Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-12-15

phere SO much to be desired. The circle
committee provided tableaux, charades,
farces, musical programs OF various sorts,
that always drew and, held the big crowd.
Such "reminiscences would be incomplete
without reference to the eminent clergy
men who sacrificed their own rest to
cheer the little new society. Mrs. Savary,
herself educated far beyond the women Of
that day, came OF scholarly family.
Through her, her brothers, men well
known in the world OF letters, and her
father, DR.. Hosmer, came to the pulpit.
We used to say that DR.. Hosmer's pres
ence. with his beautifully chiselled
feat ures, was in itself benediction, ven
il he did not utter one word. Rush R.
Shippen, DR.. James Freeman Clarke,
meteoric fame; that man beloved beyond
words, Edward Everett Hale; our dear DR..
Dole, were heard more than once. DR..
Francis Peabody, now so illustrious,
preached his maiden sermon in our
church, and his fiancee, Miss Weed, OF
Boston, drove up from Bar Harbor to hear
him.
From the founding Of the church the
Sunday school was OF first importance.
In the early days, Gen. Caldwell, pro-
found reader and magnetic speaker, led a
bible class of men that outnumbered our
present congregation. Mr.. VIM. o. Nc
Donald was the faithful superintendent
for many years-loyal, genial through
sunshine and shadow.
Our number increased. The school gave
most elaborate Sunday school concerts;
the Christmas festivals were on scale
hardly dreamed OF before or since. A
real Santa Claus came down a real CHM
ney, appearing out OF a real fireplace on
the stage Of the vestry, and one never-to-
be-forgotten nights Santa appeared in
his bright, red sleigh drawn by reindeers,
equipped with robes of fur and trappings
OF gaudiest tinsel, heralded by jingling
OF bells and gaily dressed messengers, and
drove around Writings hall, followed by
the children frantic with delight. The
younger classes, trained and drilled in
singing and fancy dances, appeared ss
uoWCho, ldIlSos WktChCoy PAAlCSS hho
princesses, cupids and imps, and gave ex-
hibitions unique and fascinating.
There must have been more hours in q
day and more days in week than now,
for no scheme for raising money or en-
tertaining the people was ever rejected
on account Of the amount OF time, energy
or labor involved. Every summer the
Sunday school picnic, which was an all
day festivity, was participated in by the
same fathers and mothers, sons and
daughters who every winter made OF the
masquerade an all night revelry.
In 1875, the year following the building
OF the vestry, the church adopted a new
constitution, and elected the following
officers: President, j. G. Chilcott; vice.
president, Isaac II. Thomas; clerk, J. T..
Osgood; treasurer, o. Call; historian,
Flora b. Osgood; superintendent of
Sunday school, " illiam- o. Mcdonald.
Different committees were elected. This
is the committee on social gatherings:
sc. K. Hopkins, William P. Joy, Willard
Avery, $. D. Wiggin, Charles Watts, W..
Vernon Cheney, Mrs. Howard Davis, Mrs.
Suminsby, Misses Matte Moore, Julia
Jarvis, Georgia Pulsifer, jose Camp
! BELL"
1t seems only just to mention a name
that does not appear on that committee
Mr.. Wellington McFarland-who, with
his tenor voice and unfaiiing good humor,
was always Q favorite with the audience.
For years he and Mr.. Hopkins were
end-men in those inimitable minstrel
shows that always packed Hancock hall
/ to its utmost limit. Frank Brimmer's
name often appears on the old program.
He was tenor singer, violinist, all-round
good fellow. Do you remember that
famous Comb orchestra, that favored us
with all the popular music of the day, and
Willard Avery's playing on four musical
i Instruments ut once?
Simply to read these names instantly
revives scenes Of merriment, which these
fun-loving, mirth-provoking, willing
workers created. Primarily their purpose
was to raise money to pay the debt; in
fact, they developed and strengthened tn.
society.
We have noted that the masquerade,
were given under the auspices OF the U. r
C.-Unitarian reading club. This organi
cation deserves more than passing
notice. At that time the taste for litera.
ture and culture was far below the stand
ard Of the present period, and the slim
ulating influence OF the reading club
which was not confined to the Unitarian
society, can hardly be overestimated.
1t was organized in 1872. The frs
meeting was at tn. home OF Rev. Mr.. ant
Mrs. Savary. Perhaps the youngest mem
Der, perfectly remember that first pro
gram. Much musical, literary and dra
matte talent was revealed or developed al
the seasons rolled.
The secretary's reports we're works O
art. For several seasons a paper calico
The Ellsworth Lever was conducted = al
original articles; and one winter mos
romantic, thrilling novel was written by