USA > Vermont > Washington County > Montpelier > The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier. > Part 64
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He abhorred "stump sermons" and "stump prayers." One of the incidental benefits of attending his ministry was an education in good English. His delivery was pleasing, dignified, with little gesture. That was true in his case, affirmed of almost all orators, the spoken word often produced an effect which the mere reader cannot account for. His preaching was no iteration of common- place ideas. Christ, as he conceived and preached him, was not the mere leader of a system of truth which could be stated in propositions and soon exhausted, but the source and channel of a new life which flows in upon our old, sin-wasted human- ity, reviving, stimulating, glorifying every part of it. The distinguishing merit of his preaching was a rare and happy com- bination of the intensely evangelical with the broadly human spirit. Those who think only through their feelings, were melted by its tenderness. He received pressing calls from larger places. After refusing one, he said to his congregation, " I love to dwell among my own people ; but for this sentiment, perhaps principle, I might have gone a half score of times. I do not easily change my place or opinions. I will not say that I have not been tempted, or that I should not have found satisfaction in other places that might have been mine; but I have pre- ferred to dwell among my own people."
It would not be correct to infer an un- interrupted smoothness. There were oc- casions of difference, elements of discord, irritation on the part of some of his peo- ple, disgust upon his part, such as would have sundered any pastoral relation less firmly cemented. His opinions - the strongly conservative opinions of his father on slavery and the relation of the church to social reform-were distasteful to a por- tion of his congregation. He did not mix them up in preaching the Gospel, but what he believed, he believed firmly, and he was not a man to trim his creed to the passing gale. Some of these questions are now, thank God, obsolete, and it be- longs only to his biographer to insist upon the hold he must have had upon the af- fections of his people, that amid all the
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trials and excitements of the times, no one, or but few at most, ever thought of part- ing with their admired or beloved pastor, or would have changed him for the most trenchant reformer in the nation.
Dr. Lord's pulpit was in Montpelier, but through the members of the Legislature and others whose duties brought them to the Capital, he reached a large number of the leading men of the State. He was at the time of his death the best known of any minister in the State, and the most widely known out of the State. His pres- ence at councils, his services on public oc- casions, were highly appreciated. In 1867, his Alma Mater conferred on him the de- gree of Doctor of Divinity. He did much editorial work during his last years for the Vermont Chronicle ; his articles in the Princeton Review, elaborated with more care probably than anything else from his pen, it would be difficult to match for bril- liancy of literary execution in any Amer- ican magazine.
But how shall I speak of him as a friend ? One of the most remarkable things about him was his capacity for friendship. His friends were from all classes of society ; from all religious denominations ; from all vocations ; but all were the select men of their class. One who for many years en- joyed the closest intimacy with him, and whom, among all his friends, I think Mr. Lord would himself have chosen to speak of him on this point, Rev. Frederick W. Shelton, Episcopal clergyman, writes of him :
He was the animæ dimidium meæ-he was the half of my soul. Open-hearted, open-handed, liberal as the day, nothing sordid or narrow-minded entered into the texture of his soul. To know a man as I knew him, is in most cases to dissolve the charm of companionship, yet, I can say of him, he was one of whom I never wearied, whose conversation was always fresh, fruit- ful, suggestive. He grew in my estima- tion, and perpetually became a stronger man. An intercourse of 12 years was broken never by the slightest coldness or doubtful act on his part, and I do declare that I could never find in him or with him any fault at all.
If these seem almost romantic expres- sions of attachment between man and man,
I venture they would be endorsed by East- man, if alive, Gregory Smith, Stewart, Phelps, and a long list of men in whom he inspired a love for himself like that of Jon- athan for David.
But in 1868, his system begun to show signs of breaking down. He took a trip to Europe, and partly recovered. He in- tensely enjoyed it, but far from his family, Bethany church, the hope of a life-time, taking shape in stone and mortar, he could not wait full recovery ; took a run through Europe, and hastened home; preached with wonted vigor ; saw Bethany church completed-fit memorial, though he knew it not, of his own service for Him in whose honor it was built. He continued for 8 years more to preach to his people ; never, they say, with such solemnity and power as these last years, while to the eyes of his friends, visibly breaking down ; not so much ageing-his mental powers showed no signs of decay-as giving way to some hidden destroyer. A terrible calamity, re- sulting in the death of a little daughter, [see accidental deaths, page 332,] was more than his constitution, undermined, could bear. He died, in his 54th year, the 30th of his pastorate, Mar. 18, 1877.
