The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-04-04
For the Rcristor
Ut 0ITO fNN- IoVNI'
Letters from the West.-No.


reformed through the joint efforts ofa wal
and the wind.
SoUTH CHARLESTON, o March 1855
For the last ten days, we have bcon
the guest of a very wealthy, intelligent
and worthy Quaker family. On the first
day of the week, we attended their place
of worship. The house was plain brick
structure, situated in a beautiful oak
grove, enclosed by a substantial board
fence. At the usual hour, the house was
filed with dcvout worsbippcrs. Tho
house is divided into two separate com.
partmcnts, by a partition through the
centre, thus giving each Of the sexes n
separate room, for the trial of delin-
quent member by tue sex to which he
or she belongs On this occasion, tho
males and females occupied the samc
room and worshipped together. Their
costume was plain and indicative of their
profession. No rustling of silks-no
futteriug of ribbons-uo sparkling dia.
monds, no glittering gold, obtruded it.
selt upon the solcmnitics Of the hour.
Old men, young men, and youth, sat
with their hats on, during worship, and
we confess the practice seems to possess
much Of utility, in a crowded house at
least With tho Quak ers however, prin.
ciplc forbids their bowing the body un.
covering the head, or using or np-
plying titles to thcir fellow men, all
Of which they believe is calculated to
foster pride and arrogance. aud tends to
iDjure rather than benefit them During
worship, which continued about ono
hour, not an audible word was spoken,
every one appeared wrapt in deep medi-
tation. The eye of the mind was intent
ly gazing upon the soul within. The
spirit was holding converse with that
of its Maker. The heart was com.
muning with itself, and struggling to
gain mastery over his besetments, and
the Spirit Of Mercy was there, to aid
aud assist his followers, to overcome the
world, and dress their hearts in robes of
love aud goodness, preparatory to the
call-Child, it is enough,cOme up higher.
The shaking of hands among the cl.
ders, was signal tina. all understood,
and Immediately each arose and depart.
cd the house. We walked slowly back
to our boarding place. rejecting upon
the solemnities of Quaker worship. 1t
was not a lost hour--itwas full Of mean.
ing aud instruction. Were the busy
bustllng multitudc,-tEe swift racers in
the pursuit pleasure the fiery spirits
eager in the chase Of wealth. the de-
voters Of fashion, p,-the votaries Of fame,
to suspend their strife, of an occasioned
hour, aud devote it, to
" The souls best good,
Earnest prayer, and s,lfreproach,"
earth would exhibit less folly, and far
less of sin. Were the dsvotions of other
sects characterized with a greater dc.
gree of this religious element, they
would doubtless bc meme the less accepta.
bic to the Searcher of hearts
a Quaker wedding came off at our
boarding place, few day since. The
bride was young, and decidedly beauti,
ful. Her form was elegant, her bust
round and full, her eyes bright and
sparkling, her countcuancc sweet and
heavenly, and her every movement full
of modcsty and grace She was ono of
those bewitchipg little creatures, that
have the sweet power to enchain tho
lords of creation, and compel them to
pay homage to their charms. Her coun.
tenance was the index of health, virtue,
and conscious innocence, and we declare,
that we have seldom looked upon face
moro divinely fair Robod in white, she,
like a fairy quoon, conducted her aft.
anced lover into tho room, whcro were
the guests assembled to witness the nup.
tal ceremonies There was no officiat.
ing squire, nor priest. They were al
ready united in heart, and heaven had
witnessed the solemnizatiou Of the bans.
Ii had now to be ratified on earth. This
was done as follows; The parties stood
up, and each taking the hand of tho 9TH
or, the lover declared in an audible and
solemn manner, to tho following effect:
" Friends, in the presence Of the Lord,
and before this assembly l take tbs my
friend, Susan Warner, to be nv wife,
promising with divine assistance, to be
unto her loving aud faithful husband
until death shall separate us :" and then
the bride, in an audible and unblushinr
voice, declaredin like manner. Friends,
in the presence of the Lord, and before
this assembly, I take this my friend,
Wm, Cook, to be my husband promising,
with divine assistance, to be unto him a
faithful wife, until death shall separate