The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-04-29

report came from Waterbury that it had
been found, but investigation proved that
the rumor was without foundation. While
engaged in the search on Sunday, Charles
Alexander had fit, which caused him to
fall into the water. He narrowly escaped
drowning.
THE court was occupied last week with
several divorce cases, and the case of
Wheeler Us. School District No. 10 Of Barre
was heard on Friday. This case is one of
ejectment, and involves an important ques-
tion, which is whether, after land taken by
eminent domain for school purposes has
been discarded for such purposes, it re-
mains the property of the town or returns
to the possession of the original owner or a
grantee A recess was taken Friday after
noon to Tuesday, but, on account of the
funeral of Judge Royce, no session was held
yesterday.
RARELY has an entertainment been ac-
corded heartier expressions of unqualified
satisfaction and appreciation than are given
to the performance of Shenandoah at the
opera house Friday evening. The company
is one of superior excellence, the acting
was finished and spirited having the vigor
and grace of life. Helen Leslie's Gertrude
Ellingham, the heroine of the play, was at
every point above criticism. The military
characters were all finely taken. Frank
Dayton as Kerchival West, the hero of the
drama, Louis Hendricks as General Bnck-
thorn, held high place in the admiration of
the audience. The striking incident of the
play, the signaling from Three Top Mountain,
the death of Lieutenant Bedloe, Gertrude
| Ellingham's appearance in the ranks of the
| retreating federals, were splendid repre-
sentations. The stage of a theater is mar
row field for military evolutions, and Sheri-
dams ride was necessarily somewhat brief,
but the introduction of real horse into the
! play was a realistic feature that enhanced
| its attractions. The comedy was always
bright and was intensely enjoyed.
THE services in the Church of the Messiah
last week Sunday morning had reference to
three recent deaths, that of Rev. l.. G.
! Ware of Burlington that of the venerable
Amasa Cummins, and that of little Zoe
Alexander. Mr.. Wright referred to Mr..
| Cummins' long life, and the gradual and
painless failure of his bodily powers from
old age, without the loss of his mental fac
ulties, and without the customary suffering
| from disease, as a noteworthy illustration
| of the observance of the natural order in
| physical decline and transition. He spoke
OF the peculiarly painful circumstances un-
! der which the parents of the sweet child =
Zoe, were called to port with her,-circum-
stances preventing many of the usual ex-
pressions of sympathy and he pointed to
the comfort and blessing of the Christian
hope and the Christian faith Speaking of
Mr.. Ware at greater length, he mentioned
the brotherly intimacy which had grown up
more than twenty years; and the generous
assistance Mr.. Ware had often rendered the
| Church of the Messiah and its pastor, and
societies in other towns by his sermons and
scholarly lectures. OF his work in Burling-
ton Mr.. Wright said: For twenty eight
years he has served the city of Burlington
Il use the phrase advisedly) for he was
more than the minister of a religious So
eiety, he was the public-spirited citizen.
Important public trusts were devoved
upon him as being especially qualified to
perform their duties, and they were
think, invariably such trusts as required
superior ability and the sacrifice of much
time, and the devotion of much care, and
brought in no pecuniary return. They were
such as pertained to the common schools
the college, especially in relation to its art
museum, the hospital and the public Ii
brary. The city had claimed his service
He had responded with loyal self-surrender
and the city, and not merely his own flock
made fitting acknowledgment of its indebt
edness, as it poured its hundreds into tn,
great church, packing even the standing
room at the time of his funeral. And ht
had served his city not merely in the defn
ite lines which / have named. His sympa
thetic heart his broad and accurate scholar
ship, his refined tastes his courteous anC
gentle manners, his love of the beautiful
his scorn of the mean, and base and mer
cenary these in one who was no recluse
who, though an admirer of the best litera
ture, was no book-worm, who, though mucl
employed upon large cares and in grave
responsibilities, was a pains-taking pastor
and frequent and ever-welcome visitor il
the homes of the poor as well as of the rich
who came to be known by everybody, anC
was often called "the friend of every body;''-
these elements of character in such an on,
have exercised no small influence in these
twenty. eight years in purifying and elevat
ing the standard of life in the community
at large. 1t was not necessary that ht
should preach in all the churches. Withou
that he was acknowledged as a teacher o
the nobler civilization on all the streets o
, the city. He was broad and consderate il
/ his judgments, and one needed not to agre
with him in all things to retain his friend
ship; but he was most sensitive to what
ever appeared to be a dishonorable taint
and could flash and flame with righteous in
! dignation at meanness or hypocrisy. HI
enjoyed and appreciated most fully tn
! beautiful in nature and in art, in landscap
and flower, in painting and architecture
and sculpture, but his great delight lay il
making others happy; and with innumer
} able graceful and kindly courtesies h
proved to an extent equaled by few tina
1T is more blessed to give than to receive.
His duties had been lightened by the ap
} pointment of an assistant, and we hoped h
might remain years longer as the loved pas
tor of a devoted flock, ministering accord
I ing to his ability, but not oppressed by care
beyond his strength Alas for us! it nigh
not be. We bow submissively, and trust
, ingly under our sorrow, cherishing as
great consolation the assurance that he ha
wrought good work long and well, tina
mutitudes acknowledged and appreciates
, this, testifying together to his worth, an
invoking blessings upon his memory.