The minister of Nathan’s parish was a young man by the name of Dudley; and it so happened that he had driven out, before light, on the morning we have spoken of, to visit a sick man at some distance.  In returning home, he had to pass along the rather unfrequented street which runs in the rear of his church, and close to it.  As he was driving rapidly along, his ear caught what seemed the peal of an organ.  He stopped his horse to listen, and a moment convinced him that the sound both of the instrument and of singing voices came from his own church; and it was music of a depth and beauty such as he had never before heard within it.  Filled with astonishment, he put his horse upon its fastest trot, and drove round into the square, to the shop of Nathan Stoddard.

“There is music to-day in our church, Nathan!” he cried to the young saddler.  “What can it mean?” But Nathan answered not a word.  He caught the horse by the head, and fastened him to a post before the door.  Then stepping to the side of the sleigh, he said to Mr. Dudley, “Come with me, Sir.”  Mr. Dudley looked upon the pale face and trembling lips of his parishioner, and followed in silence.

Nathan sprang upon the shed at the side of the church, and scrambled up to the little window.  Mr. Dudley followed, and, with Nathan’s help, gained the same precarious foothold.  “Look in, Sir,” said Nathan, not venturing a glance himself.  Mr. Dudley looked, and had not Nathan’s arm been about his body he would have lost his hold, in sheer amazement.  The building was crowded, as he had never known it before; and crowded with people whom his eye, versed in the dress and manners of our forefathers, recognized as the church-goers of a century and a half ago.  The singers’ gallery was filled by a choir of girls and boys, while his own place in the pulpit was occupied by a white-haired figure, whom he recognized as the original of a portrait which he had purchased and hung in his parlor at home for its singular beauty.  It was said to be a portrait of a minister in the town, who lived in the last century, and is still remembered for his virtues.  The sight of this old man’s face completely stilled the agitation of the young minister.  He was leaning over the great Bible, with his hands folded upon it, and his eyes seemingly filled with tears of pleasure and gratitude, and bent upon the choir.  Mr. Dudley listened intently, and could catch what seemed the words of some old Christmas carol: 

  “Thou mak’st my cup of joy run o’er.”

And he was so rapt with the sights and the sounds within, that it needed all Nathan’s endeavors to uphold him.