Chapter XI.

by James Fenimore Cooper

　　"And fools who came to scoff, remained to pray."--Goldsmith.

　　Notwithstanding the united labors of Richard and Benjamin, the "longroom" was but an extremely inartificial temple. Benches; made in thecoarsest manner, and entirely with a view to usefulness, were arrangedin rows for the reception of the Congregation; while a rough,unpainted box was placed against the wall, in the centre of the lengthof the apartment, as an apology for a pulpit. Something like areading-desk was in front of this rostrum; and a small mahogany tablefrom the mansion-house, covered with a spotless damask cloth, stood alittle on one side, by the way of an altar. Branches of pines andhemlocks were stuck in each of the fissures that offered in theunseasoned and hastily completed woodwork of both the building and itsfurniture; while festoons and hieroglyphics met the eye in vastprofusion along the brown sides of the scratch-coated walls. As theroom was only lighted by some ten or fifteen miserable candles, andthe windows were without shutters, it would have been but a dreary,cheerless place for the solemnities of a Christmas eve, had not thelarge fire that was crackling at each end of the apartment given anair of cheerfulness to the scene, by throwing an occasional glare oflight through the vistas of bushes and faces.

　　The two sexes were separated by an area in the centre of the roomimmediately before the pulpit; amid a few benches lined this space,that were occupied by the principal personages of the village and itsvicinity. This distinction was rather a gratuitous concession made bythe poorer and less polished part of the population than a rightclaimed by the favored few. One bench was occupied by the party ofJudge Temple, including his daughter, and, with the exception of Dr.Todd, no one else appeared willing to incur the imputation of pride,by taking a seat in what was, literally, the high place of thetabernacle.

　　Richard filled the chair that was placed behind another table, in thecapacity of clerk; while Benjamin, after heaping sundry logs on thefire, posted himself nigh by, in reserve for any movement that mightrequire co-operation.

　　It would greatly exceed our limits to attempt a description of thecongregation, for the dresses were as various as the individuals.Some one article of more than usual finery, and perhaps the relic ofother days, was to be seen about most of the females, in connectionwith the coarse attire of the woods. This wore a faded silk, that hadgone through at least three generations, over coarse, woollen blackstockings; that, a shawl, whose dyes were as numerous as those of therainbow, over an awkwardly fitting gown of rough brown "womans wear."In short, each one exhibited some favorite article, and all appearedin their best, both men and women; while the ground-works in dress, ineither sex, were the coarse fabrics manufactured within their owndwellings. One man appeared in the dress of a volunteer company ofartillery, of which he had been a member in the "down countries,"precisely for no other reason than because it was the best suit hehad. Several, particularly of the younger men, displayed pantaloonsof blue, edged with red cloth down the seams part of the equipments ofthe "Templeton Light Infantry," from a little vanity to be seen in"boughten clothes." There was also one man in a "rifle frock," withits fringes and folds of spotless white, striking a chill to the heartwith the idea of its coolness, although the thick coat of brown" home-made" that was concealed beneath preserved a proper degree of warmth.

　　There was a marked uniformity of expression in Countenance, especiallyin that half of the congregation who did not enjoy the advantages ofthe polish of the village. A sallow skin, that indicated nothing butexposure, was common to all, as was an air of great decency andattention, mingled, generally, with an expression of shrewdness, andin the present instance of active curiosity. Now and then a face anddress were to be seen among the congregation, that differed entirelyfrom this description. If pock-marked and florid, with gartered legs,and a coat that snugly fitted the person of the wearer, it was surelyan English emigrant, who had bent his steps to this retired quarter ofthe globe. If hard-featured and without color, with high cheek-bones,it was a native of Scotland, in similar circumstances.

