USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Reading > History of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont. Vol. II > Part 8
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HISTORY OF READING.
edited "The Gospel Banner";
Rev· Otis Skinner, a Universalist clergyman, and author of several books that were well received by this denomi- nation, Hon. Wm. Watkins. a lawyer at Towanda, Pa., and one Lemuel Willes, a clergyman who preached at Troy, N. Y., and other places.
With this array of facts, can it be said that Reading has not had an important part in shaping the religious. beliefs of the 19th century ? Mr. Loveland removed to Weston, Vt., about 1840, where he resided about 12 years. He then was located in North Clarendon, Vt., from 1852 to 1856, and then removed to South Hartford, N. Y., in 1856 where he was pastor of la Universalist church ; and he died at the latter place, April 9, 1858, aged 71 years, and was buried in the Townsend Cemetery at that place. ' His earliest pulpit efforts were at Rich- mond, Vt.
He was settled over the Universalist church in Barn- ard, Vt., for three years prior to 1819.
The brick church which stood in Felchville, just east of B. M. Newton's hall, on the South Reading road, was built about 1835, and it was burned in 1860. It was occupied on alternate Sabbaths by the Universalists and Baptists. Rev. Warren Skinner of Cavendish, preached for a long time for the Universalists, and Rev. William H. Guilford, who resided at Lower Perkinsville, preached for the Baptists, some over two years. Mr. Guilford was a man of remarkable independence, bold in his ora- tory, and thoroughly posted on . all educational and re- ligious subjects. Rev. Warren Skinner was known to some now living in Reading, as one of the old style gentlemen, vigorous of thought, and resolute as to his religious beliefs.
In the winter of 1837-8, there had been held the second of a series of protracted meetings in this brick church, and a deep religious interest had been aroused which stirred the whole town. Rev. Mr. Skinner was
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HISTORY OF READING.
invited to come to Felchville and meet Mr. Guilford, in a religious discussion. The invitation was accepted. It was arranged that each disputant should speak 30 min- utes alternately, and prove his creed or belief from the Bible, by the principles of theology, and from church history, together with any other pertinent arguments.
The Reverend disputants got together about the middle of June, 1841; and their auditors filled the brick church to the doors. Three Judges were chosen, of whom Capt. Aaron Goddard was chairman, not to make decision as to the merits of the argument or the subject, but to rule on points of order, time, or other incidental matters. The other members of the committee, were Dea. William L. Hawkins and Benj. Sawyer, Esq. I have a report of this discussion from Honestus Stearns, Esq., as he remembered it. Rev. Mr. Guilford opened the discussion by stating in substance .-
" In this discussion, I propose to prove that all who do not comply with the terms of salvation in the present state of existence, will suffer punishment unlimited in duration in the future state of existence," and in the 30 ·minutes allowed him, he endeavored to establish his proposition.
Then Mr. Skinner arose and stated his proposition as follows, viz :--
"I propose to prove that there is a superintending, governing power that made and governs the universe with a supreme intelligence, a being whom we call God, a God of love and one whose tender mercies are over all His works ; and that His son Christ Jesus, died accord- ing to the Jewish rites as a propitiation for the sins of . the whole world ; that in the dispensation of the fullness of time, God will gather together in Christ, all who are in Heaven and on earth, and all will be ultimately in the Kingdom of Glory." Mr. Skinner said, - "Admit- ting the divine authenticity of the sacred volume, the proposition seems to prove itself. But as my worthy
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HISTORY OF READING.
brother Guilford says that the necessity of written laws in those misty, ancient days, proves that the doctrine of total human depravity was recognized from the earliest civilization. Whatever weight may be attached to this argument, there is no shadow of doubt but that man in his moral make-up. has a breath of Divine goodness and intelligence, that will develop in its final results in this world, as well as in the next, a condition resulting in everlasting peace."
The disputation showed that each disputant had been a deep student of ecclesiastical history, both ancient and modern, and of the civil and the common law. To repeat all the arguments on both sides, would fill a vol- ume of 1000 pages. This discussion lasted for three days, and after a couple of weeks, it was holden for two days more. It is to be regretted that the whole could not have been reported, and printed in book form, for it is doubtful if two such well equipped, theological com- batants ever got together before or since. It is a re- markable sequel, that in two or three years after this discussion, Mr. Guilford renounced the Baptist doctrine, and preached Universalism the rest of his life.
