tive churches where they were assigned. It was concluded to hold a morning service at the Chapel, advising olderscholars to go to church, and detaining the younger ones. The teachers were to remain each by turn, one Sabbath in each month, or less frequently if might be. This service was continued till August, 1864, when it was thought expedient to suspend it for a season. The blessing to the city of the method of christian work carried on by this school induced several churches to establish mission schools of their own, and this lessened the union work; but the society continued loyal to its constitution, and to its principle of union. Later, the care of this school was left almost entirely to the Central Church. Work Conducted by Rev. Edwin A. Buck At a special meeting of the Fall River Mission Sabbath School, October 27, 1867, it was voted to extend a call to REV. EDWIN A. BUCK to be their missionary. The committee appointed was Messrs. Thomas F. Eddy, E. C. Nason, Thos. J. Borden, William B. Durfee, and James C. Eddy. The call was accepted, and the work began December 1, 1867. In 1868, the Fall River Mission Sabbath School pledged itself to coöperate heartily with the Central Church, and to submit annually a report of its labors. According to its constitution, that nothing sectarian should be taught in their school, they were obliged to decline to become an auxiliary to the Church. In 1882, however, the property of the Mission School was transferred to the Central Church Society, and the control was assumed by the Church. The first work of the missionary was that of canvassing the city, visiting from house to house from the Narrows to the bay, and from Globe Village to Bowenville. These visits for many years averaged fully two thousand a year, the largest number being twenty-six hundred. The Sabbath school at 9 A.M. was always attended by the missionary, whose genial presence and firm hand was felt in every department. At the Sunday-school concerts, held on Sabbath evenings, the audience room was filled to overflowing, and the singing, led by Mrs. Wm. B. Durfee, assisted by Miss Josephine E. Rowands, was most spirited. The building soon became too small for the school and was enlarged one third. From the yearly records, the largest number belonging to the school at any one time was seven hundred, and the largest attendance at any one session was six hundred and eleven. In the larger building, beside the regular Sabbath services, the boys were gathered in companies as "Young Crusaders," and the girls in sewing classes. In connection with the girls, a fair was held, which netted one hundred dollars for the use of the Bible readers in their work. A free evening school was established when there was none other in the city. So many lads applied for admittance, that it was voted that none under eighteen years of age be received. A free reading room was also opened. The Christmas festivals were an important feature of the year's work. Children and parents assembled for the evening's entertainment, furnished by the members of the school. The Chapel could not accommodate these gatherings. The old City Hall, Puritan Hall, or Music Hall was the rallying place. The memory can never be effaced of the happy faces of both the children and the missionary, as the stirring notes of the old English carol, "Christians, awake! salute the happy morn," rang out with the enthusiasm characteristic of the school. Excursions Each year excursions were arranged for the Sunday school. In 1875, a public movement was made in which all the mills of the city cooperated, each paying so much a spindle toward a day's outing for the children. The missionary accompanied, on four successive days, upwards of four thousand children to Oakland Beach. He secured for them all the privileges of the grounds, and a clam dinner each day. The bills were made out for forty-four hundred and twenty-five children, amounting to twelve hundred dollars. Bible Readers In coöperation with the Fall River Bible Society, four Bible readers were employed. This work began in 1869 and continued eight years. Children's Friend Society In 1869, the Children's Friend Society was formed through the efforts of the missionary. In 1872, this society merged with the Orphans' Asylum into the present Children's Home. Granite Mill Fire At the time of the Granite Mill fire, September 19, 1874, the Chapel was promptly opened for the relief of the sufferers. A fund of $2,209.00 was raised by a dramatic club connected with the Church of the Sacred Heart. The distribution of this money was committed to the care of two priests and the missionary. Circumstances were such, however, that it came chiefly under Mr. Buck's direction. The influence thus gained among the operatives was never lost. Temperance Work At an early period a Temperance Society was formed. Mr. R. K. Remington and Mr. Joseph A. Bowen took an especial interest in drawing up the pledge of this society. Saturday-night temperance meetings were established and continued throughout the history of the Mission. The police station was visited from Sabbath to Sabbath for twenty-five years, and more than ten thousand prisoners were personally addressed. Holly-Tree Coffee House Centennial year (1876), in the Centennial Block on Fourth Street, the experiment was made of opening a Holly-Tree Coffee House." This, it was believed, could be made selfsustaining, and very helpful in promoting the cause of temperance. It became a favorite resort for working men and women, and when the school relinquished its interest in the same, there was a balance of five hundred dollars in its favor for the general work. Fathers and Mothers' Bible Class The Fathers and Mothers' Bible Class was formed April 25, 1880. Elsewhere will be given a history of this important work, which was ever dear to Mr. Buck's heart. The Missionary's Temperance Aid and Mutual In 1885, a Missionary's Temperance Aid and Mutual Improvement Society was formed. The young men and women of the Mission entered into this most heartily. Miss Caroline Borden furnished a parlor in the Chapel for them. A valuable library was gathered, and games were supplied which made their evenings both profitable and delightful. Papers were prepared and read by members of the society at their literary meetings, on such subjects as the following: "Has Prohibition been a Failure?" "Reading and What to Read,' "Dangerous Classes in Our Large Cities," "An Evening with Gladstone," etc. They also added materially to the financial welfare of the Mission. A large proportion of this society became members of our Church and teachers in our Sabbath school. It was given up, after the formation of the Christian Endeavor Society and the Young Men's Christian Association. In later years, a new society, called the "Central Church Friendly Society," was formed. |