Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-12-24
L~UNENBURGH.
BY HON. JONAH BROOKS.
METHODIST CHURCH.

Again we find Willard King, to-
gether with Levi Bowker, VIM.
Morse, and Geo. w. Gates foremost
in the enterprise. Mr.. K. again
canvassed the town for subscriptions,
and though not succeeding as well as
they might wish. they decided to
build a large and commodious
church. They shrunk not from the
burden and responsibility; and al
though it rested heavily upon them,
they bore itwith Christian fortitude,
and now have a convenient house for
the worship of God. There was also
a subscription started for a bell, and
to their great joy succeeded and the
bell was bought and placed in the
belfry of their chapel. From this
time they kept up their church and
meetings, and have had a fair share
of the influence and prosperity of
the town. Like all churches, they
have had trials and opposers; yet, as
in all cases opposition is ar incentive
to action, and they have been found
equal to the emergencies, and have
exercised a great and good influence
over the community. From this
time the preachers in charge have
been as follows:
In 1910. E. Petingill, IA members
in 1841, "a members; in 1912,
Leonard Austin, 126 members; in
1843, Gary r. Houston, 156 members,
this year the parsonage first
bought vas exchanged for one about
a half mile north of the village,
which they now own; $50 dollars was
paid by the society for the exchange.
In 1914, Gary B. Houston, 1856 mem
bers-- in this year the conference
district was divided, the dividing
line being the Connecticut River. and
this town was put in Danville district
of the Vermont conference. In 1845
D. S. Dexter, 1876 members-in 1916,
$50 members; in 1847, j. Whitney,
1875 members in 1848, ia members;
in 1849, Jas. S. Spinney, 105 mem
bers in 1850, 103 members; in 1851,
Joseph Enright, 1902 members; in
1852, Samuel H. Colburn, 102 mem
bers-in 1853, 107 members; in 1854,
Abner Howard, 122 members; in
1855, VIM. B, Howard, 122 members
in 1856, 107 members; In 1857, Ed
win W. Parker, 113 members-in
1858, to March 1st, when he went as
missionary to India, and from that
date to the end of the conference
year, D. C. Babcock, l25 members:
in 1859, c. D. lngraham, 1919 mem
bers-in 1860, 173 members; in 1861.
M. Billiard, 1874 members-in 1862.
152 members.
M. E. SABBATH SCHOOL,
In 1889, Rev. Lewis Hill, ther
laboring here, founded a sabbath
school, obtaining q few books for
library, and quite a large number Of
scholars. Geo. W. Gates was chosen
superintendent; after he had served
several years the preacher in charge
served as superintendent until 1857
when Sylvester Dustin was chosen
and in 1858, James Bowker; in 1859
Daniel Snow; in 1860, H.. A. Cutting
in 1861, Daniel Snow; in 1862, L. B
FaInham.
The school has been UNUSUAL!
prosperous, and they now have
large library and an interesting
school. The greatest number of at
tendants was in 1860, when the.
numbered l26 regular scholars.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
BY REV. A. j. WALKER.
For several years after the settle
ment Of this township, very few Bap
lists resided within it's limits. N,
particular influence was exerted b,
the denomination until 1905. Ii
this year, Mr.. Enoch Thomas, witt
his family, moved from Middlebor
ough, Mass, settled in the south par
OF the town. Mr.. Thomas, his wife
and two children were members o
the Baptist church in that place, an
we're well established in the doctrine
OF their church. They had Learned
to mediate as we'll as read; and di,
not lind, either in the language ant
acts of Jesus Christ, or the writing
OF his word, permission to unite thei
influence with those who, in thei
judgment, neglected to observe an,
OF the commands or ordinances Civ
en- by the GREAT HEAD" of tn
church. Living somewhat remot
from any meeting, and impresse'
with the duty, they commenced
meeting in their own house. Mis-
s%ionaries Of the same order, employ
ed by the Home Missionary Society
often came along and preached t
those who met, the word of life; an