American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-11-20

iuhSfHS " tne village, were proceeding with all
the buoyancy and yeliness of youth along the path
way, which, crossing one of the meadows, led to
the church; for there, at this early hour they were
wont to assemble and receive that religious in
struction which enlightened philanthropy and be-
4 nevoence had provided for them. The youths
and madens of the village. under the direction and
superintendent of the estmable Rector, cheerful
~ rendered their gratuit0us services this labor
OF love-" and were accustomed to spend the ear
lier hours of the Sabbath in this delightful and
charitable occupation. Father of mercies,"
calculated, :. out Of the mouth Of babes and suck
ling thou wilt perfect praise.a How many parent
al and friendly anxieties are interviewer with this
little flock, who need all the tenderness and assi,i.
uity Of shepherds cares Wilt thou not deign to
look with al approving smile on those humble eff
forts, which if succeeded by thy paterna blessing
may perpetuate IN this happy spot the genial lniu-
ences Ut pure and undefed religion. and produce
mighty moral transit, nation in the char acters Of
its inhabitants The tatriaichs of the village shall
ere long sleep with their fathers. and their nme-
date descendants will. at no distant period. bid
farewell 10 all the activities of life, and rest beside
them; but religion dies not in the death of its
chanIun the mantle of Elijah will rest upon
Elisha: and although Dasns place be empty,
. instead If the fathers shall be the children" Sue
&C. s"rs both IN time. place, and occupation; but
doubl, happy. il precursors in excellence and pie
ty. The nest OF our sres would willingly awaken
such ambitions: and If permitted for moment to
divert ms attention. from the joys of heaven, bis
eye would rest with inetfable delight on the head
OF that son who i better man than his father.
The hour q! private devotion passed, which had
been ren,e,ed lonbl, delightful BY those emotions
winch this beautiful scene had inspired. descend
ed from m, chamber to Join the family circle, which
consisted Of my wife and daughter, fine bloom
ing gii about eighteen Years Of age, the image,
both in mind, temper, and dispositions OF her ex-
cellent mother; an intelligent amlabe youth OF
| >eyentern and the worthy ami inestmable curate
| If our village, who was an inmate III my family,
and super intended the education Of my children.
His religion which was the effect of Divine grace
on mind, of superior order. and eng;aitcd ON
heart natural, cheerful, afectienate and kind, was
peculiarly attractive. especially to our young folks,
| to whom he was much attached, and over whose
minds he had gained an entire ascehdency. by the
,uavity Of his manners and the lovelness Ot his dis
position. With him. appearance and reality were
the same if the law Of kindness was upon ms lips,
it was but the vocal utterance Ui internal emotion
while faithful admonition was the natural result of
his high sense Of religious duty, it was the stern
language of principle; but love gave it utterance.
But what Of The lady who presided over this inter-
esting circle ? asks the gentle reader the truth
is. my good friend am too much interested IN the
portrait to trust myself with the pencil: our union
was the result of mutual preference hands and
hearts went together, while religion approved The
vow. We have now been "heirs together OF the
grace of life" for many years. Ii mind is the
standard of the man." see no reason why the
same test may not be applied to the other sex AM.
if 50. my wife would not be injured by comparison,
either as to the endowments OF intellect, or the
sraces of character Perhaps my fond partlaty
might be paldoncd, were to say" Many daugh
tiers have done yirtuousiy, but thon exceest them
al.' BeneyoIence of feeling, however, is her eie-
~ md ash pr kp-
ing: and this. refined by ardent piety, has made
her the benefactress of the village. The tale OF
misery aud the tear of sorrow, never fail OF their
effect with her; the blessings Of those who were
ready to perish come upon her, and she causes
many widowed heart to sing ior JOY At nome
she is the centre OF attraction anu the source Oh ~
huence she reigns snpreme but her power IS IN
visible it is the supremacy of gentieness and love.
But to return from this brief DEPRESSION being
assembled around the family altar, my reverend
friend conducted the dcvotlons OF the morning b.
reading, with unaffected solemnity, the AID and
45d Psalms. wherein the royal su!ierer lamcnts hio
!, unavoidable absence from the temple worship. and
depicts in vivid and striking colours the tendency
of religious ordinances to Calm the tumut OF the
: mind. and she'd abroad that peace winch passeth
all understandings" We then knelt down. whilst
he implored, in strains of devout and solemn sup.
plicaon, the gracious influence OF Heaven TO con
secrate and bless the ordinances OF the Christian
Sabbath to The instruction. a,lnontlon. and conso-
lation of the sheep intrusted to his care.
How impressive is the eioquencc of the heart
The prayer was short but solemn, overpoweiins
delightful it corrcspouded with our necessities
and wishes and we arose with countenances which
seemed to say, in silent eloquence-" 1t is coed to
be here" Some of my earliest aud most pleasing
recoliectons of the Sabbath are associated with th,
sound of village bells Ginning for service; and !
am not ashamed to own, they still possess pow
erfui charm as the sound. sotened by distance,
floats on the wings Of the morning. or Is borne ON