St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-02-09
Ghe Gatedomian.
THE STORY OF A PULPIT.
As Told by Itself.


The following article was written
by one of the original members of the
Bird Congregational church at East st.
Johnsbury and will, we are sure, be
of interest to all who recall the old
pulpit and the "sound words" that fell
from it.
One more word from the old pulpit.
NV earliest recollectiOns are of the fall
of 1910. | cannot tell where | was GU
riously wrought, but if the sound OF
the hammer was heard on me, my ex-
ternal appearance of polished mabog-
any did not indicate it. The day
came when was triumphantly borne
into the new church and carefully adj
justed to my position. l recall the
earnest faces that bent over me to de-
eide the most fitting resting place fol-
the sacred volume. Among the most
interested of that number was a dis
tinguished inventor hOnored at home
and abroad, (Sir Thaddeus Fairbanks. }
The little church numbered twenty
members of whom but five still sit Gun
derneath the shadow" Among the
fifteen names of those who are now
numbered with the saints in glory ev-
erlastingn | recall Mr.. and Mrs. John
Lee, Dea. and Mrs. E. Severance, Mrs.
Leonard Harrington and Calvin Nor
rill. Sitting here alone in this old at
tic, (now that relics are the rage, | al
most wonder that some one does not
secure me, and donate my value, if it
could be estimated to the "starving
Turkeys" or some other charity.)
recall among the sunny days of long
ago that one when the notes of the
bell sounded out DER hill and valley
calling together the little band of wor-
shippers for the service of dedication.
Paper after paper was read in my
hearing and | followed the solemn ser
vice from the opening hymn on through
the impressive words of the Invocation
past the stately steppings of the SER
mon, (whOse text was LIST Kings 1851
and saw the audience go slowly out af-
ter the words of benedictiOn. Doors
were closed and silence reigned for the
space of few days. Then IL young
man fresh from the school of the prOph-
cts and bearing the hOnOred name of
Sewell appeared to expOund the law.
Occasionally [ was amused flor even Il
pulpit can be) at sights which passed
before me. 1t was heterogeneous as
sembly that wOrshipped there and as
there was no corner set apart in the
church for nursery, infantile voices
would occasionally well-nigh drown
that of the speaker. In the Sabbath
school guilds of gum would often be
laid aside by the teacher during the
recitation. In the intermission hour
no incense rose from the altar, but the
fumes of tobacco frequently filled the
house. Here permit me to veil the
picture as pulpits should not be gOssipy
and such things soon passed away I'M
The steady march of time brought
the year to a close as well as the labOrs
of the officiating clergyman, and soon
Il man who proved to be the right Case
(Rev. r. for the people took his place.
In due time council was called. Or
dinatiOn services passed before me and
the little flock gladly received the
shepherd who faithfully led them into
green pastures and beside the still
waters. My days went on and on till
one bright Sabbath morning the pastor
walked up the aisle followed by a
nicely dressed "Fish," who proved to
be truly help-meet. Many eyes were
turned in that direction but my native
politeness forbade mine from scanning
her. Various scenes passed before me
during this pastorate. Many came and
entered into covenant with God to keep
His commandments and walk in His
ways; the baptismal bowl was often
placed before me. Seven years passed
Oh which seemed few and fleeing and
a council was called, for the beloved
pastors health had failed and he must
leave the flock. The solemn strains of
music rang out "Thy will be done, Thy
will be DONE" and fearful eyes testified
to the general affection for the faithful
pastor. Not many moons have sank
behind yOnder mountain in the West,
since the call to "come up higher" fell
there are many stars in the crown of
his rejoicing that came to the light
from this little church.
Very soon successor came, who
walked the earth king" but in five
months he was called to walk the gold
Ell streets of the New Jerusalem. In
the year 1850 young man, Rev. J. II.
Quincy, (whOse bride as we'll as him
self was a graduate from the famous
Oberlin college) was duly installed in
the pastoral office. The audience was
often thrilled by his solemn voice in
musical strains as well as pulpit elo
quence. During his pastorate noted
revivalist (Rev. Mr.. Gallagher from the
West came among the people. 1t
seemed as though the year of Jubilee
had surely come. Many ransOmed sim
ners returned home and subscribed
with their names to be the Lords.
Time brings changes and in 1856 Mr..
Quincy was dismissed with regret and
with recommendations as a faithful