St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-01-29

first year, 1876, was :}2I; for 1877, ISL;
"a colony left in that year, you remein-
ber) for 1873, 265. After that was
falling off for while, which has ceased,
the number having risen last year to
800. These figures are too nearly sta
tionary, nevertheless, to he consistent
with the general progress. The con
gregatiou has largely Increased that
are interested, or ought to be, in the
financial affairs of this church. So the
numbers of regular givers ought large
ly to increase. Efforts have been now
and then put forth among the adults
to secure this increase, but | do not
remember that any special effort has
been directed toward the children. AL
low me to suggest what has occurred
to some of US, Il canvass of this part of
the territory, and then a careful watch
kept of it. Fifty, perhaps a hundred,
new and thrifty young contributors
might be started, who are now over
looked. To the Lords treasury the
difference is not much, but to these
undevelOped givers the difference is a
great deal.
The amount collected for benevolent
purposes in the congregation in 1873
was $I4S7. The sum devoted TO out
side charities in 1876 (the first year
under the weekly offering system) was
$685., al increase of thousand dol
lars, 63 per cent. From these figures
there was gradual falling off for five
years, that is to say, while the sub
scriptions for the new church were be-
ing paid, till in 1888 they had already
risen above the former figures, and in
1884 the amount was 5000. The total
benevolent contributions for the ten
years through the church treasury
have been $2I ,S4S - an average of
S2lS5. That the interest in missions
has steadily increased is evident not
alone from the increased contributions.
! There are five missionary organiza-
tons connected with this church.
A portion of this decade will be for
ever memorable in the history of this
church for this beautiful house of wOr-
| ship. whose erection it has witnessed.
The feeling had existed for long time
that the old house did not fairly ex-
press the regard in which Gods wor-
ship was held by this people or their
estimate of what was due him in ac-
acknowledgement of his great blessings
bestowed upon them. More or less
thought had been given to the ques-
tions what kind of building had best
| be undertaken and how the people
could best be enlisted. till late in Feb
ruary, 1877, Il movement in behalf of
a new church developed itself, gather
ed momentum rapidly, became practi-
cally unanimous, and within six weeks
resulted in subscriptions to the amount
of nearly SIC, 200. At eleven o'clock,
| July 10th, the old church started on
rollers for the new lot kindly purchas
ed and loaned as its temporary resting
place where, reiitted, it gave MS good
shelter till the new edifice should re
ceive us. The winter found massive
| foundation laid on this site. The next
summer, September 10th, 1873, IA hap
py, hopeful company OF us assembled
| for the first time on this floor. but un-
der the open sky, and we laid the cor
ner-st0ne That season the walls rose
nearly tn the caves, and the chapel
roof was boarded. That winter also the
scafl0lding was removed and the first
view obtained of this interior. The
next month. October Goth, IA new bell
raised to the tower that afternoon,
called us to the Wedne sday evening
meeting.
Sunday evening. February 20, 1881,
we invited the South congregation to
our farewell service in the old church.
! Wednesday evening, 23d, we held our
farewell meeting in the old vestry
Thursday, February oath. we deGicat-
ed this house to the worship of AL
mighty God. The next Sunday we
took formal possession and with very
little of that feeling of strangeness
which we feared. From the first we
sisted in taking possession of it to
make the enlarged space seem AZ full
rs the other house. Such arc its acOuS-
! tic qualities that the preachers voice
found no difficulty in filling It's ampler
dimensions. The ventilation has prov
ed perfect. The temperature alike in
summer and in winter Is easily regu-
lated. It's furnishing, from the grand
organ down to the footstools, lis helpful
! to the great ends of sanctuary. IL
has been a means of spiritual uplifting
to us all. 1t is a unique, impressive
object lesson, Suggesting to every one
who worsIIips in it-nay, who passes
by it, that he should give God his best.
Across the way stands gem of a
house, of q semi sacred character
this house, somehow, what the moon
is to the sun-and one of the items by
winch this church is better off than ten
years ago. If all the comfort it has
yielded its occupants for the nearly
nine years during which they have had
possession could have been saved aud
solidified it would make another pyra-
mid of Cheops, Blessings on the mem
ings Oh the heads that thought it into