USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Roxbury > History of the First Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1630-1904 > Part 26
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Jan. 2, 1882. The Standing Committee.
Jan. 1, 1883.
George A. Dary, R. B. Fairbairn.
Jan. 4, 1886. George A. Dary, R. B. Fairbairn, Mrs. Leonard Ware, Jr.
Jan. 2, 1888. George A. Dary, R. B. Fairbairn.
Jan. 7, 1889. G. H. Wilson, Mark Hollingsworth.
Jan. 5, 1891. Mark Hollingsworth.
Jan. 6, 1896. Theodore M. Plimpton.
Jan. 4, 1897. N. O. Whitcomb, Stephen H. Williams, James A. Waddington. Jan. 2, 1899. N. O. Whitcomb.
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THE FIFTH MEETING HOUSE
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
In the early days of the church the young people were carefully watched over and disciplined, and at least once a year were catechised by the Pastor or Elders. December 6th, 1674, Eliot writes in the Church Book:
"This day we restored or primitive practice for the training up of or youth, first or male youth (in fitting season), stay every Sab: after the evening exercize, in the Pub: meeting house, where the Elders will examine their remembrance yt day, & amy fit poynt of catechise. Secondly yt or female youth should meet in one place, where the Elders may examine ym of theire remembrance yesterday & about catechise, or what else may be convenient."
From that time there is no special mention in the records of a Sunday school, though we know that the Pastors and Elders continued to watch over and discipline the youth of their flock.
The Sunday school as we know it to-day was organized in Dr. Porter's time, and he is known to have taken an interest in the young and often talked in the school to the scholars. The first known superintendent was Mr. Clap, and he is mentioned as acting in 1841. Oct. 31, 1842, Mr. Williams, son of Mr. Isaac Williams, entered upon the duties, and Dec. 12, 1847, Mr. C. K. Dillaway became the superintendent and continued in office for nearly thirty years. He was succeeded by Mr. Adams Ayer, after whom there have been numerous superintendents, no one serving for any great length of time. In some years students from the Divinity School in Cambridge have filled the place.
In the first half of the century the session was only between April first and December first, on account of the lack of heat and the difficulty of sending children any distance in cold and stormy weather. The time of service was sometimes
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THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
between three and four in the afternoon, but more often before church service in the morning.
The school assembled in the pews in the middle aisle of the church, and the opening exercises generally consisted of a short service with singing. The classes then adjourned to the square pews, where the class lessons were held. Just before the end of the hour they reassembled in the middle aisle, and after repeating the Lord's Prayer and singing a hymn, the school was dismissed with a benediction. Some- times the school was addressed by a visitor. Mr. Wm. Crosby made an address annually, when a special collection was taken up for the benefit of the Children's Mission.
There was no system in the class instruction. Each teacher used his or her own individual method. Some classes used the books common in the American Unitarian Associa- tion, but there was no compulsion in the use of these. Dur- ing Mr. Brooks' pastorate he held teachers' meetings, where the lessons were planned and discussed, but each teacher used her own method in carrying out the ideas thus gained.
Prizes were given for regular attendance, and at Christmas and Easter there were special exercises. A collection was taken the first Sunday in each month, usually for the benefit of the Children's Mission. There was a library in connec- tion with the school, when books were given out and exchanged each Sunday.
May 27, 1868, there was a mass meeting of Sunday school children in Music Hall in Boston, in which our school took an active part. On another occasion the school was taken in King's coaches to Boston, to see an exhibition of religious paintings, and for many years the annual Sunday school picnic was a popular feature.
In the Report of the Society in 1880, the following was the
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REPORT OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
The number of scholars now in the school is 130; the number of teachers 27. A teachers' meeting is held once each fortnight on Friday at four o'clock. These meetings are always open to all in the society who care to listen to a discussion of the work of the Sunday School. It is of the nature of a Bible Class. The hour of the School was changed in the autumn from three P.M. to a quarter of ten A.M. A gentleman from the senior class of the Divinity School in Cambridge has been engaged this year to assist in the superintendence of the school. The Library last year underwent a careful examination, a large number of questionable books being thrown out. Nearly an equal number of new books, selected almost wholly from the catalogue of the Ladies' Commission, were added. Contributions are taken up in the school for the Children's Mission. The sum this year it is hoped will be about one hundred dollars. The Children's Christmas Festival has resulted in adding largely to the stores of Mr. Briggs, the Agent of the Roxbury Charitable Society. Instead of distributing gifts to our own children they have been asked to bring useful gifts, groceries, clothing, &c which have been given to Mr. Briggs. Large numbers of toys have also been sent to the Rev. Mr. William Bradley's Mission in Heath Street. The officers of the School are
Superintendent, Rev. J. G. Brooks.
