Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-09-18
The old-Time Donation Party.

The old-Time Donation Party.
J 1t is not so many years ago since tn,
life OF the country parson in Vermont wal
rendered even more interesting and called
| for perhaps a more strenuous exercise o.
Christian virtues than il does at present
on account of the annual donation party
an occasion when the entire church society
swooped down on the defenceless DOM
inie and his family for the ostensible pur-
pose Of heaping benefits upon them.
When the long anticipated day arrived
it being devoutly hoped at the parsonage
that the pleasures of realization might
prove greater than those OF anticipation
the minister's wife hustled about putting
the house from garnet TO cellar in apple
pie order so the sharp-eyed sisters, who
would be sure TO seize every oppor-
tunity to peep into cupboards and closets,
would have no occasion TO speak dispar-
agingly OF her housekeeping. Hardly was
the dinner work out OF the way when,
fustered and weary, she had to hurry to
the door, with every appearance OF hos
pitable delight, to greet the first sleigh
loads Of "old people," who always came
for an afternoons visit and to stay TO tea.
The ladies were ushered into ''the spare
room" ITO lay aside their things" while
the men folks took care OF the teams.
bundles and cans and nApk in covered tins
and pans, with possibly a small tub of
maple sugar, roll OF sausage, ham or a
jar OF butter (that the storekeeper had
refused to take for various reasons). The
women hustled about undoing the bundles
and bringing to view sugared doughnuts,
caraway cookies and other dainties with
the inevitable fruit cake, which was
always laid away for future reference be-
cause Il kept so we'll
All these goodies the Asitors laid out,
commenting in whispers on the state OF
the pantry shelves and the hicks in the
crockery, while the minister's children
lowered about under foot with their eyes
hanging out OF their heads and their
mouths watering at the prospect OF high
living ahead OF them, being too young,
poor things, to estimate correctly the sit
uation in which they found themselves.
The minister's wife, however, flushed
and nervous, trying hard to make every
body comfortable and happy, had usually
to bring out from her private stores tea,
coffee, preserves and a few such luxuries
that the donation party had forgotten to
provide, and not infrequently had little
worry lest the combined stores of the
house and the donation should not be
equal TO furnishing the supper for the old
people and the refreshments for the horde
OF young people who always made merry
in the evening.
A donation visit, OF much more happy
character, evidently, than the function
described above, took place in West Ran
dolph in 1860, and the following acknowl
edgement was found in an old copy OF the
Independent Statesman, published at that
time by Hiram Greeley:
DONATION VISIT.
nd mi an
would express their renewed obligation to
The friends who met at their dwelling on
Wednesday afternoon, the 18th inst, in
OF their friendship and
kindness.
The interest was deepened by a new
feature in donation visits. A benevolent
merchant proposed to donate a barrel OF
-four il the young ladies would convey 1t
10 the minister on hand sled. The prop
osition was very cheerfully accepted, and
ID ladies with three appropriate banners
md attended by one gentleman, conveyed
he flour in frst-rate order. After the
appointed leader had very appropriately
the kind wishes OF the donor,
he young gentleman was taken to his
upon the sled, with all due re-
;pect and politeness.
A large number were also present in the
evening, and the social interview was rem
iered much more delightful by the pres
snce OF Rev. b. +. Summerbell and wife,
ogether with a goodly number of the
Christian society. The donations were
liberal, for which the most hearty thanks
ire rendered to all who were present to
participate in the Joy and friendship OF
he occasion.
SAMUEL SPARHAwK.
West Randolph, Jan. 26, 1860.
The Rev. Mr.. sparhawk, father OF
luther T. Sparhawk, was then the hon
,red pastor Of the Congregational church |
lere. Rev. Mr.. Summerbell, who was |
,astor OF the Christian church, had about /
he same time TO acknowledge "a very |
generous donation Among other things |
lie said
'sBut one thing is wanting apparently
O make these visits Of the people to their
minister perfect, and that is the absence /
4 their necessity. Yet when it is consid-
red that. were the necessary income pro-
-ided, independent of the donation. the
isit might fall into disuse, it is question
whether, on the whole, the necessity is
lot a blessing. While the ministers of
he gospel should have no objection to
independence that they might
e able themselves did Matthew, the
make feasts and occasionally
invite the poor, the recipient OF the visit
asst week in this village would not will
ngly consent that the annual donation
hould be discontinued; 1t is the occasion
I too much Joy to fall INTO disuse."
Well, whether for better or worse, times
ave certainly changed.