued forth + The great Apology, which yet remains + One of the best expositors of Truth + That man has published, since that sacred book + Anciently written. Seekers are still led + By its direction, to that blessed Light, + And inward Teacher, who is Jesus Christ. + But now, this noble servant of the Lord, + Rests from his faithful labour, while his works + Yet follow him. + Early believers in the light of Truth, + Dwelt not at ease in Zion. They endured + Conflicts and trials, and imprisonments. + Even the humble Penington, whose mind + Seemed purged and purified from all the dross + Of human nature--who appeared as meek + And harmless as an infant--was compelled + To dwell in loathsome prisons. But he had, + Though in the midst of wickedness, sublime + And holy visions of the purity, + And the true nature of Christ's living Church. + While Edmundson, the faithful pioneer + Of Truth in Ireland, was compelled to drink + Deeply of suffering for the blessed cause. + Dragged from his home, half naked, by a mob + Who laid that home in ashes, he endured + Heart-rending cruelties. But all of these, + Stars of the morning, felt oppression's hand, + And some endured it to the closing scene. + Burroughs, a noble servant of the Lord, + Whose lips and pen were eloquent for Truth, + Drew his last breath in prison. Parnel, too, + A young and valiant soldier of the Lamb, + Died, a true martyr in a dungeon's gloom. + Howgill and Hubberthorn, both ministers + Of Christ's ordaining, were released from all + Their earthly trials within prison walls. + And beside these, there was a multitude + Of faithful men, and noble women too, + Who past from scenes of conflict, to the joys + Of the Redeemer's kingdom, within jails, + And some in dungeons. But amid it all, + Light spread in Britain, and a living Church + Was greatly multiplied. The tender minds, + Even of children, felt the power of Truth, + And showed the fruit and firmness it affords. + When persecution, rioted within + The town of Bristol, and all older Friends + Were locked in prison, little children met, + Within their place of worship, by themselves, + To offer praises, in the very place + From which their parents had been dragged to jail. + But let us turn from Britain, and look down, + Upon an inland sea whose swelling waves + Encircle Malta. There a cloudless sun, + In Eastern beauty, pours its light upon + The Inquisition. All without its walls + Seems calm and peaceful, let us look within. + There, stretched upon the floor, within a close, + Dark, narrow cell, inhaling from a crack + A breath of purer air, two women lie. + But who are these, and wherefore are they here? + These are two ministers of Christ, who left + Their homes in England, faithfully to bear, + The Saviour's message into eastern lands. + And here at Malta they were seized upon + By bigotted intolerance, and shut + Within this fearful engine of the Pope. + Priests and Inquisitor assail them here, + And urge the claims of popery. The rack, + And cruel deaths are threatened; and again + Sweet liberty is offered, as the price + Of their apostacy. All, all in vain! + For years these tender women have been thus, + Victims of cruelty. At times apart, + Confined in gloomy, solitary cells. + But all these efforts to convert them failed: + The Inquisition had not power enough + To shake their faith and confidence in Him, + Whose holy presence was seen anciently + To save his children from devouring flames; + He, from this furnace of affliction, brought + These persecuted women, who came forth + Out of the burning, with no smell of fire + Upon their garments, and again they trod, + Their native land rejoicing. + In Hungary, two ministers of Christ, + Were stretched upon the rack. Their tortured limbs + Were almost torn asunder, but no force + Could tear them from their Master, and they came + Out of the furnace, well refined gold. + Nor were these all who suffered for the cause + Of truth and righteousness, in foreign lands. + For at Mequinez and Algiers, some toiled, + And died in slavery. But nothing could + Discourage faithful messengers of Christ + From his required service. They were found + Preaching repentance where the Israelites + Once toiled in Egypt, and the ancient Nile + Still rolls its waters. And the holy light + Of the eternal Gospel was proclaimed, + Where its great Author had first published it-- + Where the rich temple of King Solomon, + Stood in its ancient glory. Even there, + The haughty Musselmen, were told of Him, + The one great Prophet, who now speaks within. + For their refusing to participate + In