Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-02

Mr.. Smith had left It In a healthy and
harmonious condition.
BuRCHARD's REVIVAL
The Rev. John X. Converse, the fourth
minister, was installed in August. 1syp
Tho year before his coming saw the he.
ginning of the new measures" as thew
were called. Protracted meetings were
held in many churches and more activc
and urgent means were adopted to lead
hcsitating souls TO n moral decision. In
December 1885. 81 series Of revival meet
ings was continued for 10 days, most OF
the preaching being done by the Rev.
Jcdediah Burchard. Mr.. Burchard IL sa III
to have been an actor at one time and
the novelty of his methods. the extrava.
gance OF his assertions and appeals. his
seeming irrevercnce and actual coarse.
ness at times produced an Immediate and
almost irresistible effect upon a large nor.
ton OF his hearers. Men Of cooler tern.
permanent held aloof and criticized. The
orthodox clergy Of Vermont ranged them.
selves in two camps. The ono held his ac-
tive supporters; the other those who stern
~ let him alone. DR.. Hooker of Rutland
styled him ms IAN unsafe man, doing on
the whole moro harm than good" Bur.
chard himself is still an enigma to not a
few who have tried to understand him.
BURNING or THE CHURCH.
Tho interior Of the White church wa,
modernized in 1885 and made second tn
none in the State. AZ three o'clock Sum
day morning, June %. 1882 the bell sound
ed the fire signal and soon the building
was in ashes. The speaker stated that
the fire was of ncondiary origin, but dc.
tails were not given except that the guilty
party was tried and in spite of the lodges
OF his lawyers sent TO the State prison.
THE PRESENT STRUCTURE.
Before the fire was out the members of
the society on the ground had already re-
solved to rebuild. The cost Of construction
of the new building. which is the one now
in use, was mainly met by the sale of the
pews which took place March II. 1872.
Nearly all of the pews in the church were
then held as 81 much real estate. The
unique bell tower has been n frequent
subject Of inquiry. 1t is the tradition tina [
it was suggested by George +. Marsh. but
it Is also certain that Prof Joseph Tor
rey was often consulted during the prog
ross Of tho work on the laws and the
details of Crock architecture. The tower
is a partial copy Of the Charosic monr-
mcnt OF I.ysicrates at Athens q piece of
work which Wa never surpassed even
in Greece: but ii must be admitted that
the original was not intended TO be seen
at so great n height.
FORMATION OF WINOOSKf CHURCH
In 1888. 2: members OF this church re-
inforced by 81 others. residents of Vino
oski. organized themselves into separate
church. This colonization was carried in
to effect with the utmost good will on
both sides.
INTERNAL STRIFE PIT DOWN.
Before two years of Mr.. Converse's pas-
torate had passed a minority of the church
became dissatisfied and 1t was alleged
met separately TO bring about a change
in the pastoral office. A mutual council
called in May. 1894 recognized the honest
purpose of the minority. but ccnsured
them for the diyisive course they had
pursued and also lectured the church for
its irregular attempt to discipline the
minority. The council advised that they
found no sufficient cause for separation.
Ten years later Mr.. Converse asked for
a mutual council to consider his disnis-
sion. in view Of "A bronchial trouble which
he deemed II unwise. longer. to disregard
During the twelve and onc-ha1f years Of
MS passionate o5A were added to the church
roll ny profession-an average Of 20 for
cacn year or his pastorate. There is
suggestion of the aftermath of the swift
ana summary measures Of Burchard in
a note in the pastors own handwriting.
"Thirtccn have been communicated"
During the first half of 1915 the Rev. J.
ID. Butler. now resident Of Madison
Wis. was the teacher and guide Of the
parish. Then Prof w. c. r. Shedd, who
had just come To the University, preached
for half year,
PASTORATE OF DIR. WORCESTER.
In September. 1916. the Rev. John y.
Worcester was called from ST. JOhnsbury
10 take oversight of this church. He was
installed in March following and the next
month church manual was proposed,
but the manual was not issued. The first
one had been prepared by Mr.. Converse
in 1896; the second appeared in 1861, when
Mr.. Mix was in office; the third in 1855.
Interesting Is the recommendation of tn
society to the church in 1877 that the con-
gregation stand during prayer and sit
during the singing. Dr. Worcester's lab
ors We're concluded at the end of ISL,
when he felt himself UNIT and inadequate
to the requirements of the position owing
10 i'll health. During the eight years of
his ncumbency "a names were added to
the church roll upon profession and in the
p months which ensued before the ccm-
Ing of his successor 80 others were added.
Professor Goodrich hero paid an eloaucnt
tribute to the great worth Of Dr. Wor-
cesters character.
FORMATION or COLLEGE STREET
CHURCH.
The sixth pastor, the Rev. Spencer
Marsh. was n man of scholarly tastes and
me master of an unusually attractive
English style. However after three years
IF successful labor. q portion OF the