Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-12-21


It is, and all but a few Of the farmers around
about have to toll upwards in order to reach
the half dozen stores there and the three
churches. Perhaps the original settlers Of
western Massachusetts, had an eye, or two,
for the beautiful, for there is not habita-
ton in Berkshire county that commands
more extensive or picturesque view. The
natives of Tilbury seldom mention the seem
cry, but not many years ago it attracted the
admiration Of wealthy people from a dis
lance, and they set up their summer homes
there. 1t made marked change in the vii
lage, the more because portion of the new
corners found it pleasureable to remain
through the winter. 1t was thus that evil
entered and brought unhappiness TO Heze-
kiah Martin.
My mind wanders back to that time when
as q child listened to his stentorian tenor
voice leading the singing from the choir loft
Of the ancient Congregationalist 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 one of those who
stood hardest for the old custom, and when
the inevitable reform was finally accom-
plished, the sturdy chorister never looked
upon his minister in the same light that he
and sung all the louder as If to mako up in
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 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 pacified 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 a new anthem book,
and in many other ways demonstrated his
fitness for the work until prosperity in the
shape of summer visitors fell upon Tilbury.
Then began a quiet, insidious trouble, as inn
perceptible at first as the approach of old
age, that eventually overcame him.
The first manifestation Of revolution came
in a division of opinion in the parish over
the choice of a new preacher, for old MIR.
Spooner had begun to feel that he was some
how in the way, and he resigned before the
people were fully aware that they wanted to
hear a new voice. There were two leading
candidates for his place, young and elo-
quent preacher and Jealous worker, and an
elderly man against whom not a word could
y 3 Ii
hands with the younger members of the
church, elected the young man, and as the
contest had not been long or determined.
there was speedy healing Of differences and
no lack of harmony. Even then Hezekiah
felt vague presentiment that all would not
be well With him, but several months passed
before he received any direct intilnation that
the parish would appreciate a change in the
choir loft. The first he heard Of it was in q
discussion among his singers at Saturday
evening rehearsal 1t was not meant that
he should hear, but he entered the vestry I'M
expectedly. Sam Hinckley, one Of those
very bassos who had been patiently trained
by the chorister was saying:
"Wall shall be sorry to see the old mans
feelings hurt, but he can't expect to lead
singin forever"
And pretty Maria Jasper, tacitly under
stood to be Sans sweetheart, responded
sharply;
'But | think it's just too mean, and if
'Kiah has to 60 follow. That's ALL"
And then they all saw the chorister coming
down the aisle, and painful hush fell upon
them. Hezekiah bowed gravely as he APP
preached the group and said:
"Good evening, neghbors." That was the
way he always addressed the choir at re-
hearsals. Perhaps he avoided a greeting to
each individual from fear of arousing jeal-
ousy by seeming Partially. At all events l
never heard of his varying the formula. He
continued, as he referred to a small slip Of
paper in his hand:
"When the Lord wills we will all 60, and
not till then. 1t is not our part TO NEEDLE
with what is in His hands. The minister has
chosen hymn POI for the first piece. Wewill
sing it to the tune Of Cambridge"
At that rehearsal and during service next
day everything went as usual, but report Of
the talk that Hezekiah had heard Jew about
the parish quickly, and not few remarked
that the chorister looked unusually grave.
~ cal'late," remarked Mr.. Davis, the sheep
raiser from RAMS Hill, to his wife as they
drove home after meeting; ~ cal'late 'Kiah
Martin feels his years growing on him; hayr'
sand caIlate, Philander Davis" returned
Mrs. Davis, with significant emphasis, shat
1t amt SO much his nataral years he feels -
the loss Of his friendS"
:, "ShoI Narthy, he amt lost no friends.