USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Christ church, Hartford, Volume I > Part 9
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106
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
which now seem so strange and in such great contrast to our own. With the abundance of money which now exists, and the comparative ease with which it may be obtained, we are likely to be less charitable to our predecessors than a proper consideration would warrant.
Nor should we overlook the fact that the House of God should be an honorable house, made decent, and kept from profane and unhallowed use. Nothing which we can do, and nothing which we can give of our best, is unworthy of it, or unbecoming in us. The plainness of the Puritans, which dominated our early settlers, while it was a part of their belief, was also a part of their necessity. It held to them as long as their necessities existed, and has become no part of the belief of their descendants. If it was never a part of the belief of churchmen, it was, in this part of the country, certainly a consequence also of their necessities. They were no more wealthy than other citizens of the State, probably less so, and did the best they could under their cir- cumstances. They built humbly, but reverently, and did not suffer their houses of worship to be turned into places for noisy and sometimes tumultuous assemblages. When they were able they built not only more stable and comfortable, but more elegant houses of worship. Gradually they have been followed by most Christian bodies of worshipers, and it is a matter of congratulation that it is so generally regarded that whatever we dedicate to Almighty God should be of our best.
The project of raising fifteen thousand dollars, by the issue of more Scrip, being unsuccessful, a subscription for raising seven thousand dollars was made; it is as follows :
"We the subscribers, agree to pay the sums affixed to our names annually, for four years, to the Treasurer of C. C. Parish in Hartford, to be appropriated by said Parish towards building a Church and purchas- ing an organ therefor, provided this subscription shall amount to the sum of Seven Thousand Dollars, to be payable on the first day of January in each year hereafter. Hartford January IS29.
"Provided said subscriptions shall not exceed Twenty Dollars, the same shall be payable in one year from first instant.
William H. Imlay, Five Hundred Dollars, 500.
REPORT ON FUNDS.
107
Samuel Tudor, One Hundred Fifty Dollars,
150.
*Charles Sigourney, Ninety Dollars, on condition the Parish Fund be not invested in the Church Stock,
90.
Isaac Toucey, Fifteen Dollars,
15.
Roswell Bartholomew, Eighty Dollars,
80.
Nathan Morgan, One Hundred Dollars,
100.
James Ward, One Hundred Dollars,
100.
Cyprian Nichols, Eighty Dollars,
80.
S. H. Huntington, Fifteen Dollars,
15.
Jeremy Hoadley, Ten Dollars,
10.
William T. Lee, Forty Dollars,
40.
James M. Goodwin, Fifteen Dollars,
15.
Denison Morgan, Twenty Dollars,
20.
Dudley Buck, Twenty Dollars,
20.
H. Huntington, Jr., Thirty Dollars,
30.
F. J. Huntington, Ten Dollars,
10.
James Rose, Ten Dollars,
IO
Asa Farwell, Fifty Dollars,
50.00
Normand Lyman, Eight Dollars,
S.
N. S. Wheaton, Fifteen Dollars,
15.
James Killam, Twenty Five Dollars,
25.
George Sumner, Twenty Five Dollars,
25.
Lemuel Humphrey, Twenty Five Dollars,
25.
Griffin Stedman, Fifty Dollars,
50.
R. B. Ward, Ten Dollars,
10.
Thomas D. Gordon, Twenty Five Dollars,
25.
Eliakim Hitchcock, Ten Dollars,
10.
Charles H. Northam, Seven Dollars,
7.
Isaac Perkins, Seven Dollars,
7.
Solomon Porter, Twelve -59 10% Dollars,
12 50
Thomas Belknap, Ten Dollars,
IO.
Erastus Goodwin, Seven Dollars,
7.
Samuel Benton, Ten Dollars,
10.
Charles Brainard, Ten Dollars,
IO.
Samuel Tuttle & Son, Twenty Five Dollars,
25.
James Chamberlain, Twenty Five Dollars,
25.
Thomas Lloyd, Fifteen Dollars,
15.
James Rose, Jr., Ten Dollars,
IO.
James Goodwin, Jr., Ten Dollars,
IO.
Timothy Hatch, Ten Dollars,
IO.
Hugh Gourley, Twenty Five Dollars,
25.
Eli Todd, Twenty Five Dollars (by S. Tudor),
25.
* The subscription made by Mr. Sigourney was not paid, as the con- ditions of it were violated.
IO8
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Ebenezer Flower, Twenty Five Dollars,
25.
Joseph Church, Ten Dollars, IO.
