The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-07-11
The First Baptist Society Of
Barre Goes Back in
Memory 25 Years
HAS FIRST PASTOR
AS ITS GUEST
Notable Observance Held at
the Church Last
Evening

;: Twenty-Five years of Baptist fellow
l ship in Barre were celebrated at a not
e able gathering of that denominations
faith in the parlors of the First Baptis
church last evening. A quarter-centur.
ago, to day and almost to an hour
the seed of one of the city's most sub
stantial church organizations took roo
in fertile soil On the spot where th'
hopes of faithful few were later real
ized in the tangible form of churcl
edifice, 25 years OF constructive religious
work were commemorated by Baptistl
of Barre, Montpelier, Websterville anc
other towns as we'll as a sprinkling Of
men and women OF other denominations
preferences. Upwards OF 200 people as.
sisted in the anniversary exercises anu
a gratifyingly large proportion OF their
number were the earliest members OF
the First Baptist society in Barre.
Ii is worthy of note, indeed, cause
for congratulation. that the church was
able to entertain its first shepherd in
the person of Rev. G. 7. Raymond, now
the influential pastor of church in Flor
ida, who with Mrs. Raymond was among
the guests of honor There was added
interest in the occasion by reason Of the
1 fact that the father of the present pas
tor, Rev. George H. Holt, was able to
be present With his wife, Rev i. H.
Holt of Ottawa, kas., took an active
part in the evenings doings. Informally,
the affair took the nature of a reception
to Rev. and Mrs. Raymond and to the
elder Rev. Mr.. Holt and his wife.
A social hour at o'clock was followed
by the opening of the exercises. The
program was carried out in the spacious
parlors, attractipely decorated for the
evening through the conscientious efforts
of the Philathea and Baraca classes. The
first number was a vocal solo by Howard
Geake. Rev. L. Fl. Holt followed with
a short original poem, written in com.
memoration of the anniversary, and he
was followed by Mrs. d. H. Cutler, who
rendered vocal solo. Not the least in
teresting part OF the program came at
this juneture. The minutes of the first
church meeting, carefully preserved
throughout the years, were read by the
present clerk, Mrs Frank G. Rogers. At
the time of the organization Mrs. w A.
Perry, who was among those present,
was elected clerk and the record of that
night in July, 1889, was prepared by
her. Remarks of an Introductory char
aeter were then made by the pastor and
the appearance of Rev. MIR. Raymond
was the cause for a sincere ovation. The
first pastor of the church in Barre de.
voted the earlier part of his remarks to |
a retrospective glance to the younger |
DAYS of the Baptist society. In the |
IL i.
ulated the church on its steady growth |
and the progress 1t has made along other |
lines. Rev. G. II Holt brought the lit
erary and musical program to a close
with a pleasing vocal solo.
Then followed a genuine handshaking
in which the guests were re-
ceived by the pastor and Mrs. Holt and /
Rev. and Mrs. Raymond. For not few
among those who were ushered along
The receiving line it was first oppor-
tunity for greeting the former pastor
ind his wife. There were scenes. many |,
If them, that are not soon to be for
rotten. In the line also. were number
VI the original members of the society /.
md they too received their share of !
grateful attention. ID
After the reception, the company aban-
loned itself to n get t-togetheT social, in
he course of which a dainty luncheon
vas served The refreshments, which
included punch and waters, were in (
barge of members of the Philathea
lass. who were assisted. in turn, by
he Pansy class members. 1t was late
n the evening when the affair came 7
o an end and old and young members e
{ the church joined alike in silent n
etition that the church's years of use
illness and prosperity may be long con-
inued. It is a matter of deep signif-
ince that the anniversary celebration y
TO be continued in a fitting manner, :
pr tomorrow special services in the
hurch will mark the quarter-century :
irthday end Rev. Mr.. Raymond viii be
he principal preacher. Members of the 9,
irst Baptist church are planning TO :,
ake of the services an occasion for re- y
,icing as well as renewed conservation
the work that lies ahead.
A little group of % people, most Of !,
hom had received their earlier training u
the tenets Of the Baptist doctrine, met
lgether at the home OF Mr. and Mrs. VI
I. A. Perry in July, 1889. to consider ~
Ie feasibility Of perfecting a permanent
urch organizat tion. Such measure -
quiet religious fervor was manifested y
the meeting that the ultimate found -
2 Of strong society must have been
foregone conclusion. Those who had pi
e welfare Of the fellowship so deeply Ter
heart set about 20 complete plans for n
Ittnc the church organization on firm Is
lancial basis. That they builded well "a
IA wisely no one to-day has reason TO
estion. Rev. Mr.. Raymond, then min m
Ter Of the church in Montpelier. early q
terested himself in the cause Of the 10
urch in Barre and from the very be- er
ming he conducted afternoon services or
ch Sabbath. ha
How the church grew strong in the la
in as well as in numbers should be ~
"a in a more preteBtious account Of its o.
istence. an account that nav be writ
b some day in the near future. Suffice vi
10 say that the dawn Of a brighter an
y IA the socicty's history saw the Ar
ludation laid for the present church ms
.ucture. Not % long ago the original ists
,0arw hrrilHirr was sraa sd in hTrcE ta