Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-21
A SABBATH MORNING Of l77G.
'EY MARTHA RUSSELL,

Gl MARTHA RUSSELL,
One Sabbath morning during the gloomy
summer of 1776, when the hopes of the "a
triots seemed likely to go down in darkness
and blood, and even tie God-sustained heart
Of Washington grew troubled and almost sank
within him, the people Of our New England
village came up to the house Of God, with sad
countcnances and heavy hearts. News travel
led SLOWLY then, and they were chiefg indebted
to such wounded soldiers as passed through the
village on the way to their homes for their
information of the movements of the amy
They knew that Washington still held New
York. and the last pocr wounded fellow that
had reached home had told them a fearful
tale Of the state of our own diminished army
and the horde Of troops under the Howcs that
were gathering around il like lcca>ts
1t was leartful midsummer morning. A
light thunder shower, during the latter part
of the preceding Eight, had Ibid the dust and
still hung trembling from leaf and bough. and
steps of pedestrians, or the heavy tramp of
horses, bearing, in most instances, the double
burden of man and matron, with, perchance, a
rosy child or two started from their quivering
perches the silver-throated birds.
The grain was already harvested, but many
fields of grass were still standing, brown and
sun-burnt; and it was very evident that many
of the crops had suffered for lack of proper
cultivation, for many of the most expert
wielders of the hoe and scythe had already ex-
changed them for the musket and sword. Still,
here and there piece Of Indian corn stood
up thriftily, though the broad leaves of which
the faint west wind rustled with q low muir
muring sound, like the dropping OF summer
rain. In the southwest appeared the white
caps of two 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 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
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 con-
gregation consisted of men advanced in years
and boys in their teens The morning service
passed as usual, and after a short intermsson
the people again gathered to their places, and
the earnest prayer was offered, and sermon
suited to the exgencies of the times and to the
wants of the audience was commenced. Sud-
denly the congregation were startled by the
heavy tramp of horse, which rapidly ap-
preached, and halted by the meeting house door.
In moment the rider had thrown himself
from the saddle and stood within the door
Handing note to tho aged deacon who was
hurrying down the aisle to ask the cause of this
untoward interruption, with an audbly whis-
pered injunction to act with speed, he as hastily
mounted and kept on his way. The deacon
cast one glance at the superscripton Of the
paper, then marched reverently up to the pull
pit stairs and placed it in the hands of the
minister, with the same whispered injunction.
Deliberately 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 requisiton from Washington
for more troops He was daily expecting an
attack from the combined forces Of the enemy.
and each town was called upon to furnish what
aid it could. After n few apt and eloquent
remarks on the critical situation of the beloved
chieftain, the worthy man continued" Let us
not be too much cast down, my brethren.
Oar cause is that of truth and justice and
righteousness and strong in these, we shall yet
asSurediy triumph This bushes is urgent,
and trust it will not be deemed derogatory
to our Christian character, nor an infringe,