mm
have sworn upon the Alter of God, eternal hostility to every form of Tyranny ever the Mind of Man." Thomas Jcflorson
If. WEBB, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
Volume X.
UL0031SKUHG, COLILUHIA COL XT V, PA. SATURDAY, JlTl.Y 4, 1840.
IViiiiilirr 11.
OFFICE OF THE DHMOCKAT.
Sorm kidk or Main a fkw doors be-
I.OW MaKKKT'STRKET.
The COL UMIiM DEMOCHJTirill be
pu'dished everi Saturday morning, at
TWO DOLLARS per annum payable
half yearly in advance, or Tiro Dollar f
rijly Vent s,ij not paul irilliin the year,
h'o subscription wilt be. taken for a shorter
period than at.i' months; nor any discon
tinuance ))rrinittcd,until all arrearages
are discharged.
JiDl'ER Tl SEMENS not exceeding a
square will be conspicuously inserted at
One Dollar for the first three insertions,
and Twenty-Jive cents for every subse
quent nsertion. C7V liberal discoun
made to t hose, who advert ise by the year
LETTERS addressed on bu$ines,inust
be post paid.
From the Lowell Offering.
villageIpastoks.
The old village pastor of New England
was 'a man bavins authority.' His deacons
were under him, and not, as is now often
the cusp, his tyramca! iulers;and whenever
hi parishioners met him, they doffed their
hats, and said. 'Your reverence.' What
ever passed his lips was both law and gos
pel, and when too old and infirm to minis
ter lo his charge, he was not turned away,
like an old worn-out beast, to die of hunger
or to gather up, with failing strength, the
coarse bit which might eke out a little long
cr his remaining days; but he was still treat
ed with all the delerence, and supported
with all the munificence, which was be.
lieved due to him whom they regarded as
God's vicegerent upon earth.' Ho deem
ed himself, and was considered by his par
ishioners, if not infalliable, yet something
approaching it. Those were indeed the
days of git ry for New England clergy
men. Perhaps, I am wr.'.ng. The present pas
tor, with his more humble mien and concil
iatory tone, his closer application and un
activiiy, may bei in a wider sphere, as tru
ly glorious an object of contemplation. Ma
ny arc the toils, plans and enterprizes, en
trusted lo him, which in foirner day 3 were
not permitted to inter fere with lie duties
exclusively appertaining lo the holy voca
tion. Yet, with added labors, the modern
pasior receives neither added remuneration
nor added hoiors. Perhaps it is well, nay
peihaps it is better; but I am confident thai
if the old pastor could return, and take
Lird's.eye view of the situations of his suc
cessors, ho would exclaim, 'How has the
glory deported from Israel, and how have
ihey casl down the sons of Levi.''
I have been led to these reductions by a
contemplation of the characters of the first
three occupants of the pulpil in my native
village.
Our old pastor was settled, as all then
were, for life. I can remember him but
in his declining years, yet even then was
he a hale and vigorous old man. Honored
and beloved ty all his Hock, his lays pass
ed undisturbed by the storms and tempests
which have since then so often darkened
and disturbed the theological wot Id. 7'he
opinions and creeds, handed down by hi
Pilgrim Fathers, he carefully cherished,
neithci adding thereto nor taking therjfioin
lie indoctrinated tho young in all the mys
tcries of his faith with an undoubting beliel
in its infull'ubility. There was much ol
the patriarch in his look and manner, and
this was heightened by the nature of his
avoca'ions, in which rural tabors were min
pled with clerical duties. No farms wete
in better order than that at the parsonage,
no fields looked more thriving, end no flocks
were more profitable than were those of
the good clergyman, indeed, he sometimes
almost forgot his spiritual fald, in the cul
livation of that which was more earthy.
On Saturday afternoon the minister was
very busily engaged in curing hay. His
good wife had observed thai during the
week he had been unusually bound up in
temporal i.Tiirs mid feared for the well be
ing of hit. fijrk as she saw ihjtLc could not
lneaK the earthly ptll eu-u upon this Usl
dv of IKh wpf'k. SiiH looked urn) in vnin
j -. ..
i for his leturn.unii) finding Won wholly lost
10 8 sen8e 01 1118 ,lll,'ner uuttes, cue ueemeu
il her duly to remind him of them. So
away she went to the field and when in
sighLof thcllevereud haymaker she scieam
edoiit Or. W! Mr. W.."
'What? my dear.'
'Do you intend lo feed your people with.
hay, tomorrow?'
