USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > West Simsbury > Historical sketch of the Congregational church and parish of Canton Center, Conn., formerly West Simsbury. Organized 1750 > Part 2
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In the time under review there have been three hundred and forty-one administrations of the ordinance of baptism. Of these eighty-three were on profession of their faith in Christ, and two hundred and sixty-six were infants. Fifteen individuals have held the office of deacon in this church :
Joseph Mills, Ephraim Willcox, Oliver Humphrey, Abra- ham Case, Moses Case, Thomas Bidwell, Benjamin Mills,
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Theophilus Humphrey, Solomon Everest, Alvin Humphrey, Jesse Case. Sr., Jesse Case, Jr., Uriah Hosford, Elisha Sug- den, Lancel Foote.
As the minister of Christ is authorized by the civil powers of this State I have joined in marriage two hundred and six- teen couples ; not all residents of this parish, but most of them of this town and vicinity, while a few couples were from neighboring States.
On examining the register of mortality I find the entry of three hundred and fifty-one deaths, making a yearly average of about 14.
Till 1833 it was my practice to record all the deaths occur- ring within the limits of the town so far as known. Since that date I have recorded those only who died within the limits of the parish with others whose funeral I was called to attend within the vicinity of the parish.
I have been accustomed to note on the register with proper signification the death of individuals, who had gone out from us and died abroad, in those cases where they had not ceased to consider this place as their home, or whose remains were brought here for interment. The highest recorded number of deaths in any one year was that of 1848, rising to twenty-seven, including one who had gone out from us and died abroad. The lowest yearly record is eight. That was the number in 1835 and 1836; and it is the number for the present year. The year 1831 was a year of mortality, the number reaching twenty-six.
The institution of the Sabbath-school, which, as we have seen, commenced its operations here in the year 1819, has been sustained by the church and people with very commend- able interest and efficient purpose, on the whole, down to this time. And if all has not been accomplished that its friends and supporters have desired, enough of salutary fruit has been obvious to induce us to thank God and take courage. It has been a cheering auxiliary to the ministry; and the garden from which have been gathered richest fruits in the successive times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The gathering here from Sabbath to Sabbath of fathers and
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mothers, of sons and daughters. in their youth and in their childhood, to study the Scriptures, has been among the brightest spots in our sunlight of hope. Thanks be to God and under Him to all those who have given to this sacred object their hearty interest and their personal cooperation. May the interest never be less ; the efforts never flag, so long as the sun and the moon shall endure.
The cause of Christian philanthropy and benevolence to some extent has had a place in our theory and in our practi- cal regard. We have been enabled and disposed to do some- thing for the spread of evangelical truth among the destitute of our own, and the benighted of other lands; to cheer and raise the desponding heart of the poor and needy ; to inspire hope in minds darkened and crushed under the iron power of ecclesiastical and civil despotism : thus contributing to shed light into the dark places of the earth, that are " full of the habi- tations of cruelty." The aggregate of our contributions to charitable and benevolent purposes in the last twenty-five years is $6,521.69, making a yearly average of 8260.56, exclu- sive of those private and social charities which had respect more particularly to the needy among ourselves, many of which must await the disclosures of eternity. I refer to these things not to impress you that we have cause for boast- ing, but because they are matters of history in which we have been particularly concerned.
In the review of the past I have named two periods; the first, from the beginning of the settlement to 1782, I have called the period of settlement and organization ; the second, from 1782 to 1526, covering the period of Mr. Hallock's ministry, I have called the period of growth and development. And what shall we call the third, covered by the last twenty- five years ? This question must be answered by its character, its purposes, and its doings. As it respects ourselves within this period, a new Congregational society and church have been organized in the village of Collinsville on our southern border to which we have contributed in Christian fraternity our full quota of members. (Separate publie worship was commenced
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in Collinsville on the Sabbath in 1831. The church was organized in 1832. The present house of worship was built in 1836. This house was burned January, 1857, immediately after the death of Mr. Burt. The present edifice was erected soon after .- Compilers.) Besides, our brethren of the M. E. church have, within the time, established public worship more regularly on our northern border. Two churches, also, have . been built on the west of us within four miles in New Hart- ford, the one Congregational. the other Episcopal.