Assistant-Superintendent, Mr. A. M. Judy.
Librarians. Miss Abby Putnam and Miss Emma Lockwood.
Teachers.
Miss A. S. Baylies.
Miss Nellie Leavitt.
Miss Josephine Carret.
Miss Elizabeth Leland.
Mrs. Mary L. Clarke.
Miss Maria D. Lockwood.
Miss Annie V. Comins.
Miss Anna C. Lowell.
Miss Helen T. Comins.
Miss Susie H. Pickering.
Miss L. B. Comins. Miss Laura M. Pollock.
Miss Emily A. Crafts.
Miss F. S. Rogers.
Miss Sarah Dearborn.
Miss Alice M. Sears.
Mrs. Geo. B. Farnsworth.
Miss Sophia Shepherd.
Miss Kate Fearing. Miss Emma Hutchins.
Miss Sarah Taber.
Miss Annie II. Thwing.
Mr. A. M. Judy.
Miss Annie Ware.
Miss Carrie Leavitt.
Miss E. W. Leavitt.
Mrs. Fanny A. Wheelock.
RE
L
el d'Brown
VIEW OF ELIOT SQUARE IN 1844.
357
THE HORSE SHEDS
THE HORSE SHEDS
The first mention in the church records of sheds for the protection, during services, of the horses of those living at a distance, was on Jan. 19, 1673, when leave was granted the inhabitants living at a distance to have ground for temporary house for themselves and horses on the Sabbath.
In March, 1701-2, leave was granted to build a stable to shelter horses at public meetings and on the Sabbath, and the next year leave was granted to those at Jamaica end to build a house near the meeting house for their accommoda- tion between services on the Sabbath day. The exact location of these sheds is unknown.
There were 7 or 8 horse sheds erected in 1757 standing on a part of the ground now enclosed in the meeting house yard. In 1804, they were removed on to the triangular piece of land at the corner of Bartlett and Dudley Streets, where Cox Building now stands, and were then seven in number. In 1828 they had become so much out of repair that it was deemed necessary to pull them down and erect new ones in their stead. The seven Old Proprietors conceived that they had a right to the land on which their sheds stood, by reason of their having had quiet possession thereof for more than twenty years (since 1804), and in that case came in for new ones on better terms than those who had requested leave of the Society to build an additional number. Therefore they were given the first choice and not compelled to take leases. All were to have the use of the sheds for twenty years by pay- ing to the Standing Committee one Dollar when the sheds were completed.
The new sheds were erected, completed, and accepted by the building committee about Jan. 1, 1830, at a cost of $700. They were leased until Dec. 31, 1849, each proprietor paying
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about $35 to cover the cost of erection, and a rental of one cent per year if demanded.
A list of the proprietors is as follows, the Old Proprietors being designated by a *
No. 1. Charles Davis *.
No. 2. John Lowell *.
No. 3. William C. Hunneman *.
No. 4. Enoch Bartlett.
No. 5. Thos. K. Jones.
No. 6. Susan and Sarah Davis *.
No. 7. Eben Francis.
No. 8. John Parker *.
No. 9. Isaae Davis.
No. 10. Caroline Langdon Eustis.
No. 11. Samuel Billings.
No. 12. David Dudley.
No. 13. Ebenezer Crafts.
No. 14. Nehemiah D. Williams *.
No. 15. Benjamin Weld.
No. 16. Aaron Kingsbury.
No. 17. Stedman Williams.
No. 18. Thomas Brewer.
No. 19. John Champney.
No. 20. Aaron D. Willams *.
The following were afterwards transferred.
No. 4 to Warren Fisher.
No. 10 to Jonathan Chapman of Boston and later to Jas. D. Gould.
