Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-08-26
Il Description.

A correspondent mus OeScTiOeS an eVe>
ming at Church on the Virginia shore Of
the Potomac 80
AS we walked the short half mile be
tween the cottage and the church. the
stars shown in beauty amid the still rosy
tints of the west, the nighl-hawk stopped
towards us as he wheeled in his airy cir
ples, and the whip poor-will in the adjoin-
ing meadows sounded his mournful note.
Arrived at the churchyard we picked our
way among the old brown tombs,ones.
their quaint devices, con.rastcd here and
there with Others Of more modern preten>
sions in white marble, and entering the
church, took our seats in silence. We
were early. but as the church g.aana'ly
filled, it was interesting TO watch group
after group as it loislessy measured the
aisles, and sunk quietly upon the cusb.
toned seats. Now aud then, pair Of
bright eyes would glance curiously around
from beneath a gay bonnet. and stray
,ress be thrown hastily aside; but alas !
those clad in habilinents Of woe, too, Of
ten moved, phantom like, to their places !;
the lights. as they threw momenary
| glare on their pale. ear worn faces. max
ing more dark the badge which affection
has assumed as a tame, index, Of the in
ward grief. The slow toll of the bell
ceased. The silence became more deep
an occasional eough-,he rus;!ing of a
| dress The turn af "a leaf alone breaking
the perfect Stiffness. -
The loud tones Of Inc organ rose gently
and sweetly, and the voluntary foa,ed
softly and mis:-Iike over The assembly -
All became again silent. The venerable
form OF man of fourscore years, his hair
beached with the SHOWS of eighty wins
tiers, rose slowly in the pulpit, and as with
eyes closed. yet lifted to hea en-, he sup
ported himself with out-sIeched arms up.
on lis cushions, we heard almost in a
whisper, "Let KS pray my Jretheren,
tall TREMENDOUSLY from his lips. Nought
but the perfect stiffness. enable at first to
hear the sentences. pronounced with evil
dent and painful effort; bu, as he advan-
ced in prayer, thai almost whisper, be-
came firm and distinct, and his paid cheek
lighted up with hectic flush, as he wax.
cd eloquent in the presence Of his maker
His venerable features appeared to
glow with alnos, inspiration, as he drew
near the throne Of the Holy One; and the
hearts OF the mourners beat more calmly,
as they felt themselves carried into the
presence of HIM ,cho suffered. More
ihoughtless than the swallow that skins
the summer skies, mus, Ire have been
who could have heard ,ha, prayer, and
not have joined with reverence in lis So
iemnity. The closing words of his ser
mon still rung upon my ear, and long will
remain stamped upon my memory.
Ny children - Y our fathers, and YOUR
fathers fathers have listened 10 nv voice.
Generations have passed by ms TO their
long account. and still have been left,
and s'ili my voice halh risen from this ho-
iy place. Woe! woe is me, If my Mas
ter hath looked upon me as slack. and
unworthy servant to his people. Ny ]
children, bu, few short days and this
ire mbling voice that sill strives 10 teach
His blessed will, shall be hashed, In that
sleep which the Athangel's trump alone
shall break-this 1o:teriag form be laid
beneath the mould from whence it came
there to remain till that trumpe, shall de-
mand It's presence a. the judgement seat.
But with the last tones Of This voice, with
the last grasp of these trembling hands,
extend 10 you this sacred volume as YOUR
guide to happiness in this, your only light
mo tie world TO come.
4" The sneeEs Of human reason and vain
philosophy shall deser: YOU assuretlv,
my children. as you stand upon The edge
OF tina. awful precipice, where each of YOU
alone must take the fatal plunge into the
deep darkness of The future-bu, this, this
shall make clear your passage as bright
est MONDAY. My children-l look back
upon you as ! speak-my hand is on the
door latch my foot is on the Threshold
oil! when your short days like mine
are numbered, may you with the same re-
lance III His mercy. say, 10, Master we |
stand without receive us into thy king.
doa'
AS the service ended, it was good 70
see the Kind Hearted feeling with which
tffe coIigre fr-a~gasisss-cti around rs-,sas
old man-ior he was pure. and sincere, I
ana true: and Of verify is he said, his
voice had arisen among them above the |
infants wall, al the bapiismal font--had
joined them with cheerluness a, the mar |
rage least, and still been heard in solemn |
sympathy at the dark and silent grave
II was the last tine lie addressed ,hem.-
Not many days. and another produced
The burIel service of the dead in that green
church yard, and the form of the venera~
Die man was covered from their sight be-
meath the sod.