USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Cornwall > Historical records of the town of Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut; > Part 9
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But none suffered so much as the pastor of the church. He loved the mission school ardently, and saw the prospect of its dis- solution. He loved Boudinot and had been much loved by him ; the young lady was a most sincere friend of her pastor. Had he been in the Cherokee nation as a missionary, he would most cor. dially have married these young christian friends, whom he loved as his spiritual children. But for him to have married, in Corn- wall, Boudinot to Harriet, would no doubt have exposed him to immediate personal insult and abuse, and his dismission would
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have been the direct consequence. He endeavored to harmonize and conciliate the feelings of the contending parties so far as pos- sible-but to do it was impossible. He, like many others, who have striven to reconcile combatants, received the blows of both, and his dismission, a few years after, was in no small degree the effect of this Indian marriage connection.
Ill health, which he had experienced for four years and a half, from November, 1822, and from which he had been gradually recovering, was the professed reason why about one-half of the society requested his dismission, which took place May 1, 1827. Other motives beside these ostensible reasons, operated on the minds of the younger class. A more popular preacher and one of more eloquence was desired. He would not contend with the flock with whom he had been connected for toward a quarter of a century, as pastor. It was a peaceful separation, although to him it was extremely painful. After the severity of his feelings sub- sided, he ever rejoiced that he conducted as he did. Nothing tends more to injure the cause of religion than for a pastor to quarrel with his flock. The thought of a quarrel of this sort was more painful than a dismission.
The sickness referred to, was a severe fever, continuing many weeks; life was almost extinct, and death thought most probably to be the result. For seventy days strength was too much pros- trated to allow walking. He had two watchers every night for nearly three months ; during which period the kindness of his people was exceedingly great; especially the foreign youth of the mission school manifested the most peculiar affection to the sick minister and to his family. On his recovering in the spring of 1823, the Rev. Mr. Strong, who had been pastor of North Wood- bury, was hired by the society for four weeks. Afterward the pastor, being still an invalid, hired preaching at his own expense to the amount of between thirty and forty dollars.
In the winter of 1827-8, the dismissed minister was so well as to go to East Hampton, the east parish of Chatham, on Connec- ticut river, where he was, on the first of May, 1828, installed pas- tor. There he continued three years and eight months. His family could not leave Cornwall, chiefly on account of the ill health of his wife. During his ministry at East Hampton, there was, in the winter of 1828-9, a very uncommon religious ex- citement among his people, and no doubt many were truly con- verted. The Methodists took an active part in this revival, with
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whom the East Hampton pastor had, for the most part, a friendly correspondence, often meeting together.
It is important to refer back to the summer of 1826. At that time there were many indications of a religious revival in South Cornwall. There were a few hopeful conversions; but the influ- ential members of the church did not (a very few exceptions only) take any interest in the prospect of a revival. At that time the dismission of the pastor was no doubt secretly intended, and when he knew nothing of it! ! !!
On July 25, 1827, the Rev. William Andrews, who had been the pastor of Danbury, and previously of Windham, was installed pastor of South Cornwall.
After the dismission of Mr. Smith in 1838, the north church and society were destitute of a pastor until January, 1841. In the summer of 1838, and in the succeeding autumn and winter, the Rev. Mr. Tracy preached to them, and his ministerial labors were accompanied with happy success. He was unusually plain and pungent both in public and private in urging sinners to repent- ance; and so much so, as to give offence to many. Whether he was in all cases entirely wise and prudent is doubtful ; still his endeavors to excite and promote a religious revival were not in vain. Many were the subjects of hopeful conversion, and many of them were young heads of families, and of respectable, influ- ential characters. In the spring of 1839, fifty were united with the church, most of that number at one time. This church and society were now rising fast in respectability and in the order and peace of the gospel, manifesting most evidently that the union of the two congregational churches of Cornwall was not a desir- able event. After Mr. Tracy had left them, who had no intention of being settled as the pastor of this people, no candidate was employed with view of his settlement, until the summer of 1840, when the Rev. Mr. Joshua L. Maynard, a native of New London county, who was educated at New York City, and studied theology there, preached as a candidate. With great unanimity he was settled as their pastor. His ordination was January, 1841. Rev. Mr. Andrews of Kent preached on the occasion.
