Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-10-24
The Funeral OF Judge BIodgett,

Yesterday afternoon, called forth 4 general
expression of sorrow for his loss on the part
oil his fellow-citizens. The Board of Alder
men, the Fire Department and the employees
OF the large lumber firm of which the de-
ceased had so long been the master spirit,
turned out to do honor to his memory.
The following gentlemen acted as pail
bearers Mayor Dodge, Hon. T. f. Wales,
Hon. Levi Underwood, Lawrence Barnes,
Henry P. Hickok, VIM. e. Villas, Eli
Chittenden, Dan. Lyon, Morillo Noyes.
DR.. B.. S. Nichols, Charles j Alger, and
Geo. II. Bigelow.
The funeral services were conducted by
Rev. Lewis o. Brastow, of the White Street
Congregational Church. assisted by Rev
Prof. E. II. Griffin, of Williams College, the
former pastor of Judge Blodgett. AT the
house on Main street, brief prayer was
offered by Rev. Mr.. Brastow. when the re-
mains, enclosed in handsome casket .Iwere
taken to the White Street Church, followed
by the mourners, who included large
number of relatives of the deceased from
various portions of the State and from New
York city. The coffin was loaded with
floral offerings of exquisite beauty,
chief among which was superb cross,
the gift of Mrs. Geo. F. Wadsworth,
of Boston, widow of a former partner Of the
deceased.
The church was filled with sympathizing
citizens, as well as a large number Of la
dies, long before the appointed hour for the
services, which commenced with dirge As
the body was borne up the broad aisle. The
singing Of the anthem "Rest, Spirit, Rest, "
followed by a double quartette, consist
ingof Misses Lemon. Lawrence and IIough-
ton, sopranos; Miss Wood, alto, \. j. Phil
lips, \. F. Conant, tenors, and c. F. Whec-
Ter, NJ p. Fuller, bassos, with Z. NJ
Read as organist Rev. Mr. Bras
tow then read appropriate selections
from the Bible, which was followed by Top
lady's magnificent hymn, - Rock Of Ages,
cleft for me-" by the choir, after which
Rev. Mr. Brastow made a touching and elo-
quent prayer.
Rev Prof. Griffin then delivered short
address. He begas by contrasting the
Christian and worldly view Of life. The
worldly view was that the great man. was
be whom other men serve; but the Chris
tian view, was that he was great who serves
other men In qualities IF service for his
fellow men Judge Blodgett was eminently
gifted. The speaker mentioned his genial and
kindly nature, and how instructive was his
kindness He spoke Of his good sense. his
thorough knowledge Of men, and his almost
unerring judgment; of his great cheerful
ness, and how his bodily pains and inirmi-
ties never eould pres. him down. He al
luded to the stations he had reached of
high business. political and social trust;
how his noble spirit was in his business,
not Cor mere money getting, but that he
might encourage the industry Of other men,
and develop the resources Of the community
in which he lived lie then spoke
Of his interest in the Christian Church, how
literally he had contributed towards it. and
of his deep affection for the church of which
he was a member. Judge Blodgett per-
sonal profession Of religion was then dwelt
( on, and the speaker believed that many Of
his virtues were fed from divine sources.
# wa easy to give mp men to the grave
who were selfish. but hard 10 give APP men
who had served US like the deceased. Such
a kind. generous man leaves sad hearts
behind. IN conclusion, Prof. Griihn said
the lesson to learn from the lie Of this man,
was to choose the life that gives rather than
gets. that serves rather than Is served.
Rev. Mr.. Brastow added Few words,
saying that he would not undertake to de
scribe the character of Judge Blodgett in
the presence of his fellow citizens, who had
known him much longer than he had bat
that lie could not forbear to speak of him as
he had found him in his home. Mr. Brastow
On his recent arrival in Burlington was an
inmate Of Judge Blodgett's household, for
some weeks, and he bore ample and touch
ing testimony to his hoSpitablc courtesy;
hi, marked and uniform kindlines-, his
cheerful spirit, even under strong physical
suffering and his Christian endurance.
hope and faith.
At the close of these remarks. tie choir
sang the beautiful sentence, - Heard
Voice from Heaven, after which the ser
vices closed with prayer by Rev. Prof. Grif-
fin. IN opportunity was then given to
view the face of the deceased, and for full
fifteen minutes long line of friends, neigh
bors and employees, took farewell look at
the good old man.
The remains were then borne from the
church, followed by a long procession Of
mourncrs in coaches, to Lake View Cemetery,
where after the singing of fayorite hymn
Of the deceased beginning ." just a, am,
without one plea and appropriate sen
fences By Rev Mr. Brastow, they were con-
signed to the grave.