carnal warfare, many early Friends, + Were made to suffer. On a ship of war + Equipped for battle, Richard Sellers bore, + With a meek, Christian spirit, cruelties + The most atrocious, for obeying Him + Who was his heavenly Captain, and by whom, + War is forbidden. Sellers would not touch, + The instruments of carnage, nor could all + The cruelties inflicted, move his soul + From a reliance on that holy Arm, + Which had sustained him in the midst of all + His complicated trials; and he gained + A peaceful, but a greater victory + Than that of battle, for he wearied out + Oppression, by his constancy, and left + A holy savor, with that vessel's crew. + But let us turn from persecuting scenes, + That stain the annals of the older world, + To young America, whose virgin shores + Offer a refuge from oppression's power. + Here lies a harbour in the noble bay + Of Massachusetts. Many little isles + Dot its expanding waters, and Nahant + Spreads its long beach and eminence beyond, + A barrier to the ocean. The whole scene, + Looks beautiful, in the clear northern air, + And loveliness of morning. On the heights + That overlook the harbour, there is seen + An infant settlement. Let us approach, + And anchor where the Puritans have sought, + For liberty of conscience. But there seems, + Disquietude in Boston. Men appear + Urged on by stormy passions, and some wear + A look of unrelenting bitterness. + But what is that now rising into view, + Where crowds are gathered on an eminence? + These are the Puritans. They now surround + A common gallows. On its platform, stands + A lovely woman in the simple garb + Worn by the early Quakers. Of the throng, + She only seems unmoved, although her blood + They madly thirst for. + The first professors of Christ's inward Light, + Who brought this message into Boston bay, + Were inoffensive women. They were searched + For signs of witchcraft, and their books were burned. + The captain who had brought them, was compelled + To carry them away. But others came, + Both men and women, zealous for the Truth. + These were received with varied cruelties-- + By frequent whippings and imprisonments. + Law after law was made excluding them; + But all in vain, for still these faithful ones + Carried their Master's message undismayed + Among the Puritans, and still they found + Those who received it, and embraced the Truth, + And steadily maintained it, in the midst + Of whipping posts, and pillories, and jails! + A law was then enacted, by which all + The banished Quakers, who were found again + Within the province, were to suffer death. + But these, though ever ready to obey + All just enactments, when laws trespassed on + The rights of conscience, and on God's command, + Could never for a moment hesitate, + Which to obey.--And soon there stood upon + A scaffold of New England, faithful friends, + Who, in obeying Christ, offended man! + Of these was Mary Dyer, who exclaimed, + While passing to this instrument of death, + "No eye can witness, and no ear can hear, + No tongue can utter, nor heart understand + The incomes and refreshings from the Lord + Which now I feel." And in the spirit which + These words a little pictured, Robinson, + Past to the presence of that Holy One + For whom he laboured, and in whom he died. + Then Stevenson, another faithful steward + And servant of the Lamb, was ushered from + Deep scenes of suffering into scenes of joy. + But Mary Dyer, who was all prepared, + To join these martyrs in their heavenward flight, + Was left a little longer upon earth. + But a few fleeting months had rolled away, + Ere this devoted woman felt constrained, + Again to go among the Puritans, + In Massachusetts, and in Boston too. + And here she stands! the second time, upon + A gallows of New England. No reprieve + Arrests her sentence now. But still she feels + The same sweet incomes, and refreshing streams + From the Lord's Holy Spirit. In the midst + Of that excited multitude, she seems + The most resigned and peaceful.