Mr. Maynard's ministry was blessed uncommonly; and in the winter of 1846 and 1847 a great religious excitement was, for sev- eral months, witnessed among the people of his charge. The scene was deeply solemn; no irregularities or any indications of enthusi- astic feelings were displayed, as had been so unhappily manifested
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in the course of the twenty years past, in many parts of our coun- try, where new measures and artificial management had produced among thousands a prejudice against genuine revivals of religion. At North Cornwall all was still and impressive; and, what was yet more extraordinary, there was no similar revivals in any adjacent society. In the society of South Cornwall repeated weekly meet- ings of the church were held with the pastor, Rev. Mr. Day; and a small degree of interest was felt in regard to the spiritual condi- tion of the people; and a few were the hopeful subjects of religion. But nothing more appeared to be the result of the prayer meetings.
A more solemn and impressive scene of a religious revival was never witnessed by the writer of this narrative, during his observ- ations of fifty years; nor, indeed, did he ever hear of a revival much more interesting or more happy in its results. At the com- munion of North Cornwall, on the first Sabbath of May, about 100 were received into the church. Several of them were respectable and influential heads of families. This society is not large, and therefore, according to the population, not any ecclesiastical society of Congregationalists in any place have enjoyed a religious revival greater than North Cornwall.
Thus the historical sketch of that church and society is brought to a close. North Cornwall's Congregational church is now in a very prosperous condition, as much so as any in our own country, excepting that, as in most of her sister churchies, zeal and love are now apparently declining. The installation of Rev. Mr. Andrews, the immediate successor of the writer, was July 25, 1827. Rev. Mr. Punderson, of Huntington, a special friend of Mr. Andrews, preached on the occasion. There was but a small congregation assembled. In the call of Mr. Andrews by the church and society there was unanimity The dismissed minister exerted his influence for Mr. Andrews' settlement. Rev. William Andrews was born at Ellington, in this State, and graduated at Middlebury, Vermont. Having studied theology with Dr. Burton, of Thetford, Vt., he was settled as pastor of the Congregational Church of Windham, of this State. Having been dismissed at his own request, he was installed pastor of the First Church of Danbury. He continued there, until a very unhappy controversy took place, occasioned by a very perplexing case of church discipline (when the majority of the church sustained Mr. Andrews in his proceedings, while a majority of the society was adverse to him), he was then dismissed.
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Mr. Andrews was a sound divine, an uncommonly good sermonizer, possessing a good logical mind, and was a superior scholar.
His ministry at Danbury was, until a controversy commenced, more than usually happy and successful. He continued here in his ministry for ten years and nearly six months, till, on the first day of January, 1838, he died peacefully, relying on Christ; hav. ing been for considerable time very infirm, and for several weeks incapable of performing any ministerial services.
Previous to the dismission of his predecessor the society was, in consequence of the confusion of the Indian marriages, and the infirm health of the pastor, although he was gradually recovering it, sinking down into a declension. On the settlement of Mr. Andrews, efforts were made to build up society secularly, and to maintain respectability as a parish, manifestly appeared to have been no small object in their efforts. When vital piety is the chief object of a church, and genuine revivals are enjoyed, temporal prosperity is the invariable result. Considerable pains were taken to advance the interests of the Sabbath-schools. Mr. Andrews was a sermonizer of superior order. His style was exceedingly neat and perspicuous, and the truths of divine revelation and sound Calvinistic doctrines were plainly and faithfully exhibited. His speaking was good, without any oratorical display. It was evi- dent that his manner was regarded not a little.
His ministry was accompanied with success. A special revival was enjoyed in the winter of 1829 and 1830, and during his ten years' ministry sixty-three, by profession, were received into the church.
