Litchfield enquirer., 1854-03-16
Poettg.
A CHURCH IN THE AIR.

A chuTeh-twas on sabbath moEn-
 My curious notice drew; And thinking should see the mode
 or fChristian worship there, Ientered just in time to hear
 The closing hymn and prayer. The church was rich, without display;
 From gorgeous colors free, Through unatained glass the light Of heaven Was shining chreefuiiy, And rich and poor sat side by side;
 Isaw no cushioned pews, Whose doors the meanesi ofthe flock
 An entrance might refuse. And when tho hymn was given eut,
 With what astOnished face .... lwatched lady clad in silk
 Bend forward from h.r place. To share her book with ons whose rUbes So scaniy were and mean, No maiden formed oi earthly mould To greet her would be seen. And yet saw not that the deed
 Lessoned single grace, But rather that q swceter look
 Beamed on the maiden's face. And while pondered in my mind.
 How such thing could be, The whole assembly joined to sing
 Some time worn melody. vainly strove with modern ear
 To catch the organs tone. .:-..l~ :. v~ .,.,.n shn OfGod by voice alone. And here no fashionable airs
 The tedium to heguiIe, Are set to solemn hymns of praise.
 And sung in opera style. And yet the music of that choir
 Right pleaeant was tO hear. Though nothing in the strain found Toplease critics ear; ....... But childhood joined it's ringing tones With these of falering age, And rich, and poor, and old. and young In the blesl work engage. listened snd my thoughts recurred
 To many busted choir In city church, who weekly meet
 To praise the Lord .r hire; And well, thought the church of God
 This mockery mieh: spare. Icsascd-Gor every head was bowed s-a~- In revereniial prayer. And all in spirit seemed to join.
 Nor could well forbear, For Christ, and not the minister,
 Was most apparent there. Its words of charity and love
 Did the whole world embrace, Unfetered by the love of sect, That modern Christian grace. And little did care to knrw
 If Old the School or New. From which the soul of such . man Its rich instruction drew. His teacher none could well mistake; One only can impart Lessons of wisdom that can guide
 A sinful human heart. Too soon that fervsnt prayer was O'p, The benediction asked, And slowly down the spacious aisles
 The congregation passed: Slowly. as one might turn his back
 Upon the gates ofhsaven. After a taste of angels food.
 Unto his soul was given. Ard now kind greetings were exchanged. With msDy friendly word. And Christians met, as Christians should Who serve enc common LsEd. One heart, one mind, ons earnest will
 Seemed to inspire the whole. As friend to friend with freedom told
 The welfare of his soul Strange though it seems, no single word
 These curious folks did ssy, Of" politics," of rise in stocks"
 Orgossip oftbe day, Not only did they " shnt ID shop."
 And lock the office door. They turned the hey on worldly thoughts,
 Til holy time was Ger. a The sermon, while group discussed,
 Listened in amaze, And maEveled at the words they usod.
 When spesking in it's praise. They did not call tt great'o deep
 .Ingeaious," 1" "wiiiy" "smaFt," Or" thank their stars they had man
 Alter the peoples heaTt. S Bu. whispered low. with moistsnsd eyes. "Hsw precious was the word; How full of hope the promises Thsir strengthened sOals hadhsard; .And musmured blessings ou his head. Who laboEing by his side In aIl simplicity and truth, Preached Christ the cTucifed. Iheard. and could not silence keep
 "ThFies happy souls :" cried. aAmi h hsavsnf r Win suddss stan
 My eyes IOpencd wide-- Looked round moment in amase- Saw my mistake Wish pain, And neveE since have dared e tak0 A nsp in ckuTchaRai