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

charge. 1t was about this time that step
we're taken to secure more land for th
burying ground. There are few more attrae
tive cemeteries than the one adjoining tn
church in which we are gathered, wher
rest so many who were near and dear to u
all.
In 1858 new marble font was placed il
the church, the greater part of the cost be
ing borne by former benefactor Of tn
parish. Repairs were ordered and mad'
this year upon the church building, par
sonage and fences, and it was voted tina
the rector have charge of the communion
aims to dispose of as he sees fit. (To III
this seems singular vote.)
In 1859 it was voted to consider the
matter Of reorganization of the parish,
Bishop Hopkins states in his address for
the same year that he attended December
Z, 8 and 9 of 1858 the quarterly meeting
of the convocation at Emmanuel church and
was gratifed by meeting the bishop OF
Rhode Island. may state in passing that
Bishop Clark is now living at the age of Sc
years and is said to be the oldest bishop in
the world with possibly one exception. In
1861 further steps were taken in the mat
ter of reorganization and on Monday,
April %, 1862, it was voted that the name,
Protestant Episcopal Society Of Rocking
ham," be changed to that of Emmanuel
church, Bellows Falls. Until began this
discourse was not aware that it had ever
borne any other name than Emmanuel
church. 1t was also voted that subscrip-
ton paper be drawn up and circulated for
the procuring Of funds with which to build
a new church edifce.
The rector and secretary we're chosen as
a committee to perform this task. Report
was made in May that $500 had been
promised and soon after committees were
chosen as follows: On plans, Rev. Andrew
Oliver, Col. Alexander Fleming and Will
liam P. Wentworth; on subscriptions,
James H. Williams, H. E. Stoughton and
Aaron Arms; building committee, Asa
Wentworth, Wyman Flint AMI John Arms
advisory committee to all the other COM
nlttees, the vestry. 1t would appear that
he gentlemen not only performed faithful
y the several tasks allotted them but were
liberal contributors to the funds, Messrs.
Flint, Williams and Wentworth being ap-
'arently foremost in SO giving. In the
anne year it was resolved to proceed with
ne arrangements for building, $1,000 hav-
ng been secured for the purpose. The
'ears of which we are writing were full of
work: The cemetery was improved the
work OF collecting funds for the building
vas going on, and activity everywhere pre-
'ailed. l can not speak by name of all
hose who engaged in the good work.
fhey have their reward.
In 1868 Mr.. Oliver made gratiful &C.
'nowledgement Of the gift at Easter Of
S210 from his parishioners to himself. and
he bishop alluded to the generally pros
'erous condition Of the parish. Mr.. Oliver
esigned in 1864, an event deeply regret
ed by all. Impre ssive are the words
ound in his. letter and the reply thereto.
The reply bears date of October %, 1864.
t is signed by Asa Wentworth, Joseph M.
Webb, James H. Williams, William Nut
ing, Russell Hyde and James W. Webb.
All these, rector and vestrymen, rest from
heir labors. They are not, and will not |
e soon forgotten, even ss the memory Of
theirs will long remain with us.
REV. CHARLES S. HALE RECTOR.
After the resignation Of DR.. Oliver, the
lev. G. R. Batchelder was in charge for
ime. He is highly spoken of in the bish-
p's address for 1865. March 80, 1866,
ne Rev. Francis Wainwright accepted
all to the rectorship. He entered at once
pom his work. In 1867 it was reported
nat $4,000 had been expended upon the
ew church building.
The Rev. Mr.. Wainwright remained
ut short time as rector, and in july,
'67, call to the rectorship was extended
le Rev. Charles S. Hale with salary of
1000 and use of the rectory. For some
me previous to this call DR.. Batchelder
ficiated very acceptably to the parish. OF
is ability as q writer l would like to
peak but can not for want of time. The
ev. Mr.. Hale assumed charge on the first
unday in October, 1867.
From the report made that year we
arm that through the efforts Of the ladies'
'ciety over $4,000 we're raised by that So
ETY. for the building fund and pledge
ade to pay for the church furniture at an
xpense Of $500. The convention sermon
cached by the Rev. DR.. Bailey and
inted in the Journal Of 1868, with its
any historical notes, will repay careful
aiding by any one who desires to know
ore of the history Of the past as it relates
matters not spoken Of in this discourse,
reasons apparent to all, but bearing
mewhat largely upon the story of the
aking of this parish. lie
1t would be pleasant to consider the re- '
ions between Bishop Griswold and this