Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-06-24
5OTH ANNIVERSARY OF
METHODIST CHURCH

The 50th anniversary of the dedication
of the Methodist Episcopal Church Of this
nicity was opened Sunday with the morn
ing service. in which we're used the re-
sponsive reading the Scripture readings
and two hymns which were used at the
dedication a half century ago. The pro-
gram of the service was as follows: Pre-
lude Grand Chorus" I'd. Dubois: dox-
ology; the Apostles Greed; Gloria Patri;
responsive reading Psalm 100: Scripture
reading. Chronicles VI. 1898; anthem,
God of our Fathers" r. A. Schneider;
prayer. the Lords Prayer; offertory.
Unfold We Portals from THE Redemp
tion'). Gounod: Scripture reading.
Hebrews X. 1926; hymn. Glorious
Things of Thee Are Spoken" John New
ton; sermon. Coronation" Edward Per-
ronet: benediction, and postlude, Fan
fare Lemmens.
The sermon was delivered by Bishop
Lauress j. Birney d. D.. LII. D.. of
Boston. who took as his subject God Is
Love" 1t was a remark able sermon,
full Of sympathy and comfort to those
who are In trouble or who are sick. The
church was crowded at this service.
The Rev. I. f. Mead, D. D.. superin-
tendent of the Pattsburgh district and
1904 preached the sermon at the evening
service. He spoke few words OF
"reminiscences. and then took as his sub
iect who Knoweth But Thou Art Come
to the Kingdom for Such Time as
This?' drawing parallel between the
position of Esther in those ancient days
and the Church of God to-day. He out
lined the dangers present to-day and told
what the church could do to overcome
those dangers, '1n spite of the needs of
the day" he said our own church has
been closing an average Of one church
a year in the big cities and where they
are needed most. 1t has not been doing
the work it should have done. Yet think
ing men believe that the Christian church
is the only solution in these troublous
times. If the church of God could only
have the program money. passion and
zeal that were present during the war it
could go forth and conquer the world
so much for the general church To-
day we are thinking of this church and
Of the people who have worshipped here
| during the last 30 years. This church
has done much, but who knows but what
God has brought this church to this time
for it's greatest task. it's most sublime
duty? This is the zero hour. It is no
to go on into no mans land to do God S
| work. l believe that the Christian church
| needs three things badly faith. prayer
| and program for the future. This
church was born of audacty and it must
! have that abandon in carrying out its
| work that forgets self
IT am interested in this church and I
often think of the many young people
who attended Sunday school when I was
here. 7 wonder how many Of them have
volunteered for q life of conSecrated serv-
| ice? There are many I know. but there
! should be manv more. I would say to
each one who knoweth but thou art come
| to this time for great duty to carry on
| the work of God?'"
| The service opened with the prelude
Meditation from "Thais'O. Massenet
! followed by a hymn. THE Churchs One
Foundation S. ]. Stone Then came
the responsive reading and an anthem
Sing Alleluia FORTH Dudley Buck;
then prayer and offertory, Eye Hath
Not Seen" from ''The Holy City')
a. r. Gaul; contralto solo by Miss
| Catherine Hagar. This was followed by
a hymn. Grown Him with MANY
Crowns" Matthew Bridges and the ser.
mon. Following the sermon came the
|
and then the benediction and postlude
Anniversary March" ]. l. Erb
HISTORY OF LOCAL CHURCH
Methodism in Burlington was begun by
the circuit riders of the early days. They
came here occasionally and preached ir
srhools houses or private homes Among
the first ones were Rev. Joseph Mitchell
who came in 1898. and Rev. Lorenzo Dow
| " hn hsyra in ~ba ar,t
class. which consisted of seven members
was formed by the Rev. Nicholas White
in 1915, at the home of Henry Noble or
Spear street. The second class, in which
there were nine members. was formed
in the village of Burlington in 1917 b,
Rev. |. Mcdaniel. The leader was Abb
jah Warner.
ON October %, 1873 the Methodist Eps
copal Church was organized at the home
of Eliza n. Hartman. The charter mem
bers were Rev. Noah Levings Uhe frs
pastor), John Balch. Ira Bentley. Mat
thew Colamer. Matthew Goodrich. f. d
Hartman, Charles Marston, Mron Owens