Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-21

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boconc sclf-sustaining. II had been as
sisted by the Vermont Baptist stat" c""-
vcntion for period of 70 years curing
which time it had passed through many
trials but had ever retained 'h' con"
tjdoncc of thu convention. inc Wisuo"'
of such confidence now became manifest
and the convention has since 'hat ''ne
enioved the spiritual support ana hocr"'
contributions of this ohurch 10 "ss's'
feeble Baptist churches IN this state
confined accessions demanded "A larger
and s,n.rior house of worship ana Oh
December H.. 1864. II new house III a more
favorable locality. st. Paul street, was
H. ,dicatod to the Worship of God.
WIrIfOrT a PASTOR ONE >EAR.
In .lunrarv. l>m;. Dr. Foster resigned
and the church remained without pas
,,, far = ucrivd Of one year. There was
hoN.rcr. during this period. developed IL
,hc sabbath school. under the supcrn-
tendency of beacon T.. A. Fuller, such a
degree of religious interest that 'h'
church had recourse to the Rev. A. ID.
Earle the evangelist. for assistance
The labors of Mr. Earl" were attended by
added to the church.
BATTERY STREET MISSION.
In February. 1861, Monson A. WILCOX
became pastor and was ordained TIA" fol
lowing April In tho autumn of the SAINT
year a Mission Sabbath scnOol was start
ed and the erection of "a chapel on S",iti
BATTERY street was projected. TINS was
| speedily completed and dedicated Will
| appropriate exercises in January. l~S
| The school which commenced with
membership of six increased under th
SUPPLEMENTARY of George r.. Davis
81 as to frequently tax the capacity o
the chapel In 1875. Mr.. Davis resigned
his position as superintendent and il
1877 the work was discontinued.
SOCIETY AND CHURCH UNITE.
Previous to 1876 there had been main
tanned two separate organizations IN
church which performed the religion
duties and the society which pcrformc
the secular duties. In that year the NV
wcrc united. the society transferring it
property to the church. which was in
ico,poratcI under the laws of the Stat
of Vermont. Since that time the churc
has managed its temporal affairs wit
entire success.
CHURCH EDlFICE ENLARGED.
Early in the same year. 1870 1t b,
came evident that the growth of I'll
church required the enlargement of il
house of worship. Accordingly. the buiiC
ing WAS extended onc-half of its origin;
Isiil < .1S
forum II seating capacity of $50, and
the vcstry. accommodation for $40 or 6
persons. Tho cost of this enargemci
exceeded $1,000, giving total value
| $3.50 to the enlarged structure, whc
was dedicated to the worship OF &C
January /, ISL.
The same winter the church cnJoy'
! a season of spiritual refreshing, and
converts were baptized into its fellov
ship.
in 1872. Deacon Mial Davis gave to II
church a lot of lard in the northern pa
o, the city, and erected thereon for the
nicely finished chapel which was dec
Gated December }, 1913, to tho work
evangelizng the French in the city. {
October il, 1873. tho Rev. a. H. Therri
of St Pic. Canada, became identif
with this work. which he carried
with much success for a period OF near
six years. when upon the urgent rogue
Of the Grand Lignc Mission he h
lievcd it his duty to labor among
French IN Montreal. Mr. Thcrricl
decision was reluctantly accepted ny I
church, whose confidence and esteem
had won, and still holds. Owing to t
financial distress of 1S76-1S, the chur
sought aid of the American Baptist Hoi
Mission society in carrying ON II
work. which aid was cordially given.
Tie work reinuuished by MIR. Therrl
was at once taken up by the Rev J.
Rossicr of Montgomery. VINO proved