The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-12-18
Rev. {. c. DoWney to Leave
Barre UniverSaIiSt Church
HE ANNOUNCED 80 .cRDAY
Rev. w. Z. Braisted Preached His Fare
well Sermon in First Baptist Church
Presbyterian Church Expects
to Fill It's Pulpit Soon.

Pulpit changes are being made in un-
usual number in Barre Just now. At the
same time yesterday that Rev W. z.
Braisted was preaching his farewell ser
mon as pastor Of the First Baptist
church, Rev Z. G. Downey announced
to his congregation in the First Uni
Yersalist church that he should not be 4
candidate for re-engagement at the an
nual parish meeting next month. These.
coupled with the fact that the First
| Presbyterian church is without a set
tied pastor, although Rev. Mr.. Salmond
OF Antrim, N. H., il expected to be ap-
proved by the Boston presbytery, make
an unprecedented condition in the church
life OF the city.
Rev. Mr.. Downey's announcement was
a surprise to his congregation. as il will
be to most people OF the city. The state
ment OF his determination to finish his
ministry in the church was entirely in
formal, being included by him in the
regular church notices at the end of the
morning service. He simply told the
congregation that the annual meeting Of
the parish would be held soon. when
the matter of electing minister would
be considered and that under no consid-
GRAFTON would be accept re-engagement
He stated nothing as to his plans.
During the four years of his stay
in Barre, Rev. Mr.. Downey has proved
himself to be an energetic worker and
has been particularly interested in mat
ters which pertain to the social better
ment Of the community. he came here
from the Pacific coast. where be was en-
gagged in the work Of his denomination.
A large number Of friends both in and
ont of his church win regret that he Is
leave the Universalist church, as it will
probably mean that he viii leave the
city.
Rev Mr.. Braisted. who several weeks
ago rendered his resignation as pastor
Of the Baptist church to accept the pas
torate OF Baptist church in Oneida.
N. Y. preached his farewell sermon to
q large congregation. Besides the par
ishioners and attendants of the Baptist
church. members from other religious
bodies were present. The usual order
Of service was conducted AS a prelude
to his sermon. the pastor took a few
moments to voice his appreciation Of tho
helpful spirit which marked his pastor
ate Of the local church.
With keen realization that no pas.
tor can successfully perform his mis-
sion without the cooperation Of the lay-
men, Mr. Braisted expressed his deepest
appreciation for the loyalty Of the con-
gregation and more particularly to the
church officers. committees. the affiliated
organizations of the church and the choir.
Tie expressed himself also as profoundly
grateful for the spirit of brotherhood
which had existed in his relations with
the citizens of Barre. Tn closing the
retiring pastor again referred TO the NJ
titude Of divine Kindness and good wili
which has been shown to himself AMI
family during their residence in the CITY,
and voiced his desire for continuance
Of progress already made along divers
lines
In sermon which teened with in.
sniration, the pastor outlined bis idee
Of workable creed for live church
and said that the church must prove its
right To use the name hy its good works.
The text was chosen from Luke 6:4d.
"Why call We me Lord. Lord, and do not
the things which ! say?' As tie four
essentials to the creed which he advocat-
ed. Mr.. Braisted named love. wisdom,
power and holiness He took care "a
emphasize that not one Of those virtues.
in itself. il sufficient to accomplish the
work Of the Master. Power, for ex-
ample. without the softening and quail
fving influence Of wisdom may become n
thing to menace Unbelief is the con-
summate sin Of the age and without a
potential creed his eXertions for the un-
lift Of humanity viii he to little avail
BY his nature and in his mission. man
must observe the essentials. Without
such factors as love and wisdom, power
and holiness, any creed must be too weak
to appeal to the present generation.
AT the regular evening worship last
night, the pastor gave a short discourse
from the subject, Remember Jesus
Christ"
Steps looking towards successor for
the local church have already been taken
and it is likely that an incumbent will
soon be secured In the meantime arr
have been made to continue
services at the church every Sunday.
The regular sessions of the Sunday
school will be maintained as usual.