Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-01-17
FROM ILLINOIS.
An Old PuPipa Reuiiai-eences Of the
Baptist Aundny aohool.


Editor Phpnir- Dear Saskatchewan |
left Vermont several years since tc seek
my fortune in the West, l have never
ceased TO retain an interest in all matters
pertaining to the welfare of my native
state, particularly Brattleboro where |
was born, and where most of my boyhood
days were spent And when, through the
kindness of some Of my eastern friends,
there reached me few davs since a copy
Of The PhRnix containing a we'll written
article descriptive of the recent improve
ments to the Baptist church. was quite
astonished, for could scarcely realize that
time had passed 80 rapidly. It seems but
few short years since the society, realizing
that the old church on Elliot street was in
adequate, aud not in keeping with the
progressive spirit of the day, determined
to secure more desirable location and
erect a structure that should be not only a
credit to the society, but one in which the
community could well feel an honest pride.
They we're extremely fortunate in being
able to secure from Dr. Post the site on
which the present church now stands, and
probably no better one could have been oh.
tanned. was, at that time a member of
the Sunday school, which met regularly
after the morning service held at the Elliot
street church The first pastor Of whom |
have any remembrance was Rev Mark
Carpenter, who believe afterward moved
to Windham. A. q. Nourse was the super
intendent, a position which he held until
his removal TO Connecticut
The question Of new church having
been finally disposed Of. there were many
incidental matters TO be settled, and the
proper ways and means were very fire.
quently discussed at the close of the regu-
lar Sunday school exercises Most of the
teachers and school officers took part in
these discussions, and many Of the sug-
gestions offered are still fresh in my mem
ory. One Sunday the question Of a bell
for the new church came up. and after its
size and probable cost had been discussed,
well remember that Dr. Post arose and in a
clear loud voice stated that the bell should
be Of sufficient size TO cost not less than $1,000
and suggested that the Sunday school as
sumo the responsibility of raising the sum
by small contributions each Sunday The
amount he named, $1,000, was, as recol-
lect, about $1,000 in excess Of any other
mentioned. and took the school quite by
surprise. But it was soon seen that the
doctor was in earnest, and as he stated
that il vas not necessary that the amount
be raised aud the bell placed in position
upon the completion Of the church, il was
finally determined that tae task Of procur
ing funds for the bell should devolve upon
the school Then came discussions in re-
gard 10 a suitable inscription, and think
it was at last decided that one should be an
explanation Of the manner in which the
bell was procured (the exact words can
not now recall and another "Gather Them
In which was the title Of a song highly
priced and sung by the school more fire.
queutly than any other
The school went to work with a will and
think were successful in their endeavors
to raise the entire amount OF that | am
not quite sure but certain it is that when
we entered the church one bright Sun
day morning, there was the bell placed in
position TO be holsted to its final resting
place in the belfry, where its melodous
tones were 10 summon us all 10 the house Of
worship. All that was a proud school that
morning, when we beheld the fruits of our
two years effort. Each felt that he had a
special ownership in the title to that bell
These incidents, though trivial in them
selves, are indelibly stamped on the pages
of my book of memory, and are only an
other proof Of the assertion that the early
impressions Of childhood are not easily ef.
faced. The lessons of truth and morality
instilled into my young and susceptible
mind while a member Of the school have,
trust, never been effaced and all that am
and all that | can ever hope to be, stands
credited 10 the influence of that Sunday
school. The cheering words of my teach
ers, of whom the last was o. b Douglas,
the beautiful songs which were sung, are
all remembered to this day, and my mind
often reverts TO those happy scenes of child
hood. | am glad to learn Of the society's
prosperity, and while long since became
citizen Of Illinois, and might not be able TO
recognize the old church with all its trans
formations and changed conditions still
always expect TO strive to keep alive in my
heart those early lessons of piety acquired
at the First Baptist church Sunday school
of Brattleboro, Vt W, G. CovEY.
Sullivan, ILL.,, Jan. 6, 1890.
There are doubtless many members of
the Baptist church who will be glad to have
this message from their old-time friend and
| Sunday school co worker. 1t is evident
that Mr.. Covey has walked in good ways
politically as well as religiousy, for he is
now the publisher of the Republican paper
Of Moultrie county, Ill.-ED.