USA > Vermont > Addison County > Addison > Historical sketch of the Baptist Church in Addison, Vermont : 1779:1919 > Part 2
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In the early forties the question of church music came to the front. On September 28, 1843, we read of "Music by the choir." On November 20, 1841, there was "An expression taken from the church approbating the organization of a Singing Society and also Promising to help Sustain It by compensating."
Close communion was a live issue during this period. A committee was appointed, August 17, 1839, "to visit Brother Edward Lewis, and Endeavor to Convince [him] of his Error in communing with unbaptised Persons."
Attendance of church members at dances was discountenanced in the early forties. This record is found under June 20, 1840: "8th. Appointed Brethren Russel Smith, Calvin Smith, and George Willmarth a Committee to Enquire in regard to the Reports (viz.) that our Church Members some of them are in the habit of attending Balls, and ascertain who they are that are Guilty of the act- and Endeavour to Convince them that by So Doing they have brought a wound on the Cause, which they have professed to Espouse-and Make Report at our next meeting of Business." This Committee reported on August 15, 1840, eight names, seven of whom confessed to the church their wrong.
A standing committee, consisting of six Brethren, was appointed, in Decem- ber, 1841, to serve for a year, their duty being "to labour with and look after de- linquent members of the church."
On October 19, 1839, the church appointed a Visitation Committee of six lay brethren "to visit the whole church for the Purpose of Enquiring the State of their minds and their Religious Enjoyments and Elder Davis to visit between the Creeks." Such a committee ought to be able to report on the "State of Re- ligion" in the churches. That is a sort of "An Every-Member Canvass" Com- mittee.
Somewhat of the spiritual life of those Christian fathers and mothers is mirrored for us in this record: February 11, 1843-"The church met at the meeting house for Prayer and to hear from any who wished to make known what the Lord had done for their souls. Accordingly eight came forward and told their experience and were approved by the church as being hopefully con-
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verted to the Lord." Such records are refreshing to our souls today, like "good news from a far country" (Prov. 25:25).
IV. The fourth period of the history of the church-October, 1857 to Octo- ber, 1877-includes the dark days of the Civil War, and the days of reconstruc- tion. During this period 62 united with the church; of which 44 came during the nearly nine years' pastorate of Elder Elias Goodspeed.
Those serving as pastors during this period were: Elder J. L. A. Ware, October 17, 1857 to August 1, 1859; August 1, 1859 to October 14, 1860, the pulpit was supplied by students from Fairfax Institute; Elder Elias Goodspeed, Octo- ber 14, 1860 to July 1, 1869; Elder Emery D. Crafts, December 1, 1869 to May 30, 1871 ; Elder Levi Wheelock, September, 1871 to September, 1872; Elder J. Dock- ry and others supplied from September, 1872 to September, 1873; Elder E. D. Crafts, second pastorate, September, 1873 to September, 1875; Elder Richard Nott, February 6, 1876 to December 31, 1879.
Emery D. Crafts was ordained at Addison, January 26, 1871.
Elder Goodspeed received a salary of $300 and house. Elder Crafts in his second pastorate received $500 and house-the largest amount paid prior to 1875. Elder Goodspeed, after a brief stay in Waterbury, Vermont, returned to Addi- son to spend the remaining years of his life. He passed from scenes of earth in 1894, at the age of 90. His wife died in Addison in 1885, aged 85. Both sleep beneath the sod in the Addison cemetery, awaiting the dawn of the day of God.
During this period the war occupied a commanding place in the thought and life of the people. The church records contain feeling references to this great civil conflict.
Adventism came into Addison, as elsewhere, to disturb the religious peace of the community. This began in 1841, and continued for some little time. A number in Addison were caught in the snare, and seceded from the Baptist fold. An Advent Church was organized, and a building for worship was constructed about a mile from the Baptist edifice. But in course of time the membership declined; services were suspended, and the building closed. In 1914 the structure was sold to Sheriff Olin A. Smith, whose land is adjacent to it.
