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

decay, and no longer witnessed the morning
and evening sacrifice Of prayer and praise
and the closet, where in times past he had Of
ten held communion with his God, was neg
lected so true it is, that the rel ion of the
sanctuary, family and closet usually 60 hand
in hand. He had become morose in his tenn
permanent, regarding his brethren in the church
with a sort of suspicious eye, because they
had kindly labored with him, and the neigh
bors all declared that Deacon X. was an a.
tered man.
Some wanted the pastor to preach extern
pore, like the celebrated revivalist, Mr.. B.
they could read sermons at home, though they
scere aevcr kao,on to do, SO, and besides this,
they strongly suspected that he preached old
sermons.
Mrs s., who was converted by the preach
ing of the revivalist, and who was rather in
conslderate at times, wanted rcpiUay got up.
If the church would only get together and
have revival, she would give heart and hand
to the work. Poor woman the little she
knew Of vital religion was obtained amid the
noise and hustle Of excitement, and when it
passed away, the still, small voice of piety,
which infuses itself into the heart and life,
were wanting.
The good old Deacon W. had labored long,
and expended much time and money to build
up the church; but with returning years the
same scenes were to be reacted, with the
same calls upon his pocket; either the church
were dissatisfied with the minister, or the
minister with the church, and there seemed
no such thing as giving permanency to the
superstructGle. He had become discouraged,
and he resolved to let matters take their own
course. Forgetting the injunction of his di-
vine Master, "Work while the day lasts" he
folded his arms, though the sun of his life was
an hour above the horizon Of time, and was
waiting to receive his reward.
The pastor was well aware Of the state of
things, and lad spent hours in his closet,
mourning over the desolations of Zion" and
weeping before the altar Of bis God for the
sins of his people. He had diligently search
Cd the holy scriptures, ifperchanoo he might
find an antidote to stay the plague. His morn
ing address to his Heavenly Father, that his
people might be specially blessed and in
structed through the minlstrations of the
sanctuary that day, was peculiarly touching,
bat much of the effect was lost by the sound
Of footsteps passing along the uncovered aiSles
He read, in voice which at times trembled
with emotion, the 5lst Psalm, partic ularly
emphasizing some Of its sublime passages but
as he ncared the close, the fashionable milf
ncr of the place, just arrived from the city,
whittier she had been to procure the latest
styles, entered the house of God, and with a
gait unknown before the days of " bustles,"
proceeded to her accustomed seat at the upper
end of The sanctuary.
She was the very personifcation of her
calling-a walking show-case-an ambassador
from Vanity Fair" to form compact with
the church, and bring its youth into " con-
tormity with the world" All eyes were bent
upon hcr,--the Misses fdgotcd in their seats,
touching their companions, and raising their
fingers, as much as to say, "thero's the new
fashions" Ono admired the beautiful rose
which adorned the side of the hat; another
thought the delicate lace, wrcahed with the
ribbon, particularly elegant she would
have hers like it, while all admired its gcncr-
al contour, and thought it very becom NC.
The other parts Of the dress were also a
matter Of speculation. 1t was observed chat
the bodice was longer, the sleeves shorter,and
the neck lower than last year, and they de-
signed to profit accordingly. The older of the
female worshippers fell to considering the
pense Of the equipage One says to herself
" hardly think we can afford such material
but think l can get an imitation, which will
do very we'll" Another thought the high
color Of the hat-trimmings would exactly suit
her daughters complexion, "fcr," said she,
they usually become Misses considerably
beyond their teens, and l shall not mind the
expense"
The merchants ran over in mind their va
rious assortment Of goods, to reach the con-
clusion whether they had the articles which
would now be wanted, and of sufficient quail
ty and quantity to meet the forthcoming de-
mand.
A plain, honest man, and father of an in
tcresting family of daughters, fairly writhcd
in his seat as the pageant passed by; while a
look Of care amounting almost to agony dark
ened his brow, for he dreaded the many
" Ca"dleS" consequent upon the denouement.
The Angel blushed as he proceeded with his
Record. but he nnidnd Tho 11nnrrinn MN Of