Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-02-21
nliscellaup.
A Burial among the Mountains.


From "Peeps from Belfry,"b by F. W. Shelton.
A Burial among the Mountains.
Several times has the summer come and gone
several times have the scar and crisped leaves
fallen to the ground, since it was my privilege
to administer for single winter to a small par
ish in the wilderness. call it the wilderness
only in contradistnction to the gay and splen-
did metropolis from which | went. For how
great the contrast from the din of commerce,
from noisy streets, attractive sights, and people
of all nations, to a village among the noun
tains, where the attention is even arrested by a
falling leaf. 1t was among the most magnif-
cent scenes of nature, whose massive Outlines
have imprinted themselves on my recollection
with distnctness which can never be elfaced.
account it privilege to have spent win
ter in Vermont The gorgeous character of the
scenery, the intelligence and education of its
inhabitants, the excellence, yet simplicity of
living, its health and hospitality, rendered the
stay both profitable and agreeable. Well do |
remember those Sunday mornings, when, with
the little Winooski River on the right hand,
wriggling through the ice, and with snow
clad spur of the mountains on the left, l wend-
ed my solitary way through the cutting wind to
the somewhat remote and somewhat thinly- at.
tended little church. But the warmth, intelli-
gence, refinement, and respectful attention of
that small band of worshipers fully compensat-
ed for the atmosphere without, which often
ranged below zero. 1t is true that majority
of the inhabitants had been educated to attend
the Congregational usually denominated the
Brick church, where young man of fine tai
ents, who was my friend, administered to the
large flock committed to his charge
How oft with him I've ranged the snow-clad hill,
Where grew the pine-tree and the towering oak
And as the white fogs all the VALLEY fill,
And axe re-echoed to the woodmans stroke,
While frozen fakes squeakng under foot,
And distant tnklings from the vale arise,
Upward and upward still the way we took,
As souls congenial tower toward the skies.
We talked of things which did beseem the place.
Matters of moment to the Church and State,
The upward, downward progress of the race,
Predestination, Destiny, and Fate
He tracked the thoughts of Calvin or of KANT
Such lore from his learned sire he drew
searched the tones of D'OyIey and of Mant,
Or slipped the sweetness of Castaian dew.
So when the mountain path grew dim to view,
And woolen tippets were consealed or damp,
Swift to the vale our journey we renew,
Reght the fire, and trim the students lamp.
Ordinary occurrences impress themselves more
deeply, associated with scenes whose features
are SO grand. A conversation with friend
will be remembered with greater accuracy if it
be made upon mountain or in the storm and
not with less devotion does the heart respond to
the worship Of God, if his holy temple be build
ed among scenes of beauty; if it have no pill
lars but the uncarved rocks, no rafters but the
snnbeams, and no dome but the skies. Thus,
while residing on the mountains kept on the
tablets Of memory an unwritten diary, from
which it is pleasant to draw forth an OCCASION
al leaf. tt.
1t was in the month Of January, when the
boreal breath is SO keen after such walk with
my friend to the summit of the mountain, that
returned at nightfall to my chamber, with my
camlet cloak and hat completely covered with
snow. The fakes were large, starry, and dis
posed themselves in the shape of crystals. Af-
ter much stamping of the feet shaking the
cloak, and humping with drum-likc sound
upon the hat, began to stuff into the box
stove (for nothing but Russian stoves will keeT
you warm in Vermont) plenty Of maple-wooo
which abounds in those regions, and which
after hickory, makes the most delightful fire il
the world. Then, having dried my damp feet
looked refectingly into the Goals, answered tn
tea-bell and, as a matter of course, drank
cup of the weed called tea, returned to m,
solitary apartment, snuffed the candles laid ou
due quantity of ruled /" Sermon paper" wipe'
the rusty steel pens, and begau to reflect, Wha
theme will be the most appropriate for the sea
SOM Let me examine the Lessons-let me SCI
if can find some sentiment in the Epistle o
Gospel for the day, on which it will be prope
to enlarge. Such search in the Prayer Book
never in vain. The course is marked ou t-th
path clear. For not more equally is the nat
ural year distinguished by day and night, coli
and heat, storm and sunlight winter and spring
summer and autumn, than is the " Year of ou
Lord" by times and seasons, which are tn
events of his lifetime, and which are the yer
periods by which to direct our course. If i
this work-day world the daily service Of tn
sanctuary cannot be attended, let the devou
Christian, let the earnest Churchman, at leas
read, mark. learn, and inwardly digest tho
daily lessons which the Church, through Hol
Writ, teaches.
Scarce had disposed myself for an evening
work, when was called on with a request I
perform funeral services on the next day, ov'
the body of "A poor Irish laborer, killed ssdder
ly on the line of the rail road by the blasting
rocks.
The priest was absent; for although thel
was numerous body, perhaps Several hundre
Irish Catholics in that vicinity, he came onl
once in six weeks. During the interval tho,
poor people left were without shepherd; an
as they had regard for the decencies of Chr
tian burial, they sometimes, as on this occasion
requested the Church clergyman to be at han,
willingly consented to do what appeared
necessary charity, although apprehended, an
afterwards learned, that the more rigid and di
ciplined of the faith were indignant, and Ike,
away from the funeral rites, which they almo
considered profane. Nor could disrespe
their scruples, considering the principles when