Litchfield enquirer., 1833-11-14

siderable acuteness and believed that
many OF my most ardent admirers would
have been less impassioned, had my dOwry
been less munifcent. In this class was
secretly disposed 10 rank Lord F.,
the handsolNest and most assiduous of the
competitors for my heart, hand and estates.
1 was quite Indifferent 10 him; and his
pleadings gratified no better feeling Than
vanity, Bnt inay cntdness seemed only 10
hcighten his .ardor, and he had tho arr of
making the world believe that he ranked
high in my regard. By his pertinacy, aud
the tyranny of etiquette, | found myself
his almost constant partner in the dance,
and he neglected no opportunity Of exhib-
ting the department Of favored lover
Reports were constantly circulated Of our
engagement aud approaching union, yet i
did moi dismiss himfrom my train: con-
tented myself with denying any positive
encouragement to his pretensions, because,
though did not love him. his society
pleased me as well as that Of any one else =
and sometimes thought that should Eniaf-
ry, he deserved reward as much as anoih-
er. True, there we're some young and
generous hearts among my snitors-some
who might have loved me disinterestedsy,
who were captivated by the charms of5mys
gaiety, youth, and fresh enjoyment oflife;
but love cannot always excite love even in
an unoccapied heart, and mine was alike
indifferent to all-so that was in danger
OF forming the most important decision of
my life from motives that ought not TO in
hucnce the choice Of companion for an
hour. But fate, or rather providence, had
reserved painful Christening for tuy per-
verted nature. Freed as was from the
ties of kindred OF affection, / had no friends
through whom death might afllict me, and
pecuniary distress could not touch one so
high in fortunes favor. There was but
one entrance through which moral suffer-
ing could pass intoemy soul, and illat'en-
trance il soon found. Nothing seenled-so
unlikely as that should ever nourish an
unhappy affection, or know the misery Of
loving, unloved again;' yet even such was
tho severe discipline destined to exalt and
purify my character. .a & 68ff
] was in the habit of attending the pa-
rish church Of the fashionable leighbor-
hoodSih which resided. went partly
from an idea that it was decorous to do SO, ;
but chiefly from custom, and the slime crav-
ing after crowded assemblies, which would
have sent me TO an auction or rouk Nei-
Their to services or sermon did l ever lend
fhe smallest attention. II was not that
was an unbcliever. No, neither beliey-.
ed nor doubted, for never reflected ontlA
mattenRt all. This infdelity oflevity is a.
thousand fold more demoralzing than the
infdelity of misdilected study. Wherev-
Eer thought is, there is also some goodness,
some hope Of access for truth bur folly,
tho cold, the impassivc, is well nigh irre-.
claimable. Our courtly preachers were
cautious not to disturb the slumbcring con-
sciences of their hearers, and 1he spirit of
decorum, rather than that of piety, seemed
to actuate them in the discharge OF their
functions. But'a new preacher was sent
to US. He was, indccd,. feryent and true
apostle. When he first entered the pull
pit directly opposite 10 which my pew was
situated, scarcely looked at him, but my
ear was soon caught with the solemn har-
mony of his voice and dic,ion, and turn
ed towards him my undivided attention.
All, Genius then first knew ,hee--knew
thee in thy brightest form, laboring in thy
hottest ministry, robed in beauty, and serv-
| ing truth II seemed as though my soul
had started from Deep dead siumbcr,
and was listening entranced to the language
of its native heaven. experienced what
the eastern monarch vainly sought-a new
pleasure for the first time trenibled az
glowed under the magic sway Of great
n'ind--for the first time, heard lofty thought
flowing IN music from the lips Of him who
had embodied and conceived il. Never
shall / forget that high and holy strain. II
was noble thing to SEED that youthful be-
ing stand before the mighty of the land,
their monitor and moral guide-zziliey. old
in years and high in station, the lers and
lawgiyers Of a great na.iOn--he, devoid III
worldly honors and unendowed, save by
the energy Of his viriuous soul and God
given genius. What moral power was his
what blessed sphere Of usefulness! II
was his to will the wanderer back TO virtue
by the charms Of his eloquent devoutness
TO starile the tlloughtiess by the lerrors
and the glories Of the life 10 come---to dis
lurb with tho awful forethought of death
the souls fnen who were at peace in their
possessions, and lift ID immortality the low
desires of those who had their hearts and
treasures here. Neryed by sublime sense
Of the sacredness Of his mission, he did no,
spare 10 smite at sin, lest it should be found
sitting ID the high PLACES; but his diyinely