Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-11
NEWFANE
Annual Open Air Meeting on New.
fame Hill Last Sunday
300 Present Despite the storm-Address
by Gen. o. o. Howard and Rev. II. r.
Miles,

Miles.
Last Sunday, opening with promise of
favorable weather, brought clouds nv
noon, which steadily gathered dark and
threatening volume, yet possibly 400 peo-
pie started for Bencasson grounds. Some
turned homeward at various points en-
route, others not till they reached the
picturesque scene of the meeting, when
downpour took away courage. In spite
of rain an audience estimated at 300 re-
NAMED on the old hill through the SER
vice.
Major General o. o. Howard. one Of
the few surviving commanders of the
civil war, arrived on the preceding day
responding to the invitation of his long
time friend Mrs. Caswell- Broad to give
an address. He was enthusiastic over the
grand layers upon layers Of mountain cir
cles from that vantage ground, and. as
might have been expected, proved a man
10 save the occasion from defeat by the
elements. "A piano and organ had been
carried to the platform and hurriedlv
moved back to shelter of a broad veranda
Showers held up and aroused hope only
to be dashed by repeated downpour. and
a paralysis seemed to fall upon all. Even
the horses looked detected Rev. L. p.
Broad shouted. General, take commando
someone had thrown q rubber coat over
the generals shoulders and he sprang to
the front with the military vigor OF youth
calling Come out and sing, we must do
something; sing Hold the Fort" Then
showers OF Blessing" and other peculiar
~ appropriate rallying tunes followed.
Inc general and Mr. and Mrs. Broad, with
a few others, stayed upon the platform
with umbrellas held over them by faith
ful hands, and soon Rev. H. r. Miles of
Brattleboro added his hopeful presence to
the scene.
Miss Dickinson, the sweet soloist from
a church choir in Springfield, Mass, lifted
her voice from the nearest piazza, assisted
by Organist George Batchelder in my
Lord and T. and later in a more classical
though scarcely sweeter hymn Mean
while the rain held up somewhat and
after leading in the Lords prayer Gen
Towards address of nearly an hour was
listened to with close and unhagglng at
tention, by not only those under shelter
of friendly piazzas but by many who sat
In their carriages or even had to stand
outside. He spoke warmly upon the Love
OF God and drew lavishly from army ex-
perience in examples Of mans love, maxi
ing comparison with Gods love and an
pealing eloquently to his hearers to work
out their opportunities. The speaker
might well be called a soldier preacher
He fairly commanded attention. Once he
called out, Young men, stop talking while
l am talking; / can hear you better than
ton becomes an interrupting feature of
all outdoor services, but never before on
the hill was there so little visiting and
moving about during these annual OPEN
air gatherings. and long may they con-
tinue to draw the people of this town to-
gether In the presence Of inspiring noun
tains. Only once in nine years has rain
fallen much during these meetings and
only once has rainy day set in to alb
solutely prevent the gathering
The longer address was followed by a
brief one from Rev. Mr. Miles. which
admirably fitted into the first and was
packed with closely connected. logical and
earnest appeal, based upon reconsideration
of the Fathers call to work In his vine
yard, or the Sons love OF God. To those
who had the good fortune to hear and
listen II seemed scarcely possible not to
be impressed for life by two such ad-
dresses. The speakers were certainly re-
warded with appreciative attention under
difficulties. The old soldiers present ap-
peared to prefer sitting in front instead
of upon the platform and it was a sight
not to be forgotten to see them greet the
beloved commander whose empty right
sleeve was pinned into his pocket and
mutely gave its eloquent story. Bashful
boys went forward to take the COM
mander's hand and the generals estimate
was that 200 people stopped to give him
personal greeting.
The general registered as a resident OF
Burlington, born in Leeds, Me-, and when
he left the hill Monday morning he took
off his hat to the cabin flag and called for
three cheers, which We're given with a
will. The wales below were filled with a
silvery, sheeny mass OF fog from scores
OF streams and made a picture like the
vast ocean through which mountain and
hilltops lifted up their heads into the
clean sunshine that might have recalled
to the general the famous Lookout noun
tain of battle memory.