USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Litchfield > More chronicles of a pioneer school, from 1792 to 1833, being added history on the Litchfield Female Academy kept by Miss Sarah Pierce and her nephew, John Pierce Brace > Part 14
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little girl from Albany under my care - She is one of the most lovely children, I have ever seen. I hope she will be very industrious and improve in all her studies, that she may gratify her friends and Miss Pierce who is very anxious to have her . . . Thursday morning heard the girls moving about the room which reminded me that a prayer meeting was to be attended at sun rise. I immediately rose & went to the meeting house, four excellent prayers were made & several Psalms and Hymns were sung - Attended school but was so cold that I could not accomplish but little - Received a long letter from my dear Mama some of the good advice she wrote me was this - "You know not how anxiously my affection follows you & how much it depends on your improvement, in temper, industry & self-denying exertion, to gain the love of your companions you must yourself be obliging disposed rather to veil their errors than too readily mark them & to pass by observing or showing that you do their hourly actions - strive to gain too my dear child that humility which can bear reproof patiently and without a fixed determination to insist you are right. I know the strength of your own reason can never effect this, but you know where you may seek for strength - the Spirit of God can alone give that deep sense of error which will make you more anxious to correct your faults than to justify them & to feel the value of the affection which aids you to understand your own character."
Saturday Mr. Beecher visited the school his address was solemn - in the afternoon accompanied by a number of Miss Edward's young Ladies I took a long walk to the celebrated Pine Island the day was delightful & the prospect beautiful Oh! had I the power & the pen of a Poet I would discribe all the various beauties I beheld but I have not the power to even describe it in prose and must leave it to the imagination of those who at some future period may peruse these un- interesting lines
Sunday June 9th 1816
Attended meeting all day but the impression which Mr. Beecher's excellent sermons made on my hard heart were like the dew of the morning which quickly vanishes away, after meeting Miss Edwards sent for me to come to her I went & conversed with her on the impor- tant & interesting subject of religion oh! never will be erased from my memory what she said, I thought to myself that I would give the whole world were it in my power to be a Christian but oh! my wicked heart prevents how true it is that "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" Monday morning we had a prayer meeting at Miss Edward's which was very solemn oh! that the angels in heaven and saints on earth might rejoice over me a repenting sinner; my dear room-mates appear much more concerned for their precious immortal souls, especially dear Nancy oh that she might cause joy
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in a house where God's Spirit has frequently been, her dear Parents are probable in Heaven earnestly hoping she will follow them but if she does not they will own God their Lord & their Redeemer to be merciful just and Holy in distroying her soul - Attended school and recited a lesson in Sacred History and in writing my Journal - I could not but frequently think of this verse which is in Ecclesiastes 11 chap- ter 9 verse rejoice oh! young man in thy youth & let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth & walk in the ways of thy heart & in the sight of thine eyes, but know thou that for all these things God will bring you into Judgment" - oh! dreadful words to a sinner but if we feel it to be true as surely we all must what will be our condem- nation if we donot repent - would that I could say with the Psalmist- "As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee oh! God - my soul thirsteth for God for the living God: when shall I come & appear before God?"
Thursday my recitations at school were as usual in Geography and Blair my new ideas obtained were that the lakes of Kilarney & Lough- Neagh are celebrated for their petrifying powers and are reckoned among the curiosities of Ireland - Wednesday as usual, Thursday & Friday were passed in attending to school employments and in learn- ing to jump the rope a pleasure which I enjoy very much - Saturday attended school and heard the Dissertations read. "On good humour" They were as usual written very well, it is I will own very gratifying to hear Dissertations read but I will own that it is not a pleasure to write them especially when you cannot THINK - As usual Mr. Beecher visited the school & gave us some excellent advice Oh! that it my engraven on my heart & do me good, went into Miss Pierce's, never did I see so many affected all seemed anxiously enquiring "What shall I do to be saved" - but as I told Mr. Beecher my heart is hardened & I fear I shall always remain a SINNER.
Sunday June 1816 " Another six days work is done Another Sabbath is begun Return my soul enjoy thy rest Improve the day thy God has blest."
