Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-01-28
i) O ri / !
From the Hartford Cournnt.l
A CHURCH IN THE AIR.

[From the Hartford Counnt.l
A CHURCH IN THE AIR.
Once wandering through the Land OF Dreams
In search of something new,
A church-'twas on Sabbath morn
My cnrous notice drew
And thinking should see the mode
or Christian worship there,
! entered just in time 10 hear
The closing hymn and prayer.
The church was rich, without display
From gorgeous coors free,
Through unsained glass the light of heaven
Was shining cheeTiully.
And rich and poor sal side by side
saw no cushioned pews,
Whose doors the meanest of The ncck
An entrance might refuse.
And when the hymn was given out,
With what as:onished face
I watched a lady clad in silk
Bend forward from her place,
To share her book with one whose robes
So scaniy were and mean,
No maiden formed Of earthly mould
To greet her would be seen.
And yet saw not that the deed
LesseHeu sluSle grace,
Bnt rather that a sweeter look
Beamed on The maiden's face,
And while pondered in my mind,
How such thing could be,
The whole assembly joined 10 sing
Some time-worn melody.
Vainly | slrove with modern air
To catch The organs tone
These simple Christians swell the praise
Of God by voice alone.
And here no fashionable airs,
The tedium to beguile,
Are set 10 solemn hymns OF praise,
And sung IN opera style.
And yet the music OF that choir
Right pleasant was TO hear,
Though nothing in the strain found
To please critics ear:
But childhood joined its ringing tones
With those of faltering age,
And rich, and poor, and old, and young
In the bles, work engage.
listened, and my thoughts REQUIRED
To many boasted choir
In city church, who weekly meet
To praise the Lord for hire;
And well, thought |, the church of God
This mockery might spare,
ceased-for every head was bowed
In reverenial prayer.
And all in spirit seemed TO join,
Nor coull well forbear,
For Christ, and not the minister,
Was most apparent there.
lis words Of charity and love
Did the whole world embrace,
Unfet,ered by the lore of sect,
That modern Christian grace.
And little diL care 10 know
If Old the School or New,
FROM whence the soul of such man
lis rich instruction drew.
His tedcher'none could well mistake,
One only can impari,
Lessons Of wisdom that can guide
sinful human heart.
Too soon that fervent prayer was o'er,
The benedicton asked,
And slowly down The spacious aisles
The congregation passed.
Slowly, as one might turn his back
Upon the gates Of heaven,
After a taste of angels food,
Unto his soul was given.
And now kind greetings were exchanged
With many friendly word,
And Christians met, as Christians should,
Who serve one common Lord,
OIe hear', one mind, one earnest will
Seemed 10 inspire The whole,
As lIlend 10 friend with freedom told
The welfare OF his soul.
Strange, though it seem, no single word
These curious folks did say,
Oi "poliics," Of rise in stocks,
Or gossip Of The day.
Not only did they "shut up shop"
Aud lock the Office door,
They turned The key on worldly thoughts,
Fil holy time was o'er
The sermon, while group discussed,
| listened in amaze,
And marvelled at The words they used,
When speaking in its praise.
They did not call it "great" or 'deep,"
"lngenous," "wiily,n "smart,"
Or "lhank their stars they had man
After The peoples heart"
But whispered low, with moisened eyes,
Chow precious was the word
How full Of hope The promises
Their strengthened souls had heard -
And murmured blessings on his head,
Who laboring by their side
In all simplicity OF truth,
Preached Christ The crucilied.
nheard, and could mol silence keep;
"Thrice happy souls ~ Icred,
"Am in heaven !' With sudden start
My eyes opened wide
hooked round moment in amaze
Saw my mistake with pain,
And never since have dared TO take
A nap in church again. NJ. w
.--4-,-..7z--s-
ihE editor Of the Buffalo Rough Notes
nAu 'ne privilege of hearing Soniag sing,
enormous expenditure Of of one dol
a." d J9'y cents He Gays lhe ladies W,
dressed ad ioyfnitum.n This !. . f,sbion
,hO.a ,',', "s never before heard. Queer lad