USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 41
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In 1824 Dillon Stephens was associated with De Wolf on the circuit. He was a good man, though of a sad countenance and desponding spirit. He died a few years since at Glovers- ville, N. Y., where he had lived some time as a superannuate.
Cyrus Prindle and Lucius Baldwin came next. Mr. Prindle was a man of more than ordinary ability, and, in after years, became prominent in the conference. But in the days of the Anti-slavery excitement, he withdrew from the church, and united with the " Ameri- can Wesleyan church." He was a leading man in that denomination, until slavery was finally abolished ; when, seeing no good reason for continuing that organization, he returned to the church of his early choice. He is now Presiding Elder of the Cleveland District in Ohio.
In 1826 Wm. Todd was the preacher ; and under his administration the church edifice was built at the Centre. This enterprise was, to some extent, originated under peculiar eireuni- I in Middlebury .- Et.
stances : a quarterly meeting was appointed to be lield in a barn at West Rutland; and as the Congregationalists were repairing their house of worship, and having but poor accommoda- tions in the town hall, they were invited to unite with the Methodists on that occasion .- The pastor laid the question before the church, and though a majority were in favor of accept- ing the invitation, yet some of the most prom- inent and influential members opposed it; so they held their services as usual. Some, how. ever, did attend the quarterly meeting. Rev. Buel Goodsell was the presiding elder, and preached with his usual ability. The result was the removal of a portion of the prejudice which had previously been cherished as a wor- thy thing.
In those days quarterly meetings were seas- ons of peculiar interest ; for members and their families came from all the towns and societies in the circuit, making the gathering immensely large. The faith, and zeal, and love of the whole membership were united in the prayer- meetings, the love-feasts, and at the sacramental table; and the occasion was an inspiration to the preachers. It was usual to witness revivals at such times, and many of the members not only carried home their children newly convert- ed, but carried, also, a fire newly kindled in their own souls, which melted the hearts of sinners in their respective neighborhoods. This meeting was no exception in these respects, and it was soon proposed to build a house of worship at the Centre.
As a more favorable view of Methodism began to be taken, there were some of the former opposers now ready to aid the work. It is a little strange that Methodism should encounter stronger hostility than any other system .- Deism, Mormonism, free love-indeed any other thing which has arisen, has never suffered a tythe of the opposition, and even persecution, that Methodists have endured in nearly all places. At West Rutland a father gave his son a most brutal flogging for uniting with them! and that father lives there evon now .*
Freeborn Garrettson, the pioneer of Method- ism in New England, in a letter to Mr. Wesley, says : "My lot has been mostly cast in new places, to form circuits, which has much expos- ed mo to persecution. Once I was imprisoned ; twice beaten-left on the highway speechless aud senseless; once shot at; guns and pis-
* Sre what Mr. Washburn, who traveled this circuit in 1801, says ( Vol. I., p. 57,) in the History of Methodist
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tols presented at my head; once delivered | slow in movement. He, too, joined the " Wes- from an arined mob, in the dead of night, on the highway, by a surprising flash of light- ning ; surrounded frequently by mobs; stoned frequently ; I have had to escape for my life, at the dead of night."
Laban Clark traveled this circuit part of 1801, though his name does not appear on the minutes in this connection. He also tells of opposition -but I have not space for more. He was one of the original trustees of our University at Middletown, Ct., which office he held until his death, which occurred at that place but a few years since.
It is believed that but one of the building committee of that church is now living, viz : Mr. H. W. Merrill of Pittsford, from whom I have obtained some of the facts already re- corded.
It was in 1826 that the church at the Centre was built, and under the administration of Mr. Todd. Mr. Merrill was almost the only male member in town, and obtained the means for building the house, assisted by some Congrega- tionalists and Episcopalians. Almon Dunbar, whose case has been noticed, was here the second time. Then came Solomon Stebbins and James R. Goodrich, both able men, who have been transferred to the West since that time.
These were followed by Cyrus Meeker and Reuben Wescott, in 1829. The first is still in the effective ranks, and the other has been a suprenumerary for several years, as fond of study as ever, and as much at home in the He- brew and Greek Scriptures as in the English.
Joshua Poor and Joseph Eames arrived in 1830; and, by their financial tact, the debt, which had been incurred in building the church, was canceled, and the society greatly prosper- ed. Both of these good men have long been on the retired list because of bodily infirmity.
