USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont; with descriptions, physical and topographical > Part 23
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The serious disturbance of religious worship either on the Sabbath, or other day, or in the evening, is not a common occurrence, but a rare one in this state ; and the children of the green mountains will not come behind their neighbors in becoming deportment in such places and on such occasions .* The internal appear- ance of churches ; the construction and finish of
Sabbath evening recently, the writer attended a very crowded and interesting missionary meeting in one of the churches in New Haven, Ct. where Mar Yohannan the Nestorian bishop from Persia, and his interpreter, Rev. J. Perkins were present. While one of the pastors was giving the annual report of
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the buildings themselves in modern and good style, render inviting the Sabbath exercises and appropriate employments of that day. The personal aspect of the
the monies collected in the several congregational churches, the audience was thrown into a panic by a sudden and tremendous out-cry at and near the doors ; as if some terrible danger was imminent. The house was scarcely restrained and quieted by being reminded by the speaker that it was only a repetition of what took place the Sabbath evening previous, a false and disorderly alarm. Whether it was the belchings of envious venom at the happiness within from the throat of Beelzebub himself; or the woolfish howlings around the barriers of the flock ; or the mischief making of idle, disorderly boys, to enjoy a fright, the stranger was at a loss. For it seemed each. It was certainly a specimen of ill manners, not often surpassed or equalled in Vermont. Indeed were all the bears and catamounts and wolves now left in the dens and caverns of the mountains congregated around some lonely church on some one of her deserted hills, and should put forth their loudest and most dis- cordant notes, they could hardly produce such an uproar. This fact ought not to detract from the general pre-eminent character of that community for civility and urbane manners. It would be difficult to find in the union another place more distinguished for the general prevalence of unaffected piety ; for the richness of the means of grace and christian liberality. Few spots have greater attractions to detain the weary pilgrim a Sabbath, or two, to strengthen his faith and cheer his spirits on his way to the celestial city.
According to the report above alluded to, more than six thousand dollars were contributed for the single object of Foreign missions, by the congregational churches in that place during the year ending in October, 1842.
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attendants on divine worship is not the least pleasing aspect of a Vermont Sabbath. It is interesting to strangers, as it often has been to those who have witnessed it, to see so large a proportion of the wor- shipers, youth and children ; and of such complexion and neatness of exterior as to leave favorable im- pressions of the internal regulations of families. Such would be found the fact on visiting the domestic sanctu- ary ; marking the progressive advancement of manners and morals in this state. Nor will woman's manage- ment and example ; gentleness of conduct, comeliness of attire and manner of presiding at the fire-side and table, be found inefficacious in rendering this meliora- tion apparent and striking. Much has been effected in this way by intercourse with the right class of society in other states ; and by the influence of many enlightened and exemplary travelers and temporary sojourners on these hills and in these vallies. Much salutary efficacy also has been put forth by Vermont mothers in rendering her sons strong, and "her daughters polished after the similitude of a palace."
In common with others, this state has shared in the benign results of the Temperance enterprise. It has been productive of great, incidental, or collateral good ; particularly to the rising generation. Some amuse- ments, which if not sinful in themselves, lead to that which is, have been discontinued, or rendered less common. Card playing ; gambling, and the using
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of the name of God in vain ; unseasonable and nocturnal carousals, and mischief doing, less often annoy and offend the eye and ear of good breeding and morals. Many evils and blemishes of this kind still exist; and call for untiring exertions to render complete the temperance reformation, on which much depends both in morals and religion.
Some evidence of the morals of a people may be derived from the capital punishments inflicted, and the number of state convicts, or those confined in the state prison. Few comparatively have died in Vermont, under the hand of the public executioner. The same is true also with regard to those confined in the prison at Windsor. Crimes are indeed multiply- ing ; and convictions becoming more common, as the population increases, and as foreigners of little or no character here take up their abode. During a residence of about thirty years in the county of Windham, no one was publicly executed ; and no one ever was ; and the same is true of other counties. Petty pilfering and marauding are not common ; at least they have not hitherto been frequent ; dwellings are left unlocked over night without anxiety for the safety of their contents. A distinguished foreigner, having taken up his abode in the state for life, writing to his friends in England, could hardly gain credit, that his doors stood with impunity unlocked nights, for years in succession.
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Morals then have gradually meliorated here ; and the elegancies and refinements of society advanced rapidly enough. Going faster, the danger would be that of fall- ing into effeminacy ; and a shrinking from the trials of life.
But the crowning glory of the state is the cheering prospect that the principles of the gospel, and that righteousness which exalteth a nation, are gradually per- vading all classes of the community. The leaven of righteousness and virtue is penetrating the mass. The good seed sown, and sowing, is springing up, and will, bearing in some parts thirty, in others sixty ; and in most favored spots an hundred fold. What then was predic- tion in the late Dr. Dwight, relative to this state has in a measure become reality ; the distinguished individual whose caustic language is quoted near the beginning of this chapter ; and with whose words on her future des- tiny, uttered some fifty or sixty years ago, shall be closed.
