Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-09-19
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD.
Centennial Celebration of the ConRreRa-
tionaI Church at Hinesburgh.

psalm 145 and offered prayer. The choir
sang the anthem ooh How Beautiful Thy
Garments, Oh Zion The pastor, Rev. 4.
j. Harris, in the address of welcome opened
wide the doors of hospitality and made
every one feel at home and in well chosen
words pointed out some OF the lessons and
benefit to be derived from the meeting.
The historical address by the Rev. f. II.
Byington, d. D., occupied nearly two
hours DR. Byington is not only an able
but very interesting speaker, often rising
to true eloquence, and held the attention of
the audience throughout with unhagging
interest. lie called attention to the fact
that this is the oldest Congregational church
in the county, that its records have been
remarkably well kept from the date of its
organization, May 20, 1889, and embrace
much Of tho history of the town The in
stallation sermon of the first settled minister
was printed and ne exhibited a copy which
has been preserved in the family Of Edwin
Newell Of Charlotte, also the old record
bool; of the first Congregational society of
which Garfield Dorwin was clerk aud which
antcdates the present society by several
years. He did ample justice to the charac-
tiers and influence of the two long pastor
ates, covering more than half the century,
Of Rev. Otto S. Hovt and Rev. DR.. c. f.
young men which this church has ever been
sending out to all parts of the union and
that although the entire membership Of The
| 100 years is but go, the church has furnish
ed II ministers to the denomination. The
average salary of the pastors has been 5000.
and the total amount for building repairs
and ministerial support foots up ~, 600.
The address contained sketches Of indi-
viduals and facts collected from perish
able sources much historical matter Of great
value, and showed great care and research
in its preparation.
At the close of the address the sacrament
of the Lords supper was administered by
, the Rev. John Cowan of Deerfeid Mass. ,
and the Rev. A. d. Barber of Williston
Deacon W l. Byingtou and Deacon Noble
l.. Partch, who were the officiating dea-
cons in this church 30 years ago, served.
At the close the congregation, led by the
cnoir. sang Rock Of Ages
The public dinner was served in the yes
try and in abundance, variety and quality
. OF the viauds left nothing to be desired
The handshakng, the revival OF old &c
quaintauce with many "reminiscences. AMI
the reunion OF friends long parted, parted
in youth to meet again only in the evening
OF life, iusprel flow of soul thai filled a
delightful hour and made this a day in many
lives never to he forgotten.
DR.. c. NJ Ferrin of Essex Junction pre-
sided over the after dinner exercises which
We're held in the church. with rare grace
; and ability. After an anthem aud prayer
by the Rev. L. Is. Tenny, Deacon Page
was called upon to respond to the "Present
condition of the church. 1t has 81 mem
/ hers, II have united during the past year.
4 Tue church building has been thoroughly
rad bp tO
I foundation, painted, decorated and carpetet
! inside and the repairs are paid
" for. For years it has been
u church OF women whose ability and Loyalty
r. ha, opened the way 20 II hopofu
Il future. He then read letters from L Twin
: c. Hinsdel OF Detroit, Mich, Mrs. X. y
IL Avery of G.oYersviie, Y. y, Rev. DR.. y
e G.. Clark of Boston, Rev Dr. j. II. Worcester
, OF Burlington and one from R.v. George =
* Byington of East Hardwick, Vt. referrin.
3 to the severe illness of his son when Rev
II y. d. Barber asked that prayer might b
offered Tor the young mans recovery, an,
Rev DR.. f.. Ii. Byington was called upol
g, and made fcrvent prayer.
T., Principal \. f.. Leavenworth OF Castle
ton responded to the academy and it
If teachers" Dca W. j. Byinston to ''the sun
~ day school of the old time" and Rev \
"a D. Barber to Father Parmelee and hi
d, work
80 Rev H. r. Cassavant of Tanaqua, Pa.
if spoke at length o, his early days here hi
a personal relations with Judge Marsh an
II the influence which this church has exertc
over his whole lie, and nr. Byngton mad
, the point that the last speaker wa, n Twin
- exponent of the fact that III pays to spep
! kindly to a boy" Rev. John Cowan spoo
at length on Rev DR.. Ferrin, his lii
-, and work Or. L. Beecher. Denco
- n. l.. Partch and Isaiah Dow mad
- short remarks. y. A. Byington Of Chol
lotto was called out and replied and Deco
~ Barney OF Uniernill spoke very pleasant
. Of coming 10 this church for wife. Letter
u were read from Rev. +. +. i.eayens Of pa
~ sale. y. j., Deacon j. c. Mansur Of l.t
> Gato,, CAL, Judge Weed of Burlingto,
y Henry Benedict OF Montreal. Rev \. "
NJ Wild of Ehzabethtown, y. y, Rev. 4
Hazcn OF Richmond who excused his al
y sence by broken arm and John Wee,
esq, of Washington, ID. G.. Rev. ii
- CassaVnnt pronounced tine benediction an
~ further "reminiscences were postponed unit
- evening and supper was served in the We
- try.
u, A dark. wet day was succeeded 10y
p, stormy night, but tat ! o clock the churC
" was full of people agair. 1t was gre,
. day for visiting and even the wet could M
~ damp tine ardor and enioym mt of tn, OF
- casion Prayer was offered by Rev. job
az Cowan. The choir rendered the anthem
=, con Come Let Us Sing with tenor solo /
81 Mr.. Frank Flag
- Prof =. +. Emerson Of the University
- Vermont gave an able aud very interestin
w address on The future OF the church -
long letter was read from Prof. w. \. Fe
=. rim Of Forest Grove, Oregon, and after
- short social reunion tlS choir rendered Il
W Evening Hymn arranged from Bellr
~ chorus and obllgato soprano solo by Mr.
- H. NJ. Page. Rev. DR.. Byington clos
~ these memoEable services with prayer al
IA the benedlction.
-" The music throughout was furnished
Nv the church choir under the able conduct
We Mr.. T.. o. Martin. Mrs, j. :. Patrick pr
'o sided at tho organ. Steps have been tax
to have the proceedings published in paI
phlet form.
to To Our Subscriber
,ll The special announcement which appear