But this may be offset by the change of faith of Rev. C. H. Wells, from Universalism to the Protestant Epis- copal faith.
Rev. Dr. Forester subsequently preached the doc- trines of Universalism in the meeting house at South Reading. Heremoved to Aurora; I11., and was a clergy- man of much eminence. I have not been able to secure accurate data as to the length of his residence in Read- ing.
The Union Religious Association was formed at Felch- ville, May 5, 1862, for the purpose of building a meeting- house at Felchville. The corporators were Universa- lists and Methodists. Luther Kendall, Joseph A. Davis, and Alzamon D. Amsden were the building committee. It was provided that the building should be occupied on
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HISTORY OF READING.
alternate Sabbaths, by these two denominations. The corporators were :-
Luther Kendall, Charles L. Thayer, Joseph A. Da- vis, Wm. Felch, Ferdinand Hawkins, Nathaniel Par- sons, Geo. White, John Adams, Hosea Benjamin, Har- ris Kendall, E. W. Watkins, Otis Baldwin, Willard S. Gates, Daniel P. Sawyer, Rufus Young, Alonzo Gilbert. Gilbert A. Davis, Lucia E. Gates, Philetta Putnam, Fred K. Gates, Zenas Sanders, Nellie A. Fletcher, Kate White, R. W. Hoadley.
The building was erected at an expense of $1595.50, and was completed in 1862. This organization has been kept up to the present time.
"The First Universalist Society of Felchville, and Vicinity" was organized at Felchville, Feb. 27, 1867, and a constitution adopted. Its object was declared to be "the promotion of truth and morality among its members and also in the world at large, and as the Gos- pel of the Lord Jesus Christ is calculated above all truth to inspire the heart's emotions of benevolence and vir- tue, this society shall deem it one of its main objects to support the preaching of the Gospel according to its a- bility, and to aid in any other particular way in spread- ing a knowledge of it among men." The society adopt- ed as its profession of religious faith, "the profession of belief accepted at the General Convention of Universal- ists at Winchester, N. H., A. D. 1803," and the same is set forth at length on the record. Appended to. this are the names of
Luther Kendall, Chas. C. Thornton, Hosea Benja- min, R. W. Hoadley, H. Stearns, Caleb B. Chase, C. A. Morse, H. J: Hewlett, Otis Baldwin, Addison Slay- ton, John Adams, Andrew R. Adams, H. H. Hammond, F. G. Rice. D. P. Davis, John McCullough, William A. Wait, P. B. Wolcott, Reuben Petty, O. S. Holden, Geo. M. Clark, Alonzo Rogers, Clark Wardner, Mrs. P. Put- nam, Mrs. John Adams, Mrs. Carlos Wardner, Mrs. H.
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HISTORY OF READING.
J. Thornton, Mrs. Luther Kendall, Mrs. Sarah Hoadley, Mrs. Elvira M. Baldwin, Mrs. M. W. Benjamin. Mrs. M. E. Farwell, Mrs. T. E. Conant, Mrs. Henry J. Hewlett, Mrs. Orpheus Coburn, Mrs. Harriet S. Gates, Miss Ca- lista White, Miss Melvina J. Hoadley, Miss Emma J. Hoadley, Miss Jennie A. Pratt, Mrs. C. A. Morse, Mrs. A. S. Stafford, Mrs. Hank White, Mrs. A. Rogers, Mrs. L. A. Clarke, Miss F. M. Hewlett, Mrs. O. S. Holden. Mrs. C. H. Shedd.
Cordelia Hewlett Shedd devised to this Society,$500.
The pastors have been, Rev. Joseph Barber, 1868- 71; Rev. E. S. Foster, 1872; Rev. Eli Ballou, D. D., 1873 ; Rev L. Green, Rev. H. Closson, 1888, 1889 ; Rev. J. B. Reardon, 1890.
