Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-06-08

which we slowly journeyed through them; but the
pure cool air, sweetly perfumed by the buds OF the
young trees, and the odor of wild flowers gave de-
light to the senses and RECALLED the passing wor-
shipper with the incense it waited to heaven
Those fresh, reviving odors, and those occasloha
snatches of woodland melody have left upon my
memory an indelible impression.
But soon we approach the church. Before We
come in sight, the neighing of horses tethereo IL
the grove, and the dust raised by carriages on INT
main road, indicate that we are not the MIST u
reach the place. We occasionally meet small par
ties of young men slowly strollmg among tn'
trees, engaged in quiet conversation or ldiy s.iih
ING their riding whips at the bees and butteriles
These are only the stragglers about the camp
1t is not long before we arrive at the 1901 OF 'he III
sing ground covered with old clumps OF trees, OF
which the church stands. The spot appears al
animated as an ant.hill. Under almost every tree
horses of every color are seen tied to swinging
limbs, some paving the turf with the restlessnesS
of youth, and others evidently preterrlng TO res
their weary bones after the labors OF the week.
Numerous vehicles of every size and form are In,
terspersed in the open spaces; the hoop-covereo
wagon with its four horse team ranged at any iil-
aginabe angle with the big coach of the county
squire, on the box of which the lazy negro driver
is taking his morning nap. Here might be seen
series of blocks arranged as style, upon when
the Young ladies of the congregation dlsnount at
lean assisted as mere matter OF form by the gen
tlenen in attendance. Under large tree are
wide benches where the old men with broad brlm
hats arc seated in warm weather, patiently walt
] 1 L. IL
inr for the services to begn,and elsurely discuss
inG the state of their crops or the health OF the
neighborhood; on the other hand the young men
are passing and repassing IN couples between ,ne
church and the spring, and moving so slowly that
it would seem they are afraid lest too rapid pace
would constitute violation OF the Sabbath. What
they talk about with that close confdentai air IL
is not our business to determine.
| But the preacher has now ascenoed up 'he steep
staircase to his roost in the pulpit, and we must
all with one accord he in one place Inc psalm
will soon be raised and the solemnltles fairly COM
menced.
In front of the pnlpit. in those days, and Tor
onrht know il NAV be so still, there sat upon a
raised platform the clerk or precentor' whose OIL
fec was to read each couplet of the psalm OF
hmm and lead the congregation in singing the
same. He might be considered the living organ
of the sanctuary. but for the offeusiveness OF the
name but it must be confessed that the nterlude
which consisted in rehearsing the stanzas,w was gen
eraly as dolefully monotonous as the tune was va
rod Varied | say because the independent sing
es of that dav and region were not to be controii-
ad bv any of the arbitrary rules OF modrn psaimo-
| Jy Every body was expected to sing, and sing
,tor Aid With lively velocity limited only by the
necessity of respiration. The sweet second OF the
,str,c DAUGHTER contrasted with the cultural bass
of the elders sou, illustrated to their satsiacton
the vast compass Of the sacred instrument known
| as a country congregation. ~,
1t is hard for young eyes to be kept steadily
! fixed during long service upon one ot tnose oie
| fashioned Duipits. though occupied by the most
energetic shep pherd that ever frightened flock
! Often has my neck ached from the painful effort
and compolled to relaxation | have, IN spite o
CONSCIENTIOUS scruples, found my observation wool
catherine among the bonnets, bald heads, anc
daxen curs of the crowd before me. Ofcourse my
memory daguerreotyped many OF the individuals
with fidelity which the modern art has never
reached. There was the little boy Of one OF the
elders who appeared to be constantly feeding on
biscuits. and would occasionally walk up TO the
bucket of water that stood on table by The pull
pit for the purpose OF washing down the maslicat,
ed mass. The solemn port Of the little white
haired cider, whilst engaged In this pilgrimage
to the table, is still distinctly traced In my recol
lection. =,
But the preacher! Well, the preacher was the
GREAT object in that grave assembly lie VIII ho
soou be FORGOTTEN by those who alternately trem-
bled and smiled uader his bold aud eccentric eo-
quence. We will not sketch him. because 1t Is
impossble 10 picture action. Mental activity and
nbrsical ENERGY were characteristics Of the small
erect and impulsive looking person, who every
Sunday hurled the thunders of the law and dropp
ed the sweet persuasion of the gUspel from thai
| rustic pulpit. He was a man of the Knox anG
Luther school, blending a great deal OF natura
pluck with the zeal of an apostle and the faith o
a martyr. Had he lived in the age OF miracles
no man would have walked up TO mountain com
manding it with more confidence to be cast into the
sea. and under the Caesars he would probably
have encountered the terrors Of the stake with ne
less heroism He was great terror to evil doefS
aud had. in early days, even bearded grim ln1dei'
i'm their domestic retreats. | think see hlm now
eyeng the sinner from that elevated pulpit with
whitening gaze, land hurling over his head the fre
brands Of divine vengeance. The whole congre
cation sits chilled with awe, and profound still
ness broods over the place But the terrified chill
dren are very soon relieved by change OF tone Oh
the part of the speaker, and the elders by one o
those brief pathetic appeals by which ne wei
knew how to melt them. The tears are now
seer distiling over their weather beaten cheeks
The children are again making signs to one an
other across the narrow aisle, and among other;
seek 10 foroet the recent shock in contemplating
the dark ewes and hair Of the little girl who Il
, twisting her neck over the adjacent pew. Rea
der there is an artillery in that little battery which
is destined one day TO play with summary eXecu
;, tion upon my heart. A sweet little creature sh'
was then, .winking her eyes conyulslvely every
time the preacher frightened her, but soon light
inG ND the scene around her with the radiance o
r happy smiles.
? The merning services are over, and the congre
cation dsperses through the grove TO consult the
r several bills of fare The scene becomes one o
general cheerfulness, where many hearty friend
" greeting takes place around the fallen trees OF
which the cold vands prepared on Saturday ART
neatly spread for the enjoyment of all. Parties o
gentlemen are seen passing aud repassng from on'
:. clump of trees to another, servants are brngln!
: pitchers of water from the spring. and boys ar
e wandering about idly munching the cakes and pie
: dispensed to them with liberal hand from tn
n wagons and carriages. 1t is in fact great PIC
e Me party, affording perhaps more true enjoymen
to those participating in it than is generally expe
=, on other occasions.
r'eno. 49, recess is over, and all again repair t
hut tno ,n,,:ete with dinner, and 1t must b
tue cnui'n ,,h6r ies ,o prepared for strict attentlo
confessed, ,a"T. discourse The heads OF several
5 the elderly members of the ilt"h CAV, occ,sional
droop very despondingly forward, cnu o'T Tbe ave
n an incipient snoring betrays the cause. helm
vigilant preacher however, has no ldea oi
= deprived of an audience by Morpheus or any othe
, invader of his rights. Stopping short in his Sc!
t mon, and cenching his bony hand, ne brings
d down in sudden thunder upon the great bible be