Part 47 (1/2)
”Here is a reverend gentleman below, come to soothe the parting soul, in the place of our own divine, who is engaged with an appointment that could not be put aside; 'tis to bury old Mr.--”
”Show him in at once,” said Henry, with feverish impatience.
”But will the sentinel let him pa.s.s? I would not wish a friend of Mr.-to be rudely stopped on the threshold, and he a stranger.”
All eyes were now turned on Dunwoodie, who, looking at his watch, spoke a few words with Henry, in an undertone, and hastened from the apartment, followed by Frances. The subject of their conversation was a wish expressed by the prisoner for a clergyman of his own persuasion, and a promise from the major, that one should be sent from Fishkill town, through which he was about to pa.s.s, on his way to the ferry to intercept the expected return of Harper. Mason soon made his bow at the door, and willingly complied with the wishes of the landlady; and the divine was invited to make his appearance accordingly.
The person who was ushered into the apartment, preceded by Caesar, and followed by the matron, was a man beyond the middle age, or who might rather be said to approach the downhill of life. In stature he was above the size of ordinary men, though his excessive leanness might contribute in deceiving as to his height; his countenance was sharp and unbending, and every muscle seemed set in rigid compression. No joy or relaxation appeared ever to have dwelt on features that frowned habitually, as if in detestation of the vices of mankind. The brows were beetling, dark, and forbidding, giving the promise of eyes of no less repelling expression; but the organs were concealed beneath a pair of enormous green goggles, through which they glared around with a fierceness that denounced the coming day of wrath. All was fanaticism, uncharitableness, and denunciation. Long, lank hair, a mixture of gray and black, fell down his neck, and in some degree obscured the sides of his face, and, parting on his forehead, fell in either direction in straight and formal screens. On the top of this ungraceful exhibition was laid impending forward, so as to overhang in some measure the whole fabric, a large hat of three equal c.o.c.ks. His coat was of a rusty black, and his breeches and stockings were of the same color; his shoes without l.u.s.ter, and half-concealed beneath huge plated buckles. He stalked into the room, and giving a stiff nod with his head, took the chair offered him by the black, in dignified silence. For several minutes no one broke this ominous pause in the conversation; Henry feeling a repugnance to his guest, that he was vainly endeavoring to conquer, and the stranger himself drawing forth occasional sighs and groans, that threatened a dissolution of the unequal connection between his sublimated soul and its ungainly tenement. During this, deathlike preparation, Mr. Wharton, with a feeling nearly allied to that of his son, led Sarah from the apartment. His retreat was noticed by the divine, in a kind of scornful disdain, who began to hum the air of a popular psalm tune, giving it the full richness of the tw.a.n.g that distinguishes the Eastern [Footnote: By ”Eastern” is meant the states of New England, which, being originally settled by Puritans, still retain many distinct shades of character.] psalmody.
”Caesar,” said Miss Peyton, ”hand the gentleman some refreshment; he must need it after his ride.”
”My strength is not in the things of this life,” said the divine, speaking in a hollow, sepulchral voice. ”Thrice have I this day held forth in my Master's service, and fainted not; still it is prudent to help this frail tenement of clay, for, surely, 'the laborer is worthy of his hire.'”
Opening a pair of enormous jaws, he took a good measure of the proffered brandy, and suffered it to glide downwards, with that sort of facility with which man is p.r.o.ne to sin.
”I apprehend, then, sir, that fatigue will disable you from performing the duties which kindness has induced you to attempt.”
”Woman!” exclaimed the stranger, with energy, ”when was I ever known to shrink from a duty? But 'judge not lest ye be judged,' and fancy not that it is given to mortal eyes to fathom the intentions of the Deity.”
”Nay,” returned the maiden, meekly, and slightly disgusted with his jargon, ”I pretend not to judge of either events, or the intentions of my fellow creatures, much less of those of Omnipotence.”
”'Tis well, woman,-'tis well,” cried the minister, moving his head with supercilious disdain; ”humility becometh thy s.e.x and lost condition; thy weakness driveth thee on headlong like 'unto the bosom of destruction.'”
Surprised at this extraordinary deportment, but yielding to that habit which urges us to speak reverently on sacred subjects, even when perhaps we had better continue silent, Miss Peyton replied,-
”There is a Power above, that can and will sustain us all in well-doing, if we seek its support in humility and truth.”
The stranger turned a lowering look at the speaker, and then composing himself into an air of self-abas.e.m.e.nt, he continued in the same repelling tones,-
”It is not everyone that crieth out for mercy, that will be heard. The ways of Providence are not to be judged by men-'Many are called, but few chosen.' It is easier to talk of humility than to feel it. Are you so humble, vile worm, as to wish to glorify G.o.d by your own d.a.m.nation? If not, away with you for a publican and a Pharisee!”
Such gross fanaticism was uncommon in America, and Miss Peyton began to imbibe the impression that her guest was deranged; but remembering that he had been sent by a well-known divine, and one of reputation, she discarded the idea, and, with some forbearance, observed,-
”I may deceive myself, in believing that mercy is proffered to all, but it is so soothing a doctrine, that I would not willingly be undeceived.”
”Mercy is only for the elect,” cried the stranger, with an unaccountable energy; ”and you are in the 'valley of the shadow of death.' Are you not a follower of idle ceremonies, which belong to the vain church that our tyrants would gladly establish here, along with their stamp acts and tea laws? Answer me that, woman; and remember, that Heaven hears your answer; are you not of that idolatrous communion?”
”I wors.h.i.+p at the altars of my fathers,” said Miss Peyton, motioning to Henry for silence; ”but bow to no other idol than my own infirmities.”
”Yes, yes, I know ye, self-righteous and papal as ye are-followers of forms, and listeners to bookish preaching; think you, woman, that holy Paul had notes in his hand to propound the Word to the believers?”
”My presence disturbs you,” said Miss Peyton, rising. ”I will leave you with my nephew, and offer those prayers in private that I did wish to mingle with his.”
So saying, she withdrew, followed by the landlady, who was not a little shocked, and somewhat surprised, by the intemperate zeal of her new acquaintance; for, although the good woman believed that Miss Peyton and her whole church were on the highroad to destruction, she was by no means accustomed to hear such offensive and open avowals of their fate.
Henry had with difficulty repressed the indignation excited by this unprovoked attack on his meek and unresisting aunt; but as the door closed on her retiring figure, he gave way to his feelings.
”I must confess, sir,” he exclaimed with heat, ”that in receiving a minister of G.o.d, I thought I was admitting a Christian; and one who, by feeling his own weaknesses, knew how to pity the frailties of others. You have wounded the meek spirit of an excellent woman, and I acknowledge but little inclination to mingle in prayer with so intolerant a spirit.”
The minister stood erect, with grave composure, following with his eyes, in a kind of scornful pity, the retiring females, and suffered the expostulation of the youth to be given, as if unworthy of his notice. A third voice, however, spoke,-
”Such a denunciation would have driven many women into fits; but it has answered the purpose well enough, as it is.”