The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-03-26
BIDDEFORD, Me. MARCH


us, unless it was desire to preserve self
mastery. ] do not think 1t was altogether I
wicked attempt to destroy serious impres
sions. We knew that we were going into
scene Of excitement, and that we shoult
be almost sure to become its victims.
we arrived, at last, at the school.bouse
and entered. We were early. A dozer
people had gathered, perhaps, and the sex
ton was lighting the tallow candles set IL
the sconces hung around the walls. My
companion and watched the solemn.facet
throng as they rapidly came in and filled
the room. The house was as solemn and
still as the house Of death. felt chill.
ing awe creep over my heart. 1t was q
chill of superstition. At last the pastor ol
the church, accompanied by Mr.. Buttcrfeld
knew the kind face Of the pastor very
well, but il was the first time had seen the
face ofthe reviyalist. He was tall, thin,
pale-iaced man, and very young-not more
than twen,y-six. His eyes were bright
almost CLASSY. He looked more like spirit
than man. Every eye was on him, as II
he had magnetized his audience while
walking through it.
The preachers took seats upon the plat
form, elevated at one end Of the room, and
furnished with simple desk. The revival
list had no sooner turned his face towards
the audience and taken his seat, than his
eyes ran over the congregation. think he
saw and recognized every lace in the room,
either as an acquaintance or u stranger.
He had taken in my companion and myself
in his first glance, and to Us he came back
at last, with strong, fixed gaze, that fair
ly made my hair rise upon my scalp. You
must remember that at this time ! was but
boy. The pale, haggard, bright.eyed
man looking into my very soul, and the
stiffness and solemnity of the room, terrified
me. looked him in the eye, however, de-
termincd that he should not break down my
gaze-that he should not, as they say, look
me out of countcnance. 1t had been better
for me if had quailed, for, seeing the
spirit that was in me, he rose from his seat,
with his eyes still fixed upon mine, and
leaving the platform advanced 10 where
was sitting, and planted himself directly in
front of me. The first words he uttered
that evening were addressed 10 me person.
ally, and in tone heard distinctly by every
one in the hall. Pointing his long, white
finger, that looked as rigid as If It had been
frozen, directly at my face, he said with n
deep measured utterancc, '.1re you a Chris
tang | told him that was not and then,
with the same tone, he asked inc il ! ever
hoped to be. answered him that enter
tained hope OF that kind. lie turned, re-
traced his steps to the desk, and addressing
the audience, said:
.Wil! some brother pray for boy who
hopes he will some time be Christian !?
Will he pray particularly that this hope may
be taken away from hun?
My heart rebelled against this form Of
prayer. did not understand II, but before
had time to steel myself against the ex.
citement that was rapidly taking possession
OF me, young man whom ! had known
formerly as one Of much carelessness IN re-
ligious matters. was on his knees pouring
out his prayer in my behalf. lie prayed
that my hope might be taken from me and
the true Christians hope substituted in Its
place, through the necessary preliminary
repentance for sin and faith in Jesus Christ.
| felt that the eyes of the reviyalist were
upon me that was the central object Of
all the eyes in the house. This began TO
terriiy me. The prayer Of the young man
had soitened me, and under such influences
and emotions was ] introduced 10 the first
sermon had ever heard from the lips oi
MIR. Buttertield.
ut would be impossible for me to describe
know that when LETT the house that night,
was in condition bordering upon insani.
~. took my companions arm IN silence,
as we went out into the darkness. 1t had
commenced raining again, and we had hard
ly walked ten rods wnen flash Of light
ming illuminated with its angry light the
swelling pools and wasting snow banks
around US. Then followed deafening roll
of thunder. had always been afiaid OF
lightning. The fear was constitutional and
inherited from my mother but coming as
il did, in the middle Of winter, and after
that scene Of terrible religious excitement,
il had to me meaning and moral which
had not the strength TO whisper to my CON-
panion. God was in that storm certainly,
and II seemed as ii he were holding over
me the lash OF his lightning to enforce the
reiterated command Of the revivalist to re-
pent that night. | expected, or intensely
feared, that should be struck that night
Yet did not know what TO do. We walk
ed with great rapidity homeward. Neither
of us cared for the rain-neither OF Us tho't
of it. think my companion was less ex-
citabe than was, but he was terrified.
Il knew that my parents would both have
retired to rest before could get home.
could ask nothing OF them, for they would
be asleep. ] don't know that after getting
into their presence could have said word
/ only know that | wanted to pray; 80
proposed to my companion that US we came
opposite the dark church of the West Par
ish, we should enter the horse sheds by It's
side and offer prayer, lie assented, and
amid thunder and lightnings and tempests,
we entered the dark line Of building and
sought a corner, where we knelt together.
a,d not wait Tor hilr, but prayed aloud as
ii | had been accustomed to II all my life
have no distinct remembrance Of the Ian
guage OF the prayer. That it was an i'm
passioned depreciation Of Gods judgments
have no doubt; Tor the thunder was roll.
ing among the hills, nocking my feeble
words. prayed with the thought that
might perhaps be converted there by some
great manifestation Of God TO my soul, sucl
us heard In the remarks Of MIR. Buttertied
That all this machinery was got up for my
conversion, seemed evident. But no ligh
came now, but the vengeiul flashes Of the
lightning.
Il parted from my companion at the gate
which opened to my home. sought the
door, opened II, bolled it behind me, ant
found my way In darkness TO my bed.
! threw myself upon my knees again ant
prayed, but | got no reliei. got into bed
but could not sleep. The lightning still
| flashed and the thunder sill rolled will