These were succeeded by Elias Crawford and William Ryder. The latter, by hard work and exposure, in later years, contracted a painful and incurable rheumatic affection, which crip- pled him for life ! Every joint in his frame was distorted, and for many weary years he was un- able to move a single limb. His sufferings were extreme! All this was borne with the pa- tience of a martyr, until the master said, "It is enough." He died at Poultney, where he had long lived, and escaped from the torture to the throne.
The next in succession was Asa C. Hand; of fair ability, sound in doctrine, but a little
leyans" in after time. Then came Friend W. Smith, a man of marked ability. At this time the circuit took the name of Rutland, which it has retained ever since. Some years since Mr. Smith was transferred to New York East conference, where he continued to labor until his death, which occurred recently.
In 1835 Andrew Witherspoon was the pas- tor. He is now a D. D., and is presiding Elder in Plattsburgh district, having been in the same relation to Burlington district in former years. Since the above date, until 1843, there has been a kind of connection between Rutland and Pittsford, and the names of the ministers for both places were given in connection in the minutes. But they had no system of exchang- es. One of them was the preacher for Rutland, and the other, or others, were for Pittsford. Not having the annual minutes at hand, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to give the names in their regular order.
Under the labors of Rev. A. C. Rice there was an extensive revival, which greatly strengthen- ed the church at Centre Rutland. This was in 1836-7. There was no occurrence requiring notice for a few years, until about 1841-2, when there was another extensive revival under the administration of Rev. M. Townsend. Not far from this date Rev. John Alley was the pastor -but whether his services were confined to Rutland, or were shared by Pittsford, does not appear-as the two places are named together in the annual minutes. Mr. Alley was possess- ed of more than ordinary ability as a preacher, and was a very good writer. He published in the " Christian Advocate" a series of Articles on Temperance and Prohibition, which were confessedly able, and in advance of the times. He was transferred to the Black River confer- ence in Illinois ; and, after a time, was elected Bishop of the M. E. church in Canada, which office he accepted and held until his death. His hight was 6 feet and 4 inches.
Rev. William Griffin (now D. D.) preached here in 1843-4-since which time Rutland has had no connection with any other place, as per- taining to ministerial labor. From 1844 to the present time the following preachers have been stationed in Rutland: M. Ludlum, C. H. Richmond, C. R. Ford, William Ford, John Parker, A. Campbell, J. Kiernan, A. Carroll, E. H. Hynson, George S. Chadbourne, J E. Metcalf, W. W. Atwater, J. W. Carhart, D. W. Dayton, A. F. Bailey and B. M. Hall, H. War- uer: perhaps a few names have been lost, as
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the records have not always been kept in ac- cessible places. Some of these ministers serv- ed a year and some two years; and the society has maintained its position and met its liabili- ties from year to) year.
About 1853 it was desired to have Methodist preaching in the East village-this place having increased rapidly in population and business since the railroad was built, and its offices and shops were located here. As the Centre was still the headquarters of Methodism in town, it was intended to have but one serviee each Sab- bath in the East village-taking no service away from the Centre. William A. Burnett, Esq., made application for the use of the court- house for an afternoon servies, when there would be no other public service in the village, and therefore it would not interfere with any established arrangement. He applied, at first, to the Sheriff of the county, supposing he had charge of the house. By the sheriff he was referred to the chief judge of the court, who resided here ; and by him, in turn, was directed to the side judges of the county court. These resided in other towns in the county, and Mr. Burnett addressed them by mail. Not obtain- ing answers from them, and a term of the court occurring soon after, he waited on those judges, in person.
Now caine the answer-which was a refusal ! They were not willing to have the house used for any but county purposes: although Mr. Burnett had, in his letters. offered to give secu- rity against destruction or damage, and also to pay rent .- The Episcopalians and Baptists had both occupied the court house while making repairs on their churches; and the Romanists were using it at this very time-at such hours as would not have been interfered with by the Methodists, had their request been granted :- and the Romanists also used it after the Meth- odists were repulsed.
