Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/193

 be expected, the pace was much more moderate than when the roads were less thronged. Though our speed was not above ten miles an hour, it required all the skill and attention of a novice to guide our vehicle so as to avoid the suspicion of ignorance.

Of the building to which I followed the stream, and of the service there held, I will say nothing further than that there was much less change in externals than I might have expected. I was chiefly interested in the aspect of the congregation. They really seemed to enjoy the occasion that brought them together. I missed the pervading characteristics of our present congregations,—that air of almost funereal solemnity, that scarcely suppressed expression of superior moral rectitude apt to accompany the performance of a not especially agreeable duty. Instead, there was an air of quiet satisfaction entirely new to me under the circumstances.

The children attended a sort of Sunday-school, where they received instruction in morals, and in the fundamental truths of natural theology. Their instructors were chiefly the young people not yet admitted to the assembly. of those who had definitely adopted a doctrine and a communion.

It was justly considered, that the attempt to force difficult questions upon the notice of immature or unprepared minds will generally result in a permanent aversion to the entire subject of which they form a part. The young people, accordingly, instead of accepting a certain series of propositions of the most abstract character with dutiful resignation, were, on the contrary, usually eager for that more advanced knowledge reserved for their riper