Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-06-14
ny grave might be unknown save to tho eye
ri, affection, mud that might
.'-lecp.
And no, a stone tell where | lie.


Il Tho interior of the building CORE ssponded
with the plaInness and simplicity of lis IN
mates, being entirely without the "forcign
aid Of adornmeni." The front seats whrh
II were somewhat elevated above the others
n were filed with the most venerable Looking
II personages had ever seen. There tLey sat
H m solemn silence, moloncss and pcrson'iy'
| ing gravity. II would have been Impossible
N Tor a stranger 10 such scenes, with particle
Il of scnsibllity, to have resisted the imposing
| awe mingled with respect, that cmanat"d
II from the noiscless group. iully understood
| why Brcnnns aud his barbarian followers
/ were awed into respect by the un'nosing and
| living siatiary of the Roman Senate. Every
| one seemed 10 be cngrosscd with devotional
| thoughts. No sound disturbed the deep
| silence that regned throughout the sanctuary.
had never before been so completely en-.
tranccd by the spell--so entirely aware Of
The profound mysteries of silence. ! was
fully able to appreciate Thompson's line
"EApres.ive silence, lei us muse his praise"
To me it seemed that was the only being
in the large asscmblage who was animated
by any feeling akin TO curiosity. ! moved
my feet cautiously; aud could distinctly hear
ever inspiration Of breath. ! soon became
busted in making observations. The bright
eyes, a fash of whose light could oo casion.
ally perceive sparkling beneath the plain
silken b0nncts of the fair Quakercsses, re-
minded me of devotion, not exactly OF that
kind Which seemed to lie rising from every
heart around Inc. The unmo,ng muscles of
the faces of the more elderly females, APP
icarcd 10 me To have lost the faculty Of re-
l"xiiion. ! speculatcd on the physiognomy
OF many faces near me. In one ] thought
could discover the rigid and ungraceful lines
of avarce another was glowing W ih all the
openncss oi bcncvo,cnce. | marked the stiff
lines that denoted al steri,y; and, again
fdncied that some gentle curves were clo-
qucnt OF amiabilily. AZ ] was Specializing
on ihc probable character of individuals as
Indicated in the expression ol their faces, my
attention, was suddenly called to person
who occupied seat ut the head Of the upper
bench. lie arose slowly, in a solemn and
dignlicd manner, as if entirely aware of the
deep and important responsibility OF the Of
flee he was about assuming He was man
who appeared to have experienced The vicis-
STUDIES Of half n century. Ills dress was
neat, simple, and OF that peculiar kind by
which the members of his society are every
where distinguished. His look was in itself
sermon, denoting solemniiy, benevolencc
and profound reflection. He stood utterly
motlonless for moment before he ventured
to break the silence. He commenced his
discourse in a slow, thoughtful, half fsubdue,
tone. For the first few niinies his hand
never left the railing before him. His first
words were, "NVhnt is worship!" lie then
proceeded Ia answer the Interrogation agreca-
bly, to the peculiar views of the society in
regard to that important act. He went on 10 /
the consideration of the effects Of these pas Il
sions and practice that initiate against the \
advance Of true and genuine religion. In
the course Of his remarks. he took under his II
especial regard the feeling of vanity. lie II
spoke of the entire insignifcancc Of The
power Of man when compared with the i'm.
measurable power Of the Crcaior,-of the
very small sphere that he could possibly fiji.
and OF the vastness ofspace. His action and
his force Of expression increased rs his mind
expanded under the consideration Of the
glorics of the illimitable creation. lie spoke
of the planetary system and tho starry words. \
lie filled the mind Of every one who heard
him with sublime ideas Of the extent, and the |
vastness Of creation. While every mind was
thus charged with lofty conceptions, he sud |
denly paused. In tone of voice that can
never forget, and with his open hand fully |
before him he said, "Mnn! what art thoil,
who burst be vain :" The effect was trc-
nendous. Every vain man pres mt felt u
tory insignificant, and dropped his head with |
shame. lie spoke a full honr. After the
preacher had resumed his scat, silence,
deeper if possible than that which preceded
ensucd. Every one seemed afraid to disturb !!
it. In few minutes Tie preacher extended
his open hand to him who sat next--thc sig. H
nal that the meeting was ended. "A general
shaking of hands soon followed, and the II
members arose and left the house.
After the meeting was over n scene cnsued
hat could not but admire. There was no Il
nrth; but every one conducted
himself with gravity aud decorrlm, as though Il
the influence of worship was still felt. After
a frequent interchange Of salutations the
members left the placc-some on foot and in
vehicles. ] fingered until the last when !
accepted an invitation from one of them, with
whom had slight acquaintance. left the
ground with feelings never to be forgotten,
and full satisfied that it was good for r,e that
| had been there. THIS.