The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-08-19

whispered, I" it has got to be an old story
lie again made an effort to rally by con2menc-
ing the morning prayer in an elevated tone of
voice, and praying earnestly foI his flock, of
every circumstance and condition, and touch
ing with much feeling upon the wants Of all.
But it seemed difficult to gain the attention
of even the protesting part of the congrega-
ton, for it was a busy season among the farm
ers, and many them had prided themselves
upon doing heavy days work, and putting
every thing to rights on Saturday, and as a
consequence, nature reacted, and they were
fairly asleep before the conclusion of the
prayer
There was also Deacon c., who had specu-
lated largely in bread stuas, but the arrival |
Of the last steamer had dashed his airy cas-
ties to the dust, and destroyed his hopes of
realizing fortune by tamperng with the
wants Of the starving poor, who, being really |
tired of the whole scheme, cndeavorcd to get !
into a devotional frame Of mind but it was
of no use, and he soon resigned himself to
consider how he might best extricate him
self from the dilemma in which he was placed, |
and the next day an advertisement was seen
in the village paper, headed in large capitals,
Grain for sale at reduced prices" His wor-
thy wife being rather large, sat by his side,
perspiring freely under a load Of dress, which |
seemed to be worn more for show than use
consisting of a cap with triple borders, and
/ ribbons to match,-a small hat, covered by q |
profusion Of trimming, with an embroidered
lace veil, from which large face protruded-
| a heavy black satin dress, with crimson lined,
deep fringed Italian silk mantilla, adorned
with gimp and buttons-and surmounted with |
q rich embroidered collar. She breathed !
short and heavy, and appeared too much &C.
cupied with herself to attend to any thing else,
especially the pastor, whom she had long
considered as very dull, and very much behind
the times.
As the pastor proceeded with his sermon.
and noticed the general apathy, his heart
sunk within him, his voice trembled, and he |
was ready to give up in despair but just then /
the Angel lifted a corner ofthe curtain which !
separates the material from the invisible
world, and he saw the Saviour with shining !
SCROLL inscribed in lines of light with the d.
vine command, "In the morning SOW thy
seed, and in the evening withhold not thy
hand for thou knowest not whether shall |
prosper either this or that )" and underneath
in large characters, was traced the precious
promise, "Lo, am with you always, even
unto the end of the world" Ills manner be.
came elevated and impressive, he exhortcd !
the church to arouse from its slumbers, and |
shake off the dust of worldliness which was
whitening its energies, and destroying its use
fulness, with pathos which aroused some Of
the sleepers, and reached the hearts of many
of the congregation
A young orphan serving girl was greatly
profted; she coveted none Of the nice things
worn by the fashionable miincr, considering
them uniting her station, for she possessed |
L" the pearl of great price" and had adorned |
herself with the " ornament Of a meek and
quiet spirit"
An aged man, just upon the verge of the
Spirit land" was cheered with new pros
pect Of his heavenly inheritance; and poor
woman, upon whom the shafts Of adversely
had fallen thickly, was encouraged to hope
in Cod" But the greater part Of the con-
gregation went away understand dissatisfied !
with the pastor
Mrs. S. could not see the need of so much
preaching to the church; he ought to get
sinners conyertod-and for her part she was
heartily tired of hearing it, and believed in
future she should attend the Methodist chap
ell. Deacon c, remarked that he hardly ever
heard so dull asernon an opinion in which
his spouse heartily concurred, The young
Misses complained that he was tedious, the
matrons that he was unintercsting.
The Angel wept as he finished the Record,
but spreading his shining wings, he gladly
took his flight to the realms of bliss. As he
approached the great white throne, shade
Of darkness had overspread the glorious coun-
tenance of the Most High; but the Saviour
raising his wounded hands, imploringly ex-
claimed, " Father forgive them, for they know
not what they do" The rising cloud passed
away, and voice from the throne was heard,
saying, This is my beloved son, with whom
l am well pleased" The angel bands shout.
ed with joy, and tuned their golden harps to
song anew; the heavenly hicrarchies pro-
longed the chorus, but the Record was stamp
ed with the seal Of eternity, and registered
among the archives of heaven to be brought