were present many of the older members of the society, and many former co-workers, who had removed to other fields of labor.

Mr. and Mrs. Fish, though not able to be present, endeavored to atone for their absence by sending generous gifts of silver, even now in constant use, silver teaspoons, silver forks, silver ice pitcher, and two silver cake baskets.

The history of the succeeding years is one of ever-increasing work. One sewing machine was entirely inadequate, and two more were added. The reports of need among the families visited by Mr. Buck served to renew our energies. Special afternoon meetings were frequently held, and the chief object of the society was to clothe the needy children who thronged the parlors.

Four hundred and sixty-six garments were distributed among forty-six families in 1878, and for several years the number was nearly as large. The ladies in office during these most arduous years were Mrs. Thomas J. Borden, as president, Mrs. Charles J. Holmes, vice-president, in 1877-78; Mrs. Charles A. Baker, president, Mrs. William Carr, vicepresident, 1879-80.

The year 1880 proved an eventful one for this society, as Sunday, the first day of February, was set apart by the Church as the time for special effort to raise the debt remaining on the new church edifice. At the close of the morning service, Mrs. Charles A. Baker, the president, requested the ladies of the Beneficent Society to meet in the north parlor, to see what part, if any, they would take in the work. It was unanimously voted to assume one thousand dollars of the debt, to be paid in one year.

The ladies then set to work with energy to redeem this pledge. They decided to give a series of entertainments, beginning with a turkey supper, to be served in the old Central Church, February 10. Although but eight days were allowed for preparation, a supper which was pronounced by epicures

to be "first class in every respect was served, and netted

two hundred dollars.

Five lectures, given gratuitously by Dr. Alexander McKenzie, of Cambridge; Dr. William M. Taylor, of New York; Dr. Joseph T. Duryea, of Boston; Dr. Reuen Thomas, of Brookline; and Dr. Joseph Cook, swelled the fund to more than five hundred dollars.

The third and closing entertainment was a " Lawn Fête,” held in June, on the grounds now occupied by the Bristol County Courthouse, but at that time belonging to the estate of Col. Richard Borden. Mrs. Borden not only gave the use of her grounds, but most generously opened and illuminated her house, thus adding much to the beauty and enjoyment of the occasion.

The management of this one supreme effort was given into the hands of Mrs. Alphonso S. Covel and Mrs. James C. Eddy. So successful were their plans and so well were they carried out by the various committees asked to assist them, that the proceeds, eight hundred and thirty-five dollars, added to the five hundred dollars already realized, enabled the society to redeem its pledge in less than six months.

"Twere long to tell what booths were there
Bedecked with flowers and berries rare
Berries so luscious, large, and red,

Were never plucked from strawberry bed;
What courtly dames, what lasses fair,
Dispensed the rich and dainty fare;
How music brought her magic art
To charm the ear and cheer the heart!
How "Punch and Judy " lent their aid
To please each little lad and maid!

All these attractions helped to make
A great success of our Lawn Fête.

In 1881, a large box was sent to the sufferers by fire in Michigan; a communion service formerly used by the Church. was given, and through the liberality of some of the members,

was resilvered and sent to a church in Michigan, where it is, no doubt, doing service to-day.

For two years, an Indian girl was supported at the Hampton School, Virginia, and in 1889, in addition to the usual boxes sent to the West, two barrels went to Talladega College, with fifty dollars to help a girl there, finish her college course. Since that time the society has been constantly interested in southern education, and every year has sent one or more boxes to colored schools and colleges in the South.

In 1890, a floor was laid by the society in the tea and coffee rooms, and a sink and serving table supplied. The next year, the carpets being much worn, the ladies solicited the money and purchased carpets, window shades, and table covers for the parlors.

The meeting in December, 1902, was a memorable one as the day on which the society celebrated the TWENTY-FIFTH anniversary of Mr. Buck's invaluable services as missionary among us, and also the FIFTIETH anniversary of its own organization.

Interesting papers giving the history of the society from its formation were read by Mrs. William Carr, Mrs. Thomas J. Borden, and Mrs. Charles J. Holmes.

A legacy of one hundred dollars, received in 1901, from the estate of Mrs. Philip D. Borden, long an earnest and active member of the society, was expended in buying silver forks, knives, and spoons. This relieved members from the necessity of each taking his own knife and fork to the suppers.

The following year a very efficient committee from the Beneficent Society solicited and raised from the ladies of the Church about sixteen hundred dollars for the purchase of new carpets for the church auditorium and the parlors. Since then the society has furnished the reception hall in the Young Men's Christian Association building, at an expense of three hundred dollars.

As a matter of course, the nature of the work and the methods used to forward it, have somewhat changed with the

changing years. The suppers are at present (1905) held every month and are prepared by a committee of ladies, each of whom gives one dollar in money, and also furnishes two loaves of cake and her portion of bread or rolls; the money for the relish is taken from the general fund of the society. At the suppers, those entertained (from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty) contribute a nominal fee. Of all the many methods tried, the present way of serving the supper has proved most satisfactory. The ladies having served once during the winter, are not called upon again that season, and the labor and expense is thus more evenly distributed.

In this connection there should be mentioned with gratitude, the kind and constant services of Mr. John Nowell, who for many years has assisted the ladies of the supper committee by carving the meats. In addition, when barrels or boxes are to be packed, Mr. Nowell is always on hand to do the packing, nailing up the cases, and shipping the goods to their destination, - an invaluable service, for which the ladies have frequently expressed their heart-felt thanks and appreciation.

Evening entertainments have for many years been provided by the young people, three or four being given during a winter.

The need for assistance among the families of the poor has decreased of late years, owing to the greater number of similar societies and the better administration of charity. We are still clothing the needy children of our own parish, often sewing for the Children's Home and sending every year, two or more barrels West and South.

During the sixty-two years of the existence of the society, it has raised and disbursed about fourteen thousand six hundred dollars, while the value of the thousands of garments made and given away would amount to much more than this sum; so that in all thirty-five thousand dollars would be a very conservative estimate of the amount of the society's benefactions up to the present time (1905).

Central Church Sabbath School

A.D. 1843-1905

THE Sabbath school of the Central Church was formally organized on September 4, 1845, at a meeting of those who were already its teachers, together with others connected with it. A committee was appointed, consisting of the pastor, Rev. Samuel Washburn, together with Frederic A. Fiske and Joseph A. Crane, to present to the Church a plan of organization for the Sabbath school, under the patronage, care, and guidance of the Church.

On the 8th of September, at a regular meeting of the Church, this committee reported a plan, which was accepted and adopted as the form of organization. The Church pledged its deep interest and cordial coöperation in measures for its welfare.

Probably the school had existed from the very beginning of the Church; for, in the Fall River Monitor of July 15, 1843, appeared the following notice: "The Sabbath school of Central Church will be held in the vestry of the Baptist Church at nine o'clock to-morrow morning." This was after the "Great Fire," when the Baptist (Temple) Church so cordially opened its doors to this congregation.

The first reference to the school in the church record is under the date of November 20, 1843, and reads:

Brothers Jesse Eddy, Orrin P. Gilbert, and Hale Remington, Sisters Almira Borden, Mrs. Wood, and Mrs. Glazier, were chosen a committee to procure scholars for the Sabbath-school, and to solicit punctual attendance from all its members, and also to devise ways and means to promote the interests of the school.

By the articles of the association, officers were elected semiannually by all connected with the school and over eighteen years of age. This practice was continued until July 14, 1856, since which time they have been elected annually.