The entrance of a congregation into the sanctuary will at all times
furnish, to an attentive observer, food for much useful speculation, if
it be chastened with a proper charity for the weaknesses of others; and
most people are ignorant of the insight they are giving into their
characters and dispositions, by such an apparently trivial circumstance
as their weekly approach to the tabernacles of the Lord. Christianity,
while it chastens and amends the heart, leaves the natural powers
unaltered; and it cannot be doubted that its operation is, or ought to
be, proportionate to the abilities and opportunities of the subject of
its holy impression--"Unto whomsoever much is given, much will be
required." While we acknowledge, that the thoughts might be better
employed in preparing for those humiliations of the spirit and
thanksgiving of the heart which are required of all, and are so
necessary to all, we must be indulged in a hasty view of some of the
personages of our history, as they entered the church of B----.
On the countenance of the baronet, was the dignity and composure of a
mind at peace with itself and mankind. His step was rather more
deliberate than common; his eye rested on the pavement, and on turning
into his pew, as he prepared to kneel, in the first humble petition of
our beautiful service, he raised it towards the altar with an expression
of benevolence and reverence, that spoke contentment, not unmixed with
faith.
In the demeanor of Lady Moseley, all was graceful and decent, while
nothing could be properly said to be studied. She followed her husband
with a step of equal deliberation, though it was slightly varied by a
manner which, while it appeared natural to herself, might have been
artificial in another: a cambric handkerchief concealed her face as she
sank composedly by the side of Sir Edward, in a style which showed, that
while she remembered her Maker, she had not entirely forgotten herself.
The walk of Mrs. Wilson was quicker than that of her sister. Her eye,
directed before her, was fixed, as if in settled gaze, on that eternity
which she was approaching. The lines of her contemplative face were
unaltered, unless there might be traced a deeper shade of humility than
was ordinarily seen on her pale, but expressive countenance: her
petition was long; and on rising from her humble posture, the person was
indeed to be seen, but the soul appeared absorbed in contemplations
beyond the limits of this sphere.
There was a restlessness and varying of color, in the ordinarily placid
Clara, which prevented a display of her usual manner; while Jane walked
gracefully, and with a tincture of her mother's manner, by her side. She
stole one hastily withdrawn glance to the deanery pew ere she kneeled,
and then, on rising, handed her smelling-bottle affectionately to her
elder sister.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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