Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-02-03
UNITARIAN CHURCH
IS 100 YRS. OLD
CONTINUED from paUe o.
Continued from page 81

street upon which this edifice stands
and the names of Dubantis Willard and
Gideon King standing on our list In their
own hand, recall other parts Of the
town. Phineas LOOMS came from Mass.
nchusetts. lie died In March 1910. But
his sons, Horace and Luther LOOMS
we're from the beginning to the end OF
their mature lives strong corner stonei
In that part of religious institution
which is not built with hands. Mr.. Hor-
Ace Loomis was living at the 50th all.
niversary of the society in 1860, an IN
terested active. able man OF So. twho,
With his brother. had been sharer and
director in all the public undertakings
Of his tlme.) Samuel Hitchcock and DAN
lei Farrand were among the most dis
tinguished lawyers of the State. Mr.
farrand became Judge of the Supreme
Court and was an outspoken and able
defender of the liberal faith as dclivcr-
cd to his thought and conscience. Nathan
j. Iaswcll and Avian Foote were
among the younger men. both lawyers
with a rising practice and active in pro-
noting the interests OF the growing
"
and were constant and faithful in all
things connected with our society. Both
were men of distinction and enjoyed a
ripe age. Their descendants are still
among us.
The firm hand of Charles Adams head
another page In him through a long
and honorable service at the bar tho
successive ministers of this church
cte "a I'd nd li,,r
and the church loyal supporter and
attentive worshipper.
Jacob Williams was another who, though
his life here was but short, has left a
fragrant memory behind shin. He had
but lately removed to Burlington from the
First Church of Boston and to him as
TO an old acquaintance and deacon in
the new church were sent the silver
flagons and four handled cups silver
plate which We're presented by that
early church of the Puritans to this in
1872. The letter of transmission is still
to be seen upon our records.
Many other names claim our recogni-
ton but must be passed with a word.
TIL name of Mark Rice is there, a hum
bic artisan. whose chairs 1t Is said need
ed no liquid glue to hold them together
modest appearing but for the time and his
means most substantial bequest Of 50. 800,
carefully husbanded for more than fifty
years by Horace LOOMS the elder and
then by Henry LOOMS. Elnathan
keyes. r. T. Englesby John Peck,
Samuel Hitchcock, John H. Peaslee.
T. II. Deming. Phineas Lyman, War
rem LOOMS, Samuel and Job Reed, A.
Amos Weeks and Gov. C. p. Van Ness.
against whose name. however, Is the en-
try Excused by vote of the parish an
nual meeting 1871" Most of these We're
generous subscribers. Before the meet
ing on January 90, 1910, 1874 names were
registered and a total Of 1854 subscribed
III sums ranging from % cents to 20 dol
lars u be paid annually.
But what was the meaning Of this meet
ing in the court house on January 20
1910? What went before. what We're the
antecedents of this event memorable to
Us?
ORIGIN OF THE SOCIETY.
From the point OF view taken by the
men and women who founded this So
ciety at their personal cost, and that
view Is surely our right and duty TO set
forth to-day. this had happened. The
original and only society for conducting
and supporting religious worship In this
place, representing a voluntary associa-
ton Of the whole people of the town had
been thwarted in It's desire and will. the
desire and will OF a large majority, to
settle the man of their choice as their
pastor and preacher. The previous his
tory Of the services held In burlington
need not detan us. Both Professor
Goodrich and Or. Young have set forth
the facts Regular preaching as distinct
from the occasional services held by itin-
Grant ministers and missionarie began in
1893. Daniel Clarke Sanders. a graduate
OF Harvard in the class Of l7SS land born
IN 17ps) having been for five years pastor
Of the Congregational Church in Ver-
Gennes. was In August. 1893, engaged by
David Russell. Esq. and Dr. John Pome-
roy on their personal responsibility as
preacher for the town parish. These
gentlemen rode to Vergennes for the pur-
pose and were instrumental in raising DR..
eanderss salary OF 800 by private sub
scription Later this sum was provided
half by the town tax ito be paid in grain
beef pork. butter or cheese and delivered
Mt the minister's house before Dec. 25'
and the rest by voluntary contributions
IT Is said that Mr.. Sanders's first intro
duction to Burlington was a sermon on
the death of General Washington deliv-
cred by request from the text His eye
was not dim nor his natural force abat-
ed" Mr.. Sanders began his services In
November having settled here with his
Family. AT the same time he began in