USA > Vermont > History of the Baptists in Vermont > Part 7
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Those who planned the organization hoped to have united all the churches from the Green Mountains on the east, to the Hudson River on the west, and from Arlington and Salem on the south, to Wallingford and Whitehall on the north, but the formation of the Washington Association in 1827 prevented the accomplishment of this purpose. The Association was dissolved in 1829 or 1830. Some of the churches have become extinct: Arlington, Dorset, Winhall, Hebron and Rupert. The others umited with the Associa- tions contiguous to them.
CHAPTER VII
OTHER CHURCHES OF THE SHAFTSBURY AND VERMONT ASSOCIATIONS
MANCHESTER
In 1781, a church was organized in Manchester by Elder Nathan Mason, and other brethren present, from the church in Lanesboro, Mass. Many of the early settlers of this town were from the Baptist colony that had come up a few years before from Rhode Island and south-eastern Massachusetts. At the same time Elder Joseph Cornell was elected pastor of the church, a position which he held for fourteen years. He came to Manchester by invita- tion the year preceding, immediately after his ordination in Lan- singburgh. He was born in Swansea in 1747. He entered into his ministry with a heart full of missionary ardor, and success attended his labors. His barn served for a time as meeting-house. The habits and manners of Elder Cornell were peculiarly adapted to his times. His ardent evangelistic and missionary spirit made Manchester for him the center from which his influence went out in every direction.
The Manchester church united with the Shaftsbury Associa- tion in 1784, but never met again with that body, it is presumed, for forty-five years or more; because in 1785 the Vermont Association was formed in Elder Cornell's barn to which this church became connected and remained some ten years, when discouraged and failing to report to the Association it was dropped from the roll, and never reunited with any other body till 1818, when the Man- chester Association was organized, embracing a few adjacent churches that held together in an associated body till about 1830. Many of those who resided in town when Elder Cornell settled in it were transient settlers, gathered there as a post of safety during the troublous scenes of the war of the Revolution, who at its close re-
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moved elsewhere, so that the church suffered diminution of num- bers and strength. Its reduced condition was the reason assigned by Elder Cornell in asking for his release from the pastorate.
Calvin Chamberlain, who came from Brandon and took charge of this church in April, 1801, was the second pastor. During his ministry of twenty-two years there was a succession of gracious revivals. Elder John R. Dodge was associated with Chamberlain as assistant pastor two years. Chamberlain did not wholly resign charge of the church till his death. In his last days he was permitted to see the salvation of God among his beloved people. In the fall of 1824, from September to December, a revival was enjoyed which brought some twenty-five into the church who were baptized by Elder Dodge. With such influences around him Elder Chamberlain passed away. He died November, 1824. Mr. Dodge was succeeded in the spring of 1825 by Elder P. W. Reynolds who, after a four years' successful pastorate, resigned, he having embraced the views of Alexander Campbell. The church labored for months to reclaim him, called a council for advice, but to no purpose. Finally in De- cember, 1829, they withdrew their fellowship from him. He, with ten or fifteen others from the church, set up a counter interest which existed many years. Moses Field was chosen fifth pastor, and before the first year of his ministry had closed thirty were added to the church. Two years later a brick meeting-house was erected at Factory Point, a most promising part of the village. Silas Kennedy was the sixth pastor, remaining two and a half years. Dexter P. Smith was the seventh, 1838-1839. Assisted by Elder William Grant, in a series of meetings in the busy month of July, he was permitted to gather some fifty souls into the church. For a week or two baptisms occurred almost daily, and in that one month about forty were buried with Christ. At the close of this pastorate the membership was one hundred and twenty-six. D. W. Burroughs, Harvey I. Parker, G. S. Stockwell, Winthrop Morse and Stephen Wright, served short pastorates. From the death of Elder Chamberlain the length of the succeeding pastorates averaged about three years.
T. H. Archibald was pastor two years, 1854-1856, George Carpenter one, 1857. Then A. M. Swan led the church on a pros-
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perous course, serving five years, 1858-1863. At this time the church reached its highest mark in the number of members and apparent prosperity. In 1860 it reported to the Association as fol- lows: "We have received accessions every communion but one for thirty-two months, during which time one hundred and forty- seven have united." The total membership became two hundred and twenty-six in 1863. From that time the changes in pastors have been frequent and the membership declining. The list of pas- tors is as follows: O. C. Kirkham, E. B. Hurlbert, C. J. Butler, W. S. Blaisdell, D. F. Estes, T. H. Archibald, J. A. Swart, E. E. Brown, Herbert Probert, O. F. Waltze, J. A. Swart, J. N. Latter- mer, D. R. Watson, J. S. Brown, H. S. McCready, E. M. Fuller, F. S. Clark. Membership, seventy-nine in 1912.
