Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-03-15

howed 80 IN full membership ahd II c
N probation. This ended the paStorate q
# Rev. L. :. Locke. a highly successful
md thoroughly consecrated man who
is aifectionately remembered 10y many
people in this place. lie died in 1883
At the age Of 81.
The second pastor Of the Church was
Rev. Il. L. Bruce, who was appointed !
to this charge the same year he joined
the conference. lie remained here the
full term Of three years. The Church
was greatly proSpered during this time,
particularly in its corporal interests. In
the first year OF his pastorate 1t was de
cided to purchase the hallwhere services
were being held. 1t was found unpleas-
ant aud unsatisfactory to be obliged to 1
hold services in a place which was used
for so many other purposes. The wlsest !
course seemed to be to purchase the hall
aud to dedicate it as a church. This
movement was carried to successful
issue under the leadership OF Jacob
Mills. Some OF the stockholders gave
the full amount Of their stock others
gave part OF it. All shares not given
we're bought and Oh the Both OF March
1890 the property was decided to the
Church free OF all encumbrance. OF the
Sum necessary to secure this result $500
was contributed 10y Mir. Mills. After
some alterations and repairs the dedica-
ton took place June u, the sermon be-
ing preached 10y Rev. '. y. Cooper of
Chelsea, Mass. From the Church rec
ord OF that year | quote these words
which will be of interest TO many: The
voice OF the Master has recently come to
Bro. j. Mills calling him to preach the
Gospel Cur last quarterly conference
granted him license" During the
last year OF the pastorate OF Mr.. Bruce
a parsonage was purchased. 1t was the
house OH Cross street now occupied by
! DR.. Ellie This. like the church. was
made possible larg .iy through the gen
crosby OF Jacob Mills. $500 being con
l.tributed by him tor taiS pdptse. Thus
it vii! he seen th.t th-tager years OF
Mr.. Bruces ministry toau go impor-
ami period in the histof, Of t.t Church
At the beginning OF his PASTORAL the
Church owned ~ property Nnate,er.
At the close, il had secured church
and parsonage worth at least $1,000.
upon which there was not dollar OF
debt. II was inst at this time that Mr..
Mills removed to Montana where he has
ever since been engaged in Christian
work. lie is still remembered with
great affection by the Church which has
been so deeply indebted to him
TO the remaining pastorates ii IS not
necessary to devote quite SO much at
tentiou They have all been important
but naturally the changes which have
taken place have not been so marked as
in those earliest years. Mr.. Bruce was
succeeded by Rev. T.. Folsom Who wa.
pastor for one year. His record shows
that congregations were good and the
Church III prosperous condition.
The next pastor was Rev. W. |. Todd
who came in 1851 and remained foi
three years. 1t was during his pastor
ate that our excellent, sweet-toned pipe
organ was procured. II was valuable
addition to the equipment Of the Church
1t is also of interest to note that at thi:
time Band of Hope was organized
which met with unusual success under
/. the leadership of Mr.. Todd, who seemed
to thoroughly understand dealing Will
children. The members of this society
reached the surprising number of l35
1t should be said however that it in.
5 cluded many children from the othe
| churches. Out Of this organization ha
r come our Junior League In the las
: year Of Mr., Todd's stay the church wa
e blessed with widespread revival. Al
5 impressive service and one long to b
A remembered was held January n, 1886
/ when 80 persons were baptized and re
: ceiyed into the Church on probation
a This was the largest number ever re
i ceived by this Church at one time.
u Rev. w. S. Smithers was the mex
e pastor. He came in the spring of 1886
!, He was an able man, and immediatel
n secured wonderful hold upon the al
J. fections Of the people. Under his mir
y istry the work of the Church prospere
| more than ever before. The Sunda
e School increased and all departments q
l. the Church were in excellent condition
e 1t was the unanimous and enthusiast
= request Of the people that he be retume
$ for another year. But the ways of
Bishop are sometimes past finding our
y TO the surprise and disappointment Q
Q all Mr. Smithers was removed to anothe
It charge, which was also DESTROYS of 81
Y curing his services. In spite Of thei
h disappointment, the people gave q Co
o dial welcome to his successor, Rev.
r Enripht He also remained hnt an