USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont; with descriptions, physical and topographical > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
285
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
incidents relative to the captives are given, particularly Mrs. Howe and her children, some of which may be seen in the graphic style of Col. Humphrey in his life of Putnam.
The indefatigable labors of these men, and their successors have produced a salutary influence on the religious and moral aspect of Vermont. In these romantic wilds, they were blessed in their efforts to transplant branches from the tree of life, more verdant and perennial than her evergreens. They have taken deep root, and yielded much precious fruit. The result of their labors and judicious culture is seen in the neat houses of divine worship, which abound in these vallies and on these hills; and in the sobriety, and christian exemplariness, and warm devotion of many of its inhabi- tants. Pure christianity, and sound morals have thus a foothold here, presaging better times ; times, it is hoped, when all these shall be hills of Zion, and mountains of Israel.
The moral and religious feelings and habits and acts of this people, is the brightest trait in their character. In this respect much indeed remains to be done ; many ' crooked paths to be made straight and rough places smooth.' But many . heralds of divine messages and knowledge have 'run to and fro' these hills and vallies and on these mountains, publishing peace and salvation, carrying glad tidings of good. Many of them have finished their course, and their bodies in the congrega- tion of the dead, fill ' the narrow house' beside those of their brethren and fellow travelers to eternity. Some
286
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
have gone to other fields and new scenes, 'bound in the spirit, not knowing what shall befall them, counting not their lives dear to themselves, that they may finish their course with joy.' Many remain, and others are coming forward to fill the breaches and mount the walls of de- fence against the inroads of vice and irreverence. Gird- ed with the armor of light may they long continue to be polished shafts in the quiver of the Lord, till this whole state become ' a mountain of holiness and a dwelling place of righteousness.'
Dr. Burton published several theological works, which rendered him well known and somewhat distinguished throughout New England. His writings certainly exhi- bited him as a man of clear thought and discrimination, as well as of mental cultivation and ardent piety. He was somewhat original in some of his religious views ; particularly with regard to the faculties of the soul ; dividing it into three parts; the understanding ; the heart, or affections ; and the taste.
Lemuel Haynes, so well known in this part of the United States, as a black preacher, labored in the minis- try chiefly in this state, though he died at Granville, a border town of New York. He has left specimens of his original and ingenious mind, particularly that short and celebrated sermon, " Universal salvation an ancient doctrine." He has also left, under his own hand, an account of the reappearance of the man, by the name of Russel Colvin, supposed to have been murdered ; and the conviction, and sentence, and final rescue of his supposed murderers.
287
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
The writer has named, in another place, several dis- tinguished counsellors at law, who had finished an honor- able, earthly course ; and whose eloquence he had wit- nessed often in the southern part of the state. Fame and true report have given a high character of others in the middle and northern sections ; and such names as Spooner, Skinner, Mallory, and Chipman, and Smith, and Chase, and others might be added, who have run an honorable career in this profession. Their standing was distinguished for legal science and powers of elo- quence at the bar ; on the bench ; and in the national councils. Indeed the early circumstances of this com- monwealth led almost as a matter of course to the gene- ral diffusion of the common principles of law. Farmers needed to have some insight into them, to know when they were going safely in buying and selling land ; per- plexed as they once were by contradictory claims and titles. The science of law has been studied with great care by the professional student ; and the bar and bench of Vermont have been, and still are an ornament to the state. It is not believed that any other so large a por- tion of the union, takes precedence in this respect. Many now live, whom to name might be indecorous ; but to hear unfolded the mazes of an intricate course and make it clear, would be a privilege. Clear in head ; courteous ; scorning meanness ; studious of high charac- ter as men ; of easy address, and strong in reasoning, you may find many such here. It would be strange if all were of this description.
A stranger will find as much to approve and admire in ·
288
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
a Vermont court house ; in its order and stillness ; the dispatch of business ; the eloquence heard from the bar ; and the discrimination and solemnity witnessed from the bench ; the intelligence of the jury, and the becom- ing deportment of the spectators, as in similar circum- stances in most places where he may travel.
