Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-11-24
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THE PARsoN AND HIS CONCENTRATION
I MAL-APRog os--A SUNDAY INCIDENT
One OF the bes, b'onders We have for
a long time heard d. WAS related by a
gentleman WAC loves good story, and
lt-ils il 10 fne style. Besides. The tale
was so true 10 lie, that We were urged 10.
embody il for general edsiica,ion, and al
50 10 put congregations upon their guard
not to be too hasty. II slides off some-
thing in this way:
A revival, Of great interest, had been
for some time ia progress 10 certain
part al New Kent. Among the officia-
ting brethren is a most worthy ard pious
old gentleman, whose bosom is filled with
great zeal, aud who has labored TO urge
on the good work with unliriag energy.
A weak ago last Sabbath, he FASTENED 10
church from his brothers house, in ad.
vance Of the other members ofthe family,
that he nigh, not seem slack in his oil
important duties.
After due time, he arose TO commence
the service by reading hymn. The
cnoristers sa; ready 10 discharge their du.
ty, having cleared their throats ready for
the purpose. Unfortunately The worthy
person cannot see to read without his
specs, which 10 his dismay, after careful
search in all his pockets, he found were
non est 10 his great haste TO be in time
to church he bad left them at home. Ex-
pecting his brother every moment, who,
he hoped, would bring them, he looked
grayety down upon the congregation and
spake. But unfortunately, instead ofsay-
ing N "a natural tone that the services
must be delayed moment, as he had
forgotten his speciacles, he raised his
voice in tho musical way to which they
we're all accustomed, and said -
'My eyes are dim, cannot see.
lett my specs hehud."
Instantly, to his surprise, the singers
struck up-"My eyes are DIM" &c. pour
ing Out his words in the full soGorous
notes Of forty voices, moving in harmony
TO good od Psalm tune. The bewlhi.
cred pastor made strong gestures of dis.
appreciation, bat as he is OF the strong
working class, no one was surprsed--it
aas thought that he was only moved by
his jealous spirit aud devotion.
Just as they closed the words, his eye
caught sight through M open window OF
his brothers dog, and 81 once delighted
with the bellaf that his brother was near.
he exclaimed, in the same tone as a, first
81 think sns my Lfoihri's dog
GOWNS through The seld"
Again there was an ouiburst from the
unsusp-ctog singers, who shouted, II
think l sac" dc, The old gentleman
made most smphu,ic Signs of annoyance,
but the congregation regarded il as proof
only tbrt th-y you'd have cheering day
under his lasots. When they finished,
Ii. erred aploNusly--
"bsettr-n, duD'i sing,
'lui ave ont ihs hymn"
Again the music broke forth-"Breih.
rem don't siAg." &c. Blu. this time there
wasa "muss." Tbe words snd the tune
refused TO hl-sorne got full bar beblnt
their ncIghsors some siopted short, some
pushed on to the end, humming sounds
for the lack of words. and dire confusion
reiQped throughou, the congregation.
The parson stood beating his hands,
nods'ng and nak'nx gestures, and using
oil possible ns'ans TO stop them and IS
soon rs The hnooub subsded, he exclaim.
ed, in rather ,excd ione-"There, +
told YOU no, 10 go TO singing, TIL gave
out the hymn, So" And then there vas.
a general and very indecorious "sDickel"
IN the slee,ins, - tho truth broke in up.
on them, which even the day and the.
place could not al once subdue. Rich.
Star.