St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-06-18
THE FREE BAPTIST CENTENNIAL.

THE FREE BAPTIST GEN EIN4NAhL'
4 History of the WheeIOck AssOciation'
The following interesting sketch Of the
Wheelock Association was prepared by
Rev. NJ. c. Henderson.
The 10Oth annual session oil the Whee-
lock Association ofFree Bap SIS was held
with the Lyndon Center church, June 6-8,
with special service on Saturday after
noon, commemorative of its organization
and history. AS the early records are
missing, H. A. Blake of Sutton, and the
writer, having a personal acquaintance
with the Association for more than 60
years, and knowing some Of the original
members familiar with its organization
and early history, were called upon to adj
dress the conference. The audience was
very attentive and seemed deeply 1nteres-
ted in the brief outline oftheearlY history
of the association. During the services a
solo was sung by the pastor, Rev. E.
Newell, and an appropriate selection by
the pastor and his family, which added
much to the interest of the occasion. 1t
was interesting to note the changes in
membership and methods OF administra-
ton during the past 100 years. Resolu-
lions appropriate to the occasion were
presented and unanimously adopted.
The Free Baptists were not known in
northern Vermont until 1899 when Rev.
], Body, an evangelist from New Hamp
shire, visited some of the towns in Gale
donia county. Extensive revivals at
tended his ministry and several churches
were organized. For the encouragement
and greater efficiency OF the churches it
was decided to form themselves into All
ASSOCIATION. Delegates were appointed
by the respective churches and met July
4, 1902, in Wheelock, and after due de
liberation organized themselves into an
association known as the Hardwick
Quarterly Meeting, afterward changed
to Wheelock. At the time of the organ
ization there were but four churches,
namely, Hard wick, Danvlle, Sheffield
and Sutton.
On the 2Sth OF August following an eX-
ira session was held and four churches
were received to membership, making a
total OF eight churches and a member
ship OF $50. From this small beginning
other churches were gathered in adjoin-
ing towns; ministerial help came New
Hampshire, from several young men,
members OF the respective churches, en-
tered the ministry, which gave strength
and encouragement to the association.
Among the number was John Colby of
Sutton, who proved to be one of the
most successful revivalists known in his
time. Jonathan Woodman of Wheelock, in
hlsearly ministry, known as boy preacher
witnessed extensive revivals, large addi-
tions were made to churches already
gathered, and other churches were organ
lied and added to the association.
About this time Rev. Daniel Ouimbv
from New Hampshire located in Lyndon,
and his labors added much to the
strength and efficiency of the churches.
The borders of our Zion continued to en-
large, until it was thought advisable to
form other associations and lessen the
number of our own. During the years of
the association many changes have taken
place; but with all the changes in the
of our churches and places
of worship, the doctrnal views as held
by the fathers is the heritage of the
churches today.