The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-24
sThink Of me.
From the Ladies CompaniOH.- Oct. No.
THE OLD DEACON.


1t was a balmy pleasant Sabbath morning so
green and tranquil was our valley home, that
the very air seemed more holy than on other
DAYS. The dew was coating IN veil of soft
mist from the meadows on School Hill, where
the sunshine came warmly, while the wild flow
ers in the valley lay in shadow, still heavy with
the night rain. The trees which feathered the
hill sides, were wildly green, and Castle Rock
towered-a magnificent picture-lts base wash
ed by the water, and darkened by unbroken sha-
dows. while soft feecy cloud, woven and i'm
pregnated with silvery light, iloated amongst its
topnost cliff. The two villages lay upon their
opposite hills, with the deep river gliding be-
tween, like miniature cities, deserted by the
feet of men; not a sound arose to disturb the
sweet music of nature, for 1t was the hour of
morning PRAYER, and there was scarcely hearth
stone which at that time, was not made do
mestc altar At last deep bell-tone came
sweeping over the valley from the Episcopal
steeple and was answered by cheerful peal from
the belfry of our new academy. The reverbe-
rations were still sounding, mellowed by the
distant rocks, when the hitherto silent village
seemed suddenly teeming with life. The dwell
ling he,lses were arag open, and the inhabitants
came forth in smiling family groups, prepared
for worship. Gradually they divided into sepa-
rate parties. The Presbyterians walked slowly
towards their huge old meetlnghouse, and the more
galIV dressed EplSCOpalIaHS beeAlHR LnelT more
fashionable house of worship. 1t was pleasant
sight-those people, simple in their habits, yet
stern if not bigoted sectarlans, gathering toge-
Their for so good purpose. Old people were out
-grandfathers and grandmothers, with the
blossom Of the grave on their temples. Children
with their rosy cheeks and sunny eyes, rendered
more rosy aud more bright with pride OF their
white frocks, pretty straw bonnets, and pink
yyreaths. 1t was pleasant to see the little men
in vain to cuhdue their
bounding steps, and school their sparkling flces
to a soiemnity betting the occasion. There
might be seen newly-rnarried pair walxingsbash-
fully apart, net daring to venture on the unpre-
cedented boldness of linking arms in public, yet
FEELING very awkward, and almost envying ano-
tber couple who led roguish little girl between
them. Shea mischievous little thing-all the
time exerting her baby strength to wiring that
chubby hand from her mothers grasp-poutlng
her cherry lips when either OF her scandalized
nar,nts checked her bounding step or toe noisy
prattle. and. at last, subdued only by an intense
ssdmiration of her red morocco shoes, as they
flashed in and out like brace of woodlilies,
beneath her muslin dress.
Apart from the rest, and, perhaps, lingering
along the grecnsward which grew rich and thick
ON either Side of the high way, another group,
nerchance. was gathered. Young girls. school
mates and friends, with their heads bending to-
rether, and smiles dimPling with their ships,
all, doubtless conversing about sacred themes
BETTING the day
such was the aspect of our village the
Sabbath, when the subject of this little sketch
takes PRESBYTERIAN Westinghouse, on School
Hill, sombre, ancient pile, already familiar to
those of our readers who have read the "Home
Sketches" preceding this.
Our academy bell had not ceased ringing,
whenthe congregation came slowly IN through
tbe different doors of the Westinghouse and ar
RANGED themselves at will in the square pews
which crowded the body. The minister had not
vet arrived. a circumstance which occurred TO
some of the congregation as somewhat singular
Twenty years he had been tnelr PASTOR ana au-
ring that time, had never once Kept ms consfega-
tion waiting. At length he appeared at the
southern entrance, and walked up the ssie, fol
lowed by his gray headed old deacon he MN
lister paused at the pulpit stairs, and with look
of deep and respectful reverence, helo the door
or tbe teDeaeon5s Seat" while the old man pass
ed ia. That little attention went to the deacon's
heart; he raised his heavy eyes to the pastor
with meek and heart-touching expression Oh
gratitude, which softened many who Looked up
ON it, even to tears. The minlstsr turned aw q!
and went up the stairs, not in his usual sedate
manner but hurrialy, and with unsteady too.-
stens When he arrived in the pulpit, those
who sat in the gallery saw him fall upon his
knees, bury his face in his hands, and pray earn
estly, and, it mightb weep, for when he arose
his eyes were dim and fiushed
Directly after the entrance Of the minister anu
deacon, came two females, one tau SPAR mp.
man, with thin features, very pale and SsSJn
no Continued hut meekly endured suherihs'
TsSare was 1 beautiful and QuakerlilSc sihp,i.
city in the book muslin ksrchief folded over shs
hosom of her black silk dress, with the eorie,'
drawn under ribbon strings hns;od n f Ts r rn,
pinned smoothly to the dress esh ths black straw
hannet s and those who knew her, remarked Ina Ina
It had gained much Of its silver since she ma a
last entered that door In her arms h; s na roeb
bore rosy infants robce in long M n mike ,os
6ap r "a salaw cheek. ior though she did not loo
up il seemed to her as if every eye wa: iIIns
upon p her burhen They were al hsI ne' s;smS
many Of them were kind aud truthful .b,e s, wi,
who had knelt at the same coh.l,'ulile ,,as. ths
II, u 20 she could not lneEt thS