The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-01-26
SMITHERS'
PASTORATE
A New Parsonage Built On
French Street
MEMBERSHIP INCREASED
Over $4,000 Raised Toward a New
Church Edifce-A Junior League
Organized Sunday School
Matters.
MEMBERSHIP INCREASED
XIII.
'[continued.1
A Difficult Task.

A Difficult Task
Following Rev. Mr.. Beeman, who tool
a supernumerary relation at Conference
in order that he might look after the
property newly come into the family
Rev. Wilbur S. Smithers was appointed
to Barre. He found the church divided
into two parties over the Sunday schoo
question, and his position was a most
delicate one. Turn whichever way he
would he was bound to disappoint more
or less of the influential members, and
trouble seemed bound to come whatever
course he chose. But he was man
whose reliance on God was implicit and
he never hesitated in any course that
seemed to him best for the interests
concerned.
A Large Detection.
Hence, it is not surprising that Sc
rions depletion in numbers ensued.
Many Of the members left the congre-
CATION and began to attend service else
where, some ceased going to church al.
together. An independent and rival
Sunday school was established which
fiourished for time, and the outlook;
for the church seemed somewhat dark.
Steady Persistence.
But Mr.. Smithers kept at his task,
and the great body Of the church sup
ported him, although some may have
wished for a different course. With
consecrated zeal he did personal work
among the people not attending church
and succeeded in winning many of them
to an espousal of the faith, later adding
them to the church. Among those who
came into the church during his admin
istration was John Wilson, who is now
a steward and class leader, and one OF
the staunchest and truest members of
the entire church.
Junior League Organized.
Mr.. Smithers also organized the Junior
League which has since been one OF
the most fiourishing and useful organi-
cations of the church, being a source OF
incalculable good in the training of the
children Of the congregation. From this
society many have come into the fell
lowship of the church itself. Mrs. Smith.
ers, the wife of the pastor, was the first
superintendent of the League, and right
royalty did she do the work committed
to her trust. She was the first of a
list of consecrated and successful work.
ers who have carried that organization
to continuous success ever since.
A New Parsonage Built.
As previously recorded, the old par
sonage property had been sold during
the pastorate of MIR. Beeman, the sum
| of $4,000 being received therefor. Judge
Boyce and some Others thought that,
| by waiting, larger amount could be
secured, but the majority were in ia.
vor Of accepting the offer of DR.. Scrib-
ner, and so the property went This
money made nice sum with which TO
buy another lot and construct a new
set Of buildings.
Discussion as to the Site
It was not easy for the board to unite
on a site. The first committee reported
that they had examined several pieces
OF property and thought that "the Az
Grill property on Chubb meadow was
the most desirable. No action was ia
ken at that time, however. The next
veal, 1891, Rev. j. A. Sherburn, Thos.
Fl. Cave and Nathaniel Chamberlain
were appointed "a committee to inves-
tigate the matter Of purchasing or
building parsonage and report at
an adjourned meeting Said commit
tee later reported in favor of new
building for which they presented plans,
and in favor Of site on Averill street,
adjoining Newcomb ketcham'sn The
lot was to cost $1,000, and they had a
tentative contract for the buildings for
$4,000 This report was accepted and
adopted.
Changed Their Mind.
This meeting was held on April 6,
1891. The following Monday an adj
iomned meeting was held, and the fore
going vote Of acceptance and adoption
was reconsidered and lost, the discus
sion being entirely good natured. There
upon DIR. II. Il. Gale, N +. Averill and
g i. Bugbee were elected committee
to investigate the matter of purchasing
Ia building for parsonage and report
at an adjourned meeting AT this meet
| ing DIR. Gale reported in behalf of the
committee in favor of exchanging land
with the Congregationalists in the rear
of the church 50 that the church and
parsonage would be Immediately contig-
nous. This report was accepted and
adopted, and the committee making the
report was authorized to consummate
the exchange of land. The committee
was further authorized to procure ten
tatiye propositions regarding the build.
| ing Of a parsonage on the plot to be
acquired
French Street site Chosen.
Evidently the committee failed to
make a satisfactory trade with the Con
| gregationalists, for a later meeting
voted mot TO accept the proposition
made by the Congregational society" for
the sale of land in the rear of the (M
Ed church. The same committee was
then elected Ito purchase a lot and
build a parsonage evidently being Civ.
mittee finally purchased lot on French
sfraaf fn, GEs0 npd araqfai a naraou.