His health was, during the latter half of his ministerial labors, quite infirm. The society, as such, was becoming weaker, and the old house of public worship was less frequented, while the youth in the gallery were light and irregular in their deportment. Religion sensibly decayed. At the decease of Mr. Andrews the prospect was dark. His funeral was very respectfully attended by several ministers and by a full congregation. The Rev. Grant Powers, of Goshen, preached on the occasion a sermon that was soon issued from the press.
The Rev. Wm. W. Andrews, who was ordained pastor of Kent, May, 1834, the oldest son of Mr. Andrews, was exceedingly pop- ular as a preacher, and of a most amiable character. He was a superior scholar, and was highly esteemed by all the people of South Cornwall, being everywhere popular. It had been reported
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that his father gave as his dying request that this son might be his successor at South Cornwall.
The influential members of both church and society deemed it highly important for the building up of the society that this young minister should be removed from Kent to this place.
Nothing could have been more pleasant to the family of that lovely and most intelligent young man, especially to his widowed mother, than for him to come and take the place of his father. But Kent regarded itself no way inferior in respectability to South Cornwall. That people were strongly attached to their minister, and therefore were highly indignant at our people in calling away their pastor by an offer of an increase of one hundred dollars to his salary. This was disingenuous conduct. But great allowance should be made for the friends of Mr. Andrews and his family in their peculiar circumstances of temptation. The writer was an ardent friend of this young minister, and had he not been settled a pastor, Mr. Andrews would have been chosen to be the pastor here in preference to another candidate, excepting that Mr. Andrews was much attached to the singular views of the celebrated Irving of Holland, who maintained the doctrine of the near approach of Christ's second advent, in opposition to the spirit- ual millennium which is so clearly foretold in the prophetical writings.
These views of Mr. Andrews were regarded by the writer of this statement as quite injurious to those efforts which the church is under obligations to make to evangelize the world. Hence, with all the partiality of friendship, and a high esteem for Mr. Andrews, as a man of uncommon amiability, and of excellent mental endow- ments and acquisitions he could not desire him to be pastor of this church. At a meeting of the church he remonstrated against an invitation of Mr. Andrews-and was thereby an object of no small reproach for a season. Mr. Andrews did not accept the call. His conduct was altogether honorable, as he did not encourage his friends here that he would accept such an invitation.
The Rev. Nathaniel M. Urmston, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, who had studied theology at Princeton, N. J., and had been pastor for two or three years at Newtown, Conn., was installed here June 28, 1838. He continued in his office only twenty-two months. There was opposition to his settlement at first; it was not large in number, but the character of the opposers was respectable. These persons had been the most ardent advocates for inviting Mr. An-
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drews, of Kent. This opposition did not decrease. Mr. Urmston was truly a worthy man, of good mind, sound and thorough in his views of divine truth, had good health, was able to perform all the laborious services of a pastor with ease, and possessed a strong voice and was easily heard by such as were afflicted with deafness. His voice, however, was not pleasant, but rather displeasing to such as were fastidious as to what they heard.
Mr. Urmston was quite independent in his judgment and opinions; and did not possess that ease and familiarity in his con- versation that distinguished his predecessor, Mr. Andrews. Also he took a deep interest in the district schools, of which he was chosen the first school visitor. He, in his determination of maintaining strict order in the conduct of the school boys, was in a measure imprudent, by which he lost some influence. His wife was an infirm person, and therefore he did not visit his people so much as he otherwise probably would have done. No prospect appeared that his influence would be increased for doing good; and as the opposition to him was evidently increased his best friends intimated to him the propriety of calling a consociation to decide whether a dismission was not advisable. Mr. Urmston, being a man of good sense, took no umbrage at the suggestion, as he knew his friends were sincere in their friendship, and therefore the majority of his church at his request called the consociation which met the first of April, 1840. That body did not advise his dismission. But the first of May, at the installation of Rev. Mr. Brownell at Sharon, Mr. Urmston having obtained the consent of the church urged and obtained a regular dismission; and a very good recom- mendation was given him by the consociation.
