Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-10-13

| tor of the Braintree Branch church
preaching every Sunday afternoon during
/ the summer) introduced Rev. Mr.. Tilson
who made some very interesting remarks
He was born in Randolph and was TOT
many years resident of Braintree. Here
| in the old church he often conducted re-
ligious services. He received his early re-
ligious instruction from the first pastor OF
the church, Rev. Elijah Huntington, q
/, faithful, godly man, who was pastor for
forty years. Mr.. Huntington labored
without ceasing, getting salary OF only
40 per year, and rearing family Of nine
children. On one occasion, when Mr.. Til
son was conducting baptismaI services, not
only was the church filled but benches
were placed outside thst all might listen to
the service, 150 horses and carriages being
hitched In the sheds or by the roadside.
Mr.. Tilson, who has passed his 80th year,
spoke with sadness of the death, three
weeks since, OF his beloved wife, with
whom be had walked hand in hand for AZ
to the service of God. 1t Is no place for
fairs; no place for amusement; no place
for entertainments OF any kind. want to
get away from these scenes, the beautiful
bills, the streets and lanes, the most beau
tifui on earth to me. Just below, In yon-
der stream, was baptized. shall be glad
to know that this latter honse will exceed
the former house In DEVOTION"
Following Mr.. Tilson, Mr.. Howard said I:
SIN April last the old church was destroyed
by q fre, started In some mysterious way,
road. Without any bribery or questioning
the railroad company consented to rebuild
the church and furnish the seats, which
they did, furnishing everything except
the carpet, cushions and altar; and be-
iieve we ought to express to the railroad
company our gratitude" Mr.. Dinsmore
Battles moved, In behalf of the citizens, d
vote OF thanks to the officers of the Central
Vermont Railroad and to J. r. Holman,
the builder. The motion was seconded,
the whole congregation signifying their
favor by holding up their right hands.
The pastor continued: els II right to ded
ieate to the service OF the Great Head of
the Church that which has not cost US
anythiug2 ] ask free-will offering to
pay the email Indebtedness for the furnish
ings." In response a collection was taken
which amounted to s24.41.
The quartette sang an anthem, 1.-THE
Lord Is Here" after which Mr.. Howard
read appropriate selections from the Scrip
lures and led the congregation In prayer.
This was followed by the anthem, "Blest
Be the Tie that Binds in Christian Love-"
The pastor preached an eloquent SER
mon, which we regret we are unable to
give in full. He took his text from the
18th chapter of Genesis, 18th verse: This
10 none other but the house o. God and
this Is the gate OF heaven" He described
the journey OF Jacob, his becoming over
come by WEAKNESS, having for his bed the
earth; his pillow rock, his curtain the
outstretched canopy OF heaven. A won
derful vision Is granted to Jacob. He sees
ladder resting upon the earth and reach
ing into heaven, and angels ascending and
descending, the Lord gazing down upon
him. he hears the promise. "The land
whereon thou Hest, to thee will l give il,
and to thy seed"; and upon awaking cries
out, "Surely, the Lord Is In this place and
know 1t not" On the 18th of June, 1900,
Elijah Huntington was ordained fret pas
tor, the service being held on q large rock
north OF Mr.. Sargent's house. There those
cody men laid their hands on this sanity
man and set him apart for Gods work.
Surely the groves were Gods hrst temples.
There was strong desire that q church be
built and about this time the old church
was erected. How many times In the old
church the angels assembled and descended
So trust and IL IL our prayer that the an
gels may ascend and descend In the new
church as In the old church. People who
neglect the sanctuary are not q people
blessed by God. History lifts q warning
voice, II we are to be prospered and blessed
we must meet Him In the sanctuary and
worship Him. The church Is, In the first
place, place Of revelation, In the second
place, q place OF dedication. God Ia a
spirit; we must worship Him In spirit and
In truth. In Him we live, and move, and
have our being. He Is so great that he fills
the whole universe; so little that he fnds
a dwelling In my heart. Those men and
without place Of worship or day OF rest
are not living spiritual lives. Il Is not
enough for US to come to listen and re-
ceive. We must give; not money, but self.
This should be time OF conservation to
the people OF Braintree and to the people
Of Randolph. When you requested that a
new church be built In place of the old
one you honored the house of God. May
the altar OF God remain pure. To christi
anity and its blessed influences we dedi.
cate this church. We dedicate 1t to the
and Its best interests. We
dedicate 1t to truth-and God forbid that
any man shall stand on this platform or
behind this desk and offer any theory of
bis own mind or doubts of his own heart,
but preach the gospel in its purity and
simplicity. To love we dedicate Il, that
we may love 1t In the home and In all the
walks Of society. So may love 20 out into
the community, even as Jesus Christ has
loved us. We dedicate II to peace, to sa-
- - @<@-Ef ~ .-@-t r. - 80 -
TO christian admonition; we dedicate II to
christian nurture. May God accept our
Offering, and In future years may God re-
veal greater and more Curious things to
you.n
Rev. Mr.. Tilson made the prayer OF ded-
Ication. This was followed by an anthem,
and Rev. Mr.. Howard pronounced the
The church Is built on the site OF the old
one. 1t is a pretty little structure 28x36
leet, and win seat 100 persons. The chan
Dei Is 5xs feet and the yestibcie exc feet.
The windows are of cathedral glass in
colors. The pews are OF ash
with cherry trimmings and are neatly
GUS hioned. The pulpit furniture is Of ash.
The floor Is nicely carpeted and the entire
room is very neat, making a model house
of worship. J. B. Holman is the architect
md builder. To w. B. Wall of Randolph
.he society are, In a great measure, in
iebted for this beautiful and substantial
building, and they feel that to him they
,we debt of gratitude for his kindly in
crest and valuable assistance.