Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-12-15

all were highly entertained. and none dis
satisfied with the part they had playedin the
drama of the night. Though five years had
passed away since the reader was first intro
due ed to Mary Buvilliers, yet she was the
same lovely being with shade more of
thought upon her brow, perhaps yet ever
ready to assist those in distress, in anxiety or
trouble Of any kind. On the following Sab
bath the bridal party attended the church,
under the care of the Rev. A -, a
Presbyterian clergyman of talent and pious
zeal. AS they approached the church, they
found the congregation already assembled,
and the services commenced. But it was
/ not the low, slow, solemn words of the yene-
rable Pastor but rich, full toned musical
voice. beseeching the throne of grace with
Jealous fervor. A strange, dim recollection
Of that voice came OYER the minds of the
party but hs, Il CodM not be. The fFay-
er ceased and the party entered, with eyes
turned to the pulpit to, see the strange
minister, but he was seated in the pulpit,
thus concealed from their view. Imagina-
ton was on the wing, and conjecture was
about deciding the question, as tall, man
ly form arose and glanced bis eyes over the
church Why does the blood rise tumult-
uously to the face of the handsome minis
ter, as his eyes rest on one portion of the
church? Why does the book tremble in
his hands, and his voice culver as he reads
over the musical lines Of the sacred poet ?
Oh, why does the face Of one fair lady as
sumo as ashy paleness, when her eyes met
those of the young minister? It was the
Rev. Q. Howard, late Of Princeton, New
Jersey, and the lady was Mary Buvilliers.
But his self possession was regained, as he
opened the sacred volume, and read the
words of his text. With few words of
introduction, he launched boldly into his
subject, and strain Of eloquence, rarely
equalled, flowed from his lips, as he held
forth to his hearers, their awful responsible
| ity, the deceitfullness Of the human heart,
and the love and mercy Of God. But why
recount the eloquence Of pulpit oratory when
the theme is sublime, the language sublime,
and the scriptural illustrations and compari-
sons the very essence Of sublimity.
Who can be less than sublime, when touch
ing upon themes that have been sung by
Isaiah's Sacred Muse, or chanted to the
harp Of the Sweet Singer of Israel, or ut
tered in the burning eloquence of the Son
of Cod or couched in inspired tones pro-
nounced amid the rolling of the Seven
Thunders,' and noise, as if Of many waters,
on the awful Isle of Patmos?'
All eyes were fixed upon him in wrapt
attention, till the sermon was concluded and
he descended from the sacred desk, once
more to grasp in friendship the hands Of
many youthful companions. All were ca
sent but now returned wanderer.
1t seems that he had returned unexpected
ly on the previous evening, having, accor-
ding to the last wish of his loved Mag, spent
three years at Princeton Theological Semi
nary, and one year in the western part 0
Pennsylvania, as supply. During a grea
part Of his time, it was unknown in wha
part Of the world he was. We cannot des
cribe the meeting Of mother with lon
absent son, nor the overpowerings Of a fatE
er's heart, as he welcomed him to his nats
! ! freside.