Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-04-18

Their his state and country by writing
| the History of Vermont In the civil
War" one of the best--it has been
| called the very best-of the State his
tories OF the war, a work through
which posterity will know how glorious
a part Vermont acted In that great
drama for freedom and right
or the other relations In which Mr.
Benedict stood to the community. l
shall speak of only two and of those
two because they arc those of which,
If of any, he would have wished mo to
speak. First, as to his connection with
the university. It was to be a profess
sor in the university that his father
came to Burlington, and Of that father
four sons and four grandsons have been
among Its graduates--a university fam
ily Of three generations. President FL
liot has said that large part OF tho
success of Harvard University Is due to
the fact that a sufficient number of cap
able men can be always found. resid-
ing within easy distance from he uni
versity. who arc willing to give with
out pay their time and their best or
service in the capacity of trustees. TO
the work of carrying on the institution
To this class of men belonged Mr.. Beu-
edict. For AZ years he has been
trustee of the university and the secre-
tary of the board of trustees. He has
been the intimate and confidential ad-
wiser Of two presidents, both of whom
NAV onldcntly say, would TESTIFY
that the university owes to him large
part Of any successes which have como
to the institution during their admins
trations. and for which both they. and
tho university, and all its friends and
well -wishers owe him everlasting graf
itudo But it was to him all labor of
love and nothing for reward. All the
more for that reason will we enshrine
his memory In our hearts and teach our
successors and our children to remem-
her him among those whom the univer-
sitv will always delight to honor.
And lastly 7 would speak brief word
of his membership in the church which
meets for public worship in the house
where We are assembled | have never
known mani believe few mon exist any
wherc-to whom their church means more,
is more dear and precious than this church
has been to Mr.. Benedict. outside of his
own family, ! think It may be said that
here was where he garnered mp his heart.
| mean of course. not only this particular
body of communicates and worshppers.
though he did with a special Christian af-
lection love these very men and women,
but what this church stands for and rep
rcsents and tries to live out, of Christian
truth and pcty. He was ono of the orig
inal members of the church, was for many
years It's clerk, and undoubtedly knew
personally more of its members, living
and dead. than any pastor or officer the
church has had. He was constant in his
attendance upon both the Lords day ana
weekly services and often contributed In
his delightful way to the uplifting and cdi-
tication of his fellow members He did not
profoundly study tho new questions
which modern research has spread out
before the Christian Church. but he
lhad an open mind and welcomed every
new truth which brought with 1t rea-
sons for faith or help to experience.
But he chung mainly to the essential
and Interchangeable truths. to the things
that remain because they cannot be
shaken. Not to overdo the figure Of the
| pillar removed from its place. this aud
| fence room will never he quite what 1t
| has been now that we see no more his
erect and military fieuce on which his
so years had imposed no stoop-and
church meetings will not he the same
now that we must miss his strong sup
port of every good thing material and
spiritual for which this church and
every church stands.
| Fellow citizens of Burlington of Yer
mont friends of Mr.. Benedict, neigh
bors comrades, life long readers, you
who have been associated with him IN
politics, in business. in the care of the
university; you, brethren of his col
lege fraternity. have l said too much
in his praise? Have said half
enough? BY gifts and opportunities
J Divine Providence laid upon him great
obligations, He gave him good an
cestry, health, education, religious
nurture, family friends. a versatile and
we'll balanced mind, openings into al
most any career he might choose
Varously endowed, he was a man OF
many accomplishments and of manifold
virtues. The fruitage Of all these gifts,
all these attachments. he has bestwoed
upon the community. upon us. He was
not self-seeking man. He turned to his
own personal account only very small
share of all that he was capab BILE of being
and doing. Take him for all in all he was
a man in respect of whom our long re-
mcmbrance and our lasting thought will
be that God has crowned al His many
other gifts TO our community by giving &c
us such man as George Grenville Bene-
dict.
The benediction was pronounced by the
Rev. Mr.. Smart
SERVICE AT CEMETERY.
A long line OF carriages followed the re-
mains To Groom Mount csnnetery ",