The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-07-30

that ris work among them had always
been JOY and that he loved the work.
and the people and loved the church,.
That the audience also loved their min
ister was shown by their tears. Mr..
Chaplin had read from philippines 4, the
words, But what things We're gain to
me those | counted loss for Christ, Yea,
doubtless, and j count all things but
loss for the sexeellency of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus my. Lords This every
one, knew to be true of Mr.. Chapin's
life, for he has lived what he has
preached. As some one said of him.,
Mr.. Chapin's work isn't done. Why,
he can't walk down the street without
doing good. ..# ..-. .-
The text was in the ringing words of
Psalm 4S:11-14. Walk about Zion and
go round about her tell the towers there
her palaces; that ye may tell it to the
generation following. For this God is
our God forever and ever. He will be
our guide even unto death.
During the past IS years many changes
have been made in the struggling little
church that Mr.. Chaplin came to serve.
1t was then. dependent upon missionary
aid and was yOked with the parish of
Cambridgeport. 1t then had less than
a hundred members and gave only a few
dollars in benevOlences. The church now
| is not only self supporting but has Civ
+ Ell III the past year anu IL quarter Nl,f1l.-
a. in benevolences. besides paying all
home expenses. The membership has been
increased by 33S new members and in spite
of losing many by removal and death the
membership is now about 30. The Sun.
day school is a fioHrishing up-tO- date
school of 100 members, and the Chris
tan Endeavor society numbers nearly
! 20. The Ladies' Aid society has always
been loyal. strong helper in the church
and. a young wOmen's club has been &C.
! tive in social and philanthropic work
] \ new organ, carpet, pulpit set, stained
glass windows. church bell, frescOing. re-
modelled vestries. hymn books, beautified
parsonage. fresh paint on church and par
sonage and $4,000 at interest indicate the
| improvements at home. The salary has
remained small for MIR. Chaplin has al
WAYS preferred TO give rather than to re-
ceiye. and during the war when prices
went up he refused an increase of sal
airy on the grounds that many demands
IOf need abroad would have to be met for
relief of the suffering. as
At 90 years of age, 10 years ago, Mr..
Chaplin offered a resignation fearing that
a younger man was wanted, but happily
the church refused to accept il, saying
that they could not find his equal, and
these last 10 years have been among the
most blessed and fruitful of the entire
period. The path of the just is as a
shining light that Shineth more and more
unto the perfect day
Mr.. Chaplin reminded the church that
each one in so far as each had been faith
full. had contributed to the results and
that the future of this dear church
depended on the conservation of each
member He hoped. he said. that the
next 10 years would be the best in the
history of the church, and that the spirit
of union that has, characterized the
church during all the IS years might
continue. I'VE have been workers to-
gether,' he said.
The service was inexpressibly i'm
presSive. As unfalteringly as Mr.. Chaplin
has carried his great responsibilities,
he laid them down with a remuneration
SO complete that it stirred the hearts of
his hearers. perhaps more deeply than
any other message of his noble life. -
The church does not wish to lose him.
The entire community does not wish to
lose him. 1t is their desire that he
should live in the home he so loves. a.
the pastor emeritus, the elder shepherd
of the flock. ..sl..t-