Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-08-24
Alislellnnsous.
DEACON GOODMAN.

Deacon GOODMAN was extensively known, not
merely in his own parish, but through several
miles of tie surrounding country, for his alnia-
bic disposition, active benovolence, and unqucs-
toned piety So thoroughly was the Doacon's
character established, that when the people of
the neighboring towns saw him pass by, they
would say, That man wis rightly named, for
ifthere ever was good man, he is one" And
from this there was no dissenting voice. Nay,
am wrong in saying this for there are some
who never hear anybody praised without an in
terposing or qualifying but; :" " lie may be
well enough on the WHOLE" they will say,
" but" &C., &c., and then they will go on and
make him oat '' anything bat "a clever Fellow"
The qualifying "but" must b, int'rpossd
even in the case of Deacon Goodman He had
a fault; he ,could sing in meeting. "Call you
that a fault 4! " saith the reader Well, then,
kind reader, call tia misfortune. I" Bat why d
mislortune!'
| will tell thee. Nature has so formed us that
some have the musical ear" and Others not
Now this " musical car " has nothing to do
with real character, moral or intellectual and
yet the persons who have not the musical ear
ought never to sing In meeting. If they do,
they will bo sure to annoy others, and make
themselves ridiculous. Deacon Goodman had
not the musical ear. Whether it We're the Mes
siah or the Creation, or jim Crow or Zip Coon,
it was all the same to him, so far as music was
concerned; it was just 80 much singing. No
matter whether the artist YVES Sivori or Ole
Bull or poor old John Casco, it was just 80 mach
fddHng. He had not the musical ear, and still
less, if posi- bic, the musical voice but yet he
would sing in meeting. And the gentle and
respectful remonstrlnces of the choir leader were
met with the UNMARRIED reply, " Singing is pray
Ing; You might as well ask me not to pray l
shallsing in meeting
The good Deacon too was rather " set in his
ways " or, in other wosis. he was dreadfully
obstinate in what he thought good cause; and
he was generally correct in approciating the
merits of the cause.
We all know that musical people are apt to
be sensitive and sometimes little capricious
and who has ever known a theatrical orchestra,
or even village choir, that has not regular
blow up" at least once year! Beyond all
doubt Deacon Goodman's singing was a very
serious grievance to the choir, and no small an
noyance to the congregation. Yet in considera-
ton of his great merit, he was indulged and
his regular Sunday performances often drew
forth the remark that if music murder was
sin, Deacon Goodman would have much to an
swcr for But there is a point beyond which
forbearance is no longer virtue. Great pains
had been takbn by the choir in getting up new
anthem, (selected from Mozart,) for Thanksgiv-
ing day. and the very gem of the piece was
solo, which had been assignsd to the sweetest
voice, and the prettiest little girl in the village.
All who attended the rehearsals were perfectly
delighted with the solo as sung by " little Ma
ry." 1t was very difficult, being marked from
beginning to end Andantno, Dolce, Afetuoso,
Crescendo, Piano, Piansseimo, with changing
keys, and flats and sharps springing out from
unexpected places but she had conquered it all.
Three or four accomplished singers who had
come from Boston, to pass Thanksgiving in the
country land who attended the rehearsal, were in
raptures with little Mary singing. They had
heard Tedesco and Biscaccianti, and yet they
say unanimously, " for a country girl she is a
prodigy"
! In due time Thanksgiving day arrived, and
while the second bell was ringing, news came to
tho village that very serious accident had hap
pened to the Universalist minister. His horse
had thrown him, and either his leg or his neck
was broken; the boy who had brought the news
had forgotten which. 81 hope it is not his
neck, )" said rich and charitable old church
member. When Deacon Goodman heard that
remark, he held up his handsand exclaimed, " |
never"
Now the Deacon dearly loved good preaching
and the meeting g-house was to him d" house of
feasting" But his religion was of very prac-
tical kind, and although he thought but pre-
cous little of his good works. he took care to do
a great many of them, and was far from believ-
ing with Amshorf, that b" good works are an i'm
pedment to salvation." So, said he to Mrs.
Goodwin, " do you go to the house of feasting
and get all the good you can, and will go to
the house of mourning, and do all can." And
away he went to see and if possible to relieve
the Unversalist minister.
In the mean time the congregation assembled
and the worship proceeded in the usual way
At length came the anthem. IL even went be-
yond expectation. A long " rest - Immediately
preceded the solo. 1t was no rest for poor lit.
tie Mary" 1t was the most anxious minute
she had ever passed. She arose, blushing and
r trembling. Her agitation gavo tremor to her
voice, which added to the pathos of the music.
1t was beautiful.
Now, Deacon Goodman always made it a rule,
3 when any accident had detained him until after
worship had commenced, to come in very softly.