nine
o'clock
Several persons presented themselves at the `` penitent bench , '' most of whom were enabled to rejoice in a sense of conscious pardon . Sunday was indeed a `` high day '' at the old Ancaster log meeting - house . From near and far , in sleighs , on horseback , and on foot , came methodist worshippers , and found hospitable welcome with the families of the neighbourhood . First there was love-feast at nine o'clock . The cruel war had not left unscathed that rustic congregation . There were rusty weeds of woe , -- a black ribbon , a bit of crape , or a widow 's cap , -- that bore witness to the loss of husband or son in the sad conflict . The empty sleeve , pinned across the breast of one stout young fellow , showed that the strong right arm with which he had hoped to fight his battle of life , and hew out a home in the wilderness , had been buried in a gory trench with the bodies of his slain friends and neighbours .