In the councils of the nation, Vermont has been reputably, and even ably represented. Bold, energetic and fearless, the voice of freedom and independence has been put forth on the floor of congress by many a green mountain representative. Some of them have been conspicuous actors in the political drama of our country, and honored the high stations of trust to which they were called. To quail in the hour of trial and danger ; or be swerved from duty by menace and denunciation ; or hoodwinked by bribery and flattery, was not their turn of mind, or habit of action. The spirit of Ethan Allen and his associates, in this respect, yet animates many, who are now the elite of the civil and political corps of the state.
Of that extraordinary man, a native of Vermont has furnished the writer the following, anecdote. "The British government through one of its officers in the coun- try, offered to give him any quantity of land he desired, besides conferring on him a high military command, and the title of Duke of Vermont, if he would forsake the rebels, and exert his influence in favor of the royal cause." To these proposals, Allen replied, " Tell your master that his offers make me think of one that I have read of in an old Book, made by a certain per-
289
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
sonage to Jesus Christ ; that he would give him all the Kingdoms of the world if he would only worship him, when the old rascal knew that he did not own a foot of land on earth, any more than King George does in Vermont."
The regular bred physicians of Vermont have sus- tained a good reputation, doing credit to their profession ; and reflecting honor on the medical art. The practical part of their profession, laborious in almost any place, is particularly so in this region of so uneven surface, and so cold and snowy in its winters.
This was the case especially with the pioneers in this employment. To go at all seasons of the year ; and at all times of day and night ; and in all directions ; through the wilderness ; over roads almost impassable ; and ford- ing rivers ; through snow and rain storms, during the first twenty or thirty years after breaking ground here, was no trifling business. It required great self-denial and devotedness to the care of the sick and afflicted. Thus they became strong in body ; familiar with extremes and hardships ; of iron nerves, capable of standing frost, and bearing heat. It was interesting to hear them recount the scenes encountered in fulfilling the calls of their profession ; the hardships endured, and their nar- row escapes from danger. But they maintained good humor and great cheerfulness to the very last ; and their fund of anecdote, and quaint way often of narrative, · were enlivening and cheering to the valetudinarian and hypochondriac.
In Castleton is a medical college, which has sustained
19
290
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
a high reputation. Courses of lectures on the different branches of the healing art are given by able and experi- enced professors ; and ample opportunities and prepara- tions are furnished and made to enable the pupils, respectable in numbers, to employ their time to the best advantage.
If Vermont has not yet produced any very celebrated poets ; who have proved themselves such by some mas- terly and extensive work of imagination in harmonious and splendid versification, she is not without sons and daughters of the lyre, whose notes have resounded amid her hills and valleys. 'Green mountain bards' is not a mere flourish of words. Such have been ; such still are ; self-taught; retired, and distrustful ; yielding with reluctance their sweetly flowing strains to the public gaze. The writer has known some such, imbued with the true spirit of poetry ; sought them out; and solicited and sometimes obtained specimens of their pens for the public journals. One such lived and died on Putney West-hill; who spoke many pieces of original and interesting poetry ; but committed very little to writing. The writer rode some fifteen or twenty miles to pen down a few particular stanzas from the lips of his grand- son, who was known to have repeated them often with other similar effusions. But his lips had been sealed in death a few days previous ; and the opportunity of giving them a fixed visible being was forever gone. For his son, a venerable pilgrim sojourner on that hill, ninety-two years of age, could awaken no traces of them in his memory. Another admonition was this of the
7
291
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
wisdom of doing quickly what you have to do ; and of going without delay to him from whose lips you would rescue words and things from oblivion. If you linger, he may die before you reach him, or you may fall before he meets you.
