USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Gardner > History of the town of Gardner, Worcester County, Mass., from the incorporation, June 27, 1785, to the present time > Part 38
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HIGH SCHOOL.
In the town warrant for February 9th, 1856, there was an article " To see what action the town will take, in relation to supporting a High School, as required by the 5th section, 23d chapter, of the Revised Statutes." This article was referred to a committee, who reported " that in the opinion of the majority of your committee, it is inexpedient that the town take meas- ures to support a High School. Asaph Wood, Levi Heywood, John Edgell, S. W. A. Stevens, S. H. Clark, Alonzo Sawtell, Jonathan Brown." April 2d, 1866, " Voted, On motion of Allen Folger, that a High School be established in town, ac- cording to law, and that the selectmen and superintending school committee, be a committee to carry into effect this vote, and provide a suitable place for holding said school."
Accordingly, in the fall of 1866, a High School was opened, in the old school-house, formerly occupied by the Centre dis- trict, as the best accommodations, at that time, to be procured. Here the High School continued to be taught, until its removal to the new High School-house, which it now occupies. This building has since been removed to a site near the depots, and is occupied by the Messrs. Howe Brothers, as a grain store, with a hall for the Odd Fellows, in the second story.
455
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
April 1st, 1872, the town "Voted, To choose a committee of three, to secure a location for a High School-house, and pro- cure a plan and estimates for a building, and report at the next annual March meeting. S. K. Pierce, Henry C. Knowlton, Francis Richardson, committee."
There was an article in the warrant for March 4th, 1872, " To see if the town will take any measures for the further accom- modation of the High School." Upon this article, the town " Voted, To choose a committee of three to investigate the subject of additional accommodations for the High School, and report the best plan in their judgment, at the adjournment of this meeting. Chose S. K. Pierce, Henry C. Knowlton, Cyrus K. Wood, committee." This committee made the following report, which the town voted to accept :-
" Your committee are of the unanimous opinion, after exam- ining the building now occupied, by our High School, that the accommodations and conveniences, which it affords, are not what the best interests of such a school demand. Its location is also unsatisfactory to a large proportion now sending schol- ars to the school, and to others who would send if its location was more central.
" Your committee are therefore of the opinion, that the grow- ing interests and demands of the town, require a new building, furnishing better accommodations, in a more central part of the town. Taking this view of the subject, we have endeavored to ascertain where the most available location, accommodating the whole town, could be found, and we are of the opinion that the most desirable place, is on the high ground, below the so called ' Atherton House' in the Heywood pasture, on Chestnut Street. After the committee had decided on the location, they consulted Mr. Levi Heywood in regard to the lot, and he gen- erously proposed to donate a good and liberal spot to the town, for that purpose, in that locality, if they should deem it best to accept it. Your committee would therefore recommend that the town accept the liberal offer made by Mr. Heywood, and that a committee of three be chosen to locate a spot, at once,
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
and report at the next town meeting; also that the same com- mittee procure plans and estimates for a building, and report at the next annual town meeting, to be held in March, 1873."
At the same meeting, the town " Voted, To choose a com- mittee of three, to secure a location for a High School-house, and procure a plan and estimates for a building, and report at the next annual March meeting. S. K. Pierce, H. C. Knowl- ton, Francis Richardson, committee."
At the March meeting, 1873, this committee made a report, part of which, is here given. " We have taken a deed of a lot of land donated, by Mr. Levi Heywood, lying on the west side of Chestnut Street, containing one and one-fourth acres, which we think is the most eligible site to accommodate all parts of the town. The land is given on condition that it shall be used for a High School, and other school purposes; and that there shall be erected a building, on said land for a High School- house, in three years. We have also procured a plan and esti- mated costs of a High School-building, made by Earle and Ful- ler, architects of Worcester, which we think suitable for the purpose. We consulted the school committee in getting the plan, and it is approved by them. We believe the estimated cost of the building, above the foundation, not including the furniture, is thirteen thousand three hundred dollars, which the architects are confident can be built within that estimate."
This report was accepted and the town " Voted, That the same committee be authorized and instructed, to cause a build- ing to be built, after the plan presented, and grade the land within the three years limited in the deed of the land."
