The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-04-11
From Broor' H.tOry of Msd,ord.
A Sunday with tho Forefathers.

From brooks Hsfory OF Mtpora'
A Sunday with tho Foreiathers.
We have seen how the farmers family, IN
the log hut on the banks of the Mystic
passed their Saturday; lot us now see what
they do on the following Sunday. The on
ly manual labor allowed was that Of impc-
rious necessity; anything further was
thought to violate the jealous sauctity Of
the day. The iron strictness with which
Sunday must be kept, made every Puritan
look on that occasion US IL two fast-days had
met in one. The hour Of rising was re-
markably late; and nothing like hurry was
seen in the house. Nature found a relief in
this. When the milking was over, and
"the chores done" the quiet breakfast gath
ers the sober family around the table, where
the usual provisions are spread, and where,
at the end of the meal, the mother surprises
her sons with fresli-baked apple pie, smok-
ing from two-quart carthcrn dish. This
argument, addressed to the stomach, the
children readily comprhccnd and each one
takes his slice in his hand, and, without
winking proceeds to business.
Breakfast being finished, the morning
worship Is now to be offered. The father
takes tho family Bible; calls his little
daughter to look over him us he reads; and
then, in slow and reycrcnt tone, reads two
or three chapters from tho New Testament.
Careful not to lnccl and not to sit, the FAM
lily all stand up while the father, in extem-
ponncous prayer, thanks the Givcr ofevery
good for his bountics, conlesscs his sins with
humility and penitcnce, asks for pardon,
through divine Rcdeemcr, supplicates for
the now heart and new life Of the gospel,
and prays for the heavenly guidance. In
these general expressions, he does not for
get to thank God especially for the religions
freedom enjoys in America, and to implorc
that Popery, Episcopacy, and all other he
resics, may bc forever kept out Of his true
church here.
There is now an hour before II will be
necessary to start for melting; and the hour
is occupied by the children in committing to
memory few verses from tho Bible, or a
hymn from Sternbolc and Hopkins, or n
page from the Catechism. The mother
spends the hour in teaching her little daugh-
ter some Christian history, or telling her
the story Of Joseph from the OldTcstamcnt.
The father hears the other children say
their lessons, and acts as the supcrintend-
ent of the first and best Of sunday-schools.
The hour has now arrived for tho whole
family to leave for the mecting-housc; and,
whether 1t bo in this plantation or the next,
there is no apology available for absence
from public worship. Gods command, and
the penalties of the statutc-law, decide this
case without cquivocation. If tho weather
bc fair, the children walk, be the distance
one mile or three. Each one is dressed in
the full Sunday attire, and feels 1t of para
mount importance not to tear or soil is
They all keep together. The father mounts
his horse, and then takes his wifo upon a
pillion behind him. If II be rainy, the oxen
are hitchcd TO the cart, and chairs and logs
make seats within it; and thus the family
20 together. If the father be one Of the
appointed watchers" then he must take
his gun and ammunition, and be ready to re-
pei savage attack. Public worship began
at eleven o'clock, and the morning service
was a glass and half too long, that is, II
ended at half past twelve.
The half.hour Of intermission was spent
in and around the meeting house, and
friends met there who could not get within
speaking distance at any other time. The
young folks were apt to huddle up together,
and did not always talk about religion
The services of the afternoon were conclud.
ed ut half.past two; and our family on the
Mystic have reached home in one hour af.
terwards. The pillion, for safe keeping, is
nut under the bed, the saddle hung up in
the barn, and the horse turned out to pas
ture.
The family are now ready for meal,
which unitcs dinner and supper and forth
from the oven como that pot Of beans with
its coronal pork and that Indian pudding,
all perfectly done, having been in prison
about twcnty.four hours. Gncc being said,
the pudding is the first dish and 1t is n do
licious dish, too The color Of the pudding
is deep, rich amber; and tho juice orjelly
is abundant. Hunger is the best Ssuce but
il does not need that TO make this syory.-
Two plate--ful apiece scarcely satisfy the
young folks. Tho beans come next; and
this strong and hearty food is eaten with a
relish; though it will taste better to-mor-
row, when no pudding prcccdcs 1t. When
tho dinner seems to bc over, the mother
opens the tablo-dawcr and 10 nice ap'
plc-pie! Appetite comes again at the sight
Of new delicacics; and It takes no logic Il
convince the children that slice OF that ri,
viii do Them good. During the dinner the,
have talked about those they saw at meet
ing and each narrated what news hc hat
found. Tho father had heard how mucl
money was sunk by Mr.. Cndock In his flsh
ing speculation and tho reading boy hat
brought home 81. Jancway's Address t.