A Christmas Dinner in 1851

THE FESTIVALS AT BOONTON (New Jersey)

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Any one who has read of Oberlin and his secluded labors, between the hills on the borders of France, in civilizing a people who were otherwise far away from the influence of instruction, may form some idea of the labors of our valued friend, Doctor Grimes, in the little romantic town between the hills of New Jersey, to which he is certainly a Boon, and which is so far appropriately named Boonton. Doctor Grimes, in order to teach his neighbors those principles of Domestic Economy, which include mercy and humanity, and which render the use of animal flesh, or animal substances of any kind unnecessary, prepared a Christmas festival, to which his neighbors were invited to the number of about fifty. He gave them ample refreshments of a gratifying character, free of all cost to themselves, and what appears almost miraculous, at a cost for provisions of only five and one-half cents each. A Christmas dinner for five and one-half cents !

Friday, December 30, 1853, was the day appointed for the festival of the present season and having erected Temperance Hall, among his other beneficent labors for the advantage of the town, the festival was held there, and at one o'clock in the day, the hall was filled with hearty guests, principally of the industrial class employed at the iron works in the village, so that they were not likely to be contented with merely glancing at the feast, and tasting, but came prepared to enjoy a good dinner in the most practical way.

The Hall was appropriately and tastefully decorated with evergreens, and such flowers as the season afforded. The principal motto was the 29th verse of the 1st chapter of Genesis. The Excelsior Brass Band consisting of about a dozen instruments and excellent performers, enlivened the company by their melody. The Rev. Mr. Shaw of Williamsburgh, L. I., said grace.

The following bill of fare, will show the character of the feast, the principal novelty of which consists in the fact that not a particle of animal substances of any kind (even excluding milk, butter etc.) was employed on the occasion, nor did these substances enter into the composition of any of the dishes prepared

BILL OF FARE

First Course

Indian Corn Bread

Brown Wheaten Bread

White Wheaten Bread

Boiled Split Peas

Boiled Cabbage

Boiled and Baked Beans

White Turnips

Mashed Potatoes

Ruta- baga Turnips

Stewed Peaches

Stewed Apples

Stewed Cranberries

Stewed Quinces

Rice Boiled with Fruit

Cold Sour Pickles

Celery

Second Course

Mince Pie

Plum Pudding

Apple Pie

Cranberry Tarts

Lemon Tarts

Dessert

Apples

Fruit Ices

Nuts

Mottoes containing sweetmeats of nuts covered with candy, fruit, parched corn, etc. The mottoes in the sweetmeat packets were particularly appropriate, such as"Take not away the life you cannot give; For all things have an equal right to live." Addresses were delivered during the afternoon by Mr. Cogswell, professor of mathematics etc. at the New York Hygienic Institute, whose reasoning on physiological principles was as indisputable as mathematical problems; Mr. La Baron, Corresponding Secretary of the New York Vegetarian Society, whose remarks, though brief, were of the practical character; Mr. Hunt of New York who displayed in his own good humor, a powerful argument in favor of the principles he earnestly advocated; Doctor Dorrence, who spoke on the general principles of progress ; and Doctor Grimes, whose calm benignity and genuine kindness of heart, won greatly upon his guests.

The afternoon was thus agreeably spent in the discussion of various sentiments and the band concluded the entertainment by performing Hail Columbia, Yankee Doodle, etc. In the evening, a second feast was provided, to which new guests were invited. Almost, as if by magic, the tables were again loaded with abundance and variety, similar to what was displayed at noon, with the following additions to the dessert

Peach Jelly

Tomato Preserve

Quince Preserve

Raspberry Preserve

Grape Syrup

Lemonade

Variety of Cakes, etc.

During the second feast, Mrs. Mary C. Vaughan, the well-known Apostle of Temperance in New York State, and Mr. Henry S. Clubb, who had been delegated by the friends at Philadelphia to attend the festival, arrived, and were cordially welcomed by the assembled guests.

The evening was agreeably spent in short speeches, from Mr. Cogswell, who offered a number of sentiments, and acted as President of the meeting; Mrs. Mary C. Vaughan who spoke in the highest terms of the blessings of true temperance ; Doctor Dorrence, who asked for facts in relation to Vegetarianism, and spoke of it as a new system; Mr. Henry S. Clubb, who showed in reply to Doctor Dorrence that Vegetarianism was the original order of creation, and so far from its being an innovation, flesh eating was an innovation upon it, which had its origin in the fallen condition of man and his desire for the gratification of his grosser nature.

The Rev. Mr. Shaw made some excellent remarks, showing that vegetarian practice prepared the way forreception of religious truth.A cordial vote of thanks unto Dinah, the cook,was passed.The evening was enlivened by appropriate song, and the performances of the band, which concluded the entertainment, with the usual national airs.

The next morning, the stage, which was engaged to take some of the guests to the train, was already filled with passengers, and only an hour was left for making the five miles, over a slippery, hilly road of snow and ice. Doctor Grimes with his usual kindness, drove his chaise for two of the New York ladies; Rev. Mr. Shaw, Mr. Hunt and Mr. H. S. Clubb, travelled on foot, and were at the railroad depot as soon as the horse and chaise, determined to see if vegetarianism was not equal to an emergency of that kind.

Excerpt from HISTORY OF THE PHILADELPHIA

BIBLE-CHRISTIAN CHURCH

For The First Century of its Existence From 1817 to 1917

Compiled by THE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE

Created for that and other purposes by a resolution adopted

at a Special Church Meeting held May 6, 1917.

(excerpt from Vegetarian America: a History)