The High School-building was erected under the immediate superintendence of Mr. Francis Richardson, and was ready for occupancy December 21st, 1874, and is, in all respects, a very substantial structure. The main building is forty-six by seventy feet, with a front projection and porch, seventeen by twenty- two feet. It is two stories high, having a tower ninety feet in height. It is constructed of brick, and has brown sand-stone trimmings, the under-pinning being of Fitchburg granite. It
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HIGH SCHOOL HOUSE.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
has three front entrances, all of which have open porches and large halls. At the right, of the main entrance, is a cloak- room for the gentlemen. Directly opposite the entrance, upon the lower floor, is a room occupied by the Higher Grammar School, which is thirty by forty feet. This room is twelve feet in height, and is nearly surrounded, by a wall blackboard. It is furnished with ash seats and desks, with a black walnut desk for the teacher. There is a stairway leading from the main entrance to the second floor, where the High School-rooms are located. The High School-room, is forty by forty-three feet, and fifteen and a half feet in height, and is furnished like the room below. At the rear of the teachers' desk, is a recitation- room ; also a library and apparatus-room. These rooms are light and pleasant, the windows being provided with inside shutters. The basement is divided into four rooms, all of which have cemented floors, with partition walls of brick. The building is heated by furnaces and is supplied with earth closets. Its cost with furnishings, was twenty-two thousand dollars.
The grounds about this building, are ample and well graded, being adorned also, upon their borders, with elin trees, which, in their maturity, in the years to come, will serve to make them delightful and attractive, not unlike the classic shades of ancient times. There is also, upon three sides of these grounds, a close board fence, with stone posts.
The town is certainly to be congratulated, upon the posses- sion of its High School-building. Since its establishment, in the fall of 1866, the High School has been, in the main, fortu- nate in its teachers, whose influence for good, has been felt throughout the town. The following are the names of these teachers : Messrs. Asa A. Spear, Horace Goodhue, Jr., William J. Morton, George A. Bacon, Joseph Jackson, Jr., Rev. John F. Ashley, Charles E. Quimby, J. R. Davis and Frank M. Collester, who is the present teacher. Assistants, since the fall of 1875, Misses Ella O. Dike and Lucy J. Warner. The following is the course of study adopted in the High School :-
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GARDNER HIGH SCHOOL-COURSE OF STUDY.
Fourth Year Third Year. Second Year. First Year. | Preparatory.
Terms.
MATHEMATICS.
NATURAL SCIENCE.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
LATIN.
GREEK.
FRENCII.
MISCELLANEOUS.
1
Arithmetic.
Physical Geography.
Grammar.
Arithmetic.
Physical Geography.
Grammar.
Arithmetic.
Physical Geography.
Grammar.
1
Algebra.
Physiology.
Analysis & Composition.
Reader.
2
Algebra.
Physiology.
Analysis & Composition.
Reader.
3
Algebra.
Philosophy.
Analysis & Composition
Reader.
1
Philosophy.
Rhetoric.
Cæsar.
Reader.
Ilistory.
2
Philosophy.
Rhetoric.
Cæsar.
Reader.
History.
3
Chemistry.
Rhetoric.
Cæsar.
Reader.
History.
1
Arith. Rev'd.
Chemistry.
English Literature.
Cicero.
Xenophon
2
Book Keeping.
Botany.
English Literature.
Cicero.
Xenophon.
French the last 2 years of the course.
3
Geometry.
Botany.
English Literature.
Cicero.
Xenophon.
Virgil.
Homer.
1
Geometry.
Astronomy.
2
Geometry.
Astronomy.
Virgil.
Homer.
3
Trigonometry.
Geology.
Virgil.
Homer.
Review of elemen- tary studies with special reference to teaching.
458
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
459
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND APPROPRIATIONS.
We present here a list of the school committee for each year, together with the annual appropriation for schools, since the incorporation of the town :-
1786 .- Samuel Kelton, David Nichols, Ebenezer Howe. Appropria- tion, thirty pounds.
1787 .- John White, Ebenezer Howe, Timothy Kneeland, David Nich- ols. Appropriation, twenty pounds.
