ON BOYHOOD DAYS 



The week that was so largely devoted to school 

 going was rounded out on the Sabbath by a stren- 

 uous course in church going. There was one serv- 

 ice in the forenoon, Sunday school at noon, and 

 another service in the afternoon. 



It was not considered seemly that little chil- 

 dren should wander in the woods or engage in any 

 frolicsome pastime in the interval of church going. 

 But our parents were peculiarly indulgent and 

 they sometimes permitted us to walk quietly into 

 the garden or orchard to look at the com or apple- 

 blossoms, always with the proviso that we must 

 be very quiet. 



The Religious Environment 



It is a little difficult for the present generation 

 to gain a clear conception of the New England 

 Sabbath of the time of my boyhood; but this out- 

 line at least will give a general impression of its 

 lugubriousness, and it may readily be inferred that 

 the day thus given over to dolorous tasks was not 

 one to which the child would look forward 

 joyously. 



Nor, for the most part, do those who were chil- 

 dren in that generation look back upon the Sab- 

 bath day experiences with satisfaction. 



At least they served the purpose, however, of 

 supplying a church-going experience adequate for 

 a lifetime. 



[29] 