Under date of December 17, 1875, the Baptist records contain this: "Met in Church Meeting of Business which was attended quite numerously by those be- longing to the Advents, Either by invitation or agreement for the purpose, as I understand it, of seeing if they could harmonize so as to worship together. A considerable talk and expression of feeling was had-and meeting closed-with- out as I could see-accomplishing anything or the transaction of any business. H. Willmarth, Clerk."
During the pastorate of Elder Wheelock, 1871-1872, the present parsonage property was purchased of Deacon Rufus Smith, the former parsonage being sold to Mr. R. C. Goodale for $1000. The purchase price of the present property was $1000. It has been much improved in recent years; and its present valuation is $2300.
There began to be a diminution in spirituality in the church and community during this period, and a consequent decrease in additions to the church. Agnos- ticism, skepticism, and infidelity ran riot in Addison County; and the town of Addison did not escape. The Addison County Baptist Association numbered, in
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1836, 1195. In 1865 the membership of the Association became reduced to 345- a decrease in 29 years of 850.
Subsequent to the Civil War there was a trend toward the newer West. Some from Addison went thither in quest of new homes. They helped to estab- lish and support there in the new communities the faith and the worship of the God of their fathers.
A number went forth from Addison to add strength to larger churches in the cities. This rural church, like others, has gathered the tiny streamlets of life from the rugged mountain slopes, and from the grassy nooks in the valleys, and has sent them bounding ambitiously forward to add impetus and force to the larger currents of industrial, intellectual, and religious life in the larger centers, thereby helping to add something to the industrial, the intellectual, and the spirit- ual power of the nation and the world.
On June 15, 1862, the Addison Church contributed $6.50 to the Vermont Baptist State Convention. In more recent years it has usually contributed its full quota for State Convention work.
This church has made three appeals to the Convention for aid-in 1860, 1870, and in 1897. The last appeal brought from the Convention a contribution of $6.50. But that year the church paid into the Convention treasury $11.50; which more than offset the aid received. Six dollars and fifty cents is the sum total of Convention aid received by the Addison Church in its entire history of nearly 122 years. In 1918 the Addison Church contributed to the Convention oven ten times that amount. Hence the Addison Church rightly claims to have been self-sup- porting.
V. The fifth period of the history of the Addison Church-October, 1877 to October, 1897-was a period of evident decline in the church life. Faithful men of God labored loyally, but the soil failed to yield very large returns. Sixty were added to the church during this period, 24 of these during the pastorate of Rev. Guy C. Lamson. With his pastorate the ebbing tide was stayed, and the flowing tide of a larger spiritual life and a wider religious interest set in.
Those serving the church during these years were: Elder Richard Nott, February 6, 1876 to December 31, 1879; Elder Edwin Bullard, June, 1880 to July 1, 1882; there was no settled pastor from July 1, 1882 to July 1, 1883; July 1, 1883 to September 9, 1883, F. I. Roscoe, a student at Hamilton, New York, occupied the pulpit; Elder T. H. Archibald, D.D., September, 1883 to September, 1886; Elder Philo Ogden, March, 1887 to May, 1890; Elder Freeman, June, 1890 toi September, 1891; Elder John Pearson supplied from Vergennes from January, 1892 to January, 1895; Rev. Guy C. Lamson, from 1895 to July 1, 1897.
A few words about these men will be of interest. Rev. Richard Nott was a good pastor, and a good gardener. He is the originator of the now famous "Nott's Excelsior Garden Peas." Rev. Edwin Bullard, a returned foreign mis- sionary, after two years of faithful toil in Addison, with no manifest results in additions to the flock of God, became disheartened, and concluded to return to the foreign field, where he labored loyally for the Master many long years.
Rev. T. H. Archibald, D.D., deserves especial mention. He was a man of note in the State, and in the denomination. He was the father of Rev. S. H. Archibald, for twenty-two years the superintendent of The Vermont Baptist State Convention, the position now occupied by our beloved Dr. Davison.
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Rev. T. H. Archibald, the first president of the Vermont Baptist Historical Society, collected much historical material for a history of Vermont Baptists. He was framer of the Resolution in 1859 urging the American Baptist Publica- tion Society to take a decided stand against slavery. Hence the Publication So- ciety took the desired stand. He was thrice moderator of the Vermont Baptist State Convention-1880, 1883, and 1884. In 1879, and in 1899, he preached the Annual Sermon before the State Convention. He was moderator of the Addi- son County Association in 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1887, and 1890.
