CHILDREN OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 205 Loud rang the bells already; the thronging crowd was assembled Far from valleys and hills, to list to the holy preaching. Hark! then roll forth at once the mighty tones from the organ, Hover like voices from God, aloft like invisible spirits. Like as Elias in heaven, when he cast off from him his mantle, Even so cast off the soul its garments of earth; and with one voice Chimed in the congregation, and sang an anthem immortal Of the sublime Wallin,* of David's harp in the North-land Tuned to the choral of Luther; the song on its powerful pinions A distinguished pulpit-orator and poet. He is par ticularly remarkable for the beauty and sublimity of his psalms. 206 BALLADS AND OTHER POEMS. Took every living soul, and lifted it gently to And heaven, every face did shine like the Holy One's face upon Tabor. Lo! there entered then into the church the Reverend Teacher. Father he hight and he was in the parish; a christianly plainness Clothed from his head to his feet the old man of seventy winters. Friendly was he to behold, and glad as the heralding angel Walked he among the crowds, but still a contemplative grandeur Lay on his forehead as clear, as on a moss covered grave-stone a sun-beam. As in his inspiration (an evening twilight that faintly [day of creation) Gleams in the human soul, even now, from the Th' Artist, the friend of heaven, imagines Saint John when in Patmos ;— CHILDREN OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 207 Gray, with his eyes uplifted to heaven, so seemed then the old man; Such was the glance of his eye, and such were his tresses of silver All the congregation arose in the pews that were numbered. But with a cordial look, to the right and the left hand, the old man Nodding all hail and peace, disappeared in the innermost chancel. Simply and solemnly now proceeded the Singing and prayer, and at last an ardent discourse from the old man. Many a moving word and warning, that out of the heart came Fell like the dew of the morning, like manna on those in the desert. Afterwards, when all was finished, the Teacher reëntered the chancel, |