The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-03-10
The Eleventh Hour.

a firm and unyielding will; and the su-
premacy she exercised in social affairs
was only that accorded to all strong anC
resolute natures. She had experienced
religion in her youth by an indisputably
correct process, and had at once joined
the church, of which she became, 10y
force of character, the leading spirit
Her orthodoxy was unbounded, hel
knowledge of theology and dogma pre-
else and unquestionable, and her learn
ing in the Scriptures such as is gained
only by lifelong and diligent study, II
the narrow but intense life of a retired
New England village, where the church
is the centre of social activity, religious
thought has great prominence and Miss
Lydia Benefits religion was the MAJ
spring of her character, the ruling power
of her life.
The most vital and essential part O.
this religion, that which lay nearest hel
heart and awoke her strongest feeling
was bitter and vindictive hatred of one
OF her neighbors,- man who was, nom
inally at least, brother Christian, anC
who had never injured her personally by
word or deed. The last fact shielded hel
from all misgiving. She might have
doubted the sanctity of a resentment
awakened by her private wrongs, but she
gloried in righteous Indignation against
an enemy of Gods church.
The object Of all this animosity was the
Rev. Joseph Eliot, a retired clergyman
who for many years had made his home
in Greenville. He had come TO the peo-
pie as their pastor long ago, and Miss
Lydia and her sister, Miss Phebe Ben
nett, had been among his warmest sup
p0rters. His life was beneticent and his
power increasing, when his bark struck
that worst of snags in the current of q
clergyman's life, quarrel in the choir
1t originated in trihe, and therefore
soon assumed serious proportions. The
members of the church took sides in the
matter, naturally dividing according tC
their social sympathy and family ties
rather than with reference to the merits
of the case, and in the inevitable gravi-
tating of opinions it CHANGED that the
Rev. Joseph Eliot found himself viewing
the matter in another light from which
it was regarded by Miss Lydia Bennett
and he even refused to carry into eXecu-
ton some arbitrary measures adopted by
the church at Miss Benefits instigation
She took the liveliest personal interest il
the matter and infuriated by Mr.. Eliot'S
undaunted opposition, determined tC
make an example of this minister who
dared to thwart her own will and that OF
an independent church.
1t was easy to excite public opinion
against him, aided by those who feed
eagerly upon the faults Of the clergy
and by instituting diligent inquiry il
every place where he had hitherto lived
she had soon in lively circulation fine
crop Of evil reports. Mr.. Eliot, pursued
with relentless fury and deserted by al
save a few faithful friends, was compelled
to ask for a dismission when, instead o
flying before his enemies, he decided t
remain in the place. His health, alway!
delicate, had been so undermined by the
recent excitement that he could not un
dertake another charge; and perhaps tC
a spirited man it seemed cowardly to rul
away from SANDER, and better course
to stay and live it down.
And now Miss Lydia Bennett began
against this man system of persecution
which, if related in detail, would b(
secuted as Incredible His actions were
watched, his words misrepresented, an(
his motives assailed, until his best deed
were made to tell against him; and il
spite of his pure and blameless life he was
stunned with suspicion and dislike by q
large share of the community. 1t seemed
to her that his continued presence among
them was deliberate insult to hersel
and to the church he had detied anC
that in driving him out she was obeying
God, as the Jews obeyed him in eXter
minatlng the inhabitants Of the land o
Canaan. She led her Sunday school class
through rivers of blood and scenes o
slaughter, having Joseph Eliot ever be
fore her mind as the modern representa-
tive of the enemies of Israel in whose de
struction she gloried; and she loved tht
savage denunciations of the Psalmis
against the foes of God, being confirmed
in the righteousness of feelings that were
so exactly voiced by words Of holy writ
1t was undeniable that Mr.. Elots
presence was often a source of serious
annoyance to the pious folk of Green
vile. When new minister came to th,
place, and, finding this reverend brother
in his congregation, naturally warmed tt
him with fraternal affection, and extend
ed the ordinary clerical courtesies, tht
state OF affairs was cautiously explained
to him and his own line of conduct plain
ly indicated. Some men of spirit refused
to alter their course of action because o
a ridiculous church quarrel that they ha(
no share in, or few old ISLANDERS falling
to pieces with decay; others were timid
polite, or prejudiced, and trimmed theil
sails to accommodate public feeling bu1
no minister ever stayed long among them
Some of the "world's people" shook theil
heads, and said "they'd never have re-
vlval or a settled minister till all those
that had hand in dismissln' Mr.. Elio
was dead" Others laughed when tht
subject of personal religion was urged
upon them, and retorted that "they'(
rather stay outside, where there want 81
much quarrelin'," or that "a church tha
was too good for Mr.. Eliot was too goo(
for them" The faithful souls who pray
ed for the prosperity of Zion seemed tC
pray in vain, and few recruits were gath
cred in to fill the vacant places.
AS the years passed on, however, pub
lie opinion gradually underwent change
A new generation was growing up, out
side the church; strangers moved in
who cared nothing for old grudges, ant
recognized the clear radiance of Mr.. Eli
OTIS Christian light. Old enmities dice
out, and the number of his friends in
creased. But Miss Lydia BENEFITS con
sistent hatred never faltered, being cher.
ished even more tenderly as others grew
careless or lukewarm. The magnanimity
that lifted him above her worst attacks
and the calm forbearance that neve
sought revenge, she interpreted as hard
ened Indifference; while his happiness
and prosperity in his private life remind