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 15
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remonstrated Candor & Liberality, drew from his words this inference "In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him."
Friday August 2d 1816
Attended school and was examined missed the last question which was provoking, after tea accompanied by May, Eliza, Nancy & Susan I went to a spring about three quarters of a mile from Miss E- the water was very clear & we stopped and drank freely which was very refreshing; we then crossed several green pastures & went to the river Bantam which is situated very pleasantly between two hills which are covered with many of them we soon discovered to be apple trees, the green fruit was very inviting but for some time the fear of debt marks restrained us from taking any but at last we gathered a few. We then followed this beautiful river to a very romantic bridge where the water was so low that we easily crossed the river on stones we could had we followed our inclinations remained in this delightful spot much longer but the setting sun reminded us that we must re- turn, therefore, after presenting each other with a stone to preserve so as to remember our pleasant walk to the Bantam at the spring recol- lecting that soon our dear Eliza was to leave us we stopped and drank her health all of us wishing her something which we thought would add to her comfort & happiness in future life one that she might long live & be useful to society & a comfort to her friends another that she might find all her friends well on her return & have a pleasant Journey. To finish we broke the cup and walked with haste so as not to be home late - we had a delightful walk home guided most of the way by the light of the moon - Saturday was afflicted with a severe headache which prevented me from attending school, Mr. Cornelius dined at Miss Edward's - The afternoon was not spent very profitably for I did not feel able to work - took a ride on horse- back ... Sunday Mr. C. preached all day morning text Ps-14-2 & 3 verses - afternoon Rev. 2-4 Monday, today, I had my feelings very much hurt indeed by Nancy I think she is sometimes neglectful of the feelings of others & often very often she wounds mine most deaply, and yet I cannot but pardon her as I know it proceeds from inad- vertance . . . Tuesday commenced the Elements the lesson was very difficult it was a general view of Asia it informed us that the chief inland seas were the Mediterranean, the Baltic the Euxine, the Egean the Caspian and the Red Sea, it told the length & breadth of all of them; Gulfs, bays etc were noticed - the lesson was very instructive - the afternoon was spent in drawing on my map, reciting in Blair and cyphering. After tea went with Nancy to call at Mrs. Wolcotts we had a great supply of strawberries, raspberries & courrants - oh how frequently has Eliza been in my mind to day, everything reminds me
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that she whom I loved so dearly is gone but why should I repine Eliza is happy and this pleasant thought ought to make me so . . . Attended meeting at the West school Mr. B. took his text from the 25 chapter of Matthew, and explained the few last verses - He described the joy of the Christian at the last day and the misery of the sinner when the Judge should pronounce the awful sentence "depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil & his angels", the irrecoverable sentance is past and oh! what are the feelings of those wretched persons to whom this was addressed - Wednesday morning was spent in committing to memory a lesson in Blair & Elements - the morning at school was devoted to drawing on my map an employ- ment of which I am very fond - had my three hours holy-day at- tended a meeting of the association a very venerable old gentleman preached he took his text from Heb. 6-19 - In the evening attended a meeting of the Society & chose the officers which were as follows
Miss H. Sperry - President Miss H. McNiel - Vice President Miss Mary Peck-Secretary rec-Miss Breck - corresponding Miss Mary Sherrill Treasurer.
Directors - Miss Mary Cornelius Miss Nancy Farnham Miss Charlotte Smith Miss Zilpha Wakeman Miss Eliza Erwin . . .
