The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-05-18
BIDDEFORD, MAINE

was thero not some good hand to guide them
some lilc-giyiog voice to cheer them, som'
stout arm that they could lean upon' Eis'
how was il that without fear and trembling
they oil entered the unknown country, anc
spoke words Of cheer, and promise, and JOY
even when the cloud received them out O
sight
Blessed be the memory Of the old church
foreyermore.
Blessed, too, be the memory OF the old
pastor. Mr.. Winter was q man Of Cod
For flty years he walked before that people
in meekness and genllcncss, bu. with..all the
dignity of his holy profession. can sec
him now as when saw him last, his white
locks flowing down over his shoulders, his
calm eyes resting on mine with look Of
deep affection; and hear tho voice, full ol
love. wherewith he gave his solemn benede
ton to the departing boy. Fl
Good old man When am weary Of l.s
vanity Of tho world, when I incline tc
doub, the existence Of true holiness, when
I am disappointed, harrasscd, and ready to
yield remember him, who, after four
score years Of suffering Of wandering and
homelessness, was calmy confident Of the
truth Of God and His eternal rest, as II he
had but yesterday come from that home and
were now returning.
His voice was clear and full even at So
1t .rembled sometimes, but with emotion,
not with weakness, His step was feeble for
many years, and on q Sunday afternoon i
have known him to enter the chancel instead
Of ascending the pulpit stair then his voice
sounded greater depths in his hearers
hearts than at other times, for they felt how
soon the old man must 60.
One morning he was too feeble to preach.
1t was tho last day that ever saw him in
the church, for l left home shortly aGcr.
wards, and was absent for long time, wan
dering up and down the world. He drove
up to the door in his low wheeled gig, and
feebly alishtcd, while George Stevens, the
son of wealthy farmer in the congregation,
took care OF the horse, and elder Mr.. Ste.
vens gave him an arm as he reached the
ground. He entered tn, church with q
slow and heavy step. But as he crossed The
his form grew eroct he lifted his
hat revercntly from his head, and looked
with bright eye up to the ceiling Of the
old house, while tho inspiration Of the place
spread flood of sunshine over his weather
beaten countenancc.
He needed no help down the long aisle,
for the strength he had SO suddenly acquIr-
cd sustained him thus far. But as he ap-
preached the altar, where he had offered
Sabbath sacrifice morning and evening ihro'
10 many long years, hc seemed again to feel
his mortality. Reaching out his hand fecbiy
o the rail that enclosed tho chaucel, ho
himself on it, and appeared for
moment about to fall, but at length he gain.
d chair. His eyes roved over the congre-
,ation, resting finally on spacious pew OH
lis right, where sat the old men who had
,een his counsellors and assistan Is since he
vas young One Of them, Solomon Picrson.
understood his wish, and approached him
To him the pastor communicated his inabi.
ty to preach, and after few moments con-
Solomon resumed his seat, and
'Ir. Winter rose and offered prayer.
In those days we had no choir, but the
whose seat Mr.. Winter occupied
hat day, stood near his side and sang, while
With one voice, the whole congregation
oined and there was never such music in |
my other place on earth, such iervcnt
Of heart and soul, as was in the
Id church that morning.
-pii, pu now Mr.. Winter arose and spoke to
the people. ".He had thought" he said,
"to have addressed them ! tiisIg til sIgornins some
words Of faith and promice, which had
reached his heart with much force as he
medtated on the events OF which that day
was the anniversary Then, for the frs,
time, it occurred to many present that this
was the day for his annual sermon, since 1t
was the date Of his installation, fifty one
years before. 'Therc were not many there, ="
he continued, "who remembered that day. ~
lie saw but iour persons In the church who
could recall its incidents and only one was
present who took part in the proceedings
And here he turned toward an old man on
his left, and with deep emotion uttered one
sentence in the hearing Of us all that i'm.
pressed itself on my mind indelibly. "They
are oil gone, my friend, and the churchyard
congregation is we'll nigh full. Let us 20 to
them" And he paused and bowed his head
very low; and before he lifted it, q fear
came upon that entire congregation, lest ho
should never speak to them again.
A sob broke the stiffness. II came from
his son Phillips pew; and the old pastor
turned his eyes iondly towards it, and then to
his people, and, in few words told them to
g, home, for he could not preach that day,
and might never preach again. But he
bade them remember so long as they lived,
his last words to them and then his eve
kindled and his head was uplifted, and his
form grew erect, and he looked up steadily,
as il through tho little semicircular window
in the gable Of the church he could sec that
whereof he spoke; and now, in a pure voice
that rose solemnly avovc the deep hush that
prevailed, no said aloud, &c knew that my
Redecmer liveth, and that ho shall stand at
the latter day upon the earth. And though,
after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet
in INV flesh shall I see God"