The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-21

ton weaves her fancies around the menu
cries and heroic deeds which our fathers
bequeathed us. We have right to re-
joice, and glory in theirwork Many of
us are their direct descendants. We
have heard the story from their own lips.
my own great-grandfather was acting
captain in the battle, and two of his sons
served under him.) l1We arc not ashamed
of that ancestral prowess that could rush
upon tile enemies guns and wrest them
from their gunner;0 that could charge
the enemy Within his intrenchment and
drive him from them; that could rally
from the fatigue and plumber of one but
ne to renew the fight, and win victory
in second. ,.-rs.H.tI lsf,. .ra
These were no ordinary men that
fought our battles for us, and we do well
to commemorate their virtues and deeds
of yalOr.f a .lcr, lit f.r
The nations Of the old world put into
the most attractive and imperishable
form the important facts in their national
history. Traian's Column in Rome, tells
the story of his wars to-day, after almost
twenty centuries, as no page in history
is telling it. The YendOme in Paris is
First, even after his empire is fallen, to
bAAS SttLC VI ttNllIill lASa .DCliOAuClo' liO
Histories of Florence and Venice are in
their great Art-galleries, the attractions
Of the world to day. England could read
her history in monuments. and com
memorating buildings, in statuary and
painting, on her miles of historic canvas
IN public halls, and museums, and gal
leries of art, If the works of her Nc
Caulay and Knight, and Froude should
all be blotted out. Our nation has not
done enough hitherto in this direction. (
She is too deficient in her historical
paintings and works of art. She has
neglected quite too long these emblk
matte symbols that are read at a glance
of the eye. This battle has lain over
hundred years without its memorial
shaft. But at last it has found a fitting
monument to bespeall its greatness.
l am not sure but we all ought to be
glad of the delay. For in all these years
its great conception has been maturing.
For well-nigh half century few ear
nest and loyal hearts have been watching
its inception, and planning for it's con-
summation. At last we have completed
the highest single-shaft battle monument
in the world. There it stands on yonder
hill to tell its grand historic truths to,
the latest generations. 1t stands in
beauty without peer Like the works
of the old masters, the Parthenon, at
Athens, or the Cathedral at Pisa, every
line is a line of beauty that is wrought
into it, and like every true work of art
it grows upon you the oftener you see it.
and the longer you study its graceful
proportions. a',a|. .rr -
But we must not think that these great
results in conquest and power have been
reached without the aid of the church.
The great formative influence in mould
ing the character of the people and Civ
ing stability and worth, has been the gos-
pei of Jesus Christ. |..s H..
The town was first settled by n godly
people. Those were no ordinary men,
who in 1861 planted the first colony in
Bennington. Having by purchase be-
come proprietors of the soil, almost their
first work was to make provision for the
building of Westinghouse, and the
next year their church was organized.
The whole town was deeply interested
i'll all that pertained to the religious well
fare of the community. Every man S
property was laid under contribution to
support the preaching of the gospel.
Their action in town meeting, as evinced
by their early records, shows as much
care of the chnrch, as of their secular
| interests, even to the decorum to be
maintained in the hours of worship. W..
Five months bafore the battle of Ben
nington, this entry was made on the
Town Records. ''Yoted, That such per-
sons as do continue playing in the meet
ing on the Lords day, or in the worship
| of God, be complained of to the Com
mittee of Safety for said town, who are
hereby authorized to fine them discre-
tionaly." This shows us that even the
Committee of Safety had its duties
toward the church. The church touched
every interest of the people. Its house
of worship was the common property of
all. And it was used for all worthy pur-
| poses. On weekdays the children gath
| cred in an upper room for their educa-
| ton. On the Sabbath their fathers and
and spiritual instruction.
| Here convened the Legislature, and
after the battle here were confined the
prisoners that had surrendered in the
| contest. The facts relating to the early
history of this church have been so well
! Incorporated into the memorials of a
| Century," by my predecessor, Mr.. Jen-
nings, that they need not be repeated.
| Who can tell the influence of this first
! church, organized within the limits of
! the State before any form of government
| was established over the territory? How
much this Commonwealth is indebted to
| this Institution of God! ,.o
| 1t is the mother of seven churches,
| while it is doubtless the grandmother
! of twice as many more. What threads
/ of gold these seven churches, and their
| descendants have wrought into the robe
| of State! How much real genuine char
| acter they have dyed in the wool, none
can tell. They have kept the religious
1 heart beating, and the spiritual fires
| burning When the old church has
/ swarmed the off-shoot has not always
| found a CONGREGATIONAL hive to abide in.
But what matters it, so long as they all
hold up Christ as the Saviour of the
world? and so long as they love one an
other. having the same Master? These
churches have helped to rear the men
that have given honor to the nation. The
| Old Green Mountain State has filled up
her quota of men grandly in every de-
partment of industry, of government and
of knowledge, and her churches are what
have made her men. The churches of
this town are all working in commenda-
Bile harmony, We look out upon society
J organized on a Christian basis. The
church has solved many of the pulling
problems of the past, and it is her mis-
sion stiIl to guard the morals of the fu-
tlre. She moulds men, and mon mould
the life Of the world. 70. i''a Hfi.i
But 1 must forbear to speak as Iwould
SIVrfrGq oft lrr -rr..msr fTufHg .df
.u5TI hear the muftied tramp of years iaatf'Hl
y7li Come stealing up the slope of time, t f,.-
M Tiny bear q rain Of smiles and tears, ''
| ~ Ofbrning hopes and dreams subime.7 58.i
The past is seen, the future must be
nrophekled Rnt nrnnhncu has its rnnts