USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > East Haven > Historical discourse delivered at the centennial celebration of the dedication of the Stone meeting house, 1774-1874 > Part 4
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Rev. Saul Clark, of Southampton, Mass., succeeded Mr. Street as pastor of this church. During his ministry, which extended from January, 1808, to May, 1817, nothing was done to the meeting-house in the way of alteration or improvement ; therefore, a brief glance at the character and results of his labors will be all that is necessary. He was
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a man of decided opinions, great energy and resolution, and an able and eloquent preacher. Holding the same theological views as his predecessor, he never hesitated to present them on all appropriate occasions, and in the strongest and most expressive manner. Earnest, animated, and emotional, the effects of his preaching soon began to be manifested. Almost simultaneously with his ordination commenced that series of revivals, which continued to fol- low each other with astonishing rapidity till the close of his ministry, and even after that, with intervals of only a few years duration, down to the present time. The mem- bership and moral power of the church was largely in- creased. They were an entirely new spectacle and experi- ence in East Haven. It appears from the church records, that from its organization in 1711, and even from the com- mencement of public worship in 1681, nothing like what is now designated a revival of religion had occurred in its history. From 1733 to 1750 revivals had extensively pre- vailed throughout New England. Commencing at North- ampton, Mass., under the preaching of Jonathan Edwards, they were greatly extended by that of Whitfield and his coadjutors and imitators. As the result of the labors of one of these-Rev. John Davenport, of Stamford-a power- ful revival of religion was produced in New Haven and its vicinity. There is no evidence that it effected, in the slightest degree, the church in East Haven. Mr. Hemin- way was one of the signers of a declaration to the Gen- eral Association, censuring Whitfield and his measures. * Therefore, to Mr. Clark belongs the credit, if any is due to a mere human instrument, of having revolutionized the sentiments of this church, and stamped upon it that high evangelical character it has ever since retained. This church and society have been somewhat noted for their conservatism, which has at times blocked the wheels of progress and prevented their reaping the benefits of the improvements which have been going on all around them. But, in respect to revivals, this church stands on the most
* See Appendix,
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advanced ground. The effects of the revivals enjoyed during Mr. Clark's ministry were unusually stable and lasting. The present pastor is happy in being able to give his unqualified testimony on this point, from a personal knowledge of many who embraced religion at that time, and were living at the commencement of his ministry. They were among the most reliable, prayerful, and spirit- ually-minded of the members of the church.
But the very things that appeared adapted to assure the prosperity of the church, brought on a crisis in its history, which, for a time, threatened its existence. During the later years of Mr. Street's ministry many practices had crept into the church which were incompatable with the purity of the Christian character, and destructive of the spirituality of religion. The line of demarcation between the church and the world was nearly obliterated. The new pastor soon came in conflict with these demoralizing tend- encies. The revival that began soon after his ordination, elevated the tone of piety in the church. These practices were revealed in their true nature and influence, and recog- nized as inconsistent with a profession of religion. A festering ulcer was on the body of the church, and could not be healed without destroying the equilibrium of, and inflicting pain upon, the whole system. The diseased limb must be amputated, or death would ensue. Mr. Clark addressed himself to the task, with all the energy and determination of an ardent nature, never for a moment weighing his personal interests against the interests of piety. A course of discipline was instituted against offend- ing members, and prosecuted with such great effect that the church was purged of the corrupt practices that had crept into it. These measures produced much ill-feeling, and the affection of many was alienated from the pastor. The excitement was intense. Some, who had been most active in his settlement, became most vociferous in de- manding his dismission. But the great majority of the church, comprising the whole of its spiritual and active piety, and especially the younger portion of the congrega- tion, over whom he had gained a strong influence, rallied
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around him and sustained him, till the work was done. As many as forty families withdrew, and united with other congregations. Some of these subsequently returned, when the passions of the hour had passed away, and the children of others attached themselves to the old society, when, after a few years, it was seen that the principles for which Mr. Clark contended, were precisely those embraced by all evangelical churches. In respect to these principles, he was merely in advance of the people. Just as, seventy-five years earlier, Jonathan Edwards was driven from North- ampton, for adherence to a principle which was afterwards adopted by all the churches in New England. With un- flinching energy and unbending will, Mr. Clark carried through the measures by which the church was purified and her moral power in the community greatly increased. The crisis was passed ; and in the very measures which many predicted would prove its ruin, was laid the founda- tion of a larger prosperity and stronger influence in the coming years.
