Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-06-14
From the Cincinnati Mirror
TIE QUAKER MEETING.
Here we come aud sit, time amer time,
And call "A silent wurship.--iI. MOoRE.

THE QUAKER MEETING.
Here we come and ST. time amer time,
And call 10 silent worsiip.--ii. MoonE.
arose one Sabbath and performed the
duties that are generally performed on thai
morning---tbe extra attention to personal ap
pearance--at al a much earlier hour than wa
usual with me. | had for some time cher
ished an inclination to make a short cXcur-
sion, aud this was the morning that had
chosen for its accomplishment. | finished
the labors of the toilet with especial care
and was soon prepared 10 take my depart
urc.
At the distance Of three miles from the
town in which was then visiting, was situa
ted a meeting house belonging tn that pc
culiar sect of Christians called Qnakers.
have never visited it, although | heard mucl
of the youth and fascinating beauty tina
were there to be met with on the Sabbath -
] sailed forth on foot, with feelings OF en-
thusiasm; aud occupied myself Tor while
by decorating my antlcipa'ions with many
imaginary splcndors-an occupation that
have generally found to be followed by dis
appointment.
journeyed on unaccompenied, and gave
my mind np 10 the brilliant antic'pntions that
were passing before u. The day was such
II wos the middle Of May "a season where
in if a nuns heart fail TO dance bhthly, he
must indeed be The victim Of dulness. The
run was moving upward in its dlurnal course
and had Just acquired sufficient heat to rem
der n shade desirable. The heaven was
cioudess--scarcely wind enough played over
tho landscape to make the tiny leaf trcmble,
or tie full blown flower palt its fragrance
All was calmncss and Il soti languor rested
on The face. Of nature. stealing the minds
sympathy, aud wooing in the delights of re-
pose. My excitement was too great, my
niind was too much occupied with anticipa-
tons, 10 do mvre than barely notice the
splcndor and the symphonies around me-
The hum OF the bee and the beetle as they
winged their swift fight onwards, the song
OF tho thrush and the meadow-lark as they
tuned their throats to the praises OF the risen
sun, and the distant Growing Of some gallant
chanticlecr, moved lazily on the sluggish olr.
1t was season Of general rcpose. In fine.
it was just snch day as n saint would choose
To assist his fancy in describing the sunny
regions whittier his thoughts delight to wan
der, or poet would select to refine his ideas
OF the climate Elysium. passed on encoun-
tering shade and sunshine, and feeling my
heart to leap within me from the very iulness
Z,
and many attentions 70 surrounding scenery,
j arrived at a turn in the road, from which
deserted at a considerable distance the place
Of my destination.
Within spacious iDclosure, That skirted
the roadside, arose the house Of silent wor-
ship. II was building Of stone, on which
the effects OF the beating storms OF many
years were discovcrable. The stone was
sufficiently dsrkened by the weather 10 give
an Gntiqnated appearance To the building
The veneration which is felt when we con-
template an object that bears the marks Of
many seasons is universal. Old age, old
habits and old buildings, severelly call mp
sentiments of respect from those who arc not
given to reckcssness. Tho splendors that
modern taste has engraited on the architcc-
ture Of The age appeal triumphanlly to the
mind, but the time e-worn aspects, and rude
ttyle Of many OF our ancient buildings, assert
nn empire over the feelings; to the one we
give our fancy, to the other our veneration,
our hearts. Surrounding the house, wero
trees that had withstood the blight and the
blasts Of ages, and had shaded the house Of
devotion for century. In the rear, and un-
decorated by tombs, where slept tho former
worshppcrs in this temple c0nsccratod 10 the
service OF the Most High.
j passed by various groups who were gath
cred beneath the shade engaged in inter
changing the courtesies Of society, and re-
ceived the demonstrations of respect that n
stranger always commands from his people.
! surrendered myself to the full influence of
the scenes around me. ! wandered among
the mansions of the slulnberlng dead, aud
could not help contrasting their simple ap.
pearance with the magnihccncc had seen
IN other places devoted to the same purposes.
Here was no marble on which was subscri-
bed the name or any thing in relation to him
whose remains mouldered beneath here
was no cause 10 think OF the lines, also! too
true Of sweet poet
Fnr on the fattsrng marble bids ronoyn
with blazoned troubles deck the spotted nnme
Instead of marble, nt either extremity Of the
graves was placed a simple stone without
inscription or device. The rank grass inter-
locked its spears above the humble mounds Of
the departed. Bot were those who slumber-
ed beneath forgotten? r.? Far othe rwise.-
The husband here contemplated the lowly
DIV eliDg place Of the frner partner Of his
dclight--lbe lover recognized the place
where she, wbose presence was once all.in-
spring, reposed--and ench one knew where
were inferred those who had been lights to
their world of love, and on which grave 10
she'd tho deep tear Of affection and SORROW
Although the pomp, tho state, and The page
ebiry ofwoe were here unseen, yet hitber, in
moments when surrounding objects were for
gotten, had retired tho afflicted, and poured
iodh the watery tribute ,hot bedews tho
cheek OF those that mourn in "splrt and in
truth" Eithcr c uno ,hrs. whose spirits had
boon bowed down beneath The burden Of dis.
tress, tnd indulged in the melancholy occu. |
patton ofsilcm grief, from which no man |
ever wen, forth without benefit. I though, |
Of Falconfr's lines,
Full of shall mcmor, from ai,iiyh.r's v.n
Peiiesc your sceno' and sigh with srirf .inccrc.
While was in,nlglng this train OF reaec. \
tions the number Of those who were on the \
outside Of The house was gradually diminish.
ing. ] directed NV steps thltherward, no,
x.ifhouf xiahin0 thai "A hon \ s.,nnld ,,o A.. 49,.