But when we ask for the characteristic of the last twenty- five years, we must let out our view more extensively into its connection with the world around us. Whatever the period has been, it has not been one of repose and the . spoils of a. final victory. The missionary and the Sabbath-school enter- prise, begun before, have come on from infancy to the strength of a ripe manhood. The revelations of Freemasonry and the unmasking of its extra-judicial and bloody oaths were at the beginning of this period, and though hunted as a beast of prey it still nestles under the arm of the civil powers, and to some extent even vet finds aid and snecor within the Christian Church. Though seemingly dead once in the light of its own revelation, there are now increasing signs of its resurrection with a great family of secret associations that have grown out of its temporary annihilation. This, too, has been the period of the great temperance movement in its struggle with appe- tite and interest ; advancing now, and now apparently at a stand or falling back ; and then with new invigoration of prin- ciple and of hope, and yearning over the hapless victims of the cnp, she has towered up into the light and thrown out her line of life to the statesman and to the Christian. She has emboldened her advocates and aroused her foes, and the end is not yet.
It has been the period, too, of waking thought, of earnest inquiry, and of cumulating knowledge on the science and the practical working of civil and Christian freedom. Whenever, in this respect, was there a period in the history of the world, equal to the last twenty-five years? The great argument, simple and unanswerable, has come into the light and claimed to
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be seen. As God made man in His own image, he is an intellectual being under moral responsibilities; to develop which intellect and to meet which responsibility according to the will and requirements of God, civil and religions freedom is indispensable. This condition is onr birthright and our boast. But what title have we from that High Court which alone can gave title here, that others have not ? This is the principle and this the argument underlying the power of that mighty movement which shall yet have the mastery of absolutism and despotie power whether civil, spiritual, or ecclesiastical. This has become the question of our country. It is the question of Europe, the question of the world. And along with this has come into the light of an energetic dis- cussion the great principle of international peace, the abroga- tion of war, and the brotherhood of the human family. The world as it was, yea, as it is, and such topies as these coming up for thought and disenssion as they have within the last quarter century, topics full of moral principle and power, placing their lever under the despotismns and heaven-daring oppressions of the world, what name shall we give to the period ? It has been said that the last half century was a hero among the half centuries of the world; that it towers above them like Saul, " who from his shoulders and upward was higher than any of the people." True, indeed. What then shall we say of the last quarter century ? Yea, that it is the hero of the half. It is the period marked by earnest mental application, inquiry, excitement, discussion, collision, correction, and instruction in righteousness; the period of begun reforms both in church and state. And though, as in all beginnings of such things there may have been much to be deprecated, the world has advanced in the understanding of great principles and human rights and obligations, as in no similar period of her history. Whatever else has failed of establishment, the great right of individual thought, of private judgment, of personal liberty and protection by law, has got a hold on the mind's conviction, which it never had before. It is coming to be believed, that it is the power of God through the working of human thought and will, which will overturn
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and wipe away our chattel slavery with its kindred wrongs, overturn the thrones of despots in the Old World, and prepare the way for the reign of universal peace and righteousness throughout the earth. Sneh has been the period of our connec- tion, as pastor and church. as minister and people. And to say that always and in all things we have thought and felt alike would be equivalent to the assumption that we have no mind, or that we were all the slaves of one mind. I believe that we have all come to be settled on this principle : the right and obligation of individual thought and inquiry and opinion on all subjects of human interest and duty ; and that our cor- rectness or incorrectness is to be tested by the principles and moral light of the Word of God. Nor need we anticipate the reign of anarchy from this liberty; but only from the attempt to obstruct or to hinder it.
