Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-10-14

in the great cities and warns the IN
wary Of many perils; text, Isaiah xxi.
IL, "Watchm2n. what of the nights"
When night came down on Babylon,
iNineveh and Jerusalem, they needed
careful watching. otherwise the incen-
diary's torch might have been thrust
into the very heart of the metropolitan
splendor. or enemies. marching from
the hills. might have forced the gates.
All night long. on top of the wall and
in front of the gates. might be heard
the measured step of the Waterman on
his solitary beat; silence hung in air,
save as some passerby raised the Ques-
ton. "Watchman. what of the night?"
It is TO me deeply suggestive and
solemn thing to see q man standing
guard by night. 1t thrilled through me
as at the gate of an arsenal in Charles
ton the question once smote me, WHO
comes there?' followed by the sharp
commaSd. Advance and give the cOun-
tersign." Every moral teacher stands
Oh picket or patrols the wall as watch
man. His work is to sound the alarm,
and whether it be in the first watch.
in the second watch. in the third watch
or in the fourth watch to be Vigilant
until the daybreak filings its morning
glcries" of blooming cloud across the
trelliS CT Tie sky.
The anciPntS divided their night into
four parts-the first watch from to 8.
the second from 9 TO II. the third from
u to and the fourth from 3 TO g.. |
speak now Of the city in the third
watch, or from II to 3 o'clock.
never weary Of looking upon the
life of the city in the first watch. That
is the hour when the stores are closing.
The Iaboring men. having quilted the
scaffoldinG and the shop. are on their
way home 1t rejO:ces me to give them
my seat in the city car. They have
stood and hammered away all day.
Their feet are weary. They are ex-
hausted with the tug of work. They
are mostly cheerful. With appetites
sharpened on the swift turner's wheel
and the carpenters milestone they
seek the evening meal. The clerks, too,
have broken away from the counter
and with brain weary of the long line
Of figures and the whims of those who
go a-shopping seek the face Of mother
or wife and child. The streets are
thrOnged with young men setting out
from the great centers of bargain max
ing. Let idlers clear the street and
give right of way to the besweated ar
tisanS and merchants. They have earn
ed their bread and are now on their
way home to get it. The lights in full
Jet hang over 10000 evening repasts-
the parents at either end of the table,
the children between. Thank God,
"who setteth the solitary in families!'
Evening In the City.
A few hours later and all the places
OF amusement. good and bad, are in full
tide. Lovers of art, catalogue in hand,
stroll through the galleries and discuss
the pictures. The ballroom is resplen-
dent with the rich apparel of those
who on either side of the white, glis-
teping boards await the signal from the
orchestra. Concert halls are lifted into
enchaGtmept with the MARBLE of one
,SOngStreSs or swept out on a sea of
tumultuous feeling by the blast of
brazeu Instruments. Drawing rooms
are filed with all gracefulness of ap-
parel. with all sweetness of sound,
with all splendor of manner Mirrors
are catching up and multiplying the
scene until it seems as if in infinite
corridors there were garlanded troops
advancing and retreating. The outdoor
air rings with laughter and with the
moving to and fro of thousands on the
great promenades. The dashing span,
adrip With the foam of the long coun-
try ride. rusheS past as you halt at the
G H.
ion. magnifcence, mingle in the great
metropolitan picture until the thinking
man goes home to think more seriously
and the praying man to pray more ear
nestly. \ beautiful and overwhelming
thing is the city in the first and second
watches of the night.
But the clock strikes u, and the
third watch has begun. The thunder
of the city has rolled out of the air.
The slightest sounds cut the night with
such distinctaess as to attract your at
tention. The tinkling of the bell of the
street car in the distance and the bay
ing of the dog. The stamp of horse
In the next street The slamming of
saloon door The hiccough of the
drunkard. The shrieks of the steam
whistle five miles away. Oh, how sug-
gestive, my friends. the third watch of
the night,
There are honest men passing up and
down the street. Here is a city mis-
Sionary. WHO has been carrying a scut-
tie of coal to that poor family in that
dark place. Here is an undertaken GO
Ing up the steps of a building from
which there comes a bitter cry, which
Indicates that the destroying angel has
Smitten the frstbOrn. Here is min
lister of religion who has been giving
the sacrament to q dying Christian.