Asahiel Saunders, Ten Dollars, IO.
John Butler, Twenty Five Dollars,
25.
Seymour Watrous, Eight Dollars, by S. H. H.,
S.
B. & C. Adams, Ten Dollars, 10.
Walter Phelps, Twenty Five Dollars for Organ by S. H. H., 25.
Abner Newton, Five Dollars, by S. Tudor, 5.
7,418
The following persons agreed to pay the sums affixed to their several names towards Church and Organ.
George Beach gave his note for Eighty Dollars, So.
Simeon Griswold
Thirty Dollars, 30.
Stephen Bulkley
Fifty Dollars to-
ward Organ 50.
John Rnss
" Twenty Dollars
toward Organ 20.
7,598.
Cost of Christ Church, as entered on the Treasurer's book, p. 66, by Cyprian Nichols, Esq., Treasurer, March 1, 1830.
"Building Committee's account this day presented to ) the Parish, showing the amount paid by them for the pur- chase of land on which the New Stone Church stands,- also for the building and completing said Church to said ist day of March, 1830, and also including sundry items for furnishing the interior of said Church, which account was by vote of the Parish audited by Isaac Perkins, Esq., and Mr. Denison Morgan, on the 6th day of same month, and -- amounts to the sum of $43,236.79, and the same is now on file. L
"By amount for sundry building materials, which the ) building committee have not added in their account, for which the amount had at sundry times been paid, by the Treasurer, as pr. entry to New Church on this book, and as pr. enty and orders from one of the building committee, on file, and their statement of this date, Augt 18th, 1830, will show.
43,236.79
328.56*
* " This amtt ought to have been paid to the Treas' first, or compared with his account - This occasioned the error on the part of the buildg
109
REPORT ON FUNDS.
"By amt of interest on balance due sd. committee to the )
Ist day of July, 1830, pr. their acct.
5 140.84
" Wm. H. Imlay, }
" Saml. Tudor, Building Committee
" James Ward,
" C. Nichols, Treas' of Parish.
"$43,706.19
The completion of the Church gave great satisfaction, as is shown by the following votes, passed in Parish meeting, March 8, 1830. The addition of the tower was left until 1839 :
" Whereas, the New Church has at all times been a subject of the liveliest hopes and fears, and it being now tenantable, justice, as well as inclination, demands an expression of gratitude towards the Building Committee, who, under the great head of the Church, through patience, perseverance, wisdom, and economy, have brought the work, unaccom- panied by any painful incident, to a successful issue.
" l'oted, The Parish do respectfully render thanks to William H. Im- lay, Samuel Tudor, and James Ward, Esq'rs, for the great benefits con- ferred on the Parish by their gratuitous, judicious, and prompt perform- ance of the duties of the Building Committee.
"The accomplishment of a great and benevolent work constitutes a proper era for an expression of gratitude towards its promoters. On this day, therefore, the cause of this assembly addresses itself to our feelings, and demands of us the meed of praise in behalf of those who, in a special manner, have contributed to the erection of our new Church.
committee as above, which was corrected when the Treas' examined their acets .; the error was as above, the sum of $328.56.
" This sum of 43,706 dolls., 96 cts, is the amount the Episcopal Stone Church, including the lot on which it stands, and also the Organ placed in it, cost, in its present situation, say on the Ist day of July, 1830.
" The building committee made no charge against the Parish for their services in contracting for materials, labor, etc., and their superintend- ence during the time the Church was building, - nor was C. Nichols pd., who had to expend more time in making collections and disbursements than all the building committee together .*
* " Mr. Tudor told me that Mr. Imlay attended to the Finances, Mr. Ward to the Wood work, and he to the Stone work; and that there was perfect agreement among the committee at all times.
IIO
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
And in so doing we cannot but recur with pleasure to the zeal and harmony that have pervaded the Parish, and without the existence of which so great a work could not have been achieved. For this also let us now congratulate each other. Among the many whose liberality has been great, whose zeal has been excellent, and whose services have been important, the rector of the Parish stands conspicuous, whether we recur to the incipient idea of building, the provision of means, or to the design and ornaments of the edifice, presenting to the scientific observer utility, strength, and beauty, in a chaste combination of Gothic walls, with more than Grecian elegance. May we not also hope, by a just expression of our feelings on this occasion, a perpetual benefit will result to the Parish ? While the massive walls of our Church shall endure, and the records of our Parish shall remain, the every eye that beheld the foundation of the building laid shall be closed, and every tongue that worshipped at its consecration shall be silent, our record will remind both Minister and Peo- ple who shall come after us, of the practical compatibility of serving at the altar, without neglecting the useful and ornamental arts and sciences.
