Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-07-30

Of the church over the graves of neighb,
respected and friends beloved" His clio
ing words were these FINALLY, brethren,
farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort,
and the God Of love and peace be with
you"
| We come now to think of others of whom
we remember as "over us in the Lord"
Upon departure Of DR.. Chase the Rev.
Alvin X. Putnam Of blessed memory was
chosen rector and soon after entered upon
his ork. No one who knew him will for.
get how well and truly he served the great
Head Of the church in this portion of His
vineyard. From the address OF Bishop
Hopkins in 184S l extract the following
tribute to his memory: "For short time
he took his seat in the general convention
of 1S47 as delegate from this diocese but
was unable to remain during the entire ses-
sion. He returned to his parish and in a
! few months Notwithstanding the care and
watchfulness of his attached family and
affectionate flock he was called to better
world. He died as the minister of Christ
should die in faith and entire resignation
to the will of God, who saw fit in His mys-
FERROUS but unerring providence to cut short
his labors at an early age when he might
have looked forward to long course of
usefulness"
While Mr.. Putnam was rector there was
an increase in the number of communicates
and the parish generally was in a prosper
GUS state. The Sunday school had a super
intendent, librarian and 10 teachers. The
children were instructed in the catechism
the first Sunday of each month in the
church and 1 recall how we were gathered
about the cbancel and questioned and in
structed. 1t seemed to me that 1 always
had the hardest and longest answers to re-
cite. Services were held upon the festival
and fast days of the church and OCCASION
ally there was third service on Sunday
evening. About this time the parsonage
was erected. As usual the ladies were
very helpful in providing funds. 1t was a
building somewhat unique for those days.
After the decease OF Mr.. Putnam the Rev.
DR.. Clap was chosen rector and the re-
port for 1S4S gives the membership as 1874.
Mention is also made OF the completion of
the parsonage at cost of $3.50 and once
more tribute Of praise is given the ladies'
circle for its valuable aid.
Here l wish to speak more at length of
this society. Through the kindness of Mrs.
George L. Burnside, am enabled to
present the following facts which bear
directly upon the history Of this parish.
LADIES CIRCLE OF INDUSTRY.
| This society was established in June,
1927. The proceeds Of the first year we're
very small and were applied to the use of
the Sunday school. The second year end
ing June, 1929, the proceeds were $5S, of
which 1929 were given to the parish library
and 1929 to the General Protestant Episco-
pal missionary society. The year ending
June, 1880, the proceeds were 1852, of
which 500 were given to the Parish library
and the remaining $42, with So added by
the contribution of Sunday school scholars,
, sent to the General Protestant Episcopal
missionary society to make the Rev. Mr..
Chase patron of that society. The year
ending June, 1881, the proceeds were $67,
of which were given to the Parish library
500 and $47 to the missionary society. 1t
was then resolved that $50 year for FIVE
years be given to the missionary society.
1Emma S. Fleming was treasurer.
i l also note the following items of interest
furnished me by the same person: As we
have seen the proceeds for the year ending
June, 1929, were $5S and for the year
ending June, 1881, $67. In 1888 the
amount given was $75; in 1885, S123.37.
Between 1886 and 1910 the proceeds were
somewhat less per year. In 1S41 the total
for the year was $3.50. One hundred dol
lars was paid for repairing the organ; 800
for painting the church, and $50 to the
Domestic missionary society. In 1912 the
proceeds were $147.31 and in 1S43, $50;
in 1874, $151, of which $40 were paid tor
robes presented DR.. Chase. From these
items given y to the Deesssiss1 disposal
made thereof, we leaEA - ~ ladies' Cir
Gle was not unmindful of the needs of
others and remembered the wants of those
charged with the missionary work Of our
church. 1t was a good example and we
shall do well to initiate it.
| IN 1850.
| In 1S49 and 1850 two of my family are
named as vestrymen. Here let me say
that from 1920 to the present day find
the record of these family names spoken of
as holding the Office Of warden, vestryman
or delegate to convention, Calvin, Luther,
Ethan B., Joseph NJ, James W., Garlic
ton E., Joshua H., and William j. As we
have seen the name is found at an earlier
date among the names of persons baptized.
In 1851 the parish received a legacy Of
$500 from the widow of the late Hon. Will
liam Hall. In 1858 the number OF COM
municants is given as 167 and about this
time the church was painted and repaired