This was a poser Mr. W. dropped his
lake, and, tepairing to hW sludv spent the
real of the day in the preparation of food
more meet for (hose who looked so trustful
ly unto him for the bread of life.
His faithful companion was removed
from him and ihnso who knew of his strong
xnd refined attachment to her said (rul
when they prophesied that ho would never
marry again.
She left one son, (their only child.) a toy
of noble feelings and superior intellect, and
his father carefully educated htm will)
the fond wish thai he would one day sue
ceed him in the sacred ollice ol a minister
of God. lie hoped indeed (hat he might
even fill ihe vi ry pulpit which he must at
some lime vacate, and he prayed that his
own life might be spared until this hope
were realized.
Endicott W. was also looked upon as
their future pistortby many of the good
parishioners, and never did a more puie (Sri
gentle spirit take upon himself Ihe task of
preparing lo a people in holy thinfs. II
A'as the beloved of his father, the only child
who had ever blessed him for he had not
untried till late in life fc warm affections
which had been so tardily bestowed upon
one'of iSe gentler sex, were now wiih an
inusual fervor lavished upon this image of
her who was gone.
When Endicott W. returned home, hav
ing completed his studies at the Univenity
he was requested by our parish lo settle a
associate pastor with his father, whose fail
ing strength was unequal to the tegular dis
barge of his parochial duties. It was in
leed a beautiful sight to see that old nun.
with bending form and silvery locks, join
ing in the puhlio ministrations with hi'
young and pified son the one with a calu
expression of trtisiing faith.Mhe countenanci
f the other beaming with enthusiasm am
tiopn
Endicott was ambitious lie longed in
see his name placed in the bright coiistella
lion of famed theologians and tho' he kne
ill at years must be spent in toil fur tho at
tainment of that ol J "ct he was willing that
vhey should be thus devoted. The mid
uighllamp constantly witnessed the ilevo
dons of Eidicott at the shrine of science.
and the wasting form and f.ided cheek, tol
the coming fate of the infatuated worship
ft.
It was long before our yourg pasior, his
aged father, and the idolizing people who
were so proud of his talents, and such ad
mirers of his virtues it was long rre these
could be made to believe he was dying, but
Endicott W. departed from life, as a bright
idoud fade away in a noon day sky for
his calm exit was surrounded by all whicl
makes a death bed glorious. His aged fallr
cr said, 'Tho Loid gave, and t tie Lord hall
taken away; blessei. be the name of tin
Lord And then he went again before hi
llock, and endeavored lo icrnnnle them lo
their loss, and dispense again ihe comforts
and blessings of ihe gospel, misting thai
his strength would still bo spared iin.il one,
who was even llien preparing, should be
rojdy lo take his phco.
Shall I tell you now of my own home'
It was a rude farm-house almost embower
ed by ancient Irees, which covered the siop
ing hill side where il was situated; and n
looked like an old pilgrim who liad crawlcdupfmp,! to have been seiu from Ilia
into the thicket lo rest his limbs and hide Lighter world to hasten and prepare liei
his poverty, My parents aere toiling raie- for (op3rlurei
worn beincs, and in a hard simple for the n , .
' Our pasior was now a constant visi
comforts of this life, had almost forgotten lo' , Tr ,, . . . , . ,
, , . . B , jiant. Hitherto he had found but lit'U
prepare for that which is to come. li is! ...... . . , , ,
' ' , i . . . i I o invite him lo our humble habi'a'ton
true, the outward ordinances of religion , , ... . ,
, i . , . .i , i He had been received with awe and
were neglected; but the sp.r it, Ihe leeling,!
the inte.esl-in short, all that is truly jconstrair.t, .nil ihe topic, upon which
serving the name of piety, was wanting.! he loved 10 dwe" muched r-o chord in
i'1v latlier toiieu, thro the nurnin
"heat of
lummtf attil linj bitir.g frost ef winter, fr
ovct onPS, and my mother id&o bboitd'
(,,., ,i. c. , .1 ... n ,.t .!... :il .. I i I
j'iuiii me mil uanii ui ujv una idle iiuurjiiiciiia mni eumjiivid ithn vwhi.ii iicij
at night, in behalf of her family. She wan
irne 10 ner uuwes as wue suu muimbp uui u
was from no higher noiive than the in
stinc'.s which prompt lh fowls of the air
to cherish llieir Stood, and tho' she perhaps
did net believe that labnr was the end ol
life,' still her conduct would have givei
birth to that supposition,
1 had been for some time the younges
of the family, when a little brother was
born. From that houi my mother never
knew perfect health. She had pieviuusly
njured her constitution by unmitigated toil
and now were ihe effects to be more sen i
lily foil. She lived very many yeais but it
was tho life of all invalid.
