BY GEORGE VALLEY
There is an old adage from Spanish philosopher George Santayana, and later Winston Churchill, that says, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” I totally agree with this adage. Over the past few years we have seen that this closed-minded lack of a grounded vision has hurt many people and shaken our democracy.
I would like to change this philosophy into a more positive one: those who do not learn history cannot find positive models for living and repeat them.
Recently, I was called to be the Pastor at the United Church of West Rutland, formerly known as West Parish. It is the oldest Congregational church in Rutland County, founded in 1773. What makes this little community so special is that in 1788, just fifteen years after it was founded, they called Lemuel Haynes to be their pastor. What is so important about that? Well, he was the first Black person ordained in the United States, at Torrington, Connecticut, in 1785. Previously he served in Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys during the American Revolution.
Vermont is known as a state of firsts. One of those firsts occurred in West Parish, whose people saw the deep faith and leadership abilities of Reverend Haynes and called him to be their pastor, a position he held for 30 years.
In 1804, just a few years after its founding, prestigious Middlebury College, at its second commencement, awarded Haynes a Master of Arts Degree in recognition of his leadership and scholarship. His was the fourth degree given by the school and the first to an African-American.
In 1818, when Haynes was released from his pastoral and ministerial relation with the West Parish, they recommended him with the following words. “We do cheerfully recommend the Reverend Lemuel Haynes, as a tried and faithful minister of Jesus Christ, to all or any of the Churches, where God in his providence, shall call him to preach the word, and administer the seal of the covenant of grace.” He next served in Manchester, Vermont for three years and then moved to Granville, New York, for another eleven years of ministry.
When he died in 1833, at the age of 80, The New England Review wrote, “He possessed an intellect peculiarly original and fruitful, which being sanctified by divine grace, rendered him not only a popular, but very useful preacher.”
Why can’t we learn from the positive things that happened in our own Vermont history and follow the example of our forebears’ work to make our country a better place for all? If the good people of West Rutland could see with the eyes of faith what Lemuel Haynes was, then why can’t we? Jesus welcomed and dined with all people especially those that the leaders of his synagogue would not even recognize. Do we want to follow Jesus and welcome all, or would we rather be like the Pharisees and Sadducees, who instead of loving and helping all, especially those in need, puffed themselves up with self-importance and only lived by the letter of the law? They never allowed it to transform them into loving and caring people.
The answer Jesus gave, not in words but in deeds, and the willingness to see with eyes of faith that the good people of West Parish practiced is ours for the following, if we dare to do so.
The United Church of West Rutland celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. We will have special musical programs and presentations later this year.
In the meantime, all are also welcome to join us in worship on Sundays at 10 a.m. at 60 Chapel Street in West Rutland.