　　The short, black-eyed man, with a cast of the swarthy Spaniard in hisface, who rose repeatedly to make room for the belles of the villageas they entered, was a son of Erin, who had lately left off his pack,and become a stationary trader in Templeton. In short, half thenations in the north of Europe had their representatives in thisassembly, though all had closely assimilated themselves to theAmericans in dress and appearance, except the English man. He,indeed, not only adhered to his native customs in attire and living,but usually drove his plough among the stumps in the same manner as hehad before done on the plains of Norfolk, until dear-bought experiencetaught him the useful lesson that a sagacious people knew what wassuited to their circumstances better than a casual observer, or asojourner who was, perhaps, too much prejudiced to compare and,peradventure, too conceited to learn.

　　Elizabeth soon discovered that she divided the attention of thecongregation with Mr. Grant. Timidity, therefore, confined herobservation of the appearances which we have described to stolesglances; but, as the stamping of feet was now becoming less frequent,and even the coughing, and other little preliminaries of acongregation settling themselves down into reverential attention, wereceasing, she felt emboldened to look around her. Gradually all noisesdiminished, until the suppressed cough denoted that it was necessaryto avoid singularity, and the most pro found stillness pervaded theapartment. The snapping of the fires, as they threw a powerful heatinto the room, was alone heard, and each face and every eye wereturned on the divine.

　　At this moment, a heavy stamping of feet was heard in the passagebelow, as if a new-corner was releasing his limbs from the snow thatwas necessarily clinging to the legs of a pedestrian. It wassucceeded by no audible tread; but directly Mohegan, followed by theLeather-Stocking and the young hunter, made his appearance.

　　Their footsteps would not have been heard, as they trod the apartmentin their moccasins, but for the silence which prevailed.

　　The Indian moved with great gravity across the floor, and, observing avacant seat next to the Judge, he took it, in a manner that manifestedhis sense of his own dignity. Here, drawing his blanket closelyaround him so as partly to conceal his countenance, he remained duringthe service immovable, but deeply attentive. Natty passed the placethat was so freely taken by his red companion, and seated himself onone end of a log that was lying near the fire, where he continued,with his rifle standing between his legs, absorbed in reflectionsseemingly of no very pleasing nature. The youth found a seat amongthe congregation, and another silence prevailed.

　　Mr. Grant now arose and commenced his service with the sublimedeclaration of the Hebrew prophet: "The Lord is in His holy temple;let all the earth keep silence before Him." The example of Mr. Joneswas unnecessary to teach the congregation to rise; the solemnity ofthe divine effected this as by magic. After a short pause, Mr. Grantproceeded with the solemn and winning exhortation of his service.Nothing was heard but the deep though affectionate tones of thereader, as he went slowly through this exordium; until, somethingunfortunately striking the mind of Richard as incomplete, he left hisplace and walked on tiptoe from the room.

　　When the clergyman bent his knees in prayer and confession, thecongregation so far imitated his example as to resume their seats;whence no succeeding effort of the divine, during the evening, wasable to remove them in a body. Some rose at times; but by far thelarger part continued unbending; observant, it is true, but it was thekind of observation that regarded the ceremony as a spectacle ratherthan a worship in which they were to participate. Thus deserted byhis clerk Mr. Grant continued to read; but no response was audible.The short and solemn pause that succeeded each petition was made;still no voice repeated the eloquent language of the prayer.

　　The lips of Elizabeth moved, but they moved in vain and accustomed asshe was to the service of the churches of the metropolis, she wasbeginning to feel the awkwardness of the circumstance most painfullywhen a soft, low female voice repeated after the priest," We have leftundone those things which we ought to have done." Startled at findingone of her own sex in that place who could rise superior to naturaltimidity, Miss Temple turned her eyes in the direction of thepenitent. She observed a young female on her knees, but a shortdistance from her, with her meek face humbly bent over her book.

　　The appearance of this stranger, for such she was, entirely, toElizabeth, was light and fragile. Her dress was neat and becoming;and her countenance, though pale and slightly agitated, excited deepinterest by its sweet and melancholy expression. A second and thirdresponse was made by this juvenile assistant, when the manly sounds ofa male voice proceeded from the opposite part of the room, Miss Templeknew the tones of the young hunter instantly, and struggling toovercome her own diffidence she added her low voice to the number.