At the beginning of Dr. Archibald's pastorate in Addison the resident mem- bership was 46; 14 were added during his three years of pastoral care. He re- ceived a salary of $400, with the stipulation that it be paid quarterly in advance. During his pastorate the church edifice was slated, and the baptistery was in- stalled.
Rev. Philo Ogden was a brother of our faithful Sister, Mrs. Mary Hanks; and uncle of Mrs. R. W. Day. He did good work.
During the pastorate of Rev. John Pearson the first "Church Roll Call" was observed, January 25, 1893. The Roll Call has since been an annual feature.
The work of Rev. Guy C. Lamson is too well known to require lengthy com- ment. Twenty-four united with the church during his pastorate; and much need- ed repairs were made on the church property. He is still much beloved by all.
VI. The sixth and present period of the history of the church began in the first pastorate of Rev. Howard H. White, a graduate of Newton Theological Seminary, October, 1897, and continues to the present date, June 15, 1919.
Rev. H. H. White served from July 1, 1897 to June 1, 1900. Three united with the church during this pastorate.
Rev. Charles Parker served the church from June, 1900 to February, 1901. On March 2, 1901, the total membership of the church was 71.
Rev. A. L. Powell was pastor from May 1, 1901 to May 1, 1903. Nine united with the church in this pastorate.
Rev. Howard H. White's second pastorate began November 20, 1903, and continued to April 1, 1910. During this pastorate 39 were added to the church roll. The church edifice was considerably improved. A steel ceiling was put on in the auditorium; a new organ was purchased; a hot-air furnace was installed; a new chimney was built; cement steps were laid in front of the church. The parsonage was also much improved by a commodious piazza on two sides; by hardwood floors in down-stairs rooms; by a remodeling of some of the rooms. The total cost of repairs made during this pastorate was $1077.20.
During this pastorate a Golden Rule Band was organized, which continued for about twelve years. During this pastorate, too, October 28, 1909, the church was incorporated under the laws of the State of Vermont, and received from all local organizations and individuals the complete ownership, and the entire oversight and upkeep, of all the property connected with the church and parson- age. The Church Covenant, the Articles of Faith, and Rules of Order, were re- vised and were printed in a neatly bound Manual, together with a brief epitome of the history of the church.
The Baptist Society organized on December 21, 1811, which had had an over- sight of church property through the years, disbanded November 22, 1909, having
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previously deeded all property and funds to the Baptist Church, incorporated. The Society existed for nearly a century.
Rev. C. T. Reekie was pastor from April 1, 1910, to June 8, 1913. Three were added during this pastorate. An out-door underground cement cistern, much needed, was constructed at the parsonage; and the wood-shed was re- modeled. A clock was placed in the auditorium of the church. The cost of these improvements was $253.82. Mr. Reekie did a good work, and is well remem- bered.
The pastorate of the writer, Rev. W. S. Boardman, began June 15, 1913, and continued to June 15, 1919, being the third longest in the history of the church. During this pastorate 31 have united with the church, and two others have been accepted for baptism. During this time the church membership exceeded the 100 mark for the first time since 1855, numbering, in 1916, 102. It has since re- ceded, and now (June 15, 1919), numbers 84.
A Junior Christian Endeavor Society of thirty members was organized by the pastor's wife, with the help of others. It has been very successful.
Improvements to the value of $1200 have been made on the church and par- sonage. The interior of the church has been repapered, repainted, revarnished; a new carpet has been placed on the floor, the cushions have been newly covered. The church horse sheds received new roofing. At the parsonage the piazza was newly roofed; the rooms of the parsonage were newly papered, and freshly paint- ed; a chimney was rebuilt; a new cellar drain, 310 feet in length, was installed; the cellar walls, and the walls under the kitchen, were repaired. A new piano was purchased by the Senior Christian Endeavor Society for the church. An organ was given by Mrs. Chamberlin of Brattleboro, through Mr. Henry Bond, for the use of the Junior Christian Endeavor Society. The Juniors papered and murescoed their room.
