The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-10-19

the saying that 'It is more blessed to give
than to receive" Rev. p. N. Barnard said
that to him IL had been blessed to receive
from this church the one who had been a
great help and comfort for so many yeart,
his wife being a daughter OF Rev. James
Hobart, the first pastor of this church. Rev.
Aziel Hazen Of Middletown, told of his boy
hood spent In Berlin, and his remembrances
OF the church and people Of that time; also
OF his church work in Connecticut, in which
his brother, Dea. Lucius Hazen, is associa-
ted with him. He paid O high tribute to
Dea. j. A. Perrin, when he emphatically
stated that to his teachings and wise coun-,
sells, both in the district school end in the
Sabbath school, he owed some OF the best
principles OF his life. Rev. J. N, Perrin
gave some very pleasing "reminiscences of
his childhood and youth in connection with
this church. He spoke of the good influ-
ence derived from the Sabbath school and
social meetings. He was unable to remem-
Der personally the labors OF Fathers Hobart
and Hazen, but he remembers Rev. Will
liam Scofeld, during whose pastorate he
united with the church. He remembered
Rev. A. Laid, who was the first to encour-
age him in the study for the ministry, and
later, Rev. j. j. Hall, who, when he was
about to give up his studies, urged him to
continue. He spoke OF his great love for
this pastor, Rev. j. j. Goodacre, who ex-
tended him much sympathy and comfort in
the dark hours of his life The afternoon
DR.. Seaver.
After partaking OF the plentiful supper
provided by the ladies, the people again as
sembled in the church. The evening exer-
cises were opened by Scripture reading and
prayer by Rev. William jackson. Rev.
| w. s. Hazen delivered an historical adj
dress, giving a short history of the town
and its first inhabitants, among the names
of which was Dewey, grandfather of Adj
miral Dewey. The first settlement was
| mazda lima 17f2 Tn 17O1 ha fraa q
the town met and organized form of gov
| erment Religious services we're held from
time to time and October 10, 1898, they met
at the home Of Simpson Stewart, on the
| farm now owned by Abel Stewart, and or
Ranized a church, with three members, viz:
| Mr.. Goh, Mr.. Stewart and Mr.. Flagg. At
| ter few years. Rev. James Hobart accept
ed call from this church and was Install
ed as its first pastor, which place he filed
| until 1929 Money was raised and the little
church on the hill was built Religious ex-
ercises were first held in this house Deem
Der 80, 1903, and it was dedicated January |,
1904. In March 1888 1t was consumed by
! fire, but the present edihce was under proc
ess of construction and was completed in
| 1889, II was repaired in 1857, and again in
1896. DR.. Hazen spoke highly of Mr.. Ho-
| bart's untiring efforts in these primitive
days, aud if he did not always please men
he strove to please God whose he WAS and
| whom he served He was succeeded in 1857
by Rev. Austin Hazen, who served the
people faithfully for several years, and
whose memory is still cherished by the old
er inhabitants. Among the later pastors
are found the names of Sebra, Center, SEQ
field, Ladd, Hall, Witham, and the present
pastor, Rev. j. j. Goodacre. The church
has sent out seven ministers and four min
isters' wives. During the century five hum
dred people have been connected with the
church. AT present there are sixty-four.
"a little flock disowned by men, it is own
ed aud loved by God"
After very stirring anthem by the choir
Rev. j. j. Hall spoke of the Mission of
the Church, What is it?" He held that it is
not to entertain. While we should be So
cia he thought sociality was carried to ex-
cess 1t is the mission of the church to
present Jesus Christ to spread light, to
proselyte. Lastly, it is the mission of the
church to save men Prove to them by
love that it is the best institution in the
world, and they will come in.
The exercises both in the afternoon and
evening were interspersed by most excel
lent music by the choir. The program was
concluded with the benediction by Rev.
Aziel Hazen.