Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-31
FoREFATHERS' CELEBRATION.
239th Anniversary of the Landing
of the Pilgrims Celebrated
in Middle bury.
9th CELEBRATION UNDER THE AUSPICES
OF THE MIDDLEBURY HISTORICAL

OF THE MIDDLEBURY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.
Probably few of the observances in
recognition of the Landing of the Pill
grims held in Middlebury since the late
Philip Battell established the practice
67 years ago have exceeded in interest
the celebration of Tuesday evening,
December 21st An excellent address,
good music, bountiful supper, and
bright after-dinner speeches contribut-
ed to the successful evening.
AS in former years the address was
delivered in the Congregational church.
Governor Stewart presided and the de-
votional exercises included prayer by
Rev. D. H. Corkran, D. D. and the sing
ing of Mrs. Hemanss ode 1.-THE Break
ing Waves Dashed High" under the
leadership of the Congregational choir
with Mrs. G. d. Miner at the organ.
The singing of this ode is time-honor-
ed custom at these celebrations and is
an interesting feature to all.
The address was by Rev. Burton w.
Lockhart D. D., pastor of the Franklin
Street Congregational church of Man
chester, N. H. He spoke on the Re
igion of the Future, - discussing Presi-
dent Eliot's recent announcement un-
der that title. DR.. Lockhart evidently
believes that the way to honor the Pill
grims is to busy yourself actively in
some of the things the Puritans would
be doing if they were alive to-day.
With their well known interest in theo-
logical discussions, he thought it appro-
pirate to consider some of the present
issues in religious discussion. The adj
dress was more than usually able, dis
tinguished by clear logic, fair state
ment, and precise utterance of vigorous
thought. Some Of the limitations Of
DR.. Eliot's conception of the religion Of
the future were clearly set forth.
After the exercises in the church sup
per was served in the vestry, which was
well filled, there being many guests
from out of town The reputation Of
the Labaree Society for good supper
was well sustained the committee
being Mrs. Sylvester, Mrs. Brainerd,
Mrs. Burt and Mrs. Cottrel
Governor Stewart, as President of
the Middlebury Historical Society, pre-
sided at the exercises following the din
ner He was in his happiest mood and
with wit and wisdom and pleasantly
called for remarks from Dr.. Branerd,
Rev. A. S. Hartman, Professor How
ard, President Thomas and Dr. Lock
hart These gentlemen discussed vari-
GUS phases of Puritan character and his
tory to the entertainment of all. A
delightful feature of the evening was
the musical program i'm which select
ions We're rendered by Mrs. Cottrell.
Mrs. Howard Mr. Pollard, and Miss
/ Nittum, Mrs. Miner acting as ac-
companist.
This observance of the Landing of
the Pilgrims demonstrated once more
that FOrefathers Celebration is an i'm
pOrtant feature in the life of the village
1t is remembered from year to year,
and serves to call the attention Of the
people to important events of the past
and pressing present problems in ben
eticial manner. Nothing that was said
on this occasion stirred a deeper re-
Spouse than the gratitude and honor ex-
pressed for the memory of Mr. Philip
Battell, the founder of these celebra-
tons, by whose activity they became a
part of Middlebury life. The interest
of his family, particularly of Mr. Joseph
Battell, in Forefathers' Day, is well
known, and it may be hoped that the
good custom will be preserved by fu-
ture generations. -
The ladies who We're responsible for
the several tables at the supper were:
Mrs. Brainerd, Mrs. Boyce, Mrs. Dick
ems. Mrs. Dickinson, Mrs. Fletcher,
Mrs. Hadley, Miss Parker assisted by
Mrs. Skillings,,i Mrs. Thomas,s Mrs.
Wright.