Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-04-12

:" JoAn Wi soclety, ant
has heard Of it with very great pleasure
but. he adds that it is the earnest an,
unanimous wish Of the choir that YOU will
not sing IN the meeting.' The Deacon wa.
again electrified, but had got used to III,
shock /; Singing is praying and Join NJ
church where | cannot sing IN the meeting
Good day,slr.' He was'very set in his way.
Five miles West Of his own dwelling
lived the good Pastor of another flock
The Deacon found him Smelling corn ir
his crib. This Minister, although emf.
nently pions, thought il. no harm to be a
little waggish in good cause, and for a
worthy object. He also had heard of The
Deacon's musical troubles, and shrewdly
suspected the object of his visit. "Dea-
con Goodman, | am glad TO see you," said
ne, this is not exactly ministerial labor,
Is 1t - 81 am Of different opinion .
said the Deacon, "any honest and useful
labor is ministerial labor hate all Dam
dies-the Lord forgive me. don't like
them; and like dandy Minister least
OF any," "You and | are agreed there, y
said the Minister "come walk into the
house and see my wife; she says she i in
love with you for your honesty and your
Oddities" 81 never!" said the Deacon
"but thank you, am in something Of a
hurry J" and have little business which
we can just as well settle here.
There has been little difficulty in our
Parish, which makes me feel it nv duty
to withdraw, and have come to ask the
privilege Of joining yours AT this the
Reverend gentleman looked as If he was
very much surprised. "ls it possible,'
said he; swell Deacon, though an i'll wind
Tor them, It is good one for us for it has
blown you hither. We shall be most hap
py to receive you, especially as our choir
leader has followed the multitude and gone
West. We have been looking about for
a competent man to take his place. Our
singers are all young and diifident, each
one is 10th to take the lead. We hear that
you sing the most difficult music and -"
"Why, mercy upon you,' said the Dea-
con, 81 don't know one note from another.
| know that singing is praying; and l sing
in meeting as pray in meeting"
excuse me, my friend,'' replied the
Minister, ''it is your modesty that now
speaks; you do understand music, you
must understand music or you could new
er sing Mozart with proper expression !;
and did you rot sing that most beautiful
solo, which is worthy of an angels ear
and voice ?" Now this was all Greek TO
the Deacon, and like sensible man as he
was, he always said nothing when he had
nothing TO say. "You say truly" contin-
ued the Minister, '.that singing is pray
ing" But TO those who know nothing of
music, it is praying in an unknown tongue,
and | am sure you are not Papist enough
to approve of that: music is language,
and like other languages must be learned
before it can be spoken. When the deaf
and dumb attempt to speak our common
language they make strange noises, and
still worse noises do we make when with
out the musical ear or the musical voice,
we attempt to sing"
Thus sensibly did that good Minister
speak. The Deacon was good deal "stuck
up though set in his way, he was not
fool; and only needed to be touched in the
right place. ut never appeared to me in
that light BEFORE" said the Deacon thought
fully.
"And yet, my friend, it is the true light"
said the Minister. "And now DO let me
give you word of advice. Go home, and
take your old seat on Sunday, and never
again attempt to sing in meeting. For if
your heart is right, your ear is untuned,
and your voice, though kind, is anything
but musical
The Deacon "said nothing but thought
the MORE" He mounted old Mag. The
Angel Of reflection came down and sat on
her name, and looked him full in the face.
Reader does that seem homogeneous Is
the old mares name an improper seat for
an Angel? | am afraid you are proud.
Who once rode an ass?
The Deacon passed point in the road
where, on one side, was a sturdy oak that
had been blown over by recent whrl-
wind, and, on the other, fourishing will
low: gracefully bending before the pass
ing breeze. "Od rabbit it" said the Dea-
con to himself; it was the first word he
had spoken, "to think that should be such
an obstinate old fool"
He approached his own village. The
reason for his errand abroad had been
strongly suspected, and they were all on
the look -out for his return. There stood
the choir leader. sWelcome home, Dea-
CON- said he, "hope we have not lost you
yet" "Get OUT" said the Deacon, with
a good -natured but rather sheepish look
and on he went. There stood the Minis
ter, "Welcome home, Deacon, hope we
have not lost you yet" "Get A."
he was just going 10 say get out, but ha-
bitual reverence for the Minister cut him
short. He looked at the Minister, and the
Minister looked at him, and both burst in
to fit of laughter.
The choir leader came up and took the
Deacon's hand, and, joined in the merri-
ment. "Od rabbit you are" said he and
on he went. At the front door and vim
dows Of his own house, were his wife and
and two or three of the sing
ing girls, "all of a litter" They had seen
and heard his interview with the Minis
fer and knew that all was well. "Od rab-
bit the whole bunch Of you;' said he, and
went to put old Mag in the stable.
Deacon Goodman took his old seat on
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