" Resolved, That we do congratulate each other upon the important and valuable acquisition of our New Church, and acknowledging the liberality as well as the otherwise more important agency of the Rev. Nathaniel S. Wheaton in procuring it, the Parish do unite in prayer to Almighty God, that he may long tread the courts thereof, and success- fully labor at the altar therein, until having made up many jewels and prepared many ornaments, he be called with them to possess the building of God not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
" Voted, That Mr. James Chamberlain is hereby requested to accept of one hundred dollars in cash, and fifty dollars in Plate, with a suitable inscription, from the Parish of Christ Church in Hartford, not so much for its value, as a grateful ackowledgment for the unwearied and judi- cious application of his talent as an architect and builder; and for his skillful and successful superintendence of the New Church, to its (thus far) completion."
It having become a question whether the holder of a scrip had power to transfer a portion of the same, it was, at a meeting of the Wardens and Vestry, October 4, 1830, "Voted, That Mr. Toucey and Mr. S. H. Huntington be a committee to examine the bond upon which the Parish stock was issued, and ascertain what powers the Wardens and Vestry possess relative to making rules for transferring the stock." They reported, April 9, 1831, "That the Wardens and Treasurer possess power to receive back the scrip which was originally issued by them, and re-issue the same in such amounts as the
III
REPORT ON FUNDS.
holders may choose." Thus the holders of a certain piece of scrip were enabled to transfer a portion of the same, just as the owner of shares of stock in a bank or other corporation can now do the same.
In March, 1832, the Treasurer was authorized to borrow two thousand dollars to pay the interest due upon certain notes, " and also on the scrip issued by the Parish."
It appears that the receipts of the Parish at this time, 1837, had not been sufficient to meet its expenses; the very interest due upon one of its loans was to be borrowed to pay its debts. Whenever an individual resorts to such expe- dients to sustain his credit, he is regarded as being in a bad way and not very far from bankruptcy. This unwelcome criticism is not made for the purpose of casting blame upon the Parish; it was the method pursued not infrequently at the time; the maxim, " Pay as you go," might be agreed to in a general way, but the fitting application of it was not applicable here. As we look at it at present, the reasoning was not correct, and the trouble now was that a large item of annual interest existed upon borrowed money. Anyone who looks over the records of the Parish for years previous and for years afterwards also, will be astonished at the amount expended in this way. If money was needed and was not in hand, a note at four months at the Phoenix Bank was voted, and perhaps renewed. If it was paid, another soon followed, and the annual deficit was increased. After awhile this became so large that its reduction ·was demanded, and for a time the Parish kept within proper bounds; but not long, and then another subscription was made for the accumulating debt. There was no necessity for this; its members were numerous and among the wealthy people of the town. Some of them had been members of the Parish almost from its formation; they were acquainted with its early trials, and the difficulties which had beset them. The very fact that their religious views were subject to hostile criticism made them better acquainted with the history of the Church and more able defenders of the faith. They were devoted churchmen, and, it is believed, better instructed
II2
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
than are a majority of those who now are classed as its members. They were knit together in strong bands, earnest in their belief, and perfectly satisfied with their form of wor- ship. The attachment of such people to the Church is not easily broken; opposition only increases their love for it and determination to uphold it.
Those who imagine that the churchmen of earlier days were neglectful of their duties to their fellow men, that their contributions were expended only for their own pleasure or comfort, are very much mistaken, for they were diligent in their care for the sick and poor, and were not limited in their offerings to objects near their own homes. There is no reason to believe that their conceptions of duty were not as profound as any at this day. With a smaller population than at present, with much less intercourse with the world, with commerce and manufactures far less, and with far less general diffusion of money also, they did not see the necessity, nor did they have the ability, to carry out the multitude of schemes which some consider the necessary duty of a religious society of to-day. Probably they did, however, consider the obligation of public worship as a greater duty than many do at the present time; and it is also possible that the superabundant number of organizations which exist in some Parishes, with their numerous meetings extending all through the week, has had the effect to keep from attendance at Church many who believe that duties which properly belong to the civil authority are too often assumed by religious societies. In former years it was customary to find whole families in their pews; the father and mother, with all their children who were able to attend. Mr. Imlay and his family, and George Beach, Denison Morgan, Samuel Tuttle, S. H. Hunt- ington, Cyprian Nichols, Jeremy Hoadley, Roswell Bartholo- mew, and a host of others might be named. If the congregation was not as large in the morning as in the afternoon, it was probably because some necessary duties had their demands. Good Dr. Sumner's pew was always filled, and if he came in later in the day it was because his
I13
REPORT ON FUNDS.
