Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-01-15

JUBILEE OCCASION FOR NEIoHBoRINa BAP.
list CHURCH.


On Sunday, the 10th inst, was held Jubilee in
the Baptist church IN Keene OF more than deuomnA-
tona or local interest About ten years ago the Bap-
fist society thought 1t e1pedient to build more COM
modious house of worship than they then occupied.
very eligible lot was secured which was 8 dwell
ing suitable for parsonage. An architect matured
plan and specifications we're adjusted to cost not
to exceed $4,000. That amount was raised by sub
scription and the building was begun. But when
well under way financial entertainments rendered
some subscriptions worthless, and 1t found that
the cost bad been greatly underestmated, and when
the house was completed the society found themselves
1927 900 in debt. The members Of the church and
ciety were few and substantially without wealth Yet
Their taih failed not while 1t was almost universally
predicted that the enterprise must prove failure.
By the sale Of the old church and parsonage
building lots In their possession and by voluntary
subscription, the debt was In few years reduced 10
Sl3,6OO ON this amount the ladies of the society
alone paid the interest for years. Two years ago
leb Carpenter of Hoosac Falls N. Y, former resi-
dent Of Keene and devoted member Of the church,
died leaving in his will $1,000 towards the debt on con-
dion that the society raise 10000 in addition About
$500 OF this was raised on the ground. An appeal
was then made to friends OF the Baptist abroad
and generously responded to In small sums. with
one or two exceptions this appeal did not fail to bring
either AID or earnest sympathy. Among these re-
Hponses was $3.50 from the brethren Of the Baptist
church in North Adams, Mass, 5000 Of it from the
shoemaker prince, @. I. Sampson. Many thanks 70
them ALL The success Of this effort reduced the debt
to S25CO. An aged lady in Gilsum, Mrs Sally Kings
bury learning Of this, generously supplied the
amount, thus leaving the society In possession
numbered OF the finest church property Of the de-
nomination In the state II the First Baptist church
in Manchester may be excepted.
thrill Of JOY ran through not only the society but
the whole city. 1t was meet that the victory should
be appropriately COMMUNICATED. On Sunday morn
ing the pastor, Rev W. II. Eaton ID. D., preached
able sermon on the subject and in the afternoon the
large auditorium Allied with joyful citizens Ell
Mayor Stewart Of the Cheshire railroad presided.
chorus Of 40 voices conducted by Mr.. George Brown,
furnished most admirable music while 4 chorus OF
fifteen boys under the instruction OF Mrs l.. c. DOo-
little, added greatly to the enjoyment OF the occasion
Brief congratulatory addresses made by repre-
sentaves Of the different churches and by Rev. j. C.
Foster ID, of Boston and Rev 3. @. Abbott OF West
Swanzey, n. n: Two poems were read, chiefly his
torical of the long and painful struggle, from
Mrs. Osborne of the I'd Congregational church and
the other from Mrs. s. @. Abbott OF West swanzey.
These exercises with letters OF congratulstion from
abroad the singing OF the DoIology and the benedic
ton by the pastor, closed OF the most enjoyable
religious gatherings in the history OF the city. 1t
should in Justice and with gratitude be said that the
citizens of Keene, while with many others abroad,
they might think it unwise to build expensive an
edhce, did not withhold their sympathy and aid dur
ing the long struggle their hearty congratulations
on the liquidation Of the debt. II should also be
said that Mr.. Daniel Holbrook has generously given
TO the church $1,000 to establish the ~ ]. Holbrook
fund" in memory Of his deceased OF that name,
who prominent member Of the church. This
fund, by the gift of Mrs. Amasa Brown and Mrs.
Foster, now amounts to $3.50. so.A.