1788 .- No record of committee. Appropriation, forty-five pounds.
1789 .- Capt. William Bickford, Capt. Samuel Kelton, Lieut. Jonathan Wheeler, Jonathan Bancroft. Appropriation, thirty pounds.
1790 .- Elisha Jackson, Jesse Hill, Jonas Richardson, Joel Wheeler. Appropriation, thirty pounds.
1791 .- David Nichols, Samuel Edgell, Ebenezer Howe, Peter Good- ale. Appropriation, twenty pounds.
1792 .- Aaron Greenwood, John White, Moses Hill, David Foster. Appropriation, thirty pounds.
1793. - Jude Sawyer, Jonathan Bancroft, Ebenezer Ilowe, David Comee. Appropriation, thirty pounds.
1794 .- Timothy Kneeland, Reuben Haynes, Reuben Partridge, Lieut. Josiah Wheeler. Appropriation, thirty pounds.
1795 .- Levi Fairbanks, Seth Brigham, Smyrna Glazier, Reuben Par- tridge. Appropriation, thirty pounds.
1796 .- Josiah Conant, Joseph Priest, Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Wood. Appropriation, forty-five pounds.
1797 .- Joshua Whitney, Joseph Payson, Joel Wheeler, Joseph Clark. Appropriation, forty-five pounds.
1798 .- Samuel Edgell, William Whitney, Joseph Edgell, John Pierce. Appropriation, fifty pounds.
1799 .- Ahio Whitney, Abel Kendall, Joseph Wright, Allen Perley. Appropriation, fifty pounds.
1800 .- Ebenezer Howe, Ethan Seaver, Jonathan Wood, Joel Brooks. Appropriation, two hundred dollars.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
1801 .- Samuel Stone, Benjamin Edgell, David Nichols, Ezra Moore. Appropriation, two hundred dollars.
1802 .- Joel Wheeler, William Fenno, Elisha Jackson, Benjamin Clark. Appropriation, two hundred dollars.
1803 .- Samuel Kelton, Abel Kendall, Joseph Wright, Smyrna Bancroft. Appropriation, two hundred dollars.
1804 .- James Coolidge, Jonathan Brown, Thomas Baker, William Whitney. Appropriation, two hundred dollars.
1805 .- Reuben Haynes, Nathan Gates, Timothy Kneeland, Smyrna Glazier. Appropriation, two hundred and forty dollars.
1806 .- Lewis Glazier, William Fenno, David Foster, William Bickford, Jr. Appropriation, three hundred dollars.
1807 .- Ahio Temple, John Putnam, Ezra Moore, Sullivan Jackson. Appropriation, three hundred dollars.
1808 .- John Eaton, Samuel Learned, Allen Perley, Adam Noyes. Appropriation, three hundred dollars.
1809 .- Adam Noyes, Abel Kendall, Daniel Banister, Smyrna Bancroft. Appropriation, three hundred dollars.
1810 .- Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Adam Noyes, Abel Kendall, Lewis Gla- zier, Smyrna Bancroft. Appropriation, three hundred dollars.
1811 .- Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Adam Noyes, Smyrna Glazier, Lewis Glazier, Asa Hill. Appropriation, three hundred dollars.
1812 .- Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Asa Ilill, Lewis Glazier, Enos Kelton, Asa Richardson. Appropriation, three hundred dollars.
1813 .- Asa Hill, James Scollay, Enos Kelton, Levi Priest. Appropri- ation, three hnudred dollars.
1814 .- Lewis Glazier, James Scollay, Smyrna Bancroft, Asa Hill. Appropriation, three hundred dollars.
1815 .- Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Perley Howe, Smyrna Glazier, Noah Fair- banks, Benjamin Heywood. Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 1816 .- James Coolidge, James M. Comee, Ezra Baker, Adam Par- tridge. Appropriation, three hundred dollars.
1817 .- Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Ezekiel Howe, Ethan Seaver, Allen Per- ley, Jr., Asa Nichols. Appropriation, three hundred and thirty dollars.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
1818 .- Ahio Temple, Joel Matthews, George W. Davis, Walter Green- wood. Appropriation, four hundred dollars.
