Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-12-22
THE UPPER MIssIsCo VALLEY.
REFORMATION IN 1918.

No religious society had been formed,
and very few of the inhabitants had ever
professed religious faith. The settlement
had occasionally been visited by a mis-
sionary, Rev. James Parker, and small
Methodist church had been formed in
Potion, and Rev. Mr.. Bowen, pastor of
that church, had preached occasionally
in the towns south of him. Public wor-
ship on the sabbath had not been regu-
larly maintained at any place, and in
many districts no religious meetings had
ever been held. The consequences of
this deficiency religious inatrnctinns
were felt on the moral character, as we'll
as on the temporal prosperity of the
people. A very low state of morals
prevailed, and in many instances things
! were tolerated that could not exist in
Christian communities.
The reformation that followed cannot
be accounted for on any principle which
the world calls philosophical. Early IN
the winter of 1817-18 an unusual
solemnity seems to have rested on the
minds of many of the people, and they
were led in some mysterious manner to
ponder on those things which pertain
ed to their present and future spir-
itual welfare. No particular cause for
this feeling existed; there was no unus-
ual af1iction, sickness or misfortune.
Mr.. Asher Chamberlin, who resided
in Troy. had made profession of religion
some years before, while residing in
Peacham, and during the fall Of 1917
he had thought best to try to hold relig-
ious services at his house on Sundays,
reading sermons and engaging with a
few others in prayer. At the close of
one of these meetings the question was
asked those present, whether the meet
ings should be continued or not; there
was a unanimous vote for their continu-
ance. About this time some inhabitant
of the Valley visited Hardwick, Vt, and
while there found the Rev. Levi Parsons.
a missionary employed by the Vermont
Missionary Society, and invited him to
60 to Troy. Mr.. Parsons accepted the
invitation and arrived in Troy about the
beginning of 1918. The first discourse
awaked great interest in the minds Of
his hearers. Mr.. Parsons, in speaking
of his work, says: 81 spent eleven weeks
in Troy and adjoining towns. The re-
vival commenced on the first of January
and continued with great power during
the winter. Three churches were organ.
ized two of the Congregational, and one
of the Baptist denomination. Troy con.
tanned thirty-fve families. Previous tc
the revival only one individual was
known to be professor of religion.
have been led to believe, from authentic
reports, that sabbath-breaking. swearing
and intemperance prevailed to an alarm
ing extent. For few months previous
to the revival, things seemed to be ripen
ing for the judgment of heaven. Bu
He who is rich in mercy looked down il
compassion. At my first meeting pre-
ceived an unusual attention. Every eal
was opened to receive instruction, anG
many expressed by their actions ant
countenances the distress of wounded
consciences. The next week convictions
and conversions were multiplied, and a
some of the religious conferences NOR
than twenty requested the prayers o
Christian friends. On the 5th of Febru
, airy, assisted by Rev. Mr.. Leland o
Derby. organized church of twelv
! members. At the close of the exercise
the sacrament was administered for tn
first time in Troy. Nothing seemed t
7 be able to resist the power of the Spirit
5 No heart was too stubborn to be melted
+. no sinner too hardened to be reclaimed
e The sabbath breaker, the drunkard an
e the swearer were all humbled at th
7 foot-stool of mercy. Every house for th
l distance of twenty miles was opened t
religious instruction. The church wa
e soon enlarged to forty-6ve members, an
many more were the subjects of grace
The neighboring towns were blessed wit
the same outpourings of the Holy Ghost
4 A church was organized in West6el
: with ten members, and large numbe
:. of enquirers were seeking grace. 81
All ages and. classes have shared in th
e work, and among those who have unite
! with the churches are those of tende
It years, with those of more than thre
score and ten."
q There are those now living who cor
firm the reports of Mr.. Parsons, both a
n to the moral condition of the Valley b.
g fore, and the extent and blessings of th
y reformation. Mr.. Parsons is represente
e to have been man of only ordinar
} talents, but was full of love and earnes
IS ness, and endowed with the Spirit.
cannot be said that all sin and unbelit
IT was banished from the Valley by tn
n remarkable religious awakening. but tt
N state of society was considerably change
e for the better. and peace and prosperit
r. rrauailad Reside the Cnnnranation.