Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-03-15
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 hour Of worship was at hand
In other places flag was hung out of the rude
building occupied as church. At Cambridge
drum was beat in military style-at Salem q
bell indicated the opulence of that settlement.
The public religious services usually COM
menced at nine o'clock in the morning, and oc-
cupied from six TO eight hours, divided by an
intermission of one hour for dinner. The peo-
pie collected quite punctually, as the law com.
PEELED their attendance; aud there was a heavy
fine for any one that rode too fast to meeting
The sexton called upon the Minister, and escort
ed him to church in the same fashion that the
sheriff now conducts the Judge into our State
Courts. There Were no pews in the church,
and the congregation had places assigned them
upon the rude benches, at the annual town
meeting, according to their age, Importance, and
social standing. A person was fined if he oc-
cupied the seat of another. .Our local histories
reveal that pride, envy, and jealousy, were &C
tive passions among the men of olden times, and
it was delicate and difficult business to .seat the
meeting house," as it was quantity called.
Many of the early ohurhes of New England
had two clergymen--one, who was called the
Pastor, the other the Teacher. The Sabbath
services were as follows: The congregations as
sembled at an early hour-never later than
O'Clock. After prayer, a chapter from the Bi
Bile was read by one of the ministers, and "ex
pounded" atlangth. In many of the churches
however, the Bible was not read at all, and il
took years of agitation to carry that ''innova
ton" A psalm in metre was next sung, which
was dictated, line by line, to the congregation
this service was usually performed by one o.
the deacons. The preacher did not take part in
the Introductory services. The baptisms, chuch
discipline, and collections, always took place in
the afternoon. The ''long" prayer usually occu.
pied flom an hour to an hour and half, and
many of the sermons of this period make from
a hundred to hundred and fifty pages. There
was contribution every Sunday, preceded by
an appeal from one of the deacons. The boxes
were not carried round, but the congregation q
rose and proceeded to the deacon's seat, and de-
posted their offerings. The magistrates and
'sbrief gentlemen" walked up first, the elders
next, and then followed the common people; =
this ceremony occupied much time. Besides
the money given, persons brought various use
full articles and goods as offerings. The collec
tions were distributed by the deacons to the
ministers and the poor.
The trials of ecclesiastical offenders at the
close of the services, often afforded much ex.
ctement as well as amusement for some OF.
fences particular dress was worn, and the
confessions" of the offender were heard with
much interest. Oftentimes the public services
were continued until after sunset After the
benedcton, the ministers passed out of the
church. bowing to the people on both sides o.
the aisle, as they all sat in silence until the
oIororn,o on ond tbnir families had gone ont