Centennial Celebration of the Town of Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Mass., June 18th and 19th, 1876 (Paperback)

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. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ... commandment given to the children of Israel was absolute, and it was addressed to a people for whom its absolute observance was practicable. Such an observance is simply impracticable among the nations of the earth, as human relations and avocations are now constituted; but the Almighty never commanded an impracticable thing, nor laid an absolute injunction upon man that he, his creature, should define to it exceptions. "When will the Sabbath be over?" was, if not on our lips, the yearning thought, as Sunday's sun went down, of many a boyish heart fifty years ago; not that, with the mercenary Jews, " we may sell wheat;' not that we may resume our work; but that we boys, released from unnatural restriction, may once more, at least, play. On such an occasion as this, personal reminiscences of early days might be deemed appropriate; but the most far-reaching memory among us extends little beyond the mid-period of the century just ended, and there are not many to whom the " brick school-house" (many years since demolished), with its quaint curb-roof, --nor its successive teachers, are familiar reminiscences. One of these, a venerable lady, for whom there i are yet many to " arise up and call her blessed," is still living, though not among us. Another, a somewhat famous pedagogue, came here in the decline of his powers, physical and mental, but, nevertheless, many of Sheffield's since-noted men (among whom my friends, Judge Bradford and Mr. Ensign Kellogg, now of Pittsfleld) were, as was the speaker, his pupils, deriving profit from his teaching. There are, perhaps, a few present who recollect this " meeting-house," as it stood in the middle of the street, and its removal and remodelling (1820) to its preseut site and form. But many here present will...