Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1884-05-01
m M FSTOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY, W. Va THOESDAY
gELEPHONIC WORSHIP.

| have been so deeply interested while in
the city of louisville, in listening to Chris
tian. invalid lady relate her feelings
and the pleasure she experiences while lis
tening to church services through the te'e-
phone, that | feel constrained to furnish
some account for the benefit Of some oiyorr
invalid readers, who may be thereby in
duced to adopt the same method OF going
to church." while lying on a couch of suffer
ing Though cannot give you her exact
words, or relate it in the gentle manner IN
which she did, | will endeavor to reproduce
the conversation as nearly as possible.
"For nearly twentyyear have lain upon
this couch of suffering cut off from all out
door exercise, and especially from the psivi-
lege of entering Gods sanctuary and meet
ing with his people in public worship. My
pastors have always been very kind in lend
ing me sermons to read, which | have great
Is enjoyed, and been benefited thereby, but
reading a sermon is not like hearing the
living preacher; besides they could not
transfer to my sick chamber the whole
church service, with its hymns of praise, Its
scripture reading, and its solemn prayers.
When Sabbath morning cane, and the fam
lily prepared to go to church, my heart yearn-
cd for the same privilege, and longed to
tread with them the courts Of the Lords
house; but il was not so TO be, and saw
them depart, leaving me TO my own private
devotion and meditation. These were often
delightful seasons, and God made my sick
room little sanctuary. When the family
returned home they would give me synop-
sis of the sermon, ard tell m all about the
service. Bat still it was not like hearing it
myself.
"About year ago the Telephone Com
pany, through their treasurer, asked me If
would not like to have telephone from my
room to the chnrch, so could listen to the
sermon myself. Ny heart nearly Jumped
out of my mouth at the bare mention OF 1t
and | quickly answered, Indeed would.
Accordingly the necessary wire; were
stretched and the instrument placed in po
s;tion. At the church two micrOphones were
arranged, one on either side of the pulpit
so that II the speaker turned his head eiihe'
way would not lose any words. In my
room TELEPHONE was placed and the ear
piece was put on the end Of a long wire Sc
il would reach my bed and could hold i
easily to my ear, and thus all was ready.
With what impatience waited for tn
next Sabbath morning to dawn, 10 persoT
can realize. and as the hour for service drew
near got ready for church, by having tn
blinds of my room closed in, and all thing
made quiet, with orders not to be disturbed
my bible and hymn book were laid on tn
bed, and with the ear piece Of the telephone
in my right hand | was all ready for service
First heard the noise Of footsteps q
persons entered the church and the rus.linl
Of dresses and fans, and the taking of book
from the racks. Then suddenly the organ
burst forth with grand voluntary, and tn
old familiar sound made the tears flow from
nv ewes. The music seemed not as thougl
/ il came from the fingers of man, bat that
was listening to the hdrps and dulcimers 0
( heaven. Bat when there came waited Z
my ears that grand old doxology in which
hadso often Joined, Praise God irem whom
all blessings low," and heard it again a
it rolled forth from the great congregation
I wept like child, while my heart respond
ed. oh, so entirely, 70 the sentiment, for tru
" | felt that | ought to praise God that h
was making this grea; blessing flow agail
to me.
"Then followed the invocation and To
Lords Prayer, and bowed my head reyer
emily as ! listened to the solemn word;
The reading of the Decalogue followed an
my Imagination ran back to that memorabl
scene at ut. Sinai when the Lord cam
down on top of the mount and answcre
Moses by voice. | saw no man but
heard as it were the voice Of God speakin
all these words, saying. Never did thos
commandments sound so terrible or so pow
erful to me before, and trembled rs the
came to me from an unseen source, so file
with grandeur and power.
"Whcn the number Of the hymn was On
nounced | found it in my hymn book, an
knowing that my little, weak, cracked voic
would not disturb the fine singing, joine
in and sang the hymn through, enjoying
as much, If not more, than any other pei
son who was listening to it. The scriptl'
lesson followed nest, and having found th
cbapte- in my Bible, followed the readin
Of Gods word. No one can imagine th
awe-inspiring effect which the word Of Go
has when listened to in this way. Forge
ting the Intervention of man, it seems G
thonrh the connection is made with th
great Author of the book himself, and th'
his voice is speaking the inspired words d
rectly to me, making me feel as though
am in the very presence Of God himself. \
the preacher under whose ministrstions
now lie for / cannot say sit"l is mos
impressive reader, giving new beauty an
brilliancy to the scriptures by his emphas
and intonation, I am deriving more tenet