Page:Bruton parish church restored and its historic environments (1907 V2).djvu/63



EFORE passing from this long ago period of the history of the Church, let us endeavor to bring back an accustomed scene in Bruton Parish Church in Colonial days:

The old bell breaks the stillness of the Sabbath morn. It calls the whole community to the house of prayer. No other bell is heard. There is no other place for worshippers to go, unless they choose to attend some gathering in an humble meeting house where some who do not like the Prayer-book, vestments, or organ music, are wont to meet to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. The community, as a whole, adheres to the established Church. Old fashioned coaches drive up to the gate and, as the door is opened by a liveried footman, the occupants come forth clothed after the last year's fashion of the Court of George the Third. Around the door the colonial