For my own part , whether I see it scattered down among tangled woods , or beaming broad across the fields , or hemmed in between brick buildings , or tracing out the figure of the casement on my chamber floor , still I recognize the Sabbath sunshine . And ever let me recognize it ! Some illusions -- and this among them -- are the shadows of great truths . Doubts may flit around me or seem to close their evil wings and settle down , but so long as I imagine that the earth is hallowed and the light of heaven retains its sanctity on the Sabbath -- while that blessed sunshine lives within me -- never can my soul have lost the instinct of its faith . If it have gone astray , it will return again . I love to spend such pleasant Sabbaths from morning till night behind the curtain of my open window . Are they spent amiss ? Every spot so near the church as to be visited by the circling shadow of the steeple should be deemed consecrated ground to-day . With stronger truth be it said that a devout heart may consecrate a den of thieves , as an evil one may convert a temple to the same . My heart , perhaps , has no such holy , nor , I would fain trust , such impious , potency . It must suffice that , though my form be absent , my inner man goes constantly to church , while many whose bodily presence fills the accustomed seats have left their souls at home . But I am there even before my friend the sexton . At length he comes -- a man of kindly but sombre aspect , in dark gray clothes , and hair of the same mixture . He comes and applies his key to the wide portal . Now my thoughts may go in among the dusty pews or ascend the pulpit without sacrilege , but soon come forth again to enjoy the music of the bell . How glad , yet solemn too ! All the steeples in town are talking together aloft in the sunny air and rejoicing among themselves while their spires point heavenward . Meantime , here are the children assembling to the Sabbath-school , which is kept somewhere within the church . Often , while looking at the arched portal , I have been gladdened by the sight of a score of these little girls and boys in pink , blue , yellow and crimson frocks bursting suddenly forth into the sunshine like a swarm of gay butterflies that had been shut up in the solemn gloom . Or I might compare them to cherubs haunting that holy place .
About a quarter of an hour before the second ringing XXXXX the bell individuals of the congregation begin to appear .
If among around at before of on to whether while