Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-02-16

WATERBURY Any Intelligence important to in-
divduals or Of general interest to communities is
fitting subject for the newspaper columns.
Whatever therefore relates to the improvement OF
society by the radical reformation Of individuals
must he interesting 10 the intelligent readers OF
the WATCHMAN. It Is therefore with pleasure
that your correspondent is warranted in reporting
the unmistakable evidence that an unusual, not TO
say remarkable, religious influence seems to per-
wade the thoughts and purposes Of very many
people of this village and vicinity. 1t is char
itably hoped that many have attained more
realizing sense Of the necessity Of personal piety
than they ever previously felt, and that they are
striving for higher attachments in Christian life.
Who is so Indifferent TO- or distrustful Of the power
of Christianity to reform and elevate society, as
not 10 wish this work If il be Of holy influence, 10
continue and extend till very many more may
seek and hnd the pearl Of nestimabe value? The
means employed in the attainment OF these re-
suits, whatever they may ultimately prove, have
been quite simple and unobtrusiye. There have
been no unusual pulpit services, only one more
week in one church, and two a week In the other
The Methodist church had four or five prayer and
conference meetings week in each church. No
ministerial or evangelist help from abroad, but
the attendance constantly increasing without the
least possible appearance of excitement or want
Of order and propriety The prevailing influence
may be called that OF " still small voice speak
ing 10 the individual conscience, while the
prayers, the testimonies and exhortations of the
brethren, sisters and converts, inlerspersed with
frequent singing of verse or two from the
"winnowed Hymns" inviting to come to
Jesus" or repeating the " old story which has
thrilled my RAIDS OF believers for centuries and yet
Is ever new These are the public means EN-
ployed 10 win the souls OF sinners heretofore care
less and Indifferent, II not hostile to the means Of
grace As TO the number Of those INDUCING
hopes Of having found the Saviour precious am
unable to state definitely, perhaps some dozens, II
they may not be counted by scores. How many
have truly experienced that life of regeneration
is known only u the Omnipotent one. But
whatever the number, may it be increased daily,
such as shall be saved Not only here, but through
out our whole nation, may this Centennial year
when the whole world is expecting and waiting to
see such u display Of the advancement OF onI
people in the material improvement In the arts
and sciences which are doing much Tor the i'm
proyement Of mans condition, by relieving him
Of much OF the severe tolls to which our fathers
were subjected in procuring the necessaries and
comforts OF life. II this Centennial year should
be as much distinguished by the moral and
religious progress Of our people, as Il may be In
the exhibition Of the material advancement OF the
century, happy will It bs for this nation and the
world witnessing it, growth Anthony Burke
was arrested one day last week on complaint Of
Michael leenan, who claimed that Burke had
stolen seventy five dollars from him Burke was
examined before Justice Lease, but no evidence was
found against him lie WAS bound up In the sum
Of two hundred dollars W A. Lord for defend
ant T.. v Palmer and II X. Field for the state