Forest of Rossendale. 265 



But the great treat of the afternoon was when, the sermon being 

 concluded, the " Hallelujah Chorus " was given by the choir. The 

 fervent, enthusiastic countenances of the men, many of whom 

 were awkward and even clownish in their dress and appearance, 

 contrasting finely with the less serious, but not less earnest and 

 expressive faces of the female portion of the rural choir, as the 

 grand Anthem, " within no walls confined," rose heavenward to 

 the great Eternal, who is the subject and burden of its strain. 

 Neither was the singing limited to the choir — the majority of the 

 congregation were famiUar with the song, and loud hallelujahs 

 filled the house of God. 



What an unspeakable legacy those glorious musical productions 

 are to mankind, for all time ; and how consoling to reflect that, 

 however humble our station in life, and however coarse our fare 

 and homely our attire, we can enter into their spirit, and enjoy and 

 appreciate their beauties equally with the rich and noble of 

 the land. 



