USA > Vermont > Caledonia County > St Johnsbury > The town of St. Johnsbury, Vt. ; a review of one hundred twenty-five years to the anniversary pageant 1912 > Part 26
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In all earlier years the "protracted meetings" of two, three or more days used to be held, at which the church members made public confession and rededication to Christian service. Family letters of that period reveal the deep and serious tone of feeling prevalent during these occasions, and old time revivals were the usual accompaniment. In 1816 there were added 40 to the small band of the Old First Church. Again in 1834 after a protracted meeting on the Plain, more than 100 came into church member-
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ship, including many men and women who became influential in the community. Similar results followed the four days' meetings in 1850, when James Gallaher, formerly Chaplain in Congress, portrayed with dramatic power the careers of David and Absalom; one later incident of which was the expansion which made neces- sary the colonizing of the South Church. The religious interest of 1858, which extended over all New England, brought consider- able increase to the churches here. In 1875 came the notable wave of religious uplift which none who witnessed it will ever forget.
THE GREAT AWAKENING OF 1875
Under auspices of the State Committee of the Y. M. C. A., meetings were held February 6, 1875, at the Town Hall Sunday afternoon, and in the evening at the South Church. H. M. Moore of Boston and R. K. Remington of Fall River, laymen, were prin- cipal speakers. It was at once apparent that deep interest was awakened, and this continued so manifestly that three weeks later, these brethren, at our request, returned, accompanied by F. O. Winslow of Boston and S. E. Bridgman of Northampton. Sunday meetings were held at the Avenue House Hall, and at the South Church, and at the latter place Monday afternoon and evening ; a' thousand people were in attendance. On Tuesday forenoon the wheels of the scale factory were stopped, men crowded into the machine shop where the voice of prayer and song superseded the hum of machinery. In the evening there were 1200 people at the South Church and 140 rose to say that they had begun the Christian life. The interest continued, union meetings were held thrice a week in the different churches, usually conducted by lay- men, almost every one present taking some brief part. Half-hour noon meetings were begun, which continued several years. On the 27th of March, Moore, Remington, Winslow and Littlefield came again, on invitation ; large assemblies met at the Avenue House Hall, at North and South Churches ; also next day at the Universalist Church, which was filled, deep interest being mani- fest. In the evening of Monday, March 28, there were 1400 people crowding the Academy Hall and passage-ways and 300
.
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more in room No. 10; more than 100 rose for prayers. During the next six weeks there was a steady, quiet continuance of the revival spirit, which received a fresh impulse by the return once more, when urgently invited, of the Massachusetts brethren. This was on Sunday, the 8th of May. Neither North nor South Churches could contain the crowds that flocked to the evening meeting, and Academy Hall was again the place of assembly. On Monday, another gospel meeting was held at the Scale factory, and in the evening some 1500 people were together again at the Academy, where, as so often before, large numbers gave ex- pression to their interest or their purpose to live a Christian life.
These and similar scenes during the year following will be forever memorable in the history of our town. The whole atmos- phere of the place seemed charged with religious feeling ; no one questioned the immense reality of spiritual forces that were so distinctly transforming men's lives and lifting the standards of thought and conduct in the community. The religious life stood out as a manly thing to be manfully followed ; the dominant note was not so much the old time solemnity, as the joy of opportunity, the cheer of the good news to every man. Everybody was sing- ing the bright "Winnowed Hymns," and repeating cheer-inspiring verses from the Bible. Gospel meetings, so called, with a lay brother in the chair, were a popular attraction ; there was no dis- tinction of church or creed ; all, as in apostolic times, were "con- tinuing daily with one accord in fellowship together and in pray- ers, with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and hav- ing favor with all the people." Like the friends from Massachu- setts who had left their business to bring messages to us, laymen of this town went out in bands of two to five, holding gospel meetings not only in the school districts but in near or distant towns ; the influence of the religious uplift here was extended for a hundred miles around, and left its permanent mark on this com- munity.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
On the first day of October, 1855, the St. Johnsbury Associa- tion was formed, 21 men signing the by-laws, the first clause of
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which is "We whose names are hereunto affixed agree to asso- ciate ourselves together for the purpose of doing ourselves and others good." This was among the first in New England, for as yet such Associations had only been known four years in America. Meetings were held in private houses to begin with, then in the Academy and the church vestries. Reorganiza- tion was made on a broader basis in 1858 with 41 new members ; and again in 1867, at which time a reading room was opened and a lecture course established which with passing years became famous. The first general secretary, Charles H. Sage, was en- gaged in 1882; he was succeeded in 1885 by Charles L. Page, and in 1888 by E. N. Folsom. In 1885, Prof. Henry Fairbanks erected the brick building on Eastern Avenue, the western section of which was donated to the Association with the condition that a general secretary should always be employed. A public hall, reading room, gymnasium, parlor and boys' room were thus pro- vided.