From the day of my ordination it has been my settled pur- pose to be with you as a man and as a minister of Christ, and be guided and directed by the principles of His Gospel, "calling no man master." I have never for a moment felt at liberty to yield my convictions of truth and of duty to secure harmony even with my most cherished friends and able supporters. I have not, I think, differed from any of my people on any subject, or on any moral or religious project, without pain ; and I would fain believe that so it has been with you. I assume it as a duty that I owe to God and to you to have my own judgment and be guided by my own convictions. And I assume it to be equally your duty to have your own judg- ment and be guided by your own convictions. So far as we may help to enlighten and correct one another, by mutual inquiry and discussion, it is obviously our right and our duty to do it within the limits of civility and Christian courtesy. All in all, I feel that I have much to thank you for, in view of your respected kindnesses, your liberality, your Christian candor and forbearance, and all your help and encourage- ment, which have cheered me in the hours of despondeney, and nerved me in the field of toil and labor for your spiritual and everlasting good. That I have not erred, it would be arrogance to claim. Forgive me all my wrong in my goings
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out and comings in among you as the shepherd of the flock. And be assured, it would be the joy and rejoicing of my heart to see you all walking in the pleasant and peaceful paths of wisdom. What shall be written to complete our probationary history and fill up the measure of our account, God alone knoweth. This we know, that time is short. We should double our diligence in the works given us to do. What changes, what overturnings, what advances have marked the period of our connection ! They have been such as in many respects, perhaps in most, are incident to man- kind in common in this lower state. Disappointments, sick- ness and death are written for all. On this sea of life we rise and fall like the frail vessel on the swelling and retreating wave of an ocean of billows. We may attempt resistance, and buffet the billows as they rise and scowl on us with angry surge. But they will not cease their rolling till He speaks, whom the waters obey. Such shall be all human history, when it shall be written. That which has been is that which shall be. Yet there are to be accumulations of incidents in the progress of time as we advance toward the final catastro- phe. The last twenty-five years have passed quickly away. But what a multiplication of stirring incidents and achieve- ments on any twenty-five years that preceded them! All this indicates the advance toward the end. The past admon- ishes us. The future hastens. Where are now the men who one hundred and fourteen years ago first planted a settlement in this valley ? Where are the men who laid the foundation of this Christian church, and this ecclesiastical society? Gone, gone to the resting place of man. Yet once they were, and were as truly here as we are now. We read the record of their acts and doings. But they, in their low beds of dust, have commingled with the ground ont of which man was taken; and their spirits are in the state of retribution. But to come nearer, could the three hundred and fifty-one whom we have buried within this quarter century rise up and stand before us and speak what they know, and testify what they have seen, and heard, and felt, would they not assure us -
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"'Tis not the whole of life to live, Nor all of death to die " ?
My beloved church and people, whatsoever our hand find- eth to do, we should do with our might. There is no work in the grave. Let us in looking back inquire earnestly for the improvement of the past. Here is our sanctuary, here are our Sabbaths; here is issued the proclamation of mercy to dying men ; here the gate of Heaven is opened, and the wanderer pointed to a home. O yes, there is a price in our hands to get wisdom. But is there a heart to it? "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Hear, hear. that your souls may live. Come from Sabbath to Sab- bath to this house of worship, yourselves and your little ones. Find here a place and a privilege, not occasionally merely, but regularly, early. with every Sabbath's blessed light. Make it a matter of principle, of conscience, and of hope. Who of you all is there who has not concerns in the things of the gospel of life and immortality through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ !
We cast our eve forward into the future, "all to us unknown," and implore the guiding light of faith over all the way of our pilgrimage that remains, in this rejoicing, that "God ruleth over all and doeth all things well." Yes, we may rejoice that He presides over the changes of time, that in the thickening scene of events, which marks our age, as one thrown forward toward the great consummation, the God of order reigns, that He will reign till the confusion ceases, till His enemies shall be subdued under Him, and His rightful dominion established and acknowledged from sea to sea, and "from the river to the ends of the earth." Yea, till the Angel of Revelation, standing on the sea and on the land, shall lift his hand and swear that time shall be no longer.
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STATEMENT OF PASTORATES.