[For a list of Mr. Lord's publications, see Bibliography of Montpelier, on page 316, and a notice of him as a benefactor and President of the Vermont Historical Society.]
Rev. Mr. Lord married, at Andover, Mass., June 1, 1848, Harriet Adams Aiken, daughter of John Aiken, Esq. Mrs. Lord was born in Manchester, Vt. They had 6 children, all born in Montpelier. The family of Dr. Lord, now living, are-Mrs. Lord, tarrying with her aged and infirm mother in Andover, Mass. ; William A., a lawyer in Montpelier ; Mary E., wife of William R. Burleigh, Esq., resides at Great Falls, N. H .; Sarah A., wife of Rev. M. D. Kneeland, resides at Water- loo, N. Y .; Jane A., wife of George W. Sargent, M. D., resides at Skaneateles, N. Y. ; Charles H., student at Great Falls, N. H.
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SABBATH SCHOOL RECORD. FROM MR. JOSEPH W. HOWES.
Letter of Mr. Howes to Mr. Poland. MONTREAL, Jan. 7, 1862.
Dear Sir :- In complying with your re- quest for statistics of your Sabbath-school, I have been quite at loss to know what you most desired. Were I to give you the many interesting facts and incidents con- nected with a superintendency of some 12 years, as a teacher of 5 years, and my childhood and early youth as a scholar, it would require more time than you could devote to read or listen to. Nor could these facts be of deep interest to the ma- jority of the present school. I have, rather, selected some facts connected with its earliest history, which are quite meagre, and some general items to a later date, from which you can select such as you deem desirable. It may not be uninter- esting to your church to know to whom they are indebted for such labors of love as performed by the teachers of the Brick Church Sunday-school, many of whom are now reaping the reward of those labors in that land where their works do follow them.
From an Address to the Brick Church Sunday School, Jan. 1, 1843.
The first effort made in this place for the religious instruction of the youth and children, was by the first pastor, probably in the summer of 1808. The first meetings were held in the hall of the first Academy, built on Main street, on Saturday after- noons. The lessons was the Assembly's Catechism. Questions were proposed by the pastor, who was the only teacher, and the answers repeated by the scholars, and full explanations of the answers. It is said such proficiency was made by many, they were able to repeat all the answers and comprehend their meaning. The few who at first gave attendance, soon had the pleasure of seeing with them most of the youth connected with families of the church. How long this plan was pursued, is not certain. Nothing more definite is known until 1813, when the pastor was ac- customed to meet persons of all ages Sun- day, at 5 o'clock, P. M., in Jefferson Hall, one of the large rooms in the first State House, used for holding the county and other courts and for religious meetings. The Bible was the subject of study, sub-
jects proposed and answered from Scrip- ture.
In 1816, three Sabbath-schools were or- ganized in the village, conducted by teach- ers under a supervisory committee. One was held in the school-house, near where the Methodist chapel now stands, con- ducted by Deacon Worthington, Dr. J. Crosby and Joseph Howes ; another in the Academy, conducted by Messrs. Walton, Goss and others ; a third, in the dancing- hall of the hotel, kept by Mrs. Hutchins, and afterwards by Jona. Shephard, con- ducted by Deacon Baldwin, J. Barnard, and, I think, H. Y. Barnes. These schools, held in the morning of the Sabbath, at their close would march with their teach- ers to the State House, to attend the meet- ing there. They were discontinued in the winter.
In 1817, there was an increased interest in the Sabbath-school, a revival having called many into the church and schools who were of efficient aid. Each scholar, for every ten verses recited without mis- take, received a small blue ticket, with printed verse of Scripture, value one mill ; ten of the blue were exchanged for a red one, value one cent. Some learned so many verses, there was not time to hear them all. At close of the summer term this year there was a public examination of all the schools in the old State House, conducted by the pastor, when each class recited some passage of Scripture or a hymn, and the red tickets were all paid for in books.
In the summer of 1819, schools and places were the same, except the third, which was removed to the building once stand- ing opposite the Brick Church, conducted by H. Y. Barnes, Daniel Baldwin and J. Barnard. In this school one or two schol- ars committed from three to six hundred verses every week. The teachers were surprised how this was done, as they had to labor through the week. "They car- ried their Bibles into the field with them, and learned while they worked." A school was held a short time in the school-house near the late Samuel Abbott's ; Supt. not remembered.