A World-Wide Guild of ten girls, under the leadership of Miss Helena Palmer, has done excellent work.
The Ladies' Aid Society has been a great help to the church and community since 1886.
The Senior Christian Endeavor Society, since its organization in 1890, has loyally upheld the banner of the cross.
And now by way of conclusion and addenda a few items of interest may be given. This church has licensed three to preach the Gospel-Jesse Smith, Cal- vin Fisher, and Roy Spooner. It has ordained three-Emery D. Crafts, Alanson Covell, and William Storrs; 767 different individuals have been members of this country church during its history. One family has been continuously represented in its membership by six successive generations, covering the entire 122 years of the church life. The church has had 37 different pastors, besides supplies. The church has had ten clerks, all of whom have been exceptionally painstaking and efficient. The church records, in three large volumes, are in a good state of pres- ervation; and are written very accurately and very legibly. Nearly $2500 has been expended in repairs during the last three pastorates. The first reference to purchasing a church bell was August 24, 1844; and the first reference to a stove for the Meetinghouse is found under date of December 21, 1818.
The way to discover progression or retrogression is by looking at the pres- ent in comparison with the past. In 1903 the total budget for church and Sunday
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School was $550.47; in 1917 the total budget was $1142.52. The smallest salary paid by the church was $40; the largest $600.
Today the church property is in the best condition ever. But our motto should be: Excelsior! We need to attain unto the realisation of the higher life, the nobler law, the grander liberty, and the purer love of the sons of God.
This item coming down to us from April 2, 1831, will interest the suffra- gettes : "2nd. Voted that no person be admitted to speak in this meeting but the members of the church. Except the Husband may Speak in behalf of the wife whether he be a member or not; (being subject to good order, the Same as any Member of the church)."
The morals of a hundred years ago were not always of the highest. Intem- perance was found in the church of God. A few references will illustrate this. January 14, 1819-Sister Polly Pond made too free use of spirituous liquors. Brother James Curtis guilty of drinking spirituous liquors to excess. March 20, 1819-Brother Simon Smith confessed to "drinking Liquor to Excess." June 19, 1819-Brother John Norton-"Guilty of Drinking Spirituous Liquors to Ex- cess." October 2, 1819-Brother Lewis Dolphin-made too free use of Spiritu- ous Liquors. January 16, 1847-"Voted to appoint another committee to labor with Brother Solomon Allen for selling liquor in his house and permitting gam- bling in his house." Other misdemeanors were not altogether wanting. February 23, 1820-Brother Otis Pond-guilty of setting Mr. Crane's name to a note with his own.
November 12, 1842-"Brother Allen moved that a committee be appointed to labor with Brother Lansing as there were Reports against his Christian char- acter, the principal accusation was that of dancing."
December 3, 1842-"A vote was taken to try the minds of the church to as- certain if there was sufficient evidence that Brother Eldridge had taken a Hand- kerchief out of a trunk of which he had been accused. Voted unanimously in the Negative."
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March 7, 1840-"1st. Brother J. S. Barber Brought a Complaint against Brother Solomon Allen for Unchristian Conduct in time of Public Service for Reading or perusing a letter or newspaper, etc." "3d. Appointed Elder Davis to draft a Resolution in Regard to Reading papers in time of Public Service."
The old records contain some quaint expressions: January 14, 1843-"Pro- ceeded to open their minds one to another ; found a very good State of feeling and good degree of union." February 16, 1828-"The church took up the time by opening their minds." January 18, 1840-"the Brothers and Sisters opened their minds and the union in Every Respect not so Good as was Desireable." April 20, 1816-"3d. opened their minds." "4th. Closed by prayer." The juxtaposition is suggestive.
The Addison Church at the beginning had not simply "Articles of Faith," but also "Articles of Practice." There were eleven of the former, and ten of the latter. Their faith was of a practical sort.
The church has had fifteen deacons. The present deacons are-Ezra Whit- ford, S. Ezra Smith, and Albert S. Crane.
When the minds are opened, and the books unsealed, may the names inscribed in the history of this church be found recorded also in "the Lamb's book of life."
Addison, Vermont, June 18, 1919.
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