Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-12-27
From the Neao York Observer.
A BEAUTIFUL INCIDENT.

The following incident occurred few
weeks since in village Of one of the South
ern counties of our state. 1t was a warm
Sabbath afternoon, and the doors Of the viii
lage church we're thrown open TO let in the
balmy air from the fields without. The con-
gregation had assembled aud while the
minister was reading the first hymn dove
entered the door aud came walking up the
main aisle.
Such visitor of course drew universal
attention. But the choir arose TO sing, he
seemed startled, and lifting himself on his
wings, alighted on the stove pipe above him,
where he sat bending HIS glossy neck and
turning his neck so as TO catch the harmony
as it swelled through the temple of Cod
Whether il was the chorus of voices or the
full toned notes of the organ that captivated
him, i cannot tell but he sat the perfect
picture Of earnest attention till the music
ceased. Waiting moment as if to hear
the strain commence again, he started from
his perch and sailed to the top Of the organ,
where he furIed his pinon and sat and
looked down on the audience. The Young
clergyman arose to pray. He is distin-
guished for his earnestness and fervor Of his
invocation, and as he stood with his hands
around the Bible which lay clasped before
him, humbly beseeching the Father Of all
good to send his Holy Spirit down, that
beautiful bird pitched from its resting place
on the organ, and sailing down on level
wing the whole length OF the church perched
on the Bible directly between the hands oil
the Clergyman.
Ii was merely natural occurrence, but
how beautiful the picture. There stood the
messenger Of God, with face toward heaven
pleading heavens blessings-the Bible be.
fore him, around which his hands were
i. reverently clasped, while on il stood thai
beautiful aud innocent dove. The three
thus together formed group full Of interes
and symbolizing all that is dear TO man.
The word ofGod was before the people will
Gods chosen emblem upon it land Gods her
aid casping them both as he prayed
\ What wonder is it if a superstitious feel
ing ran through the house as the peopl,
watched that dove-the emblem of limo
cence and purity aud the divine Spirit il
sef-standing on the Bible and looking gentl
down on them. Beautiful bird, it centere,
for time the affections Of all on it and h
who could have injured il there, would hav
injured hundreds Of hearts at the same time
The presence Of its tiny feet was no sacri
lege there, for the expression Of its soft ey
; was innocence and love. The clergyman
feeling the presence Of the bird. and fearin
it might distract the attention of his hearers
gently passed his hand over his bible. Th
dove, unstarted, merely hoped over it o
the cushion, where it sat till prayer wa
: ended. 1t then rose and sailed away. |
former times the dove would have been r.
garded as spiritual visitanl from the ur
foreseen world, sent on a special mission j
answer to prayer, aud awakened feelings {
e awe and reverence.
To us il is only natural but unusual OF
currence, awakening simply the sentmer
: of beauty II was new and accidental Fl,
< ure introduced suddenly into beautifi
e picture, giving greater harmony and pc
y lection to what was deemed perfect befor
There was no religion in it, but il was fu
u Of beauty.