The foregoing sermon contains an accurate and succinct history of the Congregational Church in Canton, up to the time of its delivery, Dec. 21. 1851.
Mr. Burt continued the beloved and useful pastor of the church until his death, Thursday, Jan. 15, 1857. His funeral was appointed on the following Monday, but on account of a severe snow storm which began on Sabbath evening, and con- tinned with little abatement for several days; it was post- poned until the next Thursday, one week after his death ; and even on that day the northwest winds blew with such fury that the roads were filled with the drifting snow, rendering it in- possible for the people from the hills to be present. The sermon was preached by Rev. Charles B. McLean of Collins- ville, who for thirteen years had been his near ministerial neighbor and devoted friend. The text was 1 Tim. iv, S : " The life that now is and that which is to come."
The sermon was published. It is an affectionate and just tribute to the memory of a good man. In speaking of some of his more prominent characteristics, Mr. McLean says : "One of them was a strong and earnest love of right. He loved it for itself; for its own sake, and because he saw and felt its excellence and its sacredness. He loved it because he felt that God loves it and makes it the principle to guide his own conduct. He felt that questions of duty must be settled in his own mind, and that he himself was responsible to God for the decision that he made; and while he was ready to admit light and evidence from any source, he would not suf- fer any human authority to come between his conscience and his God. Growing out of this was an honesty of soul. There was no disguise, no concealment in him. ITis open countenance was an index of his mind and heart.
" Another prominent feature of his character, was a large linmanity. Not a mere sentiment, but a love for man that became a steady principle of his life. Ilis humanity was eminently Christian. He entered with all his heart into
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every measure of reform and every movement that would lessen the evils under which man groans and suffers.
" Another characteristic was his faith in God. He confided in the wisdom and goodness that always preside in the divine administration.
" This was a favorite topic in his discourses. He was always hopeful. It was a principle with him that a Christian ought never to be discouraged. In the darkest hours his faith did not fail him : for he felt that God was guiding and control- ling all events to his own high ends.
" HIis dying, triumphant words to a brother in the church, standing by his bedside were : . Brother, I have no fears.'"
The following tribute to Mr. Burt's character was published at the time of his death in several papers and entered upon the records of the Society:
"In his public ministrations, Mr. Burt was peculiarly original and practical. often rising to passages of sublime and impassioned eloquence. The Sabbath preceding his death, he preached with great vigor and vivacity in the morning on the words " Who can stand before his cold?" and in the afternoon " In all thy ways acknowledge him," a fitting close for the labors of a life. Who that ever attended his ministry can fail to cherish the recollection of the devout and eloquent simplicity with which he was accustomed to address the throne of grace, portraying with vivid minuteness the subject matter for which he was supplicating! Mr. Burt descended from a long line of Puritan ancestry, and through life venera- ted the Puritan character and practiced the Puritan virtues.
" Endowed by Nature with qualities calculated to command influence, he undeviatingly exerted that influence not only among his own people. but throughout a large circle of acquaintances in advancing the cause of his Divine Master, and in inducing an inflexible adherence to the right. No consideration of either public or private expedieney could in- duce him to deviate from his conscientious convictions. At one period of his ministry, after critical examination and deliberate, prayerful consideration, he assumed a position on a great moral question of absorbing interest far in advance of
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a majority of his people, or even of a majority of his brethren in the ministry. During the trials incident to his position, his peculiar traits of character shone with a brilliancy and lustre which won the admiration of some who imagined him in error. Calm, cool. and deliberate, he maintained his posi- tion with an irresistible firmness of purpose, exhibiting a decision of character rarely egnaled, and while he regretted with keen sensibility the necessity of wounding the feelings of friends. no indneements, eutreaties, or persuasions, could induce him to swerve from his conscientious convictions of duty. 'Duties belong to man, events to God,' appeared to be his motto. With a liberal and confiding people, his inflexible, conscientious adherence to duty could not and did not mar either their confidence or his usefulness .. IIe assiduonsly labored on both for their temporal and eternal welfare, and had the satisfaction of ultimately seeing almost his entire people standing side by side with him in the great moral effort of which he had been the pioneer.
