With THe Acrion of the members of the Orthodox 
Congregational church and the First Parish of Manches- 
ter in merging the two into one organization the last trace 
of the old Parish of Colonial days disappears. In recent 
years the Parish has been so nearly identical with the 
Church that its organization has been absorbed. 
When in 1645 the little settlement at ‘“‘Jeffry’s 
Creeke” became the Town of Manchester, the Parish and 
Town were practically one. The Town hired the minister 
and voted money for his salary. The Parish Meeting was 
the Town Meeting of a later day. Gradually as the com- 
mnunity grew in numbers there was some dissension in the 
Parish, but that in the passing years luckily disappeare‘l. 
Then in the march of progress the affairs of the Towa 
gradually passed out of the hands of the Parish. With 
the breaking up of the Parish and with the growth of 
other denominations, its members dwindled: until grail 
ually it came to embody practically the membership oz 
the Congregational church. 
The history of the Parish in the early days is tae 
history of the Town of Manchester. In its general ou- 
line it differs but little from the history of any of the 
first towns along this coast. The earliest account of a 
meeting in.the town for w orship is purely traditional, ti 
being related that the first service was held under a tree 
on “Gale’s Point.” In its early days the Parish passed 
the same strict laws of conduct and its administration was 
like that of a dozen other early New England settlements. 
Up until Jan. 12, 1792,-there appears to have been ro 
division of authority in this town, but after that date the 
control of the Parish over the affairs of the town grad- 
ually diminished although it continued in effect until 
comparatively recent date. 
The advantages which arose from the close adminis- 
tration of the affairs of the church and town by the Par- 
ish in the early days of the town are unquestionable, just 
as the administration of government today is most advan- 
tageously carried on independently of any church affiia- 
tion. In the day when people were of one accord in religi- 
ous belief Parish administration of affairs was beneficial, 
but with the growth in number of religious sects it proved 
to be ineffective. Manchester is one of the last towns in 
New England in which the Parish has been absorbed by 
the Church. 
THE ONE-CENT-A-GALLON SusstirutTe for gasoline 
keeps popping up and makes an interesting topic for con- 
versation; but despite the rumors which bear some of the 
evidences of veracity the fact has not yet been demon- 
strated. There are several important chemical problems 
to solve before the fluid proposed can be made possible. 
Have those chemical discoveries been made? The gaso- 
line consuing public is watchfully waiting and economiz.- 
ing on gasoline. 
THe LAnorers along the Shore have twice de‘vanded 
increases in wages and have received them. Remembe- 
when the contractor sends in’ your bill that the twenty 
percent increase apparent is due to an additional labor 
cost, 
Is Anxrousty AWAITING the decision 
Who will lead the 
party to victory? The election of a President is not a 
question of personalittes; it is a question of principles. 
The republican party for generations has stood for certain 
principles and forms of ‘government. Those principles 
are now to be voted upon. The next four years must be 
important ones to the American people. The republican 
party has always stood for protection and a high tariff 
for protective purposes. There have been certain aca- 
demic arguments for free trade that have been accepted 
by many quite carelessly, inheritances from the meee 
of the past; but the present demands a new study of th 
situation. The war doubtlessly will be settled within the 
next year or so and in the readjustment period of recon- 
struction that must follow the Government must protect 
the industries of America from the encroachments of old 
world competition. The policies of the democratic party’ 
do not meet the need of the situation, that 1s apparent. 
EVERY 
of the republican national convention. 
ONE 
THE EIGHTEENTH OF May is the anniversary of the 
first peace conference at The Hague and in consequence 
is celebrated as “Peace and Arbitration Day.’’ While the 
poor old dove of peace presents a rather bedraggled ap- 
pearance in these stormy days, it is a fact that America 
is justified in keeping the day as ever. Perhaps there 1s 
a double justice in America’s remembering the day for 
she alone of the great nations is at peace, Mexican rela- 
tions always excepted. The most ardent advocate of 
preparedness i is such only because he believes it is the best 
means of insuring ayes Hence everyone, whatever his 
present policy regarding America’s part in relation to 
war may be, may o observe this day in thankfulness for 
our present peace and in prayer for its continuance. 
HARVARD UNDERGRADUATES are interested in the 
naval training cruise for civilians which will be held this 
summer in connection with the maneuvers of the Atlantic 
Squadron of the U. S. Navy. A committee has been 
organized from the members of each class to arouse in- 
terest and enthusiasm and to get recruits. Among the 
eight members of the committee appears the name of 
Jack Merrill, Harvard ‘19, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Warren 
Merrill of Manchester. The Harvard committee is one 
of the sub-committees working in conjunction with the 
general committee of the Naval League of which John 
L. Saltonstall of Beverly is chairman. Mr. Merrill is one 
of the Harvard men who will go on the cruise in August. 
Uncie SAMuEL 1s Look1nc For volunteer bird 
enumerators for this district. Here is an opportunity for 
bird lovers to have the fun of arising early for a period 
of two weeks and exploring his territory for a thank-you 
note from Washington and the joy of making a nature 
study of his home district. Here is a rare opportunity 
for a bird lover to render service. 
In Six Years Boston University has more than 
doubled its number of students. The University pre- 
sents an admirable course, is conveniently located and is 
developing an esprit de corps that is destined to increase. 