The importance also is seen impressively in the light of such facts, of committing to writing whatever is worthy of being remembered. For if it be true, as said the Roman poet, ' vox missa nescit reverti,' a word sent forth from the lips ' knows not the way back ;' it is also true ; if you keep no record of it; have no controling rein upon it, you may not know where to find it, however much you might wish to show it the way of return.
But the ride was not wholly lost ; for another oppor- tunity was afforded him of viewing the surrounding country from the summit of this hill.
The view from this eminence is rich and variegated and majestic. Few portions are more enchanting. As you face the south, you have on your right the narrow and deep valley of West river ; and on your left the somewhat broader one of the Connecticut, some two thousand feet below you. Then the whole compass of the horizon to a great extent opens to your view, except- ing a few degrees on the north being intercepted by a clump of trees. A large portion of the southwest part of New Hampshire ; and the northwestern of Massachu- setts ; and the southern section of Vermont is before you. From the Connecticut valley, your eye goes over hill and dale; clearings and woodlands ; villages, and hamlets and cottages, till it reaches the summit of
292
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Monadnock, and thence north on the blue highlands towards the White Hills. The silvery surface of the Connecticut, below Brattleboro, distant ten or fifteen miles, and the irregular and broken ridges of southern Vermont, and Franklin county in Massachusetts, come in sight; and the summit of the green mountains far to the north, with their endless variety of shapes ; with the haystack and saddle back, and the Stratton cliffs ; limits your view on the right, but fixes your attention in silent admiration.
293
CHAPTER XXI.
Religion .- The three principal denominations .- Congregational- · ists .- Some account of them .- Baptists .- Their peculiarities .- Anecdote of an Elder .- Methodists .- Their rules and support of preachers .- Episcopalians .- Universalists .- Unitarians.
THE three largest denominations of christians in Ver- mont, are the Congregational, Baptist, and Methodist. These do not greatly vary from each other in point of numbers.
The early churches were formed principally by Congre- gationalists. By this is intended the very first churches organized ; though mention is made, in the early records, of a baptist clergyman officiating in the religious services at a session of the general assembly. As the leaders in reducing this rough surface, and rougher political exterior, to a comparative smoothness and regularity and order, were mostly from Connecticut ; so were the early heralds of the cross. They were sent by the missionary society of that state ; and Bushnell, and Mills and Hallock and Williston, and others of this denomination came early, extending the borders of that kingdom, which is not of this world. Their labors were blessed ; and the rules of that kingdom clearly stated and explained ; and the qualifications of citizenship pointed out, and the securing
1
#
294
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
of the inheritance recommended and urged. Many, who were aliens and foreigners, have, it is hoped, become fellow-citizens of this commonwealth, whose verdure shall be as perpetual as that of the tree of life. The doctrines taught were those of the Bible as explained by " the assembly's catechism." The system of church government of this denomination is in their apprehension that of the church militant as established by Christ and his apostles ; the pastor moderator ; and the male mem- bers as a body, voters.
Each church is independent in its jurisdiction and in matters of discipline. Their decision is final with regard to its members, whose walk is inconsistent with the rules of Christ; unless the church should be consociated ; that is, connected with several other churches on certain conditions ; relinquishing its right of deciding without appeal ; and giving an aggrieved member the privilege of appealing to the " Committee of Consociation." Candidates for admission into the church are examined by the pastor, generally assisted by a committee, but often before the whole body, any of whom may propose what questions they please. Assent is given to "the articles of faith " adopted by the church, and to the covenant.
The pastors and ministers have, for their mutual improvement and benefit, formed themselves into associa- tions, consisting of ten or twelve members most con- veniently situated, who meet two or three times annually. Delegates from these bodies meet annually on the second Tuesday in September, in convention ; called "The
. 295
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
General Convention of Presbyterian and Congregational ministers of Vermont." To this convention reports are made from the several district associations ; of the num- ber of members added ; the alterations in the pastoral and other relations ; and of the state of religion and morals. Most of the benevolent societies hold their anniversaries during its sessions. The preaching of sermons and addresses by representatives from abroad with other exercises and transactions of this body, render it a season of great interest and benefit to those, who love the gates of Zion. The present number of com- municants in this branch of the church in Vermont is about twenty thousand.
