The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-02-08
A PASTORS FAREWELL
Was Held at the Universalist Church
Last Night and Was Well Attended.

At the Universalist yestry last even
ing over 200 people assembled to tender
farewell reception to Rev. and Mrs,
Edward C. Downey, who leave Saturday
for their new home in Portland Me-
where Mr. Downey recently accepted
call to become pastor of the Church OF
the Messiah In addition to a large at
tendance OF the departing pastors for
mer parishioners, pastor and many peo-
pie from other churches in the city We're
present during the evening to bid Rev.
and Mrs. Downey farewell. In the re-
ceiyng line were the pastor and his wife,
DR.. l.. L. Leonard, w G. Reynolds, and
the following trustees of the ,hurch;
Fayette Cutler, A. A. Stebbns, Chtflcs
T. Southgate, Clinton T. Millar, and
Homer G. Ladd. The high school or
chestra furnished excellent music during
the evening.
Other churches were represented at the
reception by Rev. p. M. McKenna ppd
Rev. A. c. Griffin, pastor and curate, re-
sPectiyely, Of St. Monica,s church, Rev
u. O. Thayer pastor of the lledding
Methodist church, and Rev. George H.
Holt, the newly appointed pastor of the
First Baptist church. Other ministers
of the different city churches had Gx
pressed 8 desire TO be present but we're
obliged to change their plans at the last
moment.
Father McKenna spoke for nearly fif
teen minutes and ably voiced the general
sense of loss which the community feels
in the departure of Rev, Mr. Downty.
He referred to the aggressive part which
Mr.. Downey has taken in the movement
for better civic conditions and said that
his eo-workers would be the losers by
his absence. To him. he believed. was
largely due the fact that Barre business
men have become interested in the in
creasing demand for public gymnasium,
and he paid gracious tribute to Mr..
Downey's untiring efforts in behalf of
the project. He said that Mr. Downey
was the first to map out plan FOR
better social conditions and the cradica-
tion of existing evils, and that the de-
parting pastor may we'll be credited SIS
the sponsor of an active forward move
ment, the progress of which has already
been witnessed in the creation Of pub
lie sentiment that will ultimately mean
a higher tone in the moral and civic
life Of Barre.
In bis remarks, Rev. Mr. Thayer spoke
for few moments in a more humorous
vein, but closed by expressing his regret
that Mr. Downey was to leave and said
that his sentiments, he believed, reflect
ed those of his parishioners and many
others. Rev Father Griffin and Rev Mr.. |
Holt also made a few appropriate re-
marks before the gathering. Speaking |
On behalf Of his wife as well as him
self, Mr. Downev feelingly responded 10
The remarks made by his brother clergy |
mem
The affair was brought to a close by |
The serving of delicious refreshments of |
,offee, cake and sandwiches. In charge
of this part OF the reception were Mrs. |
NJ. /. Town and Mrs. G. +. Camp, presi
lent and yice-president of the ladies' |
lnion. The reception was carried ont to /
! successful finish through the effort O /
he ladies' union of the church and the
.rustees, who spared no pains in making |
The occasion notable farewell for Rev. |
md Mrs. Downey.