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[88]

One of the next things we longed for
And looked after was to advance learning
And perpetuate it to posterity
Dreading to leave an illiterate ministry
To the churches when our present ministers
Shall lie in the dust
New Englands First Fruits

Passing into the college yard, two very ancient brick buildings greet our sight. Built in the early Years of the last century, they have witnessed many stirring scenes. During the first year of the Revolution the Provincial Congress took possession of them as barracks for the American soldiers. That on the right is Massachusetts Hall, built in 1718, the oldest in the yard, and used for a dormitory with rooms for lectures and examinations.

The building on our left is Harvard Hall. The province bore the expense of its erection in 1765. Its uses were manifold in the early days, and we find it mentioned as chapel, library and recitation hall. In the year 1775 while the American soldiers occupied the building, the students went to Concord, where studies were resumed. In that year no public commencement was held. degrees being conferred by a general diploma. One noticeable feature of this building is its belfry, where hangs the college bell, whichs summons the students to lectures. In former times attendance at morning prayers was compulsory, and this same bell also called the students to these early devotional exercises. Many devices were tried to prevent the bell ringing at the early morning hour, and many stories of adventures at midnight are told. One Thanksgiving the students were anxious to present a turkey to the bell-ringer, and thoughtfully hung it to the tongue of the bell, whence it was finally taken by its delighted recipient.

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