Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-04-23


carefully at some transient oil ject, like a
wayside flower, aud then saying mourn
fully as turned from IL, at is the last
look | shall nevcr.soe II again." In later
years have had no need TO invent occa-
slons for parting griels. They have come
faster than | have known how to meet
them. As depart from you on the NOR
row 1t seems as If / must turn my steps
towards the old homestead and find there
a resting place for my weary feet. Alas I
strangers look out of IFS windows. For
the last time on an earthly threshold my
father and mother have greeted my COM
ing with their welcomes, anu blessed my
departure with their benedictions. But
trust to see them again. | expect they will
greet me with lasting welcome at the en-
trance or our heavenly home. And thero
have been partings from friends tried and
true, and from dearly beloved Christian
souls and fellow -laborers, for whom have
mourned as David for Jonathan.
And now, beloved, | am to be parted
from you. The thousand ties that have
bound us as pastor and people, like the
| threads of weaver's loom, are to be sun
dered. Henceforth we are TO be as strang-
| ers. Now and then we may meet, as 1
trust we shall, but l shall not be to you
what l have been; not what cease to he
this day. Another pastor will stand in this
pulpit, will greet you in your parsonage,
visit you in your homes aud comfort you
in your troubles. TO him you will right
fully give your thoughts and affections.
Ip rra p1 Ia, i,9 H.
must increase but shall decrease" can
not trust myself TO speak to-day as it is in
my heart TO speak. The fountains of feel
ing are too full; the pressure upon the
tear-gates is too strong TO permit free in
diligence in those reflections which natur-
ally arise at such an hour. 1 shall attempt
no formal sermon. l shall start from these
words, at is the last time" as from mile
stone, and speak on, of such things as seem
fitting to the occasion.
1t was six years last Wednesday night
since, with unanimous voice, you called
me to be your pastor. These six years have
been red-letter years in the calendar Of this
| church-years such as it never saw before
years of growth and blessing such as
possibly it may not soon see again. How
joyfully have we gone forth winter and
summer, gathering ripened sheaves even
while sowing the seed of future harv ests.
Our church has not been as one of our
northern orchards, bearing fruit only ON
occasional years rather it has been as the
orange tree of the tropics, yielding its in
crease not only each year, but also each
month of the year; the blossoms of dawn
ing faith, the vigor of growing graces, and
the ripened fruits of matured years have
never ceased 10 be manifest. What happy
singing pilgrims we were through all these
years till the hour struck for Our seDara-
| tion! But we will not think of this. Let
Us recall some of the blessed experiences
Of the past-some of our tolls and trium phs
now ended. Think for instance of
a. our ReviudLs. The first winter Bro.
De Witt gave us helping hand. For six
weeks after he left l preached each night
of the week, and generally three times on
| Sundays and special fast days. The follow
ing winter we had no help from others.
We held many extra meetings during the
first months Of the year and your pastor
| generally preached three sermons on Sun
day. II was an exceedingly sweet and pre-
cious revival, in which some forty profess
ed hope in Christ. The third winter our
beloved brother Earle was with US. Brother
Swan and brother Tilson each preached for
US aSabbath most acceptably, and gave sf-
ficient week day aid. The meetings were
| continued long ailer our helpers left us.
| For many successive Sabbath evenings
your pastor preached and baptized in the
| presence of audiences which packed the
pews and aisles to their full capacity. 1t
was harvest of immense toll and OF
abundant returns. The next winter we
held but few extra meetings afler the week
OF prayer, and yet there was much interest
in our regular meetings. Conversions were
ftequent, and aside from those who came
from West Brattleboro, some twenty or
more were baptized. Tho fifth winter is
fresh in all your memories. Bro. Graves
came. Many were converted. My own
strength gave out. For months | was alb
sent from you. The autumn and early
part of the past winter were full of prom
Use. Our regular congregations were new
er so large. The prayer meeting was per
vaded with the Spirits power. A few pro-
fessed conversion. Others were known to
be interested. Tho week of prayer began
hopefully. But other matters drew our at
tentiou. The blessing which seemed with
in our grasp was lost. Delightful refresh
inss visited other churches in our town
and many professed faith in Christ. The
heavenly dews moistered other fleeces,
ours remained dry.
How blessed were those revival years
How jublant were our hearts How peace
ful our songs in the night What gladness
filed our souls as one after another yielded
their hearts to the Lord Jesus If the JOY
in Heaven over repenting sinners wa,
greater than ours II was great indeed. But
beloved, for us the end of such bissful ex-
periences is come. We have engaged in
revival work together for the last time
Honcelorh We shall toll apart you here
where the Lord shall appoint. Old sol,
ders who have marched, aud camped, and
fought side by side for years, form a won
drous attachment for one another, and part
with mostened eyes. 1t is not strange, there
fore, that we, who for nearly six years have
80 happily campalgned together, should be
'ANN'N eNA'NN'hA 40 We aio dDoul W Dl0dh
up--you to bo marshaled by leader ye
unknown, to march in the van OF unfa
milsr forces.
(2.) our baptiSmdl and communion occa
sionS have also been seasons of great de-
light. Some sixty times during these 81
years have we been permitted 10 baptizs
and the number baptized exceeds 200
These, with others who have come by let
ter and experience, have at our commun
ion service received the hand of fellow.