The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-03-21
Misrglllnrun5.
MALADY OF MIND AND BODY.
"uisnot an fht to live,
Nor an Ofdeaih tn de-

Nor an ofdeath n dis.'
Sabbath in the country! The serene,
peaceful Sabluth the time OF rest, God
given to man, for purifcation aud prayer
In the city the day never seems so truly
good, 50 infinitely holy, as in the country.
The sweet sound Of distant village bells
;hc sight Of cattle released from labor, brow
sing in eonteutcd herds in the quiet Of green
fields; the very chirp Of the countless in
sccts, and the innocent song Of the myriads
Of birds, all breathe oca Slbbath morality,
which in great cities is lost entirely. The
noise of active life ceases; nausht meets the
ear hut the lingering echoes of those calm
ehurch-bells, as they hoat on the unadulter-
atcd, healthinl air. to the distant farm
houses. "God made the country, man the
town." It is not unnatural to suppose that
greater blessing rests with the Divine
work, than with that of mere, however glO-
ricus art
I had been resident ofM- some three
or fou weeks, but had been detained from
attending church each Sabbath by violent
storms, aud, to confess the truth, | did not
regret this as much as should, from the
fact that dreaded my first meeting, as their
sole and newly established physician, will
the wealthy and arislocratic inhabitants o.
that prctcntious village. shrank nervous
" from the unavoidable introductions, ant
the criticism which knew must inevitably
follow. However, one morning was be
reit of my excuse Of had weather, and awak
encd bctimcs to find the day most obstinate
ly clear. There was not a cloud IN tn,
heavens that could reasonably persuade
myself was the signal of coming rain; there
fore to church wo went, my wife and l.
she all a-glow with expectation, and look
ing, as thought, unusually charming il
her pink ribbons, and Il acknowledge i
candidly) somewhat oppressed with an in
deGnable sense ordoubt and dismay.
IL was small, E,ntasticilly dcsigne'
building ofan;iQue style ofarchitecture, tha
would have puzzled the wiscst to determine
vet it was striking, artistic, and displaye
decided and refreshing originality. Iv.
and other vines crept in thick masses owe
the roughly-hcwn stone walls, and darkonc
with their close embrace, the low archie
windows. Internally everything was plai
and simple, as all houses Of true wOrshipar,
vet there va, not wanting certain air {
quiet elegance. The pulpit WIS stroncl
indicative of classical simplicity in its form
: and had few adommeuts opposite it, q
the other end OF the church, was sma
ycilgd gallery, containing an organ and az
T commodations for choir Of singers.
We were early. seated myself quictl,
D and having nothing to occupy my thought
c haleuncousciously watched the entranc,
$ ono by one. of the villagers. Among ther
j. | saw face, which, rs bcheld it then, hs
. haunted me Tor years. Il was that Of
A man in the primo Of his life, handsom,
. well bred. and Intelligent, but 50 iucxprcss
, bly, sd, 50 indicative Of evident staguatio
: and despairins dissatisfaction, that turnc
: away in horror that anything made by .GO
o shoald dare to carry eountenancc like tha
f The services began with slow, sOnoror
4 notes Of prelude from the mellow-toncd o
: gan. Throughout the aisles Of the it'll
e antique church. up to the very raiters, hOa
4 ed that rare, sobbing music, penetrating a
h hearts, sensitive either to good or evil. wit
Y that delicate sorrow which LongfellOw "a,
( dis NJ, akin to peace"
4 II faded as the burden changed from Odne
e to jubilant hope, and ended in sudden sta
= cato chords of triumphant joy. All ey,
: turned towards the pulpit, and all hea,
reycrcntly bowed, as the minister, an ag,
!, man, arose ard uttered brief and impre
y siye prayer. Its beauty lay in its naturl
Q ness, undeflcd as il was by the arts Of show
; rhetoric. II seemed to pass from the vene
. able elergman's lips up to heaven, as Il