Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-08-24
M0NTPELIER.- VERMONT, THURSDAY,

very few days must now give him his dlsmission)
we shall expect yon to set in his scat"
After half an hours pleasant convers, tion,
the Deacon arose to take his departure. AT this
moment boy came in and handed a billet to
the minister. He glanced at the billet, and said
' Deacon, sit down a moment" He read the
billet, and, after some hesitation. said, {" have
received a singular communication from our
choir-leader, who has some how heard Of your
intention to join our society, and has heard of
it with much pleasure; but he adds that it is
the earnest .sssS tof the choir that you will not
sing in Meeting"
The Deacon was again electrified, but he had
got used to the shock. Singing is praying"
said he, sand join no church where cannot
sing in meeting. Good day, sir"
Five miles west of his own dwelling Lived the
good pastor of another flock, Tatherward the
Deacon wended his way. The minister was
shelling corn in his crib Though eminently
pious, be thought it no harm to bea little wag
gish in good cause and for a worthy object.
He also had heard Of the Deacon troubles, and
suspected the object of his visit
"Deacon Goodman, am glad to see you,"
said he, " this is hardly ministerial labor, is it,
sir?"
81 am of different opinion said the Dea-
con, " any honest and useful labor is ministeri-
al labor hate all dandies---the Lord forgive
nc; don't like them, and like dandy min
lister the least of ALL"
sYou and are agreed there" said the min
lister /" come, walk into the hous, and see my
wife; she says she is in love with your honesty
and oddities"
g never; but am in something of hurry
and have little business which we can just as
well settle here. There has been little diff
Guilty in our parish which makes me feel it my
duty to withdraw and have come to ask the
privilege of joining yours"
At this the reverend gentleman looked as if
surprised
is it possible, sud he. " Well, Deacon,
though an ill wind for them, it is a good one for
MS, for it has blown you hither. We shall be
most happy to receive you, especially as our
choir-leader has followed the multitude, and
gone out West. We have been looking about
for competent person to take his place. Our
singers ale all young and diiilent, and each one
is loath to take the lead. We heard that you
sing the most difficult masic and
"Why, mercy upon yoa,' said the Deacon,
81 don know one note from another. know
singing is praying, aal sing in meeting as
pray in meeting"
Excuse me, my (riend,' said the minister,
g it is yoar mod,sty that now speaks; you do
understand music you must understand music
or you never could sing Mozart with proper ex-
preston; and did not you sing that beautiful
s'la' which ;. is rorthy<oS an angels car and
voice "
Now this was all Greek to the Deacon and
like sensible man as he was, he always said
nothing whom he had nothing to say.
"Yoa say truly" ssid tho minister, " that
singing is praying, but to those who know no.
thing of music, it is praying in an unknown
tongue, and am sure yoa are not enough Of
Papist to approve that. Music is language
and it must be learned before it is spoken
When the deaf and dumb undertake to speak
ovr language they make strange noises, and
worse noises do we make when without musi-
cal ear we undertake to sing"
Thus scnsbly did the good minister talk. The
Deacon was good deal " struck up;" though
set in his own way, he was no TOOL, and only
needed to be touched in the right place.
" 1t never appeared to me in that light be-
fore" said the Deacon tholghtfully.
"And yet, my friend, it is the true light"
!, said the minister. ''And now let me give you
a word of advice; 60 home and take your old
seat Sunday; and never again attempt to sing
in 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
.aore. He mounted old Mag. The angel of re-
!, Election came down and sat upon her name, and
! looked him full in the face. Reader, does that
seem incongruous! Is the old mares name an
improper place for an angel! fear you are
proud. Who once rode on an Ass!
The Deacon passed point in the road where
on one side was sturdy oak that had been blown
over by recent whirlwind, and on the other a
5 aourishing willow, gracefully bending before
the passing breeze sod rabbit it, said the
3 Deacon to himself; it was was the first word he
had spoken, " to think that | should be such an
7 obstinate fool"
He approached his own village The reason
for his errand abroad had been strongly suspec-
ted, and they were all en- the look out for his
return.
Q There stood the choirleader. Welcome
4 home, Deacon, hope we have not lost you yet. y
t SECT out" said the Deacon, with good
q natured but rather sheepish look, and on he
: went.
There stood the minister, " Welcome home
Deacon hope we have not lost you yet."
P He was just about to make an evasive reply
but habitual reverence cut him short Helooked
n at the minister, and the minister looked at him
n and both burst into fit of laughter. The choir
r leader came up and took the Deacous hand anc
r joined in the merriment. "Od rabbit you all, )
IS and on he went.
: At the front door and windows of his owr
d house, were his wife and daughters, and two o,
d three of the singing girls, all in litter -
% They had seen and heard his interview with tn,
minister and knew all was well. "Od rabbi
IS the whole bunch of you" said he, and went t,
h put old Mag into the stable
| Deacon Goodman took his old seat on Sunday
h but since that days adventure, he has neve
l. sung in meeting. Once, and but once, did h