"The First Universalist Church of Felchville" was organized Sept. 13, 1891, and the "Winchester Confession of Faith" was adopted. The pastors have been, Mr. Leslie Moore, summer of 1891 ; Mr. Chas. H. Wells, summers of 1892 to 1895, inclusive ; Rev. Edson Reif- snider, summer of 1896; Rev. Bertram Boivin, summer of 1897 ; Rev. J. F. Simmons, summer of 1898 ; Rev. F. Waldron Evans, summer of 1898 ; Rev. Elizabeth Holt Goldthwaite, from Nov. 1, 1898, to May 1, 1901 ; Miss Hannah Gertrude Roscoe, from May I, 1901, to the date of this publication. She was ordained at Felchville, June 12, 1902 .-
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HISTORY OF READING.
CHAPTER IX.
Selectmen of Reading from Organization of the Town.
Compiled by Carlos Hawkins, Town Clerk.
1783
Asa Wilkins, David Hapgood.
1784
Thomas Hapgood, Nathaniel Pratt, John Stanley.
1785 John Weld, Asa Wilkins, David Hapgood.
John Weld, Aaron Kimball, Solomon Keyes. Samuel Sherwin, Thomas Fay, Nedobiah Cady.
1786 1787 1788 Nathaniel Swain, Asa Hapgood, Elisha Bigelow.
1789 1790
Bazeliel Grandy, Jonathan Chandler, Henry Carl- ton.
Samuel Sherwin, Abijah Stone, Elias Jones.
1791
Elkanah Day, Asa Wilkins, Aaron Kendall.
I792
Elkanah Day, Aaron Kimball, Abiah Rice, Isaak Kimball, Hezekiah Leavens.
1793
Elias Jones, Alpheus Morse, Samuel Sherwin.
1794
I795
Solomon Keyes, David Hapgood, Moses Chaplin. Thomas Townsend, David Nichols, Nedobiah Cady.
1796
Alpheus Morse, Noah Bigelow, John Sawyer.
1797
Nathaniel Pratt. Ebenezer Robinson, Thomas Fay.
1798
Henry Carlton, Abel Amsden, Benjamin Sawyer.
1799 . Henry Carlton, Asa Carlton, Jonathan Shed.
1800
Elisha Bigelow, Isaac Bowen, William L. Haw- kins.
1801 Zenas Stone, John Emerson, Levi Bailey.
1802 Frederick Wardner, Jonathan Going, Samuel Buck.
1803 Elias Jones, William Howard, Thomas Brown, Jr.
1894 Elias Jones, Jonathan Shed, Samuel Persons.
1805 Elias Jones, Jonathan Shed, Samuel Persons.
1806 Jonathan Shed, John Willey, Aaron Goddard.
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HISTORY OF READING.
1807 Elias Jones, Ebenezer Robinson, Benoni Buck.
1808 .William L. Hawkins, Bailey Merrill, Nathaniel Swain.
1809 William L. Hawkins, Daniel Stearns, Jonathan Shed.
1810 William L. Hawkins, Jonathan Shed, Daniel Stearns.
18II William L. Hawkins, Jonathan Shed, Daniel Stearns.
1812 Jonathan Shed, Daniel Stearns, Benoni Buck.
1813 William L. Hawkins, Daniel Stearns, Ebenezer Robinson.
1814 1815
1816
Jonathan Shed, Aaron Goddard, Paul Stearns. Jonathan Shed, Trumbull Ackley, Edmund Page. William L. Hawkins, Daniel Stearns, Ebenezer Robinson.
1817 1818
Sewall Fullam, Trumbull Ackley, Simeon Buck. John S. Hawkins, Trumbull Ackley, Samuel Per- sons.
1820
1819 John S. Hawkins, Jonathan Shed, Rufus Forbush. John S. Hawkins, Jonathan Shed, Trumbull Ackley.
1821 John S. Hawkins, Jonathan Shed, Trumbull Ackley. .
1822
John S. Hawkins. Aaron Goddard, Trumbull Ackley.