No. 11 to David A. Simmons.
No. 12 to William I. Loring.
No. 14 to Holman Page.
No. 16 to William B. Kingsbury.
No. 18 to Gardner Brewer.
No. 19 to Benjamin Bangs.
In 1850 the leases were renewed until 1859 when the sheds were entirely removed.
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CHARITABLE SOCIETIES
CHARITABLE SOCIETIES
Our church has always been foremost in good works, and has helped many good causes. The following Societies have been founded by members of the church. Some of them have ceased to exist, and others, enlisting the sympathy of those outside of our Society, have ceased to be strictly church organizations.
Roxbury Charitable Society, 1794.
The Roxbury Female Benevolent Society, 1827.
Ladies' Religious Charitable Society, 1832-1835. The May Fair, 1842.
Roxbury Branch of the United States Sanitary Com- mission, 1861.
Lincoln Freedman's Aid Society, 1863-1873.
The Roxbury Young Men's Union, 1875.
The Woman's Alliance, 1887.
Chapel Club, 1896-1906.
Not only in organizing these Societies, but in carrying on the work, have the ladies of our church been the leaders. They have generously contributed both time and money, and have been active and indefatigable in making them a success. During the century, one or more members of almost every family connected with the church, has devoted herself to some one of these good works, and as it is impossible to name them all, I am sure that no one will take it amiss if I omit all personal mention. Where all have been faithful and done much, it is impossible to specialize.
Besides the regular organizations, the ladies have been ever ready to answer special appeals, and to take their share in emergencies. In April, 1845, after a great fire at the Rope- walks, the ladies met and devised help for the sufferers, and many other instances of a like nature could be named.
ยท
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THE FIFTH MEETING HOUSE
From time to time Sewing Circles have been organized and carried on for a few years, and then they seem to have died a natural death, until a new generation thought the time again auspicious for these social functions.
The John Eliot Club, a purely social club for the men of the Society, was organized in 1890.
THE ROXBURY CHARITABLE SOCIETY
The meeting to organize this society was held in January, 1794, probably the third Monday, the 20th day, at the resi- dence of Mr. William Lambert, the house still standing at the corner of Bartlett and Blanchard Streets. The first officers of the Society were chosen at this meeting to hold office until the annual meeting. The Society was incor- porated Feb. 26, 1799. The first annual meeting was held at the old Parish Meeting House on Monday, Sept. 15th, 1794, when a discourse was delivered by the Rev. Eliphalet Porter, our Pastor.
Discourses or addresses were delivered at subsequent annual meetings by the following: -