" Upon the whole, the state of Vermont, from the richness of its soil, the variety and richness of its pro- ductions ; the salubrity of its climate ; the rapid increase of its population ; the hardihood, industry, and enterprise of its inhabitants ; the melioration which they have begun ; and the more extensive improvements rationally promised by the influence of New England institutions on the present and succeeding generations ; cannot but be regarded as one important nursery of the human race ;
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and as a country where a great mass of happiness and virtue may be fairly expected in future ages. Many of the evils which I have mentioned, will naturally furnish their own cure. Others the wisdom and moderation of enlightened men will in all probability remove.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
Spirit of innovation .- Changes not always improvements .- Evils .- Multiplying out of proportion .- Churches .- Changing the site often and building new ones .- Slightly built .- Sanctity of time .- The proper materials for building them .- Stone and brick .- Frequent changes in the pastoral relation .- Consequences .- Contrast between the clerical and other professions .- Neglect of grave yards .- North burying ground in Hartford, Ct. and new one in New Haven .- Their location proper near churches. - Their influence on the living .- West- minster Abbey .- Lord Nelson .- Incentives and examples placed before Vermonters .- Conclusion.
A FEW additional remarks may, perhaps, be allowed on the spirit of change, or innovation. Allusion to this has been made in another place, as seen in secular interests. It is a spirit prevalent in Vermont ; owing in some measure probably to the circumstances in which its early settlement took place ; and also to her uneven and rough surface. Thus it may have been imper- ceptibly led into the department of virtue and religion. What was improvement and going forward in the one case, may in the other become deterioration, and
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retrograding. For change and improvement ought not to be blended. Their import is not necessarily synonymous ; as every one knows that the former is alteration ; and may be to that which is worse as well as to what is better. But improvement means always progress in a more excellent way, toward what is more valuable and permanent. Of the improvements made in this state in various commendable ways, the writer has endeavored to speak with candor and fidelity. He ought also if it be true that sometimes changes are seen without melioration, to do it with the same freedom and impartiality.
Multiplying houses of Divine worship beyond what is necessary to accommodate a community, is a change without an improvement. It was not so formerly. Time was when these sacred tabernacles were com- paratively less numerous, and yet there was room. Comparatively, that is, they have more than kept pace with the increase of the population. It was more pleasant when all went together up to the house of God. It was an animating spectacle to see it full of attentive listeners to divine instruction. More union prevailed ; and sojourners together on these hills and along these rivers and vallies appeared more like brethren of the same family. The face of society in this respect was sound and healthful; but now disfigured with spots and blemishes. Divisions with real differences indeed prevail; but imaginary ones more with mere shades of variation, and shadowy
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grounds for separation one from another. Many of these houses are only partially filled on the Sabbath ; and some of them stand desolate and unoccupied. Being so common ; and in some instances unfrequented and deserted, they are liable to become a bye-word and hissing, thus diminishing the respect and veneration which ought to be cherished towards "the gates of heaven."
It may be said, perhaps, that difference of opinion is the cause of these supernumerary temples of Zion. But that it is chiefly a difference of religious opinion ; of faith is doubtful ; or rather reason is to fear that some- what else produces this spirit of change. They are monuments in some instances, there is ground to appre- hend, of super-abundant self-esteem and self-will, which if a hasty temper had not cherished in an evil hour, might never have been erected. At any rate they afford facilities for continuing and increasing the evils of a trifling difference in religious faith ; and throw obstacles in the way of adjustment of minor difficulties ; becoming not only habitations for the bird of night ; but refuges for the screech owls of mankind. In the prevalence of local jealousies, or a malignant spirit they have become marks now and then, there is reason to suspect, for the torch of the nightly incendiary.
Nothing here is intended against the rights of con- science, and the liberty of each denomination to have its own place of worship. But it would be more pro-
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motive of the peace and prosperity of the community, if so many various routes were not taken to reach the same point,-the Kingdom of heaven. These different ways of seeking the same object seem to be increasing ; and the condition of things in this respect in this com- monwealth, is so changed, that the contrast is forbidding and unpromising. It is also difficult to comprehend what necessity there is for such an alteration ; why the people may not see eye to eye, and go together to the place where their fathers went to keep holy time. It is melancholy to see in the centre of some farming towns, sparsely settled, almost as many churches as dwelling houses, and the spirit of rivalry between the different societies each to gain the ascendency to his side over the other. The number of religious teachers enlarges as the hearers in each separate con- gregation compared with the whole assembled as for- merly in one place diminish. The expense augments accordingly ; or rather the compensation rendered, is so divided,-is divided and subdivided between these public teachers that it becomes inadequate to their sup- port. The consequence is that the means of grace are less rich and affluent than they otherwise might be, and the people themselves become in the end losers. The conditions then of a happy society, a happy village, as given by Dr. Belknap in his history of New Hamp- shire, remain still; and are as particularly applicable to Vermont, where agriculture is the principal employ-
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ment ; "one meeting house, (in the centre,) one clergy- man, one physician, one merchant, one lawyer (if any) and one tavern only."