1824
1823 Abel Gilson. Jr., Aaron Goddard, Calvin Wardner. Abel Gilson, Jr., Aaron Goddard, Calvin Wardner.
1825 Abel Gilson, Jr., Aaron Goddard, Calvin Wardner. 1826 Abel Gilson, Jr., William Townsend, Rufus For- bush.
. 1827
Abel Gilson, Jr., William Townsend, Rufus For- bush.
1828 Abel Gilson, Jr., Trumbull Ackley, Simeon Buck. Abel Gilson, Jr., Trumbull Ackley, Simeon Buck.
1829
1830 Abel Gilson, Jr., Trumbull Ackley, Simeon Buck. 1831 Abel Gilson, Jr., Charles Buck, Simeon Buck.
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HISTORY OF READING.
1832 Abel Gilson, Jr., Charles Buck, William Felch.
1833 William Felch, Charles Buck, Shubal L. Shedd.
1834 Shubal L. Shedd, Charles Buck, Lemuel Wash- burn.
1835
Charles Buck, Lemuel B. Washburn, John Wat- kins.
1836 Charles Buck, John Watkins, Lemuel B. Wash- burn.
1837
B. Hapgood, Benoni Buck, Shubal L. Shedd.
1838
B. Hapgood, Benoni Buck, Shubal L. Shedd.
1839
B. Hapgood, Benoni Buck, Rufus Forbush.
Bridgman Hapgood, Charles Buck, Rufus For- bush.
1840 1841
B. Hapgood, Charles Buck, Rufus Forbush.
1842 1843
B. Hapgood, Charles Buck, Rufus Forbush.
Charles Buck, Rufus Forbush, Luther Carlton. Luther Carlton, Solomon Keyes, Rufus Stearns. Luther Carlton, Solomon Keyes, Galo B. Ralph. B. Hapgood, Benj. Sawyer, Marvin Robinson. William L. Hawkins, Walton Brown, Luther Carlton.
1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855
Walton Brown, Luther Carlton, Solomon Keyes. Walton Brown, Solomon Keyes, Marvin Robinson. Solomon Keyes, Walton Brown, Marvin Robinson. Solomon Keyes, Marvin Robinson, Rufus Forbush. Solomon Keyes, Marvin Robinson, Rufus Forbush. William Felch, Marvin Robinson, Rufus Forbush. Hiram Goddard; Benj. Sawyer, Nelson Whitmore. Hiram Goddard, Nelson Whitmore, Shubal .L. Shedd.
1856 Hiram Goddard, Walton Brown, Shnbal L. Shedd. Hiram Goddard, Solomon Keyes, Thomas S. Gordon.
1857 1858
Washington Keyes, Nelson Whitmore, J. Q. Hawkins.
1859
J. Q. Hawkins, Washington Keyes, Nelson Whit- more.
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HISTORY OF READING.
1860 J. Q. Hawkins, Washington Keyes, Nelson Whit- more.
186 1. Luther Kendall, Hiram Goddard, Edmund S. Hammond.
1862 Luther Kendall, Hiram Goddard, Edmund S. Hammond.
1863 Edmund S. Hammond, Prosper Merrill, Willard H. Dow.
1864 Edmund S. Hammond, Prosper Merrill, Charles C. Buck.
1865 - Charles C. Buck, Rufus Young, Clark Wardner. 1866 Marvin Robinson, Aaron W. Goddard, William W. Keyes.
1867 Aaron W. Goddard, Clark Wardner, Parker Kinsman.
1868 Charles Buck, Charles S. Whitmore, Andrew R. Adams.
1869. Charles S. Whitmore, Wm. P. Chamberlain, Silas W. Pike.
1870 William Felch, Albert Eastman, Silas W. Pike. Albert Eastman, Elisha W. Watkins, Henry S. Austin.
Elisha W. Watkins, William C. Bement, George F. Tuttle.
1871 1872 1873 Wm. C. Bement, E. W. Watkins, George F. Tuttle.
1874
Wm. C. Bement, E. W. Watkins, George F. Tuttle.
Norman W. Wood, Wm. Felch, D. C. Sherwin.
1875 1876 William Felch, Duane C. Sherwin, Justin S. Sherwin.
1877
Paul W. Stearns, Alfred Watkins, David E. Burn- · ham.
