Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-06-13
A cHURcH'S CENTENNIAL
6raintree Hill Celebrates 4 Notable
Event,

was celebrated at the church last wee
wednesday, June 9TH. The exercise
lhcludeda historical address BY Re,
irving A. Flint of Falmouth, Me. AN
: sermon by Rev. v. W. Blackman q
Bethel. Letters were read and 70
marks made by other friends Of tn
church.
The following is an extract from I'll,
centennial sermon by Rev. V. w
Dlackman,pastor of the Cong'l church
Since the organization Of Quake,
alli Congregational church one hun.
nred years ago to-day, no human
mind could estimate the number d
souls she has fed with the bread Of
NE. NO one knows how many she
has lifted into a higher life in this
world and prepared for one Of eternal
duration in the next.
She has moulded beautifully and
symmetrically numberless characters
who have graced every profession and
pursuit. She has given to Congrega-
tlonalism six thoroughly equipped
pastors, one Of whom-Irving Flint
has just completed seminary course:
another-Elbridge Gerry-who was a
successful preacher in Bethel for ten
years.
A rounded century OF beneficent in
fuence! A beacon light of wondrous
power illumining the pathway of
many tempest-tossed mariners on the
ocean of life.
This landmark of Braintree Hill has
been seen by multitudes. This edifce
and its rude predecessor have sheltered
from the frosty winds of more than
ninety rigorous winters, sincere wor-
shippers.
Crowds of believing souls joyously
wendell their way to these houses ded-
icated to God and patiently listened,
in olden time, to pastoral prayers six
ty minutes in length and to sermons
twice as long. THE intirm meantime
took occasional naps.) Those were
good old times, when churches were
filed with men and women whose
hope was like anchor. whose faith was
firm, whose love was deep, whose spir-
it was broad, whose presence was sun
shine, whose prayers were valuable,
whose labors were abundant, whose
conversation was pure, whose interest
was unselfish, whose life was in accord |
with Christian principles and who
read the Bible as the record of divine
The pioneer settlers in
this region were true heroes and hero
ines.
This memorable occasion is inspir-
ing. We are assembled on a spot
made sacred by holy convocations.
What precious memories rush upon
your minds! Sitting with us to-day
IS Mrs. Wilbur, ninety-fonr years old,
who remembers this church in her
first glory. Here Rev. Ami Nichols
lived more than fifty years, proclaim
ng to devout and interested hearers
he Gospel of the Son of God. Her
souls were translated out of natures
darkness into the marvellous light Of
spiritual truth. Here fathers and
mothers have sat with their offspring,
md saw them baptized at this altar.
From this time-honored place children
Jaw there parents borne by loving
hands to the house appointed for all
he living in the adjacent cemetery.
Here the Sabbath school teacher pray
,rfully instructed boys and girls who
ived there three-score years and ten.
Here many hopeful, happy youth
lat with Ills blooming bride in the ear
y days of the present century. TO [
his building, now hoary with age,
many octogenarians came in the beau-
iful summer season-men and women
Who were pillars of the church but
Who long since left this land of weari-
less and pain to live forever in that
ountry of immortal health. Here /
ave thousands of souls been regener- |
ted, qualified to receive the promised !
Here the disheartened i
ave been encouraged, the irreligious t
ecame pious, the backslider reclaim F,
d. the selfish man became generous
nd the sorrower comforted. In yon- G
er gallery voices now hushed in
cath rendered delightful music. Ser
mons by young and old, by student i
nd doctor of divinity, by unlearned
nd by collegiate, have been preached |
n this desk-sermon short and long, {
loquent and commonplace, enthusi- t
site and dull. '
In these pews, and in others not ex- c
:ting, sat all classes Of hearers. Near S
! all those dear godly men and wom- t
n have gone to their reward who C
elped to maintain religious work
rom decade TO decade. Their deeds '
f love are not recorded in book; /
heir ever-increasing devotion is CRATE
nlly remembered They had fore a
,ste of paradise here, yea this was to t
hem the vestibule of heaven. They v
rayed, they sang, they worked, they t
inferred, they triumphed f
MAY this house of God remain far t
ito the twentieth century! May v
his pulpit be occupied by consecrated, e