Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-08-20

skies IN OratOrlcal power and calculated TO
rivet the attention and tickle the fancy of
the most fastidious in the literary world
Such a discourse as few could surpass In
language or style-but such a discourse as
sent not one shot to the hardened heart of
yon sinner, or brought tear from the eye
of the most penitent, unless indeed it be
tear of grief over the fallen beauties of Jeru-
Isalem. from some old christian who had seen
christianity under different circumstances
from the present. But the mass of the con-
gregation is delighted is just the
preaching for them-they desire none of
your old style-dry moralizing. None of
the worn-out idea of '.taith, hope, charity,
but the greatest of these is charity" None
of the doctrine that though [ give my body
to be burned and ney goods to the poor and
haze not chariyit is as sounding brass and
a tinkling symbol, it profteth me nothing. :"
No, the preacher says nothing of the sort,
and the people wish no such.
The exercises over, the preacher passes
down the broad aisle Of the church shaking
hands with Col this, Dr. that, and Deacon
the other, and presently reaches that little
group of poor persons in that remote corner
where are Mrs Mortimore and her son; and
does he stop here? Does he extend the
hand of fellowship and brotherly love to-
wards them and cheer them on to the king
dom of that God, whose gospel he is COM
manded to preach to the poor? No-he
''passes by on the other side;' he will not
scoff for he will not notice Shades of Lu-
thcr and Wesley! where are all thy good
teachings and example?
The congregation having entirely broken
up, ali take their way to their respective
homes. Having partaken Of their scanty
repast, Mrs Mortimore and David take their
seats upon their accustomed box, (for chairs
they have none, and David read a chapter
the widow and orphan in their road to bliss
amid the darkest shades Of poverty. This
ended without saying word on the subject
of the sermon or the scenes of the church,
| David takes himself off to his accustomed
corner and soon is buried in his studies, for
he is determined that when he arrives at the
age of manhood it shall not be without an
education and in this last act he is two
fold gamer, for he forgets the cold neglect
Of the world, while he is laying up trea-
sure of knowledge. Reader, did you ever
try this antidote for that heart sickness pro-
duced by the sneers of the wealthy? If you
have not let me assure you that it is an in
fallible one. Drink at the fountain of know
ledge and as you imbibe of that Letheiau
stream, you forget all external things and
are as happy as though the mines of Colifor-
MIA were at your command. He was layino
up treasure of knowledge which shall serve
him for life, though the powerful oppress,
the proud scof at, and the wealthy spurn
him from them. No, they cannot rob him
Of this. And this feeling of sweet repose,
and this estate of never-failing wealth
thanks. to free education in our country-is
in the reach Of ALL how poor in this world
goods they may be. Yes, thanks to free
education and free schools, the poorest boy
in our midst, if he but strive and strive
Alright, may one day rival the greatest in the
universe. Is it wonder then that the rich
and aristocratic in our community often strive
to suppress the free school system? True,
they dare not attempt it openly, but by Sc
cret means they work hard for its downfall.
And the reason is obvious that poor boy,
clad in rags and tatters, may one day rival,
perhaps far excel. the sons of those same
aristocratic gentlemen, and snatch from the
hand of fame many laurel which otherwise
would be theirs.
Who then shall not send up a prayer, long
and fervent, for the perpetuation of free
schools in our midst
Let us now, kind reader, pass over pc
riod of fifteen years, during which time
most of the parties to our narrative have been
living on by permission Of Divine Providence
pursuing the bent of their respective dispo-
Isitions, while some are dead and gone-and
from the mountain-top of observation we will
take a bird's-eye view Of their present posi-
tions. Deacon Ashby is dead and his chill
dren fill his place in the church-some per-
haps better, and some are travelling on in
his footsteps DIrs Mortimore is dead or
moved away from her native village over
twelve years-which, no one knows, no one
cares.
Thus with human nature. The magic
hand of change works amongst us, and time
eradicates from our minds the small circum-
stances of the past.
CHAPTER v
81 wonder who that gentleman was with
Clara Denis at church yesterday morning
[ declare he was quite noble looking gen
tleman. Did you learn his name, Mary ?"
'sNo, 1 did not. | tried to get in speech
of Clara all [ could, but there was such a
crowd near her | could not succeed I learn
ed however that he was member of Con-
gress from one of the Western States, whose
acquaintance she made in Washington last
winter. Clara seems to be on very intimate