Attended meeting all day Mr. Beechers sermons were particularly good, I was very happy in the afternoon to discover among the new faces those of Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell of Wethersfield for to see anyone from a place I love so dearly could not but give me pleasure I waited with Nancy & spoke to Mrs. M. who almost immediately recognized us and politely requested us to call & see her on Monday at Judge Reave's. In the evening attended conference Mr. Brace read us a
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most excellent sermon extremely well this compliment is superfluous as all who have ever had the pleasure of hearing Mr. J. P. B. read must know that he never reads otherwise - Monday morning accompanied by N. I called upon Mrs. Mitchell who informed me respecting the health of my dear W- friends. I was disappointed at not seeing Miss O. garden but as the day was unpleasant did not like to request the favour of her with whom I was so little acquainted.
Inaccurate sentences for correction & criticism. Metaphor Steep me in poverty to the very lifes.
Shakespear.
To thee the world its present homage pays, The harvest early but mature the praise.
Addison.
In his dedication of the translation of Juvenal Dryden says - "I was sailing in a vast ocean without any other help than the pole-star of the ancients and the rules of the french among the moderns." etc.
Monday June 17th rose at an early hour and passed my time very pleasantly in conversing and pretending to study as usual attended school and am happy to say that my recitations in Blair and Sacred History were better than usual - Tuesday was spent in vari- ous occupations but I hope profitably. I cannot but blame myself for not saying better lessons in Geography, though I must own Mr. B- gives us quite long lessons - Wednesday was very much dis- appointed to find I had but one hours holy-day and more so when I reflected that it was owing to my tongue "that most unruly evil which no man can tame" for had I not spoken in school I should have had my extra which by taking off my misses would have procured me my long wished for holy day. After school went with Miss Beebe & Miss Spencer for strawberries and found some which were excellent - Thursday at noon went with Miss Sanford & Miss Rockwell to ride, we had reached Judge Reave's when I turning round saw sitting on the back of the carriage Mr. Pitt, I was astonished that a person whom I imagined possessed so much dignity would condescend to be seen in such a degraded situation, but what was my surprise when he cried out in a voice resembling some low bred country clown -
"Dont whip behind."
Miss R- immediately stopped the carriage & he jumped off . .. Friday Saturday were spent in attending to school occupations.
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Sunday June 23 attended meeting all day and had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Hewet preach - Monday morning had a prayer meeting at the school house and though it commenced at the early hour of 5 - yet a number attended - it was a solemn season and what Mr. Beecher said I hope will not be lost upon stony ground but oh! may it spring up bringing forth fruit some an hundred fold some sixty fold some thirty fold. Tuesday & Wednesday attended meetings at Mr. Beecher's house - My time at school was spent very pleasantly & I hope profitably though I fear some part was wasted - Friday my examinations were much better than usual though I am sorry to add I missed - I have to day been afflicted with a severe headache but as to morrow is Saturday I must write down my new ideas or have a debt mark - The river Amazon in South America is the largest river in the world - to read an account of this long & beautiful river fills the mind with sublime ideas of that glorious God who has created all things oh! how much power must He possess who said "Let there be light and there was light" - after school took a walk with Miss Spencer and Mary we found some winter-green, honey-suckle apples, & strawberries, I did wish it was possible for my dear Mother to par- take with me a bunch of beautiful ripe strawberries, which I found but I supposed she has many more at Hartford than it is possible for to procure here in cold & dismal Litchfield .
