Or I might compare them to cherubs haunting that holy place . About a quarter of an hour before the second ringing of the bell individuals of the congregation begin to appear . The earliest is invariably an old woman in black whose bent frame and rounded shoulders are evidently laden with some heavy affliction which she is eager to rest upon the altar . Would that the Sabbath came twice as often , for the sake of that sorrowful old soul ! There is an elderly man , also , who arrives in good season and leans against the corner of the tower , just within the line of its shadow , looking downward with a darksome brow . I sometimes fancy that the old woman is the happier of the two . After these , others drop in singly and by twos and threes , either disappearing through the doorway or taking their stand in its vicinity . At last , and always with an unexpected sensation , the bell turns in the steeple overhead and throws out an irregular clangor , jarring the tower to its foundation . As if there were magic in the sound , the sidewalks of the street , both up and down along , are immediately thronged with two long lines of people , all converging hitherward and streaming into the church . Perhaps the far-off roar of a coach draws nearer -- a deeper thunder by its contrast with the surrounding stillness -- until it sets down the wealthy worshippers at the portal among their humblest brethren . Beyond that entrance -- in theory , at least -- there are no distinctions of earthly rank ; nor , indeed , by the goodly apparel which is flaunting in the sun would there seem to be such on the hither side . Those pretty girls ! Why will they disturb my pious meditations ? Of all days in the week , they should strive to look least fascinating on the Sabbath , instead of heightening their mortal loveliness , as if to rival the blessed angels and keep our thoughts from heaven . Were I the minister himself , I must needs look . One girl is white muslin from the waist upward and black silk downward to her slippers ; a second blushes from top-knot to shoe-tie , one universal scarlet ; another shines of a pervading yellow , as if she had made a garment of the sunshine . The greater part , however , have adopted a milder cheerfulness of hue . Their veils , especially when the wind raises them , give a lightness to the general effect and make them appear like airy phantoms as they flit up the steps and vanish into the sombre doorway . Nearly all -- though it is very strange that I should know it -- wear white stockings , white as snow , and neat slippers laced crosswise with black ribbon pretty high above the ankles . A white stocking is infinitely more effective than a black one .
Here comes the clergyman , slow and solemn , in severe simplicity , needing no black silk gown XXXXX denote his office .
After for into nearer of on than to until with