Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-05-25
WHO SHALL HAVE HIM2
Or the Bnm arried Preacher.
By MISS SARAH s. HAYES.


And when she listed, she could fawn and fatter; {
Now smiling smoothly, like summers day.
Now slooming sadly, so to cloak her matter;
Yet were her words but wind. and all her tears
but water
The doings of the Lord, said Deacon
Murphy, as he walked to church one
Sabbath morning, with newly-arrived
resident of their fourishing town.
Verify, the doings of the Lord are mar
vellous in our eyes. Twelve months
since, / should not have hesitated to de-
nominate that man a madman who had
predicted the change which has taken
place with respect to religion among us
we seemed sunk in the gall of bitterness,
and the bonds of iEiquity-but now,
praise be to God, the moving of His
spirit is visible among these dry bones.'
/ am pleased to hear SO favorable
report of your village, said Mr.. Liston.
As the father of a growing family, I am
rejoiced that my children can enjoy the
privilege of worshiping their Creator
among his followers. But it appears
your community has not always borne
this character; to what do you ascribe
the great and happy change which has
taken place
To the presence of real servant of
the Lord said Mrs. Murphy, speaking
before her husband could open his lips
to the presence of man who is, in
deed and truth, Christian. Our old
parson, Mr.. Black, had entirely worn out
among us. really think the man was
destitute of experimental religion; his
notions were old-fashioned, nothing SEEM
ed to prosper in his hands; and, with
his helpless wife and family, / must con-
slider his removal from our parish bles-
sing
And who is the Brainard or Swartz
you have among you now? said Liston,
in tone of surprise. 8 l was totally un-
acquainted with his high reputation
He is young man., said the Deacon,
swho has been with US but few months,
but in that short space of time you can
form no conception of the awakening on
the subject of religion. Girls, who be-
fore thought OF nothing but how to laugh,
to talk, or sing, seem now to be earnestly
inquiring the way of salvation and wo-
men who have hitherto occupied their
precious time in a round of giddy amuse-
ments, now appear to be examining into
the doctrines of Grace as taught in the
Gospel. Our Dorcas Society and Bible
Association, have both been revived the
fourishing state of Bible-class and Sab
bath School, exceed our most sanguine
expectations, and praise be to God, /
have no complaint to make of the state Of
religion in our highly favored place.
To this panegyric, Mr.. Liston made
no reply; but walked on with heightened
interest and curiosity, to the small, neat
country church. 1t was already more
than half filed, and as group after grouE
gathered in, he looked with wonder (an(
after so glowing a description Of thei
zeal in the good cause, we may say witt
admiration also,) on the many young anC
lovely females who crowded the pews.-
He noticed, too, that the countenance Q
each wore the appearance of placid Sc
riousness SO becoming the Sanctuary c
the Most High; and now, when all wer
seated, deep and holy quiet seemed t
pervade the whole congregation; it wa
the interval of repose which usually take
place before the commencement of th
services, and which appears so peculiarl
fitted for the laying aside of every worlt
iy care--the stilling of every beatin
heart, and which should be employed b
all to the utmost of their ability, in er
deavoring to prepare in every breast
resting place for the Heavenly Dov
which seems brooding among them.
At length the Sabbath bell peale
forth its glad summons, and immediatel
after, the Preacher entered, and pr
ceeding up the isle with measured trea
ascended the pulpit. He was young
with tall, elastic form, dark, intelIige
eyes, and high, pale forehead, shado'
ed by a mass of sullen black hair
voice was deep and sonorous, and b
gestures rapid, but graceful; and wh'
he commenced his address, every love
eye seemed bent upon him with thrilliI
and expectant interest. Mr.. Listou, to
had wrought himself into perfect fit
enthusiasm; but he listened in vain
the strains of impassioned eloquen
which he expected would greet his e;
The young minister appeared to feel hil
self watchman upon the Tower Of Zic
and he spoke well, very well--he te