USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Cornwall > Historical records of the town of Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut; > Part 14
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The church received twenty-eight members, mostly the fruit of the revival. The following persons, now living, and in full con- nection with the church, joined previous to this revival, to wit: Mrs. Sabra Baldwin (Noah), Mrs. Ithamar Baldwin, Mrs. Jacob Scoville, Mr. Titus L. Hart, Mrs. Thirza Wheeler (Samuel).
At Mr. Smith's dismissal, there ensued an interval of nearly three years in which the church was without a settled pastor; but it was by no means an eventless interval.
By reference to the Manual, it appears that fifty-four members were added to the church during that interval, of whom forty-four were at our communion in March, 1839. This is good work for interval-work, surely ! What is the explanation of this important addition while the church is without an under-shepherd ? Evan- gelistic labor by Rev. S. J. Tracy ! Mr. Tracy was introduced to the church in the early summer of 1838, soon after Mr. Smith's ministry closed. He preached one Sabbath, and was then absent from Cornwall until fall, when his protracted labors were begun, and continued until the following May.
One of Mr. Tracy's first methods was through parish visitation,
* Mrs. Smith's death occurred near the close of the year 1876.
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HISTORY OF CORNWALL.
with which this parish has been familiar, and from which it has reaped rich fruit. Before the committees sallied out upon their work, they met early in the morning at the school-house near the church, for a season of prayer and christian conference.
In the evening they convened at the church to report to a public meeting the important features of the day's work.
Mr. Tracy's manner of presenting gospel truth had the merits of clearnesss, force, and pungency, and usually awakened convic- tion in the minds of the masses. While he drew upon himself much criticism by his disregard of conventionalities, and some- times gave offense by his unwise personal appeals, he found the way to many hearts that remained closed to other men's approaches. It would have been more acceptable to a large class of respectable people, if Mr. Tracy had had more of that gospel grace of "gentle- ness " by which the great apostle to the Gentiles was marked, and which distinguished "the Beloved disciple " from the Baptist, Elisha from Elijah, or even which makes Christianity to differ from Juda- ism; and yet, as we honor the bold, dauntless man of God, "the Prophet of the Mountains," for faithfully fulfilling his peculiar mission in his own chosen way, so now should we commend to a charitable memory the evangelist who manifested such devout loyalty to the person and "works " of " Him who " had doubtless " sent " him.
When the candidates, converted through Mr. Tracy's instrumen- tality were received into the church, he was asked to admit and baptize them, which he did. Mr. Tracy is still living. He resides in East Springfield, Otsego County, New York.
In November, 1840, the church heard as candidate, Joshua L. Maynard, a graduate of Union Seminary, New York City, and a licentiate of the Association of New London County, his native county. His call, with "great unanimity," was voted November 23d; he was ordained January 14, 1841, and settled with a salary of $500.
Mr. Maynard " was a man," says Deacon Pratt in his history, " of ardent piety, consistent in his daily walk and conversation, and his sermons were filled with the spirit of the gospel of Christ." He, like both his predecessors, was a young man.
During all the first years of Mr. Maynard's ministry there were seasons of religious interest; but it was not until 1846 that there occurred a general revival. This revival began in a series of prayer-meetings held at the residence of Deacon Wadsworth. The
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
pastor was supported by a strong corps of earnest workers, and soon the good work spread through the parish. In illustration of the judgment of the pastor, this incident : When the interest was at its height, the deacons asked Mr. Maynard if he would not like some evangelical aid from abroad. "No!" he replied, "if the church will do the praying, I will do the preaching, and we will keep quietly along with the work God has given us to do !" Rev. Mr. Stone speaks of this revival as truly remarkable for the depth and earnestness of feeling manifested, combined with a quiet but impressive solemnity scarcely ever witnessed by him.
" But at North Cornwall all was still and impressive, and what was yet more extraordinary, there was no similar revival in any adjoining society."* Respecting Mr. Maynard's ministry, his successor, Mr. Clarke, bears cheerful testimony that "It was at- tended signally by the ministrations of God's spirit, and the church was very greatly enlarged and strengthened under it."
This would indicate what, from my own observation, I believe to be the truth, that Mr. Maynard was not a man who merely planted and labored for others to enter into his labors, but thanks to the great Head of the Church, he was able to see some of the fruit of his labors before he went hence.