Librarian - Miss F. Whittlesey
Thursday rose early it was a most delightful day and as I cast my eyes to the Eastern Hills I could not but sigh "oh that I had the wings of a dove there would I fly, away and be at home" ... The morning was spent in study writing and conversing - I do wonder & I wish I could know what my dear frineds are doing at Hartford probable my ever dear Miss Laight is with them - to night that stage which has so often made me happy will come in and I hope will bring poor home-sick Nancy and myself a large bundle of letters - I cannot but think that a contented mind is one of the greatest blessings which we can possess, I read to day what I know to be true "that the chear- fulness of a well regulated mind, springs from a good conscience, and the favour of Heaven & is bounded by temperance and reason - It makes a man happy in himself & promotes the happiness of all around him - It is the clear and calm sunshine of a mind illuminated by piety & virtue - It crowns all other good dispositions & comprehends the
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general effect which they ought to produce on the heart." At school my recitations were better than usual, after tea went with Nancy to the Post Office and received a letter from my dear Mother she wrote me that she did wish I would appreciate my advantages aright - oh that I would but consider how necessary it is to the right manage- ment of time to be impressed with a just sense of its value, the wisest man that ever existed has informed us "that to everything there is a season & a time for every purpose under the heaven Friday morning was devoted to study in the afternoon was examined in Blair, Geog- raphy & Elements of useful knowledge - when I returned home I perceived by Mary's sorrowful countenance that something had occurred which distressed her, & one of the young Ladies informed me that she had just received a letter which informed her of the death of her dear Grand-mother. after tea went to walk with Emmeline Beebe she purchased a variety of eatables and generously gave me more than half - Melmoth a celebrated writer says that he considers a generous mind as the noblest work of the creation & is persuaded that wherever it resides no real merit can be wanting - The evening was spent very pleasantly at home - Saturday morning as I have no lesson to learn I will write what I recollect from a character of Alfred which I read yesterday - It said that he was a complete model of goodness that he knew how to conciliate the most enterprising spirit with the coolest moderation he was not only virtuous, benevo- lent & just - but he possessed dignity of shape & air & a pleasant
engaging & open countenance ... From this sentence "Learning is like the mercury one of the most powerful & excellent things in the world in skilful hands; in unskilful most mischievous," this conum- dram might easily I think be made - Why is Learning like mercury? . .. Saturday morning was spent very pleasantly all alone in my little arbour about this time last week I was walking with my dear Eliza - Miss C. C. Webb, Miss C. Conklin & Miss W- commenced boarding at Miss Edward's - Sunday morning attended meeting sev- eral bills were read while Mr. Beecher was reading the last for a family who had lost a Father one of the young Ladies who was daughter to the deceased went into a fit & groaned most dreadfully Mr. B. made a most excellent prayer, he took his text from Mat -"Weep not for me but weep for your selves" - he first explained why we should not weep when our Christian friends die, he said that they left a world filled with troubles and crosses to inherit one where sorrow & sickness was unknown though they might have been happy here below yet they are now much more happy in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity, we are not forbidden to weep, for our blessed Savior when on earth wept but we are forbidden to suffer excessive grief to pre- dominate in our hearts, it is our duty to feel that the Lord both of
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heaven & earth cannot but do right & bow submissively to his will, 2ly we should weep for ourselves, because we are left to travel alone through this world we must suffer all the pain & sorrow to which human nature is liable without a friend perhaps to guide and direct our wander- ing steps - Our text was six years since chosen by the wife of the de- ceased for her husband & childrens comfort when she was laid in the silent grave but God has graciously seen fit to prolong her life and unexpectedly to take her husband who now if he could speak would say to her & her afflicted children "Weep not for me but weep for your selves". the widow has many things to cause her heart to acke & many to make it rejoice - Our friend Mr. Peck dyed at sea & was buried in a watery grave; he was far distant from his home and friends . . . we have not cause to mourn as those that have no hope for we have reason to trust that our deceased friend is now enjoying that happiness which "eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither has it en- tered into the heart of man to conceive".
Monday morning was devoted to writing a letter to my dear Eliza - At school in the morning recited a lesson in Sacred History in the afternoon did not attend school as it was very warm and I had the head-ache worked & wrote a letter to my dear mother - after tea went down with the girls in the lot & we had a very pleasant dance though poor music, in the evening attended a meeting of the Society, Miss Pierce requested me to read aloud a piece about Sokol or Sokool a heathen who became pious, lost his cast, was baptized in the river Ganges not to wash away his sins but to show that he was a follower of Jesus in being a Christian the heathen lose their cast which is very much esteemed by them and are laughed at by all their companions, but they receive in return peace of conscience joy in the Holy Ghost increase of grace and perseverance unto the end.