The church was saved, but the pastor had sacrificed himself. He was dismissed, by his own request, in May, 1817, but continued to labor with success in various parts of the Lord's vineyard. His services were much in demand in revivals of religion. He died in Meriden, in 1849, and was buried among the people of his early love, where, with all the former pastors of this church, he lies among the generations gone, to whom they broke the "bread of life, pointed to heaven, and led the way," in yonder quiet cemetery, where all distinctions are leveled, and all earthly passions are quelled, and where friend and foe sleep to- gether undisturbed in the silent realms of death.
After the storm the calm. Rev. Stephen Dodd was installed in December, 1817. His pastorate of twenty-nine years was singularly quiet, calm, and successful. From character, and previous experience in the ministry, he was peculiarly qualified to follow the boisterous ministry of Mr. Clark, conciliate the disaffected, and bring back the wanderers to the fold. As we approach the present, the interest in the past weakens, and it will be necessary to
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dwell only on a few points in illustration of the history of the "Old Stone Meeting-house," during his pastorate. In thirty years its interior arrangements had become some- what antiquated. A new style of finishing and furnishing the interior of a meeting-house, by the substitution of slips for pews, had come into vogue. A few years before, the First Ecclesiastical Society in New Haven had erected a new, large, and for the time, magnificent church, finished in the latest and most fashionable style. Taking this for their model, the East Haven Society took out the square pews in the body and north side of the house, and replaced them with slips. For a long time there had been a growing dissatisfaction with the old mode of defraying the current expenses of the society by taxation. The plan was now proposed, to make a permanent sale of the pews, and with the avails found a fund for the support of the ministry. The plan was adopted, and the sum realized was $8,000. This was a good arrangement, so long as those lived who established the fund; but when they were gone, and the pews inherited by a number of different heirs, its evil tend- encies became apparent. In less than thirty years it was a detriment to the society, and, unless it had been broken up, would have resulted in its financial ruin. The plan seems to have been adopted on the principle of Metternich's famous saying, "' After me the deluge."
In 1830 the first church in Fair Haven was organized. The majority of its members went from this church, and carried with them some of the most important families in the congregation. This greatly weakened the society, and but for the fund previously established, the effect would have been more disastrous. It was one of those events in a growing community that is inevitable. That section of the town, which for nearly two centuries was simply an appendage to it, has grown into one of the most beautiful and busiest villages in the State ; and, in forty-four years, that feeble church, commenced in 1830, has expanded into two large and flourishing Congregational Churches, besides tive others of different denominations.
It was during the pastorate of Mr. Dodd that the first
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fence, of which there is any account, was put around the meeting-house lot. This was due to the energy, enterprise, and liberality of the ladies of the congregation. It was an ornamental as well as substantial structure, and for thirty years added greatly to the general appearance and beauty of the church surroundings.
Rev. Stephen Dodd was an earnest, faithful, and suc- cessful pastor, an able and often eloquent preacher. He was a firm and outspoken advocate of temperance, and did good service in the earlier years of the history of the cause. In addition to his pastoral labors, he performed a work for East Haven which should cause his name to be held in grateful remembrance by all the coming generations of its children. He had a great fondness for historical and gene- alogical researches, and soon after his settlement com- menced the compilation of a brief history of the town, and a genealogical and statistical record of its families. By reason of the imperfect state of the village records, for the first century and a half of its history, this was a work of great difficulty. With characteristic energy, patience, and perseverance, he began to gather up the oral traditions of the past, as they existed in the memories of the most aged persons in the community, and spent much time in the ancient burying-ground, where he gleaned many important items of information, by deciphering the half-obliterated inscriptions on its memorial stones. The results of his labors and investigations were published in 1824, under the title of "East Haven Register." Although not a compend- ious or complete history, it contains an amount of informa- tion concerning the town and its ancient families, which, but for him, would be buried in oblivion. The book is now out of print, and those who are fortunate enough to possess a copy place a high value upon it. Mr. Dodd resigned his pastorate in December, 1846, but continued to reside in the town, respected and venerated, till his death in February, 1856, at the ripe age of seventy-seven years. His successor takes pleasure in saying, that he was a sympathetic, plea- sant, and valuable parishioner.