1878 Alfred Watkins, David E. Burnham, Otis Bald- win.
1879 Alfred Watkins. David E. Burnham, Otis Bald- win.
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HISTORY OF READING.
1880
Aaron W. Goddard, Joel R. Crandall, Alamander Wilkins.
188I Aaron W. Goddard, Alamander Wilkins, Joel R. Crandall.
1882
Aaron W. Goddard, Joel R. Crandall, Forrest G. Persons.
1883
1884
Orin Walker, David E. Burnham, O. S. Holden. David E. Burnham, O. S. Holden, Alonzo Hoyt. O. S. Holden, Alonzo Hoyt, Henry N. Bryant. O. S. Holden, Alonzo Hoyt, Henry N. Bryant. O. S. Holden, Alonzo Hoyt, Henry N. Bryant. O. S. Holden, Alonzo Hoyt, Henry N. Bryant. O. S. Holden, Alonzo Hoyt, Henry N. Bryant. O. S. Holden, Alonzo Hoyt, Henry N. Bryant.
1885
1886
1887 1888
1889 1890
1891 O. S. Holden, Alonzo Hoyt, Henry N. Bryant. 1892 O. S. Holden, Alonzo Hoyt, Henry N. Bryant.
1893
D. E. Washburn, Willard Humphrey, M. - L. Bryant.
1894
D. E. Washburn, Willard Humphrey, M. L. Bryant.
1895
D. E. Washburn, Willard Humphrey, M. L. Bryant.
1896 B. M. Newton, N. H. W. Jenne, E. W. Wilkins. B. M. Newton, E. W. Wilkins, N. H. W. Jenne.
1897
1898 B. M. Newton, E. W. Wilkins, N. H. W. Jenne.
1900
1899 B. M. Newton, E. W. Wilkins, N. H. W. Jenne. B. M. Newton, M. G. Amsden, Wm. H. Bidgood. 1901 M. G. Amsden, Wm. H. Bidgood, George D. Burnham.
I'902
M. G. Amsden, George D. Burnham, E. W. Wilkins.
Officers of Reading, Vermont, since 1872. Compiled by Carlos Hawkins, Town Clerk. Continued from Vol. I, page 95, in the order hereafter given :- Ist, Town Clerk ; 2nd, Constable ; 3rd, Representative.
1873 W. W. Keyes, Ferdinand Hawkins, Gilbert A. .
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HISTORY OF READING
Davis.
1874 W. W. Keyes, C. S. Whitmore, Gilbert A. Davis.
1875 W. W. Keyes, C. S. Whitmore, G. A. Davis.
1876
W. W. Keyes, C. S. Whitmore, George H. Parker.
1877 W. W. Keyes, C. S. Whitmore, Geo. H. Parker.
1878 W. W. Keyes, C. S. Whitmore. None.
1879 W. W. Keyes, C. S. Whitmore, None.
1880
W. W. Keyes, C. S. Whitmore, Eleazer Dexter.
1881
W. W. Keyes, C. S. Whitmore, Eleazer Dexter.
1882
W. W. Keyes, Ferdinand Hawkins, John McCul- lough.
1883
W. W. Keyes, Ferdinand Hawkins, John McCul- lough.
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
W. W. Keyes, Ferdinand Hawkins, Azro White. W. W. Keyes, Ferdinand Hawkins, Azro White. W. W. Keyes, Clarence N. Hook, O. S. Holden. W. W. Keyes, Clarence N. Hook, O. S. Holden. W. W. Keyes, Clarence N. Hook, W. W. Keyes. W. W. Keyes, Lorenzo G. Coolidge, W. W. Keyes. Carlos Hawkins was appointed Town Clerk by the Selectmen of Reading, Vermont, August 12, 1889, W. W. Keyes resigned.
1890
Carlos Hawkins, Lorenzo G. Coolidge, O. S. Holden.
1891
Carlos Hawkins, Lorenzo G. Coolidge, O. S. Holden.
