Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-04-14
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From Mr.. Lewis q. Clark's knickerbocksr Magazine.
BELLSAND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS
BY CHARLES LANMAN.

DE- LILO AIN II Hell AOSUCIhlIUNS
by CHARLES LANMAS.
| have always loved the sound of bells
Sometimes, it is true, their music is associated
with distress and gloom; but even, then they
have a voice of instruction. And how often
do they rccreate scenes which swell the heart
with gladness, and make us feel that there is
much that is good and beautiful in human ma
ture Who does not love to listen to their
music on the Sacred Sabbath, in the midst of
great city
1t is the morning of day in June. With
what solemn tone do they call the worship
pers TO the house of God The streets, which
a few hours ago seemed we'll nigh deserted,
are now thronged with people The old man
trudging along upon his staff; the bright eyed
maiden, with her sylph-likc form; parents and
children the happy and the sorrowiul, all are
Fastening 10 their devoiions. The bells are
again silent the swelling notes of the organ
now fall upon the ear. Let us enter this an
cient pile, whose spire points upwards TO
house "not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens" A good multitude fills its asles
The first psalm has beon sung. Listen now
to the humble, devout prayer of the gray-hair-
ed pastor. Anon, the sermon commences
A breathless silence prevails while from the
speakers tongue flow forth
obstruction, admonition, comfort, peace.
Is there ANYTHING un earth, more beautiful
than a scene like thisf Does it not speak to
us of that continual city, whose maker and
builder is God whose streets are paved with
gold--whose inhabitants are the children Of
the All-benevolent!
pritissHudiUfe int 'ifnuu 1cs s,fud6n hstrJnsn
seem to articulate the fearful word, Fire fire )!
! fire. We know that the work OF destruction
is going on. We hear the rafting engines
| over the stony streets, the confused cry of men
and the wailings of distress. The rich mans
! dwelling is wrapt in flames, with the humble
abode of his poor neighbor The flame ban
/ ners fout the air the smoke rises upward, and
mingles with the midnight flames.
The confusion is pNsed. On the spot
where stood the fairest portion OF noble city,
a heap of smouldering ashes alone arrests the
eve. The rich man has been reduced to pow
erty the poor man is still more poor God
help him, and his helpless little ones
Ennobling thoughts spring up within us
when we hear the many-voiced bells, on day
Of public rejoicing. They may speak TO us
of blood, but vet they tell ofglorious victories
They may commemorate the irumps OF mind
or the noble achievements Of the pIlan,hropic
and tie good. Peal on peal echoes through
the air, mingled with martial music, and tho
roaring of cannon, while thousand national
standards float gaily in the breeze. Touching
and grand is the music of bells on such day
as this
In the silent watches OF tho night, how of
ten have been startled by the sound OF
neiohboring clock. Ny mind has then eon'
forth TO wandero'er the wide region OF thought
!, Then the bells have seemed TO me to be TIN
MINISTRIES of Time an old man, with bent Torn
and his scythe and hour glass IN his wlihere
hands. All over the world, are his sla,lonaf
: minstrcls striking their Instruments, and hea
I wing a sigh for the thoughtlessncss OF men,
AT such an hour when the world was WRAP
in silence, at the sound of a bell, the past ha
? vanished like scroll, and have been borne
u as on eagles wings, back 10 the days OF ~
| boybood have sportcd and glmboled VIII
INV pIovmates upon The village green hunte
the wild duck; explored lonely valleys, {
sailed upon the lake which most washed Ill
threshold of my happy nome and gazed int
lis clear blue depth, and iancled that the tro'
5 reyelling iogfully there, were bright ana neal
|. tifll spiritsi | have sat once more by II
n side Of that dear girl, who was my INST an
:, only love, and sang TO her the ballads OF VI
i oden time, while
: 'She sat, and qazed upon me
i With those deep and tender eyes
v Like the stars, 50 still, and salnt-llke,
n Looking DOWN. ard from the skies.
: I have again heard her breathe my name,
, accents sweeter Than the song Of the nighiil
y gale. Another stroke OF the bell and me w
d t,ns vision vanished the voice IN my dream
C inc ear melted away Then have shed bI
Is Ter. bi,ler tears upon my lonely pillow
a How striking IS the ship-bell at sea, whit
y measures the time Of the sailors. when wra
'e ned in slumber, and in the midst Of pleasa
a dreams, he is summoned to enter upon y
l. watch. How often, too, has the allrum be
=. sounded at midnight, and proved bu, 10 be q
= knen of happy hearts; or summoned maj
70 brave mariners TO their Ocean-graye.
in And there is the lighthouse bell, viii
- sends firth its shrill voice Of warning, VIII
Inc winds and waves are high. Look @
,brouah the thick darkness and behold d
4" ship, She has heard the signal Of dang
4, and now changes her course. The wind n
til her sails. and nobly she meets aad conque
Tic angry pillows. little while, and tic da