USA > Vermont > History of the Baptists in Vermont > Part 18
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missed to the church in Bernardston, Mass. T. B. Briggs was next pastor, 1865-1868; S. P. Everett ordained, 1870; E. D. Hall, ordained, 1873; J. S. Bennett, 1875-1876; L. Tandy, 1878-1878; Origen Smith was pastor from June, 1879, till his death in Decem- ber, 1884; G. Colesworthy took up the work, 1886-1889; R. G. Alger, 1893-1894; E. H. Buffum, 1895-1898; E. C. Rood, 1899; R. A. Nichols, 1901-1903; E. O. Croft, 1904; I. H. Beeman, 1905- 1907; J. P. Dorst, 1908-1909; Philip Contois, 1910; Frederic Emer- son, 1912.
The Whitingham church had a membership of forty-three in 1912. For many years it has been aided by the State Convention, without which it would, no doubt, have been unable to maintain its work. It has never been a large church, its highest number having been eighty-eight members in 1843. It has been giving valuable workers to other fields, and maintaining the means of grace in a needy field.
WILMINGTON
During the last decade of the eighteenth century some of the residents in Wilmington had united with the Baptist church in Halifax, then under the ministry of Obed Warren. Soon after- Mr. Warren removing from Halifax-these members were granted letters of dismission and united with the Somerset church, as a branch. These members usually worshipped with the Pedo-Bap- tist churches in Wilmington. Occasionally they enjoyed the min- istry of some minister of their own sentiments. In the spring of 1806, an extensive revival prevailed in the town, under the min- istry of Alvin Toby, pastor of the Congregational church. Sep- tember 1, 1806, a council was called and the Baptists in Wilming- ton set off as an independent church, with thirty members. Linus Austin, a subject of the revival mentioned, was licensed to preach June 24, 1807, and preached as stated supply three years. He was also the first church clerk. Preaching was then supported by a tax on the members. Two seasons the church enjoyed the services of Joseph Elliott of Hinsdale, N. H. Rev. Elijah Montague of North Leverett, Mass., Rev. Stephen Choate of Wardsboro, and Rev.
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Josiah Mattison of Shaftsbury, acted as fathers to this young church. Eli Ball, ordained September 25, 1811, was pastor two years. Rev. Linus Austin ministered again to the church in 1814 and 1815.
A powerful work of grace was enjoyed during the au- tumn and winter of 1816 and 1817, and sixty-two were added by baptism. This has ever since been called the great revival. It was dis- tinguished, not only by the number of converts, but by the power by which persons were arrested and brought to Christ. A sister in the church (Mrs. Waste) lost early in the autumn a lovely daughter. The afflicted mother for a while was inconsolable. She finally, after prayer, became reconciled and began to work and pray for others. An awakening was soon manifest. The church was quickened and the whole community awakened. Thirteen were hopefully con- verted in one evening. Rev. Mr. Brooks, an evangelist, labored with the church in this work. Rev. Messrs. Fuller, Robinson, and Bruce, also shared in the work. Rev. Mansfield Bruce, who be- came pastor in 1819, baptized most of the converts.
Rev. O. Smith gave the following account of Mr. Bruce: He was born in Grafton, Mass., April 11, 1781. At the age of twenty- three he was converted and united with the Congregational church in Newton West Parish. He united with the Baptist church in Marl- boro and Newfane in 1806. Soon after he was chosen deacon, which office he filled till 1809, when he was ordained an evangelist. He soon, however, became pastor of the church. September 24, 1805, he was married to Miss Grace Goddard, who survived him till Feb- ruary 11, 1875, which was her ninety-first birthday. He was pastor of the Wilmington church nearly twenty-four years. He died February 5, 1843, in the sixty-second year of his age. He was highly esteemed in the community. He married one hundred and one couples, baptized four hundred and three persons, and traveled between sixty and seventy thousand miles. Following his death Rev. M. D. Smith was pastor till 1849; A. Case, 1849-1850; Mason Ball, 1851-1853; William Tillinghast, 1854-1856; Caleb Smith, 1857-1859.
During the first sixty-nine years of its history this church had nine pastors. At least five of its members have become ministers,
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viz., Linus Austin, for some time pastor in Whitingham, and was also Missionary Agent in New York; Nathan Collins, who labored as an evangelist in the West, and was chaplain in the army during the War of the Rebellion; Cyrus Smith, an evangelist, and also Professor in the Baptist Union Institution, Murfreesboro, Tenn .; Origen Smith, successful in the work of Christ; and Harvey Parme- lee, for a time in the service of the Convention.
