The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-09-06

selves to be wholly unworthy of
their sacred calling,-and were
each dismissed under a cloud.
And for the first so years, the
discipline of the church was ad-
ministered in a very strenuous and
severe manner. The records during
those years are Largely composed of
charges preferred against many of
the brethren and sisters, which
were investigated by the church,
committees were appointed to la
Dor with the accused ones,-and in
cases of obstinate conduct, X
communication was the punish
ment.
The church meetings during that
time must have been anything but
monotonous. Brothers and sisters
were disciplined not only for the
graver faults of morals and con-
duct, but for u%nguarded OF un-
christian language; for unneces-
sary work and travel upon the
Sabbath day; for absenting them
selves from church services, par
ticularly the Sacrament of the
Lords Supper; and one mar was
labored with not speaking to his
wife who was sick, nor admins
tering the medicine properly. He
testified that his wife would not
take the medicine that the doctor
thought proper, and told him to
let her alone, and not to come near
her. The committee decided that
he no doubt had had severe provo
cation, but rebuked him for not
showing a more forgiving and
Christian spirit.
The installation Of Elderkin J..
B%oardman took place in January,
1927, and he vas pastor until 1888.
During his pastorate the church
suffered from ~dissension concern
ing the Masonic order, member
ship in which was seemingly
against the rules of the church at
that time. Several prominent
members were suspended from
church fellowship until they prom
Ised to utterly forsake Masonry
and never to take it up again.
These events and customs are of
much interest in that they show
how greatly the conduct of church
affairs, and its view point has
changed, in the 100 years that
have elapsed.
David Jones, newly from Eng
land was installed in November,
1885 and was dismissed by council
il April, 1889.
In December of that year, r. c..
Hand, who had been connected
with the young American Board
of Foreign Missions, was called to
the pastorate at a salary of 5000,
and was installed in June, 1871.
During his pastorate there were
two happenings of note. In 1910
a discussion of slavery brought
about some trouble in the church,
and the withdrawal of one mem
Der. At that time the church put
itself on record by a ringing dec
ldration utterly condemning the
custom and institution of slavery;
and in 1841 is the first mentioned
missionary activity in the Danville
church, when there was held a sea-
son of prayer for the evangelical
ton Of the world, and a record of
contributions, $144 to Foreign and
$62.O5 to Home Missions.
Mr.. Hand was dismissed upon
his own request, and with much
regret on the part of the church,
in September, 1916 and the next
pastor was David Perry, of Lam
caster, n. H., who served from
February, 1847, to April, 1850.
John Dudley came to the church
in May, 1850 and remained five
years. In 1851 the church a
rcmodeled and in the old record
book are preserved the two plans,
the original one, and the n to
which it was charged at that time.
Rev. J. Eastman commenced his
labors, Jan. /, 1856, and left in
November, 1867; the main eason
he gave for resigning being tardi-
ness in the payment of his salary
which vas 5000 a year.
For some reason the church
records were not kept from 1861
to 1867, so that we have no means
of knowing what the activities of
the church were, during the years
Of the Civil War.
During two years after Mr..
Eastman closed his p%aStoratc, the
pulpit was supplied by various
persons and then a call was extend
ed to c.. W. Thompson. He was
ordained and installed. During his
stay of II years his salary was
raised to $500 and use of the par
sonagc and there was a large in
gathering of members. On June 6,
1873, he received into the church
81 persons, of whom Mrs. James
Stevens, Mrs. Frank Stocker, Mrs.
Mary Morse, Mrs. Harvey Weeks,
Mrs. Lucien Stanton, Mrs. Abbic
Blake and George Hodgdon are
still members of the Danville
church.
In 1875 the church covenant was
revised, slightly changing the
p~hraseology to more modern OK
pressions. Mr.. Thompson e
signed in 1878, on account of i'll
health, but was urged to recon
slider it, and was given a years
absence, during which time the
pulpit was supplied. He again
took up his work in Danville in
1879 and continued his passionate
until 1882.
In May, 1883 Mr.. Darling vas
called and remained until Janu-
airy. 1889, when MI. Stuart came
to the church and remained until
August, 1891.