Not a syllable
that fell from the lips of the divine, or of Content, not a deep tone of
severity in the former, nor a struggling accent of the latter, escaped
the dullest ear in that assembly. Notwithstanding the grave and
regulated air that was common to all, it is needless to say there was
pleasure in the little interruption of this scene; which, however, was
far from being extraordinary in a community where it was not only
believed that spiritual authority might extend itself to the most
familiar practices, but where few domestic interests were deemed so
exclusive, or individual feelings considered so sacred, that a very
large proportion of the whole neighborhood might not claim a right to
participate largely in both. The Reverend Mr. Wolfe was appeased by the
explanation, and after allowing a sufficient time to elapse, in order
that the minds of the congregation should recover their tone, he
proceeded with the regular services of the morning.
It is needless to recount the well-known manner of the religious exercises
of the Puritans. Enough of their forms and of their substance has been
transmitted to us, to render both manner and doctrine familiar to most of
our readers.
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