USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont; with descriptions, physical and topographical > Part 22
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In company with several ministerial brethren, going to the annual, representative meeting of the churches in the state ; passing a school house, pleasing remembrances of the land of " steady habits," were called up by the parading by the roadside of some thirty little girls to drop their respectful courtesy, enjoying the bi-daily license of these miniature kingdoms, ' the girls may go out,' proving to the passing stranger, they had not yet lost their manners, even in these sequestered wilds of nature. Their eyes and ears were arrested by the coming of half a dozen carriages in succession, and their line was formed in one order ; the larger ones at the head and the smaller ones at the foot. The salutation commenced at the head and went down the line like the running fire of a military company ; each repeating it for each carriage, and some of them repeating it two
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or three times to be sure of being noticed. May this comely custom be perpetual as the fountains and evergreens of this region; and even make its way back to the land whence it came; and where it has become, there is reason to fear, almost extinct. To see exemplified then, one distinctive, and not unmeaning trait of Connecticut early manners, the traveler must ascend the green mountains. Retreating as it is, we fear from the shores to the lake and banks of the river, washing its eastern border to the highlands and citadels of nature, may its influence be conservative on the vaulting spirit of the age, too often seen in the rising generation.
Reaching the village of Chester, situated in a delight- ful valley, protected by the surrounding hills ; the main street wide and adorned with shady trees; with two houses of public worship ; an academy flourishing and well sustained; the soil rich, and some farming estab- lishments seen in the vicinity of uncommon excellence and productiveness, the church bell summoned us to the house of God. It was the annual meeting of " the Congregational and Presbyterian ministers," held now for the first time on the third Tuesday of June, changed from the second Tuesday in September. Its business was opened by an appropriate and able sermon from the president of Middlebury college : " Honor the Lord with thy substance." The convention appeared unusu- ally full ; delegates and visiting brethren from several
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associations and New Hampshire, to the aggregate of about one hundred and fifty clergymen being present.
In the evening was held the anniversary of the Tract Society. Resolutions on the sanctification of the Sab- bath were passed ; an interesting communication being read from an eminent physician in England, setting forth the benefits of resting one day in seven as it regards health.
The second day of the convention was commenced by a prayer meeting at five o'clock A. M., at the church. At nine o'clock a public meeting was held ; and " the narrative of the state of religion" throughout the state was given. Reports also on the same subject throughout the union and from parts of Canada, were made. The rise and progress; and prospects of Millerism were alluded to in several of these communi- cations.
At eleven o'clock was held the anniversary of the Foreign Missionary Society. The meeting was address- ed by Mr. Green one of the secretaries of the Board ; and by others. The wants and claims of this society were urged in an eloquent manner.
The Sabbath School Union, auxiliary to that of Massachusetts, was held at half past one P. M. It was an interesting meeting ; schools from several neigh- boring towns were present ; the scholars coming in wagons ; business wagons; Dutch wagons, drawn in some instances by four horses, loaded down with boys
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and girls, twenty or thirty in one; forming a procession at the academy, and following a band of music with their teachers and banner inscribed, "Feed my Lambs," filled the lower part of the house, five or six hundred in number, and presented an animating spectacle.
The Secretary's report was replete with interesting facts and details ; the progress made during the year ; the number of teachers and pupils; the amount of money contributed by the children, and hopeful con- versions in the schools. The whole number of scholars organized in the different Sabbath schools in the state was estimated at fifteen thousand. The attention of the children was kept up by the manner of communica- tion pursued by the speaker; enlivened especially at the sight of an Hindoo girl, seven years old, brought from Asia by the Rev. Mr. Munger, a missionary of the ' Board.' Her countenance is intelligent ; and she understands English, as is evident from her turning her head, and showing the whites of her eyes as the speaker alluded to the ' heathen child present.' She was a found- ling, having fallen into the hands of a benevolent Eng- lish lady, who provided for its maintenance in the family of Mr. Munger. Returning to England to see her own children, having furnished the means needed during her short intended absence, she died leaving this little outcast in the hands of this missionary with whom she had remained five years. On account of his wife's health, coming back to his native land, he brought her with him. She begins to feel that she is an object of
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curiosity and sympathy, and therefore to give her guar- dians some trouble to keep her in her proper place. Indeed this is the rock against which the ship Reforma- tion is in danger of impugning and retarding, to say no more ; children not keeping their proper place.