With the additional facilities an impetus was given to the various activities of the Association. Twelve committees were annually appointed and work within and without the building was forwarded. At the end of the first year it appeared that 581 relig- ious meetings had been held, about 100 of them outside the building, the total attendance of which was 10,020. Some 1500 friendly calls were made, 32,700 leaflets and periodicals were dis- tributed. In 1890 the record of attendance on religious meetings was 4540, on concerts and socials 4910, on gymnasium classes 2609, on the lecture course 8000. There were 9710 invitations and circulars given out, outside meeting were maintained at the jail, almshouse and school districts, and many men were helped to find employment. Later years showed a gradual falling off in the number and variety of these activities, and the outlook at the opening of the new century was not auspicious.
In July 1907, as the result of a fifteen days' whirlwind cam- paign a popular subscription of $27,653.60 was raised to put the Association on a more comfortable basis. The number of sub- scribers to this fund was 1245, and a notable feature was the fact that all classes, races, creeds, and ages, participated heartily in it.
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Of the money thus raised $6500 went to lift the mortgage on Music Hall, $9000 was appropriated for the purchase of the eastern section of the building ; and the remainder was laid out in recon- struction, putting in bowling alleys, finishing off 18 dormitories on the upper floor, and adding various improvements. This gave the Association a plant surpassed by none in the State for size and appointments. Shortly after, the Mystic Club transferred its property to this building, and the upper hall was fitted up as a billiard room. There is a small library and about forty current periodicals in the reading room. Evening classes have been provided in languages, commercial studies and other subjects, in addition to the regular Bible classes. Something like 200 men and boys frequent the building each day. The average member- ship of the Association has been from two to three hundred; in 1912 it reached 500, but a good many failed to pay their dues, and the final list fell considerably below that figure.
The Woman's Auxiliary, organized in September, 1882, numbered during the first year 224 members, with Music, Flower, Reception and Room Committees. Important services have been rendered by this Auxiliary in furnishing the rooms, providing en- tertainment and in various ways furthering the work of the Asso- ciation.
A FORTY-YEARS' LECTURE COURSE
The Lecture Course inaugurated by the Y. M. C. A. in 1858, and re-established in 1867, brought in an annual series of lectures and concerts of exceptional merit and distinction. It has been repeatedly remarked by non-residents that no other town of its size in New England has had so many distinguished speakers and musicians as this little village among the hills. Thro the gener- ous patronage of citizens it was possible to secure talent of the first order; this was true during the years when churches and Town Hall were the only places of assembly ; after the ac- quisition by the Association of Music Hall in 1884, there was a rising tide in the popular interest, every seat in the Hall being taken. Preliminary sales of course tickets were held at which premiums were paid for the choice of seats ; in 1885 there were
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280 seats bid off at prices ranging from twenty-five cents to $1.75, the total of premiums being $201.44 ; this, with the cost of tickets, brought in over $1000, which amount in the open sale of tickets later was increased to $1500. The next year the total sales were $1800. In 1889 they were $2404, of which $1904 was realized at the premium sale. In 1900, the premiums paid for seats were $388 ranging from two dollars a seat to half a dollar, the latter price not reached till midnight. The value of seats purchased that night was $2800, increased by sales the next day to $3788. During these years the Association netted something like $500 on the course, in 1891 it was $800 ; this profit was held for the bene- fit of the course in later less profitable years. Among the men
who have appeared on this course are
Henry Ward Beecher
Henry M. Stanley
Horace Greeley
Robert Collyer
George Kennan
Carl Schurz
John B. Gough
Robt. E. Peary
Col. Higginson
Edward Everett Hale
Lieut. Danenhower
Frederick Douglass
Fr. McNamara
Paul Du Chaillu
Jacob Riis
E. H. Chapin
Gen. Lew Wallace
Justin McCarthy
Phillips Brooks
Dr. Hayes, Arctic
Frederick Villiers
Matthew Simpson
Gen. Jos. Hawley
Max O'Rell
Chaplain McCabe
Gen. Joshua Chamberlin
Lyman Abbott
Gen. Gordon of Ga. Col. H. B. Sprague
George Macdonald Geo. W. Curtis Will Carleton
O. P. Gifford
John D. Long
Geo. W. Cable
Russell H. Conwell
Geo. R. Wendling
Robt. J. Burdette
Joseph Cook
Marshall P. Wilder
Bayard Taylor
Booker Washington
Leland T. Powers
Thomas Nast
Dr. Gunsaulus
The Y. M. C. A. course has brought to this town the highest class of musical entertainments by nearly all the leading concert companies and solo singers that have been in New England, in- cluding the Germania, the Hungarian, the Beethoven, the Mendels- sohn, the Weber, the Leistmann, the Schubert and many more. Mme. Camilla Urso was here in 1875, and Remenyi in 1883.
