Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-04-02
miscellaneous.
GRACE CHURCH.

Stifed my breath,
AS if the anthem
Dissolved my hearts core ~
1t was Easter Sunday, and more de-
lightful day never dawned. Ada was up
early, and her occupations were such as
the season demanded. After late
breakfast, Sophie announced her inten-
ton of going to church, and the carriage
was ordered.
From the time that they left their
house, one Of the palaces Of the Fifth
Avenue, until they reached Grace Church
Ada observed procession of elegantly
dressed persons, on their way to the diff
ferent churches, the ladies' costly silks
sweeping the pavements. Sophie recog-
nized friend walking with some other
persons, and she stopped the carriage,
insisting upon her taking the vacant seat
and accompanying them to Grace Church.
Impossible J" said the young lady.
81 could not 60 to Grace Church to-
day"
"Why not ?" said Mrs. Elwyn, en-
treatingly. Mr. Elwyn laughed. "You
see, Ada" he said, "God must be wor-
shipped a la mode in Grace Church. -
Never 60 there in silk that costs less
than five dollars yard. Your shawl
must be worth thousand, and your
handkerchief not less than one hundred
dollars. The heart that prays accepta-
bly, must beat under lace and brocade. -
Don't offer to sing; only the choir is
permitted to praise God, according to the
most approved style A false note would
render the whole performance unaccept-
able. AS to the prayers that the rector
reads, have been going to Grace Church
for two years, and | never heard one Of
them for the church is so built that only
those who sit near the altar can hear the
service. That makes no difference,
though, for who goes to Grace Church
to be preached to? Sophie does not like
me to talk so, and I'll allow it is beau
tiful building, perfect in its architectural
arrangements. But there arc some
things | must tell you beforehand, Ada,
or you will be as stupid as was when l
took seat in my pew for the first time.
When we 60 in the church, you will see
persons ranged on each side of the door,
seated in those little halls or anto-rooms.
These are strangers, and they must stay
there until we, who have pews in the
church, have arrived for it would be
showing us great disrespect to have stran-
gers made comfortable before we were
there to secure our own Some of the
pews are locked am told, but mine
never is. When the service is about TO
commence, the sections show the stran-
gers where they may 60. Those who
come in carriages or are handsomely
dressed are first provided for. This is
the aristocracy Of religion! The others
are seated somewhere. You will hear
good singing to-day, and for the rest,
Judge for yourself"
Ada had no time to reply, for they
we're at the church door, and in going in,
Mrs. Elwyn expressed her regret that
they had come too soon, for the service
had not commenced
Ada was delighted, on looking round,
to see the exquisite taste displayed in the
construction Of the church; particularly
in the arrangement of the light. The
window at the far end, to the left, as she
sat, was Of stained glass, figuring the
Mosaic dispensation. Clouds Swallowed
the mount, and Aaron and Moses we're
there, holding the tables of stone. The
painting was fine, and nothing could have
exceeded the effect, for Ada felt chat old
things had passed away when she saw
that the church was lighted BY another