24 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1886. 



The General Statutes declare explicitly that " portions of such 

 houses appropriated to purposes other than religious worship 

 shall be taxed at the value thereof to the owners of the houses." 

 Now, throughout the year just past, as alwaj^s heretofore, the 

 local " houses of religious worship" have maintained equal and 

 exact poise between God and mammon. The " house" was ex- 

 empt: why not use it, or abuse! it, to turn a thrifty penny ? 

 Thus we were told, at the time, that the maids of the Epigoea 

 Missionary King scored a success, raking in tlie shekels, on a 

 certain evening, at the Pilgrimage. " Music and literature" were 

 sources of enjoyment and " clockwork " evoked fun. " Handi- 

 work and fancy work " from lads and lasses made an elaborate 

 display in that house set apart for religious worship ! While 

 "pleasantly-served refreshments" led by unctuous attraction and 

 remunerative steps to the Throne of Grace. 



No oppressive odor of sanctity emanates from the Meeting- 

 house of the Unique & Only : but its immunity from any partici- 

 pation in the common burdens, like " His mercy, endureth for- 

 ever." To demonstrate once for all, that it is "appropriated to 

 purposes of religious worship," and so not liable to be taxed, its 

 "Ladies' Charitable Society" opened their vernal season of 

 ascetic devotion with a "Ballad Concert; — tickets, 25 cts." 

 "When the heart is young," — gave tone to pious aspirations, 

 which were farther uplifted and sustained by solemn meditation 

 upon 



" Thine eyes so blue and tender" ! 



The millennium had been appointed for the First of May ; so, 

 doubtless to chasten their exaltation, "Simon, the Cellarer" broke 

 out a new and holy keg. All which, to infer from the non- 

 action of the Assessors, must be accepted as highly conducive to 

 "religious worship" and, as such entitling to exemption. 



A "Hot Turkey Dinner from 12, to 2 o'clock P. M., at 50 

 cts.," was the method and measure of justification for Saving 

 Grace. Its devoted ladies further nurtured their "souls to save 

 we have" upon "supper and entertainment in the evening, admis- 

 sion 10 cts." Of course the "vestry" where that turkey was 

 roasted and whercfrom it was sold, being converted into an eat- 



