Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-10-01
CHURCH CENTENNIAL.
Methodism In Rochester Celebrates
the compIetion Of 100 Years.

celebrated from Sept. 18th to 18th. Roeh-
ester was included in the Barnard Giro uii
until the year 1924, when the towns oil
Rochester, Stockbridge, Pittsfield, Kings
/ ton NOW Granvillel and Goshen were sci
of and called Rochester circuit
/ Methodism was first heralded in the
town of Rochester by Thomas Skeeles. au
I ltinerant preacher. 1t was on Sept. Is.
1893, in building which had formerly
/ been occupied as an ashery, but had been
htted up with seats and used for public
worship, that the preacher went into the
pulpit and preached from the text
"Ihese that have turned the world upside
down are come hither also" Acts II, 8. Il
IS said thai the sermon which followed
had powerful effect on the people. Many
were convicted of sin and soon after some
embraced religion.
This was the beginning OF a work which
has abided through the century. The
first quarterly conference Of which there
is any record was held Aug. IA, 1924, over
which Wilbur Fisk presided. AT the
quarterly conference which followed, Oct.
Both, this interesting article of business is
recorded "A committee appointed to esti-
mate the preachers table expenses. The
committee reported go as tine estimate,
which was accepted.
On the 22d day of October, 1925, the
Methodists and the Universalists of the
village formed "Methodist and Univer-
salist Meetingho society for the pur-
pose OF erecting and mutually occupying
the meeting house when built. The meet
ing house was built some time in the sum-
mer OF 1877. This joint ownership of the
meeting house continued until January
~, 1915, when the Methodists bought out
the Uniyersalists' interests in the same,
and the Methodist and Universalist Meet
ing society" was dissolved. The
Fs1aa a L.
paired several times The present mem
bership Of the church is 1913.
The celebration Of the centennial SER
vices began on Sunday morning, Sept.
IL. After the sermon preached by the
pastor, and based upon the words, ~ call
you not servants, but friends" Jno. 15;15,
baptism was administered 10 two boys
born in the town ON the same day and in
the same year and who together re-
nounced the devil and all his works, and
came into the church by probation.
There were three others, adults, making
lye IN all who thus united with the
church. The communion which fol-
lowed was very precious season.
At the Sunday school session which
followed the morning service, an excel
lent historical paper was given by the
superintendent, Miss Jennie Hall. REM
inlscences were given by older mem bers
Of the Sunday school.
In the evening at 7:3O the Epworth
League rallied in the auditorium and
listened to addresses from the pastor and
Brother Fayette Kezer, which were in
retrospective vein. Prospection was in-
terestingly dealt with by Mrs. Marion
Ball, an enthusiastic Epworthan. In
trospection vas the theme used by Broth
er Lyman Farrar in presenting some very
forceful and helpful words. Looking
backward and forward and inward was
thus fittingly and logically presented.
Monday evening was spent in listening
TO I'VE big and little choirs" singing the
old and the new songs. The singers had
not forgotten the injunction to sing s'with
the spirit, and with the understanding
also
Tuesday evening was dedicated to the
interests OF the young people. on which
occasion Rev. +. w. Sharp gave an in
spring and eloquent address.
Wednesday afternoon Woman's work
was represented; "A woman that feareth
the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her
OF the fruit of her hands and let her own
works praise her in the gates;" Prov. 81
30-3. The work of the Woman's Foreign
Missionary society including that of the
local auxiliary was presented by Mrs. /. S.
Nerks. The records Of the local society
say:-"The ladies of the Woman's Mis-
sionary society met at the NJ. +. church,
Rochester, VT, Sept. 1875, Dust twenty
eight years ago. A paper on the
Womans Home Missionary society was
read by Miss Edna Morse. The Ladies'
Aid society was represented by Mrs
Laura Kezer.
AT p. M, bountiful repast was fur
nished by the Ladies' Aid society in its
commodious parlors. In the evening, the
Rev. A. {. bennett furnished a delight
fully entertaining and profitable illustrated
stereopticon lecture on "Our Church
Hymns The choir assisted the speaker
in making this most enjoyable occasion.
On Thursday afternoon was the reunion
of former pastors. Memories Of past day
were recalled as the brethren who were
suffered to be present INDUCED in remin-
iscences, and as letters freighted with rec
objections Of the past and with hopeful and
cheering words were read, expressing the
benedietions of those who were absent
Former pastors present were j. o. Sher-
burne and wife, Joseph Hamilton and
wife. Z. w. Sharp. Mrs. w. n. Roberts
Rev. W. n. Roberts. Mrs.
Shedd, formerly wife OF A. L. Pratt, who
was stationed here in 1867, represented
him and contributed much to the enjoy
ment Of the several meetings by her bright
and happy words. Letters from the fol- |
lowing were read: J. A. Sherburne, c. p. |
Taplin, w. ii. Wight, w. II. Dean, F. II. |
Roberts and w. E. Lang.
In the evening, an uplifting and inspir- |
ing sermon was preached by the Rev. |
Joseph Hamilton from the text: MY |
heart and my flesh crieth out for the liv- |
ing God" Ps. 81 2. He brought out the |
idea of mans desire and longing for God /
and fellowship with him; and Gods long /
ing for man, looking to mans happiness /
and salvation. The "Love Feast" that fol- !
lowed the sermon, led by DR.. A. l.. |
Cooper, was fitting elimination to the |
services OF the day.
Friday was the centennial day. opening /
n 10 a. M with fraternal greetings from
he local pastors-Rev. II. w. Hildreth. i
Congregational, and Rev. +. Z. Adams,
Jniversalist. The following brethren
from surrounding charges also responded:
]. w. Miller for Bethel, l.. y. Moody for
Randolph Center, also W. A. Evans Of the
'ormer place; John Duffield for Rutland.
This service was punctuated by a call from
aides who had prepared a dinner for their
quests and to which they gladly responded.
At 2 o'clock the anniversary historical
address, was delivered to a large audience
)y the Rev A. L. Cooper, ID. ID. 1t was fit
ing that DIR. Cooper should be the his
orian for the occasion, as he himself was
associated with this church from the very
BEGINNING OF his religious life. His father
nd mother before him were also connected
With the church. He prefaced his address
With an account of his own rplipions /