Owing to various causes, the condition of the society at
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the commencement of the present pastorate, in June, 1847, was unfavorable. The meeting-house was antiquated, inconvenient, dilapidated, and in striking contrast with others in the vicinity ; and one grand obstacle was in the way of all improvements. After the withdrawal of so many, to unite with the First Church and Society in Fair Haven, the salary of the pastor was reduced to the precise income of the fund, and the society, by formal vote, had taken the stand that this should be a permanent arrange- ment. This was suicidal. The pew owners were the society, and a large number, mostly young men, were not called upon to contribute a penny for the support of the institutions of religion ; consequently, they felt little in- terest in them, for that which costs nothing is lightly esteemed. The pastor, soon after his settlement, perceived the difficulties with which he had to contend, and that unless they were removed his labors would be in vain-his ministry a failure. If this incubus was permitted to remain, what little of public spirit was left in the society would disappear; and the society itself, notwithstanding it con- tained the elements for a strong and effective organization, must die of inanition and inaction-an ecclesiastical maras- mus.
It was fortunate that, at the time, the society contained a few energetic and public-spirited men, who, taking the matter in hand, with the tacit consent rather than active co-operation of the majority, carried it successfully through this crisis. Having secured for it the rights of the pew owners, either by purchase at a reduced valuation, or by the free gift of the more generous or more able, the work of remodeling, repairing, and refurnishing the "Old Stone Meeting-house" was commenced in May, 1850, and com- pleted in the following October. The interior arrangements and external aspect of the building were entirely changed. When the work was finished, nothing was left of the ancient structure but the solid walls, and even these had under- gone extensive alterations. The upper tier of windows was lowered, the doors and windows on the east end filled up, as well also the doors on the south side and in the tower,
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and the window behind the pulpit, on the north side ; new frames and windows were inserted, and the building brought into that shape and style it now presents.
The change of the interior was even more sweeping. The west end was pierced with doors, one on each side of the tower ; the pulpit placed at the east end, changing the front from the south to the west ; new galleries were built, and the walls, upon which the plaster was originally laid without lathing, were furred out and covered with hard finish. The eye does not now rest on a solitary object which was seen before these improvements were made.
The fitting up and furnishing of the interior was done by the enterprise, energy, and labor of the ladies of the congregation. For several years previously, they had been busy with hands, and minds, and hearts, making prepara- tions for the work, when the time for performing it should come. In spite of discouragements and delays, they did not "bate one jot of heart or hope," but, in every conceiv- able way, endeavored to add to the little fund they had sacredly devoted to this purpose. They provided the costly furniture for the pulpit, the carpet for the floors and pews, the cushions for the seats, and the elegant lamps for light- ing the house. When completed, there was no church in the vicinity that surpassed it, in the richness and beauty of its furnishing. The pastor trusts it will not be considered inappropriate, if he avails himself of this occasion to pay a deserved tribute to the ladies of the congregation, many of whom, full of years and of piety, have gone to their eternal rest and reward, who have done so much to aid him in his labors, to cheer him in seasons of declension and despond- ency, and to keep alive the flame of piety in the church, when it seemed almost ready to expire. He is happy in giving his testimony to their fidelity and zeal in the cause of their divine Master, and their unfaltering love for Zion. Having the true idea of the sphere of womanhood, they have no desire to go out of it, and seek no distinction but that which comes from the faithful discharge of the wifely and womanly duties to their families, to the church, and to the community.
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So extensive were the alterations and improvements made within and upon the "Old Stone Meeting-house " at that time, it was deemed appropriate that the entire struc- ture should be rededicated to the worship of God. The services were held October 16, 1850, when a discourse was delivered by Rev. Joel Hawes, D.D., of Hartford. It was an occasion of devout gratitude to God, and of mutual con- gratulation among the people. The entire cost of the work was about $6,000.
