USA > Vermont > History of the Baptists in Vermont > Part 9
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Henry F. Baldwin 1828-1830.
Thomas Teasdale 1830-1832.
Jeremiah Hall 1832-1835.
Samuel B. Willis. 1835-1836.
Stephen Hutchins 1837-1841.
W. W. Moore 1842-1843.
Cyrus W. Hodges 1844-1849.
Edward Conover 1849-1852.
A. Judson Chaplian 1853-1856.
Warren Lincoln 1857-1861.
E. B. Palmer
1861 .1862.
W. S. Apsey
1862-1869.
S. K. Dexter
1868-1870.
R. M. Luther
1871-1880.
George C. Baldwin, Jr
1881-1885.
Z. Martin. 1885-1893.
A. McGeorge
1894-1895.
George B. Lawson
1895-1901.
Frank R. Morris
1901-1910.
F. W. Meyer 1910
In 1832, the temperance sentiment in the place was at a very low ebb. There was a large distillery in town, apples were abun- dant; the juice was drunk like water; cider brandy was made and indulged in by church members, for the custom was not held in
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
disrepute. Finally, there came a turn in the tide of public opinion. A stanch committee was formed in this church and a great tem- perance revival was the result.
During the pastorate of Mr. Lincoln the church passed reso- lutions disapproving and discountenancing the amusement of dancing, and with christian love and affection earnestly recom- mending to its members to refrain from it. The reasons assigned were "that we regard the amusement of dancing as inconsistent with the christian profession; believing that it has a tendency to dissipate serious thoughts and unfit us to engage in the worship and service of God; that it tends to neutralize and destroy our influ- ence as Christians; that the spirit which accompanies the practice is a pleasure-loving and worldly spirit, and that it tends to hinder our growth in grace and thus endangers our spiritual interests." In connection with these resolutions the church passed the follow- ing: "Resolved, that our pulpit is free to the pastor for the dis- cussion of all moral and religious subjects and that it is his right and privilege to present his views on such subjects without re- buke or hindrance from any member of the church."
Several revivals have been enjoyed, one of the most notable that of 1839, under the lead of Elder Knapp, the evangelist, when eighty were received by baptism and eighteen by letter and restora- tion. In 1842, and 1843 sixty-seven were added by baptism and twelve otherwise. During the years, 1857 and 1858, ninety-four were received to membership, seventy-seven of them by baptism. During the year of McGeorge's pastorate seventy-seven were re- ceived by baptism and twelve by letter.
Z. Clark Martin's pastorate was one of the longest. The par- sonage was built at this time.
The first meeting-house was erected in 1830 and was destroyed by fire in 1845. A new house of worship was erected two years later. Again in 1878, a new church edifice was built, which became too strait twenty-five years later and was enlarged and beautified, according to plans of Architect Bull, at a cost of $6,500.00. The addition provided for the Sunday school accommodations suited to the needs of the school.
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
The efforts of this church to secure a bell with an inviting voice furnishes a unique chapter in the history of Vermont Baptist churches. The first bell was hung in the fall of 1830. It was a dis- mal sounding bell, said to have been the poorest bell ever shipped into the State of Vermont. The sound of it provoked the criticism of all who heard it. It was taken down and carried back to the foundry in Troy, and, in 1832, July 4th, the new bell was hung to ring on that occasion. This proved to be a fine bell, the only one in the town. On the third Sunday of the revival meetings, under Elder Knapp, to the surprise of all, the bell did not ring. The tongue had been stolen during the night. Three men, who had been hanging around the building during the evening services, were supposed to be the thieves. The Methodist minister denounced the robbers. Mr. Knapp simply noticed it with the remark, "The way of the transgressor is hard." And he afterward said that these men would be severely punished. The bell tongue was returned in two or three days. These three men lost their lives in less than a year. These fatalities naturally recalled to the people the evangelist's predic- tion. In 1845, the meeting-house burned. The heat was intense and in some unexplained way the bell began to toll, sending out its solemn notes until it fell. It seemed to be sounding its own funeral knell. The melted metal was taken from the ruins and sent to Troy to be recast. In the meantime the church in Hinsdillville be- came very much involved. Their bell was a fine one and the foun- dry at Troy had a claim on it. So they exchanged the debris for the Hinsdillville bell, paying five hundred dollars additional. After all it did not sound well when hung. The tongue was too light, so they increased the weight of it and cracked the bell. This was a dilemma. They sent it to Troy, but it still lacked the silver to make the sound clear. So gifts of money'in silver and copper were made with the express request that they should be put in the bell and this is what gives it its clear sound. This bell has been blown down twice in severe storms of wind. The last time it was cracked a little and this detracts some-what from its sweetness, but not seriously. The church has long enjoyed the bell with an inviting voice.
