The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-02
Decadence of New England.
pEpopu1Ar1oN OF COUNTRY TOWNS.

The decrease in population among the
country towns in Massachusetts is quite
startling. The same may be said of Con-
necticut, New Hampshire and Vermont
Railroads and factories have changed the
ancient order of things The population of
the hills has slid into the valleys, and with
it the wealth also. Farms can now be
bought for less than what the buildings are
worth, and several farms are often merged
into one, and briars and brambles spring up
where once was the garden and the rose
Rev. DR.. Gale, of Lee, in recent sermon,
drew gloomy picture of this decrease of
population in the hill towns of Berkshire
County. He stated that four towns now
contain half the population and half the
wealth of that county. Of the remaining
twenty-seven towns, fourteen have less than
a thousand inhabitants. There are thirty
three Congregational churches in the county,
and only fourteen settled pastors. Five of
these churches have no regular service, and
fourteen hire clergymen for stated time.
In 1929 there were twenty-six Congrega-
tional churches, and neutrality-suspicious..
The membership in these churches has in
creased only thirty-four in the last forty
years, being 4,544 in 1929, and 4,57S in
1859. In ten of the churches the member
ship is less than fifty each, and in these ten
churches the number of male members aver,
ages only ten. In most of these mountain
towns were once large churches, and the
sanctuaries on the Sabbath were filled with
devout worshippers. Now, in some five
places, the people have forsaken assembling
themselves together on the Sabbath, and in
many towns the minister breaches to a very
lean congregation. We can add our testi-
mony to that of DR.. Gale, and apply the
same to other counties in western Massachu-
sets. In the last four years we have tray
eled thousands of miles among the hill and
mountain towns, treading their back roads
and by-ways, wherever the remnant of a
once prosperous population fingers. One is
surprised at the indication of decay witnessed
at almost every mile. For long distances
there are no human habitations. You pass
the wreck of once elegant mansions, or the
foundations where they stood. Others are
crumbling back to dust, the outside covering
hardly preventing the elements from reach
irg the inmates within. There are scraggy
remains of large and once fruitful orchards,
now moss grown and choked with under
brush. Occasionally, at the cross roads,
may be seen dilapidated schoolhouse, long
since deserted by children and teacher, and
o'tentimes we have travelled half day
without seeing a solitary human being, ex
cept as we entered dwelling. A thickly
tenanted, but sadly neglected burial place,
here and there, is evidence that there once
dwelt among the hills and mountains more
numerous population.
These signs of desolation and decay sug-
gest an inquiry as to the cause, and the an
swer comes in the conclusion that they have
been brought about by extravaganza and
fashion. 1t has become the fashion to have
fewer children, and the farmer who once
raised dozen boys who helped carry on the
farm prosperously, is succeeded by another
who hires his clip, outdoor and in, and finds
at the end of the year that he has scarcely
saved enough to pay his employees If he
has one or two sons or daughters, they can
not be content with humble fare at home,
but must ape the fashions of the city or vii
lage, and force the cold folks at home" into
more style in living than they can Afford
The result is soon reached. The farm runs
down and is ultimately sold, the proprietor
moving away to seek his fortune where money
is easier to be got, and his family can move
in more fashionable society. DR., Allen, of
Lowell, has shown by reliable statistics that
the Yankee race of New England is running
out, and the reasons for it are those we have
given above. Extravaganza and fashion are
exterminators more potent than all the ellis
that flesh is heir to" Unless.a reform is
commencedin this regard, the hill and noun
tain towns of this and other States will soon
become wilderness. Every year they de.
crease in population and valuation, and every
succeeding generation will have Trailer
hold upon life. While all are urging reforms
of other kinds, what pity it is we cannot