IRA
Several families were settled within the present limits of the town of Ira before the Revolutionary war, whose religious sympa- thies were with the Baptists. The town was organized in 1779, but there was no church organization until 1783. The organization was effected through the labors of Rev. Thomas Skeels, who had preached occasionally for eight years, and with a few believers as the constituent membership, he accepted the pastorate of the in- fant church. The pastorate of Mr. Skeels was very brief. He left in the spring of 1785, leaving a membership of some fifty-three, showing that his labors were abundantly blessed for so large a num- ber in proportion to the population to be added to the church. The church was supplied occasionally by Rev. Henry Green of Walling- ford. Rev. Amasa Brown was settled as pastor on February 13, 1786, and dismissed at his own request, May 29, 1788. Deacon Reuben Baker was then licensed to preach, and continued to min- ister to the church several years, but was not ordained. Rev. Thomas Skeels was then recalled November 15, 1791, and was set- tled on a salary of seventy-five pounds. In one year, however, he was ealled to his reward. He died in the triumphs of faith and his body rests in the village graveyard, surrounded by those among whom he labored.
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For several years after the death of Elder Skeels the church was without stated preaching, save by occasional supplies, until December 31, 1801, when Rev. Joseph Carpenter was ordained pastor, and he divided his labor between his farm work and preach- ing on the Sabbath and from house to house until 1812, during which time a gracious revival commenced and continued, reaching with its blessed influence into adjoining towns, until two hundred and twenty-five souls were added to the church. On the 18th of June, 1812, a branch was set off and formed a church at West Clarendon. In 1813, Rev. Leland Howard became a member of the church and served them till November 15th, when, at his own re- quest, he was dismissed. The same autumn Rev. William McCuller became pastor, who is reported as being thoroughly doctrinal in his sermons, and whose labors appear to have been very acceptable. A revival of most interesting character occurred during his min- istry, which signally changed the character of the inhabitants of the town; about forty persons, all of them heads of families, hus- bands and wives, were received into the church by baptism, by which it was greatly strenghened. In the autumn of 1819, McCuller re- signed, and the church was dependent upon supplies until July 10, 1822, when Rev. Lyman Glazier was ordained as pastor. He is re- ported as being a man of excellent spirit. He continued his work till his death in 1825. In the fall of 1825 John Peck became pastor and continued two years. Artemas Arnold followed with a two years' pastorate. February 15, 1832, Joseph Packer was ordained an evangelist and preached as a supply for about four years. In the month of March previous to Mr. Packer's coming to them, the church collected together for prayer and supplication to God for an outpouring of His Spirit, and a great awakening followed as a result, and Brother Packer found them enjoying a most powerful revival which continued under his ministry until he was permitted to baptize more than one hundred persons, mostly in middle life and heads of families. The departure of Brother Packer occurred in 1836, and the church was again dependent upon supplies from abroad, Rev. John Peck supplying most of the time. Rev. John Cannon was engaged for one year, and then John Peck again oc- cupied the pulpit till May 1, 1838, when Rev. Elias Hurlbut was
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settled, and during his ministry another gracious refreshing is re- corded, as the result about thirty persons were added to the church. Rev. Jacob P. Huntington, Frederick Page, and Levi Smith served brief pastorates between 1842 and 1844. Rev. Norman Clark was called and entered upon a fruitful pastorate of seven years. Warren Mason was pastor from April 1, 1863, till March, 1865. He was ordained November 18, 1863.