1795. Hon. John Lowell of Roxbury.
1796. John Bartlett, M.D., of Roxbury.
1797. Mr. Nathaniel Ruggles of Roxbury.
1798. Rev. Thaddeus Mason Harris of the First Church, Dorchester.
1799. Rev. John Foster of the First Church, Brighton.
1800. Rev. William Emerson of the First Church, Boston.
1801. Rev. John Eliot, D.D., of the New North Church, Boston.
1802. Rev. Henry Cummings, D.D., of the First Church, Billerica.
1803. Nathaniel S. Prentiss, M.D., of Roxbury.
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CHARITABLE SOCIETIES
1804. Luther Richardson, Esq., of Roxbury.
1805. Rev. Joshua Bates of the First Church, Dedham.
1806. Rev. Charles Lowell of the West Boston Society, Boston.
1807. Joseph Harrington, Esq., of Roxbury.
1808. Henry Maurice Lisle, Esq., of Milton.
1809. Rev. Samuel Gile of the First Congregational Parish, Milton.
1810. Rev. Horace Holley of Hollis Street Church, Boston.
1811. Rev. Edward Dorr Griffin, D.D., of Park Street Church, Boston.
1812. Rev. Ezra Ripley of the First Church, Concord, Mass.
1813. Samuel J. Gardner, Esq., of Roxbury.
1814. Mr. Joseph Field of Boston.
1815. Rev. Nathaniel L. Frothingham of the First Church, Boston.
1816. Rev. Francis Parkman of the New North Church, Boston.
1817. Rev. John Codman of the Second Church, Dorchester.
1818. Rev. Prof. Henry Ware, D.D., of Harvard Col- lege, Cambridge.
1819. Rev. John Pierpont of Hollis Street Church, Boston.
1820. Rev. Prof. Edward Everett of Harvard College, Cambridge.
In 1821 the custom of the annual address was discontinued. There was much ceremony attached to these annual meetings. A procession was formed in the afternoon at the Town House and proceeded under the escort of the local military company to the Meeting House, where the address was
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given and where music was a prominent feature. A collec- tion was always taken up. Thanks were always tendered to those who delivered the address for their "handsome address" or "ingenious discourse," or in some other quaint phrase. Hon. John Lowell was the first president of this Society, Hon. Increase Sumner and Hon. John Read the first vice- presidents, Nathaniel Ruggles the first secretary, Joseph Ruggles the first treasurer.
The successors of these gentlemen have been many of the leading citizens of Roxbury, who have administered the affairs of the Society in a highly creditable manner.
By the failure of the Norfolk Bank the accumulated funds of the Society were almost entirely lost, and its work of charity almost ceased, until by the exertions of Rev. Dr. Putnam and Deacon William Davis it was reorganized in 1850, and a few years later it received the munificent legacy of Horatio Davis, which now amounts to about one hundred thousand dollars. The aim of the Society was to help the unfortunate. It is no longer a church institution, but con- tinues its usefulness in giving aid to those of good character living in Roxbury, whose misfortunes compel them to ask assistance.
THE ROXBURY FEMALE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
Was organized in 1827, and since that time has been a very efficient aid in the charities in Roxbury. It gives employ- ment in sewing to a large number of women, and distributes many garments to the needy. It meets for its work, the cut- ting out of the garments, at Putnam Chapcl every Monday morning at ten o'clock, from December to May. It has an employment committee and a loan and gift committee.
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CHARITABLE SOCIETIES
LADIES RELIGIOUS CHARITABLE SOCIETY
A few ladies having met at Mr. Putnam's on the evening of the 18th of October, 1832, after making arrangements for the formation of the society, adopted the following con- stitution.
Ist. That the association shall be called The Ladies' Religious Charitable Association of Roxbury.
2nd. The officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary to perform the customary duties of these officers.
3rd. Meetings shall be held once a month, or more fre- quently, if deemed expedient, at the house of those members for whom it may be convenient.
4th. The members shall employ themselves at the meet- ings about such kinds of work as they can make most avail- able, and each member shall be responsible for two dollars a year from the proceeds of her industry, or from some other source, to be paid into the treasury at, or before the last meeting in July, which shall be the annual meeting for the choice of officers, provided, however, that any two young misses, who feel unable to be responsible for so large a sum, may associate together to raise it.
5th. Until otherwise determined, the funds of this associa- tion shall be annually appropriated for the support of some pious and promising young man, while preparing for the ministry, at the Theological school at Cambridge.
6th. The association shall appoint a committee of three . gentlemen annually to select some suitable young man to receive the aid of the association.
7th. It shall be a leading object of the association, by read- ing or conversation, to conduce to the religious knowledge and improvement of its members.
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Sth. Any lady may become a member of this association by signing this constitution, and may withdraw at any annual meeting.
* Denotes members withdrawn. + Members deceased.
Mrs. Lemist.
Miss Jane Willard.
Mrs. C. L. Eustis.
Miss Caroline Maybin.
Mrs. E. A. Putnam.
Miss Rebecca R. Lowell.
Mrs. Susan Dow.
Miss Anna C. Lowell.
Mrs. Persis R. Whiting.
Miss Susan G. Rogers.
Mrs. Catherine G. Gore.
Miss Sophia Snow.
* Mrs. Frances Glover. Mrs. Rebecca C. Clark.
Miss Ann P. Lewis.
Mrs. Rebecca Harrington.
* Miss Cordelia Richards.
Mrs. Nancy Weld.
* Miss Helen Tuttle.
Mrs. Sarah H. Crafts.
* Miss Sarah Cummens.
Mrs. H. E. Bartlett.
Mrs. Harriet Sigourney.
* Miss Mary Cummens. Miss Mary Baker. Miss Matilda Bartlett.
Mrs. Sally Ruggles.
Mrs. Elizabeth Phipps.
