The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-01-28
CENTENNIAL
CELEBRATED
Reunion Of Pastors Held at
Same Time.
TWO CONFERENCES HELD
Large Accessions, 20 Persons Being TAX
en- Into Relations With the
Church = Deaths
Harvest.
XIV.
[Continued.l

During Mr.. Davenport's pastorate the
intermediate League Of the church was
organized No other church in New
England at that time had such an organ
ization, but the growth Of both the SEN
Tor and junior leagues previously or
gained rendered such a step imperative.
This society has since maintained its
being and Is today fourishing depart
ment Of the church.
Ladies' and Pastors Union Founded.
10 cooperate with the pastor in the
social work Of the church and TO per-
form needed duties Of charitable ma
tuTe, the Ladies' and Pastors union was
organized. This society performs many
of the duties OF Ladies Aid Society,"
and also much more, and has proved q
valuable adjunct to the church work.
The Sunday school was also graded ac-
cording TO the most approved plan, and
its efficiency thereby greatly increased
Centennial Celebrated.
Oct. 2s-31, 1897, the centennial Of or
ganiEed Methodism in Barre was held
in the new church ediice, which had
been christened "Heddingn in honor Of
Bishop Elijah Hedding, who was once it's
pastor. The committee having charge
OF this celebration comprised the pas
tor, Mr.. Davenport, and Rev. J. A. Sher-
burn and DR.. 0. H. Reed. Thursday
evening the exercises consisted of
paper upon "The Moral Condition Of
Williamstown Hundred Years Ago
and Now" by the Rev. J. 0. Sherburn
the pastor there; Jesse Lee, the Apos-
tie of New England Methodism," by
Rev. w M. Newton Of Waterbury; ELI
jah Hedding, the Patron Saint Of This
Church, by "A. l.. Cooper, ID. ID. Of Ran
dolph; and "Methodism Then and Now
by Rev. i. l.. Beeman of Montpelier,
former pastor of Hedding church. Fri
day evening the Rev. L. p. Tucker of
Mortified spoke "The Beginnings of
Methodism in Central Vermont" and
Rev. j. a. Sherburn read an interesting
paper on Early Methodism in Barre"
As MFR. SherbuTn was a former pastor
and presiding elder and had lived in
town the interest in his paper was UNI
usual. Saturday afternoon a reunion of
former pastors was held, and among
those present were the Rev. Isaac Nc
Ann and the Rev. Harvey Webster. Mr..
McAnn had also been a Presiding FL
der of the district. Following this an
Historical OF reminiscent class meeting
was conducted by Father Sherburn
Saturday evening Rev. Joseph Hamilton
Of st. Johnsbury, then Presiding Elder
Of the district, iiscoursed on The Spirit
Of Methodism;n Mrs Davenport, wife of
the pastor, read an original poem, "OneH
Years Ago.. Mayor John w.
Gordon delivered an address on "The
Benefits of a Church to Community /"
and Rev. Andrew Gillies of Montpelier
discussed the "Methodism Of the Flu
lure Sunday morning Principal II.
NJ. Smith Of Montpelier seminary gave
d sermon on "The Mission Of the Meth.
odism Of Today" and thus closed most
celebration.
Two Conferences Held.
During Mr. Davenport's stay here
two sessions Of the Vermont Annual
Conference We're held at Barre, and they
were each occasions Of great interest to
The entire place, which had just become
/ city. The first occurred in 1897 and
was presided over by Bishop Fowler
whose addresses, lecture and sermon
viii long be remembered. The lecture
was on Abraham Lincoln, and was de-
Iivered in the opera house, II was the
verdict that it was the most
powerful forensic effort to which the
audience had ever listened On Sunday
the Bishop preached in Hedding church
and an audience numbering 10SS, by
actual count, was present at the service.
The second Conference was held the fol
lowing year, and was under the presi
dency of Bishop Walden. This was one
of the few instances where the members
paid their way. They were charged a
dollar a day each, and the congregation
them and turned the pro
eeeds over to the church treasury.
Evangelistic Meetings Held.
During this pastorate special revival
meetings were held in the church each