The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-10-25
TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

On Tuesday evening Good Templar
hail was packed with fine audience,
assembled IN response to an invitation
extended by the committee OF ladies en-.
gagged in returuishing their roums in the
third story Of the building opposite
Free Library and owned by Miss Kate
AtwatIr. THIS has been Good Templars'
hall ever since 1868 or the year after it
was vacated by the Masonic fraternity.
The Furnishings have not been renewed
since until now. Learning that gen
erous subscription had been made to re-
furnish this hail, Miss Atwater contrib
uted Literally toward the decorations OF
the wall aud ceiling. These are covered
with gold paper, the arched ceiling being
panels. The ante rooms are furnished to
correspond. The floor is covered with q
handsome Btuaecls carpet, the stations
aud platforms covered also. The officers
pedestlls have elegantly painted plush
sCarfs OF suitable coiors t. correspond
with the ritual. The two principal
officers have elegant black walnut chairs
upholstered in crimson plush. This 30
cleiy Is in prosperous condition and
amid its beautiful surroundings certain
ly should take new lease OF life and in
fluence.
The exerci5,s Tuesday evening col .
sisted of programme Of fifteen num-
bers music, speeches and reritatiuns.
These began and closed with the regular
opening and closing Udes and were ia
m!liar to a large number present. Mrs.
j. b. Parmvnter presided at the organ
IN her usually very acceptable manner.
The tirst part Of the evening was devot-
ed to a sketch Of the lodge by a member,
followed By Grand Chief Templar Wat
t.e'. The work of the order in this town
and State, Igetner with the objects and
aims Of the Good Templars were set
forth rs basis of the evenings enter
tainmen,. This Lodge has done a grand
work here, whether viewed from the
standpoint of drinkers reclaimed, or in
she saving Of the young from be-
coming addicted to the drink habit,
Miss Middlebrook sang a solo and
was loudly applauded. We do not
recollect of ever hearing her do better.
She has fine and cultivated voice. The
Misses Patch"n were prevented from
giving their duett by sickness, and Miss
Mamie Loomis kindly consented fill out
the number and sang very sweetly.
The Scripture Selections" set to
music in 1877 by Prof. Fred N. Squire
and very popular at Grand Lodge gath
erings of this order, was rendered by
the author, (basso) assisted by Mai.
Pulitzer, tenor; Miss Middlebrook, So
prano and Miss Prudy Durham, alto, in
a most impressive and artistic manner.
The recitations were given by members
Of the lodge, Mrs. 5. Ii. lockwood,
Miss Flora NJ. Murphy and Mr.. L. T.
Griswold. They received many COM
pliments. The addresses were by the
resident clergymen and were closed by
Hon. John V. Carney, the veteran Sun
day school superintendent, with the APP
propriate subject: The Relation of
the Temperance Reform to the Sunday
SCHOOL, The Rev. u. Martens subject,
THE Moral Suasion Element of the
temperance Question: was a fine pre-
of that phase of the work, and
The Rev. Chas. r. Seymour, who fol-
Owed, eloquently enlarged upon the
,heme, while congratulating the lodge
upon its eventful history. The Rev.
Mr.. Walker gave an instructive resume
Of the rules and regulations and organi-
,ation of the Church Temperance So
,iety, of which he is a member. This
s temperance work by means of
graduated pledges, limited and other
wise, and has some 100000 adherents in
England and America. Mr.. Marten
has addressed the Good Templars be-
ore, but this was the first appearance
before them of the Revs. Seymour and
Walker. 1t is safe to say it will not be
he last if opportunity offers. The Rev.
Mr.. Widmer was down for an address,
tut was called out of town, having gone
N the Western trip noted in the BAN
YER two weeks since. After the "clOs- |
ng ode the company repaired to the
econd story Of the building and par
ook of collation. Of cake and ice-cream
.iter which the twentieth anniversary |
reception closed at II 30.
On behalf of the ladies who solicited !
nd supervised the work, the BANNER
by request) returns thanks to the !
many who assisted them financially |
nd otherwise. Several outside the |
Onors would have been invited. es-
ecially of the older members of the
,odge, but room forbade the extension
I the list Of guests. The handsome
vail paper and elegant carpets were
rom A. Drysdrle & Son, and the for
ler was hung by II. II. Allen. The fur
iture was bought of j. Ed. Walbridge
: Co., and the scarls were painted by
as. IL. White. The organ kindly loan
d for the evening by Geo. Gavin is n
lvor much appreciated. DR.. A. u.
utter, Chas, II. Potter and others
hould also be included in the vote of
hanks. !