The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-09-27
Thirty Years.

Sunday marked the thirtieth anniversary
of the pastorate OF Rev. j. lward Wright
over the Church of the Messiah. Rare is IL
for pastor in town or city, to be privi-
ledged to lead church and congreg tion
for "a generation, and still more rare is IL
when, for such a period Of time, pastor and
people are i'll perfect accord rs Mr.. Wright
and his church have ever been. Not only
this, but in the statistics that follow the
fact which everyone knows is here strongly
emphasized that Mr.. Wright's labors have
by no means been confined to the church
and congregation of which he il the head.
A large congregation greeted Mr.. Wright
Sunday morning as he spoke, largely in
reminiscent VEN, of: the changes that had
come to him. aud his flock since 1863, az
well as of the material aud spiritual gain
that has, in that lime, come to this city and
the world at large.
The preliminary services had no special
reference TO this particular occasion. Mr..
Wright's remarks were based on words
found in Deuteronomy VIII, .: "And thou
shalt remember all the way which the
Lord thy God led thee" He said In open
ing as pastor and people they looked back
upon pastorate that has lasted thirty
years. Oay one in Washington county,
that of Rev. DR.. w. S. Hszen Of NoIthtielu
has exceeded it in length. He said it
seemed proper on this occasion that he
should depart from the usual manner OF
sermUnizing, and make liberal use of the
personal prUnoun II"
Mr.. Wright said when he first decided to
enter the ministry he felt that he should be
debarred IRON a permanent earthly home,
aud no urged his father to keep i'll the fam
lily the old Montpelier home, thinking per-
haps he might some day return to IL. In
stead of his fears in this respect being real
lied he had for a generation had his home
among,thls people.
Continuing, ne said in part: L was first
engaged TO supply this pulpit for "a ear,
for Rev. Charles Allen, the real founder ol
this church aud society. MIR. Allen resign
ed while in Europe, and the church desired
to engage my services for another year
Finally, an indefinite engagement was
made, all engagement no one then suppos Ell
would last ten or twenty years, and we are
now celebrating the thirtieth anniversary
OF a pastorate in u town where ] was born
and where my father and grandfather lived
and labored.
Passing in review this long term of years
am devoutly grateful for almost uninter-
rupted good health. Not more than four
Sundays in this time have l been kept from
this pulpit by ill health. During this time
/ have delivered over 3,l0Q sermons and
lectures, and about 100 infofmal addresses
| attended more than 1.OO0 funerals, three
| fourihs of which were outside this parish,
| ufiiciated at 682 III Arriages, and during this
| time l47 persons have been admitted to this
| church. aud 129 children dedicated.
Iu this connection reference was made to
| the Sunday-schoOl and Young Peoples
| Fraternity, in both Of which MIR. Wright
has always bsen active.
He further said: L have left to others the
doing OF many things other ministers try to
| do themselves. l have not thought il be-
hooved me TO look sharply after the huan-
ces, To care for the property of the society A.,
the need of repairs, devslng attractive en-
tertainments and providing for social work.
| These have all been faithfully attended to
| ,lar a al hh4. hkaf Ia
a doctor can do for his patient is to make
| his visits unnecessary. so OF pastor, the
| best thing he can do is to make his church
able To care for details without him
| My work has not b, en- confined to this
society Two.tifth of the addresses have
| delivered have been outside this church.
| For twelve years | had supervision OF the
public schools and have devoted much time
to establishing reading rooms, libraries, etc.
In the field OF public a1tivities, in pulpit, in
Sunday school and in private l have tried to
do something to check tue ravages OF IN
! temperance. Much of this work has been
| thankle and distastful, but | cannot give
| 10 up. Woe Is me ii after this thirty years
pastorate do not preach against the use OF
intoxicants. l have had sorrows in the
past thirty years, but many OF them have
been due to the use OF intoxicating liquor.
| must as long rs | live cry out against
those who become moderate drinkers, from
whom, day by day, the great army OF
| drunkards IL recruited.
Reference WAS here made to the outside
parishes of Middesex, Wrightsyllle and
the Morse school-house, and the thought
was enforced that a solemn obligation rests
upon well established churches in town and
city TO provide for outlying districts
In referring to the financial affairs OF he
church, MIR. Wright said from $1,000 to
$500 had regularly been raised for current
expenses The Ladies' society has raised
in the aggregate, during his pastorate, be
tween $4,000 and 81 900. For repairs to the
church and organ about $500 has beef
expended.
This church has given about $4,000 tt
benevolent organizations and to Unltarial
churches and institutions, with hundreds
and perhaps thousands to other objects o