USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont; with descriptions, physical and topographical > Part 24
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The same is true also more or less of the pastoral rela- tion ; frequent changes lessen veneration and respect for it. The tendency to such innovations seems strong and increasing in this state as well as in others. It is fostered too by the love of novelty, if not of extrava- gance ; thus encouraging a spirit of unnatural show and excitement. The sacred enclosures of the Lord's vineyard become in some instances a sort of race-ground in which the swift-footed and loudest-tongued and the versatile youth become the most successful competi- tors. Manner and impulse are more regarded than matter, and consistency and perseverance. This impor- tant connection, that of a spiritual watchman with a church and people ; and which formerly was dissolved, in ordinary cases, only by the death of the former, is now sundered very often after a few years, and some- times months. In short those who officiate in this profession, (clerical,) seem doomed to become early superannuated ; much sooner than in the other pro- fessions. It is so viewed by public opinion ; and some of the leading brethren in the church lend their
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influence to cherish this sentiment. The lawyer and physician ; the magistrate and statesman are considered most capable of being useful, having reached the autumn of life, ripe in knowledge and experience, their gray heads an ornament to them, and emblematical of wisdom. But it is not so with the herald of the cross; the autumn of his days, far from being the maturity of his life and his usefulness, is deemed the chilling, benumbing winter of his barrenness and unprofitableness. It is high time for him to retire ; or to go to the west, and let some young man who has been there return and take his place. Thus many find themselves unemployed, and with no means, or very slender ones to sustain them in the evening of life ; reproached perhaps because they are not what they once were in the Master's household; and even by those who have mainly contributed to render them what they now are. In this way the world's coldness and disrespect fall on the ministry of reconciliation ; and injury results to the best of all causes. But there is no disposition to extend remarks in this particular. The good sense of enlightened Vermonters will, it is presumed, seeing the evil, lead them to the right mea- sures to remedy it.
Another evil owing to neglect rather than innovation, is the little attention paid to public cemeteries or burial places of the dead. This is an evil not peculiar to Vermont, but certainly prevalent enough here for animadversion. She is behind Connecticut in this
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respect, particularly Hartford and New Haven, in which are grave-yards of unrivaled interest. Nothing can be more pleasant to the eye of the traveler as he passes by, than the north burying-ground in the former place, more pleasant and beautiful; that is, more becoming and appropriate to its object; the dwelling place of the dead. The white fence, neat and comely in front ; with a fine hedge of hawthorn within; the convex shape of the ground ; divided into distinct family apart- ments and named; the marble and stone monuments and tombs of various dimensions and figures in thick but regular array ; the emblematical evergreen trees and weeping willows and beautiful shrubbery ; the verdant mounds and hillocks ; the graveled walks and pathways, render it as a whole an object of contempla- tion very attractive. The eye lingers upon it, and reluc- tantly lets go her hold. Expense has not been spared in ornamenting it ; but thousands of dollars have been expended by an individual to adorn and beautify his family enclosure. Great taste is certainly displayed in the exterior of this hallowed spot; but what is more interesting to the stranger, a tender regard is betokened for departed friends, and solicitude to cherish a remem- brance of their virtues.
The new burying-ground in New Haven is known by report through the country, and many a traveler and stranger has visited and lingered around its sacred walks, eyeing the records of the mighty dead, and reflecting on their deeds. The place, the plan and the
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family lots enclosed by railing, were the selections, device and work of the late Senator Hillhouse of that place, and to him belongs the honor of laying out burial grounds into regular and distinct apartments, this being the first so arranged it is believed in Connec- ticut. It has recently been enclosed by a wall and high iron railing in part of nearly eight hundred feet in extent, and at a cost of about fourteen thousand dollars. It is now a spot of great interest ; an example of the manner of laying out grave-yards. You cannot pass it without a strong desire to enter within its enclosures ; and having turned aside to visit it you will know not when to leave it.
