Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-06-06
AN INTERESTING EVENT.
RE-DEDIcAToN OF FIRST CHURCH IN
RANDOLPH.


REPUBLICATION OF FIRST CHURCH IN
RANDOLPH.
The first Congl church of Randolph
was organized May 30, l7s6, and for
three years occupied a small house built
OF logs near the center of the township.
as temporary place of worship. just
century ago, during the summer of
1883, by vote of the town larger meet
ing house was built on the south side of
the hill. just west of the village. The
population of the town and attendance
upon public worship rapidly Increasing.
IN l79l preparations were made for build
ing larger meeting house. ga feet long
by A. wide, with tower, belfry and
steeple on west end and porch on the
east end and double doors on the south
side. This was completed year or two
later at an expense of more than fl0S0
and was used for 46 years. In 1898 the
Cong society rebuilt this church on the
same spot. using mostly the same frame.
though adding eleven feet TO its length
The amount expended at this time was
more than $1,000. On Feb. 20. 1899 the
church was dedicated, Rev. +. |. Board
man, who was then pastor, preaching
the sermon. Mr.. Nathan l.. Pennock,
now residing in Someryille, Mass. was
musical director and had well trained a
large choir for the service of song. which
on this occasion was accompanied by
flutes, violins, bass and double bass yiols.
The writer, though young at that time.
was present at the dedication and well
remembers the crowded house and dedi-
catory prayer and inspiring effect which
the singing by that large and we'll drill
ed choir had upon the audience. This
church dedicated TO the worship Of God
just half a century ago, was renovated
some thirty years later. and during the
past six months has again beenrenewed,
remodeled and greatly improved inter-
nally at an expense Of more than Sl700.
On Saturday. June LIST. according 10
previous announcement. this church was
re-dedicated. A large audience assem-
bled, comprising many from neighbOr-
ing churches and towns. Some % were
present who attended the first dediea-
ton so years before and they were given
seats of honor on the platform at the
right of the pulpit Many Of them were
more than three score and ten and some
of them over four score years old, and
with their silvered heads and whitened
bfAAdc hAtF AAAtiN NNhNitA0Ats @AAAAtAAS
them were two nieces of the first pastor,
Rev. Elijah Brainerd, and daughter of
the second pastor. Rev. Tilton Eastman.
The services commenced at a quarter
Of two and the exercises were as follows
l, Organ voluntary, by Miss Edison;
2. Anthem. "Oh how lovely is Zion:@
3, Invocation, by Rev. Mr. Lewis: 4,
Responsive reading. led by Rev. Mr..
f ..,..I 90 Astrhaf.. ssEafl-
er let thy blessing rest" 9Th, Statement
of the committee concerning the present
work. by Prof. Conant: Z. Reading of
the Scriptures, By Rev. Mr.. Hazen of
Braintree; s, Hymn. by congregation,
"God in his earthly Temple lays" etc.:
.. An historical discourse. by Rev. A.
w. Wild of Charlotte; 10, Anthem. "Bow
down thy ear:r IL, Prayer of dedication,
by Rev. " NJ. Hardy of West Randolph;
Il Anthem. Hear my prayer; IL, Ben
ediction.
subsequently,, after those who felt
obliged TO leave had passed out, another
session was held. with Prof. COnant as
chairman, at which several short adj
were made and letters read. Mr..
Nathan l.. Pennock, who 40 years or
more ago was we'll known in all tais re-
HlgD IL all tAAHlltlt ttNNAAIA VI NNAfaA AhtA~
sic and who many years ago was chor-
lister of this church for several years,
and who had come up from Somervllle,
Mass. expressly to attend this re-dedica-
ton. was called upon to speak and IN
short but interesting address he told OF
the first dedication, and especially OF the
musical part of the service, holding IN
his hand the very copy of the "Boston I
Academy's Collection of Church Music
that he used on that occasion, he showed
us the very anthems sung, in the follow
inc order ] 'sBefore Jehoyah's awful 4
throne" 2 ''Great is the Lord" 3, "Ihe I
Earth is the Lords and the fullness 4
thereof" He then showed us an lorigi- /
nal and very appropriate hymn written 1
for that dedication by Mrs. Benlamln I
Griswold of this place. and which was
sung by the choir to the tune of Murray. 4
Letters were then read by ID. II. Nutung
from Rev. Azariah Hyde OF GalesDurg, \
Ill.,. Rev. Calvin Granger OF Pouitney,
vt.andProf Rufus Nutting Of Carlinville,
Ill. giving interesting recolleetions ana
of the old meeting mouse
md early pastors. MIR. Erastus Hebard,
Mr.. Warren Smith, Mr.. q. +. Nuttlng
md others being called upon made briei
and the meeting. closed, all
ceiling that the services of the afternoon
lad been very interesting and profitable.
rhe discourse. although more than an
1our long. was listened to with great
interest and close attention and many
nave expressed the hope that it would be
,ublished for preservation. The choir
,nder rbe direction of Mr.. p. E. Grow,
their part admirably well.
rims with a renewed church edifice,
,etter adapted to its present needs, aud
vifb increased courage and hope, this
.burcb on the hill resumes its work in
~ second century of its existance.