It was then with pleasure that the speakers on this occasion were heard alluding to the training of the ancient Greek and Roman youth; and even to the customs of the native Indians in this respect ; the means used to give them physical energy, hardihood, and manli- ness of conduct ; and habits of due subordination. Surely means must be taken to guard against effeminacy, and too great forwardness in youth, elated somewhat by the attentions paid them at Sabbath school and Temper- ance celebrations. Nothing but early restraints and Divine grace will secure them against the flattering attentions thus shown them. They may be in danger of overleaping their province, becoming vain and losing the goodly puritan customs, and of disregarding the Scriptural directions of rendering subordinate respect to superiors, and to all their dues.
Invaluable blessings have resulted from Sabbath schools ; and these public exhibitions by the pupils and their teachers are calculated to forward and secure the objects of this institution. The suggestions of " The cold water army," with its banners and devises and accompaniments, was a happy thought, and a merciful Divine interposition in favor of temperance. It has formed an era in the celebration by her children of our
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country's birth-day which encourages us to hope for great and permanent blessings. The name of the man who was the instrument of thus leading the way in mar- shaling " the host" of the rising generation for the con- flict with the powers of alcohol, ought to be known and held in grateful remembrance. But evils sometimes lurk in the neighborhood of great blessings.
. To guide safely and happily the operations of this rising and increasing army, the coming up of sobriety's last reserve, and the world's life guard ; to see that " every one does his duty," and keeps his place and obeys orders, requires untiring vigilance, and circumspec- tion and wisdom. It is the mustering of the Waterloo battle of sentiment; and demonstrations point to the great valley of the west as the field of decision.
In the evening ' the North Western Branch ' of the Education Society held its anniversary. Allusion was made by Mr. Nash, in his address, as agent of this society, to Dr. E. Porter, late president of Andover Theological Institution, who had called the Education, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Societies a three- fold cord to draw in the millenial car ; and as having bequeathed to the first named of these institutions one third of his property, fifteen thousand dollars.
The third and last day of this assembly, was com- menced like the second with an early prayer meeting. The anniversary of the state Domestic Missionary Society was attended at half past ten o'clock A. M. The first speaker, to give variety to the exercises for a
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moment, struck into a vein of irony and humor. " There is " said he, " no romance in domestic missions. All about them is matter of fact and sober reality. If one of the laborers in this great department of christian enterprise rises in these great and genteel assemblies, a bald headed man, perhaps, his hands hard, his dress and manner plain, he may meet with little favor and sympa- thy compared with him, who has been over the mighty deep to far distant places, and bearing names of sounding notoriety. The imagination lends her aid to give color- ing and zest to his representations ; and heighten them in proportion to the remoteness of the scene and the unknown language and strange dress of the actors. Sympathy and liberality seem to be in accordance with the distance at which the objects of charity are placed, and the hopelessness of reaching them. But to show compassion towards those suffering so near to us, that we can hear their groans and see their tears, would be too vulgar and savor too little of the romantic." If he had stopped here it would have been well enough, for contrast and variety. But when he added : " if money were to be raised to convert the man in the moon, if there be one there, he was ready to believe the enterprise would secure the greatest number of abettors," it seemed to be over action and in bad taste.
In the afternoon these interesting solemnities were closed by the administration of the "Lord's supper." An excellent action sermon on the tests of true conver- sion, preceded the ministration of the sacred symbols,
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delivered by the Rev. Mr. Plumb, of Paulet. It was a fitting and becoming conclusion of the very interesting business transactions ; and reports of secretaries of benevolent societies; and resolutions adopted and addresses made, which marked this annual meeting of Zion's heralds, giving an impulse to religion and virtue.
