Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-03-29
More "reminiscences.
THE CHOIR, THE PULPIT, AND THE PEws OF THE
BRICK CHURCH THIRTY YEARS AGO.

| uOTe hemtnisCtHCtss
THE CHOIR, THE PULPIT, AND THE PEws OF THE
| BRICK CHURCH Thirty WEARS AGO
My son came down from the attic the other day,
where he had been rummagng among my old
music-books, bringing with him q volume OF
"Taylors Choral Anthems" had not seen the
book for years, nor hardly thought Of It, The
sight Of 1t very naturally brought to mind its
companion book, "The Golden Tyre" These
books were both by the same author, Virgil G.
Taylor, and were published something over thirty
years ago. The first was a book Of anthems and
the latter was book Of hymn tunes for church
use. The sight and thought OF these books has
awakened a food OF tender memories Many
dear faces and forms are recalled, and many a
pleasant event, social and musical, is remembered
This music had warm reception and an enthusi-
astc run in the old brick church choir. The
choir at that time was an uncommonly intelligent
and efficient one, and embraced such names as
Julia Staples Ellen Strong, Elizabeth Boutwell,,
Mrs. II. d. Hopkins, Harriet and Clara Kill
bourne, Mary Badger, II. d. Hopkins, Francis G..
Keith Theron M. Howard, Henry Howes and
Leonard B. Jameson not to mention here as many
more younger members, whose names will appear
hereafter. George W. Wilder was the organist
and Father Bancroft, whom everybody loved
presided at the bellows handle. The fact that
through infirmty or fatigue he sometimes fell
asleep and forgot to "pump" at the proper time
was never remembered against him. The result
of using such music as the Tyre contained was to
awaken most lively interest in the high and
holy cause" Of sacred song In choir, pulpit and
congregation, and genuine musical revival en-
sued. Mr.. Lord, then young talented and es-
teemed, fully shared the enthusiasm of the choir
Many In the pews were specially awakened and
many and enthusiastic were the words OF APP
proval spoken to different members Of the choir
by Deacon Storrs, General Walton and wife,
Samuel Goss, o. II. Smith, Mr.. and Mrs Joseph
W. Howes, Mr.. and Mrs. Ferrand +. Merrill Mrs
j. Edward Wright, Mrs. Charles Spaulding and
others. 1t was about this time that state sena-
tor sought an introduction to the chorister and
gave expression to the most extravagant common
dalton Of the choir and It's music This interest
in the choir at that time Is not to be wondered at
for look at the list of their tuuesl Who that was
then in the seats " does not remember the tune
Corea, in which the writer 80 appropriately ex-
pressed in pathetic measure the pensive longing
of Montgomery to
Lay his weary head and aching heart
Then there was the tune Louyan flowing in
melody, simple in harmony, but rich as whole,
and pleasant and enjoyable to sing There was also
Tiffany, happy adaptation to Toplady's hymn,
when ianguor and disease invade
am sure that no member OF that honored old
choir has forgotten d" New Hartford" "Ashta-
bula, " Ashmead,' Drummond," "Sunield,"
Dudley" Planfield," and many others. The
choir had at the time Of which / am writing,
other fine tunes which used to wake the echoes Of
the old brick church most effectualy. These
were " Padan-aram," " Zdon," "Corinth and
Bahurm" They had also a tune, "Fuge," in
which they bestowed their best work, always re-
serving it for the hymn, 81 God moves in a mys-
FERROUS way" This hymn seemed to be a favorite
with Mr. Lord, and when he gave it out the choir
regarded it as hint to sing Fuge." 1t may be
said that 1t never went lazily, but organst leader
and singers nerved themselves az for special
duty when about to sing it, and moved on
shoulder to shoulder, exact in time and harmoni-
| Gus in feeling Proudly did the BASES sing the
third line, seeming to feel that their footsteps
were planted in the sea" and with what accu-
seventh " at the beginning Of the last strain.
