Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-09-15
A
Sketch o. Rev. Ammi NIchols. Found.
er Of the Circular Conferences.

bralntree HILL Congregational church
where its first meeting took place in 1916
and on the thirty-seventh anniversary o
the death Of the Rev. Ammi Nichols, tn,
pastor of this church for fifty years, al
whose suggestion the conference was
formed.
1t was a beautiful day, Tuesday, Aug.
%, and over one hundred persons assem-
bled, brought in some thirty-two car
riages and wagons from the n~eighboring
churches, and the region about this
church, including six or seven ministers.
A very impressive sermon was preached
by the Rev. Irving A. Flint OF Hatfield,
Mass, who was born on Braintree Hill,
the son Of Dea. Daniel Flint, now 81, who
was present.
Near the close OF the afternoon session,
the historian of the conference alluded
to the fact that the Rev. Anlmi Nichols,
for half a century the beloved pastor OF
the Braintree Hill church, who first sug-
gested the institution Of the ~eirculer con-
ference, ceased from bis labors, and
entered upon his reward, just thirty-seven
years ago, and that he wished to read q
biographical sketch OF this honored pas
tor, which was printed in the Vermont
Chronicle, Sept. 81, 1873.
The Rev. Ammi Nichols, the second
pastor OF the First Congregational church
Of B~raintree, was born in Royslston,
Mass, Aug. 10, 1881, the youngest Of
seven children.
His father and mother, with their chill
dren, moved to Braintree, VT, in Octo.
Der, 1887, took up a lot OF land, and built
a log house. The whole region was then
a n almost nnhraIan nfl1araaaa ~,lu - -
families having settled in the town; and
they endured great deprivations and
hardships.
Soon after their arrival, Sunday serv-
ices we're established, at which sermons
we're read, in connection with devotional
exercises. Occasionally, Parson Brainerd
OF ~aendolph would ride over on horse
back and preach for them. Not until 1894
was a church organized. In 1901 a pastor
was settled, the Rev. Aaron Cleveland,
from Norwich, Conn.,, the g~reat-grand-
father OF the late President Cleveland.
But be remained less than two years.
From 1903 TO lS07 they we're without a
pastor, ind only occasional preaching.
when a missionary or neighboring pastor
visited them.
Schools we're very few, and only kept
open for two or three months, during win
ter. His father was anxious to have his
son, Ammi, obtain q good education, and
did what he could to aid him, but his
privileges were very limited.
AT the age of fifteen, he became a
Christian, but did not unite with the
church till be was twenty-five. At that
time Parson Lyman OF Brookfield adj
vised him TO commence preparation for
the ministry, and he studied with Pastor
Lyman for time, and then with Parson
Eastman Of Randolph. Later, he pursued
bis studies with Rev. Stephen Fuller of
Vershire for two years, teaching school
a part of each year to defray his expenses.
After that he studied with Rev. Asa Bur
ton Of Thetford a year or two.
In January, 1905, be was given p H.
cense to preach, and soon after he went
to Weymouth, Mass, aud continued his
with Rev. Mr.. Norton, preaching
meanwhile in the Congregational church
OF old Brhintree. Eight months later,
been appointed missionary b. the
Massachusetts, Missionary society, to
tabor in destitute places in Northern Yer
and New York, he returned and Gu
gagged in that work. His lahors we're
and resulted in a precious revival
Of religion in Madrid, N. Y, and
increase OF religious interest in
5tarksboro, VT.
He returned to Braintree in December,
1906, and was invited to preach then on
probation, with a view to a settlement.
In September, 1907, he was ordained and
Installed as pastor. Mr.. Nichols entered
his work with energy and tact, and
he Lord prospered his labors. He had
obstacles to encounter. The
were few and poor, and greatly
scattered. He had a nominal salary OF
only $3.50 per year, which was never fully
paid.
With an increasing family, be was
obliged to buy a small farm, n exc out
bis support with what he could get from
hat. In view OF his need, his church
him 10 preach, a part Of the time,
o different churches in the vicinity,
which might need his services. This he
lid for a series OF years, laboring as a .
missionary 10 Warren, Roxhury, Bethel,
Barnard and West Randolph, successive
y and for a time acted as an agent CT the
Vermont Domestic Missionary society.
8e became widely and familiarity known
10 "Father Nichols"
IN 1914 q reNlNhl occurred IN bFhlnfFee,
Il which few records now remain. in
SIG, when there were severe frosts every
month from April to October, and ten
inches Of snow in June, resulting Ia great
carcity Of provisions and much suffer
ng, Parson Nichols sent letters to Par !
Eastman OF Randolph, Parson Ly-
nan OF Brookield and Parson Pixley Of 1
yiiliamstown, inviting them TO come
With delegates from their churches 10 4
lold q two-days' meeting In his church, 10
onsider the lRmentable condition, both d
cmporal and spiritual, OF the people IN
he region, and pray that God would send
q blessing upon them. They &C. .
epted the invitation, and this meeting 8
in a great religious awakening In
II this region, and led to the institution Q
4 this circular conference. '
in 1890 another revival occurred, and
n 1881 still another, which was still /
extensive. ]
In 1918 Mr.. Nichols was induced TO I'M '
a six weeks missionary tour in
county, n. Y, and his labors sere
Iot without abundant blessing. In 1892 a
ghile on q visit to son in Hudson, o., Z
there the Western Reserve college was !