By public meetings, in the above sketch, such are intended as are of general interest in distinction to the business transactions of this body ; and not that any of its sessions were with 'closed doors.' It is here inserted as a sample of what is generally done at the anniversa- ries of this and similar associations of our country ; and as an answer to the inquiries sometimes made, 'what is the object of these ministers gathering together in this way from all quarters ? ' And also to remove the grounds of suspicion, now and then whispered in times of politi- cal party excitement, that they are cabals plotting harm to the state.
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Improvements in manners and morals .- Dandyism .- Mutual sympathy .- First settlers characterized by a distinguished tra- veler .- Early prejudices against evangelical doctrines and their advocates .- Law repealed relative to local societies .- Ministers of the gospel set afloat .- Their trials .- A sceptic preparing his own tomb .- Lock and key on a coffin .- Green mountain Farrier .- Roughness of deportment wearing away .- Evidence of it .- Manner of its progress .- Urbane and polished manners. -Increasing respect for religion .- In the young especially .- Disturbance of public worship at New Haven, Ct .- Capital punishment .- Crimes .- Profaneness .-- Gambling .--- Other vices. --- Temperance.
To trace the progress and improvements in manners and morals ; in the elegancies and refinements of society, is a task still more difficult and delicate .- For although the prevalence of dandyism ; the enrobing, so to speak, of man's muscular limbs, and the adorning of the male features in woman's attire, and with female embellish- ments is to be deprecated ; although a pale sickly sen- timentalism ; and a shrinking, shrieking sensitiveness, and a spindling delicacy of form, are to be dreaded as inconsonant with the rough exterior of this world's sur-
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face, yet an unaffected sympathy, and inoffensive way of manifesting it, are desirable and do much to mitigate the ills and lighten the burdens of life. Whatever in- creases human happiness, and multiplies the means of innocent enjoyment may be encouraged and cultivated. But the mental and physical faculties, should be pro- portionably and correspondingly fostered ; and strength- ened and polished. One part should not be cherished to the injury and ruin of another ; one affection may not be kindled into a fluctuating flame, while another equally important to the system lies buried in the ashes. We should be neither all feeling, nor all apathy ; all heart nor mind; but mind and heart united, mutually strengthening, and controling and aiding each other.
As the body should be exercised and braced to a tone for all the changes of a green mountain winter, so the soul by a suitable discipline should be fortified to meet the vicissitudes of joy and sorrow; and go safely through ' this vale of tears.' Its powers should be consumed neither by the anguish of feelings and apprehension ; nor by ecstasy of anticipation and fruition.
On this point the golden rule of the gospel, and. the apostolic direction of rejoicing with those that rejoice, and weeping with those that weep ; in patience possess- ing your souls ; and in honor preferring one another ; give safe and infallible counsel.
It has been said not only by respectable, but by high
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authority, that " the first settlers of Vermont were mostly universalists and infidels." The statement was somewhat startling ; and viewed at first as severe ; and gained admittance reluctantly. For it would seem to carry with it the impression that morals were low, and manners uncultivated. One of the chief magistrates in late years, as it has been said, is a universalist. But the same was true not many years since, if any prece- dent was required, of Connecticut, if not in her supreme executive ; yet in him holding the second office. The early governors of Vermont were congregationalists, or baptists. Time was, it will be granted, when prejudice to a considerable extent was here indulged against what are called evangelical sentiments, and those whose duty it was to illustrate and enforce them. Their relations to congregations as pastors, was fluctuating and often of short duration ; and their temporal support sometimes short and inadequate. In allusion to this and as a fore- warning, one of the early fathers, in the south part of the state, called to preach at the ordination of a younger brother took this text: " Death in the pot." The dread was so great now and then, of the union of church and state ; of any thing like a religious establishment, that the law of the state on which the settlement of gospel ministers was based and their salaries secured to them, was forthwith repealed, and they 'set afloat.' Their frail bark was indeed at the mercy of wind and wave; and as the one did not always ' blow softly ;' nor the other roll gently, they had to ' let her drive,'
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and reach what haven soever she might. In this pre- dicament, they had in some cases, to meet the taunts of some, who seemed to regard their feelings as they would those of a marble statue, and the apathy of others from whom they expected better things. " We've got 'em now; if they won't comply with our terms, we can try some other herb." Bitter herbs of this sort grew in Vermont rather too plentifully some seasons .* But the soil has been subdued, and meliorated ; and more wholesome plants cultivated. The seed and the fruit have been improved. The support of the gospel is a free will offering, and what was dreaded as a frown has proved perhaps a favor.