Header! did you never hear of the 'thirty
years' consumption!' a disease at presen
unknown in New England-for thai scourge
of our climate will now complete in a feu
moths ihe destruction which it look years
of desperate struggle to petform upon the
constitutions of our more hardy ancestors
My mother was in this consumption
the disorder which comes upon its victim
like the atirorean flashes in an articlo sky
now vivid in its pure loveliness and then
ihrouded in a sombro gloom. Now we
hoped, nay, almost believed she was lo be
gain quilo well, and anon we watched a-
rotind a bed from which we feared she would
icver arise.
Il was strange to us, who had always
seen her so unremitting in her toilsome la
bors, and so careless in her e.rposttre to ihrj
elements lo watch around her now to
hield her from the slightest breeze, or
limpness ol Hie air-lo guard her roOTjlhe nioie freelv because they had beer
intrusions, anu relieve nerirom an re.oilir ,. rn . ,;,. , h.,1 in
be always reserving for her the warmest
p'ace by ihe fire-side, and the choicest bit
of food to be ever ready to pillow her
brow in short, lo be never unconscious ol
'he presence of disease. Our steps grew
softer, and our voices lower, and the stillness
of our manner had its influence upon our
minds. The huh was upon cur spirits.
I'liero o an surely be nothing so flVetual.
in carry ing the soul before its M aker, as
disease. It may truly ho eaid to every one
vho enters Ihe chamber of sickness 'The
place whereon ihou standest is holy
ground. '
My liltlo brother was lo us an sngel ent
roin heaven. He possessed a far more del
icate frame and lofty intellect than anv nth
;r meuibi'i of the family, and his high, pale
'irov, and brihiant eyes, were deoii.ed sorr
( ikons of uncommon gnniuHi My mother
watched with pleasure these indicatiot.s ol
talent, ullho the time lud been when a pre
dilection for literary pursuits would have
been tho'i inconsistent with the duties which
we were horn to fulfil.
We had always respected Ihe learned
md talented, with a feeling akin lo the
feneration we fell for the inhabitants ot
he spiriiunl vvor Id. They were far above
us, and wo were content lo bow in rev
-rence. IJur Ihol's had uern restricted
'o the narrow circle of every day duties
md our highest aspiialiotis were lo be
idmii'ed at leiig'h, as spectators, lo I lie
i;lory of niateiial heaven, where streets
of gold ami Ihiones of ivory form llii
magnificence of the place. It wasdifle
rent now. With a nearer view of that
heller woild to which my mnlher liar
I'ccci ved her summons came aNo rnon
xlevated sjiiiiiu.il and blissful v i ws ol
is u'oiv & p' rft ctii i). It v as anothci
'leaver, for site was another being; an
'io would have been will.ng al Bny
moment lo have resigned the f xistenc
which Mie held by so frail a tenure, hail
it not been for the: swtel child which
lne ,iear' of 11105,5 "horn he addressed
Iul now my mother was anxious t
pour into his eais a:l the new felt sent!
u urn,.i;nnu ...;,K I.,.
heart was filled' She wished to share
his sympathy, and receive his instrue
'ions; for she felt painfully couscious ot
her extreme igncrance.
It was our pastor who fit si noticed i'
ny little brother Ihe indications ot men
tal superiority, and we felt them as
'hough Ihe magical powers of some fa
vored order of beings had been Irans
ferred lo one in our home circle; and
we loved Ihe lutle VVinthrop (for father
had named him for ilie old Governor)
with stronger and holier love than w
had previously fell for each other.od in
hese new feelings how much was therr
if happiness! Thougti ihcre was now
less health, and of course less wealth,
n our home, yel there was also more
,iure joy.