professional obligations kept him elsewhere. If there was a third service in the evening, as was common, the Church was still filled with the family. Nor was family worship or religious instruction neglected at home, but was much more common than at present. The Sunday-school, which was commenced in 1820, was carried on successfully by James M. Goodwin, Zephaniah Preston, and S. H. Huntington, and others, for many years. The teachers were men and women capable of giving instruction and of preserving order.
We allow that the conditions are very much changed, " that Church work," as it is called, is held up as the impera- tive duty, and so comes special organization after organiza- tion, until, as was said by one high in authority in the Church, " we are almost organized to death."
It would be cruel to call this excessive desire for "Church work" to be akin to a spirit of religious dissipation. To characterize it as such would be to impeach the honesty of motive and sincerity of action of those engaged in it. This cannot be done properly or truly, but it should be remem- bered that the churchmen of former days set their faces strongly against the excitements which so many think to be a part of religious duty. By a prudent and dignified course it brought to its communion large numbers who were pleased with it not merely for its teachings as a religious body, nor for its forms of worship alone, but for that broad and com- prehensive sense of what is becoming in our worship to Almighty God and our duty to our fellow men; they leaned neither toward Rome nor Geneva, and they knew better than many churchmen now know why the middle way was the better way.
The circumstances of our Parish have greatly changed. We are now far from the center of population, for homes have given way to places of business. The organization of numerous parishes in different parts of the town has weak- ened the center and not very much strengthened themselves. Many members have removed to a distance. The old men have died, and their places have not been supplied. Worse than all, there has come about a notion that attendance at
S
114
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Church is well enough for the women, and at the Sunday- school for the children. And so we see so few of our young men within its walls. Our fathers were better instructed and were firmer in their faith.
It would have been difficult to have found at this time a more harmonious, flourishing, and devoted parish than that of Christ Church. The Rev. George Burgess had come to this diocese in 1834, from Rhode Island. He was a graduate from Brown University, and this was his first parochial charge. After the resignation of Rev. Dr. Hugh Smith in September, 1833, the parish was without a rector until he was chosen, November, 1834. It was more customary at that time to give the congregation an opportunity to judge of the qualifications and appearance of candidates themselves, rather than to submit to the report of a committee. The impression he made was so favorable, that he was immedi- ately called to the charge of the parish, and entered at once upon his duties. During all his residence here, he was held in universal esteem, both by parishioners, and by citizens of the town. Of marked literary ability, and great gentleness of manner, of a meekness of spirit, yet accompanied with a firmness of purpose, of uncommon industry, with a perfect love for his people, and a profound conception of his duties as a priest in the Church of God, he labored with his whole heart to fulfil his divine mission, in ministering to the needs of the parish. He received the cordial support and sym- pathy of all men; the members were increasing, the Church was crowded, " peace and prosperity were within her walls."
The parish had now reached its highest point of pros- perity.
There was no better time than this for the parish to remember its unsettled obligations; a debt is always burdensome, to ecclesiastical bodies, as well as to in- dividuals. There was now due from the parish the sum of twenty thousand dollars, which was represented by the Scrip which had been issued in 1828, and also about fifteen thousand dollars in addition. It was a matter demand- ing earnest attention, and in 1845 the parish began to discuss
115
REPORT ON FUNDS.
it. There were several propositions to reduce this indebted- ness, varying from sums of five to fifteen thousand dollars. The latter amount was finally decided upon, and a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions. Though the commit- tee were active, they evidently were somewhat discouraged, but on June 30th they reported to an adjourned meeting of the parish, that the sum of fifteen thousand dollars had been subscribed; and Messrs. Miles A. Tuttle, Dudley Buck, and Hezekiah Huntington were appointed to collect the same.
By the terms of the subscription, the payments were to be made annually, and extended over the term of three years. Mr. Nichols states in his side notes, that the " dis- counts for prompt pay " and the "loss on subscriptions" amounted to a little over one thousand dollars. That this subscription should be partly applied to the Parish Scrip is shown by this vote of the Vestry, December, 1846.
" Voted, That the Clerk be authorized to notify such holders of Scrip as the Treasurer may direct, to hold themselves in readiness to deliver their Scrip, and to receive the funds for the same."
