The family of Meek preceded him into the temple, and when the feet of the
minister himself crossed its threshold, there was no human form visible
without its walls. The bell ceased its monotonous and mournful note, and
the tall, gaunt form of the divine moved through the narrow aisle to its
usual post, with the air of one who had already more than half rejected
the burthen of bodily encumbrance. A searching and stern glance was thrown
around, as if he possessed an instinctive power to detect all delinquents;
and then seating himself, the deep stillness, that always preceded the
exercises, reigned in the place.
When the divine next showed his austere countenance to his expecting
people, its meaning was expressive rather of some matter of worldly
import, than of that absence of carnal interest with which he usually
strove to draw near to his Creator in prayer.
"Captain Content Heathcote," he said with grave severity, after permitting
a short pause to awaken reverence, "there has one ridden through this
valley on the Lord's day, making thy habitation his halting-place.
Pages:
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494