The largest company ever received into this church at any one time, it was Mr. Maynard's happiness to receive, in May, 1846, numbering sixty-five. During that same year the total admissions were seventy-six. Another revival in 1851 brought in forty-seven members. It was Mr. Maynard's privilege to see this church in- creased during his ministry of eleven years, by one hundred and sixty-two members, of whom thirty-nine were by letter, and one hundred and twenty-three on profession.
In 1852 a call was extended to Mr. Maynard from the Congre- gational church in East Douglass, Mass. The call was accepted; he was dismissed May 25, 1852, with the assurance of "the undi- minished confidence and affection " of his people. His death oc- curred in the spring of 1873, at Williston, Vt.
From 1852 to May, 1855, the church was again listening to "candidates." But the only name to which reference is made, that I can ascertain, is to a Mr. Bradley of Lee, Mass. The church gave him a call, but it being not entirely unanimous, he did not accept.
In March, 1855, a unanimous call was extended to the Rev.
* Parson Stone's Sketches.
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HISTORY OF CORNWALL.
William B. Clarke, of New Haven. It was favorably received, and he was ordained May 4th. Mr. Clarke was graduated at Yale, class of '49, and licensed by New Haven East, in 1852. As had been the case with each of his three predecessors, this was Mr. Clarke's first settlement. He remained with the church but four years, on a salary of seven hundred dollars.
Mr. Clarke was, in private character, marked by purity, refine- ment, and the union of true courage and Pauline "gentleness." In manners he was a thorough gentleman; in pulpit ministrations he was appropriate, scholarly, and edifying, while in the special field of biblical training of the young he was thorough and inspiring.
The Church Manual was revised and printed under his supervis- ion, and is thorough and systematic. While some corrections are needed in the historical part, the roll has been carefully prepared.
I notice, at the close of this address, several errors in the man- ual, which please see.
In the winter of 1855-6 another gracious revival was enjoyed, and thirty-one names were addded to the roll, all but three on profession of faith. Similar to the revival of 1846, this began with a series of neighborhood prayer-meetings.
Mr. Clarke asked for his dismission in 1859, in order to enable him to carry out a cherished plan of European travel. It was left by the church for Consociation to decide, while no formal opposi- tion was made to the proposition. Mr. Clarke was unmarried at the time of his dismissal.
He was dismissed May 18, 1859, spent two years in Europe, and on his return was called to the pastorate of the church in Yale College. After three years' service at Yale, he went to the charge of the Congregational church, Litchfield, where he spent three years as acting pastor. Mr. Clarke married the daughter of Dr. Arms, of Norwich Town.
Mr. Clarke was succeeded in September following by Rev. Charles Wetherby, a graduate of Middlebury College. He was ordained September 29, 1859. President Labaree of the college preached the sermon. Mr. Wetherby's salary was $800.
Mr. Wetherby had a popular pulpit-power which "drew," an en- thusiastic, fearless spirit, which interested an audience. He liad quick sympathies, ardent impulses, a generous nature. He made original interpretations: struck out new lines of thought vigorously. He had striking analogies, made remarks calculated to be remem-
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bered: drew out to church some who had long neglected public worship. He had a versatile and ready mind, great social powers, quick wit. He had his friends, and loved them on the principle, doubtless, -
" The friends thou hast and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel."
His traits and merits were positive, his tastes pronounced, his con- victions prompt, his views humanitarian, and closely bordering on what is known in the vicinity of Boston as "broad." Like all positive characters, Mr. Wetherby laid himself open to much criticism, but on the whole his ministry was acceptable and useful. A sermon delivered by him at the funeral of Captain Allen was published.
The winter of 1860 witnessed another revival, the first interest being awakened at the annual meeting of the church in January. Forty-one members were added to the church during that year. Twenty-one joined in 1865. The whole number of additions dur- ing the six years and eight months of his ministry, is seventy.
On the 25th of March, 1866, the pastor presented his resignation by letter, which is on record. He was earnestly solicited to with- draw it, but could not think it his duty to do so, and was conse- quently dismissed June 13, 1866. After leaving Cornwall, Mr. W. was pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Winsted, and thence went to one of the Congregational churches of Nashua, N. H.
Interval No. 5 in the history of this church was of one year's duration.
Rev. Jesse Brush was called from Vernon, and accepted; was installed June 20, 1867, upon a salary of eleven hundred dollars and the use of the parsonage. Mr. Brush was an acceptable preacher, a man of character and cultivation, and a thorough pastor.
