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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios, "^hose too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent 6tre filmis A des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 A partir de Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche d droii^e, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrant la mdthoda. rrata to pelure, n d n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 /, ii;. 1 I- cui^r ' ' « : . DAVID WILLSON. Foundi'i- of the Children of Peace. vr THIRD OROAN IN THE MEETINa-HOUSE. f C]:iil(it<eq of Peqce THE HISTORY OF A NOVEL SECT IN YORK CO., ESTABLISHED IN THE EARLY PART OP THIS CENTURY. THEIR CEREMONIES, AND HOW THEY CONDUCTED THKTR SERVICES. THE ERECTION OP A TEMPLE. THE OLD i' ST BAND IN AMERICA. ' THE FIRST ORGAN BUILT IN CANADA. X Various articles havinj? appeared at sundry times, regarding the re- litnoiis society called "The Children ot Peace," whijh have only been true in part, or unwittingly calcu- lated to mislead the public mind in forming a true conception of the founder and his adherents, the writer will endeavor to give not an elaborate but a true history of its inception, rise and progress, to- ge her with interesting matters connected therewith; also correct dates, and the explanation of some things attributed to them, not alto- gether clear to the public mind, which gained partial credence, and were not considered as reliecting very much credit on the society. The writer is not entering upon a defence of their religious belief, but merely wishes to give their history as it is, leaving an intel- ligent i)ubUc to draw its own in- ferences. As regards their customs and manner oi living, much has been said to their discredit, which was utterly untrue, and it 13 but doing justice to their memories to ex- plain those actions of their lives \vhich have been wholly misunder- stood and accepted as truth by a miiiin formed public. David Willsou, the founder of this society, was born of Iriih par- entage In Duchess County, New York, June 7, 1778. His father died when the subject of this nar- rative was very young, so that the period of his education was limited to less than one year. While in his minority, he with his brother, the late John J. Willson, father of Mrs. C. Doan, Aurora, v/ere en- gaged on a sailing vessel that sail- ed between New York and the West India Islands. What length of time he was engaged in this business is not now known. His brother continued to follow the buriness for some length of time after David Willson discontinued his part or interest in it. In the meantime he married before attain- ing his majority, and by the earn- History of the Children of Peace. est solicitations of his wife was in- duced to leave the West India route and emigrate to Canada, which they did in the year 1801, They sunered a severe loss on crossing Lake Ontario. The craft on which they took passage was wrecked, they escaped with their lives, but all their baggage was lost ; all they possessed, on arriving at Toronto was the rim of a spin- ning wheel, and the clothes they had on. On arriving in Toronto, he ap- plied for, and obtained a Crown deed of the farm in East Gwillim- bury, (which is now owned, and occupied by his grand-son, Mr. Abb Willson, one of our most prominent men). He and his wife walked up what is now Yonge Street, at that time a blazed r jad through an al- most dense forest, curried their two little sons, John D. ana Israel. Their third sou was born Aug. 22. 1802, the first white child bom in the Township of EastGwilHmbury, and his cradle was a rough hewn sap-trough, but eventually he be- came one of the leading men of his time and age, but to our subject. From his earlier years, David Will- son was much given to religious contemplation, and sometime after his arrival in this country, he be- came a member of the society of " Friends," taking quite an active part in their meetings. Entertain- ing, however, some peculiar views on religious points, which the Friends did not consider orthodox, he was dismissed from that body, and on his withdrawal a number, six it is said, who entertained similar views, also left the society and attached themselves to Mr. Willson, who became their leader. This was the nucleus of the church afterwards founded by him, and the early combination of the little band known as " The Cliildreu of Peace," which began to hold its meetings for worship in 1814. They dilfered from the Quakers in several peculiarities, were fond of music and introduced both vocal and instrumental in their devotion- al exercises, were not obliged to conform to any particular style of dress, and no religious tests were required as a standard of faith or godliness. Their first meetings were held in Mr. Wilison's private house, and later on in a log building, which stood upon the site of the present meetinghouse, until their first church was built in 18U), after- wards known as the Mirsic