Saturday June
Rose at an early hour and attended prayer meeting at the school house, it was very solemn and Mr. B. seemed to feel the great impor- tance of the soul's being saved. after breakfast he called at Miss Edward's and conversed & prayed with me in the most solemn manner, he told me the worth of my never dying soul, that I must give up the vain and unsatisfactory pleasures of this world before I could repent he wished to know what idol was between me and God I did not answer though I well knew it was the World - never in my life did I hear so excellent a prayer as Mr. Beecher made with me -oh! how vain does this world appear when we reflect upon eternity can I dwell forever & ever in everlasting burning! Can I spend a never ending eternity with devils & the spirits of the damned! Oh! may I reflect seriously upon these things before it is too late may I remember my creator in the days of my youth while the evil days come not nor the years draw nigh, when I shalt say I have no pleasure in them" Just as I was opening the door to go to school Miss Nancy called me and requested me to this afternoon remain at home "Commune with my own heart and be still" she said light & trifling conversation was often the means of ruining a soul she said Heaven, Hell & Earth were anxiously waiting for the Young Ladies in our chambers to decide
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betwixt Life & Death. As usual attended school the rules were asked and the certificates were generally good - Miss Pierce told us that we were not willing to leave this world for Christ, that she trembled for us for fear some of us should go down to distruction, for if we would attend balls & fill our minds with vanity the world will snare you for my dear Young Ladies" it is impossible to serve God and Mammon, serpents have it in their power to charm birds & men and so has the old serpent which is the Devil he does not look to you like a deceiver but he is and you continue to serve him you will surely go down to distruction - Since I commenced keeping school 150 young Ladies who have attended have gone to their home and are laid in the silent grave . .. In the afternoon I attended a meeting at the school house - It was very solemn and I was very much pleased with Mr. Nettleton -
Monday July 1st
To day being the first of July I will make a few resolutions which I hope to be enabled strictly to observe - I will endeavor to rise much earlier & perform much more than I have during the last six weeks, and will commit my lessons to memory when I study not permitting my thoughts to rove to the ends of the earth - I will improve my temper, oblige all my companions & by my sweet and amiable deport- ment will endeavor to gain their esteem & love. Whenever I think of my ever dear Parents it shall stimulate me to improvement in all useful and ornamental knowledge that their expectations for me may all be realized. At school in my morning lesson did not miss as much as usual after school took a pleasant walk with a number of Young Ladies and found a profusion of field straw-berries - Tuesday was a very pleasant day, all nature both animate and inanimate seemed to be imployed in praising their bountiful Creator while I remained in stupid inaction - At school recited my lesson in Geography without a mistake our class I hope is improving as well as progressing - Wed- nesday had two hours of my holy day but as it was my dear Mama's wish to have me improve every moment of my time to the best ad- vantage to gratify her whom I love so dearly I staid in school and endeavored to improve - Thursday morning rose early and studied my difficult lesson in Geography and recited it pretty well - In the afternoon accompanied by Eliza I went to Mrs. Wolcotts the party was large and pleasant in the evening Mary Ann came to the door and said "Papa the curtain in the next room is on fire" I was very much alarmed when I first saw it but by the exertions of the gentle- men it was soon extinguished, but many of the Ladies things were burnt, I had a long silk shawl entirely burnt up . .. Friday was spent as usual, we had radishes to day for the first time this year . . . July 5th 1816. Saturday morning was devoted to picking green currants
THE CITY OF QUEBEC, PAINTED IN WATER COLORS BY MARY ANN BACON, OF ROXBURY, CONNECTICUT. SHE MARRIED CHAUNCEY WHITTLESEY, OF THE SAME PLACE
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for pies a very pleasant employment - Mr. Beecher visited the school he took for his text "The harvest is past the summer is ended and I am not saved" - it was one the most solemn and affecting discourses I ever heard - Miss Pierce kept school in the afternoon for those Young Ladies who did not attend meeting on Tuesday Nancy & myself went though we were not of the number who were obliged to come, we enjoyed ourselves very much and I cannot but wish school was kept every other Saturday. Sunday attended meeting all day seven persons were united with the church - Monday morning was spent very pleasantly though a small incident took place which for a few moments made me feel a little unhappy though it ought not to have had that effect. At school recited my lesson without a mistake, I am determined if it is possible this week not to miss in one of my lessons, Mr. Brace gave me permission to return home and write my Journal, I was very glad for I esteem it a great privilege to compose in silence - Wednesday had three hours holy day but attended school, after tea took a walk with Eliza and called at Mr. Brace's and spent an hour very pleasantly, and heard a compliment for Nancy W. Hurl- burt which I do not think she or myself will very soon forget - Thurs- day rose early and spent the morning in study at school recited a lesson in Geography which was very interesting as usual I missed - Miss Pierce informed Miss E. boarders that they must return home to write or draw no more I regretted it very much as it is so very warm in the school house.
