entered with soothing awe the lighted chancel, and listened to the solemn

religious chaunt, which spoke peace and hope to the unhappy. The notes,

freighted with man's dearest prayers, re-echoed through the dim aisles, and

the bleeding of the soul's wounds was staunched by heavenly balm. In spite

of the misery I deprecated, and could not understand; in spite of the cold

hearths of wide London, and the corpse-strewn fields of my native land; in

spite of all the variety of agonizing emotions I had that evening

experienced, I thought that in reply to our melodious adjurations, the

Creator looked down in compassion and promise of relief; the awful peal of

the heaven-winged music seemed fitting voice wherewith to commune with the

Supreme; calm was produced by its sound, and by the sight of many other

human creatures offering up prayers and submission with me. A sentiment

approaching happiness followed the total resignation of one's being to the

guardianship of the world's ruler. Alas! with the failing of this solemn

strain, the elevated spirit sank again to earth. Suddenly one of the

choristers died--he was lifted from his desk, the vaults below were

hastily opened--he was consigned with a few muttered prayers to the

darksome cavern, abode of thousands who had gone before--now wide yawning

to receive even all who fulfilled the funeral rites. In vain I would then

have turned from this scene, to darkened aisle or lofty dome, echoing with

melodious praise. In the open air alone I found relief; among nature's

beauteous works, her God reassumed his attribute of benevolence, and again

I could trust that he who built up the mountains, planted the forests, and

poured out the rivers, would erect another state for lost humanity, where

we might awaken again to our affections, our happiness, and our faith.

373

The Last Man