1819 .- Joel Cowee, Joseph Clark, Jr., Jonas Brick, Joseph Whitney, Enos Kelton, Simon Gates. Appropriation, four hundred dollars.
1820 .- Benjamin Heywood, Levi Fairbanks, Jr., George Scott, John Merriam, Seth Whitney, Nathan Green, 2d. Appropriation, four hundred dollars.
1821 .- Asa Richardson, Josiah Conant, Joseph Baker, Charles Green- wood, Richard Baker, Benjamin Stone. Appropriation, four hun- dred dollars.
1822 .- James M. Comec, Jonathan Bancroft, Jr., Simeon Leland, Eli- sha Jackson, Ezra Baker, Perley Howe. Appropriation, four hun- dred dollars.
1823 .- Josiah JJackson, Samuel Learned, Edward W. Kendall, Sulli- van Jackson, Avery Turner, Ezekiel Howe. Appropriation, four hundred dollars.
1824 .- Noah Fairbanks, John Miles, Capt. Abel Jackson, Amasa Le- land, George W. Davis, Benjamin Howe. Appropriation, four hundred dollars.
1825 .- Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Daniel Spaulding, Asa Richardson. Ap- propriation, four hundred dollars.
1826 .- Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Levi Ileywood, Martin Dunster. Ap- propriation, four hundred dollars.
1827 .- Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Asa Smith, John Merriam, Charles Child, Joseph Coolidge, John Eaton, Jr., Capt. Ahio Temple. Appro- priation, four hundred dollars.
1828 .- Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Levi Heywood, Clemant Jewett, Esq. Appropriation, four hundred dollars.
1829 .- Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Asa Richardson, Levi Heywood. Ap- propriation, four hundred dollars.
1830 .- Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Levi Heywood, Capt. Martin Dunster. Appropriation, four hundred dollars.
1831 .- Rev. Jonathan Farr, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Dr. David Parker. Appropriation, four hundred dollars.
462
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
1832 .- Rev. Jonathan Farr, Rev. Sumner Lincoln. Appropriation not given, probably four hundred and fifty dollars.
1833 .- Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Joseph Wright, Jonathan Brown, Jr., Rev. Jonathan Farr. Appropriation, six hundred dollars.
1834 .- Rev. Curtis Cutler, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Amasa Leland. Ap- propriation, five hundred dollars.
1835 .- Rev. Curtis Cutler, Amasa Leland, Rev. Sumner Lincoln. Ap- propriation, five hundred dollars.
1836 .- Rev. Curtis Cutler, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Amasa Leland. Ap- propriation, six hundred dollars.
1837 .- Rev. Curtis Cutler, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Timothy Heywood. Appropriation, six hundred dollars.
1838 .- Rev. Curtis Cutler, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Timothy Heywood, Appropriation, six hundred dollars.
1839 -Martin Dunster, Theophilus P. Wood, Jonathan Brown, Jr. Appropriation, six hundred dollars.
1840 .- Martin Dunster, Theophilus P. Wood, Jonathan Brown, Jr. Appropriation, seven hundred dollars.
1841 .- Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Jonathan Brown, Thomas E. Glazier, Samuel H. Clark, Joshua A. Whitney, Joseph Wright. Appropri- ation, six hundred dollars.
1842 .- Thomas E. Glazier, Rev. William B. Stone, John Edgell. Ap- propriation, six hundred dollars.
1843 .- Thomas E. Glazier, Rev. William B. Stone, Stephen Hohnan. Appropriation, eight hundred dollars.
1844 .- Rev. William B. Stone, Thomas E. Glazier, Dr. A. S. Carpen- ter. Appropriation, seven hundred dollars.
1845 .- Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. Josiah H. Tilton, Dr. A. S. Car- penter. Appropriation, seven hundred dollars.
1846 .- Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. Josiah H. Tilton, Dr. A. S. Car- penter. Appropriation, seven hundred dollars.
1847 .- Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. Josiah H. Tilton, Thomas E. Gla- zier. Appropriation, eight hundred dollars.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER. 463
1848 .- Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. Harri- man. Appropriation, eight hundred dollars.