During the winter of 1868, commencing with the Week of Prayer, a revival of religious feeling was manifested; meetings were increased, well attended, and fruitful; but not to that degree which was desired. The work of bringing those interested to the point of consecration was committed, under the Spirit, to the evangelist, John D. Potter. Respecting Mr. Potter's work here, there is not entire unanimity of view. That those who were awakened through his efforts and added to the church have "run
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HISTORY OF CORNWALL.
well," and "faithfully endured," with a few exceptions, I can tes- tify. The great majority of those who were received in July of 1868, numbering forty-two, are with us still, and following the Mas- ter. The number added to the church during Mr. Brush's minis- try of six years is sixty-one. Mr. Brush was dismissed to accept of a call to Berlin, June, 1873. (See Church Records.)
The present pastor, Chas. N. Fitch, is a graduate of Yale Theo- logical Seminary, class of "73; licensed by N. H. West Consociation, April 30, 1872; ordained by Litchfield North Consociation, May 12, 1874; settled on a salary of $1,000 per annum, and the use of the parsonage.
1. To recapitulate: This church has had and parted with six pastors, whose average period of pastorate has been nine years and one month. It is a proper cause for pride that you "have never turned away a minister." It has, the rather, been your privilege to become a training-school for taking ministers fresh from the seminary and preparing them for " wider fields of usefulness."
If you cannot boast of having had the lifelong ministries of each successive servant of Christ in the gospel, nor can point out in your burial-place on yonder hillside the grave of a single minis- ter * whose service ended among you, you can nevertheless rejoice that you were able to retain the affectionate regard and warm commendation of every pastor released. You are entitled to no slight satisfaction from the thought that your sacrifice has in several instances been richly rewarded by the increased usefulness which has come to them in their new fields; and it is not unnatural for you to believe that some have been disappointed in their endeavors to find either wider fields or happier ones by making a change.
2. The church has been pastorless fifteen years since 1805. For forty years, since its establishment, or during forty-one per cent. of its life, it has had to depend for pulpit instructions upon either stated supplies, or evangelists, or "deacons' meetings."
3. The many revival eras to which you can look back with deep gratitude to the Great Head of the Church, are perhaps the chief features of your religious history.
Being " addicted " to revivals has, however, one drawback if it becomes the master-habit of a church, that is, it will be likely to
* The first wife of J. L. Maynard is the only minister's wife buried in the churchyard.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. .
overlook the need of training in christian work and developing in practical righteousness, those confessedly immature "plants of right- eousness " whose growth has been started by hot-house methods.
There have been since 1805 twelve distinct revival eras, from which an average of forty persons to each revival have been added to the church .*
The distinguished capacities for work and noble christian char- acters developed in the few of each past generation, upon whom the church burdens have rested, may well lead us to reflect what a symmetrical and uniformly strong church-life might have been developed had the work been judiciously distributed: "to every man his work."
4. The total admissions to the church from 1780 to 1877 is seven hundred and four members, as follows:
The first nucleus, 13
Before Mr. Hawes' settlement,
- 35
During Mr. Hawes' pastorate, - 62
During Mr. Smith's pastorate,
113
During Mr. Maynard's pastorate, 162
During Mr. Clarke's pastorate, - 34
During Mr. Wetherby's pastorate,
70
During Mr. Brush's pastorate, - 61
During first three years of Mr. Fitch's pastorate, 69
During the various intervals,
85
Grand total, -
-
704
The living membership of the church, January Ist, 1876, is one hundred and eighty-one.
5. The practical benevolence of the church can be only approx- imately estimated, as we have access to the figures for only the past thirty years:
From 1847 to 1876, inclusive, the church collections amounted to
-
$6,330.44
A yearly average of $211.00
The Ladies' Benevolent Society has raised in twenty-
two years -
1,303.33
A yearly average of $59.24
Total,
$7,633.77
* In twelve revivals there were added 474 members.
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HISTORY OF CORNWALL.
As it is known that the Ladies' Society has been in existence nearly fifty years, if we allow only one-half of this yearly average for the twenty-eight preceding years, we will still have a total of over two thousand dollars to be accredited to the benevolence of the faithful women of the church.
If a like estimate of the benevolence of the church previous to 1847 be made, on the low average of seventy-five dollars per year, we shall find that the amount of twelve thousand dollars would not be too large an estimate in money of the benevolent contributions of this church in its entire history.