In April following, Rev. C. P. Frenyear was invited to supply until November, at the expiration of which time he accepted a call to the pastorate. In January, 1866, it was voted to observe "The World's Prayer meeting," which occurred during the coldest period that had been known for many years. In consequence of this but few assembled for prayer, but the blessed promise was fulfilled in their experience. The prayers of the few were heard, the divine presence was experienced, and the influence of the meetings per- meated the whole church like leaven in the meal till all were filled with the spirit of prayer and earnest zeal. For five weeks the meet- ings were sustained, the pastor having secured the assistance of Elder Coon. Baptisms were frequent, and the spirit of giving was quickened, as their annual reports showed. Mr. Frenyear closed his work here on the first of November, 1867. Edward Ashton, L. Kin- ney and O. C. Sargent, followed with brief terms of service. Rev. C. Blaisdell served from April, 1875, till May, 1878. Rev. W. R. Warner was then installed. The minutes speak of the 26th of May, (only a few days after the installation of Brother Warner) as a day long to be remembered by the church. On this day twenty persons, mostly young people, were united to Christ by baptism. "While the lightnings flashed over their heads, and the loud peals of thunder rent the air, and the rain fell in copious showers, they went down into the water with their hearts full of the love of Christ." "Perfect love casteth out fear." Early in the autumn following, by invitation of the pastor, the Rev. Dwight Spencer, then of Fair Haven, came and commenced a series of meetings, which interested several outside of the church, and also awakened much serious anxiety and prayerfulness in the minds and hearts of christians.
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His searching and powerful sermons were succeeded by the exhaustive and eloquent appeals of the Rev. M. Burnham, the evangelist. Very material aid was rendered by the Rev. J. K. Rich- ardson of Rutland. Baptisms are reported as follows: December 1, ten; December 8, twelve; December 15, seven; December 22, eight, making thirty-six that month. On the first of June, fol- lowing, five more received the rite under peculiarly happy circum- stances. A long drouth had prevailed for several weeks and vegeta- tion was suffering. Everything was parched and dry. After the baptismal service, while the pastor was giving the hand of fellow- ship previous to administering the Lord's Supper, a heavy rain was filling up the streams and refreshing the earth, symbolizing their own experience.
Mr. Warner's pastorate ended October 27th, 1880. During the following nine months, in the interim between pastors, the church sustained services every Sunday, one of the deacons reading a ser- mon; three prayer meetings were held every week and well sus- tained. Rev. John B. Lewis took up the work April 24th, 1881. The membership of the church at this time was one hundred and twenty-one. It will be observed that no dissensions or church troubles have been reported in this sketch of the church's history. As a matter of fact the records are almost entirely free from these painful experiences. Doubtless, differences have arisen and de- linquencies among the membership have occurred, and the hand of fellowship has had to be withdrawn from some, but the spirit of love seems to have characterized even these sad chapters of the church's history.
The list of pastors from 1888 to 1912 is as follows: W. M. Hitchcock, 1888-1891; William Wyeth, 1893-1894; George H. Watt, 1895; C. A. Johnson, 1897-1898; B. A. Schurke, 1899-1900; Thomas Davison, 1901-1903; T. Ellis Jones, 1904-1906; Leonard Aldrich, 1907-1908; G. A. Littlefield, 1909; Thomas Adams, 1910.
MIDDLETOWN
The Baptist church in Middletown was formed in 1784. From about 1790 to 1802 it was a large church and embraced in its com-
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munion members residing in the town of Wells, Poultney, Tin- mouth and Ira. In 1802, residents in Poultney, thirty-four or thirty- five in number, withdrew and formed a church in that town. In the first meeting of which we have any record, Caleb Smith was elected moderator and Thomas McClure, clerk. Caleb Smith ap- pears to have been the leading man from that time until his death, November 10, 1803. He usually acted as moderator in the absence of the pastor and was the first deacon. He was not a noisy man, but undoubtedly an efficient worker, laying the foundations of the institutions in the settlement. Among the first members of this church were Caleb Smith, Thomas McClure, John Sunderland, Gamaliel Waldo, Hezekiah Mallary, Daniel Ford, Asher Blunt, David Wood, Ephraim Foster, Josiah Johnson, Nathan Walton and Jonathan Haynes. Jonathan Haynes was early elected deacon but did not accept the office for the reason probably of his physical infirmities, occasioned by a terrible wound he received in Ben- nington, 1777. He was a useful man in the church while he lived, held many important positions and was regarded as a sincere, ar- dent and devoted christian. Daniel Ford, a good christian man, the father of Nathan Ford, and grandfather of Joel Ford, was elected deacon to supply the place to which Mr. Haynes was elected. Gamaliel Waldo, one of those decided, stern, resolute men, who was not to be moved by any outside influence, was another efficient mem- ber. And this was to a great extent the character of nearly all the early members of both this and the Congregational church. Both churches were formed at a time and under circumstances that we should hardly suppose would have admitted of prosperity, but they at once sprang into life and activity, and perhaps were as successful in the first year of their existence as they have ever been since in the same period of time. The Baptist church was without a pastor till 1790, during which time Rev. Hezekiah Eastman seems to have administered at communion seasons and performed the rite of bap- tism.