1849 .- Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. IIarri- man. Appropriation, nine hundred dollars.
1850 .- Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. Harri-
man. Appropriation, nine hundred dollars.
1851 .- Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. Harriman, Henry Lawrence. Appropriation, nine hundred and fifty dollars.
1852 .- Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. Harriman, Henry Lawrence. Appropriation, one thousand dollars.
1853 .- Rev. John C. Paine, Rev. Abijah Stowell, Amasa Brown. Ap- propriation, one thousand dollars.
1854 .- Rev. John C. Paine, Rev. Abijah Stowell, Dr. George Jewett. Appropriation, one thousand three hundred dollars.
1855 .- Thomas Wood, John M. Moore, Avery B. Whitney. Appro- priation, one thousand three hundred dollars.
1856 .- Rev. John C. Paine, Rev. Abijah Stowell, John M. Moore. Appropriation, one thousand three hundred dollars.
1857 .- Rev. John C. Paine, Rev. Abijah Stowell, John M. Moore. Appropriation, one thousand five hundred dollars.
1858 .- John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, Dr. W. HI. HI. Hinds. Appro- priation, one thousand seven hundred dollars.
1859 .- John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush, in place of Dr. W. H. H. Hinds resigned. Appropriation, two thousand dollars. 1860 .- John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush. Appropri- ation, two thousand dollars.
1861 .- John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush. Appropria- tion, nine hundred dollars.
1862 .- C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush, John M. Moore. Appropria- tion, one thousand two hundred dollars.
1863 .- C. Webster Bush, John M. Moore, Rev. Samuel J. Austin. Appropriation, one thousand five hundred dollars
1864 .- John M. Moore, Rev. Samuel J. Austin. John D. Edgell. Ap- propriation, one thousand seven hundred dollars.
464
HISTORY OF GARDNER.
1865 .- John D. Edgell, John M. Moore, C. K. Wood to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Rev. Samuel J. Austin. Appropriation, two thousand dollars.
1866 .- John D. Edgell, John M. Moore, Rev. W. D. Herriek. Ap- propriation, two thousand dollars.
1867 .- Jolm D. Edgell, Jolin M. Moore, David Kelton. Appropriation, three thousand five hundred dollars.
1868 .- David Kelton, Murray Closson, John M. Moore. Mr. Moore resigned. Appropriation, three thousand five hundred dollars.
1869 .- David Kelton, John M. Moore, Charles Heywood, C. K. Wood, Joseph Burnett, Allen Folger. Appropriation, three thousand eight hundred dollars.
1870 .- John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush, Charles Hey- wood, Joseph Burnett. Appropriation, three thousand eight hun- dred dollars.
1871 .- John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, Charles Heywood, Dr. James Emerson, C. Webster Bush. Appropriation, four thousand five hundred dollars.
1872 .- John M. Moore, Dr. James Emerson, Rev. John E. Wheeler. Appropriation, four thousand eight hundred dollars.
1873 .- Rev. John E. Wheeler, John M. Moore, Dr. James Emerson. Appropriation, five thousand dollars.
1874 .- Dr. James Emerson, John M. Moore. Appropriation, five thou- sand five hundred dollars.
1875 .- John M. Moore, Dr. James Emerson, Edward H. Sawin. Ap- propriation, six thousand five hundred dollars.
1876 .- Dr. James Emerson, Edward II. Sawin, Dr. W. H. HI. Hinds. Appropriation, six thousand five hundred dollars.
1877 .- Edward P. Noyes, Dr. W. H. H. Hinds, Thateher B. Dunn. Appropriation, six thousand five hundred dollars.
1878 .- Thatcher B. Dunn, E. P. Noyes, John M. Moore. Appropri- ation, seven thousand dollars.