Hall. It was 40 ft. square at the base, l(i ft. high, one storey, no upper room a door in the center on each of the four sides and two windowM each side of the four doors, each win- dow containing 24 panes of glass. It was painted white, the roof be- ing supported by large columns painted a light green. The first feast was held in 1818, as a harvest home dinner, prepared by the wives and mothers, and was partaken of in the open air, on the site where the Music Hall stood, and was afterwards instituted as the feast of the "first fruits" cor- responding to " Lammas day." In 1820 a brass band of music was organized in connection with History o! the Children of Peace. ''ie Bociety « to Mr. '»• ieadep. ';•'«, and .V'« iitMe "^reii of .i.oid its '" I8I4. akers in fond of J'j vocaJ devotion- ^'ged to sJ^yie of ts 'aith were or heJd in se, arjj whi«h P'VHent first after- Hull. ««, Id fooni »f the win- he. imns 8, US THE SHARON TEMPUE. the society, which is the oldest brass band in Canada, and which \ j)erforraed a sacred piece of mnsic j during service. A pipe organ was also added to the service during tlie same year, the builder being Mr. Richard Coates of Toronto, who was a band master in the British Army at the battle of Waterloo and in the Peninsular Wars. This was the first pipe organ built in Canada and had two barrels, ten tunes on each barrel. Mr. Richard Coat3s was teacher of the bi*nd when organized, he taught each member to perform on his special instrument. This con- tinued for some length of time. The late Jesse Doan, brother of the Charles Doan of Aurora, and father of Mrs. Col. Wayling of Sharon, was the first recognized loader, the time of his appoint- ment is not known, bnt he con- tinued to lead until September 18GG, when through failing health he resigned, and transferred the leadership to his nephe -n, Mr. J. D. Graham. Jesse Doan made a specialty in the clarionet of which instrument he was thorough- ly master. A number of the members of the band purchased silver instruments in New York, from 1864 to 1867 inclusive, each member owning his own instru- ment. The two large bass horns owned by Charles Graham and George M. Doan, were particularly fine, and were purchased at a cost of $123 and $140 respectively. All the members of the band thoroughly understjinding the dif- ferent scales, would transpose the music as they played, thereby saving the trouble of rewriting the original score in a different key, if so required. It has been said by competent judges to be the most History of the Children of Peace. \i'"' \imU'vt in tone, time and fXreulior of iiny ninnteiir bund in Cantulit. Tliey also eultivuted their talent ioi siii^MMjr Mf, a veiy early date, LSI!), and liad tiie best t'lichrrs eu- |j:ap'd tliat were available at that time. The first I'rofessor obtnin- able was Mr. Daniel Cory of Bos- t(»n, whom tln'y enj^ajjjed for the purjmsc. He cominencted his duties January 11, 184G, aud then a systematie training in all tin* rudiments of siL^ing was engaj^ed in with black-board and all eon- venienees rei^uired. This eon- tinned for over two years. Tlie surrounding country joined with the Davidites iu the school exer- cises which were conducted in the large room above iu the meeting- house. Mr. Cory held two grand concerts during his engagement here, one in Feb. 1847, the other in the summer, both given in the meeting house, which was filled with an audience that fully ap- preciated the entertainment. In the winter of 1818 a school was organized, the terra at that time being " Girls' House," you ig ladies from about 12 years of age and upwards were placed there to be taught thorough house-keeping and house work, such as spinning both wool and flax, sowing, knit- ting, and cooking in all its branches. The first building util- ized for this pu]-[)ose was a log house that stood near where the residence of the late Hugh D. Willson now stands. As the number of applicants increased it was necessary to build a house for the purpose. They built a more commodious one where the resi- dence of Mr. John Waslev now is.l • 7 1 nearly opposite the Metho^listl Church, This was in full opera- tion for a number of years, until each one and all nnirried, and lett for liomes of their own. Up to and during this period the society had greatly increased in numbers, and educational facilities were in a very crude stare. They decided to ♦^rect a still larger building, which was about 30 feet sipnire, two s.ories high, and was known as the " square house '' and stood on what is now Mrs. E. McArthnr'^ garden, opposite the meeting house. This institution would now l»e termed a Ladies' Seminary, a Inrge number of young ladies, not only of this, but of other denoiLi nations here received a pract'cal education. This educational institution was what has given rise to the report that David Willson kept a harem, and the inmates were his concu- bines, but a baser calumny was never uttered on an honest purpose, as many who are yet living can testify. There are six still Jiving iu the year 1898, who attended this institution. Another matter may be explain- ed here, and that is why the young women were dressed in white on the feast days, at that time many were in very moderate circumstances and one of Mr. Willson's mottoes being "Equality," he suggested white as the color of their dresses, it being the emblem of purity, and the material inexpensive placed it within the reach of all. History of the Children of Peace. '7 "le resi. ^«i<iv now iK, ^"" operft. y^V'""' until •^'•^•''*d, and ';;^"- Upfo " ^'unihers '\*^''»'<'in rt ;.