Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-11-16


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 ma
tron, 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 evil
dent 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 thrifty, through the
broad leaves of which the faint wind rustled
like low murmurous sound, like the drop
ping Of summer rain. In the southwest,
just above the top of Totoket, appeared the
white caps oftwo or three of those singular
clouds, known among the country people
as ''thunder heads" 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 TO cast down before whose altar they
were accustomed cast to all their cares and
troubles.
As with slow and reverent steps they
filed into the meeting house and took their
seats in the square pews, it was easily seen
that the greater portion of the male part of
the congregation consisted of men advanced
in years, and boys in their teens. The
morning service passed as usual, and after
short intermSSion, the people again gath.
cred TO their places, and the earnest prayer
was offered, and a sermon, suited TO the ex-
igencies of the times and the wants of the
audience, was commenced. Suddenly, the
congregation were startled by the heavy
tramp ofa horse which rapidly approached
and halted by the meeting house door. In
a 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 audiby whispered Injunction to act with
speed, he 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
in the hand of the minister, with the same
whispered injunction. Deliberately the
old man finished his sermon and prayer,
then glanc,ng his eye over the paper, he
laid its contents before the people. 1t was
a pressing requisition from Washington for
more troops. He was daily expecting an
attack from the combined forces OF the enc
nv, and each town and village was called
upon TO furnish what aid it could After a
few apt and eloquent remarks on the crit-
cal situation Of the beloved chieftain, the
worthy man continued-sLet US not be too
much cast down, my brethren. Our cause
is that Of truth, justice and righteousness;
and strong in these, we shall yet assuredly
triumph. This business is urgent; and l
:rust it will not be derogatory to our Chris
tian character, nor an infringement upon
the holy Sabbath, if we take such measures
asseem most pressing to-day. Therefore,
all who are willing to take their lives in
their hands and stand by the side of their
Commander-in-chief, IN this, the hour of
trial, will after the close of these services,
please range themselves in single file, upon
the village common"
Then, with hands clasped, and raised to-
wards Heaven, he took up the sublime in
vocation of David: ,. Hts
"Keep not thou silence, o God hold not
thy peace, and be not still. .r
/ "For, 10, mine enemies make tumult,
that they hate thee have lifted up the head.
"They have taken crafty council against
\ the people, and consulted against thy hid
den ones. They have said, Come, let us
cut them off from being a nation, that the
name of Israel may be no more in remem-
brance.
"Let them be confounded and troubled
forever; yea, let them be put TO shame and
4 perish.
"That men may know that thou, whose
name alone is Jehovah, art Most High over
all the earth"
There was silence for the space of some
moments, and then to the strains of old
"Mear," full clear and distinct, from all
parts of the house rose the words Of the
following hymn
"Atend, We armies 10 the night,
! And be our guardian God
In vain shall numerous fees unite
4 Against thine uphfted rod.
sour troops, beneath thy guiding hand,
Shall gain great renown; g.. .i
'Ts God that makes the feeble stand, .i
Aud troads the migaty down"
The deep silence that following the bene-
dictlon was broken by the low muttering
OF distant thunder, for the white capped
thunder clouds of the morning were climb
ing with giant strides up the western sky.
Contrary TO their usual custom, the people
waited IN silence, until their pastor had de-
scended from the pulpit, and passed down
the aisle then the aged deacons moved
r forward, followed by the congregation in
due order. AS they issued from the wide
5 doorway, the whole male portion, as il
, moved by one impulse, took their way to
the village common. Thoughtfully and
silently, to the roll call of the booming
, thunder, they took their places, shoulder tc
. | al -, l.. r.