1
1
HISTORY OF GARDNER. 465
It will be seen, by consulting page 447, of this work, that the first school-houses were erected in this town, in 1794. Since that time, but more especially since the abolishment of the dis- triet and adoption of the graded system, this town has always furnished itself with ample and convenient school accommoda- tions. In 1858, School District No. 1, erected a large and con- venient house, with four departments, at a cost of ten thousand dollars. In the same year, District No. 3, built a school-house with four departments, costing five thousand dollars. In 1876, the Southeast school-house, was remodeled, at an expense of three thousand five hundred seventy-four dollars and eighty- nine cents. At the present date, a new school-house is be- ing erected in the West Village, containing two departments, at an estimated cost of five thousand dollars. At present, all the school-houses in the town, are in an excellent con- dition, and most of them well furnished with the means of successful instruction.
In carefully reviewing the present chapter, the reader will be convinced that Gardner has never been backward, in responding to the demands which the education of her youth have made upon her, and is, at the present time, occupying advanced ground, in matters of general culture. The words of Bancroft will form a fitting conclusion to this chapter : "In the laws establishing common schools, lies the secret of the success and character of New England. Every child, as it is born into the world, was lifted from the earth, by the genius of the country, and, in the statutes of the land, received, as its birthright, a pledge of the public care for its morals and its mind."
59
466
· HISTORY OF GARDNER.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHURCHES AND THEIR PASTORS.
" On other shores, above their mould'ring towns, In sullen pomp, the tall cathedral frowns, Pride in its aisle, and paupers at the door, Which feeds the beggars whom it fleeced of yore.
Simple and frail, our lowly Temples throw, Their slender shadows on the paths below ;
Scarce steal the winds, that sweep his woodland tracks,
The larch's perfume from the settlers axe,
Ere like a vision of the morning air,
His slight framed steeple marks the house of prayer !" -0. W. Holmes.
" Wide was his parish-houses far asunder- But he neglected naught for rain or thunder, In sickness and in grief to visit all, The furthest in his parish, great and small, Always on foot and in his hand a stave.
This noble example to his flock he gave :
That first he wrought and afterward he taught;
Out of the gospel, he that lesson caught, And this new figure added he thereto, That if gold rust then what should iron do?"-Chaucer.
TN attempting to unfold, as faithfully as circumstances will permit, that portion of this history, which has special ref- erence to ecclesiastical affairs, we regard it as fitting and proper, to direct the attention of the reader, to some of the more prom- inent events, which preceded the establishment of the church and the ministry, in this town.
This we do, for the purpose of forming, in the reader's mind, an intelligent basis for a clearer understanding of the conduct, of our fathers, in devoting themselves so assiduously to the task,
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
which they immediately assumed, of providing religious instruc- tion for themselves and their families. Says D'Aubigne, " to study great things in small, is one of the most useful exercises. The foundations upon which a building stands are certainly not the most interesting part, but they are, perhaps, the most nec- essary." Should we undertake to trace the streams of civil and religious liberty, which flow, in such innumerable and irrigating channels, over the entire surface of our great republic, causing spiritual verdure and delightful fruitage, on every hand, we should find them having their origin, far back in the sixteenth century, or, indeed, previous to that time.
Says D'Aubigne again, " Calvin was the founder of the greatest of republics. The Pilgrims, who left their country in the reign of James 1st, and, landing on the barren shores of New England, founded populous and mighty colonies, are his sons, his direct and legitimate sons ; and that American nation, which we have seen growing so rapidly, boasts as its father the humble reformer, on the shores of the Leman." The principle of religious liberty, now so deeply seated in our country, had its incarnation and fearless utterance, in the person of John Calvin. Englishmen, who took refuge in Geneva, from the bloody persecution of Mary, learned of this man, the love of spiritual liberty and the hate of spiritual tyranny. Returning to England, with their minds aflame with these lofty sentiments, they inspired a spirit of discontent, with nationalism, in the hearts of many, against that tyranny which, by Aets of Unifor- mity, High Commission and the Star Chamber, sought to coerce men to worship God, contrary to the dictates of their enlight- ened conscience, which, says Dr. Bacon, " in conscientious men, when it has been aroused to declare itself, is an obstinate thing."
Permeated by this love of religious liberty and freedom of conscience, caught from the lips and life of this great Genevan reformer, whose virtues and mighty deeds, in behalf of freedom from ecclesiastical bondage, seem now to have been forgotten, by too many, who are boasting of a liberty, for the existence of which, he prepared the way, there were, in the latter part of
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