Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 11.

[p. 84] through, marking with his pencil where he had left off when obliged to lay it down. The paper was the child of his brain and heart; the child of his old age; and as such he loved it.

As an adjunct to the Congregationalist from 1862 to 1872, this firm published The Student and Schoolmate and Forester's Boy's and Girl's Companion. Its editor was W. T. Adams (Oliver Optic), and among its contributors were Jacob Abbot, J. T. Trowbridge, Gail Hamilton and Sophie May. It was finally sold and merged with Merry's Museum which was absorbed by Our Young Folks, the latter in turn was the forerunner of St. Nicholas. With Deacon James' abounding love for children, this publication must have interested him greatly. He cordially welcomed the children in his office or home, and in his pockets were always to be found sweet attractions for them. One little girl, I know, called him ‘The Mr. James that loves me so.’

He was never happier than when he was in the Sabbath school as superintendent or teacher. His intimate knowledge of the Bible made his services in this department very interesting.

Deacon James' interest in temperance began with his early business life. It was the custom in the shipyards for the apprentices to carry around the grog at eleven o'clock in the morning, and it was considered as part of the wages of the men. It was many years before custom and popular opinion removed the rum barrel from the yard loft, but Mr. James used his influence against it until it was finally banished. In making contracts with joiners, caulkers, etc., men were allowed so much money and so much rum. In individual cases, contractors were prevailed upon to go without the grog and receive more money. By dint of moral suasion, the ration of rum was omitted at the Sprague and James yard and wages were increased. This firm was the first to do away with liquor at a launching. The new regime was gradually adopted in all the yards of the town, but in the mean time, it