I was very happy when I returned home from a pleasant walk to find a large box of most excellent cherries which my dear mama sent me by the stage. I wish it was in my power to express how very much I was obliged to her for kindness - Friday as usual was examined and as usual passed a poor examination. Saturday was spent as cus- tomary in receiving religious instruction I never knew any person more calculated to advise others than Miss Pierce & happy would it be for me were I to follow what I know I ought too - Saturday evening's reflections - another week is gone, another of those limited portions of time which number out my short life, let me stop here and consider what life is which glides so very imperceptibly away - it is but a vapour which vanishes never to return, if then my life is but as a dream what solemn interrogations are these - How have I spent my time the week past! have I employed a due proportion in acts of devotion & in performing my duty both to God & man - have I been kind and obliging to all around me (according to my dear mama's request) consulting the happiness & care of my companions giving up my own wishes to theirs - I cannot but answer many of these in the negative - Sunday morning 9 o'clock - I cannot but ask myself as this morning passes away what subjects have occupied my
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thoughts since I first arose I blush when I reflect how many very idle thoughts have passed through my mind on this sacred morning when I ought to have been thinking on those subjects which would have a tendency to prepare my mind to repell the temptations which I am liable to meet with this day - I attended meeting & among the new faces was very happy to see Mr. Ingersoll's . ..
Summer 1816.
Monday morning was devoted to reading an amusement which I think is very instructive we owe much of our happiness to books, for by their assistance we are made acquainted with the events of ancient and modern times, and it is to them that we are indebted for all that distinguishes us from the savages, by them our understandings are enlarged our memories strengthened, and by them we learn how to live & how to die, they, inform us of all important events which have taken place since the creation of the world and of the observations of astronomers which have a tendency to convey to our minds the most elevated ideas of creation and that being who by his great power up- holds all of them. At school I recited a lesson to Miss Pierce in Sacred History, it was very interesting; My time was principally employed in writing Journal in the afternoon recited in Blair and thought I had used all my endeavors to commit it to memory, so perfectly, as not miss yet miss I did - parsed - the Division chose for their subject- Prejudice - Mr. Brace gave us a very difficult sum in Multiplication and said we were all capable of doing it & should stay (were it till morning) till we did - I thought I should stay all night & often told Mr. B. it was impossible for me to do it, but about sun-down to my great joy I finished it never shall I forget as long as long as memory holds her seat in my breast this day or what occurred, I shall for the future try before I say, what Mr. B. does hate so very much to hear I CANT. Tuesday morning rose as usual early and studied my Geog- raphy lesson which was quite long and tedious; at school my recitations were in Blair & Grammar Mr. B- permitted me to put out the spellings - took a long and pleasant walk with Miss Rockwell & Spencer and returned home quite fatigued and on that account did not attend meeting - Wednesday morning attended meeting at the school house Mr. Ingersoll was present - the morning was spent in study. I cannot but reflect how very necessary it is for me to improve in all the studies I pursue when I read this elegant sentence; "If the spring put forth no blossoms in summer, there will be no beauty & in Autumn no fruit so if youth be trifled away in indolence, maturity will be con- temptible and old age miserable" Recited my lesson without a mis- take had my three hours holy-day and as Nancy was unwell and wished me to remain at home to oblige her I consented - we spent our time
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very pleasantly in writing, sewing and reading. Thursday was spent in school employments, did not miss in my Geography lesson - after tea went about a quarter of a mile to meet the stage accompanied by Nancy & Eliza on our return we called on the Miss Newcombs & at Dr. Catlin's, Mary showed us her large map of Asia which she had just finished & one of the United States both showed how much per- severing industry joined with a large share of Patience will accomplish - Friday did not miss in my morning recitations - was examined in Blair & Geography in the afternoon Miss Catherine Webb from New York commenced school. I was very much pleased with her counte- nance and her name I love most dearly- after tea called at Mrs. Gould & at Mrs. Aaron Smith's - Saturday can it be possible that to day closes another week! it seems scarcely a day since I answered to the rules, I have heard it remarked by many that if our time passed quickly it could not but be past pleasantly but I do not think so, though it has not been spent very unpleasantly yet when I reflect how it has been spent it makes my guilty conscience say some hours have been wasted - Monday was principally devoted to fretting I blush when I think of Monday - because it was not a very pleasant employment or one becoming a Lady & though the sum was very difficult yet I must own it did no good to fret & try persevering I should have obtained the answer much sooner - The rest of the week was spent much better, had a perfectly good certificate as usual (for since this term com- menced I have always had) & I was happy to find that almost all the scholars had the same.
