There are little, rounded, green-clad hillocks
that might, like their scriptural sisters, "skip with joy"; and there are
grand, rocky hills tufted with gaunt pine trees--these leading the eye to the
splendid heights of a neighbor State, where snow-crowned peaks tower in the
blue distance, sweeping the horizon in a long line of majesty.
Tory Hill holds its own among the others for peaceful beauty and fair
prospect, and on its broad, level summit sits the white-painted Orthodox
Meeting-House. This faces a grassy common where six roads meet, as if the
early settlers had determined that no one should lack salvation because of a
difficulty in reaching its visible source.
The old church has had a dignified and fruitful past, dating from that day in
1761 when young Paul Coffin received his call to preach at a stipend of fifty
pounds sterling a year; answering "that never having heard of any Uneasiness
among the people about his Doctrine or manner of life, he declared himself
pleased to Settle as Soon as might be Judged Convenient."
But that was a hundred and fifty years ago, and much has happened since those
simple, strenuous old days. The chastening hand of time has been laid somewhat
heavily on the town as well as on the church.
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