The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-21

SlHnmerinS over tne cracked Deu anl
rusty 'vane.
We enter, we seat ourselves on the
steps of the alter, for the church is
crowded; we listen to the voice of the
ancient preacher, whose message is oI
life and peace to the minds ofmen from
the Lord Jesus, the crucifed, the risen
the mediatorial. q
Who comes here. AS / live, 'tis
our ancient friend, who stood between
our vision and the dawn not long ago,
Aye, he comes slowly along the
aisle, his white nd. blaekshed by Grape,
in one hand, his cane in the other, while
every eye. behoIds his lofty brow, the
snowy hair and the commanding
.countenance, scanned by the wrinkles
ofage.
Silently he takes his seat-all give
way to his presence--silently he lis.
tens to the word Of silently the
sabbath morning wears away.
Who is this ancient man?
A new scene!
Here crowding around the banisters
Of the circular railing in front Of the
pulpit, kneeling on the steps of the al
ter, bowling the heads in silent awe,
come young and old, rich and poor,
come red Tipped youth, blooming mai
denhood, mature matronhood, stern
manhood and silver haired age.
In the midst staiids the preacher,
holding aIoft the cup and bread Of God,
speaking Of the mystic meaning Of those
divine emblems as he extends the sa-
cred food to the lips Of age, or bestows
the wine Of life on the silent adorat
tion Of youth, :
And here kneeIing with a rosy
cheekedmaiden on one side,and anaged
veteran ofthe cross on the other, he
silently bows the stringer, his long
white hairs hiding his muscular hands
trembling over hisvisage as he lowers
his head in ~oiceless; prayer, here he
prays, that ancient man; he extends
his hand, receives theeup and bread of
God, and that voice so full, so bold in
its slightest tone, trembles with the syl-
lables Of the Redeemer's name, muir
muringly speaks the word ofhope, ,"Je-
sus!"
Who is the stranger that stood be+
tween us and the red dawn a few mo-
ments ago, that now bows, trembles
while he eats the bread at'idrinks the
vine of Cpd? Il
Who is this ahcisst man with the
lace and snowy hair?
Come back with me twenty eight
years through the pathway of time,
come back with me to strange scene |
where our question may find its answer.
A wide city, with temples, mansions
nd domes, wrapt in heavy pail of
moke, groups of pale faced citizens
at the corners of the streets,
he silence of the night resting on
he place, in broad day, while the thun-
er of the distant cannon breaks on
he air. |
Now ask who is the stranger.
Ask the mother, secreting her babe
| the dim hooks of her home, on whom
ext to God, she relies for protection
! this dread hour, when the rude hand
T British ravage seems already thrust
efore her eyes, ask the aged father,
ith his blooming and dark haired
lughter kneeiing at his feet in speech
IS alarm, while she clasps his knees
TX the grey haired man; who shall ,
lall stay the path Of the red coat hire :
,g with the cry "Beauty and Boo =
',"who shall rescue the pure girl from i.
e polluted grasp of the ravisher. .
The mother, the father, speak one 6
lme Of hope, one name of salvation! ..
People ofthe wide city of the. south, :
while the thunder of British ,,
mon is at your gates, clustering at
'ur street corners in fear, hiding your ;.
Ives in the nopks and chambers of +
lur proud mansions, your brothers .
'ur fathers, on to the march of death =
thout the city walls in this moment :,
death and horror! =
Again that name of glory breaks on 6
ur ears. Bold Backwoodsman of II
3 west speeding through flames and .
loke, Speeding over the dead corpses :,
your red coat foes, tell us, who is - -
n tall warrior mounted on the white :" -
lr-horse, pointing his sword around e.
the death he dares fearless in the - :.
ur of horror orundismayed, while round 4
horses feet scatters the shot and ~
ms the death halls! :.
The question passes from our lips "
d yet again-that name Of glory
mes echoing through the gloom Of a. a.
tile! III
Who is the stranger Of the autGihnal
adow, who is the COMMUNICATE Of
church of Gdd, who was the saliva
4 oftba fair c;fv .of tho cdn,b tho