　　All this time Benjamin stood thumbing the leaves of a prayer-book withgreat industry; but some unexpected difficulties prevented his findingthe place. Before the divine reached the close of the confession,however, Richard reappeared at the door, and, as he moved lightlyacross the room, he took up the response, in a voice that betrayed noother concern than that of not being heard. In his hand he carried asmall open box, with the figures "8 by 10" written in black paint onone of its sides; which, having placed in the pulpit, apparently as afootstool for the divine, he returned to his station in time to say,sonorously, "Amen." The eyes of the congregation, very naturally, wereturned to the windows, as Mr. Jones entered with his singular load;and then, as if accustomed to his "general agency," were again bent onthe priest, in close and curious attention.

　　The long experience of Mr. Grant admirably qualified him to performhis present duty. He well understood the character of his listeners,who were mostly a primitive people in their habits; and who, being agood deal addicted to subtleties and nice distinctions in theirreligious opinions, viewed the introduction of any such temporalassistance as form into their spiritual worship not only withjealousy, but frequently with disgust. He had acquired much of hisknowledge from studying the great book of human nature as it lay openin the world; and, knowing how dangerous it was to contend withignorance, uniformly endeavored to avoid dictating where his betterreason taught him it was the most prudent to attempt to lead, Hisorthodoxy had no dependence on his cassock; he could pray with fervorand with faith, if circumstances required it, without the assistanceof his clerk; and he had even been known to preach a most evangelicalsermon, in the winning manner of native eloquence, without the aid ofa cambric handkerchief.

　　In the present instance he yielded, in many places, to the prejudicesof his congregation; and when he had ended, there was not one of hisnew hearers who did not think the ceremonies less papal and offensive,and more conformant to his or her own notions of devout worship, thanthey had been led to expect from a service of forms, Richard found inthe divine, during the evening, a most powerful co-operator in hisreligious schemes. In preaching, Mr. Grant endeavored to steer amiddle course between the mystical doctrines of those sublimatedcreeds which daily involve their professors in the most absurdcontradictions, and those fluent roles of moral government which wouldreduce the Saviour to a level with the teacher of a school of ethics.Doctrine it was necessary to preach, for nothing less would havesatisfied the disputatious people who were his listeners, and whowould have interpreted silence on his part into a tacit acknowledgmentof the superficial nature of his creed. We have already said that,among the endless variety of religious instructors, the settlers wereaccustomed to hear every denomination urge its own distinctiveprecepts, and to have found one indifferent to this Interestingsubject would have been destructive to his influence. But Mr. Grantso happily blended the universally received opinions of the Christianfaith with the dogmas of his own church that, although none wereentirely exempt from the influence of his reasons, very few took anyalarm at the innovation.

　　"When we consider the great diversity of the human character,influenced as it is by education, by opportunity, and by the physicaland moral conditions of the creature, my dear hearers," he earnestlyconcluded "it can excite no surprise that creeds so very different intheir tendencies should grow out of a religion revealed, it is true,but whose revelations are obscured by the lapse of ages, and whosedoctrines were, after the fashion of the countries in which they werefirst promulgated, frequently delivered in parables, and in a languageabounding in metaphors and loaded with figures. On points where thelearned have, in purity of heart, been compelled to differ, theunlettered will necessarily be at variance. But, happily for us, mybrethren, the fountain of divine love flows from a source too pure toadmit of pollution in its course; it extends, to those who drink ofits vivifying waters, the peace of the righteous, and lifeeverlasting; it endures through all time, and it pervades creation.If there be mystery in its workings, it is the mystery of a Divinity.With a clear knowledge of the nature, the might, and the majesty ofGod, there might be conviction, but there could be no faith. If weare required to believe in doctrines that seem not in conformity withthe deductions of human wisdom, let us never forget that such is themandate of a wisdom that is infinite. It is sufficient for us thatenough is developed to point our path aright, and to direct ourwandering steps to that portal which shall open on the light of aneternal day. Then, indeed, it may be humbly hoped that the film whichhas been spread by the subtleties of earthly arguments will bedissipated by the spiritual light of Heaven; and that our hour ofprobation, by the aid of divine grace, being once passed in triumph,will be followed by an eternity of intelligence and endless ages offruition. All that is now obscure shall become plain to our expandedfaculties; and what to our present senses may seem irreconcilable toour limited notions of mercy, of justice, and of love, shall standirradiated by the light of truth, confessedly the suggestions ofOmniscience, and the acts of an All-powerful Benevolence."

