Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1852-03-06
The Atheist llebukCd.

I
Sabbath, and there had been no pub
lie worship in the village where the
writer tarricd.
After the darkness had come on, and
tho crowds began gradually to desert
the streets, bent my steps towards
the woods for the forest is to mo al
way, the tittest temple ofthought.
Ihad rambled for some time, when,
from between the dark trunks of the
trees, light burst upon my vision,
und presently I heard the accents of
a voice apparently engaged in yehe.
ment exclamation. Hoping that |
had at last found some in that place
who worshipped God, I pressed for.
ward through the underbrush, and
stood within the woodland meeting
house. 1t was wild, yet lovely
scene a grand old hall, rooted with
heavens arch, carpeted with green
grass, and culumned with massive
oaks. A pulpit, made by telling trees,
and forming Il broast-work with their
trunks, with rough board for desk,
was lighted up by two large Pickering
torches. Rude seats had been ranged
in rows before this singular rostum,
and upon them were seated between
one and two hundred dimly seen
forms.
But my eye very soon yielded to
the horror which my ears took in. A
young man was haranguing the as
selnbly in Aippant style, in defence
Of infdelity, and in the exhibition of
apparent inconsistencies in the Scrip.
lures; and though he only rehearscd
the stale and sophis,ical objections of
oil free.thinkers, and reminded inc
Of q child levelling his little arrows at
the Alps, most of his auditors seemed
pleased, and the rest quite uncon.
cerned. He had almost conclude d
when arrived, and | had not been
there many minutes before the silly
wretch, vain ofthe applause elected,
took his seat in conspicuous place
upon the platform, and looked around
him with an air ofperfect triumph.
was hesitatiug whether to leave
tho spot. or to endcavor, in my feeble
way, to counteract the effects Of his
words, when form arose in an OBJ.
scure corner of tho camp-ground, and
asked to be heard for one moment.
1t was an. old, gray.haired man, who
.Eleaned. upon a staff, He spoke much
asfollows. I recollect his very words
Tho simple eloquenco Of his manner,
and the tendantcircumstances, have
incflaceably stamped them upon my
memory:
"NIy dear neighbors, | have lived
a great many years in your midst;
My form has gradually bowed, and
my locks have been bleaching before
the effects of seventy winters; and
you will, know, hear me.
"Out in that copso, which is now
lighted up by the pale moonbeams;
l buried two hardy, noble sons, and
yet that spot is to me the pleasantest
place upon this blessed, beautiful!
earth for thence went up two sainted
spirits to the abodes Of everlasting
ioy--yes, to that heaven which yon
scoller affects to dcride. But though
his wicked soul cannot realize such
place as heaven, l will show you
that there is a world which he not
only conceiycs of, but which in his
secret soul he believes and fears.
"You all know the cataract, which
is even now sending its sullen whis.
per through these lcafy woods. |
stood but few days ago upon the
brink ofthe swiftly flowing river, just
above where it casts itself headlong
from the precipice. l noticed sud-
denly skifI, containing single man,
shoot out from the opposite shore and
prepare to cross. Just as he had at
tained the middle of the stream, one
of his oars broke, and the other was
ierkcd from his grasp. | shall never
forget the look Of agony which con-
vulscd his face when he saw that all
his supports were gone, and that the
boat was rushing down towards tho
fatal cataract. At first, loud calls iur
help awokc tho mountain echoes for
miles around. He did not see me.
Think you that he rocked then Of tho
body merely, which would manglcd
by the foaming rocks beneath him !
No; conscience which lives the most
when nearest death, had been quick
cncd. The river flowed swifter and
the whirling cddies caught him and
tossed his light bark in silence from
one TO the other, but onward and on.
ward.
"Soon the cries ofagony we're over,
and he fell upon his k'iees within the
boat, and there he prayed. o, what
burning words, what rawlings of ter.
ror. what promises for tho future,
wha, rcproaches for tho past were
ahricked to hcaven!
".T,ist then ! succeeded in obtaining
Lrlu nnl niirnr,ino q his nttnnfinn aud