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
PITTSFORD
The Baptist church in Pittsford was organized in 1784, com- posed of the following members: Elisha Rich, Caleb Hendee, Abel Stevens, Moses Olmstead, Mary Stevens and Esther Rowley. Elder Elisha Rich was chosen pastor and installed March 17, 1785, and continued in office until 1803. Temporary supplies served till 1808, when Elder William Harrington was secured at a salary of one hundred dollars for his services the ensuing year. His pastorate continued until 1817. After the removal of Mr. Harrington the church organization was kept up for a short time and then dis- banded.
In 1841, the church was reorganized with fourteen members. Samuel Hendee was chosen deacon and Nahum Mills, clerk. Rev. Charles Berry commenced his ministry here November 7th, 1841, and continued it one year. Rev. Levi Smith became pastor in February, 1843, and remained four years. Rev. Washington Kingsbury served two years, 1847-1849; Rev. H. B. Wright, De- cember, 1849, one year; V. Church, 1851-1852; C. R. Nichols, one year; W. Kingsbury, 1854-1856; H. I. Wood, 1856-1859; J. C. Car- penter, 1856.
In 1787, a meeting-house was built of logs and was occupied till 1795, when, by a combined effort of the different denomina- tions, another house of worship was built and the Congregational- ists and Baptists, the only churches in town, occupied it alternately. Elder Rich preached one part of the day and Elder Harward the other part. In 1802, the Baptists withdrew and built a meeting place of their own, which they continued to occupy till some time after the close of Elder Harrington's ministry, when they dis- banded and the house was neglected.
At the time of the reorganization in 1841. the meeting-house was remodelled and greatly improved.
In later years the pastors have been several and the terms short. Stephen Wright, B. A. Palatier, J. R. Taylor, G. J. Ganun, D. E. Post, L. B. Steele, Thoman Broxholm, J. W. Barker.
For several years Sunday school and services were held in Whipple Hollow and pastors of West Rutland rendered assistance.
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
In 1908, State Colporteur, G. H. Watt, held special meetings. Church and Sunday school reorganized, greatly to the encourage- ment of the church. Twenty-three were baptized. The following year a schoolhouse was purchased and fitted up for a chapel and nine were received by baptism. Deacon Thomas was specially in- fluential in carrying this enterprise through without incurring a debt. Under the efforts of Deacon Bixby, of Poultney, money and pledges were secured for seven nice horse sheds. Deacon Foster of the West Rutland church did much to encourage. In 1912, the church had a total membership of fifty-four, L. A. Cooney, pastor.
NORTH BENNINGTON
July 23, 1844, a church of thirty-eight members was formed at North Bennington, about three-quarters of a mile from the old Shaftsbury meeting-house. The First Church in Shaftsbury had recently dissolved and the new church was composed largely of its members, resident in North Bennington. Justin A. Smith, at the time principal of Union Academy, and afterward well-known as editor of The Standard, Chicago, was chosen first pastor. His ordination took place in October, in the old Shaftsbury meeting- house, where the Shaftsbury Association was then holding its sixty-fifth anniversary.
The next important step was the resolution to build a meeting- house, an eligible site having been given by Deacon Nathan Hall. This house twenty years afterward was moved about one hundred and twenty paces farther north, enlarged and greatly improved. Hon. T. W. Park gave the new lot for this purpose, paid the ex- pense of moving, and contributed liberally to the expense of im- proving the edifice. Deacon S. B. Sherwood, Deacon Elon Clark, Robinson & Parsons, Thatcher and Welling and others contributed liberally.
Mr. Smith's pastorate was completed on August 15, 1849, much to the regret of his people. He was followed by J. D. E. Jones, William Hancock, Jay Huntington, Jireh Tucker, Horace Burchard, Harvey R. Travers, and Foster Henry, all men of talent
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
and culture, graduates of colleges and theological institutions. In 1878, when an historical sketch was presented at the Association, the church had a membership of ninety-eight.
A. W. Cady was the next pastor, 1881. Twenty-six were added that year. George Shepherd served in 1885. A. S. Gilbert had a five year pastorate, 1887-1892, and R. M. Tozer, one of thirteen years, 1892-1905. Under these long and able pastorates the church prospered and attained a membership of about one hundred and fifty.