* Miss Susan Dow.
Mrs. Sarah Bradley.
Mrs. E. Francis.
* Mrs. Eliza B. Hickling.
Mrs. Charlotte Reynolds.
Mrs. M. F. Simmons.
Miss P. H. Patten.
+ Mrs. Sally Thwing.
Miss Mary E. Fairbanks.
Mrs. Lucy Ward. Mrs. Julia F. Copeland.
Miss Mary D. Guild.
* Mrs. Eliza Davis.
Miss Sarah A. Guild.
* Mrs. Rebecca Dyer. Mrs. Lydia Faxon.
Miss Sarah B. Bartlett. Miss Ann D. Bartlett.
* Mrs. H. A. S. Dearborn.
* Miss Caroline Allen. Miss Hannah Faxon.
Mrs. Sarah Guild. Mrs. D. Dudley.
* Miss Frances Glover. Mrs. Abby Sumner.
Mrs. Salome Davis.
Mrs. M. Gardner.
Mrs. C. Windship.
Miss Caroline Porter.
Miss Martha R. Porter.
Miss Mary Faxon.
Miss Ilarriet Bicknal.
* Miss E. Brigliam.
Miss Babson.
Miss Francis.
Miss Francis.
Miss -- Francis.
* Misses Harriet & Abby Carlton.
* Misses S. Grant & M. Frothing- ham *.
* Miss Harriet F. Edes. Miss Abby M. Sumner. * Miss Townsend. Mrs. Sally Eastman.
Miss Frances Lemist.
Miss Lucy Staniford.
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CHARITABLE SOCIETIES
* Miss Charlotte Butters.
* Miss Eliza Butters.
* Misses N. W. &. A. Davis.
* 3 Misses Champney.
2 Misses Whiting.
* Misses Elizabeth & Julia Le- land *.
Misses Harriet & Sarah Ward.
Misses Harriet and Susan Blan- chard.
* Misses Sophia & Eliza Har- rington.
Misses Salome H. Snow & E. Weld.
Misses Caroline & Jane Bartlett. * Misses Salome & Marc White. Misses A. W. &. N. E. Baker.
* Misses Mary W. Davis & S. H. Crafts.
3 Misses Weld. Miss C. Brewer.
* Miss C. Leland.
Miss Mary P. Adams. Miss Eliza Bacon.
Miss Mary Richards.
* Mrs. Peter Sears.
Miss Eliza Baldwin. Miss Ellen White.
Journal of the Proceedings of the L. R. C. Association.
October 23rd, 1832. A meeting was held at Dr. Porter's when a committee was chosen to solicit subscriptions.
October 31st. Met at Mrs. Putnam's. Mr. Putnam was appointed moderator and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year.
Mrs. E. A. Putnam, President.
Miss Caroline Porter, Vice President.
Mrs. Rebecca C. Clark, Treasurer.
Miss Sarah B. Bartlett, Secretary.
It was voted that the meetings should be held on the third Tuesday of each month, in the evenings of winter, and the afternoons of summer. Also that two or more young ladies may associate together to produce the sum of two dollars.
November 29th. First sewing meeting was held at Mrs. Putnam's. Commenced reading the life of Obelin. A donation was received from Miss Rebecca R. Lowell of one dollar, in addition to her subscription. Three new members were admitted.
December 18th. Met at Mrs. Lemist's. Two new mem- bers.
January 15th, 1833. A very full meeting at Mrs. Ward's.
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THE FIFTH MEETING HOUSE
February 19th. Met at Mrs. Robbin's. Two new mem- bers were added.
March 26th. A meeting at Mrs. David Simmons'. Life of Obelin was finished. Three new members were added.
April 24th. Met at Mrs. Craft's. A letter was read from Professor Palfrey, recommending Mr. Briggs as a suitable person to receive the aid of the association, he was accord- ingly chosen. The meetings were changed to the afternoon of the third Wednesday in each month. Began to read the Listener.
May 15th. First afternoon meeting at Mrs. Fairbank's.
June 19th. At Dr. Porter's. A donation of three dollars was received from Mrs. Eustis.
July 17th. Annual meeting at Mrs. E. Bartlett's. Very few members present.
