1856.] Sjme Passages in the Life of Deacon Goodman. 143 



In the mean time the congregation assembled, and the worship pro- 

 «eeded in the usual way. 



Now, Deacon Goodman always made it a rule, when any accident had 

 detained him until after worship had commenced, to come in very softly. 

 How different from the fashionaLle flourish ! All were intent on the 

 solo. Xone heard, and but few saw Deacon Goodman enter his pew, and 

 take up the sheet on which the words of the anthem were printed. 



Unlike that of many singers, the articulation of " little Mary " was 

 perfect. The Deacon soon found the place, and to the astonishment of 

 the congregation, indignation of the choir, and the perfect horror of 

 "little Mary," he "struck in," and accompanied her throngh the whole 

 solo. Accompanied ! ! *' Oft in the stilly night," accompanied by Cap- 

 tain Bragfs battery, would give some notion of it. Poor "little Mary " 

 was sick a fortnight. " Why don't you cut that old fellow's tongue ojff?'* 

 said one of the Boston singers. " What good would it do?" said the 

 choir leader, " he would howl through his nose." They were all very 

 cross. As for the Deacon, he looked around as innocent as a lamb, and 

 thought he had sung as well as any of them. 



Immediately after meeting the choir leader called on the minister. 

 " Sir," said he, " this must stop. If Deacon Goodman sings again, I do 

 not. 



•* Oh, I know it;" said the minister, " I have long felt the difficulty; 

 Deacon Goodman is a most excellent man, and his only faults are that 

 he is rather set in his v:ay, and will sing in meeting. 



" But Deacon Goodman is a reasonable man," said the choir leader. 



" On most occasions/' replied the minister. 



'/ Do go and see him, sir, for my mind is made up ; if he sings in 

 meeting, I do not." 



"Deacon Goodman," said the minister, "I have come on a delicate 

 errand ; I have come to present the respectful request of the choir, that 

 you would not sing in meeting." 



The Deacon was thunderstruck ; but he soon recovered. " Singing is 

 praying," said he; " they may just as well ask me not to pray: I shall 

 sing in meeting:^ And on the next Sunday, sure enough, he did; louder, 

 and, if possible, more inharmonious than ever. The men singers looked 

 daggers at him; the girls hid their smiles behind their music-books. 

 Little Mary was not there. 



" This shall stop," said the choir leader. '< I will go and see him 

 myself." 



"Deacon Goodman, we all most highly respect you. as you must well 

 know: but you have 7iot the musical ear, nor the musical voice, and it 



