Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-09-06
Cornerstone Laid for the New
Chapel at Pleasant Valley.
BENNINGTON CENTRE.


A very pleasant, interesting service took
place Tuesday afternoon at West Ben
nington. The corner stone of the Ii
brary which Mrs. Colgate is building
was laid with appropriate ceremonies.
The weather was such as can only come
in September. Summers repeutant
smile" cleaned everywhere from Mount
Anthony's top to the most quiet nook in
rightly named Pleasant Valley. AS the
afternoon waned people gathered in the
open field with eXpectant faces. All
ages were represented, from Capt. Daniel
Paddock who with his long white beard
looked like patriarch, but the weight f
of years rests lightly upon him, for "his
eye is not dim, nor his natural force
abated"-down to children in arms. A
pleasant feature of the occasion was the
presence of a sister from a distant city,
who was born in Pleasant Valley and
passed her early life there. The writer
expressed regret that her husband, a
Bennington boy, and man or most gem
ial manner was not present. A life his
tory were in her face and voice as she
replied. eve have been married fifty
two years and he is such a good man."
a beautiful tribute to the mutual atfec-
ton and unbroken trust, which have
frightened the long way they have
journeyed together,
At the appointed hour, half past four,
Rev. NJ. L. Severance of the Old First
church, made brief address and placed
on the sreceptacle ANEW YorkTribuue,"
a copy of the last bennington BANNER"
and pieces of coin bearing date of 1895,
Then the two little daughters of Mr.. and
Mrs. Colgate approached the stone, Su-
san Everett of four years, Margaret West
not quite three. Grave, earnest express
sions came upon the bright, sweet faces
as they realized that an important work
awaited them. Susan canied the trowel.
Under the gentle direction of her father
she spread the mortar ready for her use
and patted it down in very decided
manner; then passing the trOwel to her
sister, she did the same, saying, with a
happy smile: me. too" And little
child shall lead them" for, THE touch
of baby's finger is the force that is
nearest God" One who knew said, "Of
such is the Kingdom of Heaven"
Orville Fillmore and Varnem Sterns
placed the stone in position. Mr.. Sew.
erance offered an earnest player which
was followed by singing Praise God
from whom all blessings flow" the bene-
diction closing tho service. 1--WE are
compassed about with so great cloud
of witnesses" Memory recalls so many
who reioiced over this scene, those who
have passed out of this "dimmer sun
shine into the light of God" 1t brought
back so much of the past and gave prom
Use of hope and encouragement for the
future. The building will be completed
and dedicated later in the autumn and
will be ready for the meetings of the Y.
p. S. G. E. during the winter, also for
social gatherings and entertainments and
will be supplied with attractive reading
at all times. The members of the young
peoples society have been earnest and
faithful. We judge the future by the
past and hope for even better things, and
trust-they may realize there is no limit
to the influences of consistent Christian
lives, they cannot die here: and in the
world to come there will be life eternal.