Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-04-22
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The CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-A
/ REVIVAL WoKK.-Tbis church, which
was once strong, had been reduced by
death and by emigration, until there
were but three resident male members.
I IL seemed NJ il the church must become
extinct. Four years ago last September,
Rev. C. Granger. the present acting pas
tor, commenced hir labors here The way
had been pre- pared for him. The little
church had resolved to make one NOR
effoft 10 arise and build the dilapidated
walls Of Zion, trusting in the Lord, that
he would direct. them, and work with
them. Their parsonage was repaired.
Their church ediice was repaired and
painted. In the meantime. the Rev. Mr..
Steele, formerly of Castleton, was preach
ing for them half Of the time. The little
church, and some sympathizing friend.
began u long for "A resident minister. and
for the regular worship Of God upon ev-
cry Sabbath. Mr.. G.. came. a. before
stated. For two years there was no spe-
eial religious interest. During these two
years, there We're at times some indlca-
rions of the presence of the Spirit, bu;
they passed away as the morning cloud
Toward the close of the year 1866, two
individuals, without knowing each 9TH
ers' desires or intentions, were moved 10
say to their Christian friends, that they
were ready to confess Christ before men.
They united with the church on the first
Sabbath in 1861 Nine others were re-
ceived into the church in that year. Oar
ing the year 1868, nineteen were added Ia
the church On the first Sabbath Of the
present year. fix were received into the
church. Thus in a little more than two
years, thirty-six were added To the little
church. Uf these tnrrry-sfx, twenty-rir--
are heads of families, ,one Of them has
gone home to heaven.) and thirteen are
these thirty-six, there were seven hus-
bands and their wives, and one wife
whose husband was already a member of
the.church, making eight married pairs a.
a part of the ingathering of our revival
thus far The whole number of resident
members in our church, counting one who
resides in the adjoining town of CAstleton,
Is forty-eight Our prayer meetings con-
tinue TO be as interesting ever.
The means used,
1st / have already mentioned one Of
these. II was the resolve of the church,
that they would make one more effort TO
live. This was the starting point. far
as human instrumentality was concerned.
Nothing could have been done without il.
Let every feeble church remember this.
%. The next means used was to 20 10
work Immediately and repair their house
of worship and parsonage.
Sd. They next put a minister into their
parsonage. TO be with them. and TO per-
form pulpit and pastoral duties.
4th. In addition 10 the regular Sabbath
worship. weekly prayer meeting was
started, which was held at private houses
near our church. One of the three male
members of the church was four or FIVE
miles away ; the distance varying accord
ing to the place of meeting. Another of
three was two or three miles away; the
third WAS one or two miles away; and
pastor the same distance. The pastor and
the nearest brother were generally present;
sometimes one of the other brethren, and
sometimes both of them would be present.
Often we were without singing, and often
in these meetings. Sometimes one person
would read portion of the Scripture,
make a few remarks, offer prayer, and
that was all Yet, this weekly prayer
meeting was continued through summer
and winter. There was not the least
TO give it up. Sometimes
large number of young people and children
would be present, who were always
addressed and invited to come again.
Some of these young persons are now
active members of the church. This
weekly prayer-meeting has been removed
to the church, and is held on Sabbath
evening.
What change do we now see. Not un-
during the past winter many
have attended this prayer meeting. There
has been no wan. of singing, and no
from any other duty. After
spending an hour, an hour and half, or
near two hours, in reading the scriptures,
singing, praying, and exhorting one
another, the people have still tarried as if
to leave the place of prayer.
"An hail the power Of Jesus name"
5. Another means used was the estab-
lishment of singing school. Our sing
ing had run 80 low that only two singers
could be depended npon, and these ire
quently sat with the congregation below.
Our singing school was continued through
the winter. It has raised up for NJ IN
excellent choir Of singera. It was the
means Of Furnishing our church With