Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-11-04
From the. Boston Chronotype
PARSON ANDERSON AND HIS SON,
Or Preaching against Practice.

de:son glanced IN pocket mirror 10 assure
himself that his person and face were in
prayerful rim-slowly elevated his por,y fig
ure from behind the crimson velve. hangings
of high and somewha. antique pulpit-took
one solemn and deliberate view of The thinly
scattered congreg cation drew up his long sharp
features 10 a still greater leng,h--raised his
eyes imploringly 10 Heavens spread out his
Thin, soft, white hands, as if 10 embrace in the
arms of his paternal love the few representa-
,i,es Of bis numerous fold--and in deep and
thrilling tone, uttered The words, LIE; us pray
With a Simultaneous movement, the congre-
gaion arose and bent their heads reveren,ly
10 unite with their pastor in that prayer which
Immediately precedes the sermon; prayer in
which il was supposed he would exert the Ut
most power Of his eloquence in his fervent
pleading with the Almighty.
Parson Anderson commenced: his deep bass
voice resounded through his almos, vacant
church like the subdued tones of distant ihun.
der. In long accustomed and well measured
terms, he described the high and holy objec, OF
ihei. adora,ion---expressed the most nnbounded
gratitude for the privilege of again offering up
their hearts sincere devoons---imporing the
Divine blessing Of Christians throughout the
world. but especially upon his own fock.--in-
voked wisdom and strength for the rulers o!
our beloved and high-enIig gh,ened land'--.de-
sired lha, The gospel news Of salvation might
be spread among the slaves of this free and
noble country'---and most earnestly besought
the Lord TO visit with mercy and Teiribulive
Justice the haun,s of poverty, degradation and
vice, with which our cities abound.
Here The Reverend gentleman paused from
pure necessity; his voice in the excitement OF
The hour had forgotten lis solemn and Legitimate
bass, and, ascending step by sep-.-as if, during
the prayer, tie Almighty ear had receded far
,her and farther from the mouth Of the pleader
.--he had at length terminated beautifully
rounded sentence in a sharp shrill scream..--
Here, as we remarked, he paused inhaled one
long full breath, and with cambria ofspoless
purity removed the perspiralion from his wrink-
led brow And he proceeded:
We bless thy name, o Lord, that amid the
numerous boun,ies of thy Providence, we are
moi forgotten; upon this day. especially, open
our hearts to feel for the sufferings Of the poor,
The sick and the forsaken; incline us 10 seek
them in their own houses, 10 relieve their dis
iress, 10 console the mourner, 10 cIothe the ma
ked, to feed the hungry, TO smile upon the ob'
jecis Of Thy compassion, Lord, and TO share
equally with them the Eururies ,chich this day af-
fords.'
At this period of the service, bonnet in the
front pew was slightly elevated, and pair ol
black eyes peeped cautiously roundo the words
emphalically pronounced. These eyes be-
longed TO the Parsons honored lady, who was
noted far and wide for the peculiar and far
reaching shrewdness with which she con'rived
10 eke the two ends OF her husbands moderate
salary.
| As usual on Thanksgiving day, only sim.
pie and ordinary dinner had been prepared. the
fires ex,nguished, and the good lady with hel
son and daughter had followed the devou
preacher TO the church at an early hour
While inhalng spiritual food SO abundanlly
she nevertheless reserved thought for the
more worldly luxuries with which she had
reason 10 know their wealthy parishioners
were supplied. and of which experience had
taught her 10 anticipate an ample share II
was therefore very natural thing that pleas
ami, though somewhat sancti6ed smile, should
creep over her round dimpled face, as she met
a few gances quickly thrown from surrounding
eyes,. assurances tha, she was not doomed TO
disappointment.
Among this bowed and worshipful congrega-
lion. one slone--a young man Of 20, the only
sen of the Rev. Jacob Anderson--stood proudly
erect, his arms grae.euly folded across his