The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-10-12
NO. IS.

! danced quadrIIle IN the heavens; ORION
singing, and the Northern bear growing
bass, be could not have been more as
| founded. He was silent. Emotion after
emotion rolled over his heaving spirit
AT length tears came to bis relief as
they say in the novels. He spoke, but
almost inarticulately. Il know that am
poor unworthy creature, but [ hope
they will take ME in somewhere The
minister wept himself. How could he
| help it? The Deacon's cold was nearly
| cured; and about an hour after the inter
view, he was seen mounted on old Mag,
heading due North. Four miles in that
direction lived the worthy minister Of an
other parish The Deacon found him in
his study, where also was his daughter
copying music. She was a proficient in
the art, and played the organ in her faith
er's church. She had heard Of the Doa-
cons musical troubles, and had also heard
him sing Sir said he to the minister,
there has been a little difficulty in Gu.
parish, which makes me feel it my duty
/ to withdraw; and have come to ask the
privilege of uniting with yours (At this
moment the young lady vanished from
the room.}
Il much regret the difficulty in your
parish, said the minister, 'and hope it
will be amicably settled. But if you
finally conclude to withdraw, We shall
be most happy to receive you; and when
it shall please the Lord to take good old
Deacon Grimes to himself, (and a very
few days must now give him his dismis-
sion,) We shall expect you to sit in his
seat. After half an hours pleasant con-
versation, the Deacon arose to take his
departure. At that moment a boy came
in aud handed billet to the minister
He glanced at the billet, and Deacon sit
down one moment, said he. He read the
billet, and after some hesitation, said, 4
have received singular communication
from Our choir leader; he has somehow
or other heard of your intention to join
our society; and has heard of it with very
great pleasure; but he adds that it is the
earnest and unanimous wish of the choir
that you will not sing IN nleetjHg.' The
Deacon was again electrified, but had got
used to the shock Singing is praying;
and | join no church where cannot sing
ia meeting, good day, sir He was
gery 'setin his way
Five miles West of his own dwelling lived
the good pastor of another fock. The Dea-
con found him sheliing corn in his crib. This
minister, although eminently pous, thought
1t no harm to be a little waggish in good
cause, and for a worthy object. He also had
heard of the Deacon's musical troubles, and
shrewdly suspected the object of his visit
deacon Goodman, am glad TO see you,' said
he. This is not exactly ministerial labor, il
itn Il am of different opinion said the
Deacon, 'any honest and useful labor is min
isterial labor hate all dandies; the Lord
forgive me, don't like them; and | like
dandy minister the least of any You and
| are agreed there said the minister; come
walk into the house and see my wife; she
says she Is in love with you for your honesty
and your Oddities Il neverI said the Dea-
con, but thank you, am in something OF
hurry and have little business which we
can just as well settle here
( There has been little difficulty in our
parish, which makes me feel 1t my duty To-
withdraw, and have come to ask the privi-
lege Of joining yours AT this the reverend
gentleman looked as if he was very much
surprised. is it possible, said he; well, Dea-
con, though an i'll wind for them, it is a good
one for Us; for it has blown you hither. We
shall be most happy to receive you, especial
/ ly as our choir leader has followed the mu.-
tltude and gone West We have been look
ing about fer competent man to take hs
place. Our singers are all young and diff
dent, and each one is 10th to take the lead.
. - ha drfL.. fr r--s.
I sic and -'
! why, mercy upon you, said the Deacon
Il don't know one note from another.
know that singing is praying, and sing la
meeting as pray in meeting
Excuse me, my FRIEND replied the minis
ter, 1T is your modesty that now speaks: Won
do understand music, you must understand
music, or you could never sing Mozart with
proper expression; and did not you sing that
most beautiful solo, which is worthy of an
angels ear and voiceP Now this was al!
Greek TO the Deacon ard like a sensible man
as he was, he always said nothing when he
had nothing to say. You say truly con
tinued the minister, that singing is praying
But to those who know nothing of music, it
is nrayIng in an unknown tongue, and | am
sure that you are not Papist enough to ap-
.t I
other languages must be learned before il can
be spoken. When the deaf and dumb at
tempt to speak our common language they
make strange noises, and still worse noises
do we make when without the musical ear or
the musical voice, we attempt to sing.
Thus sensibly did that good minister speak
The Deacon was good deal stuck up,
though set an has ,Ody, he was not a fool, and
only needed to be touched in the right place
1T never appeared to me in that light before,
said the Deacon thoughttully.
'And yet, my friend, it is the true IgAt.'
said the minister. 'And now do let me give
you a word of advice. Go home, and take
your own seat on Sunday, and never again
attempt to sing an meeting. For if yOur
heart Is right, your ear is untuned, and your
voice, though kind, is anything but musical.
The Deacon said nothing but thought the
more. He mounted old Mag. The angel
of reflection came down and sat upon hel
name, aud looked him full in the face
Reader, d ,es that seem incongruous! Is