　　"What a lesson of humility, my brethren, might not each of us obtainfrom a review of his infant hours, and the recollection of hisjuvenile passions! How differently do the same acts of parental rigorappear in the eyes of the suffering child and of the chastened man!When the sophist would supplant, with the wild theories of his worldlywisdom, the positive mandates of inspiration, let him remember theexpansion of his own feeble intellects, and pause--let him feel thewisdom of God in what is partially concealed. as well as that whichis revealed; in short, let him substitute humility for pride ofreason--let him have faith, and live!"

　　"The consideration of this subject is full of consolation, my hearers,and does not fail to bring with it lessons of humility and of profit,that, duly improved, would both chasten the heart and strengthen thefeeble-minded man in his course. It is a blessed consolation to beable to lay the misdoubtings of our arrogant nature at the thresh oldof the dwelling-place of the Deity, from whence they shall be sweptaway, at the great opening of the portal, like the mists of themorning before the rising sun. It teaches us a lesson of humility, byimpressing us with the imperfection of human powers, and by warning usof the many weak points where we are open to the attack of the greatenemy of our race; it proves to us that we are in danger of beingweak, when our vanity would fain soothe us into the belief that we arcmost strong; it forcibly points out to us the vainglory of intellect,and shows us the vast difference between a saving faith and thecorollaries of a philosophical theology; and it teaches us to reduceour self-examination to the test of good works. By good works must beunderstood the fruits of repentance, the chiefest of which is charity.Not that charity only which causes us to help the needy and comfortthe suffering, but that feeling of universal philanthropy which, byteaching us to love, causes us to judge with lenity all men; strikingat the root of self-righteousness, and warning us to be sparing of ourcondemnation of others, while our own salvation is not yet secure."

　　"The lesson of expediency, my brethren, which I would gather from theconsideration of this subject, is most strongly inculcated byhumility. On the heading and essential points of our faith, there isbut little difference among those classes of Christians whoacknowledge the attributes of the Saviour, and depend on hismediation. But heresies have polluted every church, and schisms arethe fruit of disputation. In order to arrest these dangers, and toinsure the union of his followers, it would seem that Christ hadestablished his visible church. and delegated the ministry. Wise andholy men, the fathers of our religion, have expended their labors inclearing what was revealed from the obscurities of language, and theresults of their experience and researches have been em bodied in theform of evangelical discipline That this discipline must be salutary,is evident from the view of the weakness of human nature that we havealready taken; and that it may be profitable to us, and all who listento its precepts and its liturgy, may God, in his infinite wisdom,grant!--And now to," etc.

　　With this ingenious reference to his own forms and ministry, Mr. Grantconcluded his discourse. The most profound attention had been paid tothe sermon during the whole of its delivery, although the prayers hadnot been received with so perfect demonstration of respect. This wasby no means an intended slight of that liturgy to which the divinealluded, but was the habit of a people who owed their very existence,as a distinct nation, to the doctrinal character of their ancestors.Sundry looks of private dissatisfaction were exchanged between Hiramand one or two of the leading members of the conference, but thefeeling went no further at that time; and the congregation, afterreceiving the blessing of Mr. Grant., dispersed in Silence, and withgreat decorum.