The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-11-23
EaE EIoDLK wITn nKANENLN
ChOAk.


The naost unreasonable. such ara the pre-
judIees formerly sKistlag --sRd not yet
hy AnY weans s1tiHcl chiefly among the
dsseendsnts Of tie PsrilAus and the early
Reformers, respecting The uss Of instru-
mental music, and lie introduction Into
the worship Of The sanctuary. some
times they extend only 70 Instruments,
ofa certain character; wind instruments,
such ss the flute, &c, are tolerated,
whiIa all such as eve their efficacy 70 cat
gut and hair, src banished from the
church. and'lheir use deemed scarcely re-
paiAble IN the family circle.
There Is hamlet--no matter where
Inhabited mainly by the descendants OF
the Scotch Coyenauters, who have inher-
iied from their fathers not only their
sturdy, unbendiug integrity aud whole
sonled pIety. but all their bitter hostility
10 "the sinful practices" OF the men who
WELD the addle.bow or who join the
dance
A Young minister had come 10 settle
among them. With smile ever upon
his countesanee, aud kind vord for
everybody, while zeal for his Masters
work Shone out In every action, he soon
drew around him the sympathies and the
love of his humble pArlshoners. But ere
long he perceived . change; friendly
greetings were coldy returned; mysteri-
ous hints OF ihe awfnl guilt OF ministerial
bsckslidngs occasionally reached his
ears; knots Of mes were seen gathered at
the corners OF the streets, engaged In ear.
nest conversation, indicating by their
looks and gestures that the occupant OF
the humble parsonage, that stood full In
view. supplied the tbemo.
A vague rumor had begun 10 float
through the hamlet, deeply affecting, in
the estimation OF The stern old Scotch
man, the moral character OF their minis
ter. II was heard with incredulity, and
Indignantly repelled; but It gathered
strength; doubt succeeded 10 confidence,
until the most stubborn incrednlity could
resist no longer; the unmistskable signs
Of "torlured cbtgut," proceeding from
the parsonage itself, reached the ears OF
that knot of men, aud the awful fact
stood revealed, that their minister "play-
ed the fiddle"
Such an enormity could not be tolerat-
ed. The elders of the church came to-
geth In secret canclaVe, TO consult up.
on the course to be pursued IN such an
emergency, aud rs the cousumnation oi
their deliberations, committee was ap'
pointed to wait forthwith upon his minis.
ter at his home, "and deal wi him in a
fsitbfuness," and bring back report OF
the result Of their mission to the remain
t"s elders, who would in the meantime
anxiously await their return.
During all this time the pastor himself
had not been an unconcerned observer o.
what was going on among his people
neither was he ignorant of its cause
Conscious, however, of rectitude, be die
net think that duty required of him the
sacrifice Of holy qualification, to satist,
unreasonable prejudices that be believed
would be removed by judcious course
From the window of his study he saw
the committee of the elders approaching
with unwilling steps, and, Immediately
). conjecturing the object of their visit, h'
determined at once TO meet the question
in way that they little expected. Meet
ing them with his usual cordially, h'
ordered them into his snug study, ant
without giving them an opportunity t
enter upon the subject of their mission
he commenced an animated conversation
upos subject that Immediately arrest
ed their attention.
Music WAS his theme. lie spoke Of
> as an aid TO his devoliun-Ol lie power 4
saLSiue the soul---to elevate il above lh
A., s1tta--to bring il iuto almost inmediat
communication with it. Creator. u
. described the veuet able Psamist of lsrat
: ~ p0aring 10th with the enthusiasm {
iH.pirxtioa those glorious songs uf Iion
that ever since have bees the comfort 80
deiighl ni the people nt God, aud swt'l
: ing With MS t,cNh.in. band the sltins
of Lis Barn, urtil fl.c swelling sound W
eci,Oed hlck irot~ tie surrounding hii
tory. Carried away With The afdnf {
bis ovA fuelisgr, he ross from his sea
and Iakiug hoHi case that Stood IN
corner Of the room, well-worn WON
cello, he ang TO It's accompaniment oi
of those immortal chorals, 80 dear
=, every Chrstixn heart, aud especially
> every Scaichmau. Possessing rich il
!. voics, aud no little skin 10 the manag
ment Of bis fsyotiie instrument, he pon
ed oct Nuch q aood OF harmony as hs
seldom greeted the ears Of his spelboul
h. listeners.
:. The Stern old men were conquere
- conquered by the very weapon they b
=, come TO condemn, As the pastor
). turned the instrument to its sccusiorn
:. place, the elder. arose and grasped
- hand, and without sliuding TO the obj
n, OF their visit. they badv him good by.
"A Msauw bile, a time wore awas,
"a remaining elders, who were anxiou
- awaiting the return ~ their commit
n, somewhat doubtinl, perhsps, Of the
m salt, became impatient Of their protrac
an delay, drawing no very favorable augt
therefrom. Al length they entered Z
resumed their places 10 the august cin
Somewhat embarras-ed At the noyrli !
their position, ENJOYS who bad fl
even TO speak Of that for which they