Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-07-06
THE RUTLAND HERALD
FRIDAY, JUNE 80, 1871.
Burr and Burton Seminary Re-
union.

Burr and Burton Seminary Re-
union.
The Reunion of the former teachers
and pupils of Barr and Burton Seminary
took place at Music Hall in Manchester,
Wednesday, June 28th, 1S71-three of
the former principals, many teachers and
large number of former pupils being
present.
Rev. J. d. Wickham, d. D., of Man
chester, acted as President, and at his re-
quest the reunion meeting was opened
with prayer by Rev. DR.. Coleman, the
first principal of Burr Seminary.
After music by the Band, Hon A. l..
Miner welcomed the former teachers and
and feeling address, of which the follow
ing is brief abstract:
HON. A. i. MINERS ADDRESS.
Ladies and Gentienaen: The very great
privilege has been accorded to me of well
coming the former teachers and pupils
back to the scenes of their early life. This
do, and the people of Manchester do,
with open hands and kind, affectionate
greetings. Memory reverts to school
DAYS with greater fondness than to almost
any other period, for we then laid the
found ttions of many friendships, attach
mputA and affections.
To those of you who have been teach.
ers, and especially to you, who was the
houorcd first principal, (Dr. Coleman,) the
word welcome" is but poorly expressed !;
it l. too cold, too formal word. We feel
for You that grateful affection and esteem
that belongs 10 bountiful bepefactor !;
under y ou the institution moved onward
and upward, and has, under your success.
orr, mnntAined Il high rank among liter
ary institutions. Since you left, some
ore third of century ago, great changes
haVr tbken place here, but it has not all
been change The same sky is over us,
the same grand old mountains on the west,
the same beautiful valley, diversified with
streams and rivulets, and the mountains
on the other side remain. Man cannot
change Gods hAudiwork. All else, how
ever, has changed. This village was then
little better than a little, dilapidate ham
let. but is now a beautiful village, not
surpassed anywhere. The old church in
which you worshipped has given place to
the beautiful building now being erected,
and the then familiar faces are now not
seen But two of the first board of trus-
tees now live, one retired from active bus
mess. the c, her although four score years
old, still stands active, although his feet
ARE Oh the confines of the grave. Both,
think, are still trustees, and both are now
here present May their future be AS
peaceful and happy as their former LIE
has been honorable and useful. We look
in vain for Skinner, Proudft, and others
of that first board they have all entered
the portals of the grave. When shall we
look on their like again
To you, Mr.. President, who so long pre-
sided over this institution, this country
owes lasting debt of gratitude Many
have here received their education, to go
out into the world and fill prominent,
useful and honorable positions at the bar,
in the church, in the halls of legislation,
az Statesmen, as physicians, as editors, as
teachers, as merchants, as manufacturers,
and az farmers, in fact, in all the callings
and business of life. The recollec ion of
such life must be sweet, not only to you
but to all who have been associated with
YOU. Six of my own children have re-
Ceived their education, either in whole or
in part, under your direction. Ny oldest
son fitted for college with you, aud re-
ceived aid and instruction from you dur
ing his college course and | may be per-
mitted to say that his attainments were
creditable and gave promise of future use
fulness. He now sleeps in the grave. He
was his fathers hope and pride, and with
him comes thoughts that cannot be ex-
pressed. Other teachers are also here, and
| but express the feelings of this entire
community when l say that you are enti-
tied to their thanks. To another princi'
nal was indebted for the education of
another son.
Now to all who have been connected
with the seminary, whether as teachers or
pupile, we extend in behalf of the semina-
ry and the people of Manchester, hearty
welcome. They ore proud of the semina-
rv and of you, and this day has been
looked forward to with delight. My hum
bic PRAYER is that our humble joys may
only be surpassed by that which you may
receive in making this visit.
After music the president, Rev. ]. D.
Wickham, D. D., delivered the following
HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
At this first attempted reunion of
,'ormer teachers and students of the
O., oinary on wonder hill, after being
oboe, ed by the words of welcome which
No o'~opped from the lips of my re.
snected friend, it seems fitting that some
thing be said of the history of the insti-
tuition. For the simple reason of my
having been connected with it, either as
nrincipal or trustee for more than thirty
Years. it has been thought incumbent on
me to perform this service.
t. the mere outline which / propose to
sketch, / hope neither to tax the patience
of this audience or to Withhold from you
too long the pleasure of listening to the
address and poem which are 10 follow:
The institution first known as line
Burr Seminary" was incorporated by the
Legislature of Vermont Oct 2S, 1929,
more than forty years ago. OF the tif-
teen gentlemen named as trustees IN the
act of incorporation two are yet living,
Hon. j. s. Pettibone and Rev. James
Anderson.
Mr.. Pettibone resigned his office short
ly before the Seminary went into opera
tien. Mr.. Anderson still holds bis place
as member of the corporation. APP
pointed clerk of the board lat an early
period, he has been familiar with it's pro-
oeedings from the beginning, always keep
ing faithful record of the same. He
exerted an efficient and useful agency in
laying the foundation of the institution,
and co.operated earnestly with his asso-
ciates in promoting it's welfare. We are
happy that he is permitted to rejoice with
US to-day in witnessing some of the fruit
of his labors in its behalf
The institution had its origin in
beQuest of Joseph Burr. ESQ. of Manches.