The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-01-07
Forefathers Day at New Haven.

hONiNNJs n tOStOt,
Pr sJcnt, aided by u large committee of
ladies' and gentlemen, from the various
sections OF the town.
Rev. DR.. Kitchel President of Md
dlebury College, gave an .dlress in the
church. at seven o'clock, before an attcn-
tive audience. which, considering the Sc
verify Of the weather. was very respccta-
bic in numbers.
The speaker traced the causes that gave
rise to the Puri,ans, under the various
rulers Of England. Had the iron rule OF
Elizabeth been continued under her de-
scendants, with n temper aud skill like
ners, the Puriians might have been ST.
enced. We Of New England may be
thankful that she was the last Of her line,
aud that the Stuarts succeeded her. With
a treatment no less severe, but lacking
the skill of management, the Puritan
spirit was decpcned and strengthened
ather than stayed and suppressed.
The embarkation and early struggles
in this country, were barely alluded to-,
as matters OF history familiar to all. The
Puritans are often ridicuIed as blue and
lustere. But blue is a good color, and
they lived in blue times. They we're
shaken by the winds Of adversity-those
Sho were clothed in soft raiment remain.
ed behind in kings palaces. Their con-
science was closely allied with the will.
In stern times like theirs, an inhexibe
will is very essential ally.
The Purtans are especially condemn.
ed for the punishment Of witchcrait. But
We shoul remember that that was an aye
IT belief 10 such satanic manifestations
Where one was gut to death by them.
scores we're executed ia the various couu-
tries of Europe The latter, too, coptin.
ued this persecution long after the Puri-
tans, having risen above the spirit Of the
,ge, discontinued it, in this age Of drlvel.
ing spirtism, it does not become us to
condemn them. They were open in ac-
ION, aud grappled with what they be
leved to be wrong Convinced OF error,
hey as openly acknowledged their mis-
take. Passing over their few faults, we
do well to cherish their noble traits of
character, their respect for God their
Father and Ruler, their reverence for the
Bible, the fostering care they early gave
to public instruction-to all of which we
are largely indebted for our present pros.
perity, and our civil and religious liber-
ties.
The address was worthy of the speak
er, and of the occasion, and was appre.
ciated by large portion of the audience
The New Haven choir furnished music
for the occasion, in their usual fine style.
At the close of the exercises in the
church, large portion of the audience,
old and young, repaired to the vestry
rooms, where table was spread with an
abundance Of the good things which tempt
the appetite.
By request Of the ladies and their com.
mittee, Capt Abel Leavenworth took
charge Of the exercises. Rev. S. Knowl.
ton asked the blessing, and an hour was
spent in partaking of the paatable and
abundant provisions, which were served
informally and in pleasant converse as be-
comes neighbors and friends.
At the conclusion of this part of the
programme, Capt. L., as Toast Master
introduced the intellectual portion OF the
repast.
l. The Day 'ce CeleJrate.-THe Land
ing Of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock
Tile GrandeSt in the Calendar OF tht
Ages. AS Moses, by Divine aid, drew
from the rock in Horeb. the waters which
brought life and reireshment to the Is.
raelites so from yonder rock in the bar
ren coast of Mass, this Landing Of the
Pilgrims by like aid, struck stream
whose refreshing and vivifying influence,
ever increasing and widening, has cumin.
rtcd in the civil and religious liberties
which we, their descendants, now enjoy,
and whose flow is felt not only in New
England, but throughout our whole couD.
try, nay, to the furthest corner OF
Christendom, and whose swelling tide is
even now sweeping away the barriers of
Heathendom.
Responded to briefly. and appropriate-
ly, by Hon. Erastus S, lIinman, aud in d
more extended and well chosen speech by
Hon. Oliver Smith. The former attribut-
ed the success Of the late war, to the
spirit of the Pilgrims. 1t planted our
country then, it has saved it now. The
latter traced their history, pictured their
lauding on such "A nig ht AS this. portrayed
their suffering, in the light of this even
Jugs SURF uudings, aud extolled their per-
severance under difficulties, as under God
the secret of their success.
2. The orator Of the evening.
(By one OF tue Ladics.)
Accept our thanks for tire ,sures rare
Revealed to us to night,
The hidden lore Of other days
Which thou hast brought to light.
Thy Puritan descent I'm sure
None ever need to doubt,
Since all the virtues of the race
In thee, we see shine out.
And if, perchance, the gem has flows,
For none are perfect here,
The flashing of the diamond pure
Hides these, and makes more clear
The grand old traits. the love of truth,
The firm defense of right
The nobleness of heart and mind
Which, like the stars of night.
Hume the darkness of our world,
And rouse to lUfty aim,
Spirits which else had been content
To live without name.
We pray that thou and all who bear
Thy name, may ever shine
With those first champions of truth
long illustrious line.
DR.. Kitchel said that he could not be
expected to speak to that toast. He was
happy to meet this pleasant company
He had been thinking what a night this
would be to land. He then gave sue.