The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-09-06

ih0oosicai seminary preach Alter uehghuu
sail OF about an hour, reached Alexandria. 1t Is
an ancient place you know. An old stone house
was pointed out to me- the material Of which, in CO.
ionIal times, was imported from England In the
morning visited --- church, returned TO
the hotei and ate very good dinner at Wse's old
stand, and in the afternoon visited old Christ Church,
generally known as the old Washington Church,
where George Washington used TO worship
Al the summons of the bell wendell my way TO
the venerable pile, plain old fashioned building,
preserving its antique appearance, both inside and
out the interior of the building having an air of neat
ness and cleanness, that correspondent well with the
cool and shady location in large grave yard deeply
shaded by venerable trees, and thnly interspersed
with ancient tombstones. 1t is lovely spot where
this twice consecrated pile stands. As you walk up
the long brlck-paved pathway under the deep shade
OF the ancient trees and enter the timehonored old
building, you cannot but feel that you are among
scenes OF other days With almost noiseless step
lest you may disturb the repose Of the sainted dead
you pass over this spot beholdng the simple, yet
deeply interesting, mementoes of the past.
entered the church just the solemn tones of
the organ preceded the appropriate and beautiful
ercises OF the church service. Always disposed to
respect place of religious worship and the public
worship of the Creator could not but be inspired by
the grand associations of the spot, and filled with
rendered myself entirely to the hallowed and hallow-
ing influences of the place, almost forgetful that
there were other worshippers beside myself
You may visit the blood-stained fields of Europe,
or the ruins of Italy, the monuments of Egypt
and yet where amid the sad mementoes of CORY am
bition and relentless war; the melancholy relics of
the arts and the grandeur Of other days. the
bling and aged witnesses of individual or national
power, to be found scenes sacred to the good
man as those that consecrated with the memory
of our beloved Washington An ancient church and
the temple where Washington worshpped! How
many of the sainted dead had worshipped there in
aid to lead them to their blssful and eternal home
There Washington sat under the sacred teachings of
holy truth; there he knet in holy prayer there he
engaged in singing the praises of our common Pa
rent! l could almost hear the tone of his voice
and see his commanding FORM There the great
Father of his Country held converse with the Father
of Spirits. There, under the sacred and sanctifying
influences of our most holy religion, was his faith
strengthened his heart improved his character beau
thed, his patriotism inspired it'll an hoer ardor,
and his aspirations warmed into holier fervor for
the glory of his God and the welfare Of man.
know not what hallowed communings he there had
with the Spirit of Truth, how his heart was purified,
his judgment invigorated, and his whole mind i'm
proved. know not what supplies Of heavenly infu-
ence he received, what holy aid was ministered to
him what eua1 nil IF "a a,,J
protection he there received, how as his mind and
heart were more and more elevated by the heavenly
teachings and holy influences of the sanctuary, he
was led to do for the great cause of humanity
how, in hours of gloom and dependency, he there
struggled with the God of Jacob for a blessing upon
himself and his country, and what bright and signal
to his prayers in that sanctuary yet to be
revealed in the evtrenduring and enarging prosper
ity and freedom of his country, and in the trium-
plant progress of the great principles of human lib
erty throughout the world-what bright and redeem
ed and sainted spirits lowered in that sanctuary when
he worshipper, sent to commune with him and
inspire him with purer desires and more elevated
purposes, and to encourage him in the great work of
his country's glory.
After the services of the hour were ended, wan
dered brief time among the tombs, and returned
more and entered the walls of that sacred edi-
flee. The sexton had nearly completed his duty in
closing the windows and locking up the house.
Whilst he engaged in the gallery, and some three
four young ladies and gentlemen of the choir, who
had tarried still engaged at the organ, unob-
served in the deeply shaded light of the lower
part of the church, went to the very pew of Wash
ington, and there seating myself, INDUCED in the
strong and thrilling associations that crowded upon
me. sat where the venerated and immortal Sa-
vour of his Country used to worship-where one of
the greatest of earth and most favored of Heaven
used to sit. In the now almost darkened church, 1
could fancy that the spirit of Washington lowered near
me, still delighting to lnger about the sacred spot.
1t was holy ground-a sacred moment in my life
and under the overpowering influences that thicken-
ed upon me fell upon my knees, and in the spirit of
a sincere and devout worshipper, thanked my God
for Washington for the liberty of my country, and
prayed that the trial of this day, when the an
CRY and heated demon of faction and strife and revo
luton is scowng upon us, and brandishing her fell
weapons and shaking her scorpion locks, may pass
away, and that our beloved Republic, the last, the
only hope of human freedom and of an oppressed
and down-trodden world, may pass this frightiu
ordea and live difusng its blessings upon unnum-
bered millions sending human liberty to the whole
earth and growing in renewed youth and beauty
and grandeur till the angel shall place one foot upon
the land and one foot upon the sea- and swear that
time shall be no more. My prayer was ended 1t
was an holy prayer. | rose from my knees and left
the house, ! trust in God better man, and more
ardent lover of my country and of human freedom.
Farewell, then, to this sacred spot! Farewell,
then to its quiet and peaceful shade, to its venerable
temple, to its time-honored tombs, to its ancient
trees to the animang interest of all its associations,
till shall be blessed in the lovely temples of the
To- fhn az for