The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-11-01
Ouw Congregations.

Those who attend upon our Sabbath SER
vice do not belong exclusively to any one sec
or nation upon the face of the earth. The sa-
Bile African, the volatile Frenchnan, the
plodding Irishman, and the gaunt Yankee, all
mingle promiscuously in the same throng.-
The influence of sin is worldwide in its ex.
tent, and we must anticipate its fruits from
among all portions of our apostate race. But
we have no right to infer that those are SIN
ners above all others, who may be congrega-
ted for religious worship within the walls,
of a prison. 1t requires no great stretch OF
fancy to attribute to them virtues equal, II
not surprising those found in ordinary con-
gregations Some pcculiarities are certainly
worthy Of notice. There are few ii any here
who seem to think Of themselves more highly
than they ought to think. None whose cost
ly and fashionable costume, Indicate the char
acter of the empty fop or useless dandy
none who with lofty airs and scorniul looks
!! urge their way to an aristocratic seat evil
IDENTIFY counting the notice and admiration Of
those, who are willing to offer the incense
OF homage and nattery at the shrine of wealth
and fashion All are clad in the same coarse
and comfortable garments without any useless
expenditure to crafty pride or please the
fancy. Here 20 insolent loungcr ever
appears late at church, who with the cangor
of rude footsteps through the aisles, disturbs
the devotions Of the place Of prayer. There
is no vulgar laughing or loud talking, at the
door Of our chapel, to disturb the commence
ment of our services, but all are quietly in
their seats at the appointed moment and
ready to join in the devotions Of the hour.
1t makes little difference whether it rains
or shines, all are there with the same marked
promptuess and punctuality. 1t is evident
that their religious principles and convictions
do not ebb and flow with the changes of the
seasons OF the variable indications of the
weather, but whether it be wet or dry, hot or
cold, all are present. There is no whisper
ing Or inattentioa during the services.
We never saw one here sleeping away The
sacred moments of the Sabbath services cve-
ny eye is open and apparently every car is
bent to listen. No one sezes his hat before
the bcncdiction is pronounced, Or rushcs from
the place of worship before the conclusion Of
the exercises, but at the appropriate time, all
walk out quietly, and in perfect order 1t is
sometimes the case that the minister may
justy congratulate himself upon the increase
of his congregation and report the fact as an
encouraging item in the apparent fruit of his
diaicult and oncrous labor Our congrega-
ton has increased to some extent since the
commencement Of our labors here, and it is
Thought by some creditable judges in this
matter that we have not as many yet as we
justly deserve; but still in our modesty we
do not dare TO presume it Is owing to any su-
perior attractions in our pulpit labors, and
much lesa to the ipsrease of religious interest
among the church. going poop BE of the State;
although ,hey come Embarrassing numbers, We
have noticed that they usually leave US with
few icgrets.
The religious services of the Sabbath here
are grateful relief to the prisoners, as they
break the Otherwise painful confinement and
dull monotcay Of the day. This day of rest
bushes here the din Of business, the thron.
ged shops are empticd Of their busy occupants,
but the Sabbath as it comes to smile upon the
wide world, ENDS the Inmates of the peritent
tiary locked in their lonely cells But the bolt
is turned at the welcomed arrival Of tho hour
Of prayer, and they are permitted to listen to
those truths which have power to convert the
prison into palace, and throw the radiance
of immortal hope upon the dark chaos of tho
sin troubled spirit. Some here develop an anx-
iety to know the truth which is able to make
them wise unto salva,ioa.
But religious anxistics and aspirations ina
place like this must be subjected to peculiar
trials. Convicts are unavoidably to greater
or less extent the subjects Of suspicion - yious
effort and desire, springing from commendable
motives nre liable tn he recsrded g tho o,.