Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-03-19
Installation at West Randolph.

LIBERALIZATION ht west hAuuOlpns
The Hourishiug village, West Randolph,
is Of comparatively late growth. II is really
the creation of the Central Vermont railroad.
Randolph, the town in which it has sprung
up is one of the old towns in Vermont,
honorable in its history for the number and
prominence of the men it has borne and
nurtured to give name to itself and char
acter to the state Its place in the Common
wealth is now indicated by these facts. Here
is located the largest of our Normal Schools.
The state superintendent of schools, the
superintendent of agriculture, inspector of
finance and reporter of the supreme court,
are citizens of Randolph.
It is, however, of the churches of West
Randolph would write. The first church
organized here was the Christian, some sixty
years ago. 1t has now congregation of
about hundred and twenty-five, and ranks
among the highest of this name in the state.
The Congregational church was of later
birth. 1t was not organized till October,
1881, and then with about thirty members.
It's growth, for reasons that are quite APP.
parent, has not been, till of late, very vigor
Gus or certain. In the forty-seven years of
its life the church has had fourteen min
listers, who have served it year or more
each. Only two of these have been settled
pastors the first retaining the pastorate
little less than two years following 1887
the other, the late pastor, Rev. S. W. Dixie,
having a term of service of about ten years.
Among those that have ministered to the
church are found the names of honored
brethren, such as Sparhawk, j. p. Stone, II.
A. Hazen, Allis, c. c. Torrey, and perhaps
others which we know not of-good men,
workers and strong. Yet their terms of
service were so short and uncertain that
they could not lay foundations and build
thereon as they otherwise would, and have
in other fields.
The council, on the 18th instant, was
large one, larger than has been held of
late in this part Of Vermont. Thirteen
churches were called; twelve were present
by pastor or delegate, most by both; also
Rev. DR.. Bartlett, president of Dartmouth
College. The council organized by the APP
pointment of Rev. w. A. Bushee moderator,
and Rev. j. H. Hincks scribe.
The pastor-elect Rev. V. M. Hardy, a
native of Maine, a graduate at Amherst Col
lege, and a student at Bangor and Chicago
Theological Seminaries, spending two years
at each, and late for six years pastor at
Morrisville, from which he was dismissed
about year since, presented certificates of
his church membership and of his honorable
dismission from Morrisvile. At the request
of the council he gave a verbal relation of
his religious experience and reasons for seek
ing the ministry. He also read paper, set
ting forth at length, in methodical man
ner, his doctrinal belief and the grounds Of it.
The main parts in the installation service
this service being in the evening-were
Reading of Scriptures, Rev. c. Covil prayer
Rev. j. p. Demeritt; sermon, Rev. DR.. Bart
lett installing prayer, Rev. g. B. Tolman
charge to the pastor, Rev. E. f. Herrick
fellowship of the churches, Rev. S. w. Dixie
charge to the people, Rev. w. S. Hazen
prayer, Rev. j. H. Hincks and benedction
by the pastor. This service was introduced
by voluntary from the choir. The congre
cation and choir also sang the hymns, Clio
rious things of thee are spoken" and How
beautiful upon the mountains" in the inter
walls of the other parts.
The discourse of DIR. Bartlett was founded
upon John viii 46 and "a, "If l say thu
truth, why do ye not believe me !? If "
believe not that | am he, We shall die il
your sins" Subject, "The responsibility O
men for their views in religion"
We refrain from any report of this very
clear discourse. Suffice it to say we seldom
hear the righteousness of the law that re
quires right conduct in life and right opin
ion as a necessary means to it, more clearl,
stated or ably indicated or the folly ant
wickedness of no opinions, or vague ant
false ones, in religion more forcibly set forth
The crowded congregation listened to thu
discourse with much more than an intellect
ual interest. A marked religious iuteres
was apparent.
The church at West Randolph have latel,
repaired their house of worship, furnished
and made it attractive as home and plac
of both worship and work. Our brothe
enters upon the pastorate of church united
cordial and determined. The council con
fidently hope and expect that the good worl
there begun and much quickened of lat
will go forward to perfection, and that thu
tive to all the redeemed in the parish anc
neighborhood, and more for salvation +
the lost. Il.
West Randolph, March ID, 1879.