lake, while breezes sweep across it, or follow with wonder the path of shadows cast by clouds that chase each other o'er the hills. Yonder are the herds of sheep or cattle feeding on the stony pasture, the rambling walls, the pines that loom up mid the beech and oak and maple of the forest, the bushy chestnut standing out alone upon some knoll- the bow of promise to some lad who has trudged by it on his way to school. But this rural life becomes to some an interesting place for other reasons. The railroad." This was interesting. Fourteen miles a day each way for Uncle Sam, at seventy-five dollars a year! What could Warren be! I determined to find out and walked seven miles to see. I read the records. Many a city could be proud to have its name and history. Set apart in 1786, though earlier settled, it took its name from the physician-hero of Bunker Hill. It was a Warren man, Major Eleazer Curtis, into whose arms fell Gen. Wooster at the battle of Ridgefield in 1777, while harassing the red-coats on the absent pastor. On returning to the Chas. G. Finney says that his father removed from Warren when he was about two years old and went to Oneida County, N. Y. But he speaks of several visits to Connecticut, and of attending a high Some of this study school for a season. must have been in Warren. The Warren Academy is still standing just south of the church and I talked with a man now living in Warren whose mother said she went to the Academy with Finney and that he was even then considered a very bright young man. In flock at home, and made them ready for He attended church unknown. A well dressed, dignified person ascended the pulpit and in good style performed the service of that place; prayer, psalm and sermon came forth as from a workman needing not to be ashamed. A prayer was offered for the absent aged pastor. In the afternoon the pulpit was occupied by another, equally able and happy in his performance of the duties of the place, and he prayed too for THE BUSHNELL MILL DAM. Dr. Sturtevant though not eleven on leaving Warren, recalls in his autobiography some things to the credit of his native town. The people were homogeneous, there was no rivalry of sect, the schools assured a rudimentary education to all. When serious illness came to any home, the benediction would not be pronounced on Sunday till nurses were supplied for each night in the week. He was received under the age of ten into the christian fellowship and speaks of the impressions made upon him by the sermons heard. |