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

geous. Yet the union of design in the
two pictures, and their good execution,
delighted Ada's cultivated taste.
From the pictures, her eyes turned to
the congregation that was now thronging
in. She understood what it was to be
dressed for Grace Church. The robes of
silk and velvet shone in the dazzling
light Of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. .
In the near pews, she observed ladies
and gentlemen convcrsing: she could net
avoid hearing a good deal that they said.
Two persons III front of her, were ex-
tolling the projections of the concert
singer, who was to perform the Easter
anthem, after the sermon. They spoke
of the price that was to be paid her, ard
of the exceeding sweetness of her voice,
as adapted to love songs or sacred music.
The gentleman said that he came to
church that day to hear Madame Bertini
and to see the fair lady with whom he
was talking. She shook her fan at him,
and called him wretch, then, raised her
glass to survey the congregation.
The organ pealed forth, and Ada
looked up to the arches and spires through
which the grand and solemn music was
reverberating. A strain of fine opera
music was played, and the grand tones
became softer, until hardly audible, they
died away. The trembling Of the in
strument seemed to be felt, like echoes
that are being lost among the distant
mountains.
In the silence that succeeded, Ada
waited to hear, "The Lord is in His
holy temple" but until she looked to
the pulpit she did not know that the SER
vice had commenced. She opened her
prayer-book, and tried to follow the ex-
hortation, that she could not hear. BY
the most intense attention she occasion
ally caught a word, that guided her
as to where the minister was, but had
she not known the service by heart, she
might as well have been in a Jewish
synagogue, as here. She kneeled at the
confession Of sins, but, though she could
assume the attitude of prayer, she could
not collect her wandering thoughts. -
There was but little chanting, but in
this, Ada's nice ear perceived the har-
mony of the voices. One or two verses
of psalms we're sung A sermon was
preached that she could not hear, and
tired to death, she wished the service
was over.
Again brilliant prelude was play
ed on the organ. The minister had
J disappeared from his pulpit; the peo-
pie were looking towards the choir,
with countenances of pleased expecta-
ton, and the deep notes of the instru-
ment filled the church, and slowly died
away. As they ceased, a voice powerful
and sweet filled every part of the church.
1t was woman's voice, but angelic in
its tone as it mounted to the carved spires
= and windows, fled from corner to corner
| and descended to the ears of the listeners.
Ada was entranced as she listened to
the anthem that commemoraied the death
J and resurrection Of the son of God, The
music Of the first verse was slow and SOL
: emn; the words were impressively sung.
Then the voice swelled and quickened,
: and its notes betokened anxiety, for the
second verse announced the entombment
) of him to whom so many looked as their
, deliverer. He lays in the grave the
voice poured forth a wailng lament,
loud and then subdued. Ada's bosom
swelled as she listened, and tears fell
from her eyes. He arises and with the
loud music of the organ the voice trium-
, plant mingled Every part Of the church
) gave back the joyful and magnificent
strains of the singer.
The anthem appeared to close with
, this outburts of music. Still the dull,
trembling sound Of the instrument
again, the voicc. Where is it ? so faint
ly heard, but clearly as it scars to the
utmost heights of the spires, passes from
arch, lingering like some bird that would
thrill forever near the skies Ada held
her breath and looked up. There was
no sound throughout that church but
the carolling of the sweet singer. Eve
ry form seemed TO be statue in its seat
there was no motion-fearful to loose
the fainest note.
And still more fearful, for those notes
are fading away, clear still, and soaring
among the vaulted arches Of the roof,
soft and faint, but lingering there
fainter, and dying away to silence.
Ada bent her head, and burst into
tears, every nerve Of her frame was 50
highly strung.
Crowds were leaving the church; ma
ny went only hear the music.
Mr.. Ewlyn whispered to Ada, "shall
you remain to Communion 2"
The question reminded her where she
was. In the house of God? She was
shocked to think how completely she had
forgotten it. She declined remaining,
not feeling in a state to kneel at the ho-
ly altar She followed Mrs. Elwyn to
/ the carriage.
ada" said Mr.. Elwyn, what do
you think ofour Sunday opera? Wasn't
it grand? | came very near clapping at
one time"
81 could never worship in this church,"
said Ada. Z" i am grieyed to think how
entirely / was taken up with that sing
ing, fine as it was"
4" Perhaps" said Mrs Elwyn, "you
prefer TO hear bad music in church"
" would even prefer hot," said Ada,
d" If the heart went with it,"