Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-10-10
The "OLD WHITES" CEN
TERMINAL.

building OF the "Old White Meeting
House" was observed Sunday,
October 4. with commemorative ex-
ercises at both morning and evening
services, at which large congrega-
tions were present.
The morning service at 1870
began with an organ prelude by
Miss Harvey, the musical part Of
the service including an anthem, 80,
How Amiable Are Thy Dwellings"
by the male choir, and solo, Like
as Hart Desireth," by Mrs Benja-
min Swift, with cello obligato by
Mr.. Dalbeck.
The sermon was preached by the
Rev. James F. Brodie of Brookline,
Mass, pastor of the church from
1882 to 1889. His text was from
Ezekial xiii: 1912: "Thou son of
man show the house to the house of
Israel, and let them measure the
pattern. This is the law of the
house: Upon the top of the mountain
the whole limit thereof round about
shall be most holy"
Rev. Mr.. Brodie spoke of the be-
ginning of his ministry here q
years ago, which was also the Tooth
anniversary of the church as an
organized Christian communion.
This autumn brings the centennial
of another chapter in the history of
the church, the year 1903 seeing
here on Woodstock green the new
white meeting house brought to
completion. 1t must have been a
sight worth seeing; many doubtless
came long distances to look upon it
as the noblest piece of architecture
in the town.
"What is the true place of church
building in the life of a community?
This is the showing of the house,
now century old, which l should
like to make to you today" said the
minister. The church building in its
earliest stage was eminently practical
in it's intent and use. The New
Testament conception of it as a
spiritual structure determines its
true relation and use.
The church building beftting
the church according to New Testa-
ment teaching stands among the
homes of the people, not as the one
holy house in the place, but the
house whose ministry is a hallowing
of all the other houses. A church
like this, which should hallow and
sanctify all otter departments of
life, was what the pilgrims and other
colonists attempted to work out.
This was the law of the New England
meeting house. In considerable
measure this law had fulfllment in
the house whose centennial we are
keeping today. AS single witness,
it is the extent to which this building
has figured as kind of trellis upon
which the warmest and strongest of
personal affections have entwined
themselves. / venture to say that
this is the best beloved public
building in Woodstock; that there is
no other building in Woodstock,
public or private, to which 80 many
hearts in various parts of the world
turn with strong attachment and
affection as this white meeting house
now century old. That is one of
the best possible showings that can
be made of this house.
Rev. Mr.. Brodie spoke feelingly of
the strong men and women of the
past and OF their love and labor for
the church, and asked, what does
this church mean to the youth and
children who are growing up in its
homes? Why should not this build
ing be as dear to you who have the
privileges of it today as ever 1t was
in its palmer days to any Of its
people?
EVENING ERVICE
At the evening service in the
Billings memorial chapel at 5
o'clock, following the opening exer-
cises, responsive reading, and duet
by Mrs.. A. B. Pinney and Mrs.
Swift, an historical address was
delivered by the pastor, the Rev. Ben
jamin Swift.
We are celebrating, today, he
said, the Tooth anniversary of the
erection of this church building,
which came to be affectionately
known as the "Old White" so let us
80 80 fOl IL O.,4 I'll Al