The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-12-21

SNtrS7,IIEs Second wcstcock
H11-S. ~ was quaint and
old Cushioned,
like the village over which it presided.
It's shingles were gray with the beating
of many winters; its little square tower
was surmountcd by four spindling
posts, like the legs Of table turned
heayenward; its staring windows were
adorned with curtains of yellow cot
ton; its uneven and dosolatc church.
yard, strewn with graves and snow
drifts, occupied blenk hillside look
ing out across the bay 60 the lonely
height of Shepody Mountain.
Down the long slope below the
church struggled the village. hnlf-lost
in the snow, and whstied over by the
winds OF the Bay of Fundy.
Second Westcock was an outlying
corner of the rector's expansive par.
ish, and a Christmas eve service there
was an event almost unparalleled To
give Second Wcstcock this service, tho
rector had forsaken his prosperous
congregations at Wostcock, Sackvillo
and Dorchester, driving some eight or
ten miles through the SHOWS and soli-
tude of the deep Dorchester woods.
And because the choir Mt Second
Westcock was not remarkable even for
Willingness, much less for strength or
skill, he had brought with him his
fifteen year-old niece, Lou Allison, TO
swell the Christmas praises with the
notes Of her clarionet.
hn Il, Al.
oil lamps ranged along the white wall
between the windows. The spQpr; bare
chancel-a req 1t should not tchen
table IN rail.
ing -widows, o,,nro;o rl-
narrow, carpetless aisle were rows of
unpainted benches.
On the left were gathered solemnly
the men OF the congregation, ench
looking straight ahead. On the right
were the women, whispering and
scanning each others bouuets, till the
appearance of the rector from the
little vestry.room by the door should
bring silence and revcrent attention.
In front OF the womeu's row stood
the melodcon, aud the two benches
behind 1t were occupied 10y the ch2ir,
the male members of which sat blush.
ingly self-couscious, proud of their
Office, but deeply abashed ut the nc.
cessity OF sitting among the women.
There was no attempt at Christmas
decoration, for Second Wcstcock had
never been awakened to the delicious
excitements of the church greening.
At last the rector appeared IN his
voluminous white surplice. He moved
slowly up the aisle, and mounted the
winding steps Of the right hand pulpit,
and as he did SO his iiye-year-old son,
torsaking his place by Lou's side, |
marched forward and seated himself
resolutely on the pulpit steps. He did
not feel quite ut home i'll Second West.
cock Church.
The sweet old carol, "While shep-
herds watched their hocks by night
rose rather doubtfully from the little .
choir, who looked and listened askancc
at the glitterlug clarionet, into which
Lou was now blowing softly. Lou
was afraid to make herself distinctly
heard at first, lest she should startle
the singers; but in the second verse
the pure vibrant notes came out with
confidence, and then for two lines the .
song was little more than duet be /.
tween Lou and the rector's Vigorous
baritone. In the third verse, how.
ever, IT all came right. The choir
felt ind responded to the strong sup
port and thrilling stimulus of the in I.
strument, AMI Mt length ceased to
dread their own voices. The naked
little church was glorified with the .
sweep of triumphal song pulsating
through il.
Never before had such music been /.
head there. Men, women aud chill T.
dren sang from their very souls, and |
when the hymn was ended the whole /.
congregation stood for some seconds /
as in dream, with quivering throats, |
till the rector's calm voice, repeating
the opening words of the liturgy, |
brought back their self-control III some
measure.
Thereafter every hymn and chant |
and carol was like an inspiration, aud .
Lou's eyes sparkled with exaltation.
When the service was over the people |
gathered round the stove by the door,
praising LOUIS clnrionet and petting
little Ted, who had by this time come |
down from the pulpit steps. One old
lady gave the child two or three brown .
sugar biscuits which she had brought |
in her pocket, and pair of red nit
tens which she had knitted for him as
Christmas present.
Turning 20 Lou, the old lady said,
IL never hcerd nothing like that trum-
l~Sr,
- r-u-r,..