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While the schools were well sustained in the village, a number of young men organized schools in the adjacent districts ; one in the school-house near Mr. Warren's, in Middlesex ; another, in the then Brooks district; one in the (old) center of the town.
In 1820, a church was completed, and here the different schools met, under the supervision of a committee.
In 1821 or '2, through the influence of a Mr. Osgood, of Montreal, whose life was devoted to doing good, the first library was obtained, and a Sunday-school so- ciety formed, Rev. C. Wright, president ; Joseph Howes, librarian ; with a board of managers, and the school was held after the afternoon service, and from this time the school was continued through the win- ter. The first library, after being well read, was presented to the Sabbath-school in Worcester, and a new one purchased.
Of the next 5 years little can be said. It was a season of great declension in religion. Nov. 1826, Rev. J. C. Southmayd was chosen superintendent, and Jos. Howes, librarian. Mr. Southmayd was the first superintendent of the school, and this the first record of anything concerning this school to be found upon the records of this church.
About this time a precious revival of religion commenced in this place, and continued through the autumn and winter, which gave a new impulse to the school, and many who had before left at the ages of 12 and 14, with the impression they were too old to attend, returned, desiring to learn the way of God more perfectly. Nor were there wanting those ready to engage earnestly in the good work of teaching. Eternity alone can reveal the blessed results of that revival upon this school, this church and this community.
In 1827, there were 25 teachers; 24 in 1828. There was a Bible class for adults, held a short time by the pastor and super- intendent on Sabbath evenings, embracing a large number of the congregation ; sub- ject, the Epistle of Paul to the Romans.
The earliest record of teachers and
scholars I have seen is dated 1831, and were: William Howes, C. W. Storrs, Edward Taplin, Abial P. Atherton, E. P. Walton, Norman Rublee, Samuel Goss, J. W. Howes, J. S. Walton, C. L. Knapp, John Wood, N. D. Dewey, Misses South- mayd, M. A. Washburn, Samantha Wash- burn, Harriet H. Washburn, R. Emily Washburn, Emily Bradshaw, Sophia Wat- rous, Scoville, A. Howes, Frances Hand, Rebecca Hunt, Harriet Walton, Eliza Kimball.
April, 1832, Gen. E. P. Walton, super- intendent ; the school roll, 170; teachers, 24. An infant class was formed, Miss Eliza Kimball, (Mrs. Field,) teacher, which met at the same hour of the school in the vestry.
The first regular teachers' meetings commenced this year, through the instru- mentality of an excellent young man at- tending our Academy, from Royalton, N. Wright Dewey, who many years since went to his reward.
This year, or about this time, the monthly concert, which has since been so regularly observed, was established. From this time to 1836, no record of the school is to be found ; but it is the impression it was well sustained. 1836, Gen. Walton was superintendent ; Samuel Goss and J. W. Howes, assistants. Owing to the ill health of Mr. Walton and the resignation of Mr. Goss, the duty devolved upon Mr. Howes.
1837, the teachers were : A. S. Pitkin, Charles Spalding, Geo. P. Walton, Fran- cis Stebbins, E. P. Walton, Jr., J. W. Howes, Mrs. B. W. Smith, Mrs. Oakes, Misses Harriet Wilder, - Atherton, Lucy Nye, Frances Perrin, Eunice Vail, Augusta Merrill, Eliza Spalding. Mr. Pit- kin and Geo. P. Walton, not living. There was an average attendance of 100 scholars, and efforts were made to increase the num- ber. Every family was visited, parents be- came interested, and 2 or 3 Bible classes formed, one of them being taught by the pastor, Rev. B. W. Smith, who ever took a lively interest in the school. The re- ports of those who visited at this time were
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very interesting. Many of the scholars were enjoying the Way of Life.
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1838, G. B. Mansur was appointed as- sistant superintendent, which office he held while connected with this church, as well as teacher. It was ascertained during the II previous years, 75 members of the school had united with the church, four of them young men, preparing for the min- istry. The school resolved to educate a young lad in Ceylon, for which to pay $20 per annum for 5 years, which was done. 22 united with the church this year by profession, 10 being members of the school.
