Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-06-13

|
cent more than the present, and without
the foreign element, which diminished
population with increasing foreign mem
bers has something to do with depleted
churches and schools. Yet this is not
saying but that all our churches at least
would be full were the attendance in pro-
portion to the days of our fathers. when
every soul was expected to be in the sane
tuary and when, no doubt, making all
due allowance for the sick and feeble and
aged and those necessarily detained, two
thirds were at church, instead of two
thirds at home. as in our times. o for
the good old days of the fathers in this
respect,
Look at one item of sacrifice in order
to attend church in those times. Leather
being scarce on account of the privations
incident to the Revolutionary war, shoes
were made of cloth used for holders and
were worn till the place OF worship was
reached, so as not to wear out the leather
ones by walking so far; then these leath-
er ones were put on and worn inside of
the meeting house, and so were preserved
a long time. See one of these church.
going mothers taking her own home
made linen, stripping it with pewter
spoon and then dotting it with red paint,
so that her girls might feel that they
had something nice for the house of
God. | have something of the old Puri
tan feeling within tasteful limitations
and means, however, that no dress is too
good for the house of the Lord, any more
than Solomon's temple was too costly
worshipping place. | knew one of the
most godly mothers in Israel who never
wore her silk dress except at the COM
munion, saying that of all places she
should appear in her best at such times
at least we should all feel and let each
one have his or her own conscientious
way in this thing and call all of the
same family rich or poor, and so notice
them. o the sacrifices of our fathers
and mothers that the gospel minstra-
tons might be sustained ana what sac
ritices, too, the early pastors made for
this same purpose. Look at the scene.
in 1874, when the agreement at the install
lation of Rev. MI. Graves was that he be
paid. yearly, Is pounds, English money,
in wheat at four shillings bushel ops
bushels). raised by tax on polls and es-
tates-not far from S2lS; and when his
colleague came he relinquished half of
this in order to help the church. As the
town grew in wealth and expenses the
salary of the pastor was increased from
time to time. till with Mr.. Winchester
it was $1,000, besides the ample par
sonage grounds. making Sl200-quite
contrast with the first salary.
The history of the good old Shoreham
Congregational church is very much like
this-once numbering 300 members and
paying your speaker SllO0 salary, parson-
age included. Times and circumstance
change, and | see no better way to settle
the great problem and remove the great
ISt If nj Iac /,
this State than to adapt ourselves to
them, minister and people, just as they
did 100 years ago, and thus all the
churches could be supplied with pastors.
And yet, considering the property in and
protected by the church, is there liberal
giving?
We here copy an interesting agreement
on the part of this people to support
their pastor:
1--WE, the subscribers, the inhabitants
of the town of BridpOrt, do severally
agree to gay to the Rev. Increase Graves
(provded he settle with us) the several
snms affixed to our names, annually in
the month of December or January, dur
ing his ministry or our residence in Bird
port, in wheat at four shillings bushel,
or hand labor at two shilings siXpence Il
day, each finding himself with tools and
provision: the sums to be appropriated in
getting tirewood or otherwise as he shall
choose" Dated at Bridport, December,
1893. Here follows their names: John
Wood. 2s-Gd: Jas. Conkey, 90; Arthur
Hamilton, 2-6; Joseph Gray, 90: Jas.
Barber, 20; Philip Stone. Is; Nathan
Smith. Jas. Pray, Joel Barber, Lamond
Gray, William Barber, Samuel Bingham.
Andrew divers, Daniel divers, David
Pratt. Philip Scarf, Aaron Scarf, Eben
Atwood, Saml Scarf, Sam'l MILFORD,
Horace King all 90 each.
We notice that at the installation of
Rev. Mr.. Graves the council was called
from Benson, Rev. Dan Kent: Pawlet,
Rev. John Griswold, and Sandgate, Rev.
Jas. Murdoch. Middlebury sent only
delegates. The place OF installation was
"A private house right on the hill east of
what is now Thomas Fletcher's. the town
paying all expenses. The first meeting
house was small, plain wooden struct-
ure, built in 1894, and then later. in 1907,
more commodious one was erected. hay
ing 40 windows on the two sides, each
window having 40 lights by ., and the
end windows having nearly as many
lights altogether, giving almost the APP
pearance of II glass house. Both of these
edific"s stood just west of the present
town house, and the the second one stood
there till 1852, when this beautiful house
was erected. 1t was dedicated May %,
1853, President Labaree of Middlebury
college preaching the sermon.
And not only to sustain the regular
gospel services did our fathers thus sac
ritice; but we find something more in
terestng than the above. if possible-a
young mems association in that day from
some of whose features and spirit the
y. NJ. c. \. and Y. II. :. c. f.. of our day
could well copy. 1t is here given as rec
orded:
SIT having pleased the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ to bless the Con-
gregational church in Bridport with all
spiritual blessings iniChrist by giving to us
the gospel of reconciliation, establishing
among us the stated ministrations of his
word, the ordinances of his house and the
other means of his grace, especially by
condescending to distinguish us by repeat
ed visitations of his gracious spirit, we
| therefore, members of his church. do feel