Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-02-02
SOME UNIvERsALIsT HISTORY.
Facts Concerning It's Early Start In
Windham County.


says the local correspondent of tn,
Springfield Republican, recalls some in
teresting Universalist history. Wind
ham county may almost be said to b,
the cradle of American Universalism
Hosea Ballou preached his second ser
mon in Brattleboro in 1901; he was then
in his Dist year. Among those living
in Brattleboro at the time, who prob
ably listened TO the founder of Ameri-
can Universalism on this occasion, were
Col. Daniel Stewart. Levi Goodenough
and Reuben Stearns. Some historians
say the doctrine of the final restitution
of all things was believed here as early
as 1850. While Hosea Ballou preached
some of his earliest sermons in Windsor
county. yet the scene of the greatest
effectiveness of his preaching was here
in Windham county, and especially in
the southern towns of the county.
Hosea Ballou, I'd, was native of Gull
ford and he. preached some of his first
sermons in Brattleboro. 1t is believed
that he preached at the residence of
Levi Goodenough in his 18th year, in
1914. He certainly preached there, the
historian says, not later than lsl6lSl7.
Between this date and 1929 there was
occasional Universalist preaching in
sehool-houses or private residences by
Rev. John Brooks, Rev Thomas ]. Saw
yer. Rev. William A. Baleh, Rev. Rus
sell Streeter and Rev. Isaiah Boynton.
In December, 1929, Rev. Matthew Hale
Smith, then only boy of Is, was set
tied over society in the west village.
His time was divided between that
church and church in Guilford. Mr..
Smith continued his pastorate in Brat
tleboro until 1882, which was a sue
cessful one so far as indicated by out
ward results. 1t is reported that he
was popular, and his congregations al
ways large.
He was succeeded by Rev. Aurin Bug
bee, during whose ministry occurred
one of those episodes the like of which |
could hardly take place in this genera
ton in which sectarian spirit is GER
tainly less fierce than that of the last
generation. The old church in West
was owned principally by
They asked for the privi
ege of using it occasionally on Sunday,
out their request was refused. There
lpon they went to church early Sunday
morning, November "a, 1888, forced
,pen the door and took possession of the
louse. Meantime two clergymen, Revs
= Loring of Hinsdale, n. H., and War
EN- Skinner of Proctorsville. had been
to conduct the religious SER
ices during the day Mr.. Loring be-
l.. 81, . h, !
ng, and continued it until 1880, when
fr. Skinner took the pulpit for another
ervice. At this time the other party
With their members, one of them
he principal of the academy, came
a body to the church, entered the YES
ibule and demanded admittance to the
auditorium. the doors of which were all
losed, long seats filed with men being
laced against them. They requested
he Universalists in the vestibule to call
ut their committee for consultation; but
hey answered that they should not in
,rrupt the services, which had then be-
un. Next the Congregationalists pro-
osed to overpower the Universalists in
ne entry, rush into the church and ex
Ell Mr. Skinner by force from the pull
it and take possession themselves.
hey were advised that by this course
ley would all render themselves liable
indictment and heavy fines as dis
lrbers of a religious meeting. The
,ademy bell was then rung, and they
eparted in body to that place and
I'D their meeting, leaving the Uni
srsalists in undisputed possession of
lie church for the rest of the day. AS
result of this contest, after some
onths the Universalists sold their in
rest in the church to the other own
S, and in 1884 built brick church in
e west village. The new church was
dictated January 81, 1885, and Rev.
larles Woodhouse assumed the pastor
e, which he continued two or three
ars.