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PUBLIC LIBRARY -- ART GALLERY-MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE -- SUNSET HOME-HOSPITALS.
THE ST. JOHNSBURY ATHENAEUM
"To encourage studies in literature and art the Emperor Hadrian founded an institution which he named the Athenaeum."
On the 27th day of November, 1871, the Athenaeum build- ing was opened to the public and formally presented to the town by Mr. Horace Fairbanks. A deep and wide spread popu- lar interest culminated in that event. And with good reason, for it was the inauguration of a new order of things. At that time there was not a town library in this part of the state, nor was there any where in Vermont a public library with provision made for its perpetual maintenance, or with a building so costly and well equipped. In a true sense the St. Johnsbury Athenæum had the distinction of being a pioneer in its field; it antedated the Carnegie era by something like a quarter of a century.
The building was designed by Architect J. D. Hatch of New York; Lambert Packard was the builder ; in style, finish and con- tents it was intended to embody the finest ideals possible at the time. About 8000 volumes were installed as a beginning, which number in process of time was considerably more than doubled. The selection of the books had been with the advice of W. F. Poole, the bibliographer, and a large proportion of them in superior bind-
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, ings were imported from London. At that date American book- binding had not reached its present standard. A correspondent of the Springfield Republican somewhile later remarked: "These books are as judiciously selected, as costly and as handsomely bound as can be found in any gentleman's private collection. With their bright colors and gilding they give a splendor to the book shelves which I venture to say cannot be seen in any public library in the country. The founder of this library believes that the handsomer and costlier the books, the less they will be in- jured by the borrower." Time has changed the aspect of the bookshelves ; the brightness is gone, books now are not so pleas- ing to the eye, but they are in freer circulation and every one has the privilege of entertaining himself at will amongst them, where- as at first no book could be taken from the shelf except by the attendant.
The public opening of the Athenaeum was preceded by three addresses on successive evenings delivered in the Hall, which was filled to its utmost capacity. The first by Andrew E. Rankin Esq., was on the educational importance of the library as a school of learning and culture ; the second by Lewis O. Brastow, then pas- tor of the South Church, on the dignity and worth of refined liter- ature; the third by Edward T. Fairbanks, was a colloquy, in which Bion, Mago and Quelph talking together while inspecting the alcoves and dipping into the pages of the books, gave an outline description of the treasures here stored for the use of the people.
At this point the donor modestly spoke the few words of presentation. "It was early a much cherished purpose of mine to place at the disposal of the citizens of this town in my life time, a free public library. * My fullest expectations will be realized if now, and in coming years, the people make the rooms of the Athenaeum a favorite place of resort for patient research, read- ing and study." Judge Poland, speaking on behalf of the citizens, said in part : "This gift is one of singular munificence. By it the donor has opened a fountain of learning whose stream will flow on thro all time. *
* The people appreciate the gift; the only reward we can offer is to use it well." Several hundred people spent the next hour passing thro the building exchanging congrat-
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ulations. On the day following was held a reception for children of the town; from that day to this they have been appreciative visitors. They quickly learn where to find what they want, and the output of juvenile books during recent years has been fully a third of the entire circulation. Care is used in securing a good variety of attractive and useful books for young readers.
