Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-09-28

holton, j. =. Oliver, Fl. Campbell.
L find by the records that this church
has had only one treasurer, Dea. j.
q. Oliver. The first mention I find in
the records of a Sunday school
superintendent was on June 9, 1872,
when l.. NJ. Sleeper was elected to
that office; and since then L. S.
Hutchinson, j. G. Oliver, Mrs. Chas.
Nye and j. B. Holton have served in
this capacity.
Rev. j. D. Waldron came to us in
January 1902, and became pastor of
this church. After preaching to us
about six months
He began to talk about bell,
More than he did about hesven or hell,
And said, if we would only do we'll,
We could surely have a new bell.
Some said it could not be done,
Others were silent and mum:
But j. ID. began to hustle and hum,
And said the money must come.
At last the money was raised,
And the people said,"J d. be praised"
For surely a 1865 Id. bell was raised,
And 1t sounds well God be praised.
About four months ago our pastor
began to talk about how bad the in
side of our church looked, and he
began to talk to the flock about re-
pairing it. He agitated the matter,
and kept on agitating, until finally
the matter was brought before
meeting of the church, which voted
to repair providing the money could
be raised. There were some doubt
ing Thomases who said, "It's of no
use to try, you can never raise money
enough to repair this church." But
j. D. arose full of faith and courage
and said, Brethren and sisters, this
money can be raised, the raising of
the money is the easiest part of the
business, and if my deacons will
stand by me, will guarantee to raise
every dollar that is needed to put
this house in good repair" Bro.
Waldron was elected committee to
raise the money and Deacons Oliver
| and Holton were elected a committee
to expend the money. Bro. WaIdron
went at it, and the money was
raised. The people gave willingly
and cheerfully to repair the old stone
church, and most of the money was
paid to the committee as fast as they
needed it, and in most cases without
the asking. Quite little of the
money came from unexpected
sources, where it was least expected
or looked for, thus proving the old
saying true, "God helps those that
help themselves" j. R. Huse of
Newport, assisted by Fred Jervah,
did the steel work, Wesley Horn and
81. w. Wilder the carpenter work, E.
M. Pickel the painting and decorating
A. j. Allbee of Derby made the
memorial windows, and Mrs J. D.
Waldron and Mrs. E. M. Pickel de-
signed them. Rev. j. D. Waldron
has had the charge of selling them,
and they are all sold. Mr.. Huse de-
signed and put in the fancy work
back of the pulpit and gave it to the
society, and Pickel and Wilson
painted and decorated it and donated
it to the society. Many thanks are
due to VIM. Nelson for his kindness
in helping us out in times of need.
Also to A. j. Allbee of Derby for a
donation of five dollars on the win
dows, and to many others who have
| helped us with work and money.
Your committee has received in cash
and pledges $3.50, and have paid out
500, leaving us in arrearages $50.
The interior of this house shows what
we have done with the money. And
it is remarkable fact that your
committee have not heard one ad-
verse criticism from beginning to end
of this work; only words of praise
and commentator have greeted
their ears.
This little Free Baptist church was
40 years old the 7th day of last June,
and as we review Gods dealing with
US as church since it's organization,
we can truly say that He hath dealt
bountifully with us. There have
been times of adversely as we'll as
prosperity, times of sadness AS we'll
as times of joy. This church, with
all its faults and failings, has during
all these years been to many weary
soul beacon light along life's path
way, leading from earth to heaven.
I find under date of May 1s., 1869,
this report of a Covenant meeting:
1.-THE Freewill Baptist church met
to-day in monthly meeting. Our
hearts are sad. We are without
preaching and in debt, we are weak
in numbers, and are poor, the