Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-02
centennial Celebration Of the
First Church Begun
Thursday.
ABLE HISTORICAL ADDRESS
Western Vermont Congregational Club
Hold Annual Meeting in Connection
1'Ostprnndinl Exercises uud
Election Of Officers.

'hurch opered Thursday with a service
n the afternoon in connection with the
annual meeting of the Western Vermont
congregational club; n dinner to the club
listing and resident ministers. and dele.
oates TO the centennial rendered by the
'ollcgc Street Church, in the early even
ng and centennial service in the even
ng with an historical address. The at
tendance was largo at all functions and
bach gathering was characterized by the
IMPRESSION of lofty and inspiring senti-
ncnts and cordial good cheer
The First Church, in honor of the
occasion, presented a noble appearance
NTH its recent extensive improvements
nd additions complete. The interior was
PHYSICALLY trimmed. in simple and re-
|ncd taste. ON either side of the wall,
pack of pulpit were the significant dates
e05- 1905 done in laurel, while laurel
border in labyrinth design extended
round tho entire gallery. Tho choir loft
VAS banked with palms and pottcd plants
nd flowers We're massed about tho pulpit
latfrom. The floral decora atoms were
ON c. +. Gove's greenhouse.
THE AFTERNOON SERVICE.
The order Of the afternoon service at
80 o'clock was as follows:
bryan prelude-Andante.. Gordon
Invocation.
'enite cXultemus. Boyce
lynn "a. Tune: Ancient of Days
'rayer-The Rev. Frank Dee Penney,
pastor. Baptist Church.
Anthem-Trust in the Lord-I.argo
Handel
AddroSs of welcome,
The Rev Gaius Glenn Atkins, D. d.
'encr solo-"My Hope Is in the Everast-
ing, .......... ...... .Stainer
i. w. Riker.
address,
he Rev. II. P. Dewey. d. D.. pastor Of
the Church of the Pilgrims, Brook
Ign, n. Y.
Psalm iG-Long Meter. Taken from the
book of Christian Psalmody,
the first book of praise used
by the First Church.
INC Samson. Church Hymnal. page 277.
'rayer and bcnedction.
Tho Rev. Lucus +. Reed of MONTPELIER
rgan rustlude. March. ....... .Wely
The address Of DIR. Dewey was a mas
hrly piece Of pulpit oratory. Added to
10 charm of n simple and attractive
pglish style was a delivery of simplicity.
irectness and earnestness which held, as
y spell, tho receptive audience and
irried conviction to every hearer Dr.
|ewey was scheduled to speak on '"rhe
ission of the Church." but at the outset
e stated that he would speak on the
'ission of the spirit and with broad and
berai thought he pointed out the unmis-
lkable witnesses to the triumph of the
piritual.
ANQUET AT THE COLLEGE STREET
CHURCH.
At the conclusion Of the afternoon
rrvices. shortly after five o'clock. those
no were to attend the banquet rendered
the College Street Church adjourned
the parlors of that church, where an
nipple repast was waiting. Covers were
i'd for 80 and the feast abounded In hos
itality.
Walter II. Crockett of st. Adams, the
ewly elected president of the Western
ernont Congregational club. raped for
rider. and after extending hearty greet.
iss to the First Church upon the attain
lent of 100 years of usefulness and
ranking the College Street Church for
le courtesy of the banquet, asked to be
Fcuscd from presiding over the post
randall exercises as he was obliged to
ave the city. He called Prof. s. f.
mcrson TO the head of the table. Prof
merson, in happy terms. first introduced
be Rev. J." .. Brastow. ID. d.. formerly
astor of the First Church and
ow member OF the faculty of
ale Theological Seminary. Dr. Brastow
'adc a sparkling and able speech At
10 outset he told a capital story the
arm OF Which can hardly be expressed
type II was about the person who was
ways 'Ntolling the merits of 1.-THE YER
mont mnd' when an incredulOus listener