[127] Many dwelling houses have been built, and many others repaired and enlarged. Many families have been added to you, from abroad, and the growth of population among yourselves has greatly increased. A respectable and flourishing manufactory has been introduced and established, which has brought much wealth into the place, afforded employment and means of subsistence to many among you, and augmented the property of the town, and enhanced the value of real estate of many descriptions.1 A society for social intercourse, friendship and mutual improvement is formed in the midst of us, as a bond of union.2 An establishment of a social library3 affords advantages not heretofore enjoyed. An increase of stores has added to the increase of business. By the increased cultivation of the soil your farms have become better, and more productive; and many improvements have been made, tending to convenience and utility, to the promotion of knowledge and the increase of wealth. Few villages can be named, that have risen faster, or bid fairer to grow and flourish. God grant it may abound more and more, in every thing virtuous and praiseworthy; in every thing that shall promote its essential interests and welfare. “ Hitherto the Lord hath helped us.” And ye, also, my brethren, have been fellow-helpers to these things, by the labors you have bestowed, “by giving of your own proper goods,” by the encouragement and assistance you have afforded, and by “being at peace among yourselves.” In every important transaction, a spirit of candor, mutual forbearance and accommodation has been diffused among you; and a disposition to maintain peace and harmony, so essential to the interests of true religion, and the welfare of society. This praiseworthy disposition and conduct were manifested, when a change was made of the version of psalms and hymns formerly sung, for those now used in public worship.4 And especially in building this sacred temple, for the service and worship of our God. Without contention about the spot where it should stand, the place on which it should be
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1 A card manufactory, set up by William Whittemore and Co. in 1799. The cards are made by machines, an ingenious invention of Mr. Amos Whittemore, one of said company. Of these machines, which give to the manufactory its advantages, there are [1809] fifty-five in number, which may stick 80 doz. pair of cards in a day. The cards annually made amount to about $60,000. Between 40 and 50 persons are employed, whose wages are from 9 to 10,000 dollars a year. The buildings erected, and property purchased in the town, by the company and persons employed, have been to the amount of at least 30,000 dollars. The purchase of pews by them, in the new meeting-house, paid one eighth part of the expense in building it.
2 A society principally of middle-aged and young men, instituted Jan. 31, 1803, by the name of the Middlesex Union Society, who meet quarterly for the purposes of mutual friendship and improvement.
3 West-Cambridge Social Library, established Jan. 1, 1808. There are thirty-one proprietors; it contains now in its infancy 106 volumes, judiciously selected, and is to increase by a certain sum to be furnished by the proprietors annually.
4 Belknap's collection of psalms and hymns was introduced at the opening of the new house of worship, March 20, 1805, in the place of Tate and Brady's, which was formerly used.
Boston: David Clapp and son. 564 Washington Street, 1880.
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