The first church edifice was erected in 1817. The present edi- fice was built in 1839, and thoroughly remodelled in 1852.
Rev. A. W. Goodnow was pastor fifteen years, beginning in 1860. The church attained a membership of one hundred and six- teen, the largest in its history. Rev. H. Fowler followed, 1876- 1879; Rev. L. Kinney, 1880-1881; Rev. A. W. Goodnow was again pastor, 1882-1886; D. N. Phelps, 1887-1888; Wm. Spencer, 1890; J. D. Skinner, 1892; A. A. Smith, 1893-1896; E. C. Rood, 1897- 1899; M. R. Foshay, 1900-1902; J. A. Mitchell, 1903; E. C. Stover, 1906-1907; E. M. Bartlett, 1907-1908; Adolph Aubert, 1909.
The membership of the church (1912) was eighty-eight.
READSBORO
A Baptist church was formed in Readsboro as early as 1812. In 1822, by the accession of twenty members, its membership be- came thirty-nine, and at that time it was received into the Leyden Association. James Carpenter was pastor. Until 1845, the name of the church appears in the minutes as still under the pastoral care of James Carpenter, and without indications of progress. From that time it has been regarded as extinct.
In 1878, Mr. H. N. F. Marshall, a business man from Boston, held a series of meetings here which resulted in the conversion of a considerable number. The recent converts holding Baptist senti- ments united with the Baptist church in Stamford, Vt., as a tem- porary arrangement. March 26, 1879, a Baptist church was formed in Readsboro, and E. A. Read was secured as pastor. Meetings were held in out districts. Two years later Mr. Read resigned and S. G. Abbott was immediately secured as pastor, but on account of sickness in his family, was obliged to leave the following July.
A. B. CLARK, Readsboro Member of Convention Board
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The church having no meeting-house of its own, held meetings for a time with the Wesleyan Methodists, paying a stipulated part of the salary and yet maintaining its own organization and fidelity to Baptist principles. In 1883, the Town Hall was obtained as a place of worship. G. Colesworthy was pastor from 1884 to 1889. That year the Town Hall burned, but the church saved most of its furni- ture. Though under adversity they were encouraged by State Missionary McGeorge, and a Committee from the Association, and held Sunday school and preaching services. In 1891, Rev. William Spencer became pastor and steps were taken toward building a meeting-house, friends in Brattleboro and North Adams assisting. The new meeting-house was dedicated free of debt in 1892. The cost was $4,750. Rev. R. S. Alger became pastor in 1893, continuing till 1898. F. T. Kenyon, 1899-1900; G. W. F. Hill, 1901-1903; W. E. Baker, 1905-1907. State Evangelist Hafer assisted pastor Baker in 1907, and eleven were baptized that year. A. J. Bowser was ordained pastor in 1908, seven were received to membership, and the following year twenty were baptized and six received by letter. Thomas Packard was pastor in 1910 and C. E. Gould in 1911. Membership of the church at that time, seventy-one.
The Readsboro church has been assisted by the State Conven- tion since 1892, receiving in that time amounts aggregating $1967.33.
HEARTWELLVILLE
In 1906, Rev. C. S. Daniels and State Evangelist Hafer held special meetings in Heartswell and awakened an interest. Twelve were baptized and with twelve others, united in church fellowship under Mr. Daniels as pastor. The State Convention generously aided the new enterprise. Their meeting place was improved and the outlook was hopeful. The nearest church to this one is five miles away. Mr. Daniels, after a pastorate of five years, resigned. In his report in 1911, Dr. Davison recommended the union of this church with the Readsboro church in the support of a pastor on both fields. Rev. C. E. Gould, of Readsboro, supplied during most of the year, 1912,
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TOWNSHEND
The first Baptist church in Townshend was formed on the 20th day of September, 1810, and existed till near the close of 1840. The meeting-house was built in 1817. The acting pastors of the church and society are as follows: Samuel Kingsbury, from ordina- tion in 1808-1817; Benjamin I. Lane, fall of 1817-1819; Lathrop, January, 1820,-June, 1821; George Robinson, Decem- ber, 1821-December, 1824; Joseph M. Graves, January, 1825- January, 1829; Simeon Chamberlain, March, 1831-March, 1834; Hiram A. Graves, spring and summer of 1835; Nathan Ames, 1836; Charles Farrar, spring of 1837-spring of 1838.
