Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 10.djvu/39

 The Old North Church of Concord. 29

For all the country round was toachcM-, irricst. In fjict his parish was the township wide ; From distant farms they gathered to his side. From Turtle pond, from Broken Ground near by, From Break o' Day, and from the Mountain high, From the Dark Plain, and from the Sugar Ball, From Long pond. Horse hill, and from vSewall's fall, From Mast Yard. Garvin's, Millville, Turkey pond, Would gather children and their parents fond At the old meeting-house at the North End, To hear the sermons of their reverend friend. Some came afoot, with shoes and socks in hand : To save the leather was this method planned. Some came on horseback with the wife behind : The horse-block where they landed one will find In Mr. Walker's door-yard at North End, To prove my statement and the truth defend.

For many years the church and town were one — Long after Mr. Walker's work was done. The Reverend Israel Evans next was called, Then A. McFarlaud was in turn installed.

Then fresh from Yale and Andover there came Nathaniel Bonton, — honored be his name ! — Whose history of the town increased his fame. 'Twas here he labored from his early youth To green old age, instilling gospel truth. His heart led him his Maker to adore, His iiead was filled with antiquarian lore ; He loved not history less, but Scripture more. E'en now there seems to linger round this place His gentle presence and his noble face.

Next came our present pastor, Mr. Ayer, Who now for twenty years has held the care Of church and flock, and lead us on the way. The old, the young, the sad ones and the gay, To where he teaches is eternal day.

If Mr. Chase will now the church doors lock, Or hold them firmly as the granite rock, And let no guilty one from here escai)e Save o'er his mangled form and manly shape, We '11 try X.o pliotograph for you the flock, But no one's sensibilities will shock.

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