1839, the total number of scholars was 205 ; average, 120 ; conversions, 9: teach- ers, 25. 1840, total number of scholars, 175 ; average, 114 ; teachers, 23; no con- versions. 1841, teachers, G. H. Loomis, Jos. Prentiss, G. W. Scott, B. F. Goss, B. B. Dimmock, G. B. Mansur, Misses Harriet Hunt, Mary Vail, Fanny Water- man, Mary Smith, Harriet Doty, Mrs. Elias Hall, Misses Charity Loomis, Em- eline Lewis, Nancy Perry, A. Phinney, Eliza M. Wright, Fanny Lewis, Sophia Wil- liams, - Redfield, Eliza Harvey ; schol- ars, 204 ; average attendance, 118 ; 6 con- versions. 1842, total number of scholars, 219; average, 129; conversions, 7. 1843 to '48, most of the time attendance good. Numbers of our most promising youth de- ceased, most having pleasing evidence they had entered into that rest that re- maineth. 1843, teachers, Francis C. Keith, Jos. Pitkin, Mrs. Isaac Worcester, Misses R. Burton, M. Camp, Mr. J. H. Morse ; 1844, Misses Rebecca Loomis, Eliza B. Rublee, Mr. Ralph Ķilbourn, C. W. Bad- ger, John Barker, Misses Harriet Bowen, Clarissa Clark, Mr. Wm. Storrs. Messrs. Morse, Kilbourne, Barker, and Miss Clark, have died.
1848, Mr. Merrill was appointed super- intendent, which office he held until 1851. [I am not quite sure of this ; it is possible that Dea. Storrs officiated a part of this time.]
1851, resuming the superintendency, I found the school in a prosperous condi- dition-230 scholars, the largest number
ever known, with 31 teachers. The spirit that searcheth hearts was in our midst. Numbers listened, attracted to follow the heavenly voice. My connection with the school ceased in May of this fruitful year.
Sunday-School Superintendents .- Mr. J. W. Howes was succeeded by Mr. F. F. Merrill, whose last year was 1858 ; Joseph Poland served in 1859, '60, '61 ; Chas. W. Willard, . 1862; H. D. Hopkins, 1863, 1871, inclusive; D. G. Kemp, 1872, '73, '74; A. G. Stone, 1875, '76; Hiram Carl- ton, 1877 to the present time.
THE DEDICATION OF BETHANY CHURCH, OCT. 15, 1868.
Exercises :- Organ Voluntary ; Invocation, Rev. W. S. Hazen ; Scripture, Rev. E. I. Carpenter ; Anthem ; Prayer, Rev. }. Copeland.
DEDICATION HYMN.
BY REV. JOHN KING LORD, Brother of the Pastor.
When Gop the primal light unsealed, And bound in spheres its golden bars, Through all the glowing vault there pealed The chorus of the morning stars.
When CHRIST was born, those notes again Rang through the sapphire-sprinkled space; Judea's hill-sides caught the strain, And earth gave to Heaven the praise.
And when the promised age of gold Sees fairer lands and brighter skies Spring from the ruins of the old, Still louder shall the anthem rise.
Meanwhile. along these walls where now Our first glad sacrifice we bring, That song shall echo till we bow To sing with angels near the KING.
SERMON.
BY REV. W. II. LORD, D. D., Pastor.
" I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob."-Psalm 132 : 4, 5.