The Art Gallery was not completed till 1873. The installing of Bierstadt's Domes of the Yosemite as its central feature ranked this at once among foremost fine art collections. New York papers deprecated its consignment to the obscurity of a remote village in Vermont; the people who live in this obscurity are nevertheless quite capable of appreciating the dignity it lends to their small village. About fifty other paintings by recognized artists, also statues and medallions were added, and the Gallery with these adornments, with its high glass dome and spacious polished floor made a place of unique attraction for people to re- sort to. On every New Year's eve while Governor Fairbanks lived, the building was opened for a general reception to which everybody was invited. The cheery throngs of citizens, the brightly lighted Gallery with its fresh works of art, the orchestral music, the profusion of conservatory bloom and greenery, crown- ed with the very hearty welcome of the host and his family, made these occasions memorable for their novelty, attractiveness and social privilege.
The Athenæum Hall was intended to be auxiliary to the edu- cative use of the library. Series of popular lectures of special interest were provided : Dr. John Lord gave ten which are now included in his Beacon Lights of History ; Prof. John Fiske gave a course on American History; Prof. W. D. Gunning a series on the Life History of our Planet. Lectures and concerts have been given under auspices of our home institutions. The Hall was de- signed to serve the public benefit only, and no entertainment for personal profit has ever been admitted.
The combination of library and reading room with art gallery and lecture hall rendered appropriate the adoption of the name ATHENÆUM, as indicating more than book and periodical collec- tions. The name was from the first welcomed as felicitous; it
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was not then suspected what surprising variations it was capable of, more than a score of which have been delivered by the post- man, such as
The St. Johnsbury
Anthewalum Atneam
Athenhatum
Antheatoreum
Antentum
Athenasem
Athemene
Athalneum
Anthebacum
not to mention other ingenious combinations. Quite as inter- esting and curious variations have been evolved from the titles of books called for. WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WAS IN FLOWER has become a nocturnal romance entitled When Midnight was in Bloom. THE MARBLE FAUN, published in England as THE TRANS- FORMATION, was still further transformed here into The Stone Deer. Henry Drummond's most popular book was happily en- titled THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD; the author would surely have greeted with an appreciative smile the lad who one day came into the Athenæum and said he wanted The Best Thing Out.
In 1902 the library was re-classified and card-catalogued ac- cording to the decimal system ; about 20,000 volumes are now on the shelves ; the aim has been to get the best that could be had in every department, books of standard and permanent value, both for entertainment and for serious study ; for practical refer- ence work this library has exceptional advantages. The annual circulation is about 31,000, the average daily output is less than 100, but on Saturdays it may be 300. Registration for book cards began November 29, 1871, since that time 13,440 cards have been issued. The first card was made out to the Town Clerk, P. D. Blodgett ; the only survivor of those whose names stand regis- tered on the first page is Henry C. Ide, U. S. Minister to Spain. The first entry on the Athenaeum guest book is the autograph of a Russian merchant, Mr. Block of Moscow, who was here inspect- ing the Fairbanks Scale Works; thro his agency scales in great numbers have been distributed throughout the Russian Empire. Receptions were given in the Art Gallery to Henry M. Stanley shortly after his memorable march thro the Dark Continent, to George Kennan with Siberian shackles in his hand, to Com-
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mander Peary and his arctic dogs. From the east balcony and steps of the Athenæum, President Harrison in 1891, and Pres- ident Taft in 1912, addressed the thousands of their fellow citizens who stood fronting the building.
The life size portrait of Governor Fairbanks that hangs above the mantel was presented by citizens of the town in July, 1874 ; for this the artist Matthew Wilson of New York was paid $1000. The marble bust in the Art Gallery, also a gift, was by the sculp- tor J. Q. A. Ward of New York.
Librarians-William W. Thayer, Charles W. Willard, Mrs. Abbie M. McNeil, Miss Louise L. Bartlett, Edward T. Fairbanks. For 26 years Mrs. Ella S. Truax has been first assistant. The building is open from nine to nine o'clock on each week day ex- cept Wednesday evenings, also on Sunday afternoons. About sixty periodicals are on file in the reading room.
THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
An interesting event of the Fourth of July of 1890 was the laying of the corner stone of the Museum. Judge Ross presided; songs were sung by children of the public schools ; a felicitous address was given by Hon. Henry C. Ide; the formality of apply- ing square and level and announcing that the stone was properly laid was by Mrs. Franklin Fairbanks. A year and a half later, on the evening of December 15, 1891, the dedication of the institution took place in Music Hall, which was filled with a most appreciative audience. After the chanting of the nature-psalm 148, by the Ma- hogany Quartet, the presentation remarks were made by Col. Franklin Fairbanks, who expressed the hope that this institution might be the means of awakening a deeper interest in the com- mon things of the world around us, also that by affiliation with the public schools, stated instruction in nature study might be had, and thus result a "higher and larger knowledge of the things of God's creation which lie all about us, too often a sealed book."
The address of acceptance was made by Rev. Dr. Lamson ; he spoke of the Library and the Museum as two brothers; " "one giving to us the thoughts of men, the other the thoughts that fill the world of created things. This institution will increase the
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value of life in the country village ; from it the common life and work will receive the touch of the scientific spirit." A dedication ode written by Dr. Lamson was rendered by the Quartette, after which the principal address of the evening was given by Presi- dent Buckham of Burlington. In closing he remarked, "As this is the best equipped Museum of Natural Science in the state, it will naturally attract visitors and students from all sections and become a center of scientific study. We who are interested in all good learning and all institutions that promote it, give congratu- lations on the establishment of this one, of which our state has reason to be proud, from which we may expect great and lasting benefits to the interests of education, science and religion among our people."
From Music Hall, the audience repaired to the Museum, where opportunity was given for congratulations and inspecting the collections. From that day to the present time this has been the place most desired and used for public receptions, for which it is especially adapted, by reason of the beauty of the building, the variety of interesting objects on every side, and the long reach of its floors, covering nearly 10,000 square feet.
The collections are at once recognized as being of a quite su- perior order, not surpassed as to quality anywhere. They include New England flora, birds and insects nearly complete ; about 100 varieties of humming birds; the beautiful birds of paradise and flamingo groups ; large numbers of quadrumana headed by the bison and the moose ; all specimens housed under glass. Miner- als, ores, gems, crystals number several thousand; shells, corals and birds eggs are particularly choice ; coin and stamp collections are valuable ; also the ethnological exhibit of implements of war or domestic life from all parts of the world. In the Colonial room are articles of considerable local interest ; china, glass, pewter, loom and spinning wheels, old time farm implements, and vehicles among which is the wagon made Mr. Thaddeus Fairbanks in 1815. During the season of bloom the flower tables are supplied each day with fresh wild flowers properly labeled; there have been seen here at one time 12 varieties of violets and 14 of
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goldenrods. A similar bird calendar marks the arrival of the migratory birds in the spring.
The educational work of the Museum is of high practical im- portance. There is a valuable library. The public school pupils with their teachers meet once a month by grades in the class room, where instruction is given in a wide range of nature topics, illustrated by specimens. For identification of birds and trees there are bird walks in the spring, and annual tests with prizes given. This institution is regularly represented in the anniver- saries of the National Museums Association, and other similar bodies, and intelligent visitors from all parts of the country have ranked it as in many ways a model of its kind. It was amply en- dowed by the founder. Directors-Miss Martha G. Tyler, Tracy E. Hazen, Miss Delia I. Griffin, Miss Alice W. Wilcox.
SUNSET HOME 1893
Under legislative charter granted the week preceding, the "Home for Aged Women of St. Johnsbury" was organized De- cember 4, 1892, with a board of five Trustees of whom Rev. C. M. Lamson was made President. Measures were immediately taken for the acceptance of property which had been offered as a gift. This included the house and lot on Prospect street formerly the home of Judge Poland. On January 3, 1893, this was transferred to the Trustees aforesaid by his daughter, Mrs. Isabel Poland Cushman of Boston. Suitable repairs and alterations were made and the Home was opened for applicants in the spring of 1893. The admission fee was fixed at $100 and remained such for six- teen years ; finally it became necessary to increase it, and in 1909 the admission was made $200 for residents of St. Johnsbury and $500 for non-resident women. The average number cared for in the Home has been five or six; the capacity is limited to seven.
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