The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-03-05

reach it--yOu observe that be spreads his Draw
ny fingers over bis scalp in an exceedingly eau
tious manner; and you innOeently thiak again,
that il is very hypocritical in deacon 70 be
pretending 70 leah upon his hand, when be is
only keeping his wig straight.
After the morning service, they have an
"hour's inteFmission," as the preacher ealls IT,
during which the old men gather on the sunny
aide Of the building. and asking after the folks
ct home, they enjoy aquiet talk about the crops.
One man, for instance, With twist in his nose,
would say, "Its RATHER q CROWN season." and
another would reply, ''ToleFable, bat potatoes Is
feelin' for the wet, badly" The stout deacon
approves this opinion, and confirms II BY blow
ing his nose very powerfully.
Two or three Of the more worldly minded
ones will perhaps stroll over to a neighbOr's
barn. yard, and take look at his young stock,
and talk Of prices, and Whittle little; and very
likely some two Of them will make condition
al swap" Of 'three likely ye'rling' for pair
Of 'twO-yea -olds."
The youngsters are fond Of getting out into
the grave yard, and comparing jack knives, or
talking about the school master, or the menage-
rie; or, it may be, Of some prospective 'travel'
in the fall; either to town, or perhapsto the sea
shore"
Afternoon service hangs heavily; and the tall
ehorister is by no means 50 blithe, or so males-
tic in the toss Of his head, as in the morning.
A boy in the next box tries to provoke you into
familiarity BY dropping pellets Of gingerbread
through the bars Of the pew but as you are not
accustomed to that way Of making acquaintance
you decline all Overtures.
After the service is finished, the wagons that
have been disposed on either side Of the road
are drawn up before the door. The old Squire
meantime, is sure to have little chat with the
parson before he leaves; in the course Of which
the parson takes occasion to say that his wife is
ling, ga slight touch" be thinks, ''of the
heumatiz." One Of the children, too, has been
troubled with the summer complaint" for a
| day or two; but be thinks with dose Of catnip
under PROVIDENCE, will effect cure. The
younger, and unmarried men, with red wagons
flaming upon bright yellow wheels, make great
efforts to drive off in the van; and they spin
frightfully near some Of the fat, sOur.faced WO-
nen, who remark in quiet, but not very Chris
tian tone, that "they fear The elders sermon
baSn't done the young bucks much good" 1t
it much to be feared, in truth, that it has not.
In ten minutes the old church Is thoroughly
deserted; the neighbor who keeps the key has
lScked up for another week the creaking door;
and nothing of the service remains within, ex-
cept-Dr. Dwight's Version the long music
books, crumbs Of gingerbread, and refuse stalks
Of despoiled fennel or caraway.
And yet under the influence Of that old
weather-st stained temple, are perhaps growing up
though youEdO not fancy it--sOuls possessed Of
an energy, an industry, and respect for virtue
which will make them, stronger for the real work
Of life than all the elegant children Of a city.
One lesson, which even the rudest churches Of
New England teach, with all their repulsive
severity Of form. is the lesson Of Self Denial.
Once armed with that, and manhood is strong.
The soul that possesses consciousness 1f mastering
passion, is endowed with an element Of force
that can never harmonizs with defeat. Diff
culties it wears like a summer garment, and
filings away at the first approach Of the winter
of Need.
Let not any one suppose, then, that in this
detail of country life, would cast obloquy Or
sneer upon its simplicity or upon its lack Of
refinement Goodness and strength in this
world are quite asapt to wear rough coats as fine
ones; and the words Of thorough and self sacri.
fcing kindness are far more often dressed in the
uncouth sounds Of retired life than in the polish
ed utterance Of the town. Heaven has not mad
warm hearts and honest hearts distinguishsbl
by the quality Of the covering.