The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-07-05
Vancouver Independent.
IN YE OLDEN TIME.

A most delightful article from the pen
of President Porter appears in the May
of the New Highlander, the sub
ject being the New England Meeting
House" which the author considers to
be the symbol of much that is character
lstic of New England life, as it has been
the rallying point for nearly everything
distinctive in the New England commu-
mites. Out of the church grew the
town, or, rather, the town was evolved
or developed along with the church.
The church was the germ and the meet
ing house the center of the self governed
commonwealth. The name meeting
house" is significant. The edifice was
used for religious and civic transactions.
and to the early New Highlander both
were equally solemn and sacred. There
was no warrant in Scripture for calling
an edifice church.
President Porter gives an extremely
interesting account of the way in which
the original structures were built, and of
the gradual variations of the original
type rs the years went on. The erection
Of the Old South Church in 1879 80 was
the most important advance in the evo-
luton of the New England meeting
house, and became the typical model of
all such places of worship for nearly
century. Among the best of the edifices
of this type which survive are the sane
tuaries in Pennington and Westtield.
quaint old features by restoration"
With the present century, and its ad-
vance in wealth and culture, the meeting
house began to assume q form more like
that Of Landon church architecture, and
of this sort of work we have admirable
specimens in Park street church, Boston,
the Center and North churches in New
Haven, and those in Guilford, Spring.
field and elsewhere.
The first steeple in Connecticut was
erected in Gullford in 1875.
The interior of the meeting houses
was bare and unattractive. Pews were
Of slow growth. There were no means
of lighting them until singing schools
made it necessary to introduce candles
ard rude chandeliers. Night meetings
in these sanctuaries were not approved.
There were no stoves for long time, and
at first no foot stones. The New England
meeting house was not artifcially
warmed until from 1910 to 1920. Presi-
dent Porter remembers such scenes as,
he says, make us SILVER to think of
them. OF cold winter morning the
breath of the worshipers not unfre-
quently would seem like smoke from an
hundred furnaces as it come in contact
with the frosty atmosphere" These Sc
verities we're mitigated by the free hos
pitality OF the houses near the meeting
house. Enormous kitchen fires were
kept blazing, around which scores O.;
people gathered to thaw themselves ont
and eat their luncheons. At summer
noons the farmers would gather in knots
here and there. and the women would
get together in groups, and they had a
very cosy and gossipy time OF it.
In some families there was Sabbath
day house erected near the sanctuary.
with ample fireplaces for the comfort of
worshipers.
The meeting house usually was the
central building in the village, as being
the most important. 1t stood within or
fronting the green" Roads rs1iated
from it. 1t was not until . later date
that the sanctuary was placed upon the
high hill, where it could be seen afar,
and so that several of these meeting
houses were within range Of vision,
guarding, like sentinels, the hill coun-
try. President Porter gives a faithful
and charming description OF the spirit.
ual churches that had their homes in
these plain meeting houses. They, at
first, had no written creed. though their
views Of truth lacked neither definite
ness nor positiveness. Their pastors
were settled for life, and when meeting
house was built and pastor was settled,
- golden csndlestick was set up" in that
place.
The meeting house must needs be
'seated"-places assigned TO each mem
Der OF the community. In New Ravens
first meeting house tho sexes we're sepa-
rated, and the seating Was according to
rank and dignity. The doctrine of
equality in place, station, and honor in
church and state Was no part Of the Pur-
itsn creed. In the hrst generations ut.
tendance on worship was enforced.
There was then compulsory public wor-
ship - now We have compulsory edaca.
ton Of children. Until the year 1918, in
Oounecticut. and till some years later in
Massachusetts,, every citizen was COM
PEELED to support some religious organi-
nation by tax on his estate. Thus was
formed the excellent habit Of regular at
tendance ct the sanctuary on the Lords
day. A graphic description is given Of
the gathering Of . country congregation
from widespread township on q pless-
ant Sunday morning. What . variety of
vehicles, OF horses. Of dress, of pace, OF
demoonor! Then the nominal With VA