The southern press., 1851-08-13
summer sketches. .-Ho.7.
SHANsosDALE SPRINGS, Va, August 6
BY MARY J. wIEDLE.

oHANNohDALE SPRINGS, va, August D.
We had last Sabbath the pleasure of hearing
two excellent sermons--one from Mr.. REESE, Of
the Methodist church, and the other from Mr..
CLARK, a distinguished Presbyterian clergyman
OF Boston, whose earnest eye, and impressive
manner, seemed to invest all he said with Pc
culiar solemnity. His sermon must have struck
attention, whether viewed as a beautiful piece
of composition, or as a solemn call to a per-
manent feeling, that If few can properly express,
all share and understand preparation for eter-
nifty. TWAS to this solemn subject that Mr.. c..
addressed himself with energy and fervor. CON-
mencing with the uncertainty of life, the p eacher
proceeded to consider preparation for death in
two aspects--its possibility and its desirable
ness. He regarded the subject as one Of over
Whelming Importance to those who are fritterng
away life in frivolous amusements; and, after
beautifully illustrating the effects of the atone
ment on the social and moral nature of man, he
declared that if commissioned to 90 out and
convert the world, and allowed to choose the
mightiest auxiliary, it would be no miracle
working, no healing Of diseases, but the tender
ness of an immortal love beaming on his coun-
tenance, and quivering on his lips, to implore
men to live in preparation for Judgment.
1t is not our purpose to present any syllabus
of the discourse. We are satisfied with having
pointed out its character. Wemay be permitted,
however, to express our conviction that this
style of preaching is destined to mark new era
in the history Of the pulpit II has kept too re-
mote from mems "homes and business" and
taken too little account Of that ideal world by
which all are surrounded and all are swayed.
In an age remarkable for opulence of ideas, it
has been devised the material scattered over the
broad face of the earth, as though its place was
in the air. Mr.. c., instead OF fighting against
the Imagination, apparently aims to direct and
to exalt it, to make it a minister Of good. In
stead of dwelling with delight amidst the storms
and darkness Of the human soul, he commits
himself to the character Of the body whom he
addresses.
There is something peculiarly impressive and
touching in this union of strangers from various
parts of the country, met but for few weeks, to
part, perhaps never to behold each others faces
again, in the holiest Of all unions, that of Chris
tian worship How close, how strong that won
drous tie Of common faith that thus gathers
strangers unknown and unconnected by any one
worldly interest or bond, to utter the same
words of praise and supplicaton-to think, per-
haps, the same thoughts Of humble and trustful
dependence on Gods great goodness The
bright, cloudess sky, seemed to respond in their
magniicence to our worship.
In the evening, we had sacred concert in the
parlor-for we have the materials in our COM
pany for fine music. We were walking up from
the spring, when the soft notes of religious air
came floating down to us, with richness and
sweetness we cannot describe Then followed
old familiar hymns and melodies, that sounded
like childhood come back again. In truth, il
was pleasant Sabbath evening.
Tho 1ov 10 incr hraoLspn No o1o,,1 ,o ,aa,,
no mist dims the atmosphere. The first wave
of light rolls forward, and scatters its snowy
foam throughout the air. The tide of the great
OCEAN, whose flood is darkness, and whose ebb
is day, has begun its resistless flow. The pure
bosom of the sky is flushed at the rude invasion
of its beauty, and as the glowing presence of
the day king grows more intense, its bushes
deepen from roseate into purple, till it seems as
it would faint with excess Of feeling. Our days
pass pleasantly We rise Il very early) and
breakfast by seven. Previous to breakfast, a
draught from the spring is invigorating. After
that we adjourn to the nine-pin alley, and spend
an hour or two. This is a gentle exercise, and
fills up those hours Of leisure which inevitably
occur when the duties of the first meal is over,
an occupation which'is rather recreation than
q toll. 1t ID moreover an exercise, adn mis-
tering alike to the comfort of the body and
the repose nf tha mind indaed, oas- -euaasesnente
make the week go by with the rapidity Of q
season in town, with the advantage of coming
from the winters dissipation with added fresh
ness and vigor.
(Aword in your ear dear reader.) wedding
an actual bona .fde wedding, is to come off al
Shannondale in few days; but we are dis
turbed by shout at our elbowi Laughing is
healtlful; and we have no doubt but the founda.
ton for many good constitution has been laid
at Shannondale this summer.
President FILLMORE and suite have just ar.
rived; but more of this anon.
Among the distinguished arrivals and de.
partures, we may mention Mr.. SEAToS and lady
Of the Inteuigsncer."