In the common sitting-room of most houses, the mantel-piece was finished with Dutch tiles, containing chiefly the history of the New Testament and the Parables.6
They were taught to learn the subject by these tiles on Sunday evenings, for at that period Sunday evening services were not common ; other denominations first introduced them. The consequence has been that domestic instruction has declined, a method by which children of earlier days derived more benefit, than by being carried to evening churches.'v
In the possession of the late Hon. Joshua Purdy, of North Salem, was (a few years ago) the original French Bible belonging to the Guion family of New Rochelle, containing the forms of prayer, with the manner of administering the sacraments ; celebrating marriage, and the visitation
0 Mr. Plntard remembered, as a child, lo have been lifted up for the purpose of dropping his mite Into the box.
1 Such may yet be seen In this placf in the house of the late Mr. Samuel Davis.
o From John Pintard's recollections, communicated by the late Mrs. Serross of New Rochelle.
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
of the sick, as formerly practised in the French Reformed church of this place in 1697. One of the prayers is thus entitled:
u Oraison au fidele detenu en captivite."
The catechism of the French church is also added, and the psalms in metre with their appropriate tunes. On a blank leaf occurs the following memoranda :
Cette Bible appartient a moy Yaltlicr Humbert du Locke & de la de fond Bourgeois Mangin Laule Sept cent et uu PI.