The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-06-29
SERMON BY PRES.
!. ]. N. THOMAS OF
M|DDtEBURY
Large Congregations at Church
Rededication
SPECIAL MUSIC PROGRAM
Union Service In Evening at Which
Pastors OF Local Churches
Took Part.

A perfect day weatherwise, the
large congregations. and program OF
distinction both In point OF the adj
dresses and OF the music made memoir
able yesterday the rededication SER
vices of the Second Congregational
church. The order OF exercises as
printed In Saturdays Banner" was
carried out without change except for
one musical part at the evening ser
vice, Mrs. Frederick 4 Wood, the
daughter of the Rev. c. c. Kimball, ID.
d., who was pastor of the church
1858, singing as a solo. THE King
Of Love my Shepherd Is"
The dedicatory sermon at the morn
ing service by Pres. John NJ. Thomas
OF Middlebury college had for its
theme. THE God Who Goes Before"
and its text, The Lord went before
them by day In a pillar of cloud, to
lead them the way" Exodus 1924.
The Lord God of Israel went before.
II was a strong sermon. He said:
His place was at the head of his PEG
pie. TO lead them the way. | charge
you to rededicate this church TO the
God who goes before. Have faith
chat leads, and dare to accept the
leadership OF faith. The godly foun-
ders OF this village were not stragglers
or nurses OF stragglers; they were pi-
oneers. II is for godly men today to
keep, like them, at the front, leading
the advance In thought, inspiring new
duties as taught by new times, and in
culcating such life as appeals to the
restless spirits who are eager TO get
ahead. The church should be at the
| head OF the procession of all brave
hearts and eager minds. alert for the
worlds new and better day. May you
so conduct the work of this church
that men OF vision may some day
make record OF your life In words SIM
liar 10 these, The Lord God went be-
fore them to lead them the way"
All the local ministers had part in
the evening service. The words OF
Rev. Frank h. Morris and Rev. James
p. Harper in bringing greetings and
congratulations for the sisterhood OF
the Bennington churches were very
felicitous. DR.. Isaac Jennings speak.
ing for the Old First church told the
story of the beginnings of the Second
with delicate humor, recounting the
sorrow OF the white lady on the hill
as she saw her children depart, which
sorrow was resolved into content and
well wishing as the necessity and wis
dom of the separation afterwards be
came apparent This story OF the or
igins from the lips OF the old mother
as DR.. Jennings imagined himself
hearing II, was fascinating recital.
Rev Edward G.. Reed, ID. d., OF
Somerville, n. j., who was pastor OF
the Second church from 1S75-lSS2
continued the historical and remini
scent address. Anticipated by ID
Jennings in reference to the first be
emergency, and substituting extern
pore allusion and story for the first
part of his carefully prepared sketch
of the history of the church, neld the
the attention of the congregation al
the late hour and particularly inter
ested many who knew the pastors ant
the times of which he spoke.
II was a great regret to his man,
friends that Dr. Charles h. Seymour
could not be present yesterday to have
part In the service. But fine lettel
from him to his former people wal
read by the pastor at the mornin.
service.
The music at both services was rem
dered by the double quartette choir
and had been arranged with mucl
care. Every number fitted its place
exactly. THE Recessional," (Kir
ling) by the choir, and the solo, "B,
the Waters of Babylon by II. c
Bennett were especially praised.
The printed program contained
brief history OF the renovation, max
ing special mention of the good fol-
tune of the church In being able 4
command the services of so eminen
an architect as J. Cleveland Cady o
New York City. The wisdom OF en-
trusting the entire plan In the last dc
tail to his knowledge and skill is al
parent I'm the restful, harmonious an,