And in the church , we might suppose , are garnered up , throughout the week , all thoughts and feelings that have reference to eternity , until the holy day comes round again , to let them forth . Might not , then , its more appropriate site be in the outskirts of the town , with space for old trees to wave around it , and throw their solemn shadows over a quiet green ? We will say more of this , hereafter . But , on the Sabbath , I watch the earliest sunshine , and fancy that a holier brightness marks the day , when there shall be no buzz of voices on the exchange , nor traffic in the shops , nor crowd , nor business , anywhere but at church . Many have fancied so . 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 not 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 XXXXX the sunny air , and rejoicing among themselves , while their spires point heavenward .
At With across as before from in throughout to within