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Note: Of Derby according to the Barbour Collect, Derby Vital Records, Vol. 1, page 164. From "Reminiscences of Olden Times at Great Hill Church," recalled by Rev. Edward D. Bassett, Published by Rev. Clifford Vessey: 1934 "I think Aunt Melly was my favorite great-aunt. She was the wife of Uncle Isaac, my grandmother's brother. He was a stone mason. The basement of Great Hill Church is evidence of what a good mason he was. The walls are often admired and after about eithty years are as perfect as when first built. Aunt Melly's name was Permelia but everyone called her Meely. She was an enterprising woman. She gave me the first garden strawberry which I ever tasted and she also gave me a fig tree which bore figs for years. She was a good Methodist, sat on the women's side while Isaac sat on the opposite side of the church, with the square body of pews in between, where brave men sat with their wives; and where lovers, who were engaged, sometimes ventured. Aunt Meely was one of those warm mystics who enjoyed religion. Once in a great while she shouted, but only two or three times a year. She was not one of those hit-or-miss shouters, who shouts every five minutes anyway. When she shouted she said, "Glory to God", not with aloud shout yet in a clear ringing voice you could hear all over the church. She did not hide her light under a pushel. When she did shout it was because the minister had brought out some great truth in a way that stired her soul, or the tide of emotion in the prayer meeting was running high. When it did happen, everyone would go home saying, "We had a great service today, Meely shouted". She was one of the faithful prayer meeting attendants. Isaac worked more or less at his trade. That meant getting up early, driving four or five miles and putting in ten hours laying stone. When he came home after that long day Aunt Meely had the farm chores done and a good hot meal ready for him. This made it necessary for her to miss an occasional prayer meeting. She had missed two or three meetings. On a day when Isaac was home she thought of the prayer meeting and she heard an inner voice say, "You must go tonight". She replied, "Yes, Lord I will gladly go". All day long she thought what a blessing she was to receive at this service wich she was to attend as a special answer to God's call. She started early, for that mile and half walk down into the valley to the little white church. It was the beautiful close of a summer day. When she reached the church the sun was setting. As yet, no one had come, so she sat on the church steps and enjoyed a sunset in the valley in contrast with a sunset on the hilltop. All the beauty of the valley appealed to her and her soul went out to God, in the quiet and beauty of the early evening. It was time for the service. Only Aunt Meely had come but she was in the spirit of prayer. Two or three robins were singing their evening song. The little brook was playing their accompaniment. Aunt Meely was in the spirit and she worshiped in great joy. "And Heaven came down, her soul to greet; While Glory crowned the Mercy Seat." When it was time to end the service, with on criticism for those who did not come, with head up and step strong, she walked home with a happy heart. She had crecived such a blessing and she was so glad that she had come. In a very few and simple words she told me about it a few days after she had enjoyed the wonderful experience. But it is only in these later years that I have come to understand it. * * * * * Edward D. Bassett / 1934
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