Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-06-12
sHatcbmnn s 9tuir 5uurauI.
MONTPELIER. JUNE lg. 1866.
LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE or BETr
ANY fTTTrHTfT
BY n r WALTON

hundred on this occasion, met at Village Hall aud
were escorted by the Montpelier Band to the noor
Of The new church building, whcro and in the neigh
boring grounds and buildings, large assembly had
gathered, Notwithstanding the threatening clouds
Tho exercises all Of which were in excellent
taste aud admirably performed, were in the order
following
J. Introduction by Rev. VIM. II. LoRp.
My friends, we are taught in the word Of God
that though the heaven Of heavens cannot contain
the Eternal One, much less the walls OF temples made
with hands, yet His delight is with the Of
men. And IN all ages His people have separated
certain places for His worship. Jacob erected
stone in Bethel for Gods house Moses made tab
ernaclc in the Wilderness, and solomon builded
temple for the Lord which He filled with the glory
Of His presence. We are now assembled 10 lay the
corner stone of new house of worship for the God
Of our fathers. Let us believe that lie will approve
our sacred purpose, and let begin our service by
devoutly singing His praise.
?. Anthem by the Choir, under the direction Of
II. d HormSs.
80 come, letus sing unto the Lord"
/ 3. Reading Of selections from Scripture by Rev.
/ c. s SWrH. Ezra. chap .l-G; and chap 6 ;6-l2.
! 4. Chant by the Choir
J "And they shall build the old wastes.
They shall raise mp the former desolatons."
.. Prayer by Rev. +. MIX of Burlington.
G. Reading Of selection Of Scriptures, by Profess
sor BuuKnAM, ofthe University Of Vermont, with
responses by the choir.
Rinisfer.''U Unto thee, o Lord, do liH up my soul
Ch0ir.--"My soul longoth, even fiinteth, for the
courts OF the Lord
T. Exhibition OF the box deposited in the corner
stone, with list of lis contents by D.SlsoS TArr,
Esq, chairman Of the building committee and SUI
perintcndeut Of the work. The contents were the
silver plate from the corner stone Of the first church
three sermons by the first pastor, Rev. Chester
Wright cope. Of aye newspapers published n
Montpelier; Minutes ofthe General Convention Of
Vermont; two sermons by the present pastor Rev
WIN. II. Lord history Of Sabbath Schools in Mont
pclicr list of subscribers, contractor architect aud
builder.
g. Laying Of the corner stone, by the builder, af-
ter which the Minister struck the stone three times
with the hammer and said:
In the name Of the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, we lay the for the f0unda-
tOn Of BtrHANr CaURcH, TO be builded aud conse-
Grated 20 Almighty God according 20 the order and
usages OF the Congregational Church. Amen.
.. Address by the Pastor, Rev. VIM. II. LORD.
1t is not unusual. even in our own denomination.
to give 10 a church ediice distinctive name, that
shall indicate the doctrine order OF the congre-
CATION which worships within its walls. Amid the
multitude OF appropriate names, the one selected
by common consent for this church, and by which
it has Just been christened and dedicated TO the
Triune God, is peculiarly dear TO every Christian,
and is rodoleut Of most sacred associations Beth
any was the beloved earthly resort of our blessed
Saviour. There lie retired in the intervals of His
heavy labors taste the JOYS of friendship aud
fresh Himself with the treasures Of hearty sympa-
thy. 1t was the abode OF His dearest friends
where lie had tie most Thoughtful care and the
al lIU nff from Ia
loved. There, too lie wrought the most marvel
lous Of Hi4 miracles and raised him who had been
long dead TO life again. From It's sacred heights
He 5ade farewell to the world, and the air which
euyroned the place waScleayed by the ascending
Form Of Jesus. and was laden with the holy tones
of His last earthly benedicton.
Then also Bethany was the place Of palm trees,
of the suoculent fruit which furnished susteuauce
to many of the poor OF Israel. lt was The gar
den Of dates and pomegranates, which grew in
rich protusion for the reiTeshment of the people
And what more suggestive or fitting name Tor
Christian Church than that which the loved home
Of Jesus bore? The sacred abode Of His best friends
the scene OF bis mightiest miracle the point from
which lie ascendcd the place on which rested llis
parting blessing. What better name for o church
than one which, like ancient Elm, assures ofthe
shade and fruit Of palm trees and OF the outgush-
ing springs Of living water! Here, like the
cicnt people Of God, we may rest on our journey,
be fed at the stores Of Gods heuehcence. and draw
water out of the wells OF salvation. What finer
description can a name give 70 a church than one
which suggests 20 that the righteous shall grow
like the palm tree and his boughs shall hang load
ed with the iruitage that cheers and blesses the
souls OF menY
Therefore we choose this name-BEruANY
CnUEcu-in hope and in prayer, that it may be
all its name imports: the earthly Home Of Christ
and His friends the place of wondrous resurrcc-
tons and benedictions the scene OF large growths
OF spiritual character, that shall rival the cedars
of Lebanon and the palm trees Of Mount Oivet
And we give it this name not for ornament, but
for use, 70 be a dear household word by which we
and our children and children's children shall love
to call it, and which shall be embamed in as fra
grant thoughts and sentiments as cluster about the
Old Bethany Of the Son Of God.
Our Church has now local habitation and a
name The materials Of the old are all laid up in
the new. yet with vast additions and in more beau
tiful order and harmony The hope of the past is
rapidly crystazing into solid reality We are
building in a style Of architecture which has been
appropriated TO religious since christian
art began 20 express its ideas, so far as it might
in material structures We shall admire il more
and more as its stately proportions rise above US,
and when the sound Of trowe and hammer shall
cease TO be heard upon it, shall take it 10 our
hearts as in itself harmonious and noble pile of
buildings, and in its uses worthy house OF prayer
and place OF worship for our Church and Society.
10 not thlnk tnat any sacrifice lnaue IN feATlug
this building will be unblessed. II is not too rich
and costly a structure. The place whore His peo-
Pile assemble to worship God should be made wor-
thy of the most glorious office aud duty OF which
man is capable. We cannot do too much in COM
inemoration of His love and a token of His
priceless sacrifice for us. He gave us the temple
of His body. Shall we not give Him a temple in
which He may dwell, that shall be faint attempt
TO recompense that wondrous love? Christ does
not dishonor the precious gifts OF His people
The precious ointment we pour on His head and
on His feet He consigns to eternal remembrance.
The costly house we build to His glory, lie will
ill with the aroma Of His presence.
We dare not build massive foundations and
stately walls, we dare not dnyoke the architects
genius and the laborcf's toll for our own homes
and refuse them 10 that house in which we and
generations aiber are to worship God. We
would not withhold from the poor, nor will we
withhold from Christ The question of SO costly
structure as this is not between Gods house and
His poor not between His house and His gospel
but It is between His house and ours. We have
no right TO nlnid floors, tapestry, or frescoed
ancies, or gilded furniture in our own houses
while the house Of God is poor and desolate and
bare. And therefore we have a right to bring our
SILVER aud gold to build such house as this for
our God We could not do otherwise and be hap
py; for II is our reasonable offering to our Mas
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