Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 17.

[p. 67] years) has long since ceased. Rarely is any bell tolled as the dead are borne to the silent city. The daily ringing at seven, twelve, one and six o'clock has passed away, but it would be well to re-establish the curfew bell at nine as of old. The fire alarm is more efficient than the old way, and we question whether the bell ropes left exposed outside the meeting-house doors would be left undisturbed by the youth of today as of old.

One hundred and seventy years have the Medford bells been ringing. The quiet town of 1744 has grown to the city beautiful of 1914. Instead of the one meetinghouse by the brook and the little schoolhouse near by, are the many and expensive ones, the latter daily thronged with the children of today.

Well would it be if on every schoolhouse there was a bell, and rung as of old. Well if in every church tower, in the various sections of the city, there were bells of such size and tone that in sweet harmony the old-time Sabbath custom might be resumed. But may such Medford bells as there are, whether they chime in ivymantled tower, or elsewhere singly,

Ring out their cheerful, earnest chime
     And bid each gathering throng
In hallowed walls keep holy time,
     With heartfelt praise and song.

Ring out and let their joyful peal
     Resound afar and near,
Let old and young from hill and vale
     Devoutly worship here.

Ring out ye bells with joyful tale
     Far over lake and lea,
Make glad our lovely native vale
     As it was wont to be.