The baptists have many large and flourishing churches in this state. Indeed for a long time this has been a strong denomination of christians; and as before inti- mated, has furnished a member of distinguished civilians. This, as well as the methodist branch of the church, have been more in the habit of placing their preachers in civil offices and trusts, perhaps, than that of the congrega- tional. So true is this, that a considerable portion of the members of the general assembly at some sessions, has been composed of baptist and methodist clergymen ; more especially of the former. Men of strong powers of mind naturally ; and of original turn of thinking and expressing their thoughts and conscientious opinions. The public interests have been safe in their hands. If they manifested less culture and polish in some instances ; and the gift of parlance than do others, they may have been as expeditious and safe in action. Their purpose
296
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
taken, and they did it circumspectly, they were not easily moved from it. Knowing how to say less and think more and act steadfastly and independently, they exhibited an example, which others in high places might follow to advantage. It is an important part of know- ledge to know what one can, and what he cannot do, and of wisdom, not to try that for which he is unqualified.
Thus one of these worthy elders, who was more in the habit while a member, of keeping his seat, than of his standing on his feet, on some important measure in which the house was nearly balanced, sent word to his constituents that he would wear out one pair of breeches, before, with his permission it should go contrary to his convictions of right. It might be well, perhaps, if in legislative halls in other and more exposed places, some of the members were in this habit ; that of wear- ing their breeches more, and their lungs less. Their constituents would more readily defray the expense of repairing the former, than suffer the inroads made by the latter, on the harmony and good feeling of the country.
The baptists differ from the congregationalists in sentiment, only on the subject of baptism ; its subjects and the mode. Their form of church government is the same. Those of this denomination in this state, are principally what are called close communion baptists. Believing baptism an indispensable pre-requisite to intercommunion by participating the sacred emblems ; and that immersion is the only way of rightly perform- ing this ordinance, they think it a duty to decline going
297
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
to the Lord's table with all, who do not enter through this door into the fold. In their associations the churches are represented by lay delegates in connexion with clerical. A good degree of harmony exists between them and the other denominations ; meeting together as they often do; and assisting in the expense of the institutions of the gospel, where they live intermixed and in too weak a state to do it separately. They are the most numerous in the north part of the state, exhibiting a kind, liberal, and christian spirit towards strangers of other evangelical churches. Their preju- dices gradually wearing away against education, and literary accomplishments in their preachers, they have under their direction, flourishing academies in Towns- hend, Brandon and Derby, in which the languages and sciences and other college branches are taught, and good scholarship often adorns the ministrations of the word, rendering it more efficacious. Elder Leland of Chester, who presided several sessions as speaker in the house of representatives ; and with great readiness and acceptance ; and was subsequently lieutenant governor, sustained the character of an able and eloquent preacher. They have for a number of years sustained in the state a religious newspaper, published at Brandon, called the Telegraph.
The denomination of christians struck out by John Wesley, claims a numerous and respectable class in . Vermont. They have some resemblance in their church government and their doctrines, to the episcopal church from which they originally sprung. They have their
298
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
bishops and presiding elders; their circuit and local preachers. Their sentiments correspond somewhat, relative to the native depravity of the heart, and the nature of regeneration. The government of the church is in both in the clergy.
The presiding elder has the churches of a certain district (defined) assigned him to visit quarterly ; and the circuit preachers have smaller portions of ground to go over weekly, or in a longer period according to their extent. These preachers are removed to new circuits once in two years; and their salaries are paid from a fund under the direction of "the conference ; " and is one hundred dollars for himself, and if married the same sum for his wife, and a certain amount for each child. When the fund enables the conference to make full allowance to the preachers, they are better provided for, than those of any other denomination. The provision made for the support of superannuated and disabled preachers is worthy of high commendation. In short, many things in the methodist internal policy are admirable.