I have sometimes bti n oul upon the
Wien hill side, and though! that there
vas no pleasure in eland ng on a spo'
no desolate. I have been again in th(
ame bare place, and there wis a balmy
dor in the delicious air, which made i1
bliss but lo inhale llie.fi agrance. Soon
spicy herb had carpeted the ground,anri
though loo lowly and simple lo attract
he eye, yet the chirm il threw around
ihescene, wa9 not leit entrancing b
cause so viewless and unoblusive. Sue!
was the spell shed around our lowly
home by Ihe presence of religion. I
was with us the exhalation from lowly
plants, and lite pure fragrance went uj
m the present, and bright hopes for tin
future.
li was enly derided that Winlhro
should be a scholar. Our pastor said
it must be so. andEodicottjwho was
out a few years older, asHutert him ii
his studies. They were very much to
aether, and excepting in their own lam
lies, had no other companion. B r
when my brother returned ficm tlx
pasloi'ii study with a face tadiani
with the glow ol" newly acquired knowl
edge and a heart oveiflow in Us desiri
o impart lo otlieis, he usually 'went It
his pale, emaciated mother, lo give ven
o his sensations of joy , am! came to me
lo bestow the boon of knowledge. I va-
he nearest in ag' 1 had assisted l(
er his infancy, and had been his oon
slant companion in childhood; and now
our inter cou"o was lo be continued and
strengthened, amidst higher purposes
and loftier feelings. I was the deposl
tary of all his hopes and ftais, Ihe sha
rer of all his plans for the luture; and
his aim was then lo follow in (he foot
siepf of EidieoilW. If he could only
be as good, as kind, and learned, ht
should think himself one of the best ol
mankind.
When Endirot became our pastor,
my brother was ready lo entei College
with a determination lo consecrate bin
self lo the same high calling. It seem
-d hardly like reality to u, h at one ol
our own poor household was lo be an
educated man. We fell lifted up not
with pride for iho feeling which rle
vated us was loo pure for liint; out ivi
ostcemed ourselves better than we had
voi been hefoir, and stiovelo be mort
worthy of lh hngiM which had been
Testotved upon us. When my hroihn
d ho me, it was with tho knowledge
hat self denial was to be practiced, foi
'lis stke by those who remiined; bu
to also knew that il was to be willingly
iay, jjloirdy pei iorinfil. S ill he did
iot know all. Even things i hat hereh
f'ore in cur pover'y, we had deemed
essential to comfort, were nw resigned
We did not even permit our mother tr
know how d'fferenily the table was
pread for her than for our own frugal
repast. .Neither was sho aware how
ate and painfullyl toiled to prevent I In
lira of additional service upon our little
tarm. 1 he vy in tho secret deptim ol
my heart was its owo reward; and nev
r have I regretted an effort or a sacri
ice made them. It was a discipline hke
he refiner's fire, and but lor my broth
ar I should not have been even at wi
ill my imperfections 1 (rust I am now
My brother returned from college as
he bright sun of Endicott W's brief
career was low in Ihe western sky. II
had intended to study with him for the
iame vocation and with him he did
prepare. 0 (here rould have been no
more fitting place to imbue (he mind
with Ihe wisdom lhat comelh from
bove,lhan the sick room at our pastor',
'The chamber where ihe good man meet
his fate,
Is privileged beyond the common walks ol
life;'
nd ?nd icon's was like the jhelter of
some bright spirit from Ihe other world
who, for Ihe sake of those aboul him
was delaying for a whi'e his return to
he home above,
My brother was will) him in his la
est hours, and received as a dying be
quest Ihe charge ol his people.The par
ish also were anxious that he should he
Endicotl'd successor; and in (he ppace
requested for further preparation our
old pastor returned to his pulpit.
But he had overrated his powers and
besides, he was growing blind1 It was
indeed said, that, notwithstanding hi
calmness in the presence of others he
had in secrcl wept his sight away, jnd
ihat while a glimmer of it remained
ihe curtain of his window, which over
looked the graveyard had never been
drawn. Hn ceased bis labor?, but
emporary substitute was esiy found;
t'or, as old Deacons S. remarked. Y'riere
ire many ministers ?iow. who are gla
o go o.it lo day's labor.
My mother had prayed lhat strengil
night be imparted to her treble fianie,
o retain its rejoicing inhabitant umi
die could see her son a more a?!ive la
lorer in the Lord's vineyard; 'and thei
'aid she, lI can depart in peace.' Fn
years the had hoped Ihe lime would
ome, but dared not hope lo see it. Bu
ife was graciously spared, and ihe day
vhich was lo see him set apart as pe-
voniarly a servant ol his God, dawned
ipon her in bptter heahh than she hat
known for years, l'cihapsit was tin
;lid spirit which imparted its renewing
low lo Ihe worn body, but she went
with us that day lolhe service of ordt
nation. The old church was thronged;
and as the expression of thankfulness
we.it up from (he preacher's lips, thai
one so w.irihy was ihen to be dedicate')
o II is service, my own heart was sub-
lued by the solemn joy thai he was
ine of u. My own soul was poured
)ul in all the exercisps; but when the
charge was given, there was also an awr
ipon all the rest.
