Year: 1872

HNHE village in one of the Middle States
n in which my boyhood and early youth
were passed was and is a quiet agricultural
sentre of about one thousand population.
It had the usual complement of country
stores and inns, and large and imposing
academy. In the travelling season it was
enlivened for an hour daily by the transit
through its "Main Street" (and what city
OF village in the country has not that
stereotyped name p of passengers from the
railroad depot to the steamboat; but for the
most part it dozed amid the great events of
the world, apart from its excitements and
its bustling activity Let it not be under
stood, however, that this place had nothing
in particular to distinguish it from the
Jonesvilles, Pottstowns and Smithburghs,
in which those States are prolific. 1t was
an old and historic place, celebrated in the
annals of at least one of our wars; its situ-
alton on the bank of a great river, nesting
under mountainous elevation of table
land, was exceptionally romantic; it
was embowered by trees of patriarchal
growth; and among its people there was a
goodly sprinkling of education, refinement
and wealth, with some old and rather eX-
elusive families to give tone to its society.
1t was place, in short, of such natural
beauty and rural quiet as to make it the
domicile of number of that most envied
class--they who live on the interest of their
money


In this community there were several
churches; at least two more than could
decenty support pastor. The largest of
these societies, as well as the wealthiest,
and one second to none in worldly respecta-
bility and religious character had parted
with its last shepherd some months before.
A painful want of harmony had arisen in
this flock; schisms had crept in, several
members had been expelled, social breaches
had consequently occurred, and the society
had become divided, distracted, and power
less to accomplish Christian work. The
church edilice had been permanently closed,
and there seemed no immediate prospect
of bettor things.


At this juncture person arrived in the
village bearing letter Of introduction Ia
one of the deacons, which was duly present.
ed, and out of which grew momentous con.
sequences.


The bearer of this letter was man OF
thirty-flve or forty years Of age, habited in
black, but without the conventional white
ueckcloth of the ministry. He wore an
amount of jewelry upon his person that
seemed quite unclerical; but his genera
demeanor was grave and decorous, while
his manners and address were those of tho
most courteous refinement. Personally hC
was rather uDdersized, quite spare, anC
with a face that at once denoted menta
activity. 1t was certainly an attractive
face, set off as it was with curly black hail
and whiskers, illuminated by pair OF sucl
brilliant eyes as is not often bestowed upor
dis sex, and embellished by half-smil'
that was at once winning and habitual. Tit
outside of this man, in short, was decided
ly interesting, and provocative OF inquir,
as to who and what he was. Such at least
was the impression made upon the deacon
who politely invited his visitor to be seatet
while he mounted his spectacles and rea'
the letter. ds


"The worthy man was instantly fille'
with sense OF awe and importance TO fine
himself addressed in writing as the dea
respected brother OF doctor OF divinit.