The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-01-21
MEMBERSHIP FLUCTUATED
A New Parsonage and Parsonage Barn
Built-Good Story by Mr.. McAnn
Leads to Happy Solution
of the Problem.
TX.
[Continued.l
A Needless Controversy


When Mr.. Webster entered upon the
pastorate the society was in the midst
of a bitter and most unfortunate con-
troversy with the local Congregational
church. The trouble originally arose
between the previous pastor, the Rev ].
L. Slauson, and the pastor Of the Con-
gregational church, the Rev. Mr.. Royce.
Attempt to Demolsh Universalism.
It seems that Mr.. Royce was of the
opinion that the presence of the Univer-
saIist church in the community was
something which was wrong and alto
gether wrong. Hence he set about to
demolish it, and, to this end imported
into the place a Rev. Mr.. Smith who
was, potentially speaking, heavy
weight theological pugilist, To change
the figure, the idea OF Mr.. Royce was
that the theological guns Of his import
cd confeTee were So well shotted that
nothing would be left Of the Universal
list church and creed after he had train
ed his artillery upon them.
Where the Trouble Arose.
In order to get all possible backing
for his onslaught Mr.. Royce invited the
Methodists to attend the creed-smash-
ing service in a body. This, after an
official meeting, they refused to do, and
held a service Of their own at the same
honr. Mr. Royce claimed that Mr.. Slau-
son, when he came to let him know the
result of the Methodist deliberations
told him that he himself, and his breth-
rem, as far as he knew, would be glad
to attend the meeting, but that, if they
should attend in a body, it wonld look
like a combination against the Univer
salists, and would prevent them from
attending, and thus becoming convinced
Of their theological heresies. Mr.. Slau
son denied having made any such state
ments: consequently there was Iii
between the two pastors, and lonl
and bitter war Of words ensued, tn
harmful results of which were seen TO
a long time. Each church, as a whole
naturally stood up for its pastor, am
the town was divided into warrinl
camps, SO that the bitterness of th
thirty years religious war in German,
almost found parallel here.
Recourse to Printers Ink.
In order to more fully demonstrate
| the Justice Of his side Mr.. Royce, tn
Congregational pastor, issued pam
| phlet Of considerable length, entities
Considerations for the People Of Barr
Respecting the Hostility of the Meth
odists in this Town Against the CongTe
gationalists.s Not to be outdone a re
| ply was issued by the Methodists.
In Unwelcome Shoes.
During the progress Of this contro
yersy the Rev. Mr.. Slauson was remov
ed To another church by the Conferenc
and the Rev. DIR. Webster stationed il
his place at Barre. Succeeding no
only to the parish, but also to the en-
tailed row between the churches, MI
Webster was Sin ii" in more sense
than one. But, as far as possible, b
preserved a neutrality, and did mucl
to pour oil upon the troubled waters
The Methodist pamphlet is still in ex
listence, Mrs. Angela French possessing
d copy. 1t was Of large size, set solid
printed in small type, and contained up
wards Of so pages.
A Consequent Decline.
This controversy was most unfortn
mate, and did not little to bring th
lcause of Christianity into contemp
among those not identified with eithe
church.
| Mr.. Webster was succeeded in the pas
torate by the Rev. j. w Perkins, VIII
remained but one year; and he by I
Bedford, who continued in the pastoral
for two years. As natural result 3
the denominational controversy jus
mentioned the progress in these pastor
ates was Of an inverted order, and ther
was marked decrease in the member
ship. 1t is true, however, that thel
was something Of decline throughol
the whole Conference. The church ha
its seasons of advance and its period
Of retrogression;. this was one Of II
latter.
A Faithful Shepherd
At the Conferences Of 1s4o and 49,
the name of Caleb Fales was read 0
for Barre. Mr.. Fales was a frank, fea
less, outspoken maa who thought elea
", felt deeply and lahored faithful
He did his duty fearlessly. az he sa
It. AS result Of his faithful labors
gracious revival crowned the arst yei