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Browsing named entities in Cambridge sketches (ed. Estelle M. H. Merrill). You can also browse the collection for William A. Stearns or search for William A. Stearns in all documents.

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Cambridge sketches (ed. Estelle M. H. Merrill), Some Cambridge schools in the olden time. (search)
imes with the stately doctor at their head, oftener with an attendant. This man was an early and zealous abolitionist, and as for some reason now forgotten the school had taken a dislike to him, among its lessons were laid up the resolutions not to go crazy, even for the sake of riding on white horses; and on no account to be abolitionists. But this was seventy years ago. As a specimen of this man's zeal, it is related that taking advantage one Sunday of the absence of his minister, Dr. Stearns, who afterwards went to Amherst College as president, he attempted to introduce the abhorred doctrine into the pulpit. Now it was in those times the custom for the members of the congregation who were afflicted in mind, body or estate, to send written requests to the minister officiating, that prayer might be offered on their behalf. The phraseology might be Mr. Bimelech Stone desires the prayers of the church, the same being very weak and low ; or Mrs. Tremor desires prayers for the
Cambridge sketches (ed. Estelle M. H. Merrill), Recollections of my childhood. (search)
andmother's home in the country, where the hollyhocks stood near the open windows, and the bees flew in and out, and the white floors were sanded, and the rows of shining tins full of milk looked so inviting, and the fruit cake smelt so sweet in the high cupboards, with a big wooden button, as it was called, to fasten the doors instead of a lock. The two sisters who kept the store where I loved to linger, were regular attendants at the old Orthodox Church on Norfolk street, where Rev. William A. Stearns preached faithfully for many years. My father used to assist in taking up the collection, and always said if everyone should give as generously in proportion as these women, the results would be astonishing. Miss Abigail usually wore in the house a buff muslin turban, but for church the bonnets were something to attract attention, being made of black satin lined with yellow. Immense bows of broad gauze ribbon were placed between the crown which resembled a tin quart measure, an