Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-08
THE FIDDLE
Will, n Heavenly Croak.

conscientious scruples are among the
most inveterate, and not untrequently
among the most unreasonable. Such
are the prejudlces formerly existing
and not yet by any means entirely ex-
tinct--chiehy among the descendants
of the Puritans and the early Reform
ers, respecting the use OF instrumental
music, and its introduction into the
worship Of the sanctuary. Sometimes
they extend only to instruments OF a
certain character; wind instruments,
such as the flute, &c, are tolerated,
while all such as owe their efficacy to
cat. cut and halr are banished from
the church, and their use deemed
scarcely reputable in the family circle
Thlre. is a hamlet-no matter W where
inhabited mainly by the descend |
ants of the Scotch Covenanters, who
have inherited from their fathers not
only their sturdy, unbending integrity
and whole-souled piety, but all their
bitter hostility to 'the sinful practices"
OF the men who wiold the tiddle-bow
or who Join the dance.
A young minister had come to oset,
tie among them. With a smle ever
upon his countenance, and KIND
word for everybody, while zeal for his
Masters work shone out in every ac-
ton, he soon drew around him the
sympatbies and the love of his humble
parishoners. But ere long he per-
ceiyed a change; friendly greetings
were coldly returned; mysterious
hints Of the awful guilt of ministerial
, backslidings occasionally reached his
ears: knots of men were seen gath
, ereG Al the cOrn"lS vi VIZ o'i'1'7' VI
+ gagged in earnest conversation, lndl-
o eating by their looks and gestures that
] the occupant of the humble parsonage,
, that stood tull in view, supplied the
t theme.
A vague rumor had begun to float
, through the hamlet, deeply affecting,
in the estimation of the stern old
f. Scotchman. the moral character OF
= their minister. 1t was heard with IN
. credulity, and indignantly repeIled
? but it gathered strength doubt sue
! ceeded to confidence, until the most
stubborn incredulity could resist nc
= LONGER: the unmistakable signs o
r. "tortured cat out" proceeding from
y the parsonage itself, reached the ears
J. of thst knot Of men, and the awtll
% fact stood revealed that their mnIste
u ''played the fiddle.
=, Such an enormity could not be tol-
~ Grated The elders OF the churcl
% came together in secret conclaye, t.
20 consult upon the course to be pursue'
VI in such an emergency, and as the con
- summation of their deliberations,
y committee was appointed to wal
ID forthwith upon his minister at hi
30 home. "and deal wi him in a faith
,e tulness,' and bring back Il report o
,ff ,he result of their mission to the re
,o naming elders, who would in tn
ID meantime anxiously await their &
so turn.
a During all this time the pastor HIN
to self had not been an unconcerned OF
server of what was going on anon
,w his people; neither was he lgnoral
NJ Of its cause. Conscious, however,
:or rectitude, he did not think that dut
7 required of him the sacrifice OF hol
qualification. to satisfy unreHSonao'
te. preiudlces that he believed would
removed by judicious course.
II From the window of his study
~ n ,;,too nt tho nlIprS a
to preaching with unwilling steps, an
re. Immediately conjecturing the ob]e
of their visit, he determined at one
NV to meet the question in a way tn
rel. they little expected. Meeting the
pot with his usual cordiality, he order'
them into his snug study, and wit
ase out giving them an opportunity
enter upon the subject of their m'sslo
'lr. he commenced an animated convers:
III! tiou upon Il subject that immediate
rn- arrested their attention.
! Music was his theme. He spoke
me it as an aid to his devotion OF
all mower to subdue the soul-tj eleva
re- it above the carth---to bring 1t in
ave almost Immediate communication WI
son its Creator. He described the ven
try BILE Psalmist OF Israel as pouring lol
pro- with the enthusiasm of insplrat1
me those glorious songs of Zion, Il
ever since have been the comfort q
tch- l.L;..Lt ni lhn nennle of God. a