St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-09-08

divine ala promise W Walk nuHDly anu
softly. before Cod"
would not wish to obtrude sacred
condolences like these upon any un.
sympathetic audience but | cannot
withhold the testimony they render
to conscience before God, and a SEN
sitive regard for the feelings of other
people.
In the summer of 1923, after two
months conference with lasting, humilia-
ton and prayer. the entire church went
forward on the Sabbath to make confess
sion before the world" THE Congrega-
tional church as they have done in pri-
vate will now present themselves public
ly for the purpose of confessing their
faults. We, the members of said church,
called the majority, do now confess that
we did Wrong in our action of June 20
last year, to the wounding and grief OF a
large minority, for which offense we ask
forgiveness of them and of all whom we
have thereby offended. On the other
hand, we, the members of said church
called the minority who protested, do
now confess that we did wrong in the
manner of our protesting against said
act of the majority, as it was unscrip-
tural and done to the wounding and
grief of many in the church, for this Of
tense we do now ask forgiveness of them
and of all whom we have hereby Of
Tended. And we, as many of said
church as are here present, do now in adj
dition to our confession already made,
with deep penitence and sorrow of heart
G. kt-1.. Il Il
heartily forgive all the faults that have
come to our knowledge, as we hope to
be forgiven of our Heavenly Father.
And that we may be kept from every sin
especially from wounding each others
feelings. We doin solemn manner prom
Use never to mention or allude to past
difficulties to the wounding or grief of
any. This confession of our faults which
are so many and so hateful in the sight
of God and ruinous to the SOUL we make
Sbefore all, praying God to heal our back
slidings and keep us in the way of peace
and holyness." Signed by rs members.
Events like this have the greater signi-
fcance when we consider the situation.
There was no pastor, had been none for
FIVE years, would be none for ten years
more. The sturdy manhood and grac-
ious womanhood IF the church main
tanned it's dignity, its spiritual quality,
its growing influence in the town. Rev.
Mr.. Thurston's ministry was two years
only, 1915-1817 but in that brief period
SO were added to the church. His sue
cessor did not arrive till Is years later.
1888, Josiah Morse, this was, who like
Dr. Jewett was both doctor and minister.
He was pastor for ten years, dismissed
May 3, 1S43. On Sept. 20, 1916, the
day when this building was dedicated on
it's present foundation Rev. J. P. Stone
of Cabot was installed as third pastor.
My earliest remembrance of this church
was at that period. How wildly the
lettering that was curved above the
preachers head stands out before me
now Holiness Becometh Thy House.
o Lord Forever" How interesting that
temperance rally that filled the house
one cold winter evening, when my father
drove up pung sled load.of people from
the Plain. How exciting the town meet
ings held on the ground floor. till after
midnight sometimes. Rev. Horace Well
ington was the next pastor and after
him, Rev. George H. Clark, 1862 1866.
He was much beloved, but could not re-
main long and soon after died.
About this time among the singers, of
whom there was plenty in the high
gallery yonder, was youth of open face,
keen mind and irrepressible vitality who
soon after went off to college. Some
years later he returned after he had
ripened out as minister, and every one
in the village was eager to hear him.
The text was What is man that thou
art mindful of him ?" 1t was clear to all
that day that man was worth being
mindful of, and equally clear, as Dea.
Hallett remarked, that George Ide had
his call to preach straight from God.
DR.. Ides great work as minister and a
citizen in the city of Milwaukee is justly
linked in our minds with the history of
this church.
1t should be remembered that during
the long pastorless period, viz. in 1925,
the strength of the church was drained
by removal of men and 10 women,
the identical number originally banded
together in 1909, to form the new church
at the Plain. This took away some of
the most valued members; among them
were Luther Clark, both deacon and
clerk of the church, who also for many
years ably held the office of town clerk,
his bold handwriting covering many
pages of the town records. Two grand
daughters of this church still live in the
town, one at the East Village, the other
the South church on the Plain.
One Sunday in 1867 it came about
that | was here to lead the service of
worship; from which it also came to
pass that continued to do the same for
six years. having received ordination
and installation in this pulpit. Years of
most delightful christian fellowship and
work together, for the church was a
unit in feeling and wholly loyal to the
ancient traditions. Dea. Hubbard Law
renee, who could not live without the
ordinances of the church, had Joined the
church triumphant; Dea. Stowells
slender frame no longer stood up to lead
in prayer. But worthy successors were
here-Dea. Edmund Hallett of devout
and gentle spirit, Dea. George Ranney,
wise in counsel, as judioious and true a
servant of the church as he was of the
town whose official trusts he served so,
well. The stalwart figure and sturdy
character of John Morse gave dignity
and force to the Christian name in this
village. Here too was a linea and
worthy descendant of the Puritan
Mathers. Cotton G. Dickinson. Behind
the smiling face of Otis Halett and the
somber face OF Moses Shorey were true