Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-10-14
TOWN AND COUNTY NEWS
Guildhall.

business done In IrODale Court III.
T. Spaulding's estate-John w. Hartshorn
appointed administrator. c. w. King and
Jas. B. Mcfarland appointed commission
crs and appraisers.
ORDINATION. - The Introduction of a
man into the Office and work of the chris
tian ministry, is not accompanied with
such ecIdt, as was the case fifty or sixty
years ago. In such interesting little
books which relate to clergymen, such as
Sunnyside," GA Peep at Number Five"
and "Our Parish" each clerical hero had
quite demonstration made in his favor.
In this manner the people evinced their
respect for religion, and also their honest
regard for those who declared its saving
truths. By reading accounts of ordina-
tions which were solemnzed in COngre-
gational and Baptist churches during
period of seventy-fve or a hundred
years in the past, we arc convinced that
such events were contemplated as being
decidedly important. Not only the peo-
pie of special church would be present
at the services, but guests who could be
counted by the hundred, would zealously
come from adjoining towns, and the quiet
village in which the church existed,
would exhibit unusual life and brilliancy
and attractyenesS. The old meeting
house would be opened, and worshippers
would flock into its generous entrances
IN oh
pews and in the spacious, lofty galleries.
and the singers would gather in their ac-
customed places; while they who "played
on stringed instruments" as the Psalmist
terms it, would be prepared to lend their
valuable aid. While there is not such IA
strong degree of enthusiasm relative to
certain religious duties now as was seen
in the days of our forefathers, religion
itself remains. When people respect and
profess the doctrines of Christ, they are
expected to Bring forth fruits meet for
repentance" And they caanot testify to
their oiety in better way than to show
forth the disposition of their Lord, both
in their words and actions. This is an
era of eloquence, of learning and of
wealth. Great schemes are formed for
the promotion of the general welfare of
humanity. But it is Il surprising fact to
consider that only comparatively few
of these commendable schemes are ever
carried out. Still, if we invest as liber-
ally and labor as industriously for the
churches we represent as we do for our
business enterprises, our religious organ-
izations would prosper. Yet the devoted
christians of this State, according to the
last Association Report, are wor-
thy Of being praised for their
benevolence towards the churches
which they represent. The Con-
gregational church at Guildhall is quite
ancient, when it is traced to it's first in
ceptiou. The organization seems to have
been formed as early as 1893, Ply several
devout men and women, who deserved to
have home in a sanctuary, where they
could pay their homage TO God. The first
edifce had its site few rods west of a
locality which is known as the north road
And according to descriptions of it, the
structure was one Of the old style, square
form of architecture, and its large audi
forum and commodious galleries could
contain quite a numerous congregation,
Though the building has itself been re-
moyed, memorials Of the people who
once worshipped in it can be viewed in
the cemetery Oh the opposite side of the
road. The mounds and the sravestones
show that there is q large congregation
of the DEAD who are sleeping dreamless-
qy beneath the ground. The present ed
itce which is occupied by the people of
the church and society, is pleasant and
eligible in its location, and it is apparent
been selected for it. 1t stands facing the
park, being on the north side of it, and
near the Essex county court house,
which is a nice looking structure. The
church is surmounted with graceful bel
fry, and is provided with u complete set
of green blinds, which greatly add to the
peatness of its appearance, and as it has
been recently repaired with considerable
thsroughness, and painted pure white,
it is a building which Immediately attracts
the atteGtion of the stranger visitor as he
enters the village. The audience room is
genial and bomelike and is capable of ac-
commodating upwards of two hundred
and sixty persons. The pews are CON-
fortably arranged; while there are two
aisles, one being on each side of the
church. There is we'll arranged gal
lery for the choir, in which is placed an
excellent organ Of the Estey manufacture
FROM Brattleboro'. A Carbet and Need
ham melodeon stands in front of the pull
pit, this instrument being used to accom-
pany the singing at the Sabbath school,
and also in the devotional meetings.
Last Sabbath the people extended call
to Mr.. Josiah Greene Willis of Spring
field, Mass, who had been laboring with
them for several weeks, and he, in due
time, accepted the invitation, and will
serve them as their acting pastor during
the ensuing year. In accordance with
arrangements which had been made by
the church committee, a council of min.
listers convened at the church on Tues
day, the 10th inst. for the purpose Of ex-