The church continued to prosper under the pastorates of A. S. Davis, L. A. Cooney, and W. I. Coburn, and numbered one hundred and forty-nine members in 1912.
HYDEVILLE
A church was constituted in this place in May, 1850, consist- ing of twenty-one members, and was received the same year into the Vermont Association. The new church, by the kindness of Messrs. Hyde, Fuller and Hyde, were permitted to occupy a con- venient and agreeable place of worship till the following year, when a meeting-house was erected. The State Convention gave the church its aid, continuing the same for ten years, during which time it had appropriated for this purpose about one thousand dol- lars. Nine were baptized the second year and two removed by death, one of these, the first person baptized into the church. In 1854, C. H. Green was ordained and entered upon a pastorate of seven years. A convenient parsonage was secured, good Father Churchill paying about one-fourth the cost. Large congregations attended the preaching services of Pastor Green, and the church prospered and increased in numbers till in 1860 it numbered ninety members. J. H. Gile, J. Goadby, J. K. Clark, served short terms. In 1865, a Sunday school was sustained in Fairhaven by the mem- bers of this church, and two years later, 1867, the interest had so increased there that twenty-four members were dismissed from the Hydeville church to constitute a church in Fairhaven, greatly weakening the parent church. For a time it was supplied from Fair- haven. Though weakened, it maintained unity and a degree of hope.
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
In 1872, it had this record, that from the beginning they had never been divided and no action had ever been taken that was not un- animous. At length, by 1876, preaching was discontinued, and no meetings were held for a time, and in 1878, in its letter to the As- sociation, it expressed the expectation that soon it would become extinct. But Rev. C. A. Thomas, of Brandon, befriended them with a sermon the first Sunday in each month for a year, 1879, and A. W. Jefferson followed the same course the next year. A Sunday school was organized. Then preaching was secured, Rev. M. Mills and Rev. C. A. Ferguson supplying the pulpit. In 1882, they are re- ported as wrestling with God for the outpouring of his Spirit. A pastor was given them the next year in the person of Rev. E. D. Phillips, and in 1884, the answer to their prayers came and thirty- one were added to their membership. W. H. Walker became pastor in 1886. In 1889, calamity came. Their house of worship was de- stroyed by fire. They continued worship in the parsonage, L. B. Steels and O. Richardson supplying. The following year a new meeting-house was erected and dedicated free of debt. J. B. Web- ster was chosen pastor and served till 1892. The church roll was revised, reducing it to thirty-six. In 1895, G. H. Wrigley was se- cured as pastor. The next year the church was thoroughly re- organized; four were received by letter and twenty-five by restora- tion or experience. The courage of the church was renewed. A. J. Swart led them from 1898 to 1901; F. J. Franklin, 1902-1904; O. E. Cox, 1904-1906; G. W. Compton, 1906-1907; Leonard Ald- rich, 1909. Thus the little church survived its trials and at last reports had a membership of sixty-seven.
PAWLET
The first Baptist church in Pawlet was organized on the first Monday in May, 1790, on the premises of Allen Whedon. It was organized under the auspices of Elder Brown of the church in Westfield, N. Y. Its first members were: James Bennett, Thomas Hall, Solomon Brown, Joseph Haskall, John Crouch, Samuel Sisco, Caleb Agard, Nathaniel Harmon, Samuel Abbott, Alexander Trumbull, Edmund Whedon, Lydia Wilcox, Mary Bennett, Han-
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
nah Hanks, Miriam Hopkins, Sibel Sheldon, Lydia Agard, and Elizabeth Crouch. For the first ten years it was destitute of a meeting-house. Its preachers were: Elders Brown, Skeels, Green, Wait, Cornell, Dodge, Blood and Beals, each for brief periods.
Its first deacons were: Joseph Haskall and Jeremiah Arnold. From its membership Solomon Brown, Timothy Brewster, Daniel Hascall and Lemon Andrus were licensed to preach.
In 1800, a church edifice was built on the premises of Seeley Brown, by the West Pawlet Meeting-House Company, which was used almost exclusively by the Baptists for twenty-four years. A parsonage was built in 1802, which appears to have been used for the Baptist minister exclusively. The whole number of members be- longing to this church was about two hundred, and it is said to have had at one time one hundred and fifty members. It was the mis- fortune, perhaps, the fault of this church, to be isolated from sister churches during most of its existence. Elder Isaac Beals was called to settle over the church in 1801, and continued till its dissolution in 1831.