«<H!i(ie(l fo "'"•^, fU'O '")^'J as the ^* ^ fe'a»'(I,.n, '•'^^'- Tiiis y «^ Ml is. fions here ition. ition be a- iJarem, *^ conen- «"y was P"''pose, {"ft" can ^ed this ^X])]ain. young kite on ttiany itanees lottoes jested •esses, t and ed it THE MEETING-HOUSE In 1825 they began the erection lof the Temple, which has long been the wonder and admiration of all I who have seen it. It is a three- storey structure 75 ft. in height, surmounted by a gilded ball, on which is inscribed the word ** Peace." The first or ground storey, which is the auditorium, is sixty feet square. The second or middle storey is a music gallery where the band rendered a selec- tion of musit*^ while the congregation were entering the building. The third storey is a dome, from which there is an open space to the ground floor. In the centre on the first floor stands a small finely finished structure, built by the late John Doan, called the Altar, and which occupied 365 davs in build- ing, and like nie temple is square and contains the Holy Bible. It stands on twelve gilded pillars, representing the twelve apostles and is emblematical of tne religion of Christ, on the f ol r corners of each storey of the Temple, a spire is placfd, making twelve in all, and vt'hen illuminated is symbolical of the twelve apostles going out into the world to preach the salvation of Christ to the people. THE SYMBOLIC MEANING OP THE TEMPLE. Mr. Willson bad a symbolic meaning attached to each and every part of the Temple. We will give it in his own words as the writer heard him repeat it. " My meaning for the three- storeys is to represent tlie Trinity. Being square at base meant to deal on the square with all people. The door in the centre on each of the four sides is to let the people come in from the east and the west, the north and the south on equal and the same footing. The equal number of windows on each ^■s^ss^mm History ot the Cnildren of Peace. 8i(le of every door is lo let tlie lijifht of the jfoapel be e<iually the same on all the pe<>ple herein as sembled. The four pilhirs at each corner of the Altar, with the words Faith, Hope, Love and Charity, in scribed on them is the fonr eardin- al virtues, whieh are the fonnda- tion, or in other words the prin ciples on which it is built. The Golden Ball on the top storey with the word *' Peace '' inscribed meant peace to the world." On the evening of the first Fri- day in each September, the Temple was illuminated for divine worship, and presented a very beautiful ap pearance when lig:hted, there being 2,952 panes of glass in the win dows and spires. The illumina- tion of the building was intended to represent Christianity enlight- ing the darkened understanding of the mind. The foUowingday the feast of tlje " first fruits," was celebrated a»i(l another service in the Temple, fol- lowed by a dinner provided in tlie meeting-house. During the after noon the band rendered a number of selections on the green in front of the meeting house, or, in other words, an open air concert. The members also held a feast the fii'st Saturday in June, at first in honor of David Will son's biithday, after- wards instituted as " thepassover." The building was intended to be used fifteen times during the year, never at any time for Sunday wor- ehip, viz.: service on the last Satur- day of each month, when the members made contributions for charitable purposes. It has genei- ally been suppose*! that this oc- <Mipied 7 years in building, after] King Solomon's Temple, but su<?h was not the case, as it was begun in 1825, and the first service was! held in it October 20, 1831, m>»king| the period of erection six years.' It was painted white with green facings. At the time and during the erec- tion of the Temple, it was proposed to erect what is known as the Study, which was erected in 1829. This though of small dimensions iu one to excite interest from an architectural point of view. This building like the meeting-house is surrounded by a colonnade of pil- lars, 10 in number, the measure- ment of the colonnade being 24 ft. long, 16 ft. G in. wide. The body of the building 16 ft. long, 8 ft. wide and one storey high, a door in centre on east and wesc sides, twelve small spir. s on the roof and twelve windows, four on each side, ivvo at each end and painted like the temple, white with gie(?n fac- ings. This structure was finished and the opening took pla?e in September of the same year. They had ^eats placed in front of the building to accommodate the large gathering of friends that availed themselves of the pleasure. The time was spent in speeches and singing, and social intercourse all iu harmony with the occasion, and so the afternoon passed away. Later on, the second pipe organ, also built by Mr, R, Coates with <^hree barrels attached to it, ten tunes on each barrel, was put in, and the music produced by this i History of the Children of Peace. ^.