The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-08-06
CHURCH CENTENN[lL.

East Hardwick celebrated on We'd
nesday the goth, the centennial ami
versary of its Congregational church,
with series of interesting services.
Despite the rainy weather the church
was filled and many friends and old
residents came from distance to at
tend, among them the former pastor
and has wife. Rev. and Mrs. Joseph
Torrey of Shirley, Mass
The church has been recently re-
modelled and was tastefully decorated
through the eXertions of its pastor,
Rev. John Marvin, and with its pro-
fusion of maiden hair ferns and wild
| flowers presented a most attractive APP
pearance.
In the morning at II O'Clock came a
service of thanksgiving, at which
short addresses were made. Hon. @.
Growth; - Mrs. j. @. Stafford, whose
subject was, ga Century of Oppor-
tunity,'' was unable to be present,
and her paper was read by her daugh-
ter. d. Z. Goodrich spoke on "A
| Century of Service, " and Mrs Flora
5. Field enumerated some of the many
7 blessings of the past century.
At the close of this service a recep.
ton was held and dinner served in
Jewett chapel, to which all were in
vlted. About three hundred accepted
the churoh's hospitality and there
were many happy meetings of old
friends and "reminiscences of former
years.
In the afternoon came a historical
service at which Hon. John H. George
gave an address tracing the history
of the church from 1903 when seven
of the early settlers of the town met
and organized the society, to the pres
ent time. The first church building
was not erected until 1926, on hilltop
some two miles from the present
church, and from 1886 to 1910 its pas
tor was Rev. Chester Wright, whose
grandson, Rev. j. Edward Wright,
d. D., was present at the centennial
celebration and made few happy re-
marks at the close of the afternoon
service.
Rev. G.. II. Merrill. DID,. of st.
Johnsbury, gave an address on 1.-THE
Church in the State" in which he
traced the influence of the democratic
institutions and the isolated life of
the people during the past century on
the development of the church, and
spoke of the many changes of thought
and custom which have already al
tered, and are likely still more to
change, its development in the century
to come.
The choir sang most acceptably both
morning and afternoon, and at the
evening service, which began at seven
O'Clock, gave several pleasing musical
selections.
The Rev. Joseph Torrey, who was
pastor of the church from 1850 to 1875,
preached the anniversary sermon,
which he prefaced with "reminiscences
of past years, and of people who were
in those days prominent in the church
life. His subject was The Transient
and the Permanent, the changes of
thought which have and must come
with all growth, the great foundation
principles of religion, which do not
change.
Among the olergymen present who
assisted at the service were the Rev.
Mr.. Cummings of Danville, Rev. Mr..
Fisk of East st. Johnsbuly and Rev.
Mr. Clark of Hardwiok.
Rev. John B. Marvin, the pastor,
presided and deserved congratulations
for the success of the celebration
which he had SO carefully planned and
in which he was so ably assisted by
the people of his parish.