6. Thus far we have limited our review to the narrow home-field which we can almost compass in a bird's-eye view from the steeple of the old church. But manifestly such a limitation is unfair, as one notable feature of christian work in a country church in New England is her far richer gift of consecrated sons and daughters to the attractive cities of the east and west and to the missionary fields of all the world. For while this august sacrifice yields ulti- mately vast harvests of good in both the home church and the churches that receive these our precious gifts, still this perpetual draft upon the young corps of the old Home Guard leaves it in crippled condition as compared with growing churches.
The country church thus becomes to America what the "Cohen Caph El" was to Egypt-a "royal seminary, from whence they drafted novices to supply their colleges and temples."
In the list of "ministers raised up," you may see the mission the church has had and is still fulfilling in this the noblest work of the ages.
If now you add to this list the names of those noble women whom she has given as " helps " to the ministers, " meet " to be their partners in the work of winning souls; those teachers who have had leading positions in the great work of moulding the minds and characters of the youth of the land; those christian lawyers and physicians who owe a good part of their religious impressions to their spiritual fathers and mothers in this church; besides the long list of worthy laymen who have illustrated the nobility of patriotism in times of war, and the fidelity of christian faith in times of peace; you may have some slight conception of the good that has been done in the fields of the world, through what may be termed the missionary work of this ancient church.
If I may give expression, in a few words, to the lessons to be learned from this "inquiry into the former age," and this "search
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
of the record of the fathers," I will remind you that as christians we should estimate the church by means of spiritual standards.
As stewards of an heavenly Master, our supreme desire should be to do our work so as to merit His approval.
When Lord Beaconsfield was asked in what style his official residence should be furnished and decorated, he replied, pointing to the portrait of Sir Robert Walpole, "Furnish it for that portrait."
So would I point you to day to the Great Head of the Church, whose image not merely, but whose presence is with us and whose eye is ever upon us, and ask you to keep always in mind His standard, both in judging of the work that has been done and in planning the work yet to be done.
"I know," says the Master, "thy works," and He rejoices more in them, be assured, than men are able to, for He knows amid what trials and sacrifices the noble history of the past has been wrought out. "God is not unrighteous," says the apostle, "to forget your works and labors of love that ye have shewed toward His name."
But think not too much upon the past. Think reverently, think charitably, think sensibly, but let your thoughts of the past be brief! Look back just long enough to take your bearings, and then push right onward. "Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, for I have not found thy works perfect."
This is the spiritual standard ;- perfect trust, perfect consecration, perfect work: and you are a long way from reaching that standard. Although this church has not been the residence of ancient Lydian kings, she has an honored roll of "the just made perfect." What are we doing to-day to add to that roll ?
While you cannot boast of Cornwall as having been the birth- place of any rich Cræsus, your homes have long been abodes of comfort and signs of abundance. Are the gifts and sacrifices as abundant as the Master would like ? Does your benevolence yet bear the proper ratio to your abundance ? Apply the spiritual standard.
Christ does not ask for your gold to gild some splendid heathen god's statue, but to bear to living, sinning, suffering neighbors both sides the sea, the good news of freedom and peace. And He asks for your sons and daughters: that you train them, some for the work of the church at home, some for the august sacrifice upon far off, unknown altars, and all for His service, so loyally, that when
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HISTORY OF CORNWALL.
the word comes to any one, " The Master is come and calleth for thee," he shall promptly respond, " Here am I, send me !"
Therefore, brethren, let us one and all "be watchful and strengthen the things that remain," for we know not but that they may be ready to die even while we are rejoicing. But this we know, that He saith (whose praise we covet more than the praises of all men), "I have not found thy works perfect."
Addenda. In its deacons this church has been no less favored with earnest and godly men than in its pastors.
The Separates at first had for deacons Beriah Hotchkin and Phineas Waller, who served eighteen years. Respecting either of these deacons, all that is known of them now is that Deacon Waller was the first deacon of the First Church; that he came from New Milford; that his residence was on the north side of Waller Hill, where Judson Adams now lives; and that they served until 1800. Their successors were Jesse Hyatt and Hezekiah Clark. Both these brethren were serving at the time of Mr. Hawes' ordination. A short time previous to 1807, Deacon Clark died, and Deacon Hyatt removed to Georgetown, New York.
