Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-06-30

Sunday in Former Times.

The Puritan Sabbath in the villages of New
England commenced on Saturday afternoon
No labor was performed on the evening which
preceded the Lords Day Early on Sunday
morning the blowing of horn in some places
announced that the hou: of worship was at
hand. In other places flag was hung out of
the rude building occupied by the church At
Cambridge drum was beat in military style
AT Salem bell indicated the opulence of that
settlement
The public religious services usually commen-
ced at o'clock in the morning, and occupied
from six to eight houls, divided by an intermis
Siou Of one hour for dinner. The people col
lected quite punctuallv, as the law compelled
their attendance and there was a heavy fine
for any one who rode too fast to meeting. The
sexton called upon the minister and escorted
him to church in the same fashion that the
Sheriff now conducts the Judge into our State
Courts There were no pewS in church. and
the congregation had places assigned them on
the rude benches, at the annual town meeting.
according to their age, Importance aud social
standing. A person was fined if be occupied
the seat of another Our local histories reveal
that pride, envy and jealousy were active pas
sion among the men of the oden times, and it
was a delicate, and difficult business to tSeat
meeting honse," as it was quantity called.
Many OF the early churches of New England
had two clergymen-One who was called the
pastor the other the teacher The Sabbath
services were as follows The congregation
assembled at an early hour-neVer later than
o'clock. After prayer, chapter of the Bi-
bic was read by one of the ministers and ex-
pounded at length In many of the churches,
however, the Bible was not read at all, and it
took years of agitation to carry that innova-
ton'
A psalm IN metre was next sung, which was
dictated line by line, to the congreg CATION this
service was usually performed by the deaeonS.
The preacher did not take part in the intro
dnctory services. The baptism, cases of church
discipline and collections, always took place in
the afternoon. The long prayer, usually occu-
pied from an hour to au hour and half, and
many of the sermons of this period make from
q hundred to a hundred and fifty pages. There
was contribution every Sunday, preceded by
an appeal from one of the deacons. The box
es were not carried around, but the congrega-
ton arose and proceeded to the deacon's seat.
and deposited their offerings The magistrates
and brief gentlemen, walked up first the ell
pie )" the ceremony occupied much time Be-
SIDES the money given, persons brought various
useful articles and goods as offerings The col
lcctions were distributed by the deacons TO the
ministers and poor
The trials of ecclesiastical offenders, at the
close of the services, often afforded much ex
citemcnt aud amusement for some offences
particular dress was Worn, and the confession
of he offender was heard with much interest.
Oftentmes the services were continued until
after sunset. After the benedction the minis
ter passed out of the church, bowing to the
people Oh both sides of the aisle, as they all
sat in silelce until the cergymen and their fam.
lies had gone out. Few persons, we imagine,
would be willing to go back to those Sunday
ceremonies Of the Puritan Sabbath
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