This is written, not for the purpose of awak. ening ill feeling in any heart; but as a historic FACT, which, being a fact, ought to have a place in the history of that time. If any of the denomination to which those judges belong- ed, are now (for they were not then) sorry for their action in the case, it is an evidence of progress in the direction of eandor and Chris- tian courtesy. That aet was manifestly design- ed to keep Methodism out of this village : but usually there is more than one way to aecom- plish an object-and Methodism came in by the railroad !
Mr. Burnett held a position in the office of
the railroad company, and made arrangements to hold services in the spacious depot. It was swept, and to some extent seated; the gates were closed, and notices were printed and scat- tered through the village and beyond, and on the afternoon of the Sabbath Rev. John Parker preached the Gospel of " Free Grace" in that improvised sanctuary. The people attended in large numbers, and serviees were continued there during the warm season.
The place secured for meetings after summer was over was a hall in Landon's block, which was occupied until the present house of wor- ship was erected. This was finished and dedi- cated July 21, 1854. The lot was donated by Wm. Y. Ripley, Esq , who. together with others, contributed liberally to the object. The names of Ripley, Barnes and Kelley will long be re- membered as prominent among the friends of the cause in this time of need.
But there is no name more deserving of grate- ful remembrance than that of WILLIAM A. BURNETT. The Apostle eulogizes the saints of Macedonia, because of their great liberality in contributing to the relief of the poor saints at Jerusalem-saying : "To their power I bear record, yea, and beyond their power. they were willing of themselves." So may it be said of this true friend of the church. To his power- yea, and beyond his power-he contributed to this object. To his devotion, self-sacrifice and energy, the cause of Methodism is more largely indebted for a place of worship, than the pres- ent membership are aware. Long will he be appreciated by those who know the facts in the case.
The condition of the church in this village during the years of its history has not been uniform. Like all churches it has had its sen- sons of prosperity and decline. In 1857-8, there were large accessions, as there were to nearly all the churches of the land; and in 1860 there was considerable prosperity and in- crease. In Rutland, more than in any other place known to the writer, is Methodism subject to continual depletion. It is not the popular church in the place, and so it often happens that some who have preferred its services in other places, on arriving here seek other com- munious : and from Methodist altars have other churches been recruited to considerable extent.
This, it is true, saves us the trouble of look- ing after some who are too fond of worldly honor or pleasure; but it is difficult to avoid the conviction, that if these had remained in the place of their second birth, they would have
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been just as useful, just as nappy and just as safe.
While the denomination has had to contend with the adverse influences which are, to some extent, peculiar to New England, it has yet held on its way with more or less of success. " Persecuted, but not forsaken ; cast down, but not destroyed : as poor, yet making many rich ; as having nothing, yet possessing all things."
The membership is now (1871,) about 150- none of whom are called rich-yet able to meet their liabilities, and sustain their institutions. They are now finishing a good chapel joined to the rear of the church. It is 31 by 48 feet, and will be of very essential service for Sunday School and social meetings. The building is Mearly finished, at a cost of about $ 1500.
It is in contemplation to enlarge the seating capacity of the church, the coming season, and render it sufficiently large. as well as comfort- able and inviting. When this shall be done, and its benefits added to those already achiev- ed by hard labor and spiritual conflict, it is be- lieved the way will be opened for still greater prosperity and usefulness. The time for doc- trinal controversy with other Evangelical churches having passed by, it is hoped that " Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor Ju- dah vex Ephraim."
HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN RUTLAND BY RT. REV. LOUIS DE GOESBRIAND.
East Rutland-St. Peter's congregation-in this village, as in nearly all the towns in the south part of the State, prior to the erection of Burlington into a Diocese, the Catholics receiv- ed from time to time the visits of Rev. J. Daly of the diocese of Boston. When he retired in Oc- tober, 1854, Rev. Z. Druon was sent to reside in East Rutland, from which place he visited the missious attended formerly by Father Daly, in Vermont. In 1855 Rev. Z. Druon erected the brick edifice on Meadow St., which till lately was used as a church. He also purchased a house and lot for a parochial residence on the same street, and another house on West street, which was used under him, and for some years under his successor, as a school house.