The total amount subscribed was fifteen thousand one hundred seventy-six dollars. There was unpaid of this Church Scrip in 1845, $18,100
Unpaid Church Scrip in 1848,. 12,900
Paid in three years, of Scrip, $5,200
Thus, in round numbers, the old Church . Scrip received $5,000, leaving the balance of $10,000, which had been in- curred from an annual expenditure of more than annual receipts. And after all the indebtedness was not fully dis- charged until 1856, when another subscription of $18,000 was made to pay for debts mostly. This matter is dwelt upon after this painful manner, that those who have the man- agement of the finances of the Parish in the future may learn how much it is hampered in its operations by an ac- cumulating indebtedness.
Mr. Nichols, the treasurer, reported April 1, 1850, that the amount of Scrip remaining unpaid was $12,900. The Parish
116
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
followed a plan, sometimes adopted, of borrowing money to pay a debt. The burden was shifted from one shoulder to another. It is recorded in a preamble: -
"Whereas, The Scrip issued by this Parish payable to sundry persons, has become due and payable, and it has become necessary that provision should be made to pay said Scrip, with the interest due thereon, it is therefore, -
"Voted, That Dudley Buck, Ebenezer Flower, and C. Nichols, be and they are hereby appointed a committee, and duly authorized in behalf of said Parish to procure a loan from the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company in Hartford, not exceeding twelve thousand dollars, for the purpose of paying said Scrip, with the interest due thereon; and to make and execute a note therefor, payable to said Insurance Company, on demand, with interest semi-annually. And said committee are also au- thorized, in behalf of said Parish, to make and execute a deed of con- veyance of the lot of land with the church building thereon, owned by said Parish, situated on the corner of Main and Church streets, in the city of Hartford, etc.
"Voted, That it shall be the duty of said Committee to pay the amount of said loan when procured as aforesaid, to the Treasurer of said Parish, or to his successor in office, as shall be required by him to pay said Scrip and interest; and that said Treasurer is hereby authorized to apply the amount paid by said Committee, to the payment of said Scrip and interest, as soon as it shall be practicable, in accordance with the tenor thereof, and to no other purpose whatever, except for the payment of a Parish note, advanced to amount of two thousand dollars, for the same amount of said Scrip payable in February next."
The funds obtained by the loan from the insurance com- pany was applied to the payment of the scrip, $12,900, and thus the Church, or Parish Scrip, disappears from view. As a true factor in the parish finances, it is no more to be found by this name, but a very substantial ghost has taken its place. The holders were all paid in April or May of 1850, with one exception, which is explained in one of the side notes of the faithful treasurer, as follows, on p. 159 :-
" The above Scrip, issued by the Parish of Christ Church, is now paid, with the interest thereon to April 1, 1850. Excepting Scrip No. 43, $500, which has been assigned by Nancy Waterman to her son, G. B. Water- man, who was absent, and it is supposed will not return home until one or two years. The interest was therefore paid to Nancy Waterman to I
II7
REPORT ON FUNDS.
Apl., 1850, leaving said Scrip, No. 43, $500, unpaid. May, 1850. C. N., Treas."
Capt. Waterman was drowned at sea, and the Scrip No. 43 was paid to his brother, N. M. Waterman, in September of the same year.
It was recognized that, though the Scrip had been paid, there was still an indebtedness remaining, for on the 21st of April, 1851, the Parish
" Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to propose measures for the foundation of a Fund, for the purpose of liquidating the Parish debt, and report to the next adjourned meeting of the Parish. Messrs. William H. Imlay, Isaac Toucey, and George Sumner were appointed said committee."
On the 6th of May this committee reported several resolutions constituting the "Wardens and Treasurer a Board of Trustees of the Sinking Fund of Christ Church; au- thorizing them to receive all moneys which may be given to said Parish for the purpose of reducing or paying its present permanent debt of $12,000 to the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, and such further sum or sums as may be derived from the pew rents of said Parish, and to invest the same," etc. The Trustees were also required " whenever, and as often as it can be done conveniently, to apply the whole, or any part of said Fund, towards the payment of the principal of said debt, and for no other purpose whatever; and such Trustees shall render an annual account of said funds to the Parish at its annual meeting on Easter Monday," and that " any surplus of pew rents over the ordinary ex- penses of the Parish, that may remain in the Treasury at the end of each year, shall be appropriated to the Sinking Fund, provided the same shall not exceed the sum of two hundred dollars."
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