The Republican journal., 1888-12-20

placed SO near the summit OF the hill, but so
it is, and all but a few of the farmers around
about have to toll upwards i'll order to reach
the half dozen stores there and the three
churches Perhaps the original settlers OF
western Massachusetts, had eve, or two,
for the beautiful for there is lot a habita-
ton in Berkshire county that commands
more extensive or picturesque view The
natives of Tilbury seldom mention the seen
cry, but not many Years ago it attracted the
admiration Of wealthy people from a dis
tance, and they set up their summer homes
there 1t made o marked change in the vii
laGe, the more because a portion OF the new
corners found it pleasureabe to remain
through the winter 1t thus that evil
entered and brought unhappiness to Heze-
Eah Martin.
My mind wanders back to that time when
rs a child listened to his stentorian tenor
voice leading the singing from the choir loft
of the ancient Congregationallst church
There were two long services every Sunday
then, and | recall that when the new preacher
Joined in the movement to abolish the after
noon sermon Hezekiah was of those who
stood hardest for the old custom. and when
the inevitable reform was finally accom-
plished. the sturdy cllorister never looked
upon his minister iii the same light that he
had before. lie was more faithful than ever
and sung all the louder as if to make up Ill
fervor for lack of opportunity; but when the
daring divine finally went his way, and an
other preacher took the pulpit, the chorister
felt as if n great burden had been lifted; as
if the parish had escaped most dangerous
affection
The years turned steadily along and HeZe-
kiah overcame every difficulty that choir
leaders are subject to. He pacitied the jealous
sopranos, raised up new bassos, sung four
consecutive Sundays all alone when the
choir deserted him in high dudgeon because
he refused to approve OF new anthem book,
and in many other ways demonstrated his
fitness for the work until prosperity i'll the
shape of summer visitors fell upon Tilbury
Then began Il quiet, insidious trouble, us I'M
perceptible at first as the approach of Ole
age. that eventually overcame him.
The first manifestation of revolution came
in division of opinion in the parish over
the choice Of Il new preacher, for Old MI
s;poouer had begun to feel that he was some
how in the way, and he resigned before the
people were fu " aware that they wanted t.
hear Il new voice. There were two leading
candidates for his place, q young and clio
quent preacher and Il Jealous worker, and al
elderly nam l.ainst whom not word coult
be said The newcomers in Tilbury, joining
hands with the younger members OF th'
church, elected the young man, and as thu
contest l.l not been long or determined
there was II speedy healing Of differences an(
10 lack Of harmony Even then Hezekial
felt Il vague presentinent that all would no
4,e well with him, Lut several months passet
Il; i,,}i,, j.,
tie parish would appreciate 4 change in til
choir loft. The first he heard OF 1t was in
discussion among his singers at Il Saturda..
evening rehearsal. 1t was not meant tina
he should hear, but he entered the vestry I'LL
expectedlv Sam Hinckley, one of thos
very bassos who had been patiently tralne
by the chorister. was saying:
wall. | shall be sorry to see the old man
feelings hurt, but he can't expect to lea
singin' forever"
And pretty Maria Jasper, tacitly under
stood to be Sans sweetheart, responde
SHARPLY:
''But l think it's just too mean. and
'Kiah has to go follow. That's ALL"
And then they all saw the chorster comm
down the aisle. and painful hush fell upo
them EczeEiah bowed gravely as he al
preached the group and Said:
''Good evening, neighbors." That was til
way he always addressed the choir at r.
Learsals. Perhaps he avoided q greeting
each individual from fear of arousing jea
ousy by seeming partially. At all events
never heard Of his varying the formula. Il
continued, IS lie referred to u small slip {
paper in his hand:
"When the Lord wills we will all go, an
not till tilel. 1t is not our part to medd
with what is il His hands. TIE minister b;
chosen hy;:ln 2J7 for the first piece. Vow
sing it to the tune of Cambridge"
At that rehearsal and during service ne!
day everything went as usual, but report
the talk that Hezekiah had heard flew abo'
the parish quickly, and not a few rcnlarkt
that the chorister looked unusually grave.
81 caIatc.' remarked Mr.. Davis, the shee
raiser fro:n RAMS Hill, to his wife as the
drove home alter meeting; Il cal'late 'Kia
Martin .ec.s is years growing on him; hay
And co.. Philander Davis returnt
Mrs. Davis, with significant emphasis, ''th
it aint SO rl:.c.l his material years lie feels
the loss of bis friends"
''Sho! Marthy, he amt los. no FRIEND