Rev. Sylvanus Haynes, of Provincetown, Mass., was ordained pastor August 30, 1790, and remained in office twenty-seven years. The Baptist Society bought a piece of land for him of Captain Joseph Spaulding, and Mr. Haynes commenced living on it in a log
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house. Besides attending to his ministerial duties he did a good deal of work on his land. The church prospered under the ministry of Mr. Haynes. He was a faithful minister, author of several religious works, which at the time gave him a good reputation as a writer in his denomination. He preached the election sermon before the Legislature of Vermont, in October, 1809, which sermon was printed by vote of the Legislature. To Mr. Haynes belongs the honor not only of being the first settled minister of the Baptist church here, but the first minister settled in Middletown. He preached in log meeting-houses and private houses until what has been known as the Congregational house was completed in 1790, when he preached in that until the Baptist house was built in 1806.
Rev. Seth Ewens supplied the church about two years. Rev. Isaac Bucklin was pastor, 1821-1828. Rev. Mr. Fuller, Rev. Linus J. Reynolds, and Rev. G. B. Day each preached here between 1828 and 1832. Rev. Mr. Day was ordained here. He was a very zealous man and was here during the revival of 1831. In one day, Septem- ber, 1831, there were thirty-six persons baptized and received into the church. Rev. Mr. Soullard was pastor three years and went to Pawlet sometime in 1837. Rev. E. B. Bullard was pastor from 1839 to 1841. He was a well educated and a very devoted man. After leaving here he went to Burma and died there. Robert Meyers fol- lowed with a four years' pastorate: Rev. R. O. Dwyer came in 1846 and remained about three years. He removed to a place near Saratoga, N. Y., became a chaplain in one of the New York regi- ments, and died in the service of his country. His only son was a soldier in the same regiment and was killed in battle about the time of his father's death.
J. M. Smith was pastor, 1848-1850. J. J. Peck followed two or three years. Rev. Berriah Leach, a native of the town, officiated five years, followed by Cyprian Frenyear and Thomas Tobin.
In recent years there have been a succession of very brief pas- torates with few accessions. Intervals between pastorates have been seasons of depression. With the coming of each new pastor hopes have revived. A few years have been marked by special tokens of grace, as in 1890, when twenty-eight were received by bap- tism and five by letter, the fruitage of special meetings under the
C. A. THOMAS, D. D. Pastor of Baptist Church in Brandon 1836-1875 Born, 1800-Died, 1889
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lead of State Missionary, A. McGeorge. In 1898, ten new members were added. Sunday schools and cottage prayer meetings have been sustained.
Total membership in 1911, fifty. Resident membership, thirty-six.
BRANDON
The Baptist church in Brandon was constituted in 1785, the year following that on which the town received the name which it bears. The town was chartered by the name of Neshobe, October 20, 1762; its name was changed to Brandon October 20, 1784. The original members, so far as can be ascertained, were twelve in number, as follows: Nathaniel Sheldon, Noah Strong, Elizabeth Strong, Solomon Tuttle, John Mott, Mary Mott, Nathaniel Welch, Peter Whalen, Elizabeth Whalen, Thomas Tuttle, Deborah Tuttle, Thomas Tuttle, Jr. For several years the church was without a settled pastor or a house of worship. The dwellings of Nathaniel Sheldon and Solomon Soper were often the church's sanctuary. Accessions were made from time to time. The church, while desti- tute of a pastor, was supplied occasionally by neighboring pastors as Elnathan Phelps, Henry Greene, Isaac Beals, Elisha Rich, Eph- raim Sawyer, Nathan Dana, Hezekiah Eastman, and Isaac Fuller.
In 1789, Mr. Isaac Webb, who had been employed as a licen- tiate preacher, was called to ordination. The terms of his settle- ment were "one hundred pounds settlement in lands, and thirty-five pounds for the first year, and to rise five pounds a year till it amounts to sixty pounds, which is to be his stated yearly salary." Mr. Webb was ordained September 25th, 1789. Caleb Blood preached the ordination sermon, Isaac Beals gave charge, and Henry Greene the hand of fellowship.