SECOND CHURCH IN TOWNSHEND
On the 15th of June, 1827, twenty-four or more Baptists met for organization in the dwelling house of Edward White. The ensu- ing 4th of July, a council met and the church was organized with thirteen brethren and eighteen sisters. Rev. J. M. Graves, the Baptist preacher at West Townshend, preached one-third of the time for brief periods. In 1834, the Legislature passed an act of incorporation for the Leland Classical and English school. The northern half of the academy building served as a place of worship. The first teacher, Erastus Willard, frequently preached there. R. M. Ely was pastor from 1832 to 1838. Rev. W. D. Upham was next ordained and served four years, until his death. His pas- torate was marked by a continuous revival. Rev. Horace Fletcher then began, in 1844, a pastorate that lasted twenty-eight years, a period of steady healthy growth. The church attained a membership, in 1869, of two hundred and forty. In 1866, forty- seven were added, and in 1869, twenty.
Mr. Fletcher had graduated from Dartmouth college at the age of twenty-one, at the head of his class. Five years he then spent in teaching and in the study of the law, was admitted to the bar, and had spent fifteen years in its practice. Rev. Horace Fletcher grew in intellectual and spiritual strength, as well as in influence and reputation, even into old age. The honorary title of Doctor of
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Divinity was conferred on him by Hamilton Theological Seminary, a title justly earned. After an uninterrupted pastorate of nearly twenty-eight years, he died November, 1871. Rev. R. M. Prentice became pastor May 1, 1872, and Rev. Cyprian Frenyear succeeded him in 1875, and after brief service, died May 10, 1876. Mr. Fren- year served as the State historian of the denomination, devoting much time and energy to the collection and publication of historical and biographical matter. It was his desire to publish a history of Vermont Baptists. His valuable collection of material was pur- chased by the Vermont Baptist Historical Society.
Rev. T. M. Butler was settled in 1876, dismissed October 29, 1882; R. S. Mitchell served from June 30, 1883, till July 9, 1887; D. W. Athern, October 1, 1888, to 1891; C. D. R. Meacham, 1892 to 1898; L. B. Curtis, 1899 to 1900; E. A. Royal, 1902 to 1904; W. W. Gushee, 1907; Joseph MeKean, 1908.
Membership in 1912, sixty-three.
SOUTH WINDHAM
The story of the origin of the South Windham church is fully given in a letter from Rev. Stephen Choate to the editor of the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Magazine, under date of Wards- boro, April 7, 1807. In the course of the previous year there had been some revival in Winhall. It spread in a part of Jamaica and Windham in a glorious manner. Almost every house in the neigh- borhood, where the reformation spread, shared in it. Strong and hostile opposers were won to Christ. The work was principally in Windham, where there was no Baptist church and only a few mem- bers of the Jamaica church. On the 5th of April, Mr. Choate preached to a large assembly. After the sermon ten recent converts related their experience and were fellowshiped. Although the meeting began early it was late when the people repaired to the water, about half a mile distant, in the edge of the woods, a beau- tiful and convenient place both for the baptism and for the spec- tators. Here with great solemnity the ten were buried with Christ in baptism. After the ordinance Brother Baker, a candidate for the ministry who was present, gave a word of exhortation and the peo-
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ple returned to their homes. A meeting was appointed for the even- ing and "at early candle light" the people collected. Mr. Baker preached, and considerable time was spent in conference and prayer, and four persons related their experience, and plans were laid for a baptism in the morning. Sunday morning, September 6th, four were baptized.
On the 10th of October, Mr. Choate and Elder Henry Cham- berlain were at Windham and the examination of candidates was continued, one of whom had been a violent opposer. Eight gave accounts of their experience and by that time it was so near even- ing that there was not time to wait for others who wished to go for- ward. Again the woodland baptistery was visited and four re- ceived the ordinance. In the evening three more candidates were examined, and in the morning seven put on Christ in baptism. On the 12th of January following, 1807, Mr. Choate assisted in the organization of these brethren into a church of forty-three members, most of whom had been converted in that revival season. Under such delightful circumstances the South Windham church had its origin. On the occasion of its centenary Pastor Leonard Aldrich gave a sketch of the history, from which the following items are taken:
The church increased in membership somewhat rapidly and in 1812, five years from its beginning, it numbered eighty-five mem- bers. This number continued to increase until 1842, when one hun- dred and ninety-four names were enrolled. That was the zenith of the church's numerical strength. Then a gradual decline began which has continued to the present. The losses have been due more to death than emigration, as is evident from the fact that during the century the dismissions by letter have been but five more than the accessions by letter, one hundred and eighty-five and one hun- dred and seventy-five of each, respectively. Deaths outnumbered the baptisms. Losses, however, by revision of the roll and dropping members, changes this proportion.