--But the deed + Is now accomplished, and the scene is closed! + Among the faithful martyrs of the Lamb, + Gathered forever round His Holy Throne, + She doubtless wears a pure and spotless robe, + And bears the palm of victory. + The blood of Leddra was soon after shed, + Which closed the scene of martyrdom among + The early Quakers in this colony, + But not the scene of suffering. Women were + Dragged through its towns half-naked, tied to carts, + While the lash fell upon their unclothed backs, + And bloody streets, showed where they past along. + And such inhuman treatment was bestowed + On the first female minister of Christ, + Who preached the doctrine of his inward Light. + But in New England, there was really found + A refuge from oppression, justice reigned + Upon Rhode Island. In that early day, + The rights of conscience were held sacred there, + And persecution was a thing unknown. + A bright example, as a governor, + Was William Coddington. He loved the law-- + The perfect law of righteousness--and strove + To govern by it; and all faithful Friends + Felt him a brother in the blessed Truth. + In North America, the Puritans + Stood not alone in efforts to prevent + The introduction and the spread of light. + The Dutch plantation of New Amsterdam, + Sustained a measure of the evil work. + The savage cruelties inflicted on + The faithful Hodgson, have few parallels + In any age or country; but the Lord + Was with His servant in the midst of all, + And healed his tortured and his mangled frame. + The early Friends were bright and shining stars, + For they reflected the clear holy light + The Sun of Righteousness bestowed on them. + They followed no deceiving, transient glare-- + No ignis fatuus of bewildered minds; + They followed Jesus in the holiness + Of His unchanging Gospel. They endured + Stripes and imprisonment and pillories, + Torture and slavery and banishment, + And even death; but they would not forsake + Their Holy Leader, or His blessed cause. + Their patient suffering, and firm steadfastness, + Secured a rich inheritance for those + Who have succeeded them. Do these now feel + That firm devotion to the cause of Truth--That + singleheartedness their fathers felt? + Do they appreciate the price and worth + Of the great legacy and precious trust + Held for their children? The great cruelties + Borne by the fathers, have not been entailed + On their descendants, who now dwell at ease. + The world does not revile them. Do not some + Love it the more for this? and do they not + Make more alliance with it, and partake + More and more freely of its tempting baits, + Its fashions and its spirit? but are these + More pure and holy than they were of old, + When in the light of Truth, their fathers saw + That deep corruption overspread the world? + Other professors latterly have learned + To speak of Quakers with less bitterness + Than when the name reproachfully was cast + In ridicule upon them. Has not this + Drawn watchmen from the citadel of Truth? + Has it not opened doors that had been closed, + And should have been forever? And by these, + Has not an enemy been stealing in, + To spoil the goods of many; to assail, + And strive in secrecy to gather strength, + To overcome the citadel at last? + Is it not thought illiberal to refuse + Alliances with those who now profess + Respect and friendship? Must the Quaker then + Bow in the house of Rimmon, saying, Lord + Pardon in this thy servant? Do not some + Fail to resist encroachments, when they come + Clothed in enticing words, and wear the guise + Of charity and kindness, and are veiled, + Or sweetened to the taste, by courtesy? + But is a snare less certain, when concealed + By some enticing bait? or is a ball + Less sure and fatal, when it flies unheard, + Or, when the hand that sends it is unseen, + Or offers friendship? Did not Joab say, + "Art thou in health my brother?" and appeared + To kiss Amasa, while he thrust his sword + Into his life-blood? And when Jonas fled + From the Lord's service, and the stormy waves + Threatened the ship that bore him, was the cause + Not found within it? Was there not a calm + When he, whose disobedience to the Lord + Had raised the tempest, was no longer there? + Truth has a standard openly displayed, + Untorn--unsullied. Man indeed may change, + And may forsake it; but the Standard still + Remains immutable. May all who love + This Holy Banner, rally to it now! + May all whose dwellings are upon the sand, + Seek for a building on that living Rock, + Which stands forever;--for a storm has come-- + A storm that tries foundations! Even now, + The flooding rains are falling, and the winds + Rapidly rising to a tempest, beat + Upon all dwellings. They alone can stand + Which have the Rock beneath them, and above + The Omnipresent and Omnipotent + Creator and Defender of His Church! + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ancient Banner, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANCIENT BANNER *** + +***** This file should be named 19482.txt or 19482.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/4/8/19482/ + +Produced by Jason Isbell, K.D. 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