Chs. Boylan is due the erection of the large brick house adjoining the new church-the pur- chase of suitable lots for parochial residence, north of the church-but chiefly the construc- tion of the remarkable edifice known as St. Peter's Catholic church. This noble edifice was built by day's work, under the superintend- ence of the pastor, from plans furnished by P. C. Keely of Brooklyn; the stone having been quarried out of the very lot now occupied by the church. This edifice, one of the largest churches in Vermont, is also one of the finest. It cannot but be remarked and admired on ac. count of its elegant proportions, and of the conspicuous spot on which it stands. Its into- rior finish is very rich ; and apart from its colored windows, may be admired for its paint- ings of the last Judgment. the Annunciation, the Birth of Christ, his Resurrection, aud a scene of the holy house of Nazareth.
In September, 1873, five sisters of the order of St. Joseph, from the house of Flushing, L. I., came to East Rutland to take charge of the parochial schools. Since the opening of new St. Peter's the schools are kept in the old church on Meadow St. The Sisters of St. Joseph teach about 450 children. When it is remembered that all that has been done in this parish was accomplished without exterior aid-by the parishioners alone ; who, besides all this have been for twenty years paying towards separate schools for their children, too much praise can- not be given to their devotion and generosity. As a point of history it is well to record, that St. Peter's church was blest by Very Rev. Th. Lynch, on June 29, 1873-the Mass being cel- ebrated by the Bishop of Burlington, and the sermon delivered by Rt. Rev. F. Loughlin, Bishi- op of Brooklyn. N. Y.
East Rutland-French Canadian congrega- tion : this congregation, named the " Congrega- tion of the Sacred Heart of Mary," was united to that of St. Peter's, until the month of April, 1869. Under the direction of Rev. G. Gagnier, after worshipping for a few months in a hired hall, they erected the present church edifico on Lincoln street. The number of families which worship in this church may vary from 60 to 100. The present pastor (June, 1875), is Rev. L. N. St. Onge; Rev. M. J. Cloarece and II. Cardi- nal having had charge of the congregation after the retiring of Rev. G. Gagnier in 1870.
Rev. Z. Druon, who was for a few months assisted by Rev. Francis Picart, acted as paster of East Rutland until November, 1856. He was succeeded in January, '67, by the Rev. In 1870 the Sisters of Montreal, named tho Sisters of the Most Holy Names of Jesus and Ma- ry, who keep the well known Academy at Hoc- Charles Boylan, who ever since has had charge of this flourishing congregation. To the perso- verant energy and wise management of Rev. I helaga, founded a house of their congregation
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at East Rutland, chiefly for the benefit of young girls of Canadian origin. Their school and boarding-house are well patronized. It being built on West street, it occupies a very central position. They have named it " the Academy of our Lady of Vermont."
Rutland West Village-St. Bridget's congre- gation-Rev. Z. Druon attended to the spiritual wants of the Catholics of West Rutland from the autumn of 1834, till November, '56. He built for them a low but spacious frame house. which was used temporarily as a church and a school-house. Rev. F. Picart succeeded Rev. Z. Druon, and was the first priest resident in the west village. He purchased the house and lot which has been since used as a parochial residence. The present handsome marble church of St. Bridget, which stands conspicu- ous on the hill above the quarries, with its walls of white marble and elegant spire, was erected through the care of Very Rev. Th. Lynch. It was commenced in June, 1860, and dedicated in November, 1861. The interior proportions of this edifice are very fine, and the frescoe decorations in excellent taste. The altar is of Caen stone, and is a fine piece of carved work. The congregation is large, al. though very liable to increase or decrease in numbers, according to the demand for work in the marble quarries.
This congregation has a large burial ground on Main street, which was consecrated by the Bishop of Burlington on Oct. 7, 1867.
French Canadian congregation .- The large building now occupied as a church by the Can- adians who work in the quarries was erected under the direction of Rev. G. Gagnier of East Rutland, in the year 1870. Its dimensions are much too large for the present, as there are but few Canadian families attached to the place .- The Catholics of this congregation are attended regularly on Sundays, by the clergyman who resides near the French church at the east vil- lage. Their church is known by the name of "The church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus."
ELECTION SERMONS PREACHED BY RUTLAND TOWN AND COUNTY CLERGY.
1779, Bonajah Roots, Rutland-Grad. N. J. C., 1754.
1790, Matthias Cazier, Castleton-Grad. do., 1785.
1794, Samuel Williams, Rutland, -Grad. H. U., 1765.