1892
1893 1894 1895
Carlos Hawkins, Lorenzo G. Coolidge, Henry N. Bryant. Carlos Hawkins, S. M. Sherwin, Henry N. Bryant. Carlos Hawkins, Lorenzo G. Coolidge, Clarence N. Hook. Carlos Hawkins, Lorenzo G. Coolidge, Clarence N. Hook.
1896 1897 1898
Carlos Hawkins, E. R. Buck, Clarence N. Hook. E. R. Buck, Clarence N. Hook. E. R. Buck, E. R. Buck.
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HISTORY OF READING.
1899 Carlos Hawkins, E. R. Buck, E. R. Buck.
1900 Carlos Hawkins, Frank L. Hoisington, E. R. Buck.
1901 Carlos Hawkins, Frank L. Hoisington, E. R. Buck.
1902 Carlos Hawkins, Daniel M. Hufnail, Burton M. Newton.
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HISTORY OF READING.
CHAPTER X.
-
Old Home Day in Reading, August 14. 1902.
The second annual celebration of Old Home Day was observed in Reading, Aug. 14, by appropriate exer- cises. While the number in attendance was smaller than last year, the general opinion seemed to be that it wasa more enjoyabletime for home folks and home coming folks, than in 1901. The day's program opened by a con- cert by the Windsor Military band in front of the Valley House. At about eleven, when people had begun to gather, the band led the way to the front of the "Gilbert A. Davis Library Building," where a tablet had been placed on the inner wall, bearing the names of the fol- lowing University and College graduates, who were either born or had spent a part of their lives in this town :-
Adams, Charles C., A. B .. Middlebury, 1843.
Bailey, Chas. F., LL.B., Univ. Iowa. 1881
Clark, Frank H., LL.B., Univ. Mich., 1884.
Clark, Isaiah R., A. B., Dartmouth, 1883.
Crandall, Geo. C., A. B., Tufts, 1889, LL.B., Boston Univ.
Cole, Fred H., S. T. B., Tufts Divinity, 1902.
Curley, Thomas, A, B., Tufts, 1874.
Davis, Fred C., S. B., N. H. Col. of Ag. and Mech. Arts, 1884.
Davis, Gilbert Franklin, S. B., Harvard Univ., 1901.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Davis, Mary (Carleton), B. L., Smith, 1894.
Day, Elkanah. A. B., Dartmouth, 1786, (First Resident Physician ).
Elliott, Moses, A. B., Dartmouth, 1808, ( Pastor Congre- gational Church).
Fay, Lillian, A. B., Smith, A. B., 1887, A. M., 1894.
Goddard, Merritt E., A. B .. Dartmouth, 1857.
Griswold, Clifford B., B. S., Univ. Vermont, 1901.
Guild, Frank H., A. B., Dartmouth, 1900.
Hall, James A., Norwich, 1839.
Herrick, Horace, A. B., Dartmouth, 1834.
Johnson, A. T., A. B., Harvard, 1888.
Keyes, Wade, Ph. B., Tufts, 1889.
Kinson, W. R., M. D., Univ. Vermont, 1900.
Megrath, Wm., S. B., N. H. Col. Ag. and Mech. Arts,. 1880.
Morgan, Ernest I., Ph. B., Univ. Vermont, 1891, LL.B., Boston Univ., 1893.
Morgan, F. C., M. D., Univ. Vermont, 1887.
Robinson, Frank M., A. B., Dartmouth, 1855.
Robinson, Geo. O., A. B., Univ. Vermont, 1857.
Robinson, Calvin L., A. B., Univ. Vermont, 1869.
Robinson, Stillman Williams, C. E .. Univ. Mich., 1863.
Sargent, Nahum B., A. B., Dartmouth, 1784. (First Set- tled Minister.
Sawyer, Thomas J., A. B., Middlebury, 1829.
Shattuck, Fred W., A. B., Dartmouth, 1879.
Small, Joseph S., A. B., Dartmouth, 1876.
Stearns, Oscar H., A. B., Middlebury, 1866.
Stone, Benj. F., A. B., Middlebury, 1828.
Wheeler, Daniel Smith, A. B., Dartmouth, 1843.
White, Homer, A. B., Union, 1861, LL.B., Univ. N. Y. 1862.