The episcopal is a large and flourishing church ; and Vermont constitutes one diocese, over which a bishop pre- sides. Her faith is the protestant ; her thirty-nine articles being strictly evangelical and orthodox. She denies all ordination but that by her bishops ; of course, preachers of all other denominations, in her estimation, are inter- lopers, climbing up some other way. She seems to be lengthening her cords and strengthening her stakes in Vermont, embracing some of the most respectable part
299
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
of her inhabitants. Indeed in point of respectability and fashion, if not of numbers, she probably deems herself as holding comparatively the first rank, if the terms rank and fashion may be used in speaking of religion and our relations to God, before whom we are in a sense all on a level, and " less than the small dust of the balance." There is something impressive and affecting in the services of the church of England, especially her funeral services; venerable in her great crowd of witnesses ; whose names adorn the pages of her history, and in the moss covered and ivy clad towers and temples of the " fast anchored isle." May the branch transplanted to the hills and vallies of Ver- mont, pruned of useless and hurtful incumbrances, be as perennial as her fountains, and as perpetual in the flourishing of righteousness in her paths, as the verdure of her "mountain pines."-An Episcopal Theological school was planned and set in operation at Burlington, under the superintendence of Bishop Hopkins, promis- ing usefulness.
Not an inconsiderable number of individuals, profess the faith of the final salvation of all men. They have a number of houses of worship up and down the state ; and preachers to unfold their doctrine's ; and in some instances to administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper. The infinite benevolence of God is their bulwark against the apprehension of endless pun- ishment.
Unitarian churches are found, one at Burlington, and another at Brattleboro ; and no where else in
-
300
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Vermont ; unless there may be a small one at Vernon, and one at Windsor. The denial of the three-fold distinction of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, is the principal peculiarity in their faith.
m
301
CHAPTER XXII.
Miscellaneous .- Birds .- Partridge .- Quail .-- Snow-bird .- Wild pigeons .- Their abundance formerly .- Swallows .- Their varie- ties .- Swallow trees at Middlebury and Bridport .- The Bobo- link .- Robin .- Quadrupeds, wild .- Wolf .- Bear .- Squirrel, Gray and other kinds .- Fox.
Dendrology .- Evergreen trees .-- Hardwood trees -- Sugar maple. -Its beauty .- Changes in its foliage .-- The beech .- The beau- tiful form and appearance of trees .- The spruce .- The elm .- Trees mentioned by ancient writers .- Homer .- Virgil .- In the sacred Scriptures .- Classical and venerable .- The Wellington tree .- Various shapes of the elm .- Two in Berlin, Ct .- Con- trasted .- A venerable pine.
Most of the birds found in the United States are met with in Vermont. The black-bird is not seen so often as in Connecticut, and places farther south. The part- ridge is more abundant here than in almost any other state. The mountains and forests afford them not only food plentifully, but more ample range to escape the pursuit of their enemies, and evade the snare of the fowler. This bird, so untamable; and whose young so instinctively and even as soon as clear of its shell avoids human footsteps, and the voice and face of man ; and whose flesh is so rich and delicate, is a rare inhabit-
302
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
ant of the southern states. It goes there by the name of pheasant ; and what we call the quail takes the name of partridge.
The quail of Connecticut, and the southern part of Massachusetts, is rarely if ever seen in Vermont. Dur- ing a residence of thirty years in this state, the writer has not heard the notes of this beautiful bird, so familiar to his ears in early days. The long and severe winters experienced, probably forbid its sojourn here, and it seems to prefer spending its summers where the winters are mild enough to give it a chance of seeing the return of spring. The winters are so severe sometimes even in Connecticut, as to make fearful havoc among them ; driving them in search of food to farm yards, where they too often meet with cold hospitality ; and huddled together in the hedges and under the fences, become the sport and prey of school-boys in that highly civilized state.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.