" He went down to his grave loved and revered by his people for his faithfulness; venerated for his devoted piety, and honored for his inflexible integrity. He fell in the full vigor of his ripened intellect, and in the midst of his usefulness. Few clergymen have fallen more lamented by the people of their charge. Few people have had greater canse for lamen- tation. Long will his memory be gratefully cherished by that people, and by a large circle of devoted friends and acquaintances."
Resolutions of Hartford North Association on the death of Rev. Jairus Burt of Canton :
Resolved, That this body has heard with profound sorrow of the death of their brother, Rev. Jairus Burt, and morn for him as a faithful minister of the gospel, greatly endeared to his own flock by his labors of love, his self-sacrificing spirit, his diligent ministrations, his earnest and able defense of the truth, and his blameless example; and to his brethren in the ministry, by his uniform courtesy of manner, his unaffected sincerity and cordial co-operation in every good word and work. In him, the church has lost a wise counselor and efficient laborer, and this body an active and judicious member.
Resolced, That whilst deeply mindful of our great loss, we desire hum-
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bly to give thanks to God for the benefits He has conferred on our churches, through the labors of His servant, and upon ourselves through our intercourse and communion with him.
Resolved, That we present to the widow of our deceased brother, our sympathy in her great sorrow, and express our hope that she may be strengthened in spirit and comforted with the consolation of God.
SAMUEL H. ALLEN, Moderator. SAMUEL J. ANDREWS, Scribe.
Two sermons of Mr. Burt's, inspired by the agitation of the slavery question then beginning to arise in the land, and showing the depth of his convictions on the subject, were published.
The first, " The law of Christian rebuke - a plea for slave- holders," was preached at Middletown, Conn., before the anti- slavery convention of ministers and other Christians, Oet. 18, 1843. Text, Lev. xix, 17, " Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor and not suffer sin upon him."
The second, " Moral responsibility of citizenship," was preached in his own pulpit, the day before the quadrennial meeting for the choice of electors of President and Vice- President of the United States, Nov. 3, 1844. Text, Rom. xiii, 1, " The powers that be are ordained of God," and Rom. xiii. +, " He is the minister of God to thee for good."
In the June following Mr. Burt's death, the church and society extended a call to Rev. Frederick Alvord, then a member of the Senior Class in the East Windsor Theological Seminary, to become their pastor, but he declined the call on the ground that he was not then ready to settle.
Feb. 2, 1858, Rev. Warren C. Fiske was installed pastor and dismissed July 1, 1861. During his ministry, thirty-five were received to the church on confession.
After Mr. Fiske's dismission, the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. John Dudley for sixteen Sabbaths, and subsequently by a Rev. Mr. Dutton.
Oct. 29, 1862, Rev. Charles N. Lyman, a recent graduate of the Yale Divinity School, was ordained pastor of the church. Prof. George P. Fisher of Yale College preached the sermon.
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In 1864, Mr. Lyman, having received an appointment as Chaplain in the army, was granted a furlough for one year.
For about two months of this time, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. F. Alvord, who had been called to the pastorate in 1857.
Mr. Lyman was dismissed, at his own request, Sept. 21, 1868.
During his ministry there were seventy-six additions to the church on confession, and many by letter. In a season of religions interest, in 1866, he was assisted by Rev. Mr. Potter, the evangelist.
Mr. Lyman was born in Hartford, Conn., May 14, 1835. When a boy, his father removed to Manchester, Conn., where the son united with the First Congregational Church, in 1852, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Frederick T. Perkins.
He was graduated at Yale College in 1859, studied theology at New Haven, and after leaving Canton, he removed west and became pastor of the Congregational Church at Dunlap, Iowa, Dec. 16, 1868, remaining till Jan. 1, 1871.
He then became acting pastor of the Congregational Church at Onowa, Iowa, where he is still doing efficient work.
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