Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-07-23
THE SABBATH BELL.

y 10 me there is something exqulstely sweet
and edliyng in the notes of the Sabbath Bell.
In all places, at all times, and in all seasons,
take infinite delight in hearing it and when
in place where the solemn Stiffness of the
Sabbath morning, is not wakened into lively,
pure, and relieving reflection, by this sacred
music, feel as if had lost dear-a bosom
friend. And especially at the present sea
son, when nature is arrayed in her freshest
and finest robes--when all her care is rising
up-and all her energies arc cXerted TO give
beauty and perfection to the work assigned
her. the Bell has a double effect upon my
mind. Ii carries me away to childhood's
earliest scenes, when | first reioiced in its
cheering melodies and from the dim con-
fusion OF the past, rolls back again that cur
rent Of tender emotions, which in early years
caused my little heart to throb with love TO
all beneath, around, and above me. And in
this it is ediying, both in Religious and Phil
osophcal sense. In Religious, because it
teaches me the sensations that children,
trained wlih.a reverence for sacred insttu-
tionsy whose minds are early embued with
love of God, and his works, a love of their pa
rents, and all they see, are apt to experience.
Their minds are not strong or far expanded,
and not yet tainted with the moral corrup-
ton that surrounds them, consequently they
are not capable Of converting into mpunity,
that which Is pure, and as far as they do
comprehend, see nothing but goodness and
love. They indeed have an idea of power,
but for them that power exists only to pro-
tect and bless. Crime, injustice, and cruel
ty, have not yet petritied their feelings, and
at such times as their affections are excr-
olscd on subjects Of devotion, charity, or
love, the heart of no creature on earth is
more dislntorested, warm aud tender. | see
In them Religious purity, without guile or
dissiinulation they have no double mean
ing, but act out their thoughts in the eye of
heaven and earth.
The recollection Of childish religion is
beneficial in Philosophical sense, by teach
ing the Impressions the young mind most
readily receives and lastingly retains. For
myself, there is nothing that has transpired
Tor the last fifteen years, which more dis
tinctly remember, than the first lessons of
plety learned Of my mother.
But this is not all the influence the Sab
bath Bell exerts on me 1t not only brings
the past to mind, but inclines me TO beautify
the present, by devotlng my whole time to
useful acting and thinking. When its sounds
first greet my ear, always think that my
life Is shortened one week, since last heard
its hallowed peal. Then ask myself, what
testimony that week has carried 10 Eternity
for me and If, upon reviewing my actions
day by day, | find that have lett any duty
undonc, feel that there is one blank in my
life, which 4 never can fiji for do not bur-
then to-day with the duties of yesterday. 10
every portion of my time allol some partlc-
ular employment, and If fail to fulfil my en-
gagements with single hour, | never ex-
pect that the next will be long enough for its
own business, and that of the past too. am
not OF the opinion that to-morrow's duties are
lcssened because have done much to-day,
or augmented because have done little Tor
time carries all things with it, sparing nelth-
er duties or those who should perform them.
And while the Sabbath Bell Is bringing the