CHAPTER XXI. Now for awhile the world, and worldly things, To share with saints the Heav'nly banquet there! There angels shall rejoice, as we adore The Power Supreme, who reigns for evermore! ULSTER BARD. THE Sabbath morning dawned-the Sacramental Sabbath, a day of high importance to the people of Ballycarney. Many a pious heart hailed it with a solemn invocation to the great Deity, whose holy rites they were about to celebrate, that he would prepare their hearts for the great occasion, and render them worthy partakers of the memorials of their Redeemer's love and sufferings for them. In the Presbyterian congregations of the North of Ireland, the sacrament is usually administered but twice a-year. This unfrequency, and the circumstance of it never being administered but in public communion, render such an occasion, when it occurs, the more impressive on the minds of the people, who regard it as a solemn religious jubilee, during which greater fervour in their devotions, and greater strictness in the duties inculcated by their faith, are required of them. By the good pastor of Ballycarney, the duties of this important day were commenced, as those of the preceding had been finished, with family worship. As soon as all the inmates of the family were forthcoming, they were invited into the sitting parlour, to join in that act of devotion. When all were assembled and adjusted, Mr. M'Culloch read a portion of the Scriptures, and then "those strains that once did sweet in Zion glide," were sung by the whole company, to the tune of "Plaintive Martyrs, worthy of the name!" and the service was concluded by kneeling before "Heaven's eternal King;" while their reverend host-addressed an eloquent and fervent prayer to "the Gracious Power," that he would make them truly thankful for all past favours; that he would pardon all their past transgressions; and, for the future, "lead and guide them " in the way in which they should go." He prayed especially for his "assisting might," to support himself through the solemn and awful duties of the day; and earnestly entreated that, while his people participated of those elements that were symbolical of their Saviour's "broken body and shed blood," they should, at the same time, be fed with the Heavenly manna that produceth eternal life. After breakfast, the party proceeded without delay to the meeting-house, which was about half a mile distant. It was situated in the centre of a smooth level Green, which was now occupied by a large assemblage of the parishioners; who, drest in their best apparel, were collected in various groups, awaiting the arrival of the ministers to commence the services of the day. The house itself was of large dimensions, calculated, with its galleries, to hold between three and four thousand people. At one side of the Green, near its principal entrance, there was a smaller house, containing only one apartment, called the Session House, where the minister and elders held their sittings to deliberate and decide upon congregational affairs. On entering the Green, the two senior clergymen retired into this house; while Frederick, Mr. Cooke, and Isabella walked forwards among the people. In a short time Frederick was recognized by Mr. Garvin, the elder who had been introduced to him in Carrickfergus. He saluted him respectfully, and hinted how much he was pleased with his pious choice of a sacramental occasion for his visit. He then, with some degree of officiousness, introduced him to several of the more respectable parishioners as the gentleman who had so gallantly saved their minister's life. The report immediately spread over the whole Green. "That is the young officer who saved Mr. M'Culloch from drowning!" was repeated by every body: and all eyes were directed towards him, and many a blessing was pronounced upon his head. Wherever he approached, every man moved his hat, and every woman made her courtesy, in token of respect and gratitude. Some had even the forwardness to address him without any introduction, and to express their thanks for the service he had rendered their congregation. On one occasion, as Isabella and he walked together, he could overhear, or at least he fancied he overheard, some of the young women whispering to each other,— "What a weel-farred pair! how weel they wad suit for man an' wife!" Whether Isabella heard these whispers he could not tell; but he perceived that she felt uneasy, for she blushed deeply; and leading the way to Mr. Cooke, who, at a small distance was conversing with some of the people, she requested that they might retire into the church. When Frederick was seated in Mr. M'Culloch's family pew, which adjoined the left side of the pulpit, he leisurely surveyed the interior of the sacred edifice, to all parts of which, from his favourable situation, his eye could reach. It had on its ground-floor four entrances: one near the pulpit, one at each gable, and one into a large isle fronting the pulpit, and projecting from the north side of the building. Each of the three galleries had also a separate entrance, approachable by massive flights of stone stairs erected on the outside of the house. The whole structure seemed calculated merely for convenience and durability;—nothing appeared to have been in the slightest degree intended for or⚫nament, unless we should consider a clock, which I was affixed to the front of the gallery opposite the pulpit, and the green velvet-covered cushion with green fringes, which surmounted the pulpit, and on which the large church bible reclined, to be ornamental. The long space which intersected the pews, from one end of the house to the other, and which was usually vacant, was, on this day, occupied by a triple row of benches; the middle one of which, being the Communicants' Table, was of course the highest, the others being for seats. This table was neatly covered, throughout its whole length, with extremely clean white linen, as was also a small square table, placed in the area before the pulpit, which contained the sacramental elements of bread and wine. Frederick had scarcely time to make these observations, when the door near the pulpit opened, and the Reverend Messrs. M'Culloch and Logan |