Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-03-11

and there piece of Indian corn stood up thrift
lly, through the broad leaves of which the
faint west wind rus'led, with low murmuring
sound like the dropping of summer rain. In
the southwest 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 hill, had other thoughts than that of
the beauty of the landscape. Their hearts
were with their brothers and friends their
thoughts turned up 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. ayla I1s' I'd U.F na.-
AS with slow and reverent steps they filed
into the Westinghouse and took their seats in
the square pews, it was easily seen that the
greatest portion of the male part of the congre-
CATION consisted of men advanced in years, and
boys in their teens. The morning service
passed as usual, and after short ntermission,
the people again gathered to their places, and
the earnest prayer was offered, and sermon
suited to the exigencies of the times and TO the
wants of the congregation was commenced
Suddenly the congregation were startled by
the heavy tramp of horse, which rapidly ap
preached, and halted by the Westinghouse
door. In moment the rider had thrown him
self from the saddle, and stood within the door,
Handing note TO the aged deacon who was
hurrying down the isle TO ask the cause Of
this untoward interruption, with all audby
whispered injunction TO act with speed, he as
hastily mounted and kept on his way. The
deacon cast one glance at the superscription of
the paper, then marched reverentIy up TO the
pulpit stairs and placed it in the hands of the
minister, with the same whispered injunction.
Delibe rately the old man finished his sermon
and prayer; then glancing his eyes over the
paper, he laid its contents before the people
1t was pressing requisition from Washington
for mure troops. He was daily expecting an
attack from the combined forces of the enemy,
and each town was called upon 10 furnish
what aid it could. Alter few apt and elo-
quent remarks on the critical situation of the
beloved chieilain, the worthy man continned-
Let us not be TOO much cast down, my brelh-
ren. Our cause is that of truth and Justice and
righteousness and strong in these, we shall
yet assuredly triumph. This business is ur-
gent, and trust it will not be deemed deroga-
tory To our Christian character, nor an infringe
ment upon the holy Sabbath, if we take such
measures seem most pressing to-day
Therefore, all who willing to take their
lives in their hands, and stand beside the COM
mander-in-chief, in this hour of trial, will after
the close of these services, please range them
selves in single file on the village common
Then, with hands clasped, and eyes raised
towards Heaven, he took us the sublime invo-
cation of David:
Keep not Thy Silence, o God hold not
Thy peace and be not still!
For 10, mine enemies make great tumult,
they that hate Thee have lifted up the head.
They have taken crafty counsel against Thy
people, and consulted against Thy hidden ones.
They have said, Come, let us cut them off from
being nation, that the name of Israel may be
no more in remembrance. ..n .., F.
Let them be confounded and troubled for
ever: yea, let them be put TO shame and per-
ish.
That men may know that Thou, whose
name alone is Jehovah, art Most High over
| all the earthl' H.H -" ".Aa'-
There was silence for the space of some
moments, and then to the strains of old Near,
full, clear and distinct from all parts of the
house, rose the words of the following hymn :
Attend We armies 10 the fight, '''
And be guardian, God;
In vain shall numerous foes unite H
'Gainst thine uplifted rod. M
"Our troops, beneath Thy guiding hand,
Shall gain great renown; ....s
'Tis God who makes the feeble stand, .I.
| And treads the mighty down. ..,.
| The deep silence that followed the benedic-
| tion, was broken by the low muuering of dis
tant thunder, for the whte-capped thunder
clouds of the morning were climbing, with gi-
ant strides, up the western sky. Contrary to
their usual custom, the people waited in silence
until their pastor had descended from the pull
pit and passed down the aisle; then the aged
deacon moved forward, followed by the congre-
cation in due order. As they issued from the
wide doorway, the whole male portion, as if
moved by one impulse, took their way TO the
village common. Though,fully and silently,
to the rol-cal Of the booming thunder, they
took their places shoulder to shoulder, and the
old minister saw before him the available
strength of the village-each man capable of
bearing musket, from the gray-haired veteran
TO the boy of sixteen. Grouped around him,
was small band 10 whom age and debility
had left no available weapons, save faith and
PRAYER. One other group must not be forgot
ten-the mothers. wives, sisters, and daughters
of those men upon the common, who remained
clustered around the Westinghouse door,
watching with brealhless interest the move
ments of their friends. Love, pride. anxiety,
hope, faith then lit up their excited features !;
but / trow, there was little cowardce there.
The old minister's heart glowed within him
at the sight of the resolute, determined look
ing faces before him, as they proceeded to a
choice of officers. The subordinate Offices
could readily be filled-who should lead them
| to face danger and death1 WIN shoud he their