It was the sabbath--and though, generally speaking, very far
from being kept holy in that region, yet, as a day of repose from
labor--a holyday, in fact--it was observed, at all times, with more than
religious scrupulosity. Such an event among the people of this quarter
was always productive of a congregation. The occurrence being
unfrequent, its importance was duly and necessarily increased in the
estimation of those, the remote and insulated position of whom rendered
society, whenever it could be found, a leading and general attraction.
No matter what the character of the auspices under which it was
attained, they yearned for its associations, and gathered where they
were to be enjoyed. A field-preaching, too, is a legitimate amusement;
and, though not intended as such, formed a genuine excuse and apology
for those who desired it less for its teaching than its talk--who sought
it less for the word which it brought of God than that which it
furnished from the world of man.
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