In the course of the winter of 1838 and 1839 there was a manifest revival of religion in the society, at the time when Rev. Mr. Tracy was laboring successfully in North Cornwall. Several were anxious for their salvation, and a few were hopefully converted. About sixteen were received into the church during his ministry of twenty-two months. He was active in his minis- terial duty, not only on the Sabbath but in attending religious meetings in the week. His bodily health was firm, and he had no occasion to call in the aid of his ministerial brethren. There was indeed a very favorable prospect of an extensive revival in South Cornwall. But Mr. Urmston soon felt discouragements on account of the apparent indifference of influential members of the church. And certainly he had some ground for such an apprehension.
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It is truly melancholy to witness the private and partial feelings of Christ's disciples operating against His cause. Had there not been opposition to Mr. Urmston's settlement, there is just reason to believe that he would have had more effectual aid from his church. Mr. Urmston was afterward installed pastor of a Pres- byterian Church.
In the summer of 1840 the Rev. John Williams Salter, a native of Mansfield, in this State, who had been a pastor at Kingston, Mass., near old Plymouth, was employed as a preacher and candi- date for settlement, and continued here until April, 1841.
His preaching was acceptable, and his manners and disposition were, though somewhat eccentric, very agreeable. Had he been disposed to have continued still longer, and until the new church (which he was influential in building) had been erected, most probably he would have been chosen pastor by a large proportion of the society.
Energetic efforts were made, especially by the inhabitants of Corn- wall Valley, to build this church edifice. The southern sections of the society, beyond Colt's-foot mountain and on the Housatonic river, were at first quite favorable, or at least apparently, to this design. When the people of the vicinity of the meeting-house were found quite active and liberal in their intentions of building, the people of the northern sections appeared to draw back, pleading that they intended to build a house for worship to their accommoda- tion in their vicinity. This excited a set of very unpleasant feel- ings which are not yet forgotten-especially as they have not to the present day done anything to erect such a building.
It should be not forgotten, that after the dismission of Rev. Mr. Urmston all previous unpleasant feelings among the people during Mr. Salter's preaching were apparently gone. His influence was unusually happy in promoting harmony. The temper of the friends of Mr. Urmston in their concessions to his dismission tended not a little to this peace.
The situation of the people of the southern section of the society, being quite remote from Cornwall Valley, which is situated on the northern border of the parish, naturally produced among those who were thus separated by Colt's-foot mountain from the village of the church edifice, unpleasant feelings. This sectional party spirit was promoted at the erection of the new house of worship. This new building, begun in the summer of 1841, was finished in the winter of 1842, and in February was dedicated, a
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very large assembly being convened, an excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. Adam Reid, of Salisbury. Various candi- dates were called to preach after Mr. Salter, without sufficient union to obtain a pastor until February 28, 1844, when the Rev. Hiram Day was ordained.
It is doubted whether, within half a century, there has been in our churches an instance of a pastor being installed against so great an opposition as in the case of Mr. Day. About one-third of the legal voters of the society and nearly one-fourth of the church appeared in their formal protest before the consociation against his ordination. All but two or three of the ministers in this council, voted at first that although they approved of the character and qualifications of the candidate, still they ought not to disregard so large an opposition. A majority of the delegates of the churches voted to ordain him; and at length a majority of the presbyters concurred.
Previous to this, an unhappy party spirit existed. The Rev. Mr. Blodgett (afterward the pastor of Greenwich, in Mass.) was the object of the choice of almost all, but there was some opposition; and as he had declared that he should not receive any call that was not unanimous, no formal invitation was extended to him. He was an excellent man, a fine classical scholar, a distinguished Hebrewist, and a sound and well-read divine. Many were very urgent to settle him as their pastor.
In the winter and spring of 1843, the Rev. John Sessions, who had been Presbyterian pastor of a church in the town of Norwich, Chenango County, N. Y., was invited to settle. He was a very superior man in intellect, and a thorough theologian. He was a student at the theological seminary of Princeton, and an excellent sermonizer. All the church, except the youngest deacon, were, at the first vote, united in calling him, and the society was nearly as much desirous to settle him.