Mr. Stone, pastor of the First Church, has recorded his estimate of Deacon Hyatt in these very commendatory words: "He was eminently amiable and meek; few christians have lived and died having fewer enemies than had Deacon Hyatt. He was never a close communionist [sectarian is intended, I presume-c. N. F. ], but was ever glad to receive every one that loved the essential doctrines of the cross."
David Clark was chosen, April 10, 1807, to succeed his deceased brother as deacon, and Eliakim Mallory was chosen Deacon Hyatt's successor. Deacon Clark served but four years, when he died, and was succeeded by Titus Hart in 1811.
That the church should make choice of two deacons from the same family in the same generation is clear proof of the worth and piety of Hezekiah and David Clark.
Eliakim Mallory honored the office of deacon eight years, and, for his faith and devotion to the Church, "obtained a good report." He was a man of more than average ability. He was a frequent delegate to Consociation in that day when the choice of delegate was quite an honor. He was the delegate, with the pastor, when this church was admitted to that body in 1809. He frequently served on committees of conferences between the two churches, when the question of union was so much discussed. Deacon Mallory
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
was prominent also in the business of the society. A man of noble spirit, unexceptional character, and decided dignity of man- ner, his death, occurring near the close of 1815, left a large vacancy in both society and church.
At Deacon Hart's election, a day of fasting and prayer was ob- served, according to prevalent custom. It is said of Deacon Hart, by Mr. Stone, that he was "an Israelite indeed, ever pious and stead- fast in duty, possessing the qualifications which Paul required of a deacon." At his death, in 1830, he had held the office nearly twenty years. Titus Hart and Jesse Hyatt are the only deacons from this parish who received notice in Stone's History of Corn- wall .*
Nathan Hart was chosen deacon in 1816, and retired in 1854. His term of office is the longest of any of the deacons, embracing three distinct periods in the history of the church, to wit: the ministry of Walter Smith, the evangelical labors of S. J. Tracy, and the entire ministry of Joshua Maynard,-a period of thirty- nine years. He was chosen while his father, Dea. Titus Hart, was living, but because he was too old and infirm to perform the office of a deacon, and too much beloved to be asked to resign. Deacon Nathan Hart had high regard for purity and consistency of chris- tian character, "was very jealous for the Lord of hosts," and was very faithful in labors to secure righteousness of life in all who professed and called themselves christians. He was also a peace- maker. I notice in the Church Records for March 20, 1822, that Deacons Noah Rogers and Nathan Hart, and Ichabod Howe, were appointed a Standing Committee "to settle difficulties between brethren." Before his death Deacon Hart joined with Deacon Wadsworth in gifts to the church, of which I shall speak presently. At his death, in 1861, he had been a member of the church sixty- one years, for nearly two-thirds of which time he had been deacon; and he was for many years superintendent of the Sunday-school. Of his many excellent qualities none were more marked than his devotional spirit, which had for a substantial basis good sense and integrity. Deacon Hart was "faithful over a few things," and has doubtless entered into the joy of his Lord.
Noah Rogers was chosen deacon in 1816. In a church which has had four men by that name connected with it this would not, at least, be speaking very definitely. But the Noah chosen deacon joined the church about 1814, and is known to this community as
* Parson Stone's History was not brought down to the present day.
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HISTORY OF CORNWALL.
" Deacon Noah." His place in the genealogical tree is, I believe, Noah 4th. Respecting the worth and work of Deacon Noah Rogers, I cannot do better than to cite the testimony of the late George Wheaton, Esq., for many years associated with him in social and business relations of life. His words will be all the more weighty, because coming from one not at that time a profess- ing christian. "The ardent desire of Deacon Rogers was ever for the prosperity and upbuilding of the North Congregational Church. Through his influence, and the material aid which he furnished, it received much of that material and spiritual aggressive power which has brought to it its present degree of prosperity. He was ever kind and liberal to the poor, and gave freely of his abundance. He lived a christian life, and died the death of the righteous." From the records of both church and society it is clear that Deacon Rogers served this church with a fidelity which it would be hard to match, and impossible to excel, in the long list of her worthy sons. His qualities were of the quiet kind, substantial and worthy. His fitness answered to Paul's test, in that he was "grave," " not double-tongued," "ruled his children and his own house well," "ministered in the office of a deacon well," and "purchased for himself a good degree," both as respects grace of character and favor among men. Deacon Rogers retired in 1836, three years before his death, having served twenty years.
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