Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1892 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. 1843. Aet. 23-33. NORTHAMPTON. TN some households tradition has handed down certain treasured sayings, which have a rare attraction from their connection with one's kith and kin. To the older members they bring back pleasant memories; to the younger ones they seem to place before them people whom some of them have never seen, but about whose peculiar ways and doings they would like to know more. How delightful to have these lives and characters revealed with all the charm which attends a personal interest in the narrative! Such a service has been done for Northampton. In the days of stage-coaches and post-roads, this old valley town had certain advantages of natural attractiveness and fascinating retirement which modern growth can never supply. It is this pleasant period of its existence which is associated with the ministry of Rufus Ellis. In her delightful memoir of her mother, already mentioned, Mrs. Lesley tells the story of her native place with a wealth of anecdote and reminiscence which cannot fail to interest even the ultramontane inhabitant. Rufus Ellis was ordained minister of tlie Second Congregational Society in Northampton June 7, 1843. J. A. Buckingham, G. E. Ellis, W. B. 0. Peabody, Alexander Young, and 0. C. Everett took part in the service. The Unitarian Church in Northampton was formed about the year 1824. Its founders, as was not usually the case in New England parishes, were obliged to leave the old meetinghouse and find a new place of worship. At the present time it is hard to realize how much such a separation involved. To give up allegiance to an historic and time-honored institution, under any circumstances, even for the boldest, was a matter for the gravest consideration. The spell of the old religious influences, althou...
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