Mr. Webb was the first settled pastor in town. The Congrega- tional church, however, was the earlier in date of organization, and on that account the ministerial lands were equally divided be- tween the two denominations most amicably.
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During the first fifty years of its history the church had eleven pastors. During the next fifty years it had three pastors.
A log meeting-house was built in 1790, which was occupied ten years, when a new edifice was erected which served till 1835, when the present church edifice was dedicated.
Isaac Webb, the first pastor, was succeeded by Calvin Cham- berlain, who was ordained here, and had a prosperous pastorate of five years. In 1795, Jonathan Merriam came from Ashburnham, Mass., and was followed by his brother-in-law, John Conant. These two men became eminently influential and helpful in the church. Mr. Merriam was appointed deacon in 1806, and died in 1826, aged sixty-two years. John Conant was chosen deacon in 1826, and died in 1856, aged eighty-three. He was a man of great decision and energy of character; nothing was too difficult for him. The present meeting-house was built under his supervision and labor. Few works of improvement in the village of Brandon were undertaken during his active life but received his approbation and aid.
This church has been specially observant of its members who were inclined to the gospel ministry and gave promise of usefulness in the work. Of this class were: Thomas Tuttle, Jr., Isaac Merriam, Jonathan Merriam, Jr., Reuben Sawyer, David Hendee, Cyrus Hodges, Conant Sawyer, Warham Walker, Isaac Sawyer, Nathan Brown, A. H. Stowell, B. F. Burr, Leland Huntley, C. B. Smith, Mylon Merriam, George W. Stockwell, Alvah Hovey, Cyrus Thomas and Edward J. McKenna.
Accessions to membership have been made for the most part little by little, but there have been seasons of general revival. In 1836, fifty-seven persons were received by baptism and letter; in 1839, forty-four; in 1842, sixteen; in 1850, fourteen; in 1854, six- teen; in 1857, eighteen; in 1865, eighteen; in 1866, eighteen; in 1869, twenty-one; in 1875, twenty-four; and in 1878, thirty-nine, following the meetings of evangelist Earle, and in 1884, under the pastorate of D. E. Post, and following the meetings of Evangelist Bennett, thirty were added.
The most notable pastorate in the history of this church was that of Cornelius A. Thomas, continuing forty years. The other
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pastors and their terms of service have been as follows: Calvin Chamberlain, five years; Ithiel Peck, two; Moses Ware, two; Joshua Young, three; Abiel Fisher, two; Elisha Starkwether, two; Isaac Sawyer, six; Joseph W. Sawyer, three; William Hutchinson, two; George B. Ide, two. Eleven pastors during the first fifty years of the church's history. The successors of Mr. Thomas have been, David R. Watson, five years; B. E. Post, five; E. A. Herring, ten; J. J. Townshend, five; E. M. Bartlett, six; George Pomfrey, one; C. A. Nutting, one; C. W. Turner.
BENSON
This church was constituted in 1797. Elder Abel Woods was principally instrumental in its organization. During the first year it increased from fourteen to thirty-nine members. In 1805, it re- ported fifty-nine communicants. After this no mention of this church is found in the minutes for several years. Nothing of special interest is recorded until 1823, when Elder John Carter and a large part of the members were deprived of their standing, in conse- quence of a change of sentiment. This was a great stroke to the church. Yet it struggled along till 1834 and then discontinued its meetings. In 1840, under the labors of Elder Henry Allen, it re- vived again, several additions were made by baptism and it again was in fellowship with the Association. In 1843, it reported sixty- five communicants. It then ceased to make returns.
DORSET
A small church was organized here in 1796, by Elder Corpse. John Howard became pastor for three years. When he left the church numbered fifteen. It continued happy and united and oc- casionally enjoying supplies for a number of years. In 1804, it built a meeting-house. The church was rather low from this time till 1814, when it enjoyed for two years the labors of Horace Griswold, received some additions, and was encouraged to hope and pray for greater blessings. The blessings came. A considerable quickening and increase was experienced under the labors of Rev. C. M. Fuller.
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The church increased to sixty. After this it began to decline and though it enjoyed at different times supplies for longer or shorter periods, it continued to go down and became extinct.
A second church was organized in the center of the town about the year, 1808, comprising about twenty members. For a time it bid fair to become a useful church, but it soon dwindled and became extinct.
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