The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-04-16

hn', though she could assume the attitude
of PRAYER, she 20 I'D not collect her wau-
dering thoughts. There was but little char.'.
lng, but in this, A,la's rice ear perceived
the harmony Of tho. voices. Ono or two
verses of FsaIms were sung. a sermon was
preached that she could not hear, and tired
to death, she wished the service were over.
Again. q brilliant preclude was played
on the. organ. The minister had disappear.
ed from his pulpit; the people were look:
ing towards the choir, with countenanccs Of
pleased expectation, and tho deep notes Of
Tic Instrument filed the church, and slow.
y died away. AS they ceased, voice
powerful and sweet filed every part Of the
church. 1t was y woman's voice, but angel
ic in its tones as it mounted to the carved
spires aud windows, fed from corner to
corner, and descended to the ears of the
lis:cu,rs.
Ada was cntrance1 as she listened to the
anthem that commemorated the death and
resurrection Of the SON of God. The music
ot the first verso was slow and solemn; the
words were imprcssivcly sung. Then the
voice sweliel and quickencel, and its notes
h"t"kenri anxiety, for the second verse an.
nounccd the enlomhment Of Him to whom
! SO many locked as their dcivercr: lie LAYS
IN the gtave the voice poured forth wailing
lament, load, and. then subducd. Adu's
bosom swcl!c'l IA she listened, and tears fell
from her eyes. - He arises and with the
loud music of the organ, the voire triumph
ant minGlc'l. Every part of the church
gave back the joyful and magnificent strain
of the singer.
The anthem appeared to close with this
ou;hurst ofmusic. Still, the dull, trembling
! soHlid oi the .instrn.ncnt--again,t the voice.
, Where is it? 50 family heard, but clearly,
as il, SCARS TO the lI,mcs, kcigh, Of the spires,
passes from arch, lingering like some bird
that would thrill forever, near the skies
Ada held her trcatli.aud looked up. There
was no sound throughout that church bu,
the caro!hng Of the sweet singer. Every
tuim seemed to be "A statue in it's seat-thcrc
was no mution--feaful 10 lose the lainlvsi
| note.
And still more fearful, for those no!cs
are fading away, clear still, and soaring
a'nongthe vaultcd arches Of tho ROOT, sotl
and faint, but lingering thore-f.inter, and
dying away to silence
!h.la ben, her head, and burst into. tears,
every nerve OF herr frame was so highly
strung. 3:
/ CIowds, were leaving the church many
came only to hear the music.
81. Mr.. Eiwyn whispered 10 Ada, Shall you
remain to Communicate
=. The question reminded her whero she
WAS. In tho house OF God : She was
shocked to think how completely she had
forgotten il. She declined remaining, not
feeling in a state to Snecl at the holy altar.
She followed Mrs. Elwvn to the carriage.
Ada said Mr.. Eiwyn, what do -yoa
think Of our Sunday opera! Wash it
grand I came very, lear ciapping at one
time. .....-
4 could never Worship ir this church,
said Ada. 4 am gricved to think how en-
,=uFo!y, Was aiken up with that singing, fine
rs it was'. -:
Tcrl'"ps,' said Mrs. Elwyn, you prefer to
hear bad music in church."
1 would even prefer Mat,' said Ada, if
the heart went with it,
How do you know but Madame Bertiui's
did p
Mr.. Elwyn laughed when his wife asked
this question. why, Sophie, he said,
Madame Bertini was paid very high for her
> singing today. Every, note that thrilled
through that church.cost money d. If:praise,
it was hir':!. .prai<e:' I. cannot think ,la,
God, whose: altar i, the whole earth, and
tor whose sanctuary Heaven is rot glorious
enough, will be pleased " it'll coined tributes
from tho lips Of people whose lives are so
; often unworthy Of them. How wo,ld: ii
sound to read from the pulpit of that church
the History and character of each that sings
Tor 'ho'' ''amusenrnts ofthe congregation I
{ Would you visit that 'concert:sngcrp
Certainly not >ee - ..:
But said Mr. Elwyn, she Il. good enough
to the4l'fone Of God the praises of con,
gfe&a'l"qs for she sings ealone-'.
Why do you 60 to church, said Mrs
E'wyn, sfyou end 80 much. fault with wha,
} you see and hear ,lreres' y
!: !: Going to church, he said, rs habi,
that got into when was young Le.
4 !!eve fcatghti it from mymother. I go to
u 4srara Ghprch Because. you do, :.
9 .,.'YoSan'f faa ares Methodists,' sai,f Mrs
Elwyn. You like preachers ,,,-,,