Changing the site and form of churches may also sometimes be a change without improvement. Some- times : for it cannot be denied but that such changes are often and desirable. But the spirit of pulling down and building over; if not of remodeling may be too far extended. It was a remark of a systematic and sagacious merchant : " This world is old enough to have shelves for every thing to have its own place and be in it." So it is time one would think to do things right first, without the necessity and mortification of undoing what has but just been done, and doing it over again. The instructions of the past, and the records of expe- rience are, in most cases, sufficient to secure this to attentive and wise observers. This is so much " the fashion of this world that passeth away," that is, to do and undo, that it seems desirable to find one depart- ment in the pursuits of beings of immortal spirits, an exception. Where should it be looked for, if not in those connected with scenes and employments, which are never to end ? Should not then the utmost per- manency and durability be given to the medium and instrumentalities through which these everlasting interests are to be reached ?
Thus it seems becoming and appropriate that churches, which are emphatically styled in the sacred volume, " the gate of heaven," should be built in the
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first place with a view particularly to their permanency. The materials should be of the most durable kind, and put together in the best manner. Hence the practice in many places of building them with brick and stone ; a practice very commendable and which ought to be encouraged. Were it universally prevalent, or even generally, the evil alluded to, that of changing the place and building over, would not so often exist. For few would think of removing, or pulling down stone churches.
Other public buildings ; such as exchanges ; prisons, hotels, court and state houses, are often and very properly built of the most solid and durable granite and marble. Such is the case with the Vermont state house at Montpelier, as it has been described in another place. Shall the courts of the Lord's house be built of less permanent and substantial materials ; of stones less wrought and polished ? Edifices which point to ever- lasting habitations, and a city that hath foundations, deserve, if any, to be founded on a rock, and to have their superstructure of the cedars of Lebanon, and the stones of the mountain, capable of resisting long the ravages of time. But how few in Vermont thus lay the foundations and adorn and beautify with comely stones these palaces of the Most High ? Having the means in great abundance in her mountains of granite and quarries of marble, and other precious substances, she is compelled to see most of her sanctuaries of common and perishable materials; and put together often by
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the lowest bidder, and in a light and superficial manner. Thus after the winds and storms of a few years, she has to endure the mortification of witnessing too many of them either dilapidated, or deserted, or demolished ; and built anew; and handled over with as little ceremony as the most common buildings, and reverence for them in danger of being in a measure lost. The means of preserving any memorial of the spot where they stood ; and of their structure, she will soon look for in vain. But others coming up, Hydra-like, in new numbers out of proportion, her ears are stunned with the noise of the undertakers and lumber dealers, as if engaged in the barter and traffic of works of ordinary interest.
Many exceptions to this remark are indeed to be found in this state. A number of churches are built of stone and brick. Indeed Episcopal houses of worship are generally thus constructed ; and in a manner of outward and internal appearance calculated to impress the mind with reverence and respect for the objects to which they are devoted.
To the American, a stranger in England, one of the first objects of curiosity shall it be said, or of interest and minute examination, an object too, worth a voy- age across the Atlantic, if consistent with duty, must be the churches of several centuries standing ; and of in- destructible materials ; and adorned with evergreen, and covered with moss, indicative of their age, and per- manency, and of the everlasting purpose of their erec-
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tion. Can the eye behold them ; look at them atten- tively, without serious and salutary impressions being made on the heart ? The sanctity of time, so to speak, is stamped on them; and on the long line of the generations which have worshiped the God of heaven in these sacred enclosures, and passing away one after another like a vision of the night, crowd into the im- agination, and affect the heart with the solemnities of death and eternity.
But, say some, the business of taking down churches and building new ones, keeps the subject of religion before the minds of the people ; and thus promotes the cause of virtue and morality, by producing a salutary excitement. Excitement is generally the consequence of such a course of things ; but it is not sure always to be salutary. Unpleasant feelings and unhappy divisions are too often engendered. This is an evil so generally following the business of changing the site, and of building a new house of worship, and demolishing the old ; and apt to take such deep root, that wisdom and prudence recommend a recourse to it only when it can- not consistently be avoided.
