Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-08-07
aints, like the quarrels that occur to-

saints. like the quarrels that occur to-
day over the location Of post Offices. in
which the governor OF the colony and
the other magistrates became involved,
1t was decided to rebuild upon the origi-
nal site SO that no real estate owner
113 years later, it was again resolved
by the town meeting to tear down the
"Old Ship Meeting House" and build an
other Of larger dimensions and modern
design. but fortunately the purpose was
defeated and bingham retains the hon
or Of having the oldest house OF wor-
ship in the country, although l believe
it is disputed by Smithfield. Va, where
the hams come from.
In these days the old-fashioned fea-
lures Of the building are most highly
priced. and there isn't money enough in
the county to persuade the members of
that congregation to change the bell rope
which falls through hole in the ceiling
down to the floor in the center OF the
middle aisle. The sexton stands there
every Sunday before the service, pulling
on the rope in a sedate and solemn man
ner, while the ingathering worshipers
have to walk around him to their pews.
Another historical fact which dktin-
cuisines bingham above other places in
this uncertain and changeabbe world is
that the old meeting house has had but
ten pastors during the 276 years or It's
existence. which. you will notice. gives
and a half years. Six OF them served
246 years The first pastor got his sal
airy in corn. most of which was the pro-
ceeds Of fines imposed upon the con-
gregadon for not attending meeting L
made no investigation, but 1 presume
that the present pastor is paid in cash.
Two Cabinet Members.
Another distinction Of which bingham
rxF hor Offt-
zens have been members of the Presi-
dents cabinet. Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lin
ooln. who was the first Secretary OF
War, serving from 1871 to 1884, and
John d. Long, who was Secretary Of the
Navy in McKinley's administration, and
during the Spanish war. The two men
were very different in appearance, char
acter and manners. John D. Long is
perhaps the best beloved man In Mas
sachusetts 1 don't believe he has an
enemy in all tie world, or that any one
ever doubted his integrity or his sim
certify He is a gentle. generous. schol-
arly mar. fine orator, a sagacious law
yer and famous for the ripeness OF his
Judgment. For thirty years. until he
the First Church, and led the village
choral society. Since he graduated from
Harvard he has been the trusted ad-
wiser Of all the widows and spinsters
in bingham. Everybody In doubt or
distress has gone to John D. Long for
counsel, and he knows all the secrets
Of the entire population and is familiar
with the size Of the skeleton in every
closet OF tho town
II you go into the private ONCE of
the Secretary Of War at Washington
and examine the first portrait In the
long row that decorates the wall you
will be able to guess what sort of a
man Benjamin Lincoln was-a POM
pous, fat, blusteyinEI old martinez, who
wore a long blue coat with large gilt
buttons, an enormous>bHckskin waist
coat with wide flaps over the pockets,
a ruffied-sfirt of the finest linen, with
a high collar and stock, and an enor-
nous cooked hat with a wide fringe of
gold braid upon his wig and queue.
His trousers were always OF white
a pair Of long Hessian boots. A for
midable figure he must have been in
his old age as he paced the quiet
streets of bingham. with his long gold
headed cane to sustain his faltering
footsteps.
Gen. Lincoln was second in rank in
the United States Army at the close OF
the revolutionary war, and at the for
nation of the government was natu-
rally selected to reorganize the army
He was fine soldier and a rigid dis
in times when all other men were
doubted was never questioned, and not
withstanding his enormous girth and
| infiammable temper. his ability to dis
patch business was remarkable.
According to the traditions OF the
| army, he was frightfully profane. and
] "swore Like the army in Flanders