156 AN AMERICAN FARMER IN ENGLAND. 



confession to one another, in the form prescribed by their 

 church government. It is done by the Japanese, in twirling 

 a teetotum ; by the Chinese, in burning Joss-sticks ; by the 

 Fakirs, in standing on one leg ; by the Methodists, in groans 

 and inarticulate cries ; by the Shakers, in their dance ; by 

 the Baptists, in ice-water immersions ; by Churchmen, in 

 kneeling ; by Presbyterians, in standing ; by New-England- 

 ers, in eating a cold dinner and regularly going to meeting on 

 Sunday ; by the English, in feasting, and the Germans, in 

 social intercourse on that day as well as by more distinctly 

 devout exercises. 



It was plain to me that the tone of the reader was meant 

 to express &quot; Note ye that this reading is no common read 

 ing, but is the word derived from God, not now repeated for 

 your instruction, plainly and with its true emphasis, but 

 markedly otherwise, that we may show our faith in its sacred 

 character, and through it acknowledge our God I by repeat 

 ing its w r ords as men do not those of another book you by 

 your presence and reverent silence while I do so.&quot; 



It was evident, too, by the occasional difficulties and con 

 sequent embarrassment and confusion of our reader, causing 

 blushing and stammering, that it was not with him a natural 

 expression of this purpose as was the nasal tone of the Puri 

 tan, but a studied form, which had originated in some person 

 more musically constituted. 



Whether I was right with regard to the theory or not, 

 there was no doubt that practically such was the operation of 

 much of the service. The portion of the Old Testament read 

 was one of those tedious genealogical registers that nobody 

 but an antiquary or a blood nobleman would pretend to be 

 interested in. The psalm, one of the most fearful of David s 

 songs of vengeance and imprecation, alternately sung by 

 the. choristers and intoned by the reader, one often running 



