Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-04-16
ANOTHER CHAPTER OF "REMINISCENCES

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The frequent references in the REGIS
TER to the series of gospel meetings held
in Middlcbury during the past few weeks
forcibly remind your correspondent of
some of the revival scenes that occurred
in your village more than forty years
ago. He refers to the great religious
awakening of 1913 or 1914. In all his
experience he never witnessed. before or
since. anything to compare with the eX-
citement and interest in religious affairs
that prevailed at that time The meet
ings were commenced in the Methodist
church under the management of Rev.
Mr. Ayers. the Jealous and efficient pas
tor. They were kept up all through the
winter and until late in the spring: and
the congregational and Baptist churches
soon fell into line and joined heartily in
the good work, and very soon almost
every sinner, young and old. male and
female, was inquiring earnestly "what
they should do TO be saved" Not only
did the people of the village attend these
meetings. but they came in from the sub
urbs and from the surrounding towns,
and the churches were simply ''packed."
Very many of these ''seekers" were con-
verted and became consistent members
of one or the other of the churches men
toned, while a few had ''relapse' and
resumed their worldly wicked ways.
That is, the wheat and the chaff were
separated These large additions to
these several churches strengthened them
and increased their influence for good.
and very likely it is noticeable even now.
The late Bishop Peck. at that time prin-
cipal of Troy Conference academy at
Poultney, frequently preached at these
meetings in the Methodist church. and
his eloquent discourses were listened to
with the greatest interest by all in at
tendance. The Rev. Mr.. Wentworth. one
of the professors at the same institution.
also delivered several sermons and was
an efficient worker. Father Gridley. as
he was atiectionately called. though old
and superannuated. was still forcible
speaker, and his voice was often heard
in the pulpit and in the praver-meetings
in the vestry. And among the Jealous
lay members we remember the late Hon.
James NJ. Slade, whose rich, deep bass
voice was often heard in prayer and songs
of praise; and whenever he led off in the
old familiar hymn
"Oh, Canaan, bright Canaan,
am bound for the land OF Canaan"
il was the signal for all to Join in. and
good sample of pure Old-faShioned con-
gregational singing was always produced.
There were other 'brethren" who took
an active part in the meetings and pray
ed with much JUNCTION and eXhorted with
great eloquence. Many of them very
likely have long since gone to their re-
ward and are now occupying those ''man-
sions in the skies" that they so often al
luded to.
We have watched with much interest
the career of one young man who first
"indulged hope" at these revival meet
ings. lie was at that time 'spinner
boy" in Davenport Il Turner'S wooden
mill. Fired with laudable ambition. he
soon left the factory and prepared him
self for the ministry, and he has long
been, and is now, an ornament to his pro-
fession. If more precise description |
should be given of him many of the read
ers of the REGISTER would readily rec
ognize him as one of the portly and good
looking presiding elders of the Troy Con-
ference few years ago, if not one at the
present time.