The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-12-27
FOREF.ATHERS' DAY.

VA III "A IL IA
The 2i5th anniversary of the landing
OF the Pilgrims at Plymouth, was celebrat-
ed with appropriate ceremonies at the
Congregational Church last Friday even
ing. A goodly number were present IN
spite of the bad roads and cold weather.
Rev. Mr. Steele presided and conducted
, the exercises. The choir discoursed some
very fine music in very fine manner.
Among the selections was Mrs. Hemans'
beautiful ode on the landing of the Pill
grims. The address by Rev. VIM. r.
Eustis, of New Haven, Conn, could
hardly be surpassed in elegance of dicrjon,
pathos, or eloquent tribute to the memory
of the founders of New England.
After n brief introduction his subject
was announced, The early history of
New England, its founders and their
principles of action, and the bearing of
these principles on the destiny of the
nation.
First-W no were the founders of New
England Non confornsts, puritans,
men Of character, education, and devoted
piety-Englsh statesmen, as well as the
working classes
Secondly - What were their living
principles, their abiding faith They
were believers in the necessity of repent
ance, conversion and regeneration, of
faith and works-they were Cavanists,
and adopted the name of Congregational
ists
Thrdly-Wh hat has been the effect of
these principles in forming the pecul-
lar style of New England civilization and
its influence on the destiny of the nation
This faith endowed them with the highest
graces of polished litc-raised them above
the low subserviency of courtcrs and gave
them that simplicity of character which
we so much admire. To say that our
foretathers ignored luxury, is carrica
ture, yet their luXuries were simple and
in good taste; unlike the luxures and
fashions of the present day, they were
MT coarse and rude but gentle and cul-
tuned. But these influences were more
widespread than New England they
were national. Without these influences
New England, as it has been and is.
would not have existed. Without New
England there had been no revolutionary
struggle, no independent Republic, no
universal freedom.
The speaker referred most happily to
the visit to Plymouth Rock by the men,
bers OF the Congregatonalis Convention
assembled at Boston, last June.
After the address most of the congre-
cation adjourned to the lecture-room TO
the " Ladies Social Party" where they
found the most tempting display OF viands
which would satisfy the veriest epicurean
but both quality and method of arrange.
ment were quite as elaborate az the &C.
casion would allow, in order to represent
the original simplicity of our puritan
fathers.
After short prayer led by Rev Mr..
Kent, the quality Of the load under which
the tables groaned was tested thoroughly,
and every one seemed to be satisfied that
appearances vera not deceitfnl in the case
Of the tables at least Then followed an
intellectual feast. Philip Battall, Esd,
who superinlended the whole affair, had
not forgotten anything which would con-
luce 10 the interest of the OCCASION The |
ioasts were ready. Hon j. w. Stewart,
Chairman, announced them as follows:
l. TIE Day-Calendared the least of
days by Nature, To become one of
the greatest by Grace.
Responded to by Rev. Mr.. Eaton.
J, The P2g,mS-One in faith; the unity
of their children, through the Tcsta-
ment OF the Father, IN the inherit
ance of the Son.