Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-05-25
ORDAINED AS A MINISTER.


Life VI nrA Hefure. Many triond-.
An ecclesiastical council assembled at
the chapel of the First church in this city
Tuesday afternoon to examine into the
Gtness of Benjamin Swift of this city for
the gospel ministry. Congregation nal
churches in the county were represented as
follows: Burlington, FIRST church, Rev.
Edward Hawss, W. j. Van Patten;
College street, Rev. {. +. Car
ter, Prof G. H. Perkins; Charlotte,
Deacon Henry Mcneil; Essex, Rev. L. b.
Tenney; Essex Junction, Rev. I. ID. Bacon,
Deacon +. Z. Sawyer Hinesburgh, Rev.
T. j. Harris; Jericho, First church, Rev.
Edwin Rose, Deacon |. c. Stone; Jericho.
Second church. Deacon c. Van Niiet Mil
ton, Rev. + Il. Herrick, W. F. Parmalee;
Richmond. Rev. Austin Hazen, Deacon V.
s. Whitcomb; Underhill Rev. Clarence
Pike; Wiliiston, Rev. A. d. Barber; WI
nooski, Rev. Edward Hungerforl, j. w.
Edwards, The following were also present:
President NJ. ii. Buckham, Prof S. r. Emer-
son, Rev. J. W. buckham Of Salem, Mass,
Prof. H. A. p. Torrey, Prof. j. r. Good
rich, Rev. S. l.. Bates, Rev. f. W. Ohm
stead. Rev. Edward Halves was chosen
moderator and Rev. Austin iazeu scribe.
Precedent Buckhan led the council in pray
er. MIR. Swift stated his reasons for wish
ing ordination without installation and the
council voted thai they were satisfactory.
Mr.. Swift then gave u brief account of his
Christian experience md his reasons for
wishing to enter the ministry. he also
read paper setting forth his views tf
Christian doctrine. This was followed by
various questOps from many members OF
the council. The council thon voted to or
dain Mr.. Swift at an evening session.
THE ORDINATION.
A large number of llr. SNift's friends
gathered at the First church in the evenng G
| to witness his ordination. After an organ
! voluntary and the singing OF Dudley Bucl. S
anthem "Be Still Thon, and Know That |
| Am God, > the inmates of the afternoon
session were read by Rev. Mr.. Haz2n, the
scribe The prayer OF invocation was Of
fered by President Buckham. Rev. $. l..
! Bates read selections OF Scripture and the
choir sang Mendelssohn's anthem, "How
Lovely are the Messengers" Prof. S. f..
Emerson preached the sermon. he traced
the history OF Christianity which he argued
was the source, strata and substance of
modern civilization. He sail the
church of to-day needed men capable
of appropriating the true spirit of Christi
anity. and the people demand in their
| preacher u cieuT sIHhp Oh tne IupNainenta al
principles OF Christianity. Tho prayer oil
ordination by Rev. c. f. Carter followed.
Miss Simpson sang Sullivan's response,
| love not the " orld." 1t was very tit
ting that the right hand OF fellowship should
be extended by Rev. j. w. Buckham o
Salem, Mass, an intimate friend who grad
uated from the University of Vermont on,
year in advance of Mr. Swift. Rev. Mr.
Buckham said that in those days conven
ticnaitss were largely done away with
The world to-day wants to know wnat
man sees and what he believes. He CLOSED
with words OF congratulaton and welcome
An earnest charge to the new miuiste
was delivered by Rev. DR.. Hawes, Mr.
Swift standing during its delivery. Hymn
500 was sung aud the benediction, pro
uoupced by Rev. Mr.. Swift, brought tn
impressive services to II close, many lnger
Ing to add personal word of congratula
ton aud 10 express their good wishes % tn
new minister.
The Northern AdirondatB Railroad con
rauy as appointed J. ii. Hamilton, fol-
merly of Kearney, Mob, general manages
and he will have headquarters at SAINT
Clara.