The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-09-14

light, though small, might shine to sig
nal some to better deeds.
Again, as we wandered through the
old witch house in Salem, where so-called
Justice" condemned those so falsely ac-
cused, and as we looked on the instru-
ments of torture. how thankful were we
that we live in wiser day. And as
we looked on the spot where the poor
victims of an ignorant age were executed
these words of Hawthorne came to US:
And here, too, in dark, funereal stone
should rise another monument, sadly
commemorative of the errors of an early
race; and not to be cast down while the
human heart has one infrmity that may
result in crime.p
These words of Hawthorne remind us
that all around us is sacred ground";
these old streets in Salem are where he
walked and thought out all those beauti-
full ideals we never weary Of reading
We are shown the birthplace Of Haw-
thorne, the "Grimshawe House," the
House of Seven Gables;" and at Con-
cord-"The Old Manse." 1.-THE House by
the Wayside," and finally, the last rest
ing place Of Americas greatest writer
SLEEPY Hollow"-in whose shady depths
repose not only Hawthorne, but Emer-
son, Thoreau and Louisa M. Alcott.
AS we walked along the shaded and
peaceful road of Concord, we were told
that it was along this road that the
British were forced to retreat, while be-
hind every tree lay ambushed minute
man" patriotically thinning their ranks.
We look up at the high banks and
dense shrubbery,-the trees that are dis
turbed only on this quiet afternoon by
the song of birds,-and it is hard for US
to realize that we are treading the same
path that witnessed such bloody strife.
We cross over the bridge of Concord
on the site of the one that was burned,
and we gaze at the two statues,-a Brit
ish soldier on one side and on the other
a minute man." leaving his plow and
with his musket swung upon his shoul-
der, rushing to action.-and we realize
with new enthusiasm what legacy is
this country of ours-"Sweet land Of
liberty"
Then we stand on Lexington Common
at the spot where the first shot was fred,
where the command was given: do
not fire unless fred upon; but if they
will have war let it began here;,-
as we read this inscription carved in
the rock to commemorate this spot.
new impulse sways our throng, and the
four or five hundred voices sing-"Land
where our Fathers died" with new un-
derstanding.
Then, again, later as we stand on
plymouth Rock" and circle round the
monument, with one accord, the vast
throng swells the chorus.
Land of the pilgrims pride
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring"
While Plymouth arouses the patriot
ism Of every true American, so will
Gloucester arouse the the enthusiasm OF
every true Universalist. 1t is our Mecca,
to which each of us should make at least
one pilgrimage;-for it was here that the
first Univsrsalist Society of America was
organized; here John Murray had his
first charge, and planted the seed that
has borne such rich fruit.
Under the roof of the old Gloucester
church we wree Hospitality entertained,
and shown the old Bible and organ used
in our first rch;-also, the writing
desk of John Murray. where he pre-
pared those sermons that caused him
to be SO prosecuted by his enemies, and
30 beloved by his followers.
We were permitted to wander through
the old house which had been John
Murray's parsonage; and we wondered,
il ever in his visions he had looked into
the misty future. and beheld US as we
were that day,-several hundred en-
thusiastic young Universalists, = un.
daunted, without fear of religious perse
cution = wandering over his premises,
touching easements and balustrades, if
perchance some finger prints of his might
yet there remain; and hoping the touch
might prove divine.
But there was enthusiasm not only
on the land-but also on the water. On
our excursions across Boston's beautiful
harbor, we were constantly passing the
boats bearing Christian Endeavorers;
and between the Christian Unioners
and the Christian Endeavorers the kind
liest feeling was evinced;-w never met
their boats. but that they greeted us
with a waving of handkerchiefs and
their regulation shout; and from our
own people they would be answered as
warmly. with a display of our colors, and
our own enthusiastic salute. shouted by
the hundreds of voices-Y! P! G! u
Y! P! @! U!-Onward!-Victory! Y! P!
@! U!
Yes, enthusiasm is always ennobling,
always inspiring.
Emerson says of it that every great
and commanding movement in the an
nails of the world, is the triumph of en-.
thusiasm."