The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-10-12

NOW tne DeacOn dearly lOVeu SOou
preaching, and the meeting house was to
him blouse of feasting.' But his relig-
ion was Of a very practical kind, and al
though he thought but precious little of
his good works, be took care to do good
many of them, and was far from believ-
ing with Amsdorf, that good works were
an impeachment to salvation, So said he
to Mrs. Goodman, do you go to the house
of feasting, and get all the good you can,
and [ will 60 to the house of mourning,
and do all I cam And away he went to
see, and if possible, to relieve the Uni
versalist minister.
In the mean time the congregation as
sembled and the worship proceeded in
the usual way. At length came the An
them. 1t even went beyond expectation.
A long rest Immediately preceded the
solo. 1t was no rest for poor little Mary
1t was the most anxious minute she had
ever passed She arose, blushing. Her
agitation gave tremor to her voice, which,
added to the pathos of the music, it was
beautiful
Now, Deacon Goodman always made
it rule, when any accident had detained
him until after worship had commenced,
to come in very softly. How different
from the fashionable flourish! All were
| intent on the solo. None heard, and but
| few saw Deacon Goodman enter his pew,
and take up the sheet on which the words
of the anthem were printed.
Unlike that of many singers, the artic-
ulation of little Mary was perfect. The
Deacon soon found the place; and to the
astonisbment of the congregation, indig-
nation of the choir, and the perfect horror
of little Mary he Struck in,' and ac-
companied her through the whole SOLO
Accompanied! 'Oft in the Silly night,
accompanied by Capt. Bragg's battery,
would give some notion of it. Poor little
Mary was sick fortnight. why don't
you cut that old fellows tongue off 2 said
one of the Boston singers. What good
would it do?' said the choir leader 'he
would howl though his nose They were
all very cross. As for the deacon he look
ed around as innocent as lamb, and
thought he had sung as we'll as any of
them.
Immediately after meeting, the choir
leader called on the minister. Sir said
he, this must stop. If Deacon Goodman
sings again, | do not
'Oh [ know it, said the minister: 4
have long felt the difficulty, but what can
we do? Deacon Goodman is most excel
lent man, and his only faults are that he
is rather set IN his acay and aciH sing IN
mceting'
But Deacon Goodman is a reasonable
man. said the choir leader.
On most occaSionS, replied the minister.
DO 60 and see him, sir, for my mind is
made up; if he sings IN meeting, do not
Deacon Goodman said the minister,
4 have come on delicate errand; have
come to present the respectful request of
the choir that you would not sing IN
nleeting'
The Deacon was thunderstruck, but he
soon recovered. Singing is praying said
he; they may just as we'll ask me not to
pray. ! shall sing IN 1aeeting.' And on
the next Sunday, sure enough he did loud
er, and if possible more inharmonious
than ever. The men singers looked dag
gers at him; the girls hid their smiles be-
hind their music books. Little Mary
was not there.
This she'll stop, said the choir leader;
Il will 90 and see him myself
Deacon Goodman, we all most highly
respect you, as you must well know; but
YOU hare not the musical ear nor the mus
ical voice, and it is the earnest wish OF
the choir, and many Of the congregation,
that you do not again sing IN n1eeting.'
The Deacon was again thunderstruck,
but he soon recovered Singing is pray
ing said he, 'and they might as well tell
me not to pray. shall sing ~ "lceta"g.
The good Deacon was dreadfully set in
his way, and so it went on again week
after week, in the same old way.
But an incident occurred, which con-
tributed much to bring this singular case
to a crisis. About two miles from the
Deacon's comfortable dwelling there was
a wretched hovel, which imperfectly shell
tered the wretched wife and children oi
a still more wretched drunkard.
On one Of the most inclement evenings
of New England January, the Deacon
and his family were cheerfuly and thank
fully enjoying a glorious hickory fire; Mrs
Goodman was sewing for the family, and
her daughters for the Missionary Society
His son was reading the Massachusett:
Ploughman, and the good man himself
was just finishing off sermon by dis
tinguished divine of his own denomination
when bang went the front door, and il
came his good neighbor and own beloved
and respected minister. Why | never!
said Deacon Goodman, what has brough
you along in such night as this? Nov
this minister had his peculiarities as wei
as the Deacon. Among others, he wa
very close-mouthed about his own gooC
deeds He merely answered, Il have beer
about my dsty l hope. The fact was h
had been to visit, and to talk and pra.
with a poor dying negro Seems to IN
you are rather crusty,' said the Deacon