Not many months elapsed, after the completion of this great work-the most expensive that had been undertaken in connection with the meeting house since its erection- when the church received a beautiful and blessed answer to the question, " Who hath first given unto the Lord, and it shall not be recompensed to him again ?" An unwonted seriousness pervaded the congregation. Early in the au- tumn of 1851, the Sabbath congregations became more numerous, attendance on the meetings for social worship largely increased, the interest deepened from month to month, till, in February 1852, the cloud opened, and there was a "gracious refreshing from the presence of the Lord." As results of this extraordinary work of divine power, eighty-five united with the church, by profession, on the first Sabbath of May following, thirty of whom were heads of families. There was scarcely a family in the congrega- tion, one or more of whose members were not subjects of the revival. In some instances, entire families were among the converts. Whether regarded as to extent, or the depth and intensity of religious interest, or the number of conver- sions, it was never paralleled by any similar work of divine grace experienced in the history of this church. It was greatly needed, and added largely, not only to the numeri- cal strength, but to the moral power of the church.
In 1859, the steeple erected just sixty-two years before became so dilapidated as to be in danger of falling. Im- mediate measures were taken for replacing it with one of more modern style, and greater architectural pretensions. It cost about $2,000. It was fortunate the work was per- formed at that time, as there has been no year since 1860,
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owing to the great advance in the price of building materials and labor, when it could have been built for twice that sum. It was the fitting completion and modernizing of the "Old Stone Meeting- house." The lofty and spacious belfry, and the neat and graceful spire, corresponding with the stern simplicity of the building, and towering to the height of 196 feet from the ground, makes it a conspicuous object and an ornament to the village, in the center of which it stands. It is not surpassed, in symmetry of form, excellence of workmanship, and good taste, by any struc- ture of like magnitude in the Commonwealth.
Early in 1868, it became apparent that extensive im- provements were required to be made within and upon the meeting-house, if it was to be kept up with the advanced taste of the time. Since the remodeling in 1850, the style of internal arrangement and furnishing had changed to that degree that this house, which eighteen years before had been placed in advance, was now behind nearly all the churches in the neighborhood. The Congregationalists of East Haven had finally learned, from a rather costly ex- perience, that the prosperity of a church and society depend, in a great measure, on the enterprise, energy, and liberality of their members. The society, sustained by the unanimous sentiment of the congregation, commenced the work with unusual promptitude, and it was completed in about three months. The inner walls and ceiling were painted in fresco, a new and tasty pulpit replaced the old one, the lower floor "was re-carpeted, the pews new cush- ioned, and new lamps provided. The cost was about $3,000.
An equally great and much-needed improvement was made, at the same time, in the external appearance of the meeting-house. For several years previously, some of the ladies of the congregation had been gathering funds for the purpose of putting up an iron railing around the grounds, but had not yet secured a sufficient amount. Incited by their example, a number of public-spirited gentlemen now came forward, by whose aid that substantial and orna- mental fence, which now encloses the meeting-house on
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two sides, was erected, and a broad concrete walk, continu- ous with the fence, was laid. These add greatly to the beauty of the grounds and convenience of the general pub- lic. The cost of railing and pavement was about $1,300.
When these improvements were completed, the question came up, "How shall the meeting- house be heated ?" Until about 1820 none of the meeting-houses in New Eng- land were artificially warmed, even in the severest weather. It never occurred to the men and women of the olden time, that weather which did not prevent their pursuing their secular business on a week day could be injurious to them on the Sabbath. Stoves, with wood for fuel, were placed in this meeting-house about 1825. These were changed for coal burners about 1840, which were in use till 1868, when it was feared they would be injurious to the new finish and furniture ; therefore, stoves were voted impossible, and a furnace impracticable, because of there being no basement. After much discussion, it was finally decided to introduce steam. The necessary funds were procured without diffi- culty, though the amount was much larger than would have been required for any other mode of heating. But, once in operation, the saving of fuel will, in a few years, compensate for the difference of outlay. The expense of the steam apparatus was $1,300, as it stood completed and ready for use. After six years experience, it has proved entirely satisfactory, being equally reliable for warmth, far more cleanly, and the heat more equable and pleasant than is produced by any other mode. This was the first church in the State that was heated by steam.
