Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-11-22


dollars, and to the end he contended
that Piano was only fit to be hung
because he hadn't paid the remaining
twelve dollars.
The Puritan Sabbath.
The Puritan Sabbath in the villages
of New England commenced on Sat
urday afternoon. No labor was per-
formed 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 is at hand. In other villa
ges flag was hung out of the rude
building occupied by the church. At
Cambridge, a drum was beat in mill
tary style; at Salem, bell indicated
the opulence of that settlement.
+ The public religious services usual
ly commenced at nine in the morning,
and occupied from six to eight hours,
divided by an intcrmi8sion Of an hour
for dinner. The people collected
quite punctually, as the law compelled
their attendance, and there was a
heavy fine for any one that 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 the church, and the congregation
had places assigned them upon the
rude benches, at the annual town
meeting, according to their age, im-
portance, and social standing. A per-
son was fined if he occupied the seat
Of another. Our local histories re-
veal that pride. envy, and jealousy
were active passions among the men
Of olden times, and it was delicate
and difficult business to "seat the
Westinghouse" 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 congregations
assembled at an early hour-neyer
later than nine o'clock. After pray
er, a chapter from the Bible was read
by one of the ministers, and "expound-
ed" at length. In many Of the church
es, however, the Bible was not read
at all, and it took years of agitation
to carry that "innovation.' A psalm
in metre was next sung, which was
dictated, line by line, to the congre-
CATION; this service was usually per-
+ formed by one of the deacons. The
preacher did not take part in the in
troductory services.
The baptisms, cases of church dis
cipline, and collections, always took
place in the afternoon. The "long"
prayer usually occupied from an hour
to an hour and half, aud many of
the sermons Of this period make from
hundred to a hundred and fifty pa
ges. There was contribution every
Sunday, preceded by an appeal from
one OF the deacons. The boxes were
not carried round, but the congrega-
tion arose and proceeded to the dea-
cons seat. and deposited their offer
ings. The magistrates and "brief
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 useful arti-
clcS and goods as offerings, The col
lections were distributed by the dea-
cons to the ministers and the poor.
The trials of ecclesiastical offend
ers, at the close of the services, often
afforded much excitement and amuSe-
ment; for some offences a particular
dress was worn, and the confessions
Of the offenders were heard with much
interest. Oftentimes the public SER
vices were continued until after sun
set. After the benediction, the min
listers passed out of the church, bow
ing to people on both sides Of the aisle,
as they all sat in silence until the cler-
gymen and their families had gone
out. Few persons, we imagine, would
be willing to 60 back to these Sunday
ceremonies of the Puritan Sabbath
1t is wise to adapt the religious insti
tutions of each age to the customs Of
the period and the usages of the same