The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-03-21

dress and adore his Creator. by contrast
the cold brilliancy of the sermon that fol
lowed lost all effect; ii could not touch m
like that simple, honest supplication 10
Divine mercy. All the after services of tn
day were nothing to me ; l had poured ou
my whole soul with that prayer, and ha'
no further power or desire to worship.
was satisfied.
discerned no lack of eloquence or minis
terial learning in that aged diyinc's exhor
tation, and although, Us we left the church
heard many speak of it with exprcsSion'
oflively pleasure, | felt assured that he him
self was discontcntcd with the discourse. II
was like thin, ftful sunlight, yelling low
ering December sky; or, like snow, binding
the eyes with glitter, yet in Its actual self
very cold and unsubstantial. perceived
that there was that, beneath all this sparkle
of words, which few present understood
Was it private grief? Was it some hidden
agony warning against unnatural restraint
| recognized the evidences of insinccrity, but
whether temporary or habitual could not
discover. Whom he ceased, felt merely
the silence; there was none of that strange
sensation at the cessation Of impassioncd
nobly earnest delivery, which had expert
enced often before.
The congregation was pouring itself quiet
ly out, when, in the usual organ voluntary
came an abrupt but slight pause, followed
by deep stiffness. Immediately human
voice, a full and rare mans voice, com,
mcnced chanting that celebrated solo from
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's messiah, y
''I know that my Rcdccmer liycth." Per-
fcctly in time and tune, although with nc
further accompaniment than the few open
ING chords, the voice issued from the choir
bearing TO world-weOry listeners consolation
and peace. II was not the noble words, noi
yet the nObler music, il was the expression
gathered by that fine voice from the two,
uniting in one glorious whole, till the very
atmosphere seemed to thrill with its unusu'
al melody. On the last notes of the solo, as
it faded magnifcently into silence, the or
gan's accompaniment rccOmmenccdproying
by the purcst unity of the two sounds, the
successful into nation of the unknown vocal
let. Many curious eyes were directed To-
wards the gallery, but the curtains were
tightly drawn, and mystery still remained
mysterious. Some casual movement, how
ever, momcnnrily displaced a portion Of the
loating screen, and revealed TO me dark,
handsome face had before noticed; and il
was no less dark, handsome, or discontcnted,
than when beheld it then. asked my
self in wonder, il that soulful singing and
that morose, unhappy countenancc belonged
to one and the same individual.
The close of this Sabbath day was dcs-
tined to reveal to me a strange fragment Of
the life of this very man.
The night fell, dcwy and starry, but with
an opprcssiveness of atmosphere in that part
of the country, an uncommon consequence
on long continued rains. The ground was
almost destitute of moisture, and the grass
Ofthat harsh, vivid green, so destructive to
vision. The AIR was heavy and brcathless,
the very stars seemed to blink with the uni,
yeral drowsiness. We were just seated al
our plainly furnished toa-table, when there
came a startling peal from the little knock.
er at the hall door.
\ visitor" said my wife, settling heI
cap.
"a patient" said I, rushing from the
room, just in time to upset black boy who
ran violently against me. Alternately rub
binS his sides, and grinnins from ear to ca,
at the adventure, he informed me that "mas
81 was took sick in great hurry" anC
then scampcrcf OF, having first pointed on
large and conspicuous house, quite neal
to my own, as the residence of the sick man
| had often noticed it for the elabomto ar
nngements of its extensive gardens.
In few minutes was in the chamber o
the first patient to whom had been callet
during my residence in NJ. Tn,
room was large and brilliantly lighted
bouquets of delicate flowers were scatterc,
over it-cyidently, illness had been totall,
unlocked for by the master of the dwelling
As entered, the face Of my patient Wa
hidden from me by the pillows in which
was buried. Tho wife, young, Sigh
thing, half sat, half reclincd beside him, he
head bowed on her bosom, her pale hand
tightly locked one in the other. She raise
her eyes as entered, and on seeing me,
sudden gleam of something which, if it wcr
not hope, had all its beauty, passed over hC
features.
"Doctor!" she cried wildly, advancing
meet me, doctor, save him, save him :"
Before had time to answer, q voice irol
the other side Of the bed uttered in low
sonorous, but selfpossessed tone
.'It is too late :"
CHANGING quickly that way, saw IL
gray-haired minister. On his hands WEI
great rcd spots of blood; the pillows, ii
sheets were marked with it, and on Il
white dress of the young wife glittcrcd al,
fresh crimson stains.
"IIe is dying" said the old man, rcve
entity knCeling at the bedside; "Abncr, m
son, my boy, do you hear me-you are d,
ing"
| approached the bed, and as did so Il
: sick man raised his head, and saw beio
me the beautiful, despairing face of Il
t. morning. The dark eyes were 6crcer ar
brighter, and deeply sunken in their socket
, while the heavy masses of hair and bca,