The Hillsborough recorder., 1864-04-27


81 am not angry. Willie." said the Gu
rate kindly. as he took the boys hand and
pressed it gently. !" saw light in the
church, and heard the organ, and came in
10 learn the cause OF it. 1 did not know
that you codld play"
"Oh yes. sir, exclaimed the boy quickly,
|. know how now"
I" Who taught your" asked the curate.
God !" was The earnest reply. Yes."
the boy continued, che sends the angels TO
me in NY steep, and they sing TO me and
play on their harps all night long. Last
night they sang to me. oh such glorious
song. II was the same song that they sung
10 The shepherds when the Saviour was
born. II is almost Christmas now, you
know, and they told me | must play it in
the church on Christmas day. will play
1t tor you now"
The old man resumed his post al the
bellows and the boy took his seat at the
organ. while the curate stood watching him
with 4 feeling Of astonlshment, not unmix-
ed with awe.
A short prelude, and then the rich tone of
the great organ rolled majes.cally through
the dim aisles of the church. in strong,
full strain Of joy. Louder and louder yet,
and sweeter and more juyful they grew,
until the whole church seemed full Of melo-
/ Jy. II WAS the grandest strain ever heard
within those walls. and the curate bent his
head in silence, for he felt that he was lis
tening TO The music of Heaven. The boys
face glowed with radiance that seemed
unearihly, and he appeared to be lost 10
everything bot the music.
At last The organ was silent. and the boy
turned 10 the curate and asked:
MAY play that on Christmas day 2"
"Yes. Willie replied the curate-
Will you sing anything 10 the air :"
YES"
"Wha. will it be-"
Nothing but what the angels sang to the
Shepherds Then. rising from bis seat,
lie called his grandfather 10 him and add
ed al must MT play any more now. |
would have III choristers here tomorrow
night, and I " il teach them the song. You
are very kir to let me play the organ on
Christmast .ay. | ought to do SO, you
know, Tor 9 angels told me. Goodnight,
i slr.n
In a few moaenis the church was dark
and empty. Willie went hnme with his
grandfather with his heart filled with .
] quiet happiness, and the curate returned u
the rectory 10 muse uver the strange scene
through which he had just passed.
Il Willie, or Blind Willie, as he was called
in the village, was an orphan. He had but
one relative living. and that one was his
grandfather. the sexton Of the old church
lie had been blind from his birth. and il
|. addition to this misfortune, he had been
/ deprived &c the strength of mind which i
, given to man by his Maker. and vas re,
| garded IN the village as kind Of simple
hall-@itted creature. He said many strangs
! things. which rarely failed 10 provoke ;
! smile from those who were older and wisel
: than himself. and yet. while people smiled
, thew wondered nj his sayings.
| The next afternoon the curate collected
the chori.ters and repaired 10 the church
! where Willie aud his grandfather wer,
: waiting iar them. The young. singer
/. we're delighted with Willie's !" sung" an,
: sang j, very willingly. They had no diff
{ Guilty in learning il. for they seemed I,
catch it instantly. The organist, who wa
kind, benevolent man, came and helpe,
o them, and every one seemed perfect.
/; charmed at Blind Willie proving to be sucl
fine musician.
h For many days Blind Willie met th,
choristers, and taught them his "song.
He taught them many other things, AM
among them was q very sad. sweet ali
\ which he called "Blind Willie's Dirge,
and which he said had been taught him b.
the angels. Ne said they must learn il an
q sing il at his funeral, for the angels ha,
u told him they would come for him ere long
9 land take him away with them, and civ