The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-01
THE NATIONAL ERA.
WASHINGTON, JULY %, 1850.
~s-S--s S-th.
SKETCHES Of OUR VILLAGE.
No. 2.
A SABBATH OF me.
BY MARTHA RUSSELL.

Late in the fall of ls47 it was my good fortune
TO spend several delightful hours in the gallery
of thaAe Art Union in New York. Among the
many exquisite pictures that graced its walls,
was one which particularly attracted my attention.
Not that either comprehended or was much in
auenced by the learned and technical criticisms
of the eonnoSSens at my elbow, but 1t was New
England scene, "The first news of the battle Of
lexington" by Ranney, and for its truth and
spirit could well vouch.
1t represented New England landscape in the
capriciOus month of April, with all the shows of
awakening agricultural life and industry. A viii
sge smithy in the foreground which | could
have almost identified, under the projecting roof
Of which stood the brawny armed smith himself
with sany--.. a.al knitted brows, fssten-
ing shoe TO the reeking horse Of a courier, thow
much more significant the old Saxon word Jode.)
who, sill in the saddle. hurriedy told his tale Of
fate and fear" to the excited listeners that had
already reached the spot All along the road
were seen hurrying stalwsrt forms, with the i'm
plements of toll still in their hands in the fields
the plough and oxen were left midway in the fur
row, while their master, without bride or saddle,
sprang upon the stout farm horse and with his
strong hand twisted in his shaggy name, the gears
still trailing at his heels, and nose high in the
air. guided him, at an undreamed-of pace, across
the fields, and over fences toward the scene of
excitement.
knew many in my native village that might
have stood as the originals of those men, aye and
not few horses that might upon occasion have
taken that very look and gait. But more than
this, as gazed upon that picture, the shadowy
forms of the white haired fathers of our village
seemed to take The place Of the gaily -dressed
people at my side, and stand leaning as was their
wont, over their stout oaken sticks as they told
over again their " tales Of the times Of old" One
Of these, which that picture wildly recalled and
which would not be an unmeet subject for the art
lists pencil, shall attempt to relate
One Sabbath morning, during the gloomy sum-
mer Of l776 when the hopes of the patriots SEEM
ed likely to go down in darkness and blood, and
even the God-sustained heart of Washington
grew troubled, and almost sank within him, the
people of our village came up to the house of God
with sad cnnntsnannas and haavY hAo.ts- Nsws
travelled slowly then, and they were chiefly in
debted to such wounded soldiers as passed through
the village, on their way to their homes, for their
information of the movements of the army. They
knew that Washington still held New York, and
the last poor wounded fellow that had reached
home had told fearful tale Of the state of our
own diminished army, and the horde of troops I'M
der the Howes, that were gathering around it like
locusts
1t was beautiful midsummer morning A
light thunder shower, during the latter part of
the preceding night, had laid the dust and given
cOOlness to the air. The rain drops still hung
trembling from leaf and spray, and came dropping
down in showers, as the footsteps of pedestrians
or the heavy tramp Of horses bearing in most
instances the double burden Of man and matrop,
with perchance a rosy child or two, startled from
their quivering perches the silver-throated birds.
The grain was already harvested, but many
fields of grass were still standing, brown and
sunburnt and it was very evident that many of
the crops suffered from lack of proper cultivation
for many of the most expert wielders Of the hoe
and scythe had already exchanged them for the
musket and sword Still, here and there piece of
Indian corn stood up thriftily, through the broad
leaves of which the faint west wind rustled with
low murmurous sound, like the dropping OF
summer rain. In the southwest, just above the
top of Totoket, appeared the white caps of two
or three Of those singular clouds known among
the country people as "thunderheads" But the
people, as they pursued their way along the green
lanes and over the forest crowned hills, had other
thoughts than Of the beauty of the Landscape
Their hearts were with their brothers and
friends; their thoughts turned towards Him who
is both able to build up and cast down, before
whose altar they were accustomed to cast all their
cares and troubles
As with slow and reyerent steps they filed into
the Westinghouse and took their seats in the
square pews, 1t was easily seen that the greater
portion Of the male part Of the congregation con.
sisted Of men advanced in years, and boys in
their teens. The morning service passed as
usual, and, after short intermission, the people
again gathered to their places, and the earnest
prayer was offered, and a sermon, suited to the
ehigenc'es of the times and the wants Of the au-
dience, was commenced Suddenly, the congre-
gauon were startled by the heavy tramp of a
morse, which rapidly approached and halted by
the Westinghouse door. In moment the rider
had thrown himself from the saddle and stood
within the door. Handing note to the aged
deacon, who was hurrying down the aisle TO ask
the cause Of this untoward interruption, with an
sadibly whispered injunction to act with speed,
ne as hastily mounted, and kept on his way. The
deacon cast one glance at the superscription Of
the paper, then marched reverently up the pulpit
stairs, and placed 1t in the hand of the minister
with the same whispered injunction. Deliberately
tue old man finished his sermon and prayer, then
ganclng his eye over the paper, he laid its con.
tents before the people 1t was pressing requi.
"''on from Washington for more troops He
was daiiy expecting an attack from the combined
'Orces OF the enemy, and each town and village
called upon to furnish what aid II could
huer q few spt and eloquent remarks on the crit.
'a situation Of the beloved chieftain, the worthy
man continued" Let us not be too much cast
u'"n, my brethren. Our cause Is that Of truth
and justice and righteousness; and, strong In
'ness' we shall yet assuredly triumph. This
BUSINESS Is urgent; and, trust, It will not be
ussmed derogatory to our Christian character
Aor An infringement upon the holy Sabbath, II We
axe "a. such measures ~ seem most pressing, to-day
therefore, all Who are willing to take their lives
IN 'hsir hands, and stand by the side Of the Com.
'aAndsr-in-ohisf In this hour Of trial, viii, after
the close Of these services please range themseves
IN single file, upon the village oomnon.p