The second Baptist church in Pawlet was formed in 1826, and admitted to the Vermont Association. It owed its origin to the fact that the first Baptist church in Pawlet, from which all of its first members came, was not, and had not been for many years, in fellowship with any other body. Isaac Wickham, Seth Blosson, Reuben Toby, Washington Z. Wait and Seth P. Stiles were among its first members. Its ministers were: Elders L. P. Reynolds, Wetherell, Abram Woodward, Joseph Packer, Daniel Cobb, E. S. Soullard, Sweet, Meat, Sanders, and Archibald Wait.
Its deacons were Isaac Wickham and Reuben Toby. About the year 1848 this organization was dissolved.
WEST PAWLET
In the year 1852, what is known now as the Baptist church in West Pawlet was organized under the auspices of Elder A. Wait, who served them as pastor three or four years. A church edifice was built the same year. Elder Wait's ministry was attended with considerable success. After him Elders Combe, Hancock and Mos-
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
her, were employed, but not till 1859 was this church in fellowship with any other body. In that year, under the influence of David Beecher, this church was admitted to the Vermont and Shaftsbury Association. In 1859, its membership was twenty-four. Under the zealous and faithful labors of Mr. Beecher it increased to one hun- dred and seventeen. Its first deacons were Jeremiah Clark and B. H. Nelson. In its letter asking for admission to the Association the church expressed its conviction that "it is our duty to bear a decided testimony against Intemperance, and Oppression and believe that church members should not unite with secret so- cieties; sympathize with the American Baptist Free Mission So- ciety, but desire to exercise, and also ask the charity that thinketh no evil, where conscientious differences of opinion may exist on this subject." Twenty-four united with this church the following year and seven the next. In 1867, for two months beginning with the first of January, meetings were held nearly every night and sometimes in the afternoon. The result of these efforts was that the church was greatly encouraged and strengthened, and twenty-eight put on Christ by baptism a large share of whom were from the Sunday school. The church was saddened in the midst of this rejoicing, by the death of the pastor's wife.
The more recent pastors have been S. H. Archibald, 1874, one year; H. J. S. Lewis, 1877, one year; E. D. Mason, 1882, one year; F. W. Gookin, 1883, one year; A. J. Swart, 1888-1893, about six years; H. M. Ives, 1894; R. L. Olds, 1897, one year; Thomas Cull, five and one-half years; H. M. Ives, 1894, two years; Geo. Williams, 1910.
During E. D. Mason's ministry special meetings were held under the lead of A. B. Earle and twelve were added. McGeorge and Brother Swart worked together in special meetings in 1888 and twenty-two were added, thirteen the next year and nine the next. Under the loving and judicious leadership of Thomas Cull the church prospered and made advance in temporal and spiritual lines.
The church at last report numbered ninety members.
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
FAIR HAVEN
The Baptist church was organized December 14th 1867, with thirty-one members, most of whom were from the church in Hyde- ville, Alonzo Allen and I. N. Compton, deacons. Meetings were first held in the chapel over Mr. Adams' store, and afterwards in the town hall. Preaching was supplied for a time by the Rev. L. Howard and O. Cunningham of Rutland, and H. L. Grose, then of Balston, N. Y. Rev. F. P. Jones became pastor in September, 1869. The cornerstone of the new church on the south corner of the common was laid with religious ceremonies on the afternoon of June 2, 1870, addresses being delivered on the occasion by Revs. E. Sawyer, J. Freeman, W. W. Water, E. P. Hooker, J. Goadby, and by the pastor, Dwight Spencer. The basement was finished and entered in 1871 and the structure completed in 1874, at a cost of $24,000.
The church grew rapidly in membershipand in resources. In 1873,$11,000 were paid on the church edifice, $7000 more subscribed, and a bell purchased at a cost of $860. During the four years, $6000 had been paid out on current expenses.
The membership increased from the original thirty-one in 1867, to one hundred and fifty-five in 1879. From that time, for a season, the tide of prosperity receded somewhat. Removals were frequent and death harvested some of the members who had been most influential in the earlier years. Mr. Spencer resigned in 1881 and was succeeded by Rev. J. R. Gow who remained about four years. J. B. Lee, Thomas Neal and L. L. Hobbs followed with brief terms of service.
In 1891, J. S. Lyon began an energetic pastorate and there was a turn in the tide of prosperity. Thirty-two were received in 1891 and twenty-three in 1893. Mr. Lyon was succeeded by B. F. Kel- logg, 1894-1895; C. A. Johnson, 1896; John Johnson, 1897-1898: R. C. Penney, 1902-1905; E. A. Foote, 1905-1910.
