The Portland daily press., 1891-11-25
siR MARRY vAhE.
Rev. Or. Blsncnard's Lecture at
Congress Square Church.

Last evening, at Congress square church,
Rev. ID. Blanchard delivered the fourth
lecture Of his co1fss6il a d q ssEriesn History
The subject was ''SIr Harry Vane; the
friend Of Cromwell and of Milton" The
lecturer spoke first OF Vane's life 10 New
England. Drawing a picture OF the Gus.
toms OF the times, be showed how Joyous
ly the people Of Massachusetts Bay Colo-
ny received the son of Sir Henry Vane. a
high official In the court of Charles the
First. He was made governor for a year.
During his administration he made a trea-
ty OF peace with the Narragansett Indians.
took side with Mrs. Ann Hutchinson and
nelu written discussion in favor Of toler-
au0n with 6oyerner Winthrop. DR.. Blan.
chard spoke In the second place Of the in
huence OF John Cotton upon the opinions
OF Vane when the latter returned 10 Eng
land In l6S7, Vane was disciple OF Cot
ton, being often In the study of the learned
divine. In this he learned the principle
OF independency with which Cotton, nv
ms letters, indoctrinated Cromwell. In
the next place the lecturer showed the
great service rendered to liberty by Vane's
leadership In the Long Parliament In ex
position Of this point, 1t was shown how
Charles the First was determined upon
ruling England without parliament.
Strafford, John Hampden and John Pvm.
Nane remained In private life for two.or
tnree years. He was then elected to the
Short Parliament. Charles finding that il
would not become subservlent to his wish
es, dissolved It. Compelled at length TO
summon the parliament, ever memorable
In history as the Long Parliament, and
one OF the most Important cobyocations OF
legislators the world has ever seen. Vaue
was elected as one Of its members. In
this he speedily showed the powers Of
leader. BY OratoTy, by courage, by hrm-
ness Of will, by wisdom, be soon became
the chief power among his fellow members.
IL was by his testimony. based upon letters
found In his fathers paDers, that StraffOTd
was brought to the block. When the
peace party were ready TO accept the terms
| offered by the dis embling Charles, IL was
he who secured their rejection. When
Parliament desired the Co operation Of the
/ Scotch 1t was he who was made the chief
ambassador to that people. BY fervOr,
and wisdom, and adroitness, he secured
Covenant.
This brought 10000 Scotch soldiers 10
the assistance OF the English. BY their
all Important help Cromwell won the battle
oI Marston MOOT. Vane was on the COM
mittee OF the two kingdoms which became
the chief authority in the administration
OF affairs. In this and in Parliament
Vane secured the material means TOR the
use OF the army. 1t was Vane who helped
Cromwell win MarstOn Moor and Nasebv.
lu all the tr0ublous times that followed, it
was Vane who kept the courage OF the
English up. UndaUnted amid all disasters
ne labOred incessantly with voice and pen,
to secure the union Of effort by which
alone victory could be won. IL was Vane
naval w dSS victor, q, A he had 'Os stood rGsS Sy
Cromwell. 1t was Vane who saw
that ships were built and men secured so
| that on the sea Blake would be triumphant
as Cromwell had been upon the land. The
relations between himself and Cromwell
when Pride's Purge Of the Parliament oe-
CURED were strained. He bitterly opposed
this measure aud the determination 20 ex-
ecute the King. lie then retired TO private
life. Refusing at first all office under the
/ Protector Cromwell, he finally consented
TO serve England again. Cromwell rose to
1 highest power, welded that power for
| good though with somewhat tyrannlc fash
i ion and made himself 0beyed In 4 lgland and
feared abroad. For alleged sedition CrOm-
well Imprisoned Vane, but he was soon re-
| leased On the death of Cromwell he Op-
posed the unlimited authority which 1t was
| proposed to confer on his son aud success
| sor. Richard. CARING little for the forms
| of a republic. he ever argued passionately
| for the sovereignty OF the people. Events
| went their way. The Puritan rule pro-
| voked such widespread opposition thar at
| last IL wss easy for General Monk to hting
| Charles the Second to the throne. Vane
was now thrown into prison, and at the
| end OF two years most Illegally executed.
DIR. Blanchard here dwelt upon the eharac-
ter of Vane, eulOgizIng its noble traits and
| pointing out his lack of balance In relig-
| i0us thinking. lie believed himself in
| spired; he wrote in shapsodic and unintel-
| llgible ways about Christ. But he was ever
conscious Of God and ever loyal to convlc'
| tl0ns Of duty. In this connection DIR.
| Blanchard read Millions sonnet to Vane.
| America owes him an immeasurable debt
| He saved the charter Of the Massachusetts
Bay Colony when II was endangered In
| 1914 he greatly assisted Roger Williams In
| founding Rhode Island. Above all no adj
| vanced the idea Of a written constitution
and so helped the authors OF the CunStitu-
| tion Of the United States TO iraaAa their
| immortal document. So long as America
/ shall exist IL will be her duty ever 20 re-
member and ever to honor Sir Harry
Van