The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-05-21


artful man, that he has almost the whole
parish on his side so that with all the
strength can muster, see no pros
pect of redress. The point of our DIFF
ference is this III, being a man of con-
siderable business, and withal, accord
ing TO the good scripture maxim, " dsl-
igent IN business" am apt TO sleep dur
ing meeting-time. Now, although it
would seem as if this was very trifing
affair, on which to found quarrel, yet
if you knew the whole circumstances,
you could not 6nl it in your heart to
blame me.
Under our good old parson, Mr.. Aim
well, blessings on his memory!) the
state of things was far different. In has
day, we used to hear his text, and then,
if occasion required, lay down our heads
and take nap. To be sure we did
not SO to meeting on purpose TO sleep,
but when once there, and we felt
drowsy, il was considered more genteeI
to hold down the head, and sleep sound
~, than TO sit upright and nod. Our
pastor used to say that it was more res
pectable TO keep awake, through the
whole service; but he was Of an easy,
plastick make, and never offended any
by the severity of his reproofs. Be-
sides, the good man would in manner
excuse US, for he would often tell US
from the Bible, that & the spirit was
/ willing, though the flesh was weak" p
/ All! these were days of peace, when
/, we sat, " every man under his own
+. vine and fg-tree, having none to modest
or make him afraid"
| You know, Mr.. Editor, that great
rivers rise from small sources. Its thus
that my dislike to our present minister
has increased by degrees for | am SO
great lover of peace, and SO small
was my luminosity at first, that | can
hardly tell how my antipathy towards
him commenced. But | believe the
occasion was this; on warm sabbath
in June, after being tired by hard
weeks work, myself, and a number of
others, happened TO fall aIeep during
meeting time. When the sermon was
about two thirds through, our preacher
{ stopped suddenly, and stood keenly
cycling his audience. We all suddenly
started up, and were wondering what
could be the matter, when he cody
observed, that he presumed by the
appearance, the audience was displcas-
ed with his sermon;' = but, continued he,
as he deliberately put his hand into his
pocket, and drew out new sermon,
e have another!'' With that he be-
gan and compelled US to hear the whole
of it. ! was not little mortified at
this, especially as presumed he would
not have done it, had he not observed
me among the sleepers. This reproof
considered far too heavy for so tri-
fling fault. But this was not all. A
little after this, he even had the bold
ness to preach directly against the sin
Of sleeping in meeting-time and he has
such grave disagreeable solemnity in
his voice and manner, that it makes one
feel very badly. supposed too, very
naturally, that this discourse was level
led directly against myself From this
time began to feel very sore towards
our minister, for no one likes TO have
his little faults told before every body.
now concluded, much against my
practice and conscience, that would
stay at home, and not attend meeting
But soon became sick Of this plan for
had been absent only two sabbaths,
when he called on me; he said he had
observed me TO be absent from meeting,
and he came TO see me, presuming !
was sick. Not knowing exactly how to
get along smoothly, replied that was
quite unwell. Opon this, in his APP
Parently friendly, and solemn manner,
ne gave me a most tremendous lecture
on the duty Of being prepared for death,
and of my peculiar need Of preparation.
He did this so artfully, yet with such
apparent plainness and sincerity, that
could not for my life be openly offended
with him-but have taken good care
not TO be absent from meeting since;
for ! would rather hear twenty sermons
from the pulpit, than another like that,
and | am sure they would not make me
feel half as bad. But as before OBJ
served. | am such quiet, peaceable
man, that hate even now to break out
into an open quarrel.
1t generally happens that when
man has a wound on very exposed
part of his body, it is very apt to get
injured or irritated. So it has been
with me-for although my minister has