The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-08-22

Inc largest EdInbGluR tNbI huOWu Ill
Peacham was the one at Academy campus
last Thursday to celebrate the centennial of
the organization of the Congregational
church. The morning was beautiful, and
the northwest wind was a fOrerunner of
pleasaut day. For the past two months the
people of the town have been making prep
aration for the event, and the result is
shown by the interesting addresses of noted
men and the elaborate dinner served by the
ladies of the two churches in the vestries.
The Congregational church was handsomely
decorated with flags and notices, with the
names of old residents inscribed thereon,
The exercises were held on the academy
campus, which was provided with seats to
accommodate the large assemblage. The
large platform in front was filed with min
listers, their wives, and representatives OF
the oldest families of the town.
Peacham was once one of the prominent
towns of the state, the birthplace OF many
OF the talanted persons present. The acad-
envy was once the only one in the county,
and was classed as one OF the best in the
state. 1t now has good name, and sends
out good men each year. The first perma-
nent settlement was made in 1776 and the
first town record eight years later. 1t was
in this year that 1t was voted in the town
meeting to raise tax of $50, to be paid in
wheat at six shillings a bushel, for the sup
port OF the gospel. The itinerant preachers
were engaged by the selectmen until 1893.
Services were held in private houses until
1894. On April IA, 1894, the Congregational
church was organized, with seven male and
five female members. Five years later, the
church called Rev. Leonard Worcester to
be its pastor, and he served the church until
1889. The next pastor was Rev. David
Merrill, who was installed in September,
1S41, and died in July, 1850. Rev Asaph
Boutelle succeeded Mr.. Merrill in February,
1851, and served the church fifteen years.
In August, 1866, Rev. P. B. Fisk, now OF
Lyndon, was installed, and was dismissed
six years later. From 1870 until August,
1873, Rev. NJ. s. Dudley was acting pastor.
N. Y, was installed in January, 1874, and
dismissed In 1881. In June, 1882, Rev s. s.
Martyr became acting pastor, resigning in
January, 1887. He was followed by Rev.
FL. M. Andrews, in the spring OF 1887, re-
signing in December, 1888. The present
acting pastor began his labors July 1, 1885,
In 1871, an attempt was made to build
a Westinghouse, and the town voted to
raise e100 for the purpose. Owing to diff
Guilty in obtaining site, nothing came OF
this until the church found permanent
home six years later-a house occupied
conformity with the now famous Peacham
Academy. 1t stood on the bill where the
soldiers monument now is. In 1906,
church edifce was erected upon the top OF
the hill, but the building was moved to its
present site in 1874, when it was thoroughly
remodeled. In 1871, it was again repaired
and raised to its present height. A lecture
room and parlor were added in the base
ment, and an alcove built to receive its new
pipe organ. the gift of Oliver johnson.
At ten o'clock the exercises commenced
with music. Invocation by Rev. Mr..
Boardman. The words OF the opening
hymn were composed by P. b. Fisk of
Lyndon, former pastor OF this church. The
choir was assisted by Mr.. May of st. Johns
reading by Rev. G. P. Byington. Prayer
was offered by Rev. M. S. Dudley, followed
by an address of welcome by Rev. j. K.
Williams, as follows
ADDRESS OF wELcoMB.
II speak not only in behalf of the living
generation which comes up to worship on
this hill, but also in behalf of that long line
Of godly men and women who have for
hundred years constituted this church and
made it benefcent power in the towns
and the world. There is significant fitness
in marking, as we do, the closing of a GEN.
fury of church life. 1t is a century OF man.
ifested divine power and grace. II the trees
beneath which Washington tented or gave
orders, il the tomb of patriarch, becomes
sacred, how much more the life of church
where has dwelt and wrought the living
God. So much Of divine truth and power
have wrought their redeeming and glorify-
ing mission here these past one hundred
years, making this church so rich fountain
OF uplifting, beneficent power in these gen.
erations past, we feel that duty and privi-
lege alike demand that we make special
recognition of what God hath wrought; that
we recount his gracious favors; recall the
joys and sorrows, the days of darkness, If
there be such, and days of light which have
marked the closed century. This church
has sent out her sons and daughters into
many lands. All parts of the land have re-
ceived them. In some measure her blessing
has followed them and made them bless
ing even to the third and fourth generations
We ValcOma the Of panaratiOn
OF men and women who have carried hence
any added mental or moral vigor any higher
inspiration, any better illumination and in
spiration for the worlds work and the
world s redemption, because they felt the in
fiuence of our beloved hill church. We well
come you from whatever state or land, of
whatever occupation, whatever your age,
whatever present political or religious
shrines you most honor. We welcome all
who have drop of Peacham sires or have
been fortunate enough to be linked with us
through union with Peachaln's fair ones.
Through me, the good old town greets you.
Let not our homely ways offend you; dread
not our simple fare; be patient with the
hush OF our mountain home. Let your need
or pleasure but scratch us and you will
find us to man, and I need not say to a
woman, friends-good and true, dividing
cheerfully our last crumb. Be not surprised
TO learn that the throbbing of the great
worlds heart with the agones and triumphs
ton, the fendish deeds OF anarchists, the
latest assumptions OF Christians and revels-
lions OF Egyptian relics, have been felt
even here. The center Of the universe must
feel the movement of all revolving spheres.
Join with us in inscribing upon what OF
worthy history we have made, what OF high
and holy character we have helped to cul.
tivAte and illustrate in this inscription, Be
hold what God hath wrought"
Rev. s. G. Bartlett, DID,, ex-president Of
Dartmouth College, responded as follows:
ADDRESS OF DIR. BARTLETT.
1--WE have heard the welcome and have
responded to the call. We are here from
far and near to look in one another'i
friendly and frsternal, If changed, faces ,anC
to brighten the golden chain OF friendship
We come to look once more upon the glori
GUS landscape, the thrifty farms, the brigh
and prosperous homes, the centenary
church, the mother of us all, and tho glori
GUS and far-famed seminary. Our prede
cessors began their work by planting tn,
church and academy side by side. The,
planted them upon hill, veritable cit,
set upon a HILL whose light shone through
the world" Ex-President Bartlett ther
said he was not a native of Peacham, bu
did his best to become one by marrying
Peacham girl. He then related some rem
iniscences of Father Worcester. Continu