The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-03-17
MISS HELEN O. ROGERS.

WhCh ~ DOb1ihC
known in our village that the eldest
daughter of DR.. Lyman Rogers had
passed away. Dr. Rogers, from the ma
ture of his profession, has been at the
bedside of so many in all this region, he
has been the one to say word of sym
pathy when death has entered so many
households that now in this time of deep
sorrow the heart goes OUT to the family
physician, the counsel in desperate
cases, In manner scarcely realized in
other walks of life. But it is not alone
to the father of the family that the loss
comes. Miss Rogers was the principal
OF the High school of our village, work
ing up to that high position from the
grades-hence her death Is felt to be a
personal loss to scores of families in
which children mourn the departure of a
loved teacher and friend. The flag of
the Graded school at half-mast told the
story of a useful life ended to six-hun-
dred pupils as well. Helen Olive Rogers
was born in SALISBURY, April 18th 1862.
In due time she graduated at Saratoga
High school, class Of 70. She then en-
tered Claverack college and graduated
with high honOrs in the class of 'S2 with
the degree of A. b. Besides her service
of some years as teacher here she was
assistant principal of the High school in
SchOharie, n. Y, and taught in the
grades in South Manchester, Conn. Here
she began in the grades but was success
sively promoted until she became prin-
cipal of the High school rs stated. In
an un, emit itious way she had become
one of the best known teachers in the
state. She kept up the standard of
scholarship and attended summer
school of languages each year. At her
obsequies, Wednesday afternoon, her
pastor, the Rev. Charles r. Seymour,
felt that some tribute of the estimation
in which she was held, some traits of her
character should be spoken of. His
tribute, which we reproduce, substan-
italy, below, will strike a responsive
chord in the breasts of all those who
knew this faithful teacher. He said:
1t is the prevailing purpose of a life
which marks its character If this pur-
pose be noble and high our admiration
is excited and our praise. But conss-
tency of purpose depends on a calm view
of the requirements of high calling and
and the determination to meet them
fully. Here the strength of our depart
ed frienD was apparent. Place was not
first to her, but will and a persistent
on-gOing to meet the demands of her
time. 1t was no surprise therefore when
the authorities gave to the hands of Miss
Rogers the serious responsibilities of the
High school of Ter own city. They
simply revealed just estimate of quail
locations which in a short trial have
proved ample. Those who have been so
fortunateas to visit the school of late have
been impressed with the value of thorough
and conscientious training in one who
appreciates its ends. Calmness, clear
ness, accuracy and cheerful aggressive
ness have won their way to an unusual
Every school day has been
to this teacher an opportunity. Each
recitation has been an occasion full of
meaning. The possible impressions of
each half hour have been made as though
all future progress depended upon them.
There was danger even that the thoughts
of all in the room would be absorbed in
what the teacher was doing. We learn
that the same self control, clearness, and
friendly insistence characterized her in
governing, and that with little difficulty
she held the unqualified respect and CO.
operation of all. We naturally search
for the principles that control such life
Incidentally they have come the surface.
have discovered to us the rare conscien-
tiousness of our friend. she loved the true
hated the false. She long ago resolved
to adhere to coYctions held in righteous
ness in all work whether of small or
great relative importance. Assuming lit
tie, shrinking rather from any position
That might be construed as an evidence
of self-assertion, she was fixed in her de-
sire and choice of the best things in
character, for Others as well as herself.
Life was seriousl matter. There must be
doing as well as believing. Demonstra-
tion was better than declaration although
the latter, at the proper time, was not to
be avoided. Most interesting was her
method of presenting richest thought in |
epigramatic form to her pupils. The |
memory gems" of her own selection, |
written to be copied, are side lights re- |
Vealing the goal of her own thinking. A |
ew days since was chosen the following
rom Shaks peare:
"Be just. and fear not
Let all the ends thou simst at be thy conntry's,
Thy Gods, and truths"
Here is another from Ben Johnson:
In small proportions we Just beauties see
And in short measures life may perfect be-
The last which, remains INCREASED on
he blackboard and which almost seems
o foreshadow the teachers sudden de-
,arture from our midst, is from Milton:
Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou liv'st
i've well: how long or short permit to heaven"
Must we or not regard this earthly life
# our friend complete? If true spirit,
noble purpose we'll wrought out, and a
conservation to that which is most ex-
client, constitute completion, then in
iced her life, so soon closed, was
precious in the sight of our Heavenly
father, and into His hands we can low
Dgly surrender one whom we were so
arrest to retain.
The funeral was attended from the
lOuse on South street on Wednesday af-
ernoon at 3 o'clock. The High school
ttended in a body, the faculty, the
leroy of the village, and many friends.
The floral offerings were very fine, and
included number of pieces of beautiful
nd rare howers-tokens of love and es-
eem. The bearers were chosen from the
Iigh school as follows: Charles Ben
ett, Carroll Partridge, Jesse Il. Barney,
leland l.. Fillmore, Charles L. Farnum
nd Willis f. White. The services
nded, the remains were deposited in
he vault. 1t is intended that they shall
e laid to restin the spring time in the
Id historic cemetery at Bennington
entire, there to remain until the bright
,aster morning of resurrection. Present
t the obsequies was class mate, Mrs.
10Y Conklin of Greenwich, n. Y, and of
intimate friends from out of town, the