1804, Heman Ball, Rutland-Grad. D. C., 1791. 1800, Sylvanus Haynes, Middletown, (not grad.) 1812, Isaac Beal, Pawlet.
1818, Clark Kendrick, Poultney. 1829, Charles Walker, Rutland. 1835, Leland Howard, Rutland 1856, Willard Child, Castleton-Y. C., 1817. 1858, C. A. Thomas, Brandon.
The sermons by Revs. Matthias Cazier, in 1790, and Leland Howard, in 1835, were not published-all the others were published.
REV. P. W. WHITE.
REV. LEMUEL HAYNES.
BY L. L. DUTCHER, OF ST. ALBANS.
It happens not unfrequently in this country, that men rise from the very lowest condition in life, to calebrity and honor. Many instances of this will readily occur to every reader of this article. By far the most remarkable example of this kind is that of the late Rev. Lemnel Haynes, whose degraded and all but hopeless infancy developed into a noble manhood, and a most successful life.
An excellent biography, prepared by the Rev. Dr. Cooley, with an introduction by the Rev. Dr. Sprague of Albany, was published by the Harpers in 1837. From that work the follow- ing sketch has been mainly compiled :
Lemuel Haynes was born July 18, 1753, at We-t Hartford, Ct. He was a partially colored man-his father being of unmingled African extraction, and his mother a white woman of respectable ancestry in New England. Ho bore up the name of neither father nor moth- er, but probably of the man in whose house he was born. Nothing is said of the marriage of these parents . therefore we must infer that their offspring was the child of guilt and shame. Certain it is, that he was abandoned in his earliest infancy, by both father and mother, and was never, to the end of his life, favored with a single expression of a mother's kindness. She refused to visit or see him.
When he was five months old he was taken to Granville, Mass., and bound out as a servant to Deacon David Rose. Who that considered the extreme prejudice against the colored race, at that time, could have predicted for this aban- doned little waif any future, save one of hard- ship, misery and sorrow. Who could hare dreamed that this forlorn, illegitimate nigger- baby was destined to become one of the ablest and widest known of N. England divines ; that some of his writings, at least, would be pub- lished by millions of copies, and read and highly appreciated wherever the English language was spoken ; that his reputation as a profound the- ologian would attract numerous students-
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among them graduates of colleges-to study for the ministry under his tuition.
Deacon Rose and his wife, to their eternal honor let it be mentioned, received and treated him as they would their own child. He grew up healthy and robust, and by his fidelity to his master's interest, well repaid the kindness which had been shown him. In common with other children he attended the district school during a portion of the winter ; but his educa- tion was obtained mainly in the chimney cor- ner, by the light of the kitchen fire. While his mates were sporting in the streets, and even around the door, he was seen seated on his block, with his book in hand. Here he studied the spelling-book and psalter, till he had liter- ally devoured them. His memory was so re- 'tentive that he could repeat large portions of the Bible, Young's Night Thoughts and Watts' Psalms and Hymns. He united with the Con- gregational church at East Granville-but in what year is not stated. In 1774 be enlisted as a " minute-man," and thus became connect- ed with the American army of the Revolution. He joined the army at Roxbury, Mass., shortly after the battle of Lexington, in 1775. The next year he was a volunteer in the expedition to Ticonderoga to expel the enemy. After this he returned to his former home, where he was fully occupied in work upon the farm. His judgment on all agricultural matters was such, that his opinion was always solicited in every movement of importance. Not a trade was consummated, not a horse or yoke of oxen pur- chased, but upon the approval and advice of "Lemuel.'
It was the custom in the family, on Saturday evenings, to have a sermon read in connection with religious worship. Mr. Haynes, although busily engaged in the employments of rural life, and largely enjoying the respect of those by whom he was surrounded, had, by rising ear- ly in the morning, made considerable profi- ciency in the study of Theology. One evening, being called upon to read as usual, he slipped into the book a sermon of his own which he had written, and read it to the family. The Deacon was greatly delighted and edified by the sermon, as it was doubtless read with unu- sual vivacity and feeling. His eyes were dim, and he had no suspicion that any thing out of the ordinary course had happened ; and at the close of the reading he inquired very earnestly, "Lemuel, whose work is that which you have been reading ?" It was the Deacon's impres- sion that the serinon was Whitefield's-Haynes ing in many places with great acceptance.
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