Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-05-31
Bennington County Conference.

Congregational churches met with the
church at Dorset, Tuesday and Wednes-
day. The attendance was much larger
than usual, and the exercises, which
were carried out as printed in the BAN
NER last week, were unusually interest
ing. Those from abroad were met at
Manchester, Tuesday morning and taken
to Dorset in teams. Soon after their ar
rival there a reception was given them,
followed by a lunch in the parlors of the
church. The sessions of the conference
began Tuesday afternoon and continued
through the day and evening, and until
noon Wednesday.
Rev. VIM. Even of Rupert was made
moderator of the conference and Rev. G.
H. Peck secretary. The programme was
faithfully carried out, each one being
present to speak or read a paper on the
subject assigned to them. In the after
noon of Tuesday were held the meetings
of the Women's Foreign and Home Mis-
sionary Societies, which were made of
much interest, especially as Miss Ellen
NJ. Blakeley, a missionary teacher in
Navash, Central Turkey, gave an ac-
count of the customs of the neople and
the progress made in educating the ma
tive growth for Christian work in their
own land
The session Wednesday was Ostly
taken up in listening to the Personal Rec
objections of a Forty Years PnstOrate by
Rev. Parsons S. Pratt.
The story of a forty years passionate,
as told by himself, was one of unusual
interest. AS told to BANNER represen-
tative, it was substantially as follows:
Wednesday morning was devoted al
most entirely to the celebration of forty
years, successful pastorate over the
church in which the conference was held
of Rev. Parsons S. Pratt. The occasion
was one long to be remembered by those
present, being, as it was, an event of I'M
usual occurrence, not only in this, but
in any other State.
The interesting part of the morning
service was 1.-THE Recollections of
Forty Years Passionate" as told by Mr..
Pratt. He was born in Sauquoit, Oneida
county, N. Y, in 1922. He was educated
at Hamilton college and Auburn Theo-
logical seminary, beginning his ministry
in 1916.
His first labors were in the West as a
home missionary, when he was called to
the Presbyterian church at Niles, Mich.
lie returned, for the health of his family
to central New York, and was pastor
seven years of the Congregational church
at Winfield.
In the autumn of 1865 he was asked to
visit friend whom he had known at
Niles, who was then in Dorset, VT, The
congregation here was without a pastor,
in depressed condition, invaded by
scepticism and derisive influences, and
seriously discouraged. His visit made
pleasing impression, inspired hope and
he was called to the pastorate. His SER
vices began in January, 1856, and still
continue. For four years he was the act
ing pastor, and in January, 1860, he was
formally installed by council of clergy
men, the installation sermon being
preached by Rev. Willard Child, D. D.,
of Castleton. OF the clergymen present
at the time, as far as known, none are
now living. Since that time he has been
steadily at his post, has short vacations,
and is the only pastor of a community
OF 200 families. The nearest churches
and pulpits are six miles away.
The village is a fayorite summer re-
sort of artists, teachers and clergymen,
and from this source has come into his
pulpit grateful and inspiring aid. The
pastoral work has been less minute and
thorough than might have been in par
ish of average extent, but he has been in
very frequent contact, sympathy and
service with almost every family. In
very few homes if any, has he failed to
come for services of tender, sacred inter-
est. He has officiated at over 200 mar
riages, has attended 725 funerals, in
many cases accompanied by extended
services, sermons and distant burials.
For about one-thild of the pastorate
he has served the township as superin-
tendent of schools in twelve districts.
He was corresponding secretary for five
years of the State Congregational con-
vention, gathering the annual statistics
and preparing the written reports of re-
ligious work.
There have been several seasons Of re-
ligious interest daring his ministry, and
frequent accessions to the membership of
the church. The rite of baptism has
been administered to over 200 persons,
the larger number being adults, while
not more than or 10 of the original
membership of this period now remain,
and the population has suffered large
drainage from emigration and death.
The President church membership has
increased from near IS to 135 persons.
The church has received accessions to
its number nearly every year, more COM
monty on profession of faith, averaging
about one person at each of the six reg
ular communion services.
The hOuSe of wOrshin is n nlain nm