Tuesday morning rose with this determination that I would not this week miss in Elements, for this purpose I spent an hour and an half in studying all alone by myself in the lot back of the house pro- tected from the rays of the sun by a large willow tree. Attended school and did not Miss in my Elementary lesson - read the follow- ing anecdote yesterday which pleased me very much & I will commit it to writing .* This anecdote is one of the most interesting ones I have ever read it shows the noble minds which the Laceda- monians possessed and the respect which is due and which they showed to old age . .. Miss Pierce requested us yesterday to write an idea which we acquired during the day in our Journal. Mine for to day are first that glass was invented in England by Benault, a monk - secondly this that pins were first used in England in the year 1543 before this time the ladies used skewers - thirdly that in the year 1756, 146 Englishmen were confined in the black hole at Calcutta in
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the East Indies by order of the Nabob 123 died before morning, this is one of the most cruel things I ever read of in one night to distroy so many persons . .. My time at school in the morning was devoted to writing - Wednesday morning was spent in study, at school did not miss in my recitations had but two hours holy-day, staid in School and worked on my map till four then accompanied by Nancy called at Mrs. Bulls had a fine swing - Thursday did not miss in my morn- ing recitations, had my feelings very much hurt by - - she spoke in a very disrespectable manner of my very dear Uncle Chester who who was a most excellent Christian & universally beloved by all who knew him & we have now reason to trust that his spirit is in heaven with the spirits of the just made perfect - She also spoke in a very disrespectable manner of my dear Parents & although what she af- firmed to be true was false yet it could not but have the effect which she desired that of hurting my feelings - but the next day she told me she was in fun. Friday missed for the first time this week in Ele- ments I was very sorry for I have recited without since Tuesday & had hoped to during this week - was examined in Geography, Blair & Elements - Mrs. Sheldon gave me a perfectly ripe peach & pear which came from New York both looked very tempting but I thought of old Mrs. E. & was determined to suffer some self denial & therefore gave both to her she appeared so grateful that it fully repaid me for losing the good of them myself - In the afternoon Mrs. Johnson of Stanford & her two daughters & sons drank tea at Miss Edward's with several other Ladies, the party, was very pleasant - Miss Pierce gave us Saturday morning the word Play to define, one wrote thus
' Why should you ask for a meaning to play When it is what I think & do every day, "To play" is to act what my nature desires "To work" is to do what my faculties tires" -
All were read loud & many were very good, mine was in prose and as follows Dr. Walker defines play to be sport, amusement, play at school is not attending to what is necessary to sit idle, move or speak; play, at meeting is having idle thoughts, for surely the most wicked persons would not openly, play laugh or talk when in the house of a holy God many are apt to think that if they do not commit these sins they do not play but I assure them that they are mistaken. To play in hours when we are permitted to have recreation and a relaxation from study or work, may be termed amusement sport for in those hours we do any thing which will add to our pleasure - Play on in- struments is using them in such a manner as to sound agreeably to the ear this also is an amusement and an elegant accomplishment - Play in itself when used aright is no sin, the most wise person that
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ever existed informs us that, "There is a time to every purpose & everything under heaven" - Miss Pierce gave us the word Lying to define next week & I hope to succeed better in the afternoon called at Dr. Sheldons with Miss Webb and saw some elegant prints, one in particular interested me very much it was the likeness of the Abbe Sicard ... after tea took a walk and called at Mr. H- Miss Breck took me in the garden and I had as many courrants as I wished - Sunday morning as I sat at my window which faces the West these reflections past in my mind. When I look around me and see trees birds fruit & etc it naturally leads to the reflection, what a great God must he be who has created all these things, how far superior to man who is not able to imitate a single leaf which the Creator of the Uni- verse has made and how good must he be who had done all this for guilty rebels Who can look around & see the works of Providence & say "there is no God" many may say it, but none I am sure can be- lieve it for all nature both animate and inaminate shew and clearly prove to the contrary - The day has again returned which God has blessed and hallowed & commanded us to observe, yes the anaversary of that day when Christ arose from the dead "leading captivity cap- tive" had it not been for this day how many would have perished, but the SAVIOUR of the world condescended to take upon him our nature and suffer the ignominious death of the cross that we might live & yet how many choose death in preference to life - Attended meeting morning text Ex 34 & last. part of the 7 verse - afternoon Ex 20-5-6 he spoke principally of the duty of Parents he said that their example would if correct be followed by the fourth and fifth generation and God would bless them, he spoke of the bad conse- quences arising from improper management of family's & of the reward which good Parents would receive at the last day, my heart throbbed with joy while I heard him for I thought