Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-06-14

the beautiful and dear House of the Lord
consecrated by many and sacred mem.
cries and communions. occurred. On Sat.
urday night, Jan. 30, 1899, the Methodist
church of Middlebury was nestroyed by
fire. The following day was the Sabbath
This flock, though not without a shep-
herd, was homeless and without a place
in which they might gather for worship
and communion. Their beautiful House
of God was In ruins. With small insur-
ance upon the building, the problem and
task Of rebuilding appeared herculean to
the heroic, yet dazed and stricken, con-
gregatior. (IIere let it be recorded with
gratitude, more enduring than monu-
ment of bronze or marble, the generous
and universal sympathy and aid rem
dered by all classes of citizens and
beliefs of the town. For nearly one
year and six months the congregation
met for worship in the town hall. Here
the Sunday School gathered for instruc-
ton. All honor to the loyal and persist
ant band of workers who maintained
the services during these days and weeks
VI anu ulsOTutT.
After consultation and prayer ii was
decided to arise and build Finally plans
were secured and work was commenced
on the present structure. The corner
stone was laid with Impressive ceremony
on Sept p, 1892, Rev. j. II. Coleman,
ID. D., delivering the address upon the
occasion. The work upon the super
structure progressed with many Interrupt
tons, until it was finally completed and
formally dedicated to the service and
worship of Almighty God on May %,
1898. DR.. j. r. Day, chancellor of SYRIA
cuse University, preached in the morn
Ing and Rev. II. G.. Thompson, former
pastor, in the evening.
With devout gratitude and profound
satisfaction these people came to worship
again under their own vine, with none to
modest or make afraid. Midst tears of re-
joicing they looked into each others faces
and up into the face of the loving Father
when this latter house was dedicated to
His worship. 1t was found, however,
when the final offerings of the people
were footed, that the church was not en-
tirely theirs or the Lords; that defici-
ency of from five to six thousand dollars
remained as burden and an annoyance,
to cripple the church energy.
1896, Rev. c. F. Noble.
1S96l900, Rev. j. &. Gooding.
During the pastorate of the latter an
effort was made to wipe out the debt by
placing Jugs among the people, seeking
to obtain gift of penny a day from
each. 1t was found that while this
method stimulated somewhat the spirit
of benevolence in the people and furnish
ed temporary relief, it was not sufficient
in its scope to bring the permanent and
speedy cOnsummation of the end devot-
eddy wished for. Let it, however, be re-
corded that this method was the John the
Baptist, the forerunner preparing the
way for other and more efficient means
for complete and final victory.
In the spring of 1900 the present pastor
was appointed to the church. If he will
be true in recording history, he must say
that he found a people loyal, united,
strong in their attachment to their form
er pastors and leaders, but in their
outlook of faith and hope for the future
somewhat depressed in spirit by reason
of the financial conditions that appeared
to exist. One brother greeted the pastor
by declaring that it swas Of little use
to unpack his goods; that it would be
necessary to lock the church and suspend
services until a change could be effected.
Others said; "We are hopelessly in debt
and we always will be-
The year 1900 was happily passed by
the pastor aud people in becoming ac-
quainted with eachj other. In the fall
a very profitable series of religious SER
vices were held, the pastor being assisted
by Evangelist-Rev. II. G. Scudday.
Many in the church received a spiritual
uplift. Nearly score of persons united
with the church.
AS the New Year dawned it had be-
come settled conviction in the minds
Continued on page eight