The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-07-15
"REMINISCENCES.

In the early thirties when the thought OF
house of worship was conceived by this
rural community and deliberately matured
and carried out it seemed stupendous
undertaking. These fertile hills did feed
us WELL and the bleating flocks did cover
our backs with hOmespun, and the herds
shod us with cOwhide and calf-skin, but
when you talk of ready money you may
! know that the four pence half-penny weigh
ed heavier in our pockets then than the
| stately American dollar does now in yours.
! Nothing discouraged, however, they con-
ceived the idea of turning their grain into a
common garner and selling Il ct public
auction, Then, as now, these fertile hills
brought forth wheat whose nut-like
sweetness is very remarkable, and it al
ways commanded a ready price for seed
wheat as well as consumption.
Paul planted and Appollas watered, and
God gave the increase. Scarce a kernel
failed to fill, and no malarial fungus fasten-
ed on the heads of wheat. They cast it
into the common garner and 1t sold readily.
They reverently took God at his word, the
righteous are never forSaken nor his seed
begging bread. Every robbins gaping
mouth was filled. We had our homespun
WOolens and our calf-skin shoes. In those
days these hills fairly swarmed with chil-
dren, Olt-taShlOned families, ten, twelve
and sometimes thirteen children well fav-
ored broad shouldered, full chested mus
bounding health, and SO full of animal life
that we often felt that we could lift one
corner of the world. We had our aspira-
tons and ambitions.
We often gazed on the blue hills,
Some inspiration winning
The castles that we builded then
Dropped out their underpinning.
But all the same we dreamed our dreams,
Made schemes and plans in plenty,
l.. L..
When we were one and twenty.
A race as individual and peculiar to our
selves and the hills of Vermont. as are
Morgan horses. We learned the command
ments, the Sabbath day to keep it holy, but
Roaring brook had too many shady recesseS
for our incipient piety and we sprang away
like antelopes, and followed up its rocky
bed meath overhanging hemlocks and
clambering vines, Oblivious alike of cate
chism or bible lesson. l remember we'll
the spring Sabbath that lured by the sun
shine and singing of birds, we ran away
far up into C0chran's woods spruce gum
ming | remember also the solemn and
ever severe admOnltiOn we received for the |
days transgression, when we came home
tired and hungry, laden with our amber
nuggets so much coveted by children. Then |
our parents We're much impressed that they, |
as well as their children, needed gospel |
privileges, and it was for this they cOnse- |
Grated their growing grain.
| will make brief mention of some OF the |
who preached here. Mr. Camp |
bell gave us one sermon each month, com
ing out from the village with many of his
people. All must remember him as a
scholar and an excellent preacher. | re-
member we useu to say when we were in
doubt as to the grammar of a sentence or
pronunciation of a word, we will wait and
see how Mr.. Campbell says it next time he
Wa nau1 m haor L !
deal said about the election sermons that he
preached, which gave US some
concern. | was almost sure | was not one
Of the elect. We hope now we Understand
i better
Rev. |. G. Dow often preached here. also
man of much elOquence, a minister who
could sway and hold the hearts of an audi
snce. l remember on the occasion of
series of revival meeting at Newbury vii
age which was to close at midnight of the
Did year, as it drew near the midnight hour
an earnest and solemn appeal was made by
he old minister TO some young men who
lad Knocked and scOffed through the whole
Meeting, one of the band being his only
ION. In his earnest appeal l never heard
uch elOquence. In tremulOuS Voice tears
,oursing down his aged cheeks he warned
hem of the worm that dieth not the fire
hat is not quenched. In the tenderest
ones of his touching voice he besOupht |
hem TO fee from the wrath TO cone. The |
hurch had the silence of death, You might
ave heard a feather fall only for his
remulOus tones. One of the Young men
eft the church crying bitterly.
/ will speak of that rare old Scotch min
ster, Parson sutherland, deep classical
chOlar, educated IN Glasgow. WHO for fifty I
ears broke the bread of life TO one people :
n Bath, y. IL. In his old age B was min
ster az large and sometimes ! ached III ]
his house. His sllver-toned elo hence. his I
tory telling and the application VI what he a
aid 70 anyone OF his audience nlde him q y
l0st fascinating speaker. Ihf purity al y