Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-11-12
GOV. SMITHS FUNERAL.
Continued from first pageD

erent faith to believe that they wero not
called to their high and difficult posts with
out the directing influence of Hin to whose
benignant providence we ascribe the final
results. 1t was my lot during the years OF
Gov Smiths administration to stand often
in this pulpit where | now stand and to
know something of Gov. Smiths mind on
the religious aspects of the great questions
at stake. Like ali true mon of that time he
felt that solemn issues were in question: and
that it was good to draw near unto God.
He bore upon his brow tho marks of public
care His broad shoulders seemed to stoop
under the conscious weight of responsibility.
The historian will record of Gov. Smith
that worthy successor of Cows. Fairbanks
and Holbrook, worthy compeer of Cows.
Andrew and Morgan, Morton and Curtin,
he nobly led the State in its magnificent
contribution of valor and sacrifice to the
heroic patriotism which the times demanded
and in which Vermont has never been found
wanting.
One could not have had even casual &C
quaintance with Gov. Smith without COM
ing to appreciate lis rare capacity for
friendship, his warmth and gcniality OF ma
ture and his almost woinanly tenderness of
affection. Like most men OF wide acquant-
ance, while he gave his society aud good
will to muny, he reserved his love for few,
but to those few he gave himself with al
fectionate and whole hearted confidence.
And yet his best friends know that tbs best
part OF him was Withheld even from them,
that his homo was the sanctuary OF his
deepest affections, that it was there he gar
nered up his heart, that only those nearest
him knew the full wealth of his emotional
nature which, alas, even they will now know
as never before, learning every day how
much they have enjoyed by finding every
day how much they have lost.
1t is a feeling every way creditable to
religion and to friendship that on such &C.
casions as this we are most of oil interested
in the religious character OF the friend we
mourn This is the tribute we pay to the
| supreme excellence OF religion as all clement
of character. 1t is the crown and consumm-
alton of life to have lived so that when in
the beautiful language of Jeremy Taylor
| prayer, "Wc shall have served God in our
generation we may be gathered to our
fathers having the testimony of good
conscience, in the communion Of the
J Catholic church, in the confidence of GER
tain faith, in the comfort of q reasonable
religious and holy hope in favor with
God and in perfect charity with all men. -
| That our friend lived in tho faith of n
| Christian you know better than | can tell
| you-you who remember what nurture he
| had from that sanity mother who fingered
| long into his maturer years to bless him
with her counsel and prayers-you who
know for how many long years he has been
faithful and devoted member of this
church, and how much he has done for the
support of its Ininistrations, for the bsauti-
flying of its editice, and for the maintenance
| of its enterprises and benevoences-you
| who know that he was q man of prayer and
that he strove to carry The spirit of prayer
into his daily work, aud that his motto
might well have been, "Not slothful in bus
mess, fervent IN spirit, serving the Lord. "
1t is u very natural feeling which so often
at the close of a troubled life utters itself in
the words Of the greatest poet, after life S
titful fever he sleeps well. " After a life SO
full of tireiess energy and wearying con
tlicts, it is a momentary relief to think that
| Gov. Smith is at rest. But the relief is
only momentary and soon gives place to a
worther feeling. The rest OF the better
world is not idleness or sleep. There the
wicked cease from troubling; there viii be
neither fghtings without nor fears within,
no intrigues nor rivalries; no defamation of
good name; no dread of disaster which
torethought could not prevent; no cease
| less, anxious vigilance which wears
out brain and heart and life. But activity
that refreshes and e1hiirates, quests that
keep hope and ambition Oh the alert, enter
prises worthy of a soul, exalted to the con-
dtions and gifted with the capacities of the
immortal life, these are the occupations and
the joy of one who is released from the in
firmites of the flesh and the shackes OF
earth into the e1panse and freedom and
glory OF the life beyond-and into this con
genial rest and inspiring activity We may
devoutly believe that through the merits Of
his and our only Saviour, Jesus Christ, oul
friend has entered TO 90 no more out for
ever.
President Buckham then offered prayer
and the choir sang "The Sweet BY and
By" closing the exercises.
In number and Laboratories the floral Of
ferngs were probably never equaled at {
funeral in this State. Most prominent per
haps was a miniature train, made up Of tn,
locomotive ''Gov. Smith" and the lat,
presidents private car bellevue, )
composed OF hrysanthemums and VIC
let's Just below the reading desl
and by the side Of the caske
was broken column of waits flowers and
floral stump upon which rested book
opened at the last leaf, The lett hand pag,
bore the words "Our beloved PRESIDENT ant
the right hand page the word "Fns ;
These, with a number OF other designs wer,
the offerings of the officials and employees
OF the Central Vermont railroad.
The following honorary bearers preceded
the casket as it was borne from the church
to the house, Gov. Page, Senator Proctor
lst vice President Langton, Hon. 10 ID
Hatch and Deacons II. NJ. Stevens, Charlie
Wyman, II. L. Bentley and L. b. Hopkins
Tho bearers were j. w. Hobart, tormerl
general manager of the road, j. NJ. Fo.s
general superintendent, S. w. Cummings
general passenger agent, ID. u. Hauett
treasurer, L. G. Lucas, auditor
and L. A. Chittenden, superintendent
local freight traffic. a. d. Tenhey La
charge Of the arrangements, which were al
mirably carried out. Following the Ion
line of carriages were SlS men on foot d
vided as follows: IS? employees of the Cen
trial Vermont road, ~ members of tho bar
- members OF the ST. Adams board {
trade and Al from the &. A. Il. On arriy
ing at the cemetery, three quarters OF
mile south of the village President Bucl
ham offered prayer and pronounced I'll