For nineteen years the church met wherever it could find a shelter. Tradition has it that the first meeting-house was erected by Colonel Cobb because of its beneficial influence on business. The vestibule, cupola and bell were added in 1853, the vestry was built in 1895, and the church renovated.
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The church has been served by twenty pastors. The first was Deacon Thomas Baker, a shoemaker by trade, who followed his craft for support while in the ministry, the salary being but one hundred and four dollars, one-fourth in cash, and the rest in grain and labor; Samuel Kingsbury was the next pastor, from 1819-1838, nineteen years. Accessions during this pastorate were not numer- ous. Milo Tracy, the next minister, reaped the fruit of his sow- ing, baptizing eighty-eight. The other ministers and supplies have been: M. D. Miller, W. Fisher, C. L. Baker, Charles Green, W. L. Pieknell, Charles Farrer, C. P. Rugg, E. P. Merrifield; Milo Tracy, second pastorate; Mark Carpenter, Ephraim Hapgood, C. L. Frost, H. V. Baker, B. F. Tuck, C. A. Votey, Charles VanSchaick, A. Hathaway, Charles Buckingham, Charles W. Dealtry, William Thorne, F. H. Conant, Sidney Aldrich, J. W. Vile. Charles Green was pastor ten years; Mark Carpenter seven years.
Fourteen young men have been licensed by this church to preach the gospel. Among these are Charles Fairman, J. Furman, Olan Baker, and a son of Pastor Milo Tracy.
The church has been in vital connection with the Association, and by its delegates and its contributions taken part in the State work and in missionary efforts. Membership in 1912, twenty-nine.
WARDSBORO
Permanent settlements in Wardsboro began in June, 1780, when John Jones, Ithamer Allen, and others came from Milford and Sturbridge, Mass. Others joined them soon and the town was organized March 14, 1786. They were without preaching for sev- eral years. They were accounted famous according as they had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. In 1792, Elder Stone came and preached occasionally and baptized four converts. Then Aaron Leland came over from Chester, and preached and baptized six more, and in October of the same year, 1792, these were organized into a Baptist church, by the advice of a council of five, in which Aaron Leland was the only minister. He was appointed moderator.
The ten thus united were Lemuel Brailey and Keziah Brailey, his wife, Samuel Davis and Rachel Davis, his wife; Nathaniel
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Gould and Abigail Gould, his wife; James Wallace, Timothy Wake- field, Enoch Fisk and Asa Day. Samuel Wheeler was appointed ' Clerk. He was received upon his promise that he would soon pro- cure a letter of recommendation from another church, which he never did, much to the trial of the church, until a council was called which decided that he was not a legal member. Frequent additions were made to the church until 1795, when they built a meeting- house, which, however, was not completed fully till 1805. In 1795, also, they settled Simeon Combs, who served first as an evangelist, then two years as installed minister and again as evangelist, till 1803. Elder Combs became pastor on the condition (1), that the church could support him; (2), that the church would support him; (3), would ordain deacons; (4), would allow his occasional absence to preach in destitute places; (5), give him four weeks to visit his friends.
For several years the Baptists in Jamaica partly supported Elder Combs, who divided his time between the two churches, but as from 1803, he gave his whole time to Jamaica, the Baptists of Sutton aided those in Wardsboro.
In August, 1794, the church voted the preacher a salary of forty-five pounds, but in October added money to move his family, and later they appointed a committee to fix the prices at which all, who were delinquent in paying the money, should pay their sub- scriptions in provisions. At one time they voted their minister a beef, and at another to give him fifty pounds of flax and twenty pounds of wool.
August 4, 1800, Paul Davis, who had been church clerk for several years, was licensed to preach, and this year was marked by a great revival. Illustrative of the care the church exercised in action which might effect the interests of other churches is a letter written by Elder Combs when Paul Davis began to preach.
"Wardsboro, Dec. 16, 1797.
This may certify to all our Baptist churches, and friends of other denominations, that our beloved brother, Paul Davis, is a regular member of the Baptist church in Wardsboro, and is a man of sober life and conversation, and hath exercised his gift in public
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in a doctrinal line to considerable satisfaction, but we have heard him but a few times and are not fully determined what his gift is; but we hope and think, (and not without evidence) that he will, by improvement and experience together with the prayers and en- couragement of the church, make a good minister of the gospel of Christ."
