"
"Therein hast thou acted discreetly; for a divided mind giveth but little
joy above. I hope there is equal reason why all of thy household are not
with thee in the temple?"
Notwithstanding the usual self-command of Content, he did not revert to
this subject without emotion. Casting a subdued glance at the empty seat
where she whom he so much loved was wont to worship at his side, he said,
in a voice that evidently struggled to maintain its customary equanimity--
"There has been powerful interest awakened beneath my roof this day; and
it may be that the duty of the Sabbath has been overlooked by minds so
exercised. If we have therein sinned, I hope he that looketh kindly on the
penitent will forgive! She of whom thou speakest, hath been shaken by the
violence of griefs renewed; though willing in spirit, a feeble and sinking
frame is not equal to support the fatigue of appearing here, even though
it be the house of God."
This extraordinary exercise of pastoral authority was uninterrupted,
even by the breathings of the congregation. Any incident of an unusual
character had attraction for the inhabitants of a village so remote; but
here was deep, domestic interest, connected with breach of usage and
indeed of law and all heightened by that secret influence that leads us
to listen, with singular satisfaction, to those emotions in others,
which it is believed to be natural to wish to conceal.
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