The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-19

iul to the Puritan conscience right In the heart OF
the village. So also the poet could sing with truth
OF Emerson, who is the great high priest OF Con-
cord philosophy to-day, as his grandfather was
the chief Judge and arbter OF Concord theology
hundred years ago, mat
IT'S refreshing TO old-fashioned people IKE me
To meet such q primitive pagan a. he,
In whose mind all creation Is duly respected
AS parts OF himsel-just little projected.
But, IN spite or It's Catholic church and its
Unitarian departure from old-fashioned Presby-
teriansm and It's pagan philosophy, Concord is
still, as | said before, almost Puritan town, and
In proof OF 1t submit the following curious docu-
ment, which / encountered everywhere In my
rambles over the vilage:-
CoMMoNwEALTH
MASSAC USETTS.
MIDDLEsEx, IS. To either OF the Constables or the
Town OIL Concord.
You are hereby authorized and directed to notify
ana warn the qualified voters OF the
FIRST PARISH IN CONCORD,
in SAID County OF hiddlesex 10 meet at the Vestry
OF the Meeting House OF said FIRST Parish,
on MONDAY, the 12.h day OF April lust,
and there 10 act and vote uDon the following
1st-To choose Moderator.
2d--To near and act upon the report OF the
Parish Committee
sd-To near and act upon the report. Of tue
Trustees OF tue Congregational Ministerial Fund.
4ta-To choose all Parish ofncers Tor che ensuing
year.
5th-To see n the Parish viii dispense with the
Evening service during the summer months.
eth-To raise money Tor all Parochial purposes
THO see II the Parish Will nx any time for
the Payment OF Taxes, or act In any way In regard
And YOU are hereby directed to serve this war.
rant BY posting copies thereof, by you attested,
In At least three pubic places In said town one
eignt DAYS and including two sundays before said
18th day OF April, and 10 nave this warrant, Win
Witness our hands this third day OF April In
the year OF our Lord one thousand eight hundred
ana seven'y'nyIeo;H N RRowy
HENRY F. sMfTH, camm,t,aa
GEORGE r. how, }
true copy Attest.
The Constable attests this with his own hand
and publishes II, and all the members OF the FIRST
church are as much bound by IL as the people Of
New YORK are bound by the action OF the Tax Com.
missioners or Whatever body II is that has
authority to assess them. so that IL VIII be seen
that IN Concord religion is still matter OF the
State OF which the minons OF the law have of1cial
cognizance. only one or two parishes besides
probably only Quncy-still retains this relic OF
Puritanism; out II Is, think, conclusive proof
that Concord Is unchanging Concord.
THE TOWN LIBRARY OF CONCORD.
But II Concord IL slower than most places IN
some respects IL Is also faster than all other towns
In others. II has, for instance, the best town
library ! the United states; the most unique. the
handsomest and the arrest building; the best
selection OF books and the largest number and
best set or readers. The building Is the gift OF
william Munroe VINO was Boston merchant resi-
dent in the town. He planned and built t at
his own expense, and left sufncient iund to pre-
vent IL from ever going 10 decay. and then did
not even ask or consent that It should De called
By his name. Mr.. Munroes bust has been placed
alcove devoted to Concord authors.n and this
is the only evidence Of his munincence to be
seen anywhere about the building The Concord
alcoye contains the writings OF Emerson, Raw.
tnorne Thoreau, the Alcotts, father and daughter;
Mrs. Jane Austin, and others or scarcely less note
tnan some or these. Among the curiosities OF this
alcove Is a volume OF sermons preached In Con-
cord more than 230 years ago. The title OF this
book IL as follows:-
THE GOSPEL COVENANT; OR, THE COVENANT OF
GRACE OPENED
wherein are explained
!. The difference between the covenant OF grace
and covenant OF WOTks.
2. The dinerent ADMINISTRATION oil the covenant
before ana since Christ.
g. The benefits and blessings Off,
A. Tue condition.
Preached in Concord, In New England. oy Peter
Bulkeley, sometime fellow Of Johns Conedge in
Taohsned according TO order
London, printed BY NJ ) for Benjamin Allen
anu are 70 Oe sofa AZ the Croune, In Popes-nead
Alley, l646.
This old book was picked up in London by Mr.
George f. Hoar, member OF Congress from wor-
cester and BY him It was presented to the library
OF his native town two years ago. In sucn town,
with such q library and such associations and
such great men, 1t Is no wonder we should be
told
Yondcr calm as q cloud, Alcott stalks in a Dream
Ana fauc AraW
With the Parthenon nign and the oil We bees DER
him,
And never a fact to perplex him or bore him,
With a snug room az Plato's when night comes to
walk to-
And people rom morning TN midnight to talk to-
The inhabitants are as remarkable as the town
itself; but II would take volume to tell even half
OF what know about them.
CONCORD CELEBRATIONS IN THE FAST.
Az Concord fight began the American Revolu