Stephen Choate, who had been clerk for two years, was a young and promising brother and the church voted "that it was their minds that he had a public gift that ought to be improved." In October, 1805, a council from four other churches ordained him. He proved an active, laborious, successful minister, and under his ministry many were added to the church, which attained at that time, a high degree of efficiency. But in the meridian of life and in the midst of his usefulness, he died, in 1811. The church was with- out settled ministry for several years.
From the organization of the church until October, 1814, the church was scattered about in three townships. At that time the members living in Dover were dismissed to form a church there. In 1816 and 1817, large accessions were received through the efforts of Elder Brooks. Sixty were baptized, most of them young people, two of whom became Baptist ministers, L. Glazier, and D. Grant. In 1819, the members living in Stratton were dismissed and or- ganized by themselves, and the Wardsboro church was greatly re- duced but not discouraged. Joseph Gambrell, a licentiate from Rockingham, was ordained pastor, and for ten years was both sower and reaper. He organized the first Sunday school in the society. The year, 1834, was marked by a notable event. Finding the location of the meeting-house unfavorable the people resolved to move it, and this was done. The house was taken down, moved about two miles to West Wardsboro, then known as Hammons Mills, rebuilt, a bell put in the tower, and the sanctuary recon- secrated to God's service. The peace and prosperity of the church was greatly promoted by this enterprise. Joshua Vincent was or- dained and took up the work in the new location, held protracted meetings and gathered thirty-six members, most of them heads of families. P. B. Fisk was the next pastor, continuing till 1846, with the interruption of one year, 1843, which was filled by Nathan
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Ames. His fruitful service was terminated by his death, March 16, 1846. In September, 1853, the church had the pleasure and honor of ordaining Miles J. Knowlton, who afterward became missionary to China, stationed at Ningpo.
J. H. Crowley served as pastor from 1846 till 1853, when grave charges against his christian and ministerial character were pre- ferred, which, being sustained by two councils, he was deposed. H. Archibald, E. P. Merrifield, George Carpenter, and Charles Brooks, served brief pastorates. Mr. Brooks was ordained at a session of the Association in 1861.
The list of pastors since 1865 is as follows: A. B. Eggleston, S. C. Sherman, David W. Palmer, J. Fairman, A. J. Walker, L. E, Pierce, H. M. Hopkinson, L. F. Shepardson, I. H. Parmelee, G. I. Ganun, E. B. Earle, W. N. Stratton, J. D. King, R. A. Nichols, WV. S. Boardman, W. H. Bishop. From 1872 to 1885, the member- ship was maintained above seventy. Since then it has gradually declined. The membership was forty-four in 1912.
DORRILLITES
Illustrative of the counter influences at work in Windham County in the early days is the account of the Dorrillites, given by Zadoc Thompson, in his History of Vermont.
In the year, 1798, a sect of fanatics sprang up in the southern part of Windham County, in this State, which gained quite a num- ber of adherents there and in the two towns of Leyden and Ber- nardston, Mass. The founder was one Dorrill, a refugee from the British army under Burgoine. Dorrill pretended to be possessed of supernatural powers, and confidently asserted that it was not in the power of man to hurt him. He promised his followers that if they had full faith in him they should never die.
They lived upon milk and vegetables, holding that it was a sin to eat that which had cost life. For a similar reason they could wear no clothing procured at the expense of life, putting off their leather shoes and wearing those made of wood or cloth, and their black- smith procured a pair of cloth bellows in the place of his former leathern ones.
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They discarded all revelation except Dorrill's, and governed their conduct by the light of nature. They held weekly meetings, but the worship consisted in eating and drinking, singing, fiddling and dancing, and hearing lectures from Dorrill.
They held most of their property in common, the blacksmith being treasurer.
In a short time the society became quite large, embracing quite a number of very respectable families. People from the neighboring towns went to see the marvelous doings of this new sect. Finally, Captain Ezekiel Foster, a man of good sense, giant frame and com- manding appearance, attended these meetings. All went on as usual until Dorrill came to speak of his miraculous powers, but the moment he uttered the words, "no arm can hurt my flesh, " Captain Foster, indignant at such blasphemy, with a single blow knocked him nearly senseless,and when Dorrill attempted to rise, he knocked him down a second time, and while he begged for mercy, Foster pounded him until he renounced his doctrines and acknowledged that his sole object in the attempt he had made was to see what fools men were, and to make everybody see that there was nothing so absurd that people would not believe it, provided it was proclaimed with unhesitating boldness.
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