Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-04-13
awful. only by hiding his

threshold.
rumor of some unaccountable phe-
nomenoE had preceded Mr.. Hooper into
the meeting house. aud set all the con-
gregation stir. Few could refrain from
twisting their heads towards the door
many stood upright, and turned directly
about; while several little boys Chamber
ed upon the seats, and came down again
with 4 terrible racket. There was gen
eral hustle. rustling OF the women
/ gowns and shuflling oil the mems Feet
/ greatly al variance with that hushed re-
pose which should attend the entrance
of the minister. But Mr.. Hooper appear
ei not 10 notice the perturbation oil his
people. He entered with an almost
noiselesS step, bent his head mildly 10 the
pews on each side, and bowed as he
passed his oldest parishoner, white
haired. great grandsire. who occupied an
arm chair in The centre oil the aisle. 1t
was strange 10 observe how slowly this
venerable man became conscious OF som.
thing singular IN the appearance OF his
pastor. lie seemed not fully TO partake
OF the prevailing wonder, ill MIR. Hooper
had ascended the stairs. aud showed him
self in the pulpit, face to face with the
congregation. except tor the black veil.
That mysterious emblem was never once
witodrawu. Il shook with his measured
breath as he gave out the psalm II threw
its obscurity between him and the holy
page, rs he read the Scriptures; and
while he prayed, the veil lay heavily on
his upilted countenance. Did he seek
to hide i. from the dread being whom he
was addressing?
Such was the effect OF this simple piece
OF Grape. that more than enc woman OF
delicate nerves was forced TO leave the
meeting house. Yet perhaps the pale
laced congregation was almost as fearful
Il sight to The minister, as his black veil
to them.
Mr.. Hooper had the reputation of
good preacher, but not an energetic one ;
he strove 20 win his people heavenward
by mild. persuasive influence, rather than
to drive them thithcr by the thunders of
the word The sermon which he now
delivered wss marked by the same
characteristics Of style and manner as the
general series of his pulpi, oratory. But
there was something. either in the senti
ment OF the discourse itself, or in the inn
agination OF the auditors. which made ii
greatly The most powerful effort that they
had ever heard delivered from their
pastors lips. Il was tinged, rather more
darkly than usual. with The gentle gloom
OF Mr. Hooper's temperament. The
subject had reference 10 secret sin. and
those sad mysteries which we hide from
our nearest and dearest. and would tain
conceal from our own consciousness, even
forgetting that the Omniscient, can de-
tect them. A subtle power was breathed
into his works. Each member OF the
congregation. the most innocent girl -Snd
the man oil hardened breast, felt as il the
preacher had crept upon them, behind his
awlu. veil, and discovered their boarded
iniquiiy Of deed or thought. Many
spread their clasped hands on their
bosoms. There was nothing terrible in
what Mr.. Hooper said at least, no vic
lence; and yet, with every tremor oil his
melancholy voice. The hearers quaked.
An unsought palhOs came hand in hand
with awe. So sensible were The audience
Of some unwonted attribute in their min.
ister. that they longed for breath OF
wind TO blow aside the veil, almost be
lieying that q strangers visage would be
discovered. though the form, gesture and
voice were those OF Mr. Hooper.
At The close OF the service. the people
buried out with indecorous confusion.
eager 10 communicate their pent-up
amazemeut, and conscious of lighter
spirits, the moment they lost sight OF the
black veil. Some gathered in little circles,
huddled closely together, with their
mouths all whispering in the centre;
some went homeward alone, wrapt in
silent meditation; some talked loudly and
proianed the Sabbath day with ostenta-
tious laughter. A few shook their saga
cious heads. intimating that they could
penetrate the mystery; while one or two
affirmed that there was no mystery at all.
but only that Mr.. Hooper's eyes were
weakened by the midnight lamp as to
REQUIRE a shade Alter a brief interval.
forth came good Mr.. Hooper also. in the
rear OF his flock Turning his veiled face
from one group to another, he paid due
reverence to the hoary heads, saluted the
middle aged with kind dignity, as their
friend and spiritual guide. greeted the
young with mingled authority and love.
and laid his hands on the little chi!dren's
heads TO bless them. Such was always
his custom on the Sabbath day. Strange
and bewildered looks repaid him for his
courtesy. None, Us on lormer occasions,
aspired 10 the honor of walking by their
pastors side. Old Squire Saunders,
doubtless BY an accidental lapse OF mem
ory. neglected TO invite Mr.. Hooper to
his table, where the good clergyman had
been won, to bless the food, almost every