St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-12-04
ANNIVERSARY ECHOES.
Some Words That Were Written for fh'
East ST. Johnsburv Celebration.

| Among the interesting papers Tedu
at the fiftieth anniversary of the
church at East St. Johnsbury was
one of "Reminiscences" by Mrs.
| Nathaniel Lee, an abstract of which
is here given.
| Fifty years ago today since the first
services were held in this house, consist
| ing of the dedication of the house to the
worship of God and the organization of
! the church denominated at the time the
| Third church of st. Johnsbury Perhaps
| ten years previous the business part of
| the village was much more prosperous
| than now Several industries which ex-
| listed then have for various reasons been
abandoned But we had no church or
| ganization. Individuals of the Metho-
| dist denomination existed as a society
and were supplied with preaching part
of the time by their conference. This
amounted to little more than occasional
preaching. Besides this the pastors of
the First and Second churches, as they
were then called, held alternate sabbath
evening services. These were much en-
ioyed. Those were faithful, earnest min
listers, not stunning to declare the whole
counsel of God. Much as these services
were enjoyed, ouryoung people especially
question was raised: Can we not build a
church 1t was finally decided to build
a Congregational house of worship.
After much time with patience and perse-
verance a sufficient sum was raised to
commence the building in the spring of
1910. The work went on and Nov. IS,
1910, the house was finished. Mean
while measures had been taken prepara-
tory to forming a church. This must
consist of individuals gathered from the
extremes of three different churches, st.
Johnsbury First, now st. .JOhnsbury Cen
tire; st. JOhnSbury Second, now the North
church, and Kirby with two from Lyn-
don who were residents here; 10 in all.
The dedication services were solemn and
impressive. Within six months after we
entered into covenant as a church the
remains of beloved sister were brought
here for burial. The Scourge of '43 re-
moved two more of our members. Fol
lowing this was the sudden sickness and
death of our senior deacon. But while
we reflect on those affective Provi-
dences we would not be unmindf1l of our
blessings. Frequent acceSsiOns were made
by letter from other churches and we
have passed through a number of relig
ious awakenings which resulted in the
addition of few to the church and one
general revival resulting in the addition
of 40 at one time. Since then our num-
bers have lessened by deaths and reno
walls. A number of families moved to ST.
Johnsbury and united with churches
there; Others, mostly young people,
went west; and | think of ten different
states in the Union where some one or
more reside who went from this church
and community The present resident
membership is 80. | cannot close with
out recalling the kindness and aid we
have received from individuals of the
North chunch, most noteworthy the
Fairbanks firm. No sooner had we con-
ceived the idea of building than we were
met with words of encouragement and
proffered aid and when we considered
the subject of organizing a church, the
one most prominent because most often
met, was Deacon Erastus Fairbanks. In
all our meetings of consultation he was
with us and always met us with smil-
ing face and words of wise counsel. Our
first pulpit was the gift of Mr.. Thad-
deus Fairbanks. Our beautiful commun-
ion service is the gift of Mr.. Horace Fair
banks.
A historical paper was also read
by Mrs. S. L. Morrill,. An abstract
is subjoined:
Fifty cycles of time have run their
ganized. We have often failed and bro
ken our covenant; still we trust that
our heavenly father has graciously for
given us and that his watchful eye has
ever been over us for good. OF the orig
inal I 9 members of this church but five
remain. The fathers, where are they?
Light streaming from the radiant cross
of Christ gives us hope that they are be
fore the throne. Three pastors whom
we knew by the names of Case, Bowers
and Humphrey, have passed from the
seen to the unseen. Honorable mention
should be made of those who supplied
the pulpit with much acceptance during
the absence of stated pastors, among
whom might be mentioned the Rev. Mr..
King, installed as pastor over the church
before going to Massachusetts to visit
his parents, where he was seized with
fatal disease. Precious revivals have
been witnessed here AS we call to mind
the familiar forms and faces of those who
have passed away may we not fancy
that they are now looking over the bat
Elements of Heaven, viewing this little
group assembled here today and softly
whispering to themselves the parting
words of the beloved Humphrey, BE
steadfast, brethren, be steadfast.'
A short paper written by Simeon
Huse said of the Sunday School:
But few churches in Caledonia county
have, according to their numbers and
means, had a more successful or prosper
Gus sabbath school or sent out into the
world more enterprising and successful
men and women with good habits of
industry, frugality, enterprise and relg
iOus principles. The first school was a
union of Congregational and Methodist
children, with Isaac Harrington as sup
erintendent Then the Methodists
formed school of their own The next
superintendent was Mr.. Camp. Then
Calvin Morrill, was superintendent a
long time. There was great inter.tst,in7
the school all through his administra-
ton. / well remember the free ride to
White River Junction given to children
who would learn the catechism by heart
and recite it to their teachers. Two car
loads of children and older people went.
Next Deacon Griswold officiated a num-
Der of years, followed by Frank Bill,
Simeon Huse, Milo Hall, John Lee, Rufus
Wood, Jacob G. Hovey and H. c. Wood,
the present superintendent.
Among other communications was
a private letter to ]. c. Potter, from
Joel Wood, who has been confined to
his bed for a number of years. His
letter, full of cheer, enclosed a con-
tribution of a So gold piece to help
liquidate the debt for new parson
age; "a thank offering" wrote Mr..
Wood, ''for the good influences that
have gone forth from Gods servants
who from time to time dwelt in the
parsonage. Mrs. M. McCurdy also
sent long letter full of earnest
words. Among the "reminiscences in
| this letter was the following: