Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-11-30
HOT SHOT FROM THE PULPIT.
preme Contempt" In Expressing Feeling
for Certain People.

preme Contempt" In Expressing Feeling
for Certain People.
The congregation at the Universallst
church Sunday morning listened to words
from Rev. Frank L. Masseck which were
rather more emphatic than hal been an
ticipated. 1t was Mr.. MasseclS's last
Sunday as pastor OF that church and he
had announced that by request he would
repeat his sermon on THE Church a Dy-
namo'' which was known to be a strong
sermon. AS result there was present
an unusually large congregation, the
church being filled. Mr.. Masseck's state
ments which attracted particular atten-
ton were spoken as predatory to his SER
mon and constituted the first public ref
erence which had been made to the lack
of harmony which had existed for some
time between the pastor and some mem
bers of his flock, although the public was
we'll aware that there was discord in the
parish.
Mr.. Massecx first expressed his sym
pathy with the political candidate who
was the subject of a story which he took
from a newspaper and which he read to
the congregation. 1t was the story of
man who had supposed that he had some
standing and character in the world. He
ran for office, was ridiculed by those
whom he had regarded as his friends,
was represented to be n thief and a lar,
was defeated for election and finally
took to the WOODS TO get acquainted WIN
himself. Mr.. Masseck said few words
in praise of those of his parish who had
| been loyal to him and his efforts and who
| had treated him with every courtesy and
manifestation of respect and he alluded
| in a general way to the actions OF mem
| bers of his parish whom he regarded as
| not thus loyal, using the words supreme
| contempt in expressing his feelings
| toward those influences. He added, In
effect that he would be tempted 10 retire
| from the ministry if he thought his ex-
| periences in his Bratteboro passionate
| were to be repeated in his new field.
| One of the things which Mr.. Massech
urged during his Brattleboro pastorate
! was that more members OF the parish re-
| main at the communion services. a com
| munion service was held at the close OF
| the sermon Sunday. Usually those not
wishing to remain pass out of the church
! while the last hymn is being sung on
this occasion the pastor passed dlrecuy
| from the sermon to the communion ser
vice, so that the, usual opportunity 70
| leave was not presented. While the sac
| rament was being administered the hymn
| .sNJearer. NV God, to Thee was sung
| the congregation remaining seated.
| II is not necessary to go into detall as
TO the cause of the strained relations
which existed in the parish during
the latter part OF Mr. Massech
Rrattleboro ministry. Suffice it to say
that certain ones regarded some OF thu
minister's sermons as containing state
ments more or less directly aimed whll'
his remarks anent the church fair caused
a feeling of resentment on the part o.
some. Following the society meeting
some months ago, when the time CANT
TO consider engaging Mr.. Masseck for an
other year the trustees notified Mr.
Masseek by letter that he was reengaged
but that he would be at liberty or word
10 that effect, to accept a call to anothe
parish II he so desired.
At the close of the service Sunda'
morning members of the church adopte'
resolutions highly commencing Mr. Mas
seeks pastoral work. expresslhs SO, sprr9 q,
IN his departure and wishes for health, Ill