The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-10-30

in America,-no land is so rich as
our own in heroes 70 rwhom we
need no apology A noted citizen
OF France lamented that in France
they had no such heroes as have
we, to point their children with
pride such as Washington and
Lincoln.
"But by education we are CON
fined to these men but history
marches before the men of all
nations and bids us sit at their
feet as teachers. The scientists,
the poets, the prophets, the
martyrs, they all belong to US.
How easy it would be to pursue
this line of thot, but other facts
must be mentioned.
"2. No great idea or achieve
ment is the result of a single mind.
Peary or Amundsen. or Shackle-
ton cannot take all the glory for
their triumphs. Men before them
had braved storms in solar seas,
received and tabulated data. stor-
ed up courage, pointed the way.
Marconi was indebted to Bell, as
Bell was indebted to Morse, Morse
was student of Franklin; Frank
lin was under obligation to the
man that made the kite and dis
covered the buoyancy of the air.
Had Marconi lived in the time of
Morse he would not now be known
as the inventor of wireless tele-
gIaphy. Edison now sits among
a galaxy of scientists who created
for him an atmosphere charged
with possibilities. Milan Cathe-
dral is a structure in miniature
showing the progress of civiliza-
ton, the imprint of the centuries
is seer in its growth. In one cen
fury the architect drew the plans,
in the next century the masons
laid the foundation, in another the
walls were reared, and not until
another century is the glory of its
magnificence seen. Mushrooms are
grown in d night but there is a
march of civilization through the
ages. No great manis the product
of a single age. Take, if you will,
the greatest man whose name
shines on the pages Of American
history, Abraham Lincoln. He was
Lincoln because there
had been a Noah Lincoln and an
Adam Lincoln. We do not take
from his praise but simply state a
law Of human limitations. Even
a Lincoln could not make some /
thing out of nothing. That is
Gods perogative. Lincoln is not
the last word to be spoken in
American citizenship. Even he
measured by what is to be, if we
are true, will appear small indeed.
He was what he was in large
because of the men who
had lived before him and men to
he looked for inspiration.
Froude spoke truly when he said:
Had there been no Luther the
English, the American, the Ger
nan peoples would be thinking dif-
ferently, would be altogether diff
men and women from what
hey are today" And so also it
AN be said of all men in all fields
IF human endeavor.
"Now | have thus rapidly re-
this history and separated
.hese facts for a purpose and a
very personal one. No n can re
GIVE a benediction that is inher-
mt in u spiritual heritage with
nut being in Il receptive mood, and
10 one can be receptive who IS not
and humility is fostered
pest by an intelligent knowledge
If history. For today | am enter
ng into d new and rich inheri-
ance. This state and community
0 me is something new; it has a
.haracter all it's own. The men
nd m have built themselves
nto it. Their sentiments, their
acrifices, their loyalty, their de-
their religion form the
warp and wool of the kindly and
protecting mantle that enfolds us
oday. I would walk in the midst
f these spiritual pioneers and
leloes with uncovered head and
eceive their benediction.
"This church is a spiritual altar