The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-01-26


ChOrns,
Recitation ....................M Miss Holden.
Vocal solo -. .......... Miss Middlebrook
Piano solo. ....... Miss Coleman
PART II.
Drill.
Vocal solo. Miss Sullivan.
Drill.
Quartette.
The Young ladies deserve well OF our
people and the hall will be filled.
METHODIST CHURCH REOPENING.
Yesterday was one of the red letter
days in the history of the Methodist
Episcopal church in this village. Our
readers know that for years the BANNER
has advocated the building of stone
front and tower to beautify and enlarge
this house of worship, but that the
times did not appear to justify the out
lay. 1t was thought best by the society
TO repair rather than to extend and
that, sooner or later, a new church
would be built Yesterday saw the end
of these repairs and the reOpening of the
church for public worshipN There has
been expended about 81 800. The first
$1,000, or Whereabouts, was appropriated
during the pastorate of the Rev. VIM.
j. Chapman, several years ago. The re-
pairs at that time consisted of the fitting
up of the basement into a chapel, class
rooms and parlors. There had been be-
fore that time chapel in the basement,
but 1t was not IN suitable condition to
use with comfort. This done, the Board
of Stewards rested until last year, when,
the repairs now completed were begun,
under the passionate of the Rev. A. D.
steepe has been rebuilt in modern
style, a new roof put on, a spacious
vestibule built to the front over the en-
trance steps and the whole painted
The main audience room has been Tres
coed, in gold and colors, as stated in the
BANNER while Che work was in pro-
gress, the pews and woodwork have
been repainted carpets laid, and now it
will be hard to find a pleasanter place of
worship than this. OF course not as ex-
pensive as many others, hut still pleas
ant as stated The aisles are covered
with a heavy Brussels carpet, which
adds greatly to the appearance, and rem
ders noiseless all footballs.
1t was this church that was reopened
to public worship, yesterday. Two SER
vices were held: morning, at 1870; even
ing, at 7 o'clock. During the noon and
supper houls, the ladies Of the church.
spread two bounteous collatiOns, in
vited the whole people To the festive
board. and it has been years, if ever,
since more agreeable social hour has
been enjoyed in town. The Methodist
people were joined in this by several
clergymen of other denominations and
people from out of town, aud by scores
of well-wishers in this community.
At tue morning service, the preacher
was the Rev. Samuel mclaughlin of
Rutland. His text was ii. Peter I. 81,
and his subject: 1.-THE Seven Graces.'
This he handled in an admirable man
ner. The talented new chorus choir of
the church, NJ. B. Morgan, leader, fur
mished the music. A fine duet was rem.
dered by Miss Audria Bowen and her
cousin, Miss Bates of Pownal.
In the evening, the preacher was the
Rev. r. G.. Thompson of Burlington. He
took his text from ii. Corinthians tx: 10,
and as his subject: THE Unspeakable
Gift The morning discourse had laid
out the groundwork Of the days
thought, i'll an admirable manner, for
this browning subject of the occasion.
In the evening, three pieces were sung
by the celebrated Bennington Male
Quartette, and one of these, by special
request,
the Lord" music by Prof f. n. Squire.
At the close of the service, the Rev. H.
G. Farrar, D. D., completed the raising
of the debt of 80 800, begun in the morn
ing. The whole sum was pledged, and
enough more to materially assist in
some other matters the church has in
contemplation. The raising of 81, 800,
with handsome surplus over, is quite a
successful feat these times. If our
gifted friend, Bro. Farrar, were here, we
should suggest to him that it eclipsed
the translation of "stone inscriptions"
The congregation IN the morning was
good, that in the evening packed
house. Every seat was occupied, the
aisles were filed with chairs and num-
Der were unable to gain admittance,
There were no memorials, but quite 20
list of handsome gifts are noted: The
new pulpit is the gift of j. Ed. Wal
bridge. 1t is nice piece of furnishings,
as was to have been expected. The
young married ladies of the church pre-
sented two silver collection plates"
also, an elegant set of communion table
linen. These we're the best that could
be procured, and the linen was imported.
The Pastors family placed on the pull
pit an elegant Bible, bound in full Tur-
American Bible Society. In place of
the stools for the pews, Mrs. W. D.
Newton furnished large number of
hassocks. And last, but not least under
the circumstances of the lady's health,
Miss Grace Greenslet is to present to the
church a communion table, purchased
with funds that she had collected and
supplemented by her own contribution.
This will be placed in the altar space at
an early day.
Several letters and kilograms were re-
ceived and noted from absent friends.
The Rev. Bostwiok Hawley, d. D., pas
tor from 1S72-75, ill at home with la
Grippe, sent letter to his Bennington
friends. The Rev. VIM w. Foster, Jr.,
did the same, and many others sent tel
egrams of regret at unavoidable absence.
We congratulate our Methodist friends
upon the success of this memorable oc-
casion.
Richard NJ. Hunt, the architect,
formerly of Brattleboro, has been
elected an associate member of the
Academic def Beaux Arts, one of the
academies of the Institute of France.