USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > West Simsbury > Historical sketch of the Congregational church and parish of Canton Center, Conn., formerly West Simsbury. Organized 1750 > Part 3
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In 1869, Rev. Austin Gardner became acting pastor and closed his labors Jan. 1, 1873. After leaving Canton, he was acting pastor several years at West Suffield, and then became pastor at Buckingham, Conn., where he still remains useful in his work.
While in Canton, through his efforts, the church debt was nearly paid.
Soon after Mr. Gardner left, the church voted to recall Mr. Lyman, but he declined.
In 1871, the Methodist Church at North Canton, which for several years had held meetings in the school-house, completed and occupied its house of worship. At this time several families, who had worshiped at the Center, withdrew and connected themselves permanently with the Methodists. Thus again the old parish was narrowed down on the north, as it formerly had been on the south and southeast.
In 1873, the property now owned and occupied by Mrs.
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Azubah Shepard came into the possession of the society. the gift by will of Mr. Titus Case, to be used as a parsonage so long as public worship should be maintained at or near the site of the present meeting-house. Otherwise the will pro- vided that it should go to the Connecticut Missionary Society. This contingent interest was, however, purchased by the Ecclesiastical Society. In 1874, upon the death of Mrs. Linda Ilosford, widow of Dea. Uriah Hosford, the house which for more than seventy-five years had been the minis- ter's home, by her will. fell to the society.
In 1876, the Case parsonage was sold and the proceeds put into the new house, completed in 1877, and now held and occupied as a parsonage.
In 1874, extensive repairs were made upon the church edifice. The society pledged $1,800, and Mr. J. Howard Foote generously agreed to pay the balance and was appointed superintendent of the work. At this time also, the bell was recast and hot-air furnaces put into the church. The house was rededicated Nov. 19, 1874. The sermon was preached by Rev. David B. Hubbard, pastor elect. The dedicatory services took place in the morning, and in the afternoon Mr. Hubbard was installed as pastor of the church. He was dis- missed Feb. 1, 1585. During his ministry there were two seasons of general religious interest, one in 1874, when twenty-seven were added by confession, the other in 1876, when seventeen were added. During his ministry of eleven years, ninety-two were added, sixty-seven on confession, and twenty-five by letter.
REV. EVANDER MORRISON.
In the records of the society we find the receipt given by Mr. Morrison at the close of his eleven months' pastorate, dis- charging the society from all further pecuniary obligations. The document is so curious, and doubtless so characteristic, that it seems worthy of preservation as a picture of " ye olden time." We give it verbatim et literatim et punctuatim :
" West Simsbury June the 22day ad 1751 then reed of mr thomas barbor amos Case and Esekiel humphry a siaity Comtee
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for the sosiety two hundred and seventy six pounds fifteen shillings money or secured to me to my full Satisfaction from them in which I ye Sd ir avender morison do aquit and dis- Charge ye Sd soiety in west simsbury in which I was In staled in the work of the ministry on the 11 of July last in the year 1750 in which I ye Sd mr evander morison do aquit and dis- charge ye sosiety from ye settelment that was voted me which was to buld me a house and I also disscharge the sosiety from my sallery which was voted me from ye sosiaty and I ye Sd mr morrison do aquit and discharge ye Sd sosiety from ye wood which was voted me which was thirty Cords per year and I ye Sd mr morison do aquit and discharge the sosiety from all demands from the begining of the world to this day and forever after recd in full I say recd per me as witnis my hand
In presonts of Joseph Clark Evander morison."
Ezekiel Case
In face of such a receipt, it is to be presumed that Mr. Morrison never made any further claims against the " sosiaty." Beyond the simple fact mentioned by Mr. Burt that he was ordained as an evangelist in Scotland, this receipt contains all that is known of him. Not a word from the written page or from the lips of the living reveals anything of him as a man or as a minister: of the condition of the church under his ministry, or of his subsequent life.
REV. GIDEON MILLS.
It appears that after laboring with the people one or two years, Mr. Mills, the second pastor, was installed in February, 1761, and dismissed in the latter part of 1771, his entire ministry covering about thirteen years. He continued to re- side in town until his death, in 1772, and was buried in the South burying ground. On his tombstone is the following inscription :
" In memory of Rev. Gideon Mills, the late worthy pastor of the church of Christ in West Simsbury, a shining example
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of unwearied application and fidelity in the accomplishment of 'the sacred ministry and of practical Christianity in his daily conversation, having finished his course and kept the faith, on the 4th of August, 1772, he fell on sleep, in the 59th year of his life and the 28th of his ministry. Quis cordolio sit dolor aut modus tam chari capitis."
The following is from the tombstone of Mrs. Mills, who was buried beside her husband :
"In memory of MRS. ELIZABETH MILLS, Relict of the REV. GIDEON MILLS, who died July 27, 1774, in the 51st year of her age.
In her were united the virtues of a tender wife, an affectionate mother, and a sincere Christian.
Nor sex nor age can death defy. Think, mortal, what it is to die." .
Mr. Mills was graduated at Yale College, 1737. It is an interesting fact that he was of the same ancestry as the Rev. Samuel J. Mills. son of the Rev. Samuel J. of Torringford, Conn., one of the first missionaries of the American Board.
The following sketch of Mr. Mills is taken from Abiel Brown's Genealogical History of the Early Settlers of West Simsbury :
" Rev. Gideon Mills was the seventh son of the first Peter Mills, of Hollandish descent. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth, daughter of Brewster Higley, spent the most part of her youth and girlhood in the family of her cousin, the first Gov. Trumbull of Lebanon.
" The Rev. Mr. Mills, having been minister in Old Sims- bury previous to 1755 (1744-1754), after living and preaching one or two years in West Simsbury, he was installed in the year 1761. He lived and died on the place which was left to his son Gideon, and which, after passing through several hands, was lately owned by Henry Foote.
" All the time of his ministry in West Simsbury he lived two and one-half miles from the meeting-house, over a very hilly, cold, and uneven road, which would now be called a
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hard Sabbath day's journey for a clergyman or a layman; this road he traveled weekly, and sometimes much oftener. One incident respecting the Rev. Gideon Mills is thought worthy of notice. Ile was habitually fond of music, and would request others that could sing to join with him, and he retained his relish for singing even to his dying moments. He died of a cancer in the face, which kept him in great suf- fering for many of the last weