Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-04-24
DUMMERSTON.
TWO ANECDOTES OF AN EARLY wINpHAM oouN.
TY MINISTER.


Many years ago Rev Asahel Wood Of Put
ney, who was pastor Of the Baptist church on
West Hill for six years from the time he was
settled there in 1918, preached funeral SER
mon in the'Congregationsl church in Dunn
mersion. His own death occurred week
afterward, and persons who remember we'll
the occasion of his preaching the funeral ser
mon here and bis death soon after, relate the
following circumstance connected with his fu.
neral. II was known to his wife and friends
that In case Of his death he desired that Elder
Mansfield Bruce, a very intimate friend, should
preach his funeral sermon. Accordingly q
messenger was sent on horseback to Whining
ton, the home Of Mr.. Bruce at that time. On
reaching the place the messenger was greatly
disappointed to ind that Mr.. Bruce was alb
sent in Bennington, attending meeting that
would probably detain him there two or three
days He returned to Putney, and another
minister was engaged to attend the funeral.
Much to the surprise OF his family, MIR. Bruce
came home from Bennington late in tho night
after the messenger from Putney had left.
Mrs. Bruce inquired the reason of his uneX-
pected return, and was told that during the
previous night he was seriously impressed
with the thought that be must return home
Immediately he was needed fos some impor-
tant service-something had happened to call
him home. His friends urged him to remain
till the close of the meeting, but he said no to
all their entreaties and left for Wilmington.
He asked, "Am not wanted here for some
purpose has anyone called for me ?" Mrs.
Bruce replied that man from Putney had
called that day to have him attend the funeral
Of Rev. Asahel Wood. "That il what am
needed for" be said and after a short rest
he took fresh horse and started for Putney,
reaching there just in time to preach the fu-
neral sermon OF his deceased friend.
Mr.. Bruce was chosen deacon Of the Bap-
tist church in Pondville (called Marlboro and
Newfsne) in 1906, and in 1909 be was ordain-
ed aud became the first settled and salaried
pastor of that church, where he remained un-
til the close Of 1918. He preached in West
Dummerston in 1919. and was a pastor In
Wilmington in 1924. He was an able preach
er, or, as aged persons now living remember
him, "a smart preacher" and especially gift
ed in prayer Apropos to the last state
ment, a story is related Of him In connection
with the holding of the county court on New
fame hill on one occasion when there was no
minister in town who could be present to Of.
fer the opening prayer. Inquiry was made
by the officer for suitable person to make
the prayer, and Mr. Bruce, then quite q
young man, was named. He lived some sew
en- or eight miles from the courthouse, and
the officer found him at work in clearing,
piing logs. On hearing his errsnd Mr. Bruce
at first refused to comply with the request,
saying he was mere boy preacher and did
not feel that he was competent to perform
the service in the presence Of those judges
and lawyers. But the officer encouraged him
to make the trial. and Mr.. Bruce finally CON
sented, and opened the court with prayer.
All we're greatly surprised, for, it is said, no
minister had ever performed the service more
Acceptably to the court than Mr.. Bruce did
on that occasion. D.. NJ