September 18th. At Mrs. Eastman's. No meeting in August.
October 15th. First evening meeting at Mrs. Nancy Weld's.
November 19th. Full meeting at Mrs. Putnam's. A letter was read from Mrs. Willard with proposals for pub- lishing her Travels in Europe. Voted to subscribe for one copy. The balance of the receipts for the past year $29 were deposited in the Roxbury Savings Bank. The meetings were changed to Thursday.
December 17th. No meeting.
January 16th, 1834. At Mrs. Patten's. A donation of $10 was received from the Misses Lowell.
February 20th. Met at Mrs. Gardner's. Commenced reading Mrs. Willard's Travels.
March 20th. At Mrs. Ward's.
April 17th. Meeting at Mrs. Gore's which was well attended. Two new members.
May 15th. Met at Mrs. Lemist's. It was voted to con-
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CHARITABLE SOCIETIES
tinue the meetings in the evenings, and to give up reading for the present.
June 19th. No meeting.
July 17th. Annual meeting at Mrs. Eastman's. The same officers were elected, with the exception of Mrs. Clark, who declined. Miss Matilda Bartlett was chosen Treasurer. It was voted that a note of thanks should be addressed to Mrs. Clark for her services for the two preceding years. The balance of the receipts for the past year 6 dollars were deposited in the Savings Bank.
August 21st. At Mrs. William Phipps'.
September 18th. Very full meeting at Mrs. Snow's.
October 16th. At Miss Porter's. Three new members were added.
November 20th. At Mrs. Benjamin Weld's, but four members present.
December 18th. A meeting at Mrs. Putnam's. Mr. Parker of Lexington was proposed as a suitable person to receive the aid of the society. Reading was again adopted. January 22nd, 1835. Met at Mrs. Windship's.
February 19th. At Mrs. J. Bartlett's.
March 19th. Very pleasant meeting at Mrs. Ward's.
April 23rd. Full meeting at Mrs. Harrinton's.
Here the Journal ends. Copied through the kindness of Miss Anna S. Everett in whose possession is the original.
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THE MAY FAIR
The first May Fair was held May 1, 1842, in the hall of the old Norfolk House. It was started by Miss Polly Patten, who returned from the west filled with the desire to help the struggling Unitarian church in the town of Geneva, Illinois. It was the third Unitarian church in the west. The matter was discussed at the Sewing Circle, and the outcome was the first of the annual May Breakfasts and Fairs, which for many years were notable events in the town and church life. $800 was contributed by our church as the net result of this first Fair. We insert the following poem, not so much perhaps for its artistic merit as to preserve a quaint relic of the past.
INVITATION OF THE LADIES
TO THE
MAY MORNING FAIR.
Oh come, friends, all come, 'tis our urgent request,
And aid us to build up the Church in the West. The ladies unite their best efforts together. - Their smiles shall insure you the fairest of weather.
Should Eurus salute you on May's early morn, And Chill'd by his blast you feel cold and forlorn, The rich smoking coffee awaits your behest; Come and help us to build up the Church in the West.
If to her you love best a fit offering you'd bring, Here are flowers all bright with the freshness of spring; Choose roses or lilies, or what you like best; And help us to build up the Church in the West.
Would you please your young friends, here are gifts rich and rare, Here are dolls, who wear bonnets and dolls who have hair; The useful and pleasing your sight shall arrest; Then help us to build up the Church in the West.
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CHARITABLE SOCIETIES
But we urge not such notions to patrons like ours, Though ingenious the works, and attractive the flowers, We appeal to your hearts; let your actions attest Your zeal to erect the new Church in the West.
So in ages to come, when the pure light of truth Shall comfort the old, and in peace guide the youth, On the old town of Roxbury their blessing shall rest; For she help'd to build up their Church in the West.
The Fairs became highly popular not only in Roxbury, but many came from the neighboring towns. Young men walked or rode out from Boston to the Breakfasts. There was always a May Pole around which both young and old gathered, and tables of fancy articles, besides the ice cream and more substantial fare. After a time other churches joined in the preparations and it ceased to be a church insti- tution. The money collected annually was devoted to various popular uses, and during the Civil War, especially, these Fairs were a great attraction, the proceeds going to the soldiers.
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