The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-02-20

SAuStotl N"AiiS uPNu an inv W ihoA'
remarks. The pastor arose under the
gallery, and attacked the position O
the speaker, using the arguments
which I have often heard SINCE, and
concluded by denouncing those en-
gagged in the movement, as meddle-
some fanatics, who wished to break up
the time honored usages of good So
ciety, and injure the business of respec-
table men, At the conclusion of his
remarks, the tavern keeper and his
friends got up cheer, and the cur
rent of Of feeling was evidently against
the strangers and their plans.
AS the pastor took his seat, the
old man arose, his tall form towering
in its symmetry, and his chest swell
ing as he inhaled the breath through
his thin dilated nostrils. To me at
that time, there was something awe
inspiring and grand in the appear
ance of the old man as he stood, his
teeth shut hard, and a silence like that
of death throughout the church.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern
keeper, and that peculiar eye fingered
and kindled for half a moment The
scar grew red upon his forehead, and
beneath his heavy eyebrows his eyes
glittered and glowed like serpent's !;
the tavern keeper quailed before that
searching glance, and | felt relieved
when the old man withdrew his gaze.
For a moment more the old man
seemed lost in thought, and then in a
low and tremulous voice he COM
menced There was a depth in that
voice, thrilling sweetness and pathos
which rivited every heart in the house,
before the first period had been round
ed. My fathers attention had be-
come fixed upon the eye of the speak
or, with an interest / had never be-
fore seen him exhibit. / can but
briefly remember the substance Of
what the old man said, though the
scene is as vivid before me as any l
ever witnessed.
My friends ! I am a stranger in
your village, and | trust may call you
friends. A new star has arisen, and
there is hope in the dark night that
hangs like pail of gloom over our
country"
With thrilling depth of voice the
speaker continued ooh, God, thou
who looketh with compassion upon.
the most erring of earth's frail children,
| thank thee that q brazen serpent
has been lifted, upon which the drunk
ard can look and be healed. That
beacon has burst out upon the dark
ness which surrounds him which shall
guide back to honor and leaVen, the
bruised and weary wanderer
1t is strange what power there is
in some voices. The speakers voice
was low and measured, but tear
trembled in every tone, and before I
knew why, a tear dropped on my
hand, followed by others like rain
drops The old man brushed one from
his eye, and continued
Men and Christians You have
just heard that ! am vagran5 and a
fanatic. / am not. Z AS God knows
my own sad heart, | came here just to
do good. Hear me and be just.
am an old man, standing alone
at the end Of life's journey There is
a deep sorrow in my heart, and tears
in my eyes | lave journeyed over
dark beaconless ocean, and all life's
brightest hopes have been wrecked
/ am without friends, kindred or home.
| was not so once"
No one could withstand the touch
ING pathos of the old man I noticed
tear trembling on the lid of my faith
es's eye, and I no longer felt ashamed
of my own.
No my friends, it was not so|once.
Away over the dark waves that have
wrecked my hopes, there is a blessed
light of happiness and home. Ireach
again conyulsively for the shrines of
household idols that once were mine !;
now mine no more ~
The old man seemed looking away
through vacancy, upon some bright
vision, his lips apart and his fingers
extended. Unfortunately turned in
the direction where it was pointed,
dreading to see some shadow invoked
by its magic moving.
al once had q mother. With her
old heart crushed with sorrow she went
down to the grave. / once had a
wife-a fair angel hearted creature as
ever smiled in an earthly home. Her
eye was as mild as a summers sky, and
her heart as faithful and true as ever
guarded and cherished husbands
love. Her blue eye grew dim as the
floods Of sorrow washed away its
brightness, and the living heart wrnng
till every fibre was broken, / once had
l IL IL