The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-09-04

J.
less the state chamber Of the. house. Al
q smsll table ofblack mahogany, Prim and
stately, s&arched and whaleboned within
and without, withercd and fossilized ol
heart by bigotry, and sclishness, and ice
Of sixty years, sat two maiden saints; they
came forward, kissed the unshrinkine
cheek of the bride, and then, with one
word Of blessing, returned to their former
scuts, and resumed their former posture,
There was so little appearance Of life in
the persons carcssing nnd caressed, that
you would have started as IL at something
ghasily and upernaturai--as if you had
witnessed the salute Of the grave. The
bridegroom sat at one corner ofthe din
fireplace, nrrayed in more gaudy attire
than was usual with the sect, ard which
gave grotcsque and unnatural gaiety to
his lengthy figure and solemn aspect. AS
the bride entered the room, there was a
faint smirk on his lip, and a twinkle in his
halfshnt and crossing eyes, and hasty
shuttle in his unwieldy limbs, as he slowly
rose, pulled down his yellow swaistcoat,
made stately genufiexion, and regained
his seat Opposite to him sat little land
haired boy, about twelve years old, mum
bling a piece of cake, and looking with a
subdued and spiritless glance over the
whole group, till at length his attention
riveted on large dul! coloured cat sleep
ing on the hearth, and whom he durst not
awaken even by murmurcd ejaculation
of" Puss'' a
On the window-seat, ut the further end
Of the room, there sat, with folded arms
and distracted air, tall military looking
figure, apparently about forty. He rose
bowed low TO Mary, gazed at her for
soihe moments with look Of deep interest,
sighed, muttered something 10 himself,
and remained motionlcss, with eyes fixed
upon the ground, and leaning against the
dark wqistcoat. This was Monkton, the
husband of the woman WHO had alliircd
Rupert to =, and from whom he
had heard SO threatening an account OF
her liege lord. Monkton had long known
Zacharias, and always inclined to a SRI
Gus turn Of mind, lie had lately endeavour-
ed to derive consolation from the doctrines
Of that enthusiast. On hearing from Ia
charias, for the saint had no false motions.
of delicacy, that he was going to bring in
to the pale OF ofmatrimony a lamb which had
almost fallen prey TO the same wolfth
had invaded his own fold ,Monkton express
cd SO warm an interest and so earnest a
desire to see the reclaimed ono, that
Zacharias had invited him to partake o.
the bridal cheer.
Such was the conclave--aad never was
wedding party more olninous in its ap-
pearance. -" We will have" said the in-
ther, and his voice tremblea, "onc DROP
of spiritual comfort before we repair tc
The House Of God. James, reach me the
holy book!" The Bible was brought,
and all, as by mechanical impulse, sank
upon their knees. The old man read with
deep feeling some portions Of tho Script
ures calculated for the day; there was a
hushed aid heartfelt silence; he rose-he
began an extemporaneous and fervent dis
course. How earnest and breathless was
the attention ofthe listeners! the very boy
knelt with open mouth and thristing ear.
"Oh, bene6cent Father" he said, as
he drew near to his conclusion, " ~e do
indeed bow before thee with humbled and
smitten hearts. The evil spirit hath been
amongst us, and one who WIS the pride,
and the joy, and the delight of our eyes,
hath forgotten thee for while; but shall
she not return unto thee, and shall we not
be happy once morel Oh, melt away
the hardness Of that bosom which rejects
thee and thy chosen for stfange idols, and
let the waters of thy grace flow from the
softened rock. And now, oh Father, let
thy mercy and healing hand be upon this
thy serveant, (and the old man looked fol
Monkton,) upon whom the same blight
hath fallen, and whose peace the same
serpent hath destroyed" Here Monk
toms sobs were audible. "Give unto
him the comforts Of thy holy spirit; wear
him from the sins and the worldly affect
ions ofh;s earlier days, and both unto him
and to her who is now about to enter upon
q new career Of duty, vouchsale that
peace no vanity of earth can take away
From evil let good arise; and though the
voice Of gladness be mute, and though the
sounds OF bridal rejoicing are not heard
within our walls, yet grant that this ma,
be the beginning of q new life, devoted
unto happiness, to virtue, and to theei"
There was long padse--they rose, ev.