CHAPTER XVIII.

MUSIC-TEMPERANCE-SUNDAY-SCHOOLS-BRASS BANDS -DEAF MUTES-MASONIC-GRANGERS-ODD FELLOWS -WARNINGS OUT OF TOWN-FIRST BAPTISMAL-ROADS LAID OUT-FIRST BLACKSMITH SHOP-COLORED PEOPLE.

AMUEL MANSFIELD appears as the first director of singing in church in this town. He resided upon what is known as the Patty Eastman place, in the easterly part of the town, and came to this place shortly after its incorporation. Mr. Mansfield was chosen several times by the town "to tune the psalm." He usually occupied a seat close to Mr. Rice, in the log meeting-house, so as to face the congregation when singing. When the frame mectinghouse was erected, he was allowed to sit in the minister's pew. Soon being allowed to select two or three male singers to assist him, they occupied the elders' seats, immediately in the rear of the deacons'. This was the first beginning of a choir in church.

There were but few hymn-books in the congregation. Because of this, the hymn was read throughout by the clergyman, and then read to the congregation by one of the deacons (hence the term "deaconing the hymn"), one line at a time, which was then sung until the whole hymn was disposed of. In this way two or three hymn-books answered for the whole congregation. The singing was purely congregational, everybody that could make a sound joining in it, without much regard to tune or time, on the part of many.