Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1891-11-23
DEDICATION OF A u. e. CHURCH
At EVANSVILLE.

ligious elements of this community,
seconded by few enterprising citi-
zens, decided upon the erection of a
suitable church edifice to accommo-
date the people of this village and To-
cality. A good site on West street
was selected; a generous proffer of
the land by Mr.. Randall was made, and
work on the foundation Immediately
commenced. A thorough foundation
was laid and the work of erection be-
gan in the spring Of 1891. The house
is built of wood and is large enough to
seat, in the main room, 125 persons.
A side projection is made with vestry
doors opening into the main room,
where quite large number more can
be seated in easy sight of the preach
ers' desk. The main house is furnished
plainly in wood with white plastered
walls and paper bordering; a colored
glass window in either end with side
windows light the room; a projection
overhead into the roof helps to make
very pleasant audience room. The
pews are of birch and have new cush-
ions. The desk and choir platform is
raised the height of three steps, and
extends across the room on the end
opposite the door. A neat altar is
erected and the room is very convent
ent and pretty. The Ladies' Aid So
ciety raised nearly money enough to
purchase the desk, pulpit furniture
and the chandelier. The entrance is
under the tower and opens both into
the vestry and the church room. From
the vestry room a stairway leads to
the cellar and furnace room, and also
to the kitchen or dining room over the
vestry. A good wood furnace was
purchased of Mr.. Whipple of Barton
Landing, and the whole house is very
easily heated. The tower is neatly
finished without tall spire, but has an
ornamental iron finish at the top, with
vane; and suitable bell hangs in the
tower. The house, outside of certain
gifts, was erected at a cost of 50, $50,
and is fine edifice, the cost consider
ed. 1t is needless to say that the work
has been economically done, and that
the citizens of the neighborhood have
contributed most generously. The
Ladies' Aid Society and other ladies
have given most generously, and it
might be said that the projection and
erection of the church is largely due
to the Christian spirit and the untir-
ing energy of the women of the neigh
borhood. Great praise is also due to
the pastor, Rev. G. S. Hubert, and to
the business committee, who have Sc
cured subscriptions and pushed the
work through.
The dedication services were held
on Wednesday,, Nov. 18,-a cold day
with bad roads-but with large au-
dience. Presiding Elder Donaldson
was present to conduct the services.
He was assisted by Rev. Mr.. Hubert
and Rev. Milo Eddy. Rev.A. J. Hough
of Montpelier was present and deliv-
cred the dedicatory sermon, taking
his text from Ii. Chron., Z, 1916. The
speaker contrasted the magnifcence
humble church edifice erected by these
people, but remarked that the pur-
pose which had inspired those who
erected this chnrch, and the sacrifices
they made might be even nobler and
greater than were those of the ancient
who built the temple on Mt
Moriah. The Lord, possibly, looks
upon this. similar temple with a higher
than upon the great temple,
which was filed with His visible pres
ence in Solomon's day. God recog-
nizes human purposes. Christ saw the
poor widow drop her "mite" in the
box and his own words perpetuate her
humble act in sacred history. In the
of this church building you
we're associated with God. He has
been with you in the work. In the
language of the text he says, "I have
chosen this house." AS we choose
the best and most costly gifts for our
dearest friends, so God chooses that
which is best for His children, and His
and His people here, in making
this sacrifice of labor and money have
given Him the best they have been
able, and He receives the gifts in the
spirit in which it was made. Hence
you will be in the sacred love of the
Lord; your Offering is in the secret
place of the Most High. Nothing that
has been done in the history of this
place can compare with this act. A
ladder is let down from heaven to this
very floor and the Lord will write his
name here. But for his people here
there are laws to be obeyed; there are
responsibilities to be borne; there are
crosses to be made. So far in the
in the work to be done hereafter the
Lord must lead you. He has made an
everlasting, but a conditional cove
nant. If you obey Him and keep his
laws, His blessings will follow. He is
light, love strength and protection to
such as follow Him, The Lord will
abide in this house; the Holy Spirit
will be here, the Son viii be here. He
will be to those who assemble here
whatever they desire Him to believe,
Joy, strength, sweetness. The gath
cred congregations as they meet here,
though their numbers may be small,
will be a part of the vast congrega-
tions that will be meeting the world
over in His name and in His praise
The above is brief and very poor
epitome of discourse which will long
be remembered by those who contrib
uted to the erection of the church, land
by all who were present. 1t was schol-
arly and eloquent. After an appro-
pirate hymn by the choir, a financial
statement was made by the pastor,
wherein it was shown that sum of
S101 was still unprovided for. This
was quickly raised and the church was
dedicated free of debt The denom-
nation, the people and the pastor may
be congratulated on the completion
of the work. The church itself is an
ornament to the village and it's benefi-
cent influences viii be felt now and
hereafter.
The lecture, ''The Country Parson,u