These places of depositing the remains of man, are thus noticed as examples and incentives to others, par- ticularly Vermonters, to go and do likewise. They mark the progress somewhat of taste and refinement. The promiscuous manner in which the dead are huddled together generally ; and of course their monuments par- taking of the same confusion, are unpleasant and forbid- ding. Many such grounds of interment are seen even in the vicinity of Hartford and New Haven, the tomb- stones being put up without pedestals, the ground freez- ing and thawing, have been turned from their upright position into angles of various inclination. The appear-, ance is disagreeable, not to say painful. But in Ver- mont where suitable stones for foot-blocks and founda- tions may so easily be obtained, no such disfiguring of these places need here be seen. Indeed it is not the
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case ; grave-stones are seldom seen crowded from an erect position. But the usual irregularity exists in the manner of burying the dead; and great improvements may be made in the appearance of their sepulchres ; in their location and external adornment. It is desira- ble that these melancholy depositories be contiguous, when convenient, to the house of God. They both speak a common language to the living, silent but signifi- cant and impressive.
They mutually illustrate and confirm each other's instructions and warnings ; the vanity of worldly pleasures, and end of human schemes, preparation for death, and the resurrection and judgment. The monumen- tal records may with profit be committed by those, who attend the services of the sanctuary. They will thus remind them of the way by which the temple not made by hands, must be entered. They stand as witnesses before the whole congregation of the truth of one important part of the preacher's message ; and afford him at hand, illustration and proof as strong and clear as holy writ of man's depravity and helplessness ; and the justice of his sentence of condemnation.
Some worshiping assemblies in Vermont are thus closely connected with these silent, but emphatic repre- sentatives of the assembly of the dead; and the windows of their churches open upon the narrow houses appointed for all the living. This is the case particu- larly at Bennington centre, and West-Westminster, Chester, and other places.
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It becomes weak and dying man to show respect to the memory of those, who have acted well their part in the drama of human life; and to mark the spot where fell his predecessor, as he would hope for the same from those who follow him. The watchword of Nelson to his comrades on going into action often was "Remember Westminster Abbey !" The departed. worthies of England had there placed the memorials of their deeds in splendid style ; and the hope of having a monument in such society, impressed her officers and soldiers with invincible courage and perseverance to deserve well of their country.
This hope cheered not the soldier only, not the naval commander alone; nor the statesman, but the scholar, the author, and the man of scientific pursuits. In company with princes and generals, and admirals, you may find the graves and monuments of Addison, and Shakespeare, and Johnson, and Goldsmith, and Newton, and Herschel.
A spirit then, it is hoped, will be waked up in Vermonters ; a spirit to repair, to speak in this manner, the habitations of the dead; to erect and strengthen the leaning and falling tomb-stones ; to take up and cement the broken ones; and remove the moss and retrace the inscriptions. You must do quickly what you thus do; for some marble inscriptions will soon be illegible; and that prostrate stone; that stone broken midway will soon sink below the surface. You may soon be unable to
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tell your inquiring child and the traveler, where lie the first settlers of your state and town ; and where was the first grave. Names may be con- spicuous in the history of your state, exciting the interest and sympathy of the foreigner, but whose curiosity you may soon be unable to satisfy. You may not be able to point him to the place where recline their bones.
Many facts respecting the early settlement of your state and town are going fast beyond your reach. The fugitive papers which contain their record are disappearing ; the aged and early settlers will soon one after another be unable to tell what they have seen and known themselves ; and what has been told them by their fathers. These may be facts interesting and instructive to the young and to posterity. Many scraps of biography describing originality and traits of character, are now floating, as it were, on the current of time, and will soon forever disappear. Who feel more interested in giving stability to such things than you ? Who possess better means of doing it ?
These suggestions in the conclusion of this work are respectfully offered to your consideration by the writer, who has known somewhat of Vermont; her sublime and beautiful scenery ; somewhat of the general intel- ligence and enterprise ; the hospitality and urbanity of her inhabitants. With all her faults she has many things still to command his love ; and, how remote so-
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ever the Providence of God may call him from her, he cannot cease to remember the birth-place of his children ; and the burying-place of one of them; and, when called upon, defend her in some respects, in compa- rison with any other state in the union. Now his parting aspiration for them and every reader who has patiently continued with him to the end, is, that their course may secure them the Divine protection and favor; and that they may hereafter be filled with joy and rejoicing in viewing the works of him, who said in the beginning, ' let there be light,' and in survey- ing from the heights of heaven the landscapes of eternity.
END.
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