Litchfield enquirer., 1833-03-21

concluded his speech, and with the Cap
tain entered the drawing room. There
sat his too much neglected wife, surround
ed by three or four blooming Children
With half frantic eagerness he embraced
each in turn, dropping tear on their
cheeks as he kissed them, and then turning
to his wife, he said, My dear, we will
have family prayer Tonight Mrs. W.,
turning upon him with her affectionate
pleading eye, mildly replied, ooh, Mr..
W, do not let US add hypocrisy to all
our other SINS mo, my DEAR rejoined
the now sincerely kind Mr.. w. am,
l trust no hypocrite. / will read a portion
( from the sacred volume, and, continued
he, turning to Captain Arnold - my
friend here will pray with u.s.
In few words an explanation was given
to his thankful wife, and the bell was rung.
A servant entered: John, said his master,
go to the study and bring me the Bible
The Bible, Sir ;'.repeated John, doubling
| if his ears had not deceived him. All,
John, you may we'll ask if mean the BIZ
ble,' replied Mr.. w. yes, 60 and bring
me that too long neglected book The
servant disappeared, and while he was gone
for the Bible, the bell was again rung FOR
the other servants. They came with some
degree of misgiving into his presence, en-
deavoring TO call up to mind what they had
done, and to receive a severe reprimand,
as was not unusual with him. They were,
however, additionally surprised when he
kindly desired them to take each seat,
while he read with peculiar emphasis and
solemnity, aportion from the Word Of God.
The Captain prayed, and the evening
closed in way that none had ever wit
messed in that dwelling before.
Friday came, and on the following Sab
bath Mr.. W. would have as usual to meet
his flock in the church. He entered his
study; turned over heap of sermons,
one by one, exclaiming to himself as he
threw aside his former exhibitions, that
will not do, that is not proper, that is
wretched. Is this the trash with which !
have been so long in the habit of feeding
the souls Of my people, or rather starving
them with the shadow of life 7 will,
however, no longer insult God, and ruin
the people Of my CHARGE
| Perplexed and COMPOUNDED, he determ-
ined to offer an apology to his people, on
the following Sabbath, for not having a
sermon for them, on the ground of his re-
cent journcy-and so dismiss them. The
day arrived, and he entered the desk in the
morning, and in an impressive tone, never
before heard from him, read the service.
There was something even about his APP
pearance and manner, so perfectly new
and strange to the people, that they gaped
with wonder, scarcely believing the evil
dence of their senses. He assembled the
pulpit, and commenced by stating his re-
greet that he had not time to prepare dis
course agreeable to his present views o
truth. In undisguised simplicity he in
formed them of his recent change, thu
means, its nature and its effects; and de.
clarcd that he had been among them as a
wolf in sleeps clothing, but that he had
now determined, by the grace Of God. to
be true minister of the gospel which he
believed: walking in and out before them
in uprightness, and feeding them with
knowledge and with the bread Of life.
Thus he continued, for half an hour or
more, preaching Christ to the people,
without taking text, or being aware that
he was performing the work which he
pledged himself hereafter to accomplish.
Overpowered at last by his feelings, he
burst into tears, and descending from the
pulpit, was met by his weeping friends, who
hanging upon his arm, or surrounding his
person, accompanied him into the vestry.
| His church was soon filled with such as
worshipped God in spirit and in truth ;
and he still labors, it is believed, with
growing pleasure and increasing success in
his, Masters vineyard, blessing the time
when he first met the pious Captain Ar
mold, or slept in TWO BEDDED ROOM.
EvpT A NJ ATYnN