Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-01-13
Old Time Customs.


luc totun OF the holiday season, recalls many
.rcn'. end incidents Vt u.e post; particularly
oi haii5 meetings, and sad paintings It also re-
'uiad- i.ose 800 middle hio ~ the good old times.
mad the customs ~ the early DAYS which have
passed away ur only liuecr m the newly settled
icsions
h.y fGn ago reiehham wero few, and rela-
tlNc- scattered aul hey wuc strongly attached
20 each oihct 100 consequence Visits between
fiienda and n''shhvw we've something u be re-
mcmhcrod
The wntor evening. were a season OF amuso-
mcnts iu old and young, and with singing schools
spelling schools and pa,tie. time sped morily.-
Singing was worth hearing IN those days-forh
years ago.
Tho a merc child distinctly remember tic
old meeting house no Hebron a. II wherea long
gallery ran around on throc sides Of il, and was
filed every sunday fused to wonder why the
ends did not diop OF, as thoy appeared to he I'M
supported There wasa sounding board suspended
over the pulpit and used 10 fancy the ftightof
the minister, if il should lall ON his head
The sermon made me sleepy, but Twas wide
awake enough when the choir made ready TO sing
which was announced by curious little squeals.
nom a violin, answered By mutterlngs from n bass
VOL
Those old anthems must have required great
deal Of study. The choir consisted Of a double row
of singers, across the front gallery and the leader
q relative ~ the wen known Cheney family. stood
whore all could SOC him. with a short rod in his
hand, and il vas wonderful to hear one pant gal-
Top ON, and another play hidc-and-seek, and an
como ont togothor at Inst
The success Of those old choristors depended ON
a certain enthusiasm, which was born with them.
and a deep sympathy with the sentiment Of those
grand old anthems, which have held men SMELL
bound since the Morning stars sang together"
remember, too, the man who played the bass
yiol was a very plain man, and when he became
excited had habit Of making various grimaces,
which amused the youngsters, and made them
laugh slyly-
There we've two twin Sisters who came to our
church sometimes, and they often sang solos and
duets, and held the audience spcll-hound by their
wondrous melody. They, too had the Cheney
blood, and often went long distances to sing.
Twas speaking 81 the old meeting house. The
square pews had seats on three sides which wero
fastened with hinges aud during the long PRAYERS.
were TUNED up out Of the way, ms everybody
stood up. At the Amen, there was great noise
Of olappng down the seats which considered n
part OF the exercises, and was always disappointed
when our seat went down softly, feeling that real
crash was the proper thing.
People then thought it no hardship to ride five
or ten miles To attend church on Sunday and the
sermons heard, and the singing, were subjects for
conversation during the week.
The children regarded ministers, and church
members Ms being set apart from Others, and re-
member a discussion among q beyy of little girls
as TO whether minister's wife would not 90 To
heaven through the holiness Of her husband
The question was left open for discussion but all
hoped they might marry ministers.
If lady, belonging to chlrch was seen wear
ing artificial flowers, o. many tlounces and lew |
elry, she was considered rs doubtful Ia regard 10
piety, All me the old days are gone the old
people are gone and soon We shall be numbered |
with them.