Litchfield enquirer., 1873-12-25

II
 not a artist, will excuse. you from a
 further delineation of physical outlines.
 Bes1acs, you know have had ample op- | portahity for taking in all these points.
 Candldl thongh,. Laura what du you
 thinl lsfsn minis looking at Vos,r
 su9jea from the Trinity standpoint P I She repHed:o am puzzled, Carl.
 When he was here before, he dressed like
 otherpeopie; but now he looks so qneer- 1 Y Ill the clothes he wears. His coat is of a style worn at least seven years ago. Oh!
 ba' So,ild 1t not be q capital joke on our
 fashlenabie congregation at the Trinity if
 lie were to make his first appearance as pastor Tn those clothes before the crowd
 that will probably assemble there Sun day and Laura laughed till the house rang out II. echo at the picture she Ihad drawn ..
 "Why, Laura ?" said her brother; ssyou certainly cannot wish to see him thus in our church. as our pastor ?'' ! '.To tell the truth, l don't believe do: and yet and yet'-she laughed-"I am not certain but that it would be q good trial *or their pride. T sess ar You are an eccentric little mortal, in 1 that you so frequently touch upon this point in humanity's frailties-pride. 9
 'I tell you, Carl'- Laura's face was serious now-ssI believe you have no idea of the extent 10 which that canker has eaten into the heart of the Christian church. absorbing the vitality, leaving only an excrescence of ostentation too apt ta be mistaken for strict piety, because hidden beneath the mask of hypocrisy. Just 2 few Sundays ago I overheard Mrs. Bowen saying to Mrs. Marks:
 '' Don't you think it shameful that, so long as we have been connected with the society, paying the amount we do yearly, whenever there happens to be crowded house, we have to submit to having those dressmakers occupy part of our pew l l cant tell you the number of times the ushes has seated them with ns, and now one would think they belonged there, 1t is done sosregularly. To be sure, there are only two of us; but who wants to be placed on par with such people? Look how horribly cheap they dress declare I will not stand 1t '"
 Carls eyes flashed indignantly while listening to this recital, for these dress makers were their old schoolmates.
 Lucy and Stella Prince were orphans, now preferred to work for their bread. | friends. Besides, Carl Tracey loved Stel- Ia, and she loved Carl, despite the dis parity of stposition, !" though no words of plighted fidelity had passed between 1 them. --.. .-..- ....a..
 ''What shameful spirit to manifest p he said. @But wonder what Mrs. Bow en will say, or how she will treat these de- spised dressmakers, when I shall have taken Stella Prince to myself, and she oc- cupies by right of ownership, and not by religious @ toleration, position which, if the world were as 1t should be, her taI- ent and genuine goodness would allow her to claim ten to one in preference to a dozen Mrs. Bowens ?
 | Laurasmiled mischieyously at his earn estness, and gayly replied, and sweeping him mock courtesy: "Had not my gentleman better wait until Miss Stella shall have afforded him 1 the privilege of her disposal 2"
 Gar blushed, and answered, sI guess i 1t would be quite as safe a mode of pro- cedure; but remember, Miss Imperti- ] hence, it will not be the fault of Carl Ira cey, if he fails in his mission of. love. Good-by, Puss!' and he kissed her.
 'Good-by, Carlr'
 She knew whither her stops were tend | ing, and could not resist the calling after him, in her lively, teasing manner:
 'sBut do you not think, selfish boy, that you slight your sistar in emitting to in- vite her to join in this delightful evening l walk?"
 He looked back at the roguish girl and sang, There's nae room for twa, ve ken: there's nae room for twa."
 All Waveriy were on the qui ricc to see 1 and hear the new minister, and the fol- lowing Sunday, before he arrived, every pew but the Traceys' was filled to uncom- 1 fortableness. A slight rustic in the vest1- bule, followed by light footsteps along the aisle, announced to the expectant peo- pie the presence of the minister, and by | the time he reached the desk, every brain was busy in speculation for every head l levelled two eyes in that direction, and every pair of eyes took an inventory of 1 the clothes the minister wore. 4 percep- ible swaying of the .'sea of faces was l all that was noticeable, save twinkling in the eyes of many of of the younger l people, especially among those who had sdropped in" from the other churches. ' The voluntary died out in melting ca 1 dences, and the young pastor arose and reverently invoked the Divine blessing in a manner so truly devotional, and voice so marvellously modulated, that every heart was subdued by the influence. And believe through the sermon that follow 1 ct every person in the house was wrapt l In intense interest in and sympathy for l the truth. He had chosen for his text that beautiful verse from the fourteenth l chapter of St. John: ''I am the way, the ! truth. and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me" He first spoke 1 of the great God-loye which was so touched by the feeling of our infirmi- ties" as to offer up His SOL, the Divine Incarnate, a sacrifice for our sins; then dwelt in pathetic tenderness upon Christ:s merciful teachings, his patient enduring of doubts, and meekness under scoffs; and while he urged in pleading eloquence the merits of ''the way" the Saviour has | opened for our salvation, I hardly think among the listeners there was one who did not feel glorifed assurance of the pardoning love of Christ, and humiliat- ing realization of his own sinfulness. In low, musical tones he uttered the closing words, and hushed stiffness pervaded the house for an instant, then every head bowed reverently for the prayer. All seemed to partake of the spirit of hum bledess. for the organist rendered one of the most touching preludes. filled with piteous. pleading passages, like heart sobs in plaintiveness, which was followed by an anthem sung in subdued strains As Mir. Clinton withdrew, all were en- thusiastic over his ability. However, as the Traceys. were leaving, Miss Clemens made a rush for Carl, who surrendered I unconditionally," while Mrs. Dayton in- l tercepted Laura, taking her up to where 2 group were gathered, intent upon some 1 topic of importance i..would seem, from their earneataess. It was surprising to note the absence of all seriousness that
 but few moments before was depicted
 upon the faces of these people.
 Mr. Bowen exclaimed: ssDo tell us,
 Miss Laura, are those the best clothes the man has2" just as Miss Clemens came
 up with Carl. announcing, "here he is;''
 and Laura replied. turning to her brother 1 in feigned astonishment, .Inasmuch as
 he IS here to speak for himself. | leave