A parsonage has become a necessary adjunct of an ecclesiastical society. This is especially true at the present time, when a newly-settled minister has scarcely passed through the ordeal of house-hunting, and become warm in his dwelling, when he must leave, to go through the same experience elsewhere. This society, in 1706, built a spaci- ous dwelling, and presented it, a free gift, to their first minister, Mr. Heminway. In this house he lived during all his long pastorate, and there he died. Rev. Messrs. Street, Clark, and Dodd, each built himself a dwelling,
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without assistance from the society. When the present pastor commenced his labors, it was difficult to obtain a dwelling, and the society was not in a condition to provide one. He was obliged to move his household goods and gods five times in six years. After the society had abolished its fund, and remodeled its meeting-house, it began to com- miserate its minister for the nomadic life he was leading, and at last gave him a "local habitation." The residence of the late Haynes Heminway, Esq., was purchased for $2,000, and occupied for a parsonage nearly twenty years. With the desire to provide their future pastors with a more convenient residence, and of a more modern style, in the spring of 1873 the society purchased the house built by their former minister-Rev. Saul Clark-enlarged and re- modeled it, and made it one of the most beautiful and commodious rural parsonages in the State. It has cost about $8, 000.
A commodious and convenient chapel had long been a felt necessity to the church and congregation. Nearly ten years ago, a movement was made to supply this great ยท want, which at first promised a speedy success. Funds nearly sufficient for the purpose were either raised by the efforts of the ladies or pledged by the gentlemen of the congregation. But unforeseen difficulties arose, which required time to remove. It was not till the present year that the desires and prayers of so many of the members of the church, living and dead, have been fulfilled, and the "Old Stone Meeting-house" is now supplemented by a building corresponding with it in material, in style of architecture, and in location. The enterprise was ma- terially aided by a liberal bequest of the late Mrs. Eliza Dodd. Though apparently small, in comparison with this structure, it is nevertheless more than twice the dimensions of the first meeting house erected in East Haven, and its audience room is larger, by a few square feet, than the second. It is a matter of congratulation, rather than dis- appointment, that its erection was deferred to the present time. It is now the CENTENNIAL CHAPEL-a monumental building, reared in honor of the men who built this struc-
ture, and of the generation they represented, as it will be a century hence of this generation. This coincidence of time, this connection of the close of one century with the com- mencement of another, links together the history of the two and sends them down the ages, clustering with like associations and memories and devoted to the same pious ends and objects.
The "Old Stone Meeting-house" now stands complete in modern dress, arrangements, and appointments, with a single exception, that of a suitable organ, which, judging from the past, will come in due time, when the ladies of the congregation are prepared to take hold of the enterprise in earnest. It presents an aspect of solidity, convenience, and beanty, surpassed by few rural churches in the State. During the last quarter of a century a larger amount has been expended upon and around it, than all it had pre- viously cost, including the original erection. The minimum value of the society's property can not be less than $75,000. If, by any chance, it should be destroyed, it is doubtful if it could be replaced for twice that sum. And as long as the spirit that now animates the great proportion of the congregation survives, they that have gone forth from this community, and found homes in other parts of this broad land, or on foreign shores, and whose thoughts and affec- tions often linger around the scenes of their childhood and the venerable meeting-house where their infant minds re- ceived their first impressions from the gospel of salvation, where have ever been inculcated the principles of truth and righteousness, of an unselfish patriotism and an intel- ligent piety, need have no fear that the sanctuary of their fathers will be suffered to fall into neglect and decay, or that those grand and lofty doctrines which have ever been proclaimed from its pulpit, and have proved "the wisdom of God, and the power of God unto salvation," to so many generations who have worshiped within its walls, will be renounced for any of the specious but sapless and lifeless theories which, in these later times, have emasculated religion of its spirituality and churches of their moral power.
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