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the professor at the breakfast table-第53部分
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as to her spiritual conditions; early in life; and fought the battle
of spiritual independence prematurely; as many children do。 If all
she did was hateful to God; what was the meaning of the approving or
else the disapproving conscience; when she had done 〃right〃 or
〃wrong〃? No 〃shoulder…striker〃 hits out straighter than a child
with its logic。 Why; I can remember lying in my bed in the nursery
and settling questions which all that I have heard since and got out
of books has never been able to raise again。 If a child does not
assert itself in this way in good season; it becomes just what its
parents or teachers were; and is no better than a plastic image。
How old was I at the time?I suppose about 5823 years old;that
is; counting from Archbishop Usher's date of the Creation; and
adding the life of the race; whose accumulated intelligence is a
part of my inheritance; to my own。 A good deal older than Plato;
you see; and much more experienced than my Lord Bacon and most of
the world's teachers。 Old books; as you well know; are books of
the world's youth; and new books are fruits of its age。 How many of
all these ancient folios round me are like so many old cupels! The
gold has passed out of them long ago; but their pores are full of
the dross with which it was mingled。
And so Irishaving thrown off that first lasso which not only
fetters; but chokes those whom it can hold; so that they give
themselves up trembling and breathless to the great soul…subduer;
who has them by the windpipe had settled a brief creed for herself;
in which love of the neighbor; whom we have seen; was the first
article; and love of the Creator; whom we have not seen; grew out of
this as its natural development; being necessarily second in order
of time to the first unselfish emotions which we feel for the
fellow…creatures who surround us in our early years。
The child must have some place of worship。 What would a young girl
be who never mingled her voice with the songs and prayers that rose
all around her with every returning day of rest? And Iris was free
to choose。 Sometimes one and sometimes another would offer to carry
her to this or that place of worship; and when the doors were
hospitably opened; she would often go meekly in by herself。 It was
a curious fact; that two churches as remote from each other in
doctrine as could well be divided her affections。
The Church of Saint Polycarp had very much the look of a Roman
Catholic chapel。 I do not wish to run the risk of giving names to
the ecclesiastical furniture which gave it such a Romish aspect; but
there were pictures; and inscriptions in antiquated characters; and
there were reading…stands; and flowers on the altar; and other
elegant arrangements。 Then there were boys to sing alternately in
choirs responsive to each other; and there was much bowing; with
very loud responding; and a long service and a short sermon; and a
bag; such as Judas used to hold in the old pictures; was carried
round to receive contributions。 Everything was done not only
〃decently and in order;〃 but; perhaps one might say; with a certain
air of magnifying their office on the part of the dignified
clergymen; often two or three in number。 The music and the free
welcome were grateful to Iris; and she forgot her prejudices at the
door of the chapel。 For this was a church with open doors; with
seats for all classes and all colors alike;a church of zealous
worshippers after their faith; of charitable and serviceable men and
women; one that took care of its children and never forgot its poor;
and whose people were much more occupied in looking out for their
own souls than in attacking the faith of their neighbors。 In its
mode of worship there was a union of two qualities;the taste and
refinement; which the educated require just as much in their
churches as elsewhere; and the air of stateliness; almost of pomp;
which impresses the common worshipper; and is often not without its
effect upon those who think they hold outward forms as of little
value。 Under the half…Romish aspect of the Church of Saint
Polycarp; the young girl found a devout and loving and singularly
cheerful religious spirit。 The artistic sense; which betrayed
itself in the dramatic proprieties of its ritual; harmonized with
her taste。 The mingled murmur of the loud responses; in those
rhythmic phrases; so simple; yet so fervent; almost as if every
tenth heart…beat; instead of its dull tic…tac; articulated itself as
〃Good Lord; deliver us! 〃the sweet alternation of the two choirs;
as their holy song floated from side to side; the keen young voices
rising like a flight of singing…birds that passes from one grove to
another; carrying its music with it back and forward;why should
she not love these gracious outward signs of those inner harmonies
which none could deny made beautiful the lives of many of her
fellow…worshippers in the humble; yet not inelegant Chapel of Saint
Polycarp?
The young Marylander; who was born and bred to that mode of worship;
had introduced her to the chapel; for which he did the honors for
such of our boarders as were not otherwise provided for。 I saw them
looking over the same prayer…book one Sunday; and I could not help
thinking that two such young and handsome persons could hardly
worship together in safety for a great while。 But they seemed to
mind nothing but their prayer…book。 By…and…by the silken bag was
handed round。 I don't believe she will; so awkward; you know;…
besides; she only came by invitation。 There she is; with her hand
in her pocket; though;and sure enough; her little bit of silver
tinkled as it struck the coin beneath。 God bless her! she has n't
much to give; but her eye glistens when she gives it; and that is
all Heaven asks。 That was the first time I noticed these young
people together; and I am sure they behaved with the most charming
propriety;in fact; there was one of our silent lady…boarders with
them; whose eyes would have kept Cupid and Psyche to their good
behavior。 A day or two after this I noticed that the young
gentleman had left his seat; which you may remember was at the
corner diagonal to that of Iris; so that they have been as far
removed from each other as they could be at the table。 His new seat
is three or four places farther down the table。 Of course I made a
romance out of this; at once。 So stupid not to see it! How could
it be otherwise?Did you speak; Madam? I beg your pardon。 (To my
lady…reader。)
I never saw anything like the tenderness with which this young girl
treats her little deformed neighbor。 If he were in the way of going
to church; I know she would follow him。 But his worship; if any; is
not with the throng of men and women and staring children。
I; the Professor; on the other hand; am a regular church…goer。 I
should go for various reasons if I did not love it; but I am happy
enough to find great pleasure in the midst of devo
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