Special attention has been given by this church from the be- ginning to its Sunday school and Young People's organizations. Mr. Spencer was a specialist in this line of work; Mr. Lyon was a leader in the promotion of Y. P. S. C. E. work, and a flourishing so-
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
ciety added material strength to the church. Under Mr. Penney's ministry this church had the largest Junior C. E. society in the State. Accessions to the church have been largely from the Sunday school. The work of maintaining and renovating the house of wor- ship taxed the liberality of the people, and they generously re- sponded. In 1901, Miss Phoebe Wood gave a deed of the parsonage property. Labor troubles in the town in recent years caused serious financial stringency, and the removal of many from the place, crip- pling the churches and causing discouragement. The need of a cheerful, hopeful pastor was happily met in E. A. Foote, during whose ministry the church reached a membership of one hundred and eighty-four. Mr. Foote resigned in 1910 and was followed by another optimistic pastor, Silas P. Perry.
Membership, one hundred and ten, in 1912.
WEST RUTLAND
The West Rutland Church became independent of Rutland, the parent vine, in 1884, May 28. The constituent members were from Rutland and Ira, and others who had long cherished and worked for the cause in this place. A house of worship was erected at a cost of $2,500, and the Holy Spirit seemed to bless the efforts of the young church in the conversion of souls. The State Conven- tion, by its agent and its appropriations, fostered the infant in- terest. In December, Rev. H. C. Leverett commenced his work as the first pastor, but was quickly called to his reward above. Rev. A. N. Woodruff, of Shutesbury, Mass., was chosen to fill his place, but resigned May 3, 1889, and Rev. W. H. Walker, after supplying three months, was called and ordained pastor. In 1887, evangelistic effort, under Alexander McGeorge and others, resulted in the in- gathering of thirty-four new members. For a season the church was pastorless and part of the time closed. In 1893, Brethren Marshall and Horner, of Rutland, led the Thursday evening prayer meetings, until a pastor was secured in the person of Rev. W. Weyeth, who served two years. The church then united with the Ira church in support of Pastor Geo. H. Watt, and in 1899, seventeen were
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brought into the church. Pastors F. C. Wright, H. S. Vinal, and C. H. Shaw served short terms.
In 1806, Rev. Frank S. Tolman, a careful planner and energetic worker, took up the work and the church grew in strength and num- bers. In 1910, Rev. A. B. O'Neal, whose spiritualty and ability awakened bright hopes, died after a brief stay. L. A. Cooney succeeded him. The church, still fostered by the Convention, numbered thirty-six in 1912, having lost many by removals and other causes.
CLARENDON
Within the years 1784, 1785, 1786, churches were organized in Pittsford and East and West Clarendon. The chief agency in this work was Elisha Rich. Though the Wallingford people did not find in him the "Pastoral Gift," he was eminently successful in other places. He was one of the interesting men of his period, not thoroughly educated, but richly endowed with gifts and with evan- gelistic zeal. He was born in Sutton, Mass., in 1737. He came into Vermont from Chelmsford, Mass. He was a blacksmith and gun- smith, to which he added the accomplishment of successful farmer and beekeeper, as well as of evangelist and pastor. He came to Cavendish, then moved to Saltash, now Plymouth, bought a piece of ground and tarried there till the spring or summer of 1778, then moved to Clarendon and purchased a good farm on Otter Creek. Many of the early settlers of Clarendon were Baptists from Rhode Island. Under Mr. Rich's preaching, during the five years he lived there, a great revival occurred which resulted in the organization of the two churches, the West in 1785, and the East in 1786. Elder Rich experienced no little rough opposition in Clarendon. Persons in disguise would surround his house and cruelly beat his cattle, that they might have opportunity to abuse him also. The pulpit in the log meeting-house was torn down and set up again so slightly as to tumble down whenever Mr. Rich should attempt to ascend it.
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EAST CLARENDON
As previously stated, this church was organized probably in 1786. Elder William Harrington became their pastor in 1798. The church then consisted of seventeen members. His labors were blest, and in 1805, one hundred and twenty-three members were reported at the Association. Fifty-six had joined the church the previous year. The church then passed through some trials. Elder Harring- ton was dismissed in 1808, and William McCullar served from that time till 1814, che church in the meantime enjoying an interesting revival. From this time it seems not to have had a settled pastor, though they enjoyed a measure of prosperity, as two revivals are reported, one in 1817 and the other in 1825. In the former there were added forty members, and in the latter, about thirty. The church maintained "travel" from 1798 to 1827, when its existence as a church practically ceased.
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