Finally the enthusiasm Of the choir reached
such pitch that it had to find expression in sa-
cred concert which was given thirty-one years ago
last February. 1t was really quite noteworthy
affair and was given in the brick church, before a
large and intelligent audience. Applause on the
occasion was not allowable, but close attention
to the performances of the choir which was better
than applause, was not wanting The programme
was made up entirely with selections from "Tay-
lors Choral Anthems" and the Golden Tyre :"
| and was both pleasing and interesting The
choir was augmented for few weeks that winter
| by the presence and valuable aid Of Miss Jenny
Thrasher Of bloomington. a fine soprano, and
Edward Aiken Of Hanover College, an excellent
| bass. Who Of that choir of twenty-five persons
does not remember how Ellen Strong with her flute
| like voice called down echoes from the bending
| sky" and how Miss Thrasher in manner
equally accurate and pleasing introduced Sail
| ing on the boisterous ocean" and how Aiken
| made shver with the emphatic manner In
which he sang the solo. " The tempest is bowling
the storm winds are drear;" and how in the fine
English anthem 80 give thanks we all gave
chase after Pharaoh and his host" and finally
|
| this choir like all human organizations, was des-
tined to go to pieces, and even before the days
| were accomplished OF which write its members be-
gan to scatter At the end Of three short years not
more than four or five OF them were left Mary
| Harvey and Clara kilbourne died early and are
buried in the Elm street cemetery; Miss Strong
went west married, and died in 1864, leaving a
nice family OF children and many friends to mourn
her untimely loss; Miss Staples died few years
since and sleeps in Green Mount cemetery; young
Howes died at St. Johnsbury many years ago
Father Bancroft the genial and faithful old
blower, died ten years ago. With these excep-
tons it is believed that the members of the choiI
| of thirty years ago are all living at present
Surely Providence has been favorable to our mum
bers The following record OF some OF our sur
yiving members is believed to be mainly correct
Lizzie Boutwell, Merrill, Mr. Hopkins Mary Wal
ton Dewey, Amanda Clark Vail and Ellen Smith
Gleason are still residents of Montpelier; Jenny
Thrasher is now Mrs Dr. Blanchard of Newport
VT Harriet Kilbourne is married and living al
the west, Clara Burton Reed in Boston; julia
LOOMS Howes resides In Washington ID. c.
Mary Badger Keith is the mother OF nice children
and resides in Atchison Kansas; Clara Howe,
Allison is living with four promising children II
Hastings, Minnesota; Leonora Sanders resides
somewhere In the south; Agnes and Abby Anr
Nye are pleasantly married and reside IN tn,
Vicinity of Boston, Aiken the bass, is In business
in New York city; Frank Keith " leads a quie
and peaceabe life in Cleveland. Ohio; Theron
Howard is a gray-hared deacon and much re
spected citizen Of st. Johnsbury Henry Howe,
has responsible clerkshp at Washington, d. c.
Leonard Jameson Ia a well-to-do business man IL
Chicago; Edison Keith is also In Chicago, one o
the wealthy men of the place; Charles Keith Is il
Atchison, Kansas; Henry Strong is a leading cit
izen Of Beloit, Wisconsin; George Nichols Is re
siding at st. Paul and George Batchelder II
Chicago; George Wilder. the old organist, still
lives at Montpelier, much respected, and ii.
Hopkins, the old chorster, still feebly "hold
the fort at Montpelier Though quite infrm, HI
is, like Eastman's first settler"
| "Able, when ts fair, to 40 out,
| His friends on the street TO see"
Mr.. Taylor, the author OF much of the music o.
those days and so the indirect author OF tn
enthusiasm which then prevailed, resides at De
Moines, Iowa, and is still engaged In music.
Is safe to say that neither he nor his music eve
had a better reputation than in Montpelier thirt
years ago. At the time to which these reminis
ences relate the sympathy between the organ LOT
and pulpit was strong and complete The high az
probation In which Mr.. Lord was held by the choi
was fully reciprocated by him He was young
vigorous personally attractive, and as a write
! had already begun to display those fine qualite
which were destined to give him such popula
favor throughout New England, and the member
, OF the choir felt great pleasure and pride Ia til
young minister His warm, friendly feeling u
ward the singers was fully shared by bis youthful
, wife, who was wont to say hattering things b
those entrusted with the service of song
Ably seconded by such choir in rear Of him, an
with an intelligent and highly apprecative al
0 dence before him. 1t Is no wonder II the preache
, felt an enthusiasm not common to the experienc
OF clergymen 30 young as he was. There wer
before him judges lawyers physicians, editor
. and teachers, merchants and bankers, besides
r large number OF " common people" all OF whoI
, heard him gladly" Look at a partial list q
their names: There were Judge Prentiss his son