Examples of daring scoffers were indeed found on these hills and vallies. One of this description in a town on the lake-side of the mountain, had his tomb (cut out of the solid rock) prepared under his own eye; for said he "I don't want the dirt and gravel rattling down into my eyes at the resurrection ; at the shaking of the earth and the opening of the graves." Strange concern this in a sceptic for the safety of his body after
* As an illustration, the writer was informed by a pioneer clergyman, that a brother minister of his in a neighboring town being dangerously sick, his wife visited him with whom she found his deacon ; and while his good deacon was praying for him, and his wife weeping by the bed-side ; some of the rude parishioners, returning home from the tavern, run their horses past the house exclaiming : "The old priest is dying and we are glad."
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death ! In some quarters it will seem awful as it is ; and unprecedented. But is it any more so than that of the man worth half a million, who died recently not a thousand miles from Dutch Point on the Connecticut ; and whose body by his direction was buried in a mahogany coffin, and that enclosed in one of oak plank, to which was fitted a strong lock and key ; the key to be kept at his calling; ah ! the key. What disposal he ordered of that is not so well understood ?
It is no small evidence of the truth and excellence of the gospel, that inveterate hostility to it is so often accompanied with some obliquity of the intellect, or temper ; or bluntness of the moral sense. Indeed these sometimes give rise to it. For it has been known not to come up ; or at any rate not to display its bitterness till one or more of these faculties had received a provi- dential jar. Some casualty ; as a sudden blow, or fall on the head ; or failure of an organ of perception, and sensation has entirely changed, their views, and feelings and habits, relative to the sacred doctrines and duties, and institutions.
A first settler on the Connecticut side of the state, and who may be called the green mountain farrier, lived almost a century ; and had often traveled its hills and vallies, and much in the neighboring states. He was tall and commanding in his figure; wore a broad- brim ; and in summer a white linen frock, running down to his boots and spurs ; his hair cued down in eel, and hands in deer skin, and tin trumpet belted to his side,
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which sounding loud and long, a terror to colts, announced to the villagers his arrival and readiness for business. Thus accoutred like Van Twiller the trum- peter, and mounted on a prime Vermont bred steed, with saddle bags, large and well stuffed with surgical instruments, and various other necessary articles of professional use and personal convenience, he had faced many a storm, encountered struggles often, seen much services ; won many laurels ; rescued not seldom from suffering and threatening death, and raised to their feet fallen quadrupeds not a few. In the winter his buffalo robe was the skin of a bullock, "tanned with the hair on ;" with the tail and hind quarters suspended from the back part of his sleigh. But he has twanged his trumpet for the last time, and his like you will not again soon see.
Exemplary in the observance of religious duties the former part of his life, a sudden and unconscionable change in this respect came over him, and clave to him with increasing tenacity the last half century of his days. Towards evangelical doctrines and institutions, he seemed to feel an increasing, and scoffing repug- nance, seldom if ever going on the Sabbath to the ordinary ministrations of the word. On funeral occa- sions, he was indeed, sometimes seen in the sanctuary with God's people on the Sabbath, accompanying his wife, a devoted, unaffected christian. But on these occasions he used often to go and return from the house
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of God, wearing on his head a large three cornered, cocked beaver; the only poll, thus surmounted in such circumstances ever seen by the writer in the green mountain state. Being visited by the minister of the place and his partner by the invitation of his wife, he treated them hospitably. But at the supper table, without waiting for the customary blessing craved, or requesting it done, took his seat with his head covered ; and persisting to wear his low crowned rimer ; and his mortified wife reminding him of the impropriety, the only answer, or relief obtained by her, was, "my hat is paid for." The above particulars came under the eye and personal observation of the writer himself. But for the truth of the reports, relative to some wonderful cures performed by him in his early practice ; such as mending the broken backs of an ox with an axe helve, and which afterwards went to Boston under the yoke, he does not vouch.
