Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-01-31
.BHE DAILY RECORD-UNION.
THE MINISTER AND his FIDDLE.


In all ages and localities have existed
clergymen having traits of fine feeling,
, mastery attainments in their pulpit min
istrations, and yet addicted to frequent
touches of eccentricity of character. fos-
sessing all the qualifications OF popular
minister was the Rev. Mr.. W., who filled
one of the secession pulpits IN G:, yer
music seemed to be the ruling passion In
his life When in a more than ordinary
strain of eloquence, he would begin long
sentence on the lowest note OF the gafnut,
and would in semi-quiver style run to
the top of the scale, where, pausing mo-
ment. he would descend the scale IN the
lowest and most marked mood: as II de-
scending stair step by step, he would
dunt down word by word till he reached the
starting point With his fine flexible voice
and finely-tuned musical ear, the effect was
rather pleasant, and very noticeable by a
stranger Mr.. w. was beloved by mis- con-
gregation, but his passion for hddling gave
offense to some of the straight-laced old
burgherlineal descendants OF the Puritans.
His proficiency on the violin was equaled if
not excelIed by Mrs. WIS performance of
the pianoforte. 1t was a treat of no ordi-
nary kind to hear husband and wife wailing
out some of the old Highland coronachs,
similar in pathos to the Wounded
Hussar." No other word of reproach
was raised against the dear, good
man by the unco glad, but aye, the cuckoo
cry, He's far DER fond O. the fee
die" The frequency of these croakings
were beginning to attract the notice of the
elders, so, to put to silence the voice of
these distinguished friends, a meeting of
the session was convened privately, at
which it was agreed deputation should
wait on Mr.. w. and give a gentle re-
monstrance and hint to be less demonstra-
tive IN his musical proclivities. Friday
evening ensuing was appointed for the per-
Torrance OF this delicate task, but depu-
tation could not be found to face the try
ing ordeal. After denials to proposals, it
was ultimately arranged that the whole
session should 90.
Ere Friday came some kind friends ap-
prlsed Mr.. w. of the whole scheme and, |
as " a warned man is half-a armed, Mr. w. |
was prepared for the emergency. Pre-
cisely at o'clock a friendly tinkle sounded |
at the door bell. Ready waiting to receive |
his guests, though they knew not spy |
supposed to be the bedreD had forestalled
the deputation, Mr.. w. seemed sur
prised to see so many dear
friends, and expressed the pleasure
it gave him to have all his session
at once as visitors. Mr. L. took speech in
hand and said, eve were almost afraid to
call hearing music when we came forward |
we thought you had company" Laugh
ingly Mr.. W. said, Eyes, we have
company goodly company of good
company. The wife has recently
got a present OF some new music
from grandpa, and we were just running
over it together. Wen just let you hear
few pieces we think it very fne."
Without waiting for assent to his pro-
posal, the reverend gentleman brought his
cremona. Mrs. w. sat down to the piano,
and for fully an hour the company of eld-
ers, or remonstrants, were with coronachs,
Highland walls, operate music, reels and
strathspey kept entranced. When pause
was made the pleased listener looked from
one to the other as much as to say, "Now's
your chance to speak" As if divining
the thoughts of his dumb stricken session,
MIR. w. again produced his fiddle, and
setting the string on peculiar key, gave
them fine lmitat on of the Highland
bagpipes, and followed with a charming
selection of operate overtures, marches,
patriotic music, such as Scots wha haze"
Revertlng IN a moment from grave to gay,
he gave the then popular street air in the
mouth OF the gamp, "Pop goes the
weasel, and, as a finale, he gave them, in
a style that made most of them beat time
with their heels, their hearts being in uni
son with the fddlers, ''Deil among the
tailors. They came away as they went
in, and, when the story got abroad, the
minister was praised, and the croakers
laughed at. Truly it may be said he gave
the elders a cordial welcome in, and fid-
died them out well pleased with the enter
tainment, but heartily despsing themselves
for their want of courage to discharge the
duty, the cause of their visit. Pity It's
that more of the clerics do not resort to
the fiddle as pastime.
A preacher who made by not proselyt-
izing "The rector of parish in one of
the most dissenting districts of the West |
of England, remarked not long ago to
woman at whose cottage he had called, that |
he was afraid she neglected religion, since
he had never seen her at church. She i'm
mediately replied that she always went |
to chapel l am delighted, he quickly |
and sagaciously rejoined, to hear it. l
want you to go somewhere to worship |
God. Pray, be sure you keep your chapel |
regularly Repeating his visit after an in
terval of three months, he remarked, Il
hope you have been regularly to chapel |
since l was last here L have never, WIS
the answer, entered chapel since am
sorry,' said the clergyman, to hear it !; |
kot,a lnua
not, the woman, with evident surprise,
asked, seen me? have been at church
every Sunday since you called last.