^«t this on-, ,"'<^""ff, after P't', but 8ll(.hf was hegunl ««;';vic.e WU8! six years. with green "fe' the ereo- Hs proposed -^« as the vd in 1829. "lensions io t from au '•'^v. This 'K-Jjoiise is ido of pi|. 6 measiire- eing24 ft. , ^he body '«»ff, 8 ft. ^> a door in 'i'sc sides. ^^ I'oof and each side, inted JikJ '«'*" fae- =5 finished plaee in ^'' year, front of date the ds that ^leasnre. 'hes and «rse all ^n, and organ, es with it, ten Hit in, y this INTERIOR OF TEMPLE. organ w«8 the old time ballnds su«-h as *' Blue Hells of Seotland," " Heiiry's Cottnge Maid," Water Painted from the Sea," " Loch-a- bar no more," thirty tunes in all. The tone of tbis organ was particu- larly sweet and very harmonious to the ear. The ladies ip connection with the society made white, plain muslin curtains to drape the organ ; they formed a point at the top, and reached to the floor, slightly drawn or parted in front, and trimmed with blue ribbon, which had a most pleasing effect. The windows were draped in white corded mus- lin, valances cord and tassels, a bii<;]it seiirlet valance was fastened around the inside above the win- dows. It was neat, plain and very attractive. This was the decora- tion of the Study, at that time. At this time, the members still in- creasing in numbers, it was decided to build a more commodious church for Sunday worship, which result- ed in the building of the Meeting- House, a ^tructure 100 ft. long by 50 ft. wide surrounded by a colan- nade of pillars. This building was painted a light yellow with green facings, and has a large room up stairs for Sabbath Schools, and band rehearsals. The main part of the building which was used ior History of the Children off Peace. service contains another, the thud pipe organ, plavjed here iu 1848, built also by Mr. Richard Coatts. In this place worship was held every Sunday after the following manner : — Organ voluntary, sacred piece by the band, reading the scripture, hymn by the choir, pray- er, anthem, sermon, hymn, closing voluntary by the 01 gan. Service was also held on Christ- mas morning at 6 a. m., when the house was lighted by a candle be- ing placed in each window both above and below, followed by a free breakfast, service again at 11 a. m., followed by the Christ- mas offertory and dinner. The 5 a. m. service was in commemora- tion of the Saviour's birth, at that time in the morning. In this building the feasts were held ; prior to this in the open air in the Temple field. This church was commenced in 1834, finished and dedicated in the summer of 1842, the month and date not now known. During the early times of this society, it was the custom for a number to go to Toronto and Markham Township to hold a Sun- day service, a written sermon be- ing left at home to be read by one of their members. Revival meet- ings were unknown among tliem, neither had they any other minister than David Willson, and his ser- vice was at all times given free. While he always maintained " The laborer was worthy of his hire," he was averse to high salaries being paid to ministers, preferring rather to give the surplus to the poor, and so this little body grew and thrived, gaining for themselves a repuiii- tiou for morality, upright dealiug and honesty of purpose nnd beli«t, never asking f(>r assistance outside their own congregation. As Mr. Wilison once wrote, *' Our wants are few and simple," and thus they passed their lives in helping each other and the poor around them, in their own unostentatious wav of serving their Creator. Thoy did their life's work and quietly pass- ed away in the hope of their re- ward in the great hereafter. Upon the completion of their numerous buildings the society contiaued to floarish until the death of David Willson, which oc- curred on January 19, 1866, at the age of 87 years, 7 months, and 12 days. His remains were interred beside his life partner, in the cemetery one mile south of Sharoi», and not in a vault under the Study as was reported by many at the time of his death. The reading of the service devolved upon his eld- est son, John David Willson, David Willson having left a num- ber of sermons, prayers, and hymns on^l-ecord. • After this the society began to fail in numbers, many moved away a: d others identified them- selves with other churches. At this time the society has become extinct. The churches still stand as a monument to the memory of the dt parted. The Music Hall, and Square House were both removed some years ago.