This too would be losing the veneration and interest which time imparts to such consecrated edifices. If every ten or twenty years a change of place, and either a new house, or a thorough transformation of the old one must be the process of keeping alive religion, then it is no longer to receive incidental aid by the lapse of ages, and the stability of the good old way; but by
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novelty and flustration. But is not interest in some events and objects often heightened by antiquity ? In other words, are there no events and objects to which time adds sanctity ? Transactions of yesterday, or even those within the period of several years, are often viewed in a light different from those far back in the gray of departed years. Even the same events seem to acquire additional zest as time recedes from and leaves them far off; as flavor is added to condi- ments, and to the fruit of the grape by preservation. But this may be the case more particularly of objects seen by the eye. Who does not look at the oak, or pine, which has felt the suns and winds of centuries with more interest and emotion, than at the tender sap- ling springing up by its side ?
Events too, interesting in themselves ; and important in their consequences acquire additional influence over the mind, as the period in which they took place recedes from us. Do not the writings of Homer and Virgil ; of Cicero and Demosthenes gain somewhat on the mind by their antiquity ? Intrinsic excellence has preserved them and handed them down to us. But the long lapse of years since they were penned, sheds additional lustre and sacredness around them. We examine with more and more interest, the marble busts, which are said to represent the bodily features, which long since were animated with those gifted minds. Much more do the writings of Moses and the prophets ; of Jesus Christ and his apostles, acquire weight and
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influence by the lapse of time. Being stamped with inspiration, and conveying eternal truth, in which our souls are deeply concerned, the sublimity of their lan- guage is heightened by the period of its date. We go back in our thoughts to the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth. In imagination we strive to light on the period in past time, when " the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy."
So also, the place where God has recorded his name acquires additional veneration by the great number of years since its foundation and corner stones were laid. If centuries have passed from its dedication to Divine worship, the eye looks at it with admiration ; and the worshiper is inspired with stronger emotions of love and godly fear by past associations ; and by the knowledge of interesting transactions often repeated within those sacred walls. He recalls to mind the great cloud of witnesses going before; whose feet had so often passed and re-passed those entrances into the courts of the Lord. The innumerable songs of praise, and voices of prayer there sent upward ; the sacred symbols of baptismal rites so long and so often displayed and celebrated, conspire to admonish him to " take off his shoes from his feet for the place whereon he stands is holy ground."
A French writer has recorded the impressions made on the minds of a ship's company, returning to Paris ; and after an absence of several years, coming in
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sight of objects with which they had previously been familiar. The seamen were so elated when they beheld the scenery on the banks of the Seine, and the places where they were born; and the churches where they had been instructed, that they were unable to keep their posts and manage the ship. "There is the church," said one, " where I was baptized," and " there" said another, "the one in which I vowed to the Lord ;" pointing to the spires and towers of the sacred edifice. Beholding their friends on the shore waiting to welcome their return, they became insensible to every thing immediately around them and pertaining to their vessel ; and the captain had to call a pilot from the shore to work her to her moorings.
These and such like things, show us that time and place, to which some say they have no particular attachment ; have yet much to do with our associations ; our purest pleasures and severest sorrows. Many objects become doubly interesting and revered as time has stamped on them his mighty revolutions of years and ages and centuries. Places also on which our eyes first opened, and our feet were set, which impressed their lineaments on our young hearts, hold, so to speak, the mainspring of our affections through life. How desirable then that these way-marks through this vale of tears, these gateways into eternity, be uniform and stable ; maintaining their position amid the changes around them in a measure unchanged ; that the youth born and nursed in them; and by Divine Providence
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far removed from them during the vigor and busy pursuits of manhood, may in the decline of life, return- ing, find them where and what he left them.
" His wandering past Return and die at home at last."
Changes thus made in them every few years with rude and hasty hands, rendering them more unstable and short-lived than ordinary dwelling houses, is an evil; detracting from the sacredness of their design and use. Vermont surely has a poor apology into this evil, abounding as she does in the most suitable materials for the bulwarks of Zion; encampments for the church militant ; whose defence is the Rock of ages, and Captain of salvation. But are the outward strength and comeliness and stability of her palaces for the Lord of Hosts, in accordance with such ample facilities ?
Here it might be mentioned as another evil, the too frequent change in the heralds of salvation. Time was when it was different in this respect ; when the pastoral relation was deemed more sacred, because less often dissolved, and for causes more serious and urgent. Ordination services were once in Vermont occa- sions of interest to all classes. The places where they were solemnized, if churches, were filled to overflowing ; and if beneath the shade of forest trees, great was the circle of interested spectators. But now little
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interest is felt in such solemnities beyond the parties immediately concerned. They go off still and silently, like the death of some poor and obscure man, whose fall is from an elevation so slight, and attended with so little noise as scarcely to be perceived by his nearest neighbor. Their commonness is the reason ; too great familiarity, breeding as it sometimes does, indifference ; and indifference disrespect, not to say contempt.
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