St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-10-08

. | much time was used up in inQuiring int
+ the ACCESSIBILITY of organizing this churcf
Y and the examination of the candidate
] that the afternoon was used up, and
was voted to adjourn to meet the mex
morning at $50, at Bro. Morrill's t.
complete the exercises. Mrs. Lee say
t that there were only 10 members pro
posed Tor membership. The records say
20. She NAV have been modest and dic
not count herself The names of thos
) who united with the church were as iol
lows: Mr.. and Mrs. Ebenezer Severance
, Mr.. and Mrs. Ouartus Severance, Mis-
Marian A. Bullock Mr.. and Mrs. Toh1
Lee, Mrs. Nathaniel Lee, Mrs. lame.
Works, Mrs. Moses Hill, Mr.. and Mrs
Calvin Morrill, Mrs. Nathan Stone, Mrs
Leonard Harrington, Mrs. Emerson
Wright, Mrs. Charles Blynn, Mr.. anc
Mrs. Asa c. Lee, Mrs. Eli Dickerman
Miss Harriet Percival
Then as now the ladies were in the ma
jority. The newly organized church
adopted articles OF faith and covenant
which have remained unchanged to this
day. Let those churches who think that
a changed creed will bring new additions,
note that all through these years this
church has lived and prospered without
renlodellng creed or covenant. Into cove
nant relations have come during these
years $50 persons, making in all $40
who have taken the vows and obliga-
lions of this church, one for every COM
munion service. Truly is this not apos-
| tollc? There seems to have been, during
all these years, an even trend in the at
fairs OF the church, an unwritten motto
| well lived out has always been: United
we stand, divided we fall" There have
been but few great awakenings, the most
notable among them all is the revival
during the pastOrate of Mr.. Humphrey,
when at one time 40 were received into
the church upon confession of faith
Many of them are still alive and active
in the church work. That revival took
place about 1870, at time when the re-
vival spirit was abroad in the land. The
church has had during the time seven in
stalled pastors to break the bread of life:
Rufus Cass from 1842-1S49, John H.
Quincy, 185O-1855. May 6. 1865, is the
last entry on the records until November
20, 1857, when it was voted to extend
call to Rev. John Bowers, who served the
church from 1S5S-1S63, William Bald
win, 1S64-1866. September 2, 1866,
MIR. Baldwin asked for dismission from
the pastoral relations which l suppose
was granted, but there is no record of it.
The reason for these long periods when
there are no entries is from the fact in
those days the pastor was usually clerk
and when the pastor was out, the records
Eant
Humphrey. The memories of him still
linger with the people though thirty
wears have rolled away. Rev. S. ].
Humphrey, brother of ]. P. Humphrey,
sent me small gift for our lamps to
treshen that memory and to help keep it
alive. Mr.. Humphreys pastorate was
the longest of any from 1S6S-1S78. Rev.
F. B. Phelps, 1879-1SS3.
For the next ten years the church had
no installed pastor. There were four
acting pastors during chat time: Rev. !.
N. Walker, 1884-1S86, Rev. !. F. Whit
ney, 1S86-188S. Rev. B. S. Adams COM
menced his work April, 1890, and closed
with his death, January 2, 1891. He left
as his parting word to the church, "Tell
them love the church of Christ, and if |
had thousand lives to live they should
all be given to his service" Rev. Arthur
Hertel was called April, 1891, and re-
signed September 5, 1892. Rev. M. c
Henderson, one OF another denomination,
served the church for nearly two years
very acceptably and was much loved by
the people. Rev. G. w. Patterson was
called March, 1898, inst allied in 1894,
and closed his labors in 1901.
There has been only one ordination
service in the church during all these
years. That was somewhat peculiar per-
haps. There was a double purpose of
calling the council. For the purpose of
dismissing the Rev. Rufus Cass and the
ordination of John H. Quincy. Whether
the matter was forced or not | am not
able to say. But it was very suggestive
to me. BY the kindness of Brother Pat
terson | came here to supply the pulpit
before he had completed his work. And
when he was done my work commenced.
What was my amusement to see under
the date OF August IT, 1900, Congre-
gatlona'ist, Vermont news, this editorial,
Better bide wee"
Engaging a successor before the old
pastor is off, as some churches have done
recently, may show more ENTERPRISE than
consideration. If the relation is of the
nature OF entertaining guests, it might
be we'll But il it is rather OF the analogy
OF the marriage relation, as old time ideas
favored, fitting delay would be seemly."
Tins church has never paid a large
salary, 500 being the amount ever paid.
Thtre is an entry i'll the records of the
society under date of 1879, it is a record
OF vote taken, by the society to extend
a call to Rev. F. B. Phelps to settle as
pastor on salary OF 500. The lowest
salary per year was $500. There is an
interesting entry dated 1864, June 8.
''Noted 70 cell Rev. William Baldwin to
become pastor of this church on a salary
OF five hundred dollars and parsonage
and a donation of 500 pledged by the
church and society as long as the present
high prices remain"
This church has always stood squarely
upon moral issues. The church has
heverby practice norcOnsent been agreea-
bic to the use nor sale of ardent spirits
nor in the dissertation of the Lords dav.
The church adopted these resolutions
September +, 1871, less than one wear
after its organization. Whereas: There
is difference of practice in the reception OF
members from other churches and differ
ence of opinion among religious persons
as to the expediency and use OF alcoholic
drinks and travelling on the Lords day;
we do adopt the following resolutions as
expressive OF our views and as a rule of
our action.
Resolyed That we receive by exami-