Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-05-22
Congregational Church in Troy.

Levi Parsons, afterwards missionary to
Palestine. In the fall of 1917, John
Chamberlin, who was then the only
professor Of religion in the town, at
tempted to maintain the institutions
of the gospel by reading sermons on
the Sabbath and by holding confer
ence and prayer meetings at other
times, by which means considerable in
terest was aroused. Soon afterwards
a citizen on a journey found Mr.. Par
sons at Peacham and invited him to
90 to Troy. He commenced preach
ing there about January l, 1878, and
a general spirit of inquiry upon the
subject of religion seems to have been
the almost immediate result. In his
own journal, Mr.. Parsons says: At
my first meeting | perceived an unu-
sual interest. Every ear was opened
to receive instruction, and many ex-
pressed by their countenances and ac-
lions the keen distress of a wounded
conscience. The ensuing week con-
victions and conversions were multi
piled. At some of the religious con-
ferences more than twenty requested
the prayers of their christian friends"
As the whole population of Troy at
that time was included in thirty five
families, an extraordinary degree Of
interest must have prevailed, to justify
such a statement as this.
On the 5th of February, 1918, Mr..
Parsons and the Rev. Luther Leland
Of Derby organized church Of six
male and six female members. Three
of them were baptized by immersion.
Samuel Skinner was chosen deacon,
and Samuel Chamberlain, clerk. On
the 18th March nineteen persons were
added to the church, eight of whom
were immersed; and in April four
teen more were added. Thus church
of forty Eve members was the fruit, in
four months, of the preaching of a
man of very moderate abilities, bat
who was moved by intense love to
Christ ard ardent devotion to the
work of saving souls. Before the
close of the year, twenty one more adj
ditions took place, and a second dea-
con being found desirable, Samuel
Hovey was chosen to that Office
With the exception of few weeks
missionary service by the Rev. JOSEPH
Labaree in 1918 and by the Rev. Jas
Parker in 1921 the church was desti
tute of preaching till 1923, when thu
Rev. James Parker became acting pas
tor and continued so till his death.
In the fall of 1928, the Rev. Benz
Dolbear became acting pastor ant
continued for about two years. Som
ministerial service was rendered b,
the Rev. Otis f. Curtis in 1830-31
In 1881 a revival was experienced, a
the result of which twenty six pei
sons were added to the church, ma
king the whole number at that tim
ninety eight. The Rev. William I
Holmes became acting pastor Febrr
airy II, 1882, and was formally OF
dained to the pastorate June p, 1885,
Under his labors another revival 70
lowed, and further additions too
place. In 1882 the subject of ten
perance attracted much attention froI
the church, and the following articl
was added to the covenant: You Ell
gage to drink no ardent spirits, not t
furnish it for others, and to use you
influence against the use of it exceE
as a medicine Mr.. Holmes was di
missed March %, 1885.
Early in 1910 the Rev. Geo. Ston
commenced supplying the pulpit, an
in February, 1912 he was ordaine
pastor. Through his whole term O
service, and in fact, before and Ion
after that time, the efficiency of til
church was much impaired by the lac
of house Of worship and the cons
quent necessity of itinerating fro
place to place. Meetings were bel
at three places in rotation, and thong
they were numerously attended, it We
found impossible to build up a stror
society, without local center at whic
the good results of all christian effor
should meet and be consolidated
The excitement connected with M
lerism in 1914 and in 1916 had an i
furious influence upon the church, al
the removal Of a part Of the membe
in 1845 to form the church at Sou
Troy had a discouraging effect and T
suited in the dismissal of Mr.. Stol
near the close of the year. Aft
about two years of restitution, t
Rev. Caleb w. Piper became actil
pastor and continued for about s
years. In December 1854 the RI
Nathan Ward became acting paste
An unusual degree Of religious init