Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-23

elements OF fascination" His chief recrea-
ton was to wander, rod in hand, up and
down the valleys that nestle among the hills
of Vermont and it was a genuine enthu-
siasm that prompted him TO write of Rev.
DIR. Aiken, OF Rutland, brother in the fish
ing craft in both senses, that he did not be-
leve that God had made all the beautiful
brooks and the beautiful trout of Vermont
for the behoof and enjoyment of sinners.
He admired no less the people of Vermont,
their sturdy Independence. their adherence
of shams, their domestic virtues. their polit-
ical integrity 1t gave him deep inward
satisfaction to see how the sensational
preachers and lecturers, who had won popu-
larity from the very credulity of metropoli-
tan audiences, were bafiled by the penetrat-
ing good sense of rural audience in Yer
mont. He admired the simple democratic in.
stitutions of Vermont Proud as he was,
and aristocrat as he was called, he believed
in the people when the people are as intelli.
gent and sef-respectful as are those of
Vermont.
Mr.. Lords pulpit was in Montpelier, but
his audience was widely scattered over the
state. Through the members OF the legisla-
ture and others whose duties brought them
to the Capital, he reached large number
Of the leading men of the state, who carried
home with them memories and impressions
which extended his influence aud reputa-
ton. He was, at the time of his death, GER
tainly the best known and most influential
member of his denomination in the state
and the most widely known out OF the state.
His presence at councils and his services on
public occasions were eagerly sought and
highly appreciated. II was well understood,
though never proclaimed by him, that more
than one institution of learning would have
been glad to secure him upon its Faculty,
and it was but the confirmation of an earlier
decoration by the public at large when his
Alma Mdier in 1867 conferred on him the
degree of Doctor Of Divinity.
During the last years of his life, Dr. Lord
added to his other labors in the cause of re-
ligion large amount of editorial work upon
the VERMONT CHRONICLE, the organ of the
Congregational body His contributions to
the paper were marked by the same strength
pf thought and brilliaucy of finish which
characterized his sermons He excelled
"qually in the crisp, racy paragraph for
which the CHRONICLE became famous, and
in the sustained editorial discussion in
which he displayed vigorous and masterful
grasp of many of the leading questions of
he time. His articles for the Princeton
Reriew, elaborated probably with more care
than anything else from his pen, it would be
lificult to match for brilliancy of literary
-xecution in any American magazine, secular
or religious 1t is understood that during
the last month of his life he was engaged in
preparing for the press life of his father,
which, however, he did not live to complete.
But how shall faithfully speak of him as
friend His capacity for friendship was
One of the most wonderful things in him.
Cold, narrow natures are incapable of friend
ships Average human beings are content
With two or three. But here was man who,
though very choice in his friendships, was
most bountful lover of other men, and was
most devotedly loved by them. His friends
we're from all classes of society from all
religious denominations from all vocations ;
but all We're the select men of their class. So
that to have been his friend was not an unen
viable distinction. Among that number
cannot justly mention myself, but | am
privileged to quote from one who for many
years enjoyed the closest intimacy with him,
md whom among all his friends, | think,
Mr.. Lord would himself have chosen to
,peak of him on this point Rev. Frederick
w. Shelton, an Episcopal clergyman, now
resident in the state of New York, writes of
him: "He was the dn6nde dim6lium mede-
Dpen.hearted, open-handed, liberal as the
lay. Nothing sordid or narrow-minded en-
tered into the texture or composition OF his
soul. From the popularity of our relations
and the affinities which drew me to him from
the start, | was favored in my intercourse
with him, perhaps, even beyond those who
had superior claims. To know man as |
knew him is, in most cases, to dissolve the
charm of companionship and TO be ac-
fnI - of
nim that he was one of whom | never
wearied, whose converse was always fresh
and fruitful and suggestive, and whose
mind was subject to no changes. Instead
Of betraying any weakness or imperfection,
he grew in my estimation and became
| perpetually stronger man. An intercourse
of twelve years with scarce the intermission
Of a day was broken never by the slightest
coldness, by a single misapprehension or
doubtful act on his part, and declare that
never could find in him or with him any
fault at all. If he had not been distin-
| guished by intellectual gifts OF high order
would have found in him that which wa,
dearer still, and my admiration of him
would have been no less. 1t seemed to me
that the solidity of his acquisitions and the
| brlllancy of his parts We're almost dlmmed
| by the grander nobility of his soul" If these
seem almost romantic expressions of attach
J ment between man and man, venture to
affirm that they would be endorsed, every
syllable OF them by other friends, by East
man if he were alive, by Gregory Smith and
Stewart and Phelps, and long list of meu
in whom he inspired love for himself like
that of Jonathan for David, passing the love
of women.
From the time of Mr.. Lords settlement
in Montpelier, have dropped the form Of
biography, because apart from his persona
and domestic history, his life aud his minis
try were one. must now, however, resume
the narration from the point where, in 1865
suffering the consequences of responsibility
assumed too early aud carried too anXlously
his system began to show signs OF breaking
down, and he was persuaded TO take vaca
tion tour in Europe. This trip he intensely
enjoyed. His noble presence and delightful
conversational gifts gained for him access
TO some of the most cultivated circles Of
English society, especially at Oxford, where
he had an opportunity rarely enjoyed by
Americans of studying some of the least un
derstood phases of Anglican Christianity
the results of which study he embodied il
his article on the English Pulpit in tn,
Princeton Review. Under the influence o.
a change in climate, new occupations anc
partial respite from care, his health re
cruited. But like Goldsmth's traveller, h,
carried an untraveled heart His falnil,
were far away. Bethany church, the hop,
Of lifetime, was taking shape in stone anC
mortar-a mere supply was occupying his pul
pit. So, after brief run through Europe, h,
hastened home before his recovery had beel
completely established. Still he called him
self well-preached with all his wonteC