Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
THE RIFLE.
"REMINISCENCES


OF THE CONGREGATIONAL AND uNIvERsAL1sr
cHURcHEs, WITH A GOOD STORY WHICH the
ADHERENrs OF BOTH CoMMUNIoNs WILL Ap.
PROBATE.
The Brattleboro correspopdsnt Of tho
Springfield Republican contributed a chapter
OF historical notes and "reminiscences of Brat
ueooro churches to the last Sunday issue of
that paper, which our readers will find of in
terest:
sixty years have wrought great changes In the
msn,oershlp Of this 1.-THE Centre Congregational
society originally organized byG little colony which
ame down from the west village In 1916 and built
church on what is nov the village common between
Nor.n MAin ana Asylum streets. The meeting house
vas occupied by all denomination for a long time
Baptlsts, Episeopalans Methodists aud Universasts
Al we're accustomed TO harmonioualy worship there
when old Parson william Wells, the hrgt pastor I'm
common with the preachers Of his time proclalned
tne religious doctrines Of the day, which were reQu-
AIRY discussed approved or disputed during the
week IN the village stores taverns while manv a
good deacon quafed his steaming hip which xas
paid Tor In turn by the diaputanta The ola neetpg
house, like all others 10 those DAYS had no s,ov
aud the Women-fOts Of the CONGREGATION carried
tneit comfortable foot-stoyes through the winter
months. The music was furnished by A choir 81
from 80 TO 80 voices, led by Frederick HolbrooE
esteem 81 ex-governor whose musical career covers
pe.od o. upward OF 81 years and even comes down
70 the present day. He was sustained by Mrs Hoi-
Drook As soprano aud by accompa niment OF ylons
and bass VOL the latter instrument IN
me hands OF Uriel sykes, who considered skil-
iul artist before he succeeded in the choir by
koboins who Aftervard became celebrated for biz
performance upon this Instrument. Union neetinos
were continued Ia the old edince until aone on ~
members OF the congregation, becoming restive nm
1er dnerent ereeds, gradually lost their interest in
the church and finally dropped out, only 90 form new
societies End build other churches dedicated 10 Their
iSth aud toward which the old congregation materi.
About this time the Universslsts made arrange
ments TO hold meetings by themselves in the eld
meeting house, after the regular afternoon service of
the CongregationAlists. minister was engaged and
some OF the Influential citizens Of the town early en-
braeed the new, and 20 some minds mythical f.ith
and hAbituAlly attended these meetings. Among me
prominent attendants were Uncle Levi GoodepouRh
Sna onee Luther Sargent, a. they were commonly
Known by everybody hereAbout. After . time n l.
reted the new minister began 10 diRre,. from the
lct pain OF theGiogy, az some Of his beareFa put H.
ana TOOK up the subject of temperance II Il nance
essary TO say perhaps, that those DAYS an assort
ment OF pure liquors In ones home was oonsderea
sooe. as essentiA 70 good housekeeping . wened
Atuer. consequently, very many could not overlook
or even tolerate anything IN their that tend
cd IN any manner to abridge their social and individ
ua rissts' Tue preacher continued to grow more
his temperance preaching each sueceedinR
sunday, until bis congregation concluded 10 MAKE
formal protest, and q committee, Of which Uncle levi
their pastor, with whom the whole subject vas 1Ilx
gone over with emphasis. The good uinis,er be.rS
WIN becoming patience the arguments Of his respect
ca parishioners, aud finally inquired Of Uncle Levi
the principal spokesman, IL would kindly SuTvs.t
Just what he would have him preach The apswere
quehY and with spirit, Preach the gospel BY:
cd. -' N'P-''
''rhe church originally built upon the rom.
mon mo-, was moved 70 its present site 10 lsIi and,
DAY IL now has q membership Of 800. though
rue congregation numbers twice as many Besides
rev DR.. Wells, the church has had Rev Jonathan
aeoee' heF. Dr. Charles Walker, Rev. DR.. A. n
Smpp, Rev DR.. George ?. Tyler Rev N Mi0hill
new Or. George l.. Walker, Rev, George z Marlin
snd new s. H. Lee TIE recently installed pastor lie
as AndoVer."