The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-07-04
BLESSING CORNER STONE.
PSALMS SUNG AT BLESSING OF CORNER STONE
Psalm So, Guam dilecta tabanacula tua
Psalm 1876, "Nisi Dominus aedificayit."
Psalm so. "Miserere."
Psal IN 50, "Fundamenta ejUs,"
Psalm l21, "Sstatus sum-

Aoaiul l&l, oSldlus sum.
The large congregation was rapidly
seated by kentIemanly ushers-the mem
bers of the Father Matthew T. A. B..
Society. These gentlemen deserve the
compliments received for the admirable
manner in which they disposed of the
large number of people,
The otfertory was collected by ten
ladies of the Sodality, and, like the Faith
er Matthews, they wore their regalia {:
Misses Mary Sullivan, Stacia O'Connell,
Mary Niece, Lille Guiltinau, Anna
Morrisey, Rosanna Burns, Dora Cone,
Annie Lee, Lizzie Cunningham, and
Mary Peters. They carried about bas-
kets, ornamented with the National COL
ors, into which we're placed the envel-
Opes.
The chorus of male voices was grand,
Bennington has never heard better on
similar occasions. The singers COM
priced both choirs of Rutland, and 20
day were led by Mr.. T. DelIsle.
The improvised chancel Oh the spot
where Will he built that of the new
church, was handsomely furnished, and
in it was placed an altar, the whole ar
engagements being fitting for the august
occasion.
The sermon was delivered by the Rev.
VIM. j. O'Sullivan, a former pastor of
this church. Father O'Sullivan is
born orator ant has few equals in this
direction. He held the close attention
of all until the end. Taking for his text
the words : Eye shall know the truth
and the truth shall make you Free" he
began with very fine tribute to the
freedom and equality of man which this
anniversary, the Fourth of July ,empha-
sizes and sets forth with each annual re-
currence. Look around; look aloft,"
said he, pointing towards the Battle
Monument in plain view with the United
States flag flying from the top of the
derrick mast, This is historic ground"
From this happy introduction which
gave many reasons why the day was ap-
propriate for an occasion of this sort. the
preacher proceeded to give a history of
the church, and the motives which
should govern her members in raising
another sanctuary for the worship OF
the Most High Col. Space and time
forbids an extended report of this able
and comprehensive discourse.
The blessing and laying of the corner
stone followed the conclusion of the
Mass. The silver trowel used on this
occasion was donated by Squire & Raw
son and engraved by the latter. On it
is fac Siniile of the stone, and across
its face the date and name of the church
in Old English letters-a handsome piece
of engraver's art. In the stone is de-
posted parchment MS. in Latin of
which the following is translation
"a. M.D.G.
"On the 4th day of July, 1880;
"Leo XIII being Pope of Rome;
"Rt. Rev. Louis de GoesbrIand being
Bishop of Burlington;
BENZ Harrison being President
of the United States;
civilian Paul Dillingham; being Gov.
ernor of Vermont
Rev. John s. Michaud being pastor
OF this congregation of st, Francis de |
Sales;
REV. VIM. j. O'Sullivan being the
preacher on the occasion;
REV. F. j. Barrett being celebrant OF |
the Mass, and Rev. d. j. O'Sullivan and
j. A. Clark, deacon and sub-deacon;
George II. Guernsey being architect
of the church;
"Wm. H. Ward. N. Dubuc and ]. NJ.
Delisle the builders;
~. V. Carney being president of the
village;
John R)binson being marshal on the
occasion;
"Revs. ]. q. Mclaughlin and Chas E.
Provost being masters of ceremonies;
This corner stone was laid by r..
Rev. L. de Goesbriand Bishop OF the
Diocese"
The ether articles deposited were a
copy If the records and deeds of the par
sb, "a history of the church &C pies of the
local papers including the BANNER,
specimens Of American coins, and two
sacred relics sent on for this ,ccasion
from Europe.
The pastor and people are to be con-
graduated upon the manner this event
passed cf, from the beginning of the
service when the Bishop addressed few
words of welcome to tho,e present.
banking them for the aid and encour-
lgement given the church, to the lower
ng of the stone; for the large attend
lnce notwithstanding the Indictment
weather, and for the suspicious begin
ming of this stately church BUILDING.
NOTES.
The +. NJ T. A. 3. society was headed
Iy its president John p. Mulligan, the
Hose companies by their foremen: Chas.
Il Dewey, No. 1; Andrew Morrison,
No. 2; Con. +. Sullivan, No. 3. The So
iallty was under the direction OF Miriam
he Sister in-Charge, and Miss LIZ e
the altar boys were Masters
James and Joseph O'Donnell, John Nc
irath. Edward Kelley, Robert Grennan,
Joseph Martin, John Murphy, Frank 4.
NcAlahan; and the cross bearer was Ell
ward Barrett Of Center Rutland.
The rain OF the morning was face tious-
y spoken of by FIR. Michaud as THE
ears of heaven, shed. not in sorrow but
VI JOY for the occasion.
The Band discoursed fine music and
vas paid many compliments, by priests
ind people. .....