Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-07-19

Nel] much of Sunday is spent by religious
people in church aud Snnday-school. and
therefore iu public. Ia certain way there
is a sort of insulated seclusiou in the pew,
aud as the service progresses, the devout
worshipper can lose the sense OF neighbor-
hood, aud commune alone with God, helped,
indeed. TO the highest spiritual delight by
the feeling of the communion of saints. In
Gods house everything tends 10 1ueting
and subduing the soul and 30 resting n
from the cares OF the world. The voice Of
prayer, the solemn chords Of the organ. the
grand uprising Of the psalm, and the persua-
siye force Of the sermon, all help TO carry
the hearer into an upper realm of peace.
The Sunday-school on the other hand,
awakens and enlists quite another set of
faculties. 1t is the place of places for ma
lures which are gregarious, social, sympa.
thetic. IL is lively, bustling, brisk mirth-
ful through all its solemnity of purpose, as
birds are when they carol to the morning.
The singing birds from many nests are
gathered there, aud what else can there be
but jubilee What with the bright ewes
and the dimpled checks, the scaris and the
sashes, and the eager alert faces and ming
ling Of ages and stations, the Sunday ay-school
is like a great garden full Of all manner OF
flowers in the flush and glory Of summer
But the church service passes. and We go
home; the Sunday-school pours its hundreds
out into the street, and they 60 home.
What is the home part of sunday TO mul-
titudes OF churchgoing folk
To tell the truth, it is very stupid. They
rise late ia the morning, scramble through
breakfast dash with hurry and fret through
the business of dressing, and set out for
the sanctuary when the second bells are
ringing, with a sigh of relief that the house
door is shut behind them. Lucy usually
puts her room 10 order on week days before
she walks abroad but Sunday morning is
the one exception. She condones her lack
OF order with her conscience 10y the rather
comforting thought that she must neither
work nor play, because il is the holy day.
Yet coming in at noon to find dusty man
tel shelf, laden chairs, aud bed covered
with odds and ends, is vexing aud disturb
ing. IL detracts from the Sunday tranquil
ity which ought 20 be predominant. Joe
generally finds plenty to do on Monday or
Tuesday, but his Sunday hours at home are
/ endured, not enjoyed. 1t is a real boon to
him to have somebody in, so that he can re-
lieye himself of his surplus vitality by rush
ing for the doctor or flying full speed to the
apothecary's shop.
The sweet soft twilight time ought 10 be
almost heavenly in its balm and gentleness
but it is, in many houses, dullest of all.
Music is forbidden, pious books only are
permitted, laughing is frowned upon, and
conversation is limited to what is fit for the
1 day. Now religious conversation of SET
purpose is apt 10 be dry and formal. II it
grow out of the genuine experience of any
/ human being, aud is a real utterance and
/ expression, it may well be helpful and inter
/ esting. But mere pious platitudes lack the
savoring salt of heartfelt conviction. Even
/ children see through them, and learn to de
/ spise them for the shams they are.
/ Our Sundays are far too precious to b,
/ treated so lightly as they are. They often
| give TO the father his one weekly opportunity
/ Tor gathering his whole family around him
and having a pleasant time. They bring
/ the one season when the busy mothers nee
| die lies quietly in her basket when her sew
ing-machinc is closed, and the proyident ma
ternal hands are allowed to cross Themselves
in the luxury Of inaction They are, to tn,
young men and women, the pause III life
which comes TO this restless generation only
once in every seven days. Here is the silye
cord of union for the household, shining
with the glory which the angels leave ol
whatever they touch. Shall we drop it
or take it up TO tie our hearts the close
together
Mothers can usually give tone, if they try
TO the home part of Sunday. But it is no
mothers duty only. 1t is anybody's dut,
who loves Christ, to set in motion by word
or silent example, or song, or pleasant book
the better way of spending the Sabbatl
hours, which shall consecrate them all-thos
in the household as well as those in the con
gregation,- Christian al Work