Our aged pastor had b"pn led into
his pulpit, that he might perform this
areitiony; and when ho tuose with his
silvery lock", thinntd even since he
itood there lint, and raised his sight'e.
yes to heaven, I freely wepl. Hi j
was in lhat pulpit where he had stood
o many yssrs, to warn lo guide, and
io console; md probably each fiaiiliar
lace was then presented lo his iniai
nation. Ili was where his dear depart
ed son had exetci.-ed I lie ministerial
functions, and the name pari ofseivir
which lie had irfoi oipd at h' o'dina
ijon, he VAii to entct sjain for his sue
elisor. The b'ind old man raised hU
irembling hand, and hid il upon th
head o' 'he yourg candidate; and ss tht
irei'rries of the past rame rushing off r
him, he burst foilh in a ilrant of heart
stiiring eloquence. There was not a
tearless eye in Ihe vast roogregtion,and
the rememberanee of the hour had
doubtless a hallowing influence upon
d.e young pistol's life.
My dear brother was settled for five
years and as we departed from Ihe
church, I heard Deacon S. exclaim, in
his bitterness against model n degenera
cy in spiritual thing, that 'the old
pasior was settled or life.' 'So Is the
new one,' said a low voice in reply;
and for the first lime Iheidei was pre
sented lo my mind that Wimhrop wag
lobe, like ii'ndicotl W., oneoftheear
ly called.
But the impression departed in my
constant, intercourse with him in his
homp for our lowly dwelling was
still ihe abode of ihe new pastor, lie
would never remove from it while his
mother lived, and an apaitment waspre-
pared for him adjoining hers. Thpy
were pleasant rooms, for during thefew
jast years he had done mu:h to beautify
the place, and the shrubs which he had
pbwted were already at their growth,
The thek vines also which had strug
gled over the building, were now gracn
fully twined around the windows, and
some of Ihe old trees cut down, lhat
we might be allowed a prospect Still
all that could conduce to beauty was re
tained; and I have always thought how
easily and cheaply ihe votary of Hue
taste can enjoy its pleasures.
Winthrop was row ko constantly ac
tive and cheerful, that I could not
think of death connected with hi m.
3ttt I knew that he was feeble, and
cherished him, as I had done when
he was but a litlle child. Though in
hese respects hisgmrdian, in others I
wis his pupil. I sat before him, asMa-
y did at Ihe Messiah's feet, and glad
y icccived his instructions. My heart
went out with him in all the various
functions of his calling. I often went
with him to the bed side of Ihe sick,
nd to the habitations of the wretched.
None knew better than he did, how to
siill tho throbbing of the wrung heart
nd administer consolation.
I was present slso when, for the first
lime, lib sprinkled an infant's brow
.vilh the waters of consecration; and
when he had blessed the babe he pray-
d lhat we might all become even as
hat little child- Il was with him too
when forlhe fust lime hejoined in holy
hands those whom none but God should
ver put Bssunder, and and if the re
membrance of the fervent position
which went up lor them, has dwelt as
vividly in the r hearts as il has in mine,
hat prayer must have had a holy infln-
nee upon their lives.
I have said I remember his ffrsl
baptism and wedding; but none who
were present will forget his first fune
ral, It wjs our mother's. She had
ived so much beyond our expectations,
md been to graciously permitted to
itness Ihe fulfilment of her dearest
hope, thai when al length Ihe spirit
winged iu flight, we all joined in ihe
hinks giving which went up from
he lips of her latest born, that she had
been spared so long.
Il was a beautiful Sabbath that d ay ap
pointed for her funeral but in the morn
g a messenger came lo till us lhat the
' lergyman whom we etpected was taken
oiddeely ill Whai could be done! Our
dd pastor was then confined to his bed. and
mi this day nil else were engaged. 'I will
perform the service myself,'baid Winthrop.
I 8'iall "ten lie happy to do it.'
'Niy.' said I, 'you are fue!)!", sod aU
readv spent with study and waicliing. It
oust not be so.'
'Do not attempt to dissuade me, sistrr,'
he replied. ' J here will be many to wit-
ners ihe interment of her who has hovered
nin the brinkjof the grave so long, and has
almost every incident of her IiIp, from my
verv birth, been a text from which impor
tant lessons may be drawn?' And then, fix
ing his large mild eyes full upon me, as
though he would niter a truth which duty
forbade him longer lo suppress, be added,