Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-08-21

THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.

The "Old South Church." in Boston,
that old landmark and sacred relic of the
times of our tOretathers, and around which
cluster so many memories dear to the
heart of every true and loyal American
citizen. has, during the past few months.
been the centre OF public interest at the
club" 1t was to have been torn down
unless certain sum of money could be
raised within a certain time, so that it
might be preserved as a noble relic of by
gone days. and as priceless monument
to the memory of those brave men who
gave to our country name, and but for
whose unselfish devotion to the cause of
right and truth we. as people, might not
at this time be permitted to breathe the
pure air of freedom.
When the extreme limit of time up to
which the old building was to remain in
tact, had expired, the requisite amount OF
money not being forthcoming, orders were
given for the immediate demolition of the
sacred pile, and the church, whose walls
more than century ago, had resOunded
with the songs OF praise coming from
earnest christian hearts, and which at a
later period was the headquarters Of a.
handful of brave men contending for
liberty and right, seemed now to be hope
lessly doomed to be desecrated, and to go
down beneath the axe and hammer of the
carpenter. Already had the faithful old
clock which for more than hundred years
had tirelessly marked the fitting time,
been ruthlessly deprived of its hands, and
its weather-beaten face cruelty disfgured.
and there seemed to be no hope for the
"Old South except as memory of the
past.
But just at this time number of the
patriotic ladies OF Boston resolved to make
one more effort to save the old structure
from utter ruin, and Immediately set to
work in the endeavor to raise q sum of
money sufficient to meet the requirements
OF the committee who had the matter In
charge and so successful were they. that
in short time all but small sum had
been either collected or pledged, and the
balance is being made up by the daily ex-
hibition of a beautiful Century Plant"
for seeing which nominal sum is asked
So that the ''Old South Church" will re-
main standing until the finger of time
shall crumble its walls in the dust
The following are extracts from the
speeches of prominent men, which
are placed at intervals on the outside walls
Of the church:
The eleventh hour-"Men and women
of Massachusetts. does Boston desire the
humiliation which is to-day part of her
history, since she has allowed this memo
rial to be sold under the hammer P''
There are many things in my native
city of Boston, well worthy of respect and
observance. but not many that will teach
the coming generations more or better
lessons, than this venerable building"
VIM. H. EvARTs.
"Let us before it is too late. remember
that there are some things worth more
than money, and that these should be kept
at whatever cost of the perishable and
material" w. III. II. MURRAY.
Think twice before you touch these 3
walls WENDELL PHILLIPS. u a
"Never before in history has there been
a nation brave enough to destroy its own
monuments; never was there a country so
unpatriotic as to treat slightly the monu-
ments of the forefathers."
W. ii. MURRAY.
1t will 90 hard with this generation if it
has not the virtue to save this building
from despoilers" WM. II. EvARTs.
"When the late great fire levelled the
statlest business portion of our city, and
stayed his surging waves at the door OF
old South it was an indication that God
had further work for the temple he had
honored for more than seven years."
ALPHEUS HARDY.
Neither need, greed nor the neces-
sity OF wider streets shall ever desecrate
what Adams and Warren and Otis conse-
Grated to the liberties OF man; consecrat-
ed to the greatest struggle that the race
has ever seen for the liberties of man."
WENDELL PHILLIPS.