The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-02-24
SOUTH LONDONDERRY.
Centennial Celebration of the Baptist
Church.

The Tooth anniversary celebration OF
the Baptist church began Sunday morning
when Rev. Henry Croker OF Chester
preached the anniversary sermon. There
was special music by Mrs. W. 5. Bassett
and Miss Mary Pierce Sunday evening
the service was conducted by Rev. Ralph
II. Tibbals. A solo, The Flight of the Ages,
was rendered by Miss Bessie Castle. Mon
day evening the devotional service was IN
charge OF Rev. I. c. Brewster OF Jamaica,
Rev. G.. w. Russell of East Dover spoke
on The Church for Today. A solo by Mrs.
+. II. Tyler was followed by an address by
Rev. +. C. Clark of South Newfane. The
Community's Debt to the Church, by Rev.
Joseph Mexican of Townshend, and solo
by Mrs. l.. X. Pierce, completed the serv-
ices for the evening. Tuesday morning
the devotional service at IL O'Clock was
under the direction OF Rev w. H. Bishop
of Andover. Rev. j. +. Berry of Putney
spoke on Unused Power, and Rev. X. IL.
Iibbals read a historical paper which was
very interesting Tuesday afternoon at
80, the roll call was conducted by the
pastor. Letters from former pastors and
members were read. Tuesday evening there
was ''Syngynge by We fOlke of We olden
tyne, Dame Crockett and her fulle qulre.
This was a great success Twenty-Five
all dressed in the styles of long ago, sang
the songs of We olden time. There were
solos, trios, quartets, and choruses. An
address by Rev. r. NJ Jones of Chester
had to be omitted as Mr.. Jones was i'll and
unable to be present. The theme, The
Mission of the Church and How Accom-
plished, was ably handled by Rev. W. y.
Davidson, ID. d., of Burlington. Dinner
and supper were served Monday and Tues
day at the church vestry by the women OF
the society. The observance of this Tooth
anniversary will be long remembered by
the townspeople, and the little brick
church on the hill bids fair to see another
century.
The South Londonderry Baptist church
has had an eventful history during the 100
years of its existence and has sent out
many strong men into the worlds work.
Ii was organized Feb. 20, 1911, with a
membership of "a. Some of the early rec
20, 1871 it is recorded. Voted that the
Church and Society give Elder Gershon
Lane So for preaching with us y of the
time from the first of Jan. last to the first
OF Jan. next, to be paid in produce or
wearing APPAREL" and then a note saying
Elder Lane agreed to accept the above
compensation" In 1913 record was made
showing that our brethren were excluded,
for Joining and continuing to hold mem
bership in a secret society, to the grief of
their brethren. On Aug % 1913, the
church passed strong resolution con-
demning slavery, stating that it would not
invite to its pulpit or communion table
Shareholders or apologizers for slavery,
knowing them to be SUCH" In keeping
with such a vigorous resolution many of
its members served in the civil war;
The church has been served by 10 pas
tors, 20 deacons, and 13 clerks. The pres
ent clerk. Elijah F. Rugg has just com
pleted AZ years of continuous service. In
the 100 years of its history eight men have
gone out from it into the ministry One
of these is Rev. John S. Lyon, d. d., pas
tor of the Second Baptist church at Hol-
yoke. Mass. The present pastor, Rev.
Ralph H. Tibbals, was settled Sept. /.
1906. Under his administration the
church building, which was erected in
1884, has been remodeled and beautifed.
lie Is popular in the, community, is liked
by all classes and ranks high as preacher
and pastor.