Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-07-20
Fayetteville.
MISS ORCHARDS MEMORIAL SERVICES "A
BRIEF SKETCH OF THE ExERcIsEs-REv.
MR.. BURNHAM's SERMON.

BRIEF SKETCH OF THE EXERCISES REV.
MR.. BURNHAM's SERMON.
Appropriate services in memory of
Miss Mary II. Birchard, who persisted in
the terrible Ashtabula disaster of last De-
cember, were held in the Congregational
church in this place on Wednesday morn
ing, 18th inst, in accordance with the an
mouncement previously given. The day
was one of rare beauty and lovelness,
bright and fresh after the rain of the pre-
vious afternoon, and with the fervont sum
mer heat tempered by a cooling breeze.
On Tuesday evening several friends ar
rived from New York, Philadelphia and
elsewhere; Wednesday morning brought
many others from Brattleboro and the
neighborlng townsj aud these, with the
full representation ofneighbors aud friends
in Fayetteville, filled the church to nearly
lis full seating capacity when the appointed
hour of 1890 arrived. The floral decora-
lions of the audience room were neat and
tasteful, and gave evidence of the thought
full labors and kind memory of numerous
loving friends. At the back of the altar
was the legend, In large letters of white
flowers on black background, -"She, be-
ing dead, yet speaketh." About the altar
and upon the table in front were cut flow
ers in proGusiou; bouquets of flowers also
adorned the gallery 'front.' and uron the
organ hung beautiful floral wreath.
Rev. Charles Burnham, pastor of the
Congregational society in Fayetteville, in
opening the exercises, stated that the rea-
son why the memorial services had been
50 long delayed was to bo found, first, in
the fact that when the Ashtabua disaster
occurred it could not for several days
be said, with deiniteness, without any
hope of contradiction, that Miss Birchard
was dead and her remains beyond recov-
cry; and, secondly, as that time of sus-
pense passed by and the sad fact became a
certainty, ii must be remembered that the
friends were very widely scattered, and
the present was the earlies. time at which
they could be brought together for this OBJ
servance.
Rev. Mr.. Chase of Dummerstou offered
the Invocation and read the Scripture les
son, followed by a chant by the choir
Thy will be done.' Rev. Mr.. Burchard
of Brattleboro offered prayer, after which
the choir sang the hymn, 81 know not the
hour" The sermon was preached by Rev.
Mr.. Durham, and we are glad to be able to
append its main portion TO these notes. At
the close of the sermon, the hymn, "Over
There" was sung, and then, in response to
the call of Rev. Mr.. Burnham, Gen. Phelps
of Brattleboro made brief address, refer
ring in fitting terms TO the lifelong friend
ship which existed between his father and
Mr.. Austin Birchard, the father of the de-
ceased and paying feeling tribute to the
strong aud noble character of Mr.. Birchard
as being, TO him, representative of the
best type of manhood which Vermont has
produced. Gen. Phelps also spoke in APP
propriate terms of his acquaintance with
Miss Birchard, and of her many admirable
qualities, closing with an expression of
sincere sympathy and coincidence with the
stricken family. Rev. Mr.. Burchard of
Bratteboro spoke briefly, referring espe-
cially TO the unfaiing eheerfulness which
was feature so strongly marked in Miss
Orchards character. The speaking closed
with remarks from Rev. Mr.. Olmsted. Rev.
DR.. Stevens of Westminster offered the
closing prayer, in which he gave beautiful
expression TO the subdued and hallowed
spirit of the occasion. The benedction
was given by Rev. A. b. Emmons of ia
maica, after which the audience quietly
dispersed.
Careful arrangements were made by Mr..
Orchard for the accommodation of the
friends from abroad, all of whom, together
with the clergymen present and their fam
lilies, were entertained by him a t his resi-
dence or at the hotel. Among the friends
coming from distance were Mr.. and Miss
Wood and Mr. Geo. Morse of Philadelphia,
Mr.. and Mrs. Porter, Mr.. and Mrs. Rugg,
Gen. James b. Pearsall and Mrs. Adams
of New York, Mr.. and Mrs. Hall of Ben
nington, Mrs. Jewett of Montpelier and r.
NJ. Gould of Worcester. \ large number
of friends, as we have already intimated,
came from Brattleboro, and other towns in
the vicinity were also represented. A let
ter from President Hayes, received a day
or two previous TO the exercises, expressed
his sincere regret at his inability to be pres
ent. Both Mr.. and Mrs. De Witt of Ohio
were present. Mrs. De Witt has been with
her aged parents for some time past and
will remain with them for the present. 1t
was unmistakably apparent that all who
were in attendance upon the exercises,
both towns people and others, were drawn
thither solely out of love and respect to
Miss Orchards memory. Few deaths in
this vicinity in recent years have carried
sorrow and mourning TO SO wide a circle OF
lifelong and admiring friends; its tragical
and startling manner invested the occur
renee with peculiar interest in the minds
of the whole community, and it was es-
pecially fitting, therefore, that in this pub
lie, but unostenlatous manner, a suitable
tribute should have been paid to Miss
Orchards useful life, her wellrounded
character, and 10 those marked individual
qualities of heart and soul which so strong
ly endeared her to her friends.
THE SERMON.
"And she was not for God took her."-Gen. v:24.
In the passage from which the text is
taken we have short biographical sketch
of one of the most remarkable men who
ever lived in the world, Enoch. He was
remarkable especially for two things; his
deep and ardent piety, his unwavering
trust in God, for we are told he "walked
with God three hundred years )" and he
was remarkable for the signal honor be-
slowed upon him by God in that he was
removed from earth without dying; taken
up, as we may say, bodily into heaven.
This honor was conferred upon him in part,
doubtless, as a reward for his pre-eminent
piely, aud his wonderful fidelity in the SER
vice of God so many years. Enoch's sud-
den, mysterious departure from among
men suggested the propriety of using the
text on this sad memorial occasion. Our
esteemed friend, Miss Orchard, was taken
from the world so suddenly and so COM
plelely, not one vestige of any thing be-
longing to her being found, that we may
well say, "She was not, for God took her."