But such roughness of exterior deportment and man- ners are gradually wearing away. Civility and gentle- manly manners are keeping pace with improvements in Vermont villages and dwellings, and in the face of the country. A kindly feeling is felt for, and a respectful reception given to them who demean themselves circum- spectly and consistently, in the various professions. To find what in cities goes by the name of genteel and fashionable society, is not impossible even in Vermont. You may find those whose manners are easy and grace-
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ful, and who understand the etiquette of polished society and can go through the ceremonies, in good style of social intercourse in all its relations.
In the early settlement of the state, as in other simi- lar circumstances, their immediate wants were the subject of conversation when neighbors met. They had little or no leisure to meet in mixed parties for the purpose of social conversation ; to indulge in free expression and interchange of sentiments on topics of general interest ; and such as the spur of the occasion might suggest. Their manners then like their external circum- stances were plain and straightened. But as they obtained relief and freedom from the " bayonet of sharp necessity," they found leisure for the pleasures and benefits of social intercourse. As they tasted the sweets of confidential and mutual unbosoming of feelings and opinions ; their attachment to such sources of enjoyment increased. Suavity of manners then would be cultivated with mutual emulation for the happiness derived from good society.
Thus the Vermonters have made some advances from the rustic in manners towards the civil ; and from the civil towards the elegant; and from the elegant towards the urbane and polished. You see evidence of this in the furniture of their dwellings; their wardrobes and their parlor accommodations. The gourd, so to speak, has given place to the brown earthen pitcher; and this to the plain white glazed, and this again to porcelain
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and china. In the place of the hemlock floor, has come the spruce and white pine ; to the husk foot-brush has been added the rag and homespun carpet ; to this the Brussels ; and to the Brussels, the Turkish. The tripod has been followed by the splintered and flag bottom- ed; and these again by the spring cushioned chair and sofa, on which for indolence and apathy to stretch their limbs. The bedstead of curled maple, native growth, and pol- ished, they have added to the matress and hammock. Where they might once have been seen dining over a barrel head, a board placed across it ; or on a rough four- legged stool ; you may find them at a polished cherry, or mahogany, rolling table.
The circular cupboard may yet occupy and fill up one corner of their best apartment ; but near it stands the splended side-board furnished with silver spoons and plate, where once were used pewter and wooden dishes, the trencher.
You may see evidence of it in their neat and tasteful equipage and accommodations for pleasure riding and journeying. The barouche and buggy ; the light and pol- ished wagon and coach drawn by elegantly harnessed Ver- mont-raised horses, transport here and there those, who might once have strode the haltered, raw-bone, bare- backed beast ; or jolted along in the ox, or dobbin horse-cart. In the winter they glide swiftly along in varnished and beautiful sleighs, where their fathers and mothers might have been proud of a jumper, or a pung ;
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and instead of buffalo robes and the dressed bear skin, glad to defend their limbs by a blanket or sheet.
You may see it also, in the increasing (it it believed) respect for the teachers of religion and the institutions of the gospel by all classes, and particularly the rising generation. The expense necessary to the maintenance of divine worship and religious order and instruction, is no longer regarded as a necessary evil ; and thus a burden, but as a privilege and blessing, so rich the fruits in this way produced. The order of worship and the decorum belonging to the house of God, are more generally observed by the youth than formerly ; and this is a characteristic of this class which betokens much good. It is owing probably in some degree to the influence of Sabbath schools.
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