The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-01-25


Beeman was appointed by Bishop Wal
den to the Barre charge. Here he re-
manned for three years, though his fam
lily left little before the Conference Of
the third year, as his wife had fallen
heir to considerable estate which need
ed her attention.
Barre's Phenomenal Growth.
During Mr.. Beeman's pastorate the
place continued to 90 forward with gi |
gantic strides. Everywhere hope pre-
vailed and ambition dominated the bus
mess street. Every dollar which could
be collected or borrowed was invested
in either real estate or some form OF
business. Stone sheds sprang up as by
magic. Stores began to line Main street
in way that would have made the ear
lier fathers Of the place stand aghast
at the strenuous enterprise of modern
times. Every train brought its immi-
grants to the place. And nearly all of
these new corners were comparatively
young, vigorous and ambitious. Con-
seqnently the future doomed large and
it was easy to push any legitimate en-
terpYise to a greater or less degree Of
success. AS an indication Of how Barre
grew at the expense of other Vermont
towns, to say nothing of the immigra-
ton from other states and nations, II
may be sufficient to state that, at one
time, there were so families in tine
place that had come from the one small
town OF Cabot. Many other adjacent
towns had done nearly as well.
An Aggressive Campaign.
3Ir. Reeman sought to prove equal to
The emergency. The village was di-
vided into sections, ard every section
was placed in charge Of discreet mem.
bers of the church who were to note ev
cry new conner and not only make an
early call and give an invitation to the
church services, but also to notify the
pastor that be might soon appear in
person, and give the new citizen well
come to the place and church. Many
other wise methods were adopted to
bring the church in touch with the in
creasing throng of workers whose ham
mers made merry music in the streets
and lanes OF the booming village.
GfampeQ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1t was not long before it became APP
parent that the present accommoda-
lions for the various church services
were altogether too limited. While this
was true in the morning service it was
especially true in the Sunday
which had grown by leaps and bounds
until it reached an attendance of 200,
225, $50 and even 273 on single Sab
bath. In Mr.. Beeman's report to the
quarterly conference held in Nov, 1887,
he made the following statement; ~" The
Sunday -school) is in fine condition,
with an average attendance of nearly
200. One OF the chief difficulties Is the
want Of room. The vestry is too snail
for the school. This fact, with the 9TH
er facts that our church is in the poor
est state of repair of any in town, and
that there is a demand for more pew
room, suggests to US that in the near
future our church must be repaired and
enlarged, or a new church must be built
which viii meet the needs of the church
and Sunday school. | will suggest that
committee be appointed to Investigate
and report, etc" In accordance with
( the suggestion w. A. Boyce, Esq, j..
II. George. Il. NJ. Averill, w. 9. Nye and
i. L. Beeman were appointed a COM
mitiee 20 investigate and report con-
corning increased and improved church
accommodations.
Subscriptions Authorized.
On July 9th OF the following year the
conviction Of the need Of action had ev-
identity become more general, for the
records show that the following vote
+ was passed. Voted, that a committee
of FIVE be chosen to solicit subscriptions
to build new church, the amount not
( to exceed $4,000, and no part Of the
subscriptions to become due until So
00e, intending the Lemuel Richardson
/ fund, il raised.n Pursuant to this vote
the following committee was chosen:
L. I. Beeman, W. 4. Boyce, NJ. Cham
!, berlain, Samuel Cults and S. II. Barnes,
/ Evidently the committee did not meet
with very encouraging RESPONSE Of
else did not Get started, for the records
contain nothing AZ to their progress
while the quarterly conference held four
months later contained another lament
from the preacher as to the crowded
condition of the Sunday school
A Compromise Measure.
Evidently the idea Of erecting new
church was too large a one for the rank
and file Of the church to entertain at
that date, as this project soon fell Into
allegiance, and a quarterly conference
held Jan. 25, 1889, has the following
record Con motion OF WI II. Barney
the Conference voted ia take measures
to enlarge and repair the church. The
following brethren we're appointed, viz
/. L. Beeman, J. r. George, S. II. Barnes
and o. II. Reed TO procure plans and
specifications for the contemplated re-
na 60 e. rra aas - 81 uaa ms 81 &c