this reward is for my dear Parents the guardians of my youth oh! how often have they with Paternal affection reminded me of my duty both to God and man how often advised guided and directed me, may my heart rise in grateful praise, thank & adore my bountiful benefactor for giving me the best of earthly blessings Parents - Monday morning was devoted to study at school my time was spent in writing Journal and reciting afternoon in work - after school took a long walk and found a pro- fusion of bilberries a fruit which I do not recollect ever to have seen in any place but L- in the evening attended a meeting of the society Miss Pierce requested me to read a sermon written by Mr. Mill- doller for the society in N. Y. established for the relief of widows & fatherless children in that city the sermon was very elegantly ex- pressed and in a most forcible manner urged us to give to the poor he said that a person when upon their dying bed made this remark
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"What I have spent is lost, what I have will be lost to me, but what I have given away will remain forever" Miss Pierce told us several ways to do good and closed with a most excellent prayer - I have not spent so pleasant an evening since this quarter commenced - after my return home I read in the Cottager of Glanburnie, I was very much gratified with the character of Mary Stewart & Mrs. Mason Bell made me look at home and think that it was very much like me when I read this (a remark her father made) "Oh that she were not too headstrong to take advice & too self-sufficient to think that she stands in no need of an advisor" - I thought perhaps my dear papa has said this of me - Tuesday did not miss in Elements or Sacred History after school took a walk & suffered very much with the cold when I returned home I was rejoiced to find Catherine's friends had arrived from New York - Wednesday did not miss in my usual recitations - had my holy-day and spent it at Mr. Braces very pleas- antly, was very much gratified by reading Miss Abby Smiths Journal I think she possesses a very superior mind and an excellent under- standing - In the evening attended a meeting at the school house Mr. Fraser a very interesting young man from Charleston S. C. preached his text from Ex 11-9 "Rejoice oh! young man in thy youth & let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth.
Thursday Catherine took me & all the young Ladies to ride we who went first went to South Farms and rode through the celebrated Pine Island & dressed the coach with Pines I never had a more delight- ful ride every heart throbbed with pleasure and all were made happy to see others so, the prospect was very delightful and the gardens looked very flourishing but as always I am discontent I must mention that to day I was not at all so once indeed I sighed oh! that I was going home but I suppressed the rising sigh by reflecting that all was for the best - In the afternoon at school recited my lesson without missing attended a funeral Mr. Fraser addressed us, he said the scene was truly solemn and impressive that she who was now a breathless corpse proved the assertion to be true "That man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble, he cometh forth like a flower & is cut down he fleeth as a shadow continueth not" - we are also mortal but a short time and we shall bid adieu to all things here below soon will our spirits take their flight to the world above and we shall have to answer for all we have done here below. To those who are particularly interested in this affecting dispensation of God's provi- dence I would say a word, you are sorely grieved God has removed from you a near and a dear friend but blessed be his holy name we do not mourn as for those who have no hope our sister died rejoicing in the hope of going to heaven she met the tyrant with a smile no fear pervaded her breast for she was willing to pass through the dark
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valley of the shadow of death knowing that he in whom she had trusted would never leave nor forsake her; if like her we would die like her we must live, this scene were our hearts not formed like stone would never be obliterated from our memory, let us all return to our chamber and examine ourselves & "Prepare to meet our God" He called at Miss Edward's after the funeral & desired to see the Young Ladies, he told us he should ask each one of us this question "Have you ever repented" and we must answer it as in the presence of God, never in my life did I feel so much fear in the presence of a MAN. I thought if I dread so much to answer this question now, what will be my feel- ings at the day of judgment when before an angry God & ten hundred millions of Spectators it will be put to me and if answered in the neg- ative oh! what will be my condemnation - he asked five and all answered NO is it possible cried he that five immortal souls will perish forever is it possible that my coming here this afternoon will be a "savor of death" unto any of these never dying souls but I must do my duty yes I will warn & beg of you to flee from the wrath to come & if - If I should at the judgment day see any of you at the left hand I shall remember that I warned beg'd & intreated you to repent and I will wash my hands of your blood; oh! what depraved and vile hearts must you possess who though invited to come to Christ that you may live still still remain stupid refusing to ever repent choosing death rather than life oh would to God that you could for a moment feel how depraved you are the thought for an instant would over- whelm you with sorrow, but I must bid you farewell oh! may not the separation be for ever. In the evening attended meeting Mr. Fraser preached from Isa 53 All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all".
