The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-18
The PredIcament Of tho Parson.
To the Editor of the Union:

To the Editor Of the Union:
Sin: have perused the National Intelgencers thanks
gvng editorial of Saturday morning last the election of
Gen. Taylor, in which is offered up very heartfelt and a
fectonae prayer to the Almighty Ruler Of nations for
States elect the "Od Hero" to the presidency Pom
derng the apparent Joy wing neghbors appear to
possess in view OF anticipated realization of of
their darling and long cherished political wishes and med
tang upon the dscordant materials which compose the
successful party, madeup it is of many bygone
schsms and united by such fra ties, together with the
several omnous expressions of Gen Taylor as to the
course he designs to pursue In administering the affairs
of the government and, lastly rejecting how easily
fondest hopes sometimes blasted, and sweetest
Joy turned to sorroWhese various cogtaOns brought
my mind the following humorous predicament of
tain parson, as descriptive OF the condition OF wing
neigh bOrs
In one of our New England States it is the law of the
State and the custom OF the people to make all marriages
public at least two weeks before the wedding This
usually done by the several cergymen from their
spectve pits. On Sabbath day, reverend parson
in that State had such proclamation to make or ladies
will marry there even under such resrctions,) and, as
customary with him, he took the close OF the sermon
in the part OF the day the most appropriate time
The subject of his discourse the 'se security"
prone 10 be drawn into and indulge in, as to their
spiritual wei fare, without having performed the
ry good works. or led the requisite religious life in this
world from which alarming condition he endeavored to
them by the nature of his discourse AS on all
other Sabbath services he had selected particular
hymn to be sung by the choir appropriate to the
and The close OF the services and now having finished his
sermon, which full of warning and advice and made
ueFoul WHICH lett ueep impression on MS
dience. and having opened his hymn-book, the more
readily to close the meeting, he paused moment to
gage the attention of his audience and then observed
that agreeably to the laws and custom of the State he
had been requested to give public notice that marriage
was intended between certain young gentleman and
lady, mentioning their names,) both residing in this
towns; which he did in his usual easy and Indifferent
way not being the least affected the duty frequent
was it, while his mind remained wholly and inteny bent
on the importance of his discourse yet the
his hearers (and particularly the younger porton)
deeply absorbed with the pleasure of an approaching
edd'ng just brought to light; and, in this situation oil
pleasurable hope and inward fear between pastor and
people, he hastily opened his hymn book and commenced
reading those well-known and emphatic lines of Dr.
Scott:
mistaken souls, that dream of Heaven,
And make their empty boast"
And the way the young people fell to laughing, az
though there could be any mistaken souls in gedded
state, while the parson still thinking of the 'preca-
ous condition OF ms hearers that it with the great
est difficulty the singing could proceed or the meeting be
brought TO close; did the respected parson fully
comprehend the Predcament' till several days had tran
spred which. TO his utter asonshment he found wholly
brought home to himself. X