The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-09-03
The Bells i'm Consultation.

The consultation reported below evidently
took place the second Sunday after the fire,
which would be the 18th July. Many people
noticed that the bells were ringing little Ion
ger than usual that morning, but we believe
very few suspected what was going on. The
report was picked up near the Office of the
agent of the Associated Press, and is supposed
to have been dropped by tea bell employed
as messenger. We publish the proceedings
in the full belief that we are only carrying out
the wishes of the high consulting parties.-ED. ]
tive to the recent destruction of several OF
their companions by fire, the Central bell was
called to preside, and the Park street was de-
sired to act as secretary. f41 .saret4 IS
The LIST Parish bell then gave an account Of
the last hours of the bells, as follows: 3A5
"As soon as it became evident that the fire
was beyond the control of the firemen, 1 be-
gan to hear low notes of wailing from the Sd
Parish bell, as of one in great fear, in which it
was accompanied by the Universalist chapel
by its side. tried to comfort our sister bell,
telling her that she had done good service for
many years, and was doubtless, through her
good works, worthy the highest reward, but /
found that early teaching could not be forgot
ten, and the bell refused to be eomforted by
Inc, but turned with piteous tones to the I'd
Parish for help.
Isaw, however, that the ID Parish had too
much to do to take care of itself and could pay
but little heed to the appeals of the Sd Parish
in distress. I only heard her reply in sub
stance that now was the time to test the truth
The I'd Parish, in fact, seemed in considera-.
BILE fear itself and in doubt whether it had al
ways spoken as truthfully as it should.
Very shortly all the bells were surrounded
with smoke, andlI knew that their tongues
were about to be hushed forever. Then, with
a crash and dash, down they sunk, and like
ten thousand demons sounded forth their walls
of anguish, as they burst their threats in sor-
row for their sins. a r 1a
The 1st Baptist and ST. Stephens stood I'D
boldly to the last L heard the Baptist assure
the Swedenborgian chapel that it could be say
ed if it could have thorough immersion in
cold water, and urging this as a final argu-
ment for the faith. u
st. Stephens assumed belligerent attitude
at first and sn;d- 49, - L.,
right, but as the flames curled about its sides,
its tongue uttered the most melting tones of
resignation and trust na a,eG
In this it was joined by the Bishops bell.
which to the last protested its belief firm and
mistaken, and its readiness to go through the
fiery ordeal.
My position gave me a fine opportunity to
note what occurred, and only regretted that
r ,1x,h o n To-
1t seems to me proper that the bells should
take some appropriate action relative to our
loss and also our future protection"
Whereupon State street bell said it was glad
to hear this account of the last hours of the
bells, that it heard the laments of the Sd Par
ish bell, but supposed that that bell had got so
much in the habit of uttering farewells, that it
was really in no danger and had better be left
to its own reflections as it was bell that of
late years had caused more trouble than all
the other bells.
State Street could not, however, omit the OPP
portunity to add that in its opinion this great
destruction of bells was owing to some great
sin, and trusted that the remaining bells
would take warning thereby.
High Street bell said that it couldn't see any
particular reason why State Street should look
upon the loss of the bells as a punishment for
sin. In fact, in its opinion their melting was
caused by the application of too great heat for
bell metal to stand, and if State Street had any
idea that those bells were destroyed as a pun
ishment for particular sins, it had better heed
the warning given by the lightning only ten
day ago and take care care of itself instead OF
lecturing other people. 9t5 Rta344qA
State Street replied that it was afraid High
Street was preparing to follow the Sd Parish
in heresy; whereupon ST. Luke's called State 4
Street to order for indulging in personalities,
and offered the following resolutions which
were unanimously adopted: ~
Whereas four large bells have recently de-
stroyed by fire and we are all in constant dan
ger of meeting q like fate,
=. Resotved, That we respectfully recommend
our several parish committees to put iron shut
ters on our respective bell towers, and to en-
case all our wood work with sheet iron or tin. /
Resolced, That we regret the loss of our sis
ter bells, that we miss the regular tones of the
Bishops bell, the deep, noble utterances of st. /
Stephens, the liquid notes of the Baptist the
restless tongue of the Sd Parish and the long
familiar tones of the I'd Parish, and that we
cherish the hope that their places will soon be
filled by successors as worthy, sound and
ffs
The bells then adjourned. n4-.
~ PARK STREET BELL, Sec