Saturday July 27th 1816
Another week has glided almost imperceptible away and I have not written any Journal therefore this afternoon must be devoted to that employment - Monday was very pleasantly spent as was Tuesday - Wednesday attended the funeral of two persons who were very suddenly drowned in the river Bantam - Thursday & Friday did not miss in my Geography lesson; Friday afternoon was spent with friend Nancy at Mrs. Aaron Smith's very pleasantly indeed. The evening at home had quite a repast of some fine currants - Sat- urday as there was no school on Friday afternoon we attended all day was examined in Blair & Geography & passed a pretty good examina- tion, had a perfectly good certificate it gave me much pleasure to day to hear Miss Edwards remark that she had never had a family before this summer to whom she had always given good certificates - Mon- day morning was spent in various occupations - At school recited in Sacred History my lesson was much more interesting than usual wrote my Journal and read it to Miss Pierce - After school went to walk for exercise with the girls and enjoyed myself very much - Tues-
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day was spent as usual for nothing scarcely ever occurs worth noticing. I always attend school and my studies are the same to day Mr. Brace gave the Division a sum in Division which I did without fretting - Wednesday as usual - Thursday after tea went to the Post Office & received a long letter from Jane & a short one from Louisa accompanied by a box of fine cherries - Eliza also received a letter which informed her that she might return home on Tuesday of the next week this was sad news to me for dear Eliza is one of my best friends and I shall feel very sorry when she leaves us I never have felt so home sick as I did to day it almost made me sick but Nancy's lively spirits kept me well, for I was determined not to let her know how sadly I felt . . .
ON PREJUDICE
Prejudice is defined (by Mr. Walker) prepossession, hurt, injury, it is the effect of preconceived ideas or impressions acting on the mind and blinding every view opposed to those impressions. A person who is prejudiced cannot but judge partially he sees with wrong eyes, he hears with wrong ears and judges with wrong feelings, he is so much biassed by self love that he would be willing to condemn the person against whom he is prejudiced without hearing his discourse - Prej- udice cannot with propriety be called the error of weak minds since many persons of strong intellectual powers are often swayed by it; though doubtless there are some who will not let their feelings lead them to deviate from the right paths - Prejudice is but another name for Party Spirit and has proved the greatest foe to national greatness and glory; its blighting influence has even reached the social circle and chilled many a heart open to affection and truth, for prejudice is ever opposed to truth and too strongly biassed to allow of free enquiry. We often let the "eye of our mind" prejudice us against others if the countenances are not prepossessing but this is wrong as we can scarcely ever judge of persons by their faces and we frequently read in History of persons who were very beautiful & yet possessed cruel capricious & tyranical dispositions, & we ourselves have seen those who at first sight have by their beauty prejudiced us in their favour but upon acquaintance we have found to possess very bad dispositions, we have also known others whom we were prejudiced against but when we had been in their company a short time we found to possess a most excellent understanding and disposition these examples clearly prove that we very often judge erroneously & therefore ought not to form hasty opinions .
Of the terms Prejudice, Bigotry, Candor and Liberality, Dr. Aikins in letters to his son give a happy exemplification - "When Jesus preached Prejudice cried "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth! Crucify crucify him exclaimed Bigotry, Why what evil hath he done
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