The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-04-03
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Ms. Rprrox: While rejecting on tn
many wonderful events, which, during tn
past few years, have, Like, successive tides
followed each other in npii succe1ion
my thoughts intaitively fall back on SOME
early associations and circumstances, which
transpired in the days Of my childhood and
youth. Among my earliest recollections'
wero the homo, the fre-side, the common
food, the youthful sports, the Geld and the
wild wood, and especially, the sunday COS.
tune Of the church-going people, and though
city or more years have intervencd since
the events, which propose IN this comma-
icatiOn briefly TO describe. transpired,- yet
are many OF the scenes, with which Irwas
then familiar. a. fresh in memory now as
though they were but Of yesterday. ~
member that the sabbath Of my Grand Fath.
er, us we'll Us that Of ell the elder people,
began on Saturday at sunset and oontin-
ued until six o'clock on Sunday afternoon.
During this time no work wasallowed. with
out or within. except what was absolutely
indispensable. On the 6rst day ofthe week
at the usual hour, my Grand Father gener-
ally made his appearances, as no did ON gala
days, in his Sunday costume. This consist
cd Of a long sky blue dress coat, adorned,
according to the fashion Of the times, with
large bright embossed buttons. Buff color
ed deer skin brecches extending a little be-
low tho knee, fastened around the legs by
welts and silver buckles. A long vest eI-
tending down hship', and thence scallopcd
upward to the lower button. His shoes had
long pointed toes, with broad straps. and
fastened over the insteps with large, silver
plated buckles. A white cambria cravat
and three cornered hat completed his Sun.
day costume. .. '
As my grand fathers residence was stu.
atcd somo three miles from tho meeting
h,o.e which was locat,d nj Buxton Lower
t.or,srl and as riding vsbicles wero then.
"like ANGELS visits fsw and fur between y
ho ALWAYS rode to church on horseback
Hence, on the Sabbath, after due prepara-
,ion. he would take down his green hide
whip, lead his bay maro to the horse block,
mount, and depart for the house Of worship.
The Young people, YOU must know, had Ia
walk, and. therefore, had left at an early
hour on foot. At church we generally
found Deacons Lcayitt and Bradbury
whose Sunday Costume was, in many re
spects, similar to that Of my Grand Fathers
Deacon Lcavitt occupied o lone seat, callct
the "Deaoon's seat, ;" situated below, ar1
in front of the ministers desk. The edifce
was q largs square old fashioned structure,
without stccple or bellfrv, or any other ex
ternal ornament, located ut the East end o
n swell of land. similar to the rolling prai
ries of the fur West. At the rear OF tn
house was cametry; and in front o lars'
common designed tor military display OF
gala days, aud where the boys sported OF
the fourth Of July and other days of fcstivi
ty. On tho front side Of this ancient house
was high portico, entered by three outside
doors, with one broad double door leading Il
the Sanotum. There were also two othe,
entrances, one at the east and another al
the West. The pcws were square and high
with rail and banisters around the top
The boys were generally too short to SCI
over the railings. and therefore had to look
between tho banisterS, in order to sec what
was passing around theh. The pulpit wa,
elevated to level with tho surrounding
galleries q sounding board Of curiou,
workmanship, was suspended, by wha,
seemed to me, brittle thread, directly over
the ministers' head. In each pew was one
or more leaning stocks, hung to the side.
by wooden hinges. The house was cold in
winter, as stoves and furnaces were then un'
known. save small foot stoves, made Of tin
and wood, in which were deposited q few
live Goals. Yet were the people moro pune
,iIious in their attention to public worship
than now, with all the modern refnements
fixtures and comforts. I remember, howsv'
er, with what solcitudo and impatiencc, es
pecially on cold winters day, used t'
watch the old minister, Mr.. cosin, as he
turned over the leaves Of his long manu-
script sermon, and glad | was when he said
.and lastly for then was assured we hat
arrived on soundings, and that land could
generally iod 'ho eho'r Of singers w''a ,n''