Friday morning Mr. Fraser called at Miss E and conversed with us in a manner which ought to have melted us, but oh! my wicked heart what but the power of God can break it - at school was ex- amined in Geography, Blair & Elements in the latter I had not missed during the week - In the evening had a meeting at Miss E- for sinners Miss Talmadge was very much affected oh! what precious privi- leges do I enjoy and are they not a savor of death unto death" Mr. Fraser seems very much interested for us oh! with what earnestness did he beg of us to "flee from the wrath to come" he said he had fol- lowed the pleasure of the world he had not left a stone unturned but all he found was VANITY & he had experienced more happiness in one moment possessing religion than in all he had ever felt from the world - Saturday morning Mr. Fraser called again he asked us if we would not come to Christ for he was ready to receive all that would come to him though the worst of sinners he said if anything he could
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do would save our immortal souls he would do it whatever it was, but he could do nothing - Attended school and answered the rules and was sorry to find under how many I was guilty. Mr. Fraser vis- ited the school and urged us in a most affectionate manner to turn. from the evil of our ways unto God" the afternoon was devoted to sewing. In the evening attended a conference at Mrs. Lords Mr. Fraser preached.
Sunday August 28th 1816- The morning was spent in reading in the life of Miss Fanny Woodberry I was very much pleased with it, her style is superior I think to Mrs. Newells and her piety was such as becometh a follower of the Blessed Jesus, she did not live a long life but we may well say with Dr. Young "That life is long which answers life's great end" ... Mr. Fraser preached from 2 Cor 7-10 in the evening Eph 3-8 after meeting he called at Miss Edward's and bid us farewell perhaps never to meet again till the judgment day, he parted with Miss Dwight" he said with pleasure because what he had said to her was not lost for she had come to Christ & he had gra- ciously received & pardoned her sins, her hope was founded on the rock of ages and he said he had reason to trust she had been received into the ark of safety" He also spoke of Miss Talmadge & told Miss E that she said she wished her heart was as large as creation that she might praise GOD aright that she was very happy in her mind & though she had thought "her day of grace was past" yet now she hoped God had graciously forgiven her sins and accepted her unworthy as she was . . . I parted with Mr. Frazer with sorrow for he has seemed so interested for the school & I rejoice that many have turned from the error of their way to serve the living and true God "though I remain hardened in my sins, when he affectionately pressed my hand & said "may GOD bless you" my heart replied the same - Mon- day morning was examined in Sacred History - new ideas obtained this morning were that in 1446 the sea broke in at Dort in Holland & drowned 100,000 people, it must have been almost as terrible as when the flood was - I also read that in the 557 a plague was all over Europe, Asia & Africa which continued nearly 50 years - Every day reminds me that I am mortal yesterday Mrs. Clever died, I recollect reading sometime since that Philip a Macedonian monarch ordered to be pronounced in his hearing every morning - "Remember thou art mortal" I think it must have had great effect upon his conduct & influenced his actions. ... In the afternoon wrote cyphered & parsed - after school took a pleasant walk - In the evening attended meeting at Miss P.'s house Mr. Beecher explained the parable of the Prodigals son it was very interesting - Tuesday morning rose early and after completing the habitual duties of the morning prepared to study my Elementary lesson which was quite difficult as usual I
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