The Republican journal., 1913-02-13

ed in the bank, under the name of
the Unitarian Sewing Society,"" and
no miser ever added TO, and gloated
over his treasure more zealously than did
we, always seeing in the near future a
Parish House"
A Dickens Party, when the whole
"Micawber family, "Sairy Camp and
other familiar personages, appeared true
to life.
A parlor concert and apron sale at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. John H. Quimby
was one of the most enjoyable entertain
ments on record. The Washington tea
party by 16 little tots from eight to
twelve years of age, dressed in the CO.'S
tunes of 100 years ago, is too well re-
membered by those who labored in that
vineyard and helped train and drill those
little savages and live to tell the tale, to
require further detail.
Before the curtain rose for the even
ing's entertainment, which was an oper-
eta, pauline, the Belle of Saratoga"
the drawing of a beautiful silk log cabin
quilt, made under the supervision of
Misses White, Hervey and Faunce and
sold by ticket, took place, netting the
society SIS. Miss Lizzie Kenney of Bos-
ton, whom we all recognize as our pres
ent active member, Mrs. Albert c.
Burgess, held the lucky number, and bore
off the trophy.
Tahleaux. living pictures, statuary,
dramas and numberless other things
have all played their parts in our church
history. In looking back over this long
period of years. we can point with pride
to the many evidences of our labors and
activities. We have always had an ad-
visory committee: the late Daniel
Faunce. Hon. William C. Marshall, and
the present custodian of the flee pot,
Mr.. George A. Quimby, who by their
never failing courtesy and good advice
have rendered Us invaluable aid The
late Rev. Robert Collyer once said: 81
have preached great many poor ser
mons, but | have never made poor
horse shoe. So we can say we have
never made poor investment, although
we may have had some visionary ideas.
We have earned thousands of dollars,
and expended it generously and judicous-
ly. Among the results are two (per-
haps more) furnaces, painted, papered
and remodeled the church, laid concrete
walk around it. paid the choir for years,
put in gas, built the little parlor and re-
Gently added the electric lights, and
many other things done for the church
and parsonage.
We have always worked tremendously
and with no i'll feeling but with grow
ing interest in those with whom we have
50 long been pleasantly associated IT'S
true we have labored under difficulties
and had many obstacles to overcome.
Many times we have seen our treasury as
bare as the renowned Mother Hubbard's
closet, and We have tossed on sleepless
pillows trying to see how we could make
silver quarter equal fifty cents in value,
out-somehOW we always succeeded.
Finally about the year 1879 the all i'm
oortant question arose; What should We
10 with our money? Should we start in
on our Parish house when we could get
enough? hut our masculine advisors
threw so much cold water on our plans,
and proved 50 conclusiveiy TO themselves
(lf not to us) that we were shouldering
burden we could not carry, the project
was abandoned, and by their advice we
drew out our money and bought the Par
sonage (Which was originally built by
stockholders in shares) and presented it
to the Unitarian Society to be held by
them forever as Parsonage.
The transfer of the property was made
May, 1880 and stands recorded on the
Parish records.
Many changes. both sad and gay, have
come in all these years; we have seen
those we love, and whose loyalty to our
old church never faltered, go forth from
among US, with many heart-aches for
the vacant places that know them no
more; but still our grand old church
stands today, in all its old time dignity,
as it has stood for more than century,
Long may it stand Jour dear old church,;
faithful beacon light;
Whose sacred rays shall shine afar
To guide our steps Alright.
l fear l am encroaching on the time
allotted me, and know you are all watch
ing to see when | will turn the last leaf,
but my task is finished; the more recent
events must be chronicled by younger
hands. and clearer heads, for they are
the ones to carry on the good work and
keep the watch fires burning.
Mr.. Fred 7. Chase has kindly furnished
me with some interesting items, among
them this long list of subscribers for the
purchase of the stoves and tunnels ''for
Mr.. rockingham Westinghouse" in
1874. The ones have already referred
to i presume. Fifty-eight well-remem-
hered names are signed, with sums rang
ing from $500 to so cents. As the
amount paid the hardware dealers, S. S.
Hersey & Wilder, was $73.62. it appears
they did not give away stoves even in
those days.
Here also is list of the members who
formed the heart of the church in l849.
OF these GO names, Mr.. William B. Swan
il the only surviving member, and AZ of
the number have no representative
whatever.