Weekly Caledonian. (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1919-1920, 1919-07-30

1ul nlllCOp Where the c1urch
westerly breeze that dispelle
Many delightful reunions and talks
of former days were enjoyed by
those who attended. Over fifty auto
mobiles and nearly as many carriages
brought the crowd of sturdy religious
representative from all parts of the
big town. They began to arrive
shortly after ten o'clock in the fore
noon and from that time to the first
meeting at eleven o'clock there were
delightful gatherings as various par
ties got together to discuss affairs of
mutual interest.
After the morning service came a
picnic luncheon. The vestry was
thrown open for those who wished to
dine indoors. Then came the interest
ing afternoon session and it was 4.30
O'Clock before the events of the day
had been concluded.
1t was a day of religious inspiration.
Young and old joined in the spirit of
the occasion and rcapcd a lasting
benefit.
Three persons attended who saw the
old church burned in 1849 and
the present one erected. They are
Henry A. Moore, MIS-. Mary A.
(Goodwillic) Somcrs and w. S.
Brock of Barnet.
The brick church was burned Feb
ruary 10, 1849, and on July 22, just
five months and three days later the
present big white church was built
and the Rev. Thomas Goodwillie, pas
tor at that time, preached the first
sermon in the present building.
Six pastors occupied the pulpit at
the two services. They were: Rev.
F. H. Laird, pastor of the church;
Rev. ID. M. Mckinley, former pastor
of tsc church and now retired; Rev.
c. B. Bliss, pastor at McIndoes Falls;
Rev. A. E. Gregg of Barnet, the Rev.
Wilbur Warner of Pcacham and the
Rev. A. M. Pierce of Passumpsic.
Rev. MI. Laird gave an interesting
historical sketch at the morning SER
vice. He said the present church was
organized in January 20, 1884, as the
Barnet Center United Presbyterian
church. 1t was the first church in
Northern Vermont. The townspeoplc
voted at town meeting that Il church
should be established in the town
ship and it was voted that it be of the
Presbyterian faith.
The town was taxed for the sup
port of the church. The Rev. Thomas
Goodwillic was called to the pastor
ate February 4, 1890, and served for
forty years. He was followed by his
son, Thomas, who was pastor for 40
years. Mr.. Laird referred to the fact
that two of his great grandfathcrs,
Robert Laird and John Wallace, sign
ed the original call of the church in
1870.
The Rev. Arthur E. Gregg gave a
highly interesting discourse on "Thc
Absolute Necessity of the Church
Today" Rev. Mr.. Mckinley spoke
interestingly of his experience as pas
tor of the church Sc years ago.
The afternoon service opened with
an address by the Rev. Charles B.
Bliss of McIndoes Falls on, "Thc
Church of Tomorrow"
He said man was a fool who
could tell where we were going from
here. The confusion of the past
months and the Great War had made
it impossible to tell just where affair
were to move. He said he was not a
fortune teller and therefore could not
outline the moves of the future. But
he said the Biblical quotation "Seek
unto the Children of Israel that we
go forward" was true today. He said
we were going forward. And as in
the past, he said, we are going for
ward ain His path" He said we were
going forward in the path that the
brave heroes of the World War had
made for us.
"A year ago our boys at Chateau
Thierry had forged ahead twelve
miles. Sam Darling, the first boy
from Barnet to make the supreme sac
rifice, we were honoring."
"Things that the church stands for
now hove the right of way. First we
lst bring our forces together in
ser formation. The Allied forces
I'D not gain until they had Joined
ether. The church now realizes
in closer. formation-the many
ments being brought into one
>, we can faster forge ahead"
ne hundred years ago the church
of Barnet and East Ryegate
consider a move for unity in
m. The seven parishes in
now stand out for individual
If they are joined and CO.
e in their work the effect must
aren't"