Historic Stained Glass Windows c.1909
The Guild and Hodges Window
From Beulah Cross’ church history and Fannie Shaw Kendrick’s History of Buckland: Rev. Charles L. Guild (1834-1899) was one of the most beloved pastors this church ever had, especially delighting in the children and beloved by them. He was the 6th settled pastor serving from 1873 to 1881. He had large congregations which increased until the revival of 1876, the largest this church ever had when 45 joined the church at one time.
Rev. Alpheus C. Hodges (1853-1906) served immediately following Rev. Guild, coming in 1881 and staying until 1897 when he went to pastor a church in Canaan Four Corners, N.Y. Rev. Hodges is remembered particularly for his vision of a library and his labors toward its creation. In 1889, with his prompt offer of $1,000 if the citizens would raise the same, he followed the bequest of L. D. Ruddock with the steps necessary to create a Library. He added to the collection of books from his own personal library. His aunt, Mrs. Sally Gillett, who died at the age of 100 years, two months, in 1887, left a bequest of $2,000 which was used toward the purchase of the parsonage.
The memorial window, located on the west side in the center of the church, was given by the friends of these two ministers in Buckland and vicinity.
The Guild Hodges window includes the faith symbols of the upper panel crown and double palms in the center panel:
The palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life originating in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world. The palm was sacred in Mesopotamian religions, and in ancient Egypt palms represented immortality.
In Christianity, the palm branch is associated with Jesus' Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday, when, according to John's gospel, "they took palm branches and went out to meet Him" (John 12:13). Additionally, the palm signifies a victory, an end to a conflict or competition, the palm developed into a symbol of peace, a meaning it can have in Islam where it is often associated with Paradise.
The concept of the crown originates from a cap, turban, or more formal metallic crown that was decorated with jewels. Its placement on one's head indicated that one was set apart for a particular task or calling. Such crowns were used for the high priest or for kings of Israel. A crown is a representative of Divine good. From www.truthunity.net we learn that the metaphysical meaning of crown is “that which imparts honor or splendor. Highest state or quality. The crown of eternal life is the prize to all who overcome carnal mind.” The crown also indicates the consecrated role of its wearer. Is it just coincidence that the crown was used on the window given in the memory of two called pastors?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_branch https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/crown/