192 A HALF CENTURY. 



"It seems but yesterday that I was trotting to the old ^South 

 Church, trying to keep up with my father, and bearing in my hand a 

 hot soapstone to keep my feet warm during Mr. Goodell's long dis- 

 course. I believe that the first children baptized by Mr. Goodell were 

 ray sister Minnie and myself. During this period, 1862-1866, my 

 father was one of the heavy-weights in the choir, and Mr. Eli Porter 

 assisted on the ' double bass.' This old instrument I afterwards bor- 

 rowed and learned to operate as a member of the Williston Seminary 

 and Yale orchestras 



"Many a time did I climb to the top of the old square belfry, and 

 it was fun to be there when the bell was ringing and feel the jarring 



sensation You doubtless remember Rev. Mr. Rockwell's 



remark as the old church burned down. It was then the ' Union 

 Hall,' and the saintly edifice had been disgraced with low entertain- 

 ments. The white-haired old gentleman watched it burn for some 

 time, and after choking with the thought of its later uses, spoke these 

 words: 'At last it is purged by fire.' 



Letters were also received from Mrs. Sarah D. Acker, Mrs. 

 Samuel Brace, Frederick A. Bassett, Mrs. J. C. Breckenridge, 

 Mrs. Charles H. Cornwell, Mrs. Charles 0. Collins, Mrs. Emma 

 Conklin Clark, Mrs. John B. Cowles, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. 

 Dowd, Mrs. Annie Conklin Fair, Mr. H. J. Gillette, Dr. and Mrs. 

 Fred. M. Hemingway, Dr. and Mrs. E. B. Hooker, F. L. Hunger- 

 ford, Esq., Mr. and Mrs. William Killam, Mrs. Jennie Hart 

 Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac S. Lee, Mr. Joseph E. Marvin, Mr. 

 Charles F. North, Miss Frederica North, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. 

 Oviatt, Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Peck, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. 

 Pickett, Mrs. Carrie Copley Rundlett, Mrs. Martha J. Rand, Mr. 

 and Mrs William N. Shepard, Mrs. J. A. Stillman, Mrs. Jen- 

 nie M. Shepard, Miss Harriet A. Stanley, Mrs. Martha F. Stan- 

 ley, Mrs. Julia Smith Townsend, Mrs. Elihu Thonison, Mr. 

 Meigs H. Whaples, and others. 



Among those who attended the services from out of town, 

 besides a few mentioned in the list above, were Hon. Henry F. 

 Peck, Mrs. Peck, the Misses Peck, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Peck, 

 Morton S. Judd, Hubert L. Judd, Mr. and Mrs. Theron Upson, 

 Timothy W. Stanley, L. P. Buell, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. 

 Williams. 



