New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-10
For the Republican,
SUNDAY AT A COUNTRY CHURCH.

tions. ] know each lady as she enters b
her bonnet, every masculine coat is as fl
miliar as the face Of an old friend. I've
each little child is arranged. with others G
its set, in my mind, whether it belong I
the restless class, the eating class, tn
sleeping class. or those puritanical ittl
ones who sit bolt upright, and look a
steadily at the preacher as if they comnre
hehded the majestic roll of volnmnou
words which flows On increasingly, till olde
and wiser heads tind themselves wonderin,
II he can grind on much longer. or thei
wits, perchance. going wool gathering int
the kitchen to see what's for the Sunda,
dinner. weary Of all this, and d restless
longing for the country-tor cou1tr,
church-possesses my soul. lean not shak.
the feeling Off. 1t pursues me like tn.
guilty conscience of murderer. making III,
deaf to the w.sest OF sermons and inattent;y. V.
to the most learned speakers. till ! an
obliged to quiet my mind by indulgence
In such a mood found myself one brigh
Sabbath in September l went to church il
the morning. and could scarce fix nv atten
ton sufficiently upon the service to respond
indeed it IS a matter of conjecture with me-
now whether l uttered a single response al
| the ri ght time.
| In the afternoon I was wandering discon
solately about. when encountered a friend
whose first words. after greeting me, were
an invitation to accompany him 20 night
preaching a. little country school-house
some three miles from town.
| ] gladly assented, and in due course O.
time found myself en route for. tLe chap
| ell
The noon was shining but dimly as we
| emerged from the woods into the little clear
ing, but by its pale light discerned long.
low frame building, overhung by lofty oaks.
The open ground was beaten hard by the
feet Of the school children, who used it daily
as a play ground and white path, disap.
pearing in the woods. marked the way 10
that indispensable adjunct OF country
church and school-the spring.
Horses and mules were tied to every con
venent tree. limb, and bush, and riding
skirts lay on stumps and logs. where the
fair owners mad east them upon dismount.
ing.
We approached the house; my COMPANION
pulled a string at the door. and as the mock
grandmau'na of Red Riding Hood predicted.
the latch did tv. The door swung o,er
and we entered
The room was long, narrow ana low
guiltless o. plaster. whitewash or ceiling.
The tallow candles served, with their faint
hIckerlng flames, 10 render the darkness
visible, and but little else. Close scrutiny
revealed large congregation OF weather
beaten, tawny farmers .lorid, reshy
danes. Their wives. and stalwart sunburnt
youn. men and maidens seated on the
roughest OF pine benches. There was no
hind 1t the preacher stood, having already,
begun his sermon. He was an itineraut
Methodist and was seeking to get up a
revival in this portion of his circuit.
did not hear his text. but he was using the
time worn comparison OF life 70 ship. He
pearance and manner. It was very evi- |
dent that neither time nor experience had |
softened his religious enthusiasm
Having fairly launched life ship OF the
stream, he depicted its onward course
through an intricate passage and guided il
'ately into a haven and heaven. A few
ervld CALCULATIONS Of thanks to God for His
many mercies broke from the lips of some
II the old folks. One in particular. an an
lent crone, whose head glttered white
With the frost of time. was very emphatic
q returning thanks, and seemed OF the
erge OF expressing her feelings more
trongly, when our preacher launched forth
second ship. This one was the lite OF a
inner, he said he wanted to show those
ear young sinners in the congregation
hat must inevitably be their doom # thew
ut Of repentance any longer. Then fol
'Wed most terrific. TRADE, conglomerat-
lg all the Ills that ever vet attended ship !
any kind Rocks. malestroms. rapids.
cyclones. Scylla and Chary bdis
ere very small affairs compared with them.
nd the effect of so many ills commenced to
very plainly shown by 1.-The dear young
nners.'
Heads were bowed low and sobs were
aard ever and anon to break from some
eeplng one, and when, at last, the poor
uch abused ship was foundered and the
ul lost, the excitement grew intense.
Lost lost lost" shrieked the preacher,
Using his voice at every repetition till it u
as shrin, discordant horrible sound. d
len he begged them to take heed ere it II
as too late to come forward to the mercy I.
at, to kneel in the altar that Christians h
ght talk with and pray for them a
A general movement Of the crowd fol. is
we'd this appeal, some were led forward a
friends, others went voluntarily and o.
elt on the straw-strewn floor around the | D
BILE designated as "the altar" "
Sing, brethren, sing" commanded the b,
W exhausted preacher, and there burst to
on the air weird. wild strain full of h,
'lody from the stentorian lungs of those til
lrdy yeomen which fairly shook the house
During the singing a withered, wrinkled
woman led to the altar weeping girl
the first blush Of wornanhood, and a rosy ~
ture of health. She placed her among he
penitent already kneeling in the straw. an
he singers sung with renewed vigor as Sc
number of mourners increased. and ~; ia
med to feel that the fate of all those TO
ny little lifeships depended on the sri
myth of their lungs. pa
n the midst of a chorus in full blast. the ~" ~
acher arose requested the brethren and | K,