134 AX AMERICAN FARMER IX EXGLAXD. 



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 " Note ye that this reading is no common reading, but 

 is the word derived from God, not now repeated for your instruc- 

 tion, plainly and with its time emphasis, but markedly otherwise, 

 that we may show our faith in its sacred character, and through 

 it acknowledge our God ; I by repeating its words, as men do not 

 those of another book you by your presence and reverent silence 

 while I do so." 



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

 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 Puritan, 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 room for 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 into the other with 

 most unpleasant discord. The same with the Litany. Even the 

 prayers could with difficulty be understood, owing partly to 

 echoes, in which all distinctness wa lost. 



Despairing of being assisted by the words of the service, I 

 endeavored to " work up" in myself the solemnity and awe which 

 seemed due to the place and the occasion, by appropriate reflec- 

 tions. Under this vaulted ceiling, what holy thoughts, what 

 heavenly aspirations, have been kindled what true praise of 

 noble resolution has, like unconscious incense, grateful to God, 



