The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-14
LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY.

Rev. j. Edward Wright occupied the pull
pit at the Church of the Messiah Sunday
morning and spoke before large congrega-
tion on "The History Of Liberal Christian
ity in Montpelier" This theme was most
appropriate to the opening OF Old Home
comprehensive and entertaining manner.
The speaker took for a text words found
in Deuteronomy iv:32: "Ask now Of the
days that are past" Mr.. Wright said, in
opening, that the history OF liberal Chris
tisnity in Montpelier dated back not much
more than 1Co years, as the history of the
town and city antedated but little that peri
cd of time. For the first twenty-five years
after the settlement OF the town OF Mont
pelier a large portion OF the early settlers
were Universalists, or had tendencies in
that direction. To be sure Ziba Wood
worth, the Freewill Baptist, Clark Stevens,
the Quaker, and several Methodist timer
ants were at that time preaching the doc
trines they professed and believed, but the
people generally leaned toward liberal
faith. In 1908 the first Methodist class was
organized in town and in that year Con-
gregational church and society was formed
which has continued to the present time.
From 1903 to 1909 Hosea Bsllou lived in
Barnard and from that center proclaimed
the new liberal faith. William Farwell
came to Barre in 1803 and during his resi-
dence there often spoke in Montpelier.
Rev. Paul Bean also came to Barre to
preach in 1908, bat liberal society was
not formed in Montpelier until several
year later.
Mr.. Wright read the names OF those who
formed in 1888 the first Universsist society
at what is now East Montpelier Center. In
Montpelier society was formed in that
year with James M. Austin as preacher.
This society, however. was short lived. In
1884 society which is still hourishing. was
formed at the East village, and also one at
North Montpelier.
In 1885 another attempt was made to
form Universalist society in Montpelier,
but without success. In 1840 Rev. Eli Ral-
lou bought the Christian Repository and con-
Quoted 1t for thirty years. most of the time
printing 1t at Montpelier. This paper kept
alive donominational loyalty and In 1851
DR.. Ballou and others started new society
in Montpelier. This society lived for two
years, during which time meetings were
held at the Free church, which later was
| Capital hall, and In the court house, though
| not without some opposition in the latter
place.
From that time to 1864 a Unitarian minis
ter was rarely heard in Montpelier. In the
autumn of that year Charles A. Allen began
| to hold meetings to which liberal christians
were generally invited 1t was an auspic-
ious time for founding new church.
| Money was plenty and feelings engendered
| by the civil war, which was not then ended,
made easy the sundering OF old church ties
| In this connection Mr.. Wright paid low
! ing tribute to the work done by Mr.. Allen
and read list OF names OF those connected
| with him in the work, most of whom have
now gone to their reward.
Meetings were first held in village hall,
then in the court house. In December.
1864, the society of the church Of the Messl-
| ah was founded. In March, 1865, the Mont
peier Independent Meeting House society,
which built the present church, was organ
lied, Under Mr.. Aliens leadership the
church was built at a cost, including II o
| organ, of $4,000 IL was dedicated on jan
| uary b, 1866 In 1867 simple and comprt-
hension covenant was adopted which make'
personal avowal OF christian discipleship.
Mr.. Aliens pastorate continued for about
five years, during which time the society
had become free from debt and was steadily
growing. In the fall of 1869 Mr.. Allen OBJ
tanned years leave OF absence which was
necessitated by the incessant labor he had
put into this his first pastorate, and Mr..
Wright was engaged to supply during his
absence Before the year had passed Mr.
Allen resigned and the acting pastor was
made the permanent one Mr.. Wright said
that although he had never been regularly
installed as pastor, yet after thirty years
continuous service he felt pretty we'll ac-
quainted with the church and people.
Mr.. Wright then spoke OF the obstacles
Mr.. Allen found In his way, and showed, by
CONTRAST how the world has moved since
1864 We find now every where In Other
churches development OF the broadesl
liberal Christianity, the fires OF the old hel
are largely quenched, ard people holding
liberal views are welcomed into churches
where they would have been refused ad
mittance few years ago.
In closing Mr.. Wright spoke hopefully
for the future, both for his own parish ant
the church at large.