f the church's history, and when it was
thronged by the greatest crowds. Mr. Weld was faithful to his trust,
never ruffled, kind to everyone and popular with all, and remained at
his post until old age and sickness called him away. His funeral was
large, attended by a great number of the members of the church. When his
body was carried down the aisle Mr. and Mrs. Beecher, arm in arm, headed
the mournful procession. If some great artist could have transferred the
scene to canvas and called it the funeral of the old sexton, it could
have taken its place among the other great paintings of church history.

Mr. George Day, one of the oldest members of the church and who is still
living, followed Mr. Weld, but remained in office only two years, being
succeeded by Mr. Smith, who filled the position for a long time in a
most acceptable manner. After him came Mr. Charles T. Halsey, who has
charge at the present time. I wish especially to mention my obligations
to him for assistance in verifying names and dates.

In close relation to the pastors and assistant pastors have been the
clerks of the church. Perhaps the one who attained the widest fame in
this capacity was Mr. Thomas G. Shearman, whose term of service was long
and included the period of the trials. At the ecclesiastical council he
made his knowledge of Congregational polity and history very manifest,
and contributed not a little to the convincing of the churches of the
denomination that Plymouth Church, while standing firm in its
independency, was yet willing and glad to recognise to the full the
fellowship of other churches, and desirous of doing all that it might
to make that fellowship cordial. The present clerk, Horatio C. King, is
but another illustration of how men of ability and position have
delighted to serve Plymouth.

The Sunday School has always been a most important part of Plymouth
Church, and the list of superintendents shows how it has been regarded
by all. At the first organisation Mr. Bowen was made superintendent, on
September 5, 1847, with an attendance of ten teachers and twenty-eight
scholars. The following May there were twenty-five teachers and one
hundred and forty scholars, and twenty years later, in 1867, the
attendance was considerably over one thousand. Mr. Bowen was followed by
Luther Eames, Edward Corning, Henry E. Morrill, George E. Bell,
Rossiter W. Raymond, and George W. Bard well, who is now in charge.

My own recollections centre