But through the opposition of one of the officers of the church, and hesitancy as to the support offered, he gave a negative answer, to the great regret and (it is believed by the writer) to the very great injury of the society. After this, he offered to come back, but a large minority opposed him. This produced a most unhappy schism, and renewed the sad sectional divisions already referred to. This undoubtedly had influence in dividing the society, about one- third being against and two-thirds for the settlement of Mr. Day. This opposition did not decrease. At the annual meeting of con
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sociation, in September, 1848, Mr. Day was dismissed; when it is evident that he determined, if possible, to retain his ground, in spite of so large an opposition. Let a minister be possessed of all ministerial qualifications, he is not an object of the choice of the writer, who is willing to continue in his ministry against such opposition, excepting where he is opposed on account of his holding to essential truths of the Gospel. In such case, it may be proper for such a pastor to stand firm against heresy. But this was not the situation of Mr. Day. Never has the writer, who has been toward half a century a minister of the Gospel, seen so much evil in any ecclesiastical society, by party spirit, as was promoted by the determined purpose of Mr. Day to stand his ground. Still, Mr. Day was a man of piety. He was supported by the party spirit of his advocates. Rev. Warren Andrews, the principal of Alger Institute, supplied the pulpit till the spring of 1849, when his younger brother, Rev. Ebenezer Andrews, was engaged to preach for a year.
Extract from the Centennial Sermon of REV. SAMUEL J. WHITE, D.D., taking up the history of the First Congregational Church as left by Mr. Stone :
Two years after the dismission of Rev. Mr. Day, the Rev. Ralph Smith was installed pastor, September, 1851. He is regarded by the people of his charge as a refined and cultivated scholar and able preacher. The church records contain no account of his labors. He was dismissed May 3, 1855. As near as I can learn, thirty-three united with the church during his pastorate. What proportion by profession of faith, I cannot learn.
From September, 1855, to September, 1857, Rev. Ira Pettibone was "acting pastor " of the church. The church records are silent in respect to his labors. I learn, from the list of members, that twelve united with the church during his ministry; how many by letter, and how many by profession of faith, I cannot learn.
Rev. Stephen Fenn was installed pastor May, 1859, and dis- missed December, 1867. During his pastorate of eight years and six months, fifty-eight united with the church. The church records do not contain much in respect to his ministry. I have already stated the substance of all that I can gather. His labors were very acceptable to the people, and were very much blessed. He loved his people ardently, and was tenderly loved by them.
Rev. Elias B. Sanford was ordained and installed pastor of this
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church July 7, 1869. The installation sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Backus, of Thomaston. There is a copy of Mr. Sanford's letter of acceptance on the church book, and the action of the church preparatory to his installation. At a meeting of the church, September 7, 1871, they voted to unite with Mr. San- ford in dissolving the pastoral relation. During his pastorate of two years and three months, ten were added to the church.
Rev. N. A. Prince was installed pastor of this church, June 28, 1872. There is no record in the church book of any action of the church in respect to the dismission of Mr. Prince. I learn from the society book that he was dismissed May 12, 1874. Six united with the church during his pastorate. He was regarded by his people as a preacher of much ability. He labored under peculiar embarrassments and discouragements, which those who know the facts can appreciate.
This brings us down to June 1, 1875, at which time the writer, Rev. Samuel J. White, became " Acting Pastor."
At this writing, July 3, 1877, he has been connected with this people two years and one month. So far as he knows, there is great harmony in him among his people. He has received many tokens of their good will and affection, and they are assured of his pastoral love and care.
Last winter, the Second church, with their pastor, Rev. C. N. Fitch, united with us in observing the week of prayer. As a fruit of our quickened and improved spiritual state, twenty-one have already united, by profession of faith, with the church, and more are expected to unite in due time. During the writer's ministry with the church, twenty-three have united by profession, and two by letter.
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