Note 939 — Chapter IV · (continued 2)
Reading edition
Ibid., p. 5. Ogden’s observations in this connection are caustic enough. “The people generally attended the public exercises in the meeting-houses, but had no share in the deliberations of the ministers. Dinners were prepared, by private donations, of the most delicious food of the season, which could be procured by the parishioners; and a day of conviviality was thus observed once a month by the clergy, to their gratification and the increase of their association.” (Ibid.)