The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-09-08
The Daughter Sacrificed;
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All che inhabitants Of the popu'uus parish Of
agreed that Mr ST. John possessed in great degree
those qualifications which arc supposed to be requisite
for a Clergyman. lie was tall enough TO dispense
with the STOOL which many Of his equally gifted but
less towering brethren find so invaluable Gas although
they would certainly never bo able to be with
ont il and had Il voice Of great depth and power,
well trimmed, that each change Of tono Of va
rying meditation The blessings oGpupt elocution
have scarcely been nppreciaedi ST Johns discourse
was 10y no means tedious and unch1ngiEg series OF
sounds, inviting merely TO slumber;t stirred like
trumpet blast. There II ropose on his broad o.
pen brow, which spoke Of high and noble feelings
10 close observer there might seem too much OF pas
sion and Abandonment in ;he startling bursts of excl
ted and energetic feeling in which he occasionally in
duged; but his congregation only idoli2ed hun the
more Tor being unlike the tame preachers who ov-
cry now and thea oficiated in his stead; and were
willing 10 remember, that as yet he was but Young,
and that the passions Of youth in extremes II
was only such occasions these, that tho light
would flash from his melancholy eyes, and the color
soal into his pale cheeks until he became for time,
as it were, different being. Ono Sabbath day he
was more than usually eloquent, and at the conclu-
sion Of the SERVICE the congregation fingered 10 ex
press TO each other their deep and grated feelings
you return home and dine with Noel said Gener-
al Morley las he followed Mr. ST. John into the vcsry,
where he had retired TO dvest himself Of his clerical
habliments.
Il would much rather not, General, If you would
kindly me-
But ] will not excuse you, unless indeed you
have some better way Of spending your time else
where
Il have no other engagement until evening, when
| am going little way out of town. replied the
young minister, with bis eyes bent upon the lsten-
ings of his gown, which he was neryously endeavor-
ing TO undo.
The General looked keouy on tho varying coun-
tcnanco Of his friend as he said -
well in that then will not detan you after
dinner which have ordered early, that it might not
interfere with afternoon prayers and tho country air
will then do you good
Il am not i'll sT,' replied Mr. ST. John, in a slow
voice
perhaps not absolutely in bodily III health, but
you unhappy and strive in vain to conceal ii from
your oldest friend FOR mere coporea suffering there
is generally cure, but mental afiic;ion preys upon
tho inward frame until it destroys it,
There was momentary convulslve working on the
counenance of the young minister, he stretched
forth his hand to the General.
'You are right, The said in concentrated voice but
my must remain untold, it is unguessed
at. Il Is my own creating, and surely endure
lie cut short any further attempt at conversation
by hnging open the vestrY door. and walking quickly
ont few yet fingered to receive his greetings or
listen TO his kind inquiries; and the carriage which
contained the General and his guest drove rapidly
away, young and old joined in declaring Mr. St John
to be little less than saint
General Morley bachelor, and the quiet hos
ptality Of his table was more sought after by the
young minister, and his Invitations ollener accepted
than those of any other member of his Numerous
gregntion AS there female belonging 70 his
establishment hut aged and crippled sister, this
circumstance excited little comment dissatisfdc-
ton.
is il not n strange perversity Of the human heart
which renders it capable of feeling and thinking so
much better than it promptsto act? inquired Mr. St.
John, the gentleman sat together after dinner en-
joyng the brief interval allowed them by the profess
sional avocations of the younger.
at is, believe, painful fact replied tho Gener-
al borne by the lives Of Of best authors
and worst men,
sand yet, said his companion, after a few mo-
ments pause, 'there is consolation left to the
happy man; his may be botted out and forgot
ten-may DO productive Of but little evil except TO
himself'
sThis is mere sophfstry, said the general.
'Then you think said ST John speaking with pas
sionnle earnostness, 'you think that man who con-
,inues living in known sin, while he dwolls upon
the lows of purity and virtue, while he feels within
himself that nothing compensate for their loss, is
a hypocre before God and man. and ono whom it
would DO duty to expose and hold up to public
scorn ?
sNo, St john said the old man, laying his hand
kindly upon the trembling wrist of his agiLaed friend
Il would first reason with such bebg--l would re-
peat to him his own beautiful sentiments, until he
was redeemed by them
ooh! i'll dared tell you all! If alone might be the
sufTererr said Noel Earnestly, f alone could bear
the cold Of the worId-but II may not be-there
is no hep--no redress
At this moment the bells rang once again, for at
ternoon services the young minister arose suddenly
Accent the omen, Noel, said the General, wrnging
his hand with even more than ms usual kndness as
they parted; lit is tho prayer oal-may lie whom
You serve shod the blessing CT li' peace nron your
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