The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-05-26

II is there stated to be 1875. whereas
It was two years before, that the families !
OF the frs, named persons removed to
the Town. In l775 other settlers we're l
here, as mentioned in the Gazetteer.
There were many thriIing-some
tragical incidents that occurred TO the |
early settlers Of this town. the more
serious Of which, are so correctly de-
tailed in the work above named that !
think it not worth while TO repeat the
account there given of them.
The importance Of the early estab-
lishment Of religious Institutions TO the
character and future prosperity Of our
towns, seems TO have been well under
stood by the primitive inhabitants Of
many OF them; for while they were
Injured 10 various and severe hardships
and priyations, unknown 10, and therefore
unfelt by the present generation, there
was one priyaiion to which they would
not submit, longer than they were COM
PEELED by stern necessity to do so and
that was, hring withom the predched
gospel Hence we find that as soon as
they had erected their log dwellings,
and made sufficient Openings" TO sup
ply themselves with the necessaries OF
life, their next object was 10 secure the
preaching Of the gospel; occasionally
at least, until they were able 10 settle
minister This was the case with the
early settlers Of this town. Although
delayed for like cause that prevented
King David from building a house TO
the name of the Lord his God, viz. "the
wars which were about him on every
side" SO with this little body of chris
tian patriots; who were obliged TO di-
vide their time between leveling the
forest and cultivating their fields; and
in "teaching their hands to war, and
their fingers to fight" As soon how
ever as 'their enemies were put under
their feet, whereby they found rest"
they proceeded to organize christian in
stitutions.
The first was the Congregational
Church, which was organized Sept 20,
1885. They had occasional preaching
by Missionaries from Connecticut both
before and after the church was organ
lied, so that their first minister was not
settled until June 1892, when the Rev.
Enos Bliss was ordained as their pas
tor.
Although the Congregational Church
was first organized, and supplied more
or less with the preaching of Mission
aries, the Baptist Church was the first
TO settle minister. The Rev. Isaac
Webb was ordained over that Church
and society, Sept. &c, 1889. From
that early period TO the present. time,
these two societies have had settled
minister's excepting for short intervals,
between dismissing one and settling a
successor.
The Baptist Church and society have
been much favored in having enjoyed
for so long period, the very acceptable
labors Of their present much esteemed
pastor, Rev c. A. Thomas. He was
ordained over that church October g.,
1885, and has been their pastor longer
by several years, than any of his prede-
cessors.
The present pastor Of the Congrega-
tional Church and society, is the Rev.
Francis b. Wheeler who was installed
May 20, 1850. OF him it is perhaps
sufficient TO say, that the strong and
united desire Of the church and society
of which he has the pastoral charge, is,
that the existing connexion between
him and them, which has hitherto been
so entirely harmonious, may long con-
tinue.
The Methodist society was organized
here in 1901, by the celebrated and &C.
centric Lorenzo Dow; who was the
first preacher on this circuit. This So
cieiy was supplied by circuit preachers,
until about eighteen years ago, when
they erected a commodious brick church
and this place was constituted n station;
since which, they have always had
preachers located here.
For the last two years, the Rev d.
II. Loyeland has been their worthy
minister.
One Of the early and most efficient
members Of the Methodist society here,
was the late Bsnajab Douglas, ESQ
A man Of much buoyancy Of spirit,
ardent zeal, strongly opiniona,ed, and oI
uncommon procliyiiy for speaking in
meeting" lie was, withal. kind and
very obliging neighbor. His oldest son
was Doctor Stephen A. Douglas, who
was educated to the profession Of medi-
cine, but was never able 10 practice
much, by reason Of long-oontinued i'll
health. lie died in his chair, without
a moments premonilion, on the first day
OF July 1915 holding in his arms at
the lime, an inian, son, Of two months
and few days old. That infant, is the
present Senator Douglas, Of Nebraska
noiorieiy.
Each Of these denominations have
well constructed and commodious brick
churches situated in the village.
The Episcopal church was organized
in 1888. This society own The second
story Of the Town House, which they
have fitted up in a manner convenient