أي
Revolutionary Soldier of Reading, Rufus Forbush. , Soldier War 1861-5, Wallace W. Wilkins, Co., I, 2nd Vt. Vols.
127
HISTORY OF READING
This tablet was the gift of Hon. Gilbert A. Davis, the donor of the library building. After a prayer by Rev. Gertrude Roscoe, pastor of the Universalist Church, Mr. Davis was introduced and made the presentation speech :---
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- In the History of Reading, now in press, will be found a brief sketch of the career of each of these University and College graduates. This tablet is a lasting monument to the memory of these natives and residents of Reading, who have had the courage and ability to pursue a course of study and graduate from some University or College.
By other tablets placed on the walls of this library, we have honored the memory of the soldiers of Reading. of the Revolution, war of 1812, war of the Rebellion and the Spanish war. It is intended that from this library shall go, forth all those beneficent influences that will arouse the ambition of all the boys and girls of Reading to attain a high standard of scholarship and virtue.
It is an honor to any man or woman to receive a college or university degree,- the result of honest and intelligent toil and perseverance. Such a course of study develops the man, makes his life purer, happier,- makes him a better citizen, neighbor, friend. It is need- less to amplify this subject. The world has recognized the value and necessity of education. Whosoever shall read this list of honored names, will recall the path way that leads to this result, shown by the abbreviations at- tached to each name, and will know that he who wins a . degree, must have been an honest, self-denying, labori- ous student.
While many have read cheap, trashy literature, others have pursued the solid, substantial, and choice literature ; while many have read with no definite aim or object to attain, others have read and studied with a well defined plan, and in some regular course of study.
I desire to emphasize today certain principles that I
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HISTORY OF READING.
have long cherished. My plans and purposes in erect- ing this Library Building have not all been made public. These classes of tablets, representing certain phases of military and civil life, are a part of my original plan, and only a part. As time rolls on, I hope to develop and carry out certain other plans that I have formed but not made public.
Permit me to state my ideas about study and research by the following quotations from Charles Dickens :-
"My own invention or imagination, such as it is, I "can most truthfully assure you, would never have ser- "ved me as it has, but for the habit of commonplace, "humble, patient, daily, toiling, drudging attention; "The one serviceable, safe, certain, remunerative, attain- "able quality in every study, and in every pursuit, is the "quality of attention. Genius, vivacity, quickness of "penetration, brilliancy in association of ideas, will not "always be commended, but attention, after due term of "submissive service, always will. Like certain plants "which the poorest peasants may grow in the poorest "soil, it may be cultivated by any one, and it is certain "in its own good season, to bring forth flower and fruit."
As I have frequently said, this library is to be val- uable just so far as the people of this community will make it so. It is your library, not mine, any further than I am one member of this community. As you be- lieve that the influences going out from this building and its contents are beneficial, it. commends itself to . your care and attention for its development and enrich- ment.
The grand question for each to propound, and each to answer is, "What can I do to promote the usefulness and expansion of the Reading Public Library ?"
While I give all honor to the college and university graduates, I wish here and now to emphasize my ideas of what has been and what can be accomplished without such a course of study.
129
HISTORY OF READING.
Fred Douglass, the emancipated slave and great or- ator said that the only University he ever attended was the University of Adversity.
Booker T. Washington has told of and interested all the world in his efforts to elevate his race by education along the lines of practical industry. President A. A. Miner of Tuft's College never had a college education.
Technical schools are rapidly increasing, and about every vocation is now taught in its special school, and the dreary drudgery of apprenticeship is obsolete. My theory is, that every boy and girl of the requisite physi- cal and mental caliber ought to have a collegiate course, if his financial situation will permit. Otherwise, he ought to have its equivalent as near as possible in the high school, academy, or in home culture. In this con- nection, I commend to your careful reading an article in the June number of the Century Magazine, entitled, "Working One's Way Through College". It is a prac- tical and valuable article, showing the methods by which an ambitious, courageous and resolute man can secure a collegiate education, when thrown upon his own resour- ces, with the aid of a free scholarship, and a willingness to work at some honorable employment. For the lazy fellow, it has no instruction.
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