This is Solomon's record of the vow of his father David. It was the natural ex- pression of that tender piety, of that de- votion to the name and honor of God, which illumines the whole character of the son of Jesse, and which raises him, in spite of his stupendous sins and deep falls, to a sublime height of moral excellence. All other things made way in his mind to the glorious purpose of finding a habita- tion for God. He was a king, and perils environed his throne. He was a states-
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man, and his people needed the help of a generous government. He was a poet, and the sacred inspiration of his harp thrilled the heart of his nation, as it has of all nations since. He was a warrior, and a councillor, and oft must have longed to lay aside the armor of battle and woo the refreshment of rest. But all other duties, and all other desires, were dwarfed in his fervid soul by one imperious obligation. What were politics, statesmanship, war, letters, nay, his own flesh and blood to him, while God had no worthy habitation in Israel? What was it to him that he could point to a royal palace, and rooms of state, and golden furniture, and Tyrian hangings, while Jehovah had no palace yet built for Him, where He could hold His court and receive the homage of His subjects. While Israel dwelt in tents, they had another for their tabernacle. But when they had an imperial city, and dwelt in ceiled houses, marble and gold were not too rich or beautitul for their
shrine. Nothing else was safe unless God's house was built. The temple was the citadel of the nation. David's sword would be sharper, his scepter mightier, his lyre sweeter, if all were reckoned of less import than the task of finding a temple for the Lord. The vow of the king of Israel is of much larger range than its original historical application. We can- not confine our thought to the narrow range of long past Jewish history, when the passage before us has been brightened by the light which falls upon it from Beth- lehem and Calvary. This expression says in effect, that within the soul itself, God's presence, honor and truth must first be secured. To find a place for the Lord within the heart, is at once our high priv- ilege and obligation. To enthrone God at the summit of thought ; to enshrine Him in the sanctuary of love ; to lay open to Him the hidden springs of the will ; to de- tain Him within the chamber of the soul ; this is to build for Him a palace more beautiful, more glorious, than any made with stone or decorated with gold; and this is to win from Him a presence of light and power more resplendent than the she-
kinah of the temple of Jerusalem. The christian soul is the true temple of the Godhead, when it is cleansed by the blood of Christ ; when it is filled with the graces of the spirit ; when it is enriched with the tracery and ornaments of the divine word. When it is thronged with holy and adoring thoughts, as His servants and courtiers casting their tributes at his feet, then it is brightened with a light and beauty so shining, that God may indeed be said to be glorified in man, and to have found in him His true habitation and rest.
But another application of these words will, I doubt not, have been anticipated by those who are gathered within these walls on this day of high and thankful joy. May we not say that this noble pile itself is the product of a resolution such as was that of the king of Israel. By the per- mission and love of the Infinite God, we are to-day realizing long cherished hopes -long dreamt dreams. To-day is com- pleted the prayer of years. Difficulties have been surmounted, and results achiev- ed, for which we are indebted to the good- ness of God. We behold the end and re- ward of much sacrifice, of large and genial hearts, of wise and unconquerable wills, of cultivated and solid intelligence. All that could be won by our zeal, and intel- ligence and devotion has been secured. Our eyes behold that which is in very deed a worthy place for the temple of the Lord -an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob. David had to bequeath his un- realized intention to his son and successor ; but the most of us who began to build, have been spared to witness the fulfilment of our hope, and the justification of our wisdom and foresight. And if one who is not a stranger to the impulses and motives which have swayed the minds of those who have labored for this result, may be per- mitted to interpret the sagacious and gen- erous intelligence which has given this noble structure to our State and our church, I would unhesitatingly say, that to promote our dear Redeemer's glory has been its first, its master motive. To raise a monument, (however unworthy our best must be of Him,) to His glory who died
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for us ; to offer at His feet a measure of that wealth which he has placed at our disposal ; to thank Him thus visibly, thus palpably, for His grace to us ; to make a good foundation for a better work for Him -this was, this is, the object of all. Even if nought else came of this gratitude ; even if such thankfulness were refracted upon ourselves in no new blessings, this grateful adoration, this love of the Son of God, is the motive which has found so beautiful, so splendid, an expression in a building, which, from to-day and henceforth, is ded- icated to the glory and service of Jesus Christ. If aught else of pride or ostenta- tion mingles with this, may He who de- serves all we have, forgive and cleanse the foul unrighteousness.
It is true that since Christ was crucified, the Father seeketh such to worship Him as worship in spirit and truth. Mount Mo- riah and Mount Gerizim are not essential to worship. He who dwelleth in a temple made without hands, needs not a temple made with hands. The whole earth has now become a house of prayer and the gate of Heaven, for the Son of God hath dwelt in it and consecrated it by His presence. And yet a house of worship does not invade the spirituality of worship. It may rather enhance and intensify it. No more is the closet a place for one Christian, than the church is the place for many Christians. And Christ fills both with His presence, and loves both the dwelling of a beautiful and holy soul, and the habitation of a beautiful and sacred house. He who hath made all things beautiful, loves beau- tiful things and beautiful places.
Repulsiveness of form is not necessarily united with spirituality of life and purity of faith, and the autonomy of the local church under Christ does not imply that it ought to dwell in a barn. And when the beauty of the temple expresses both the abun- dance of christian wealth, and the fervor of christian love ; when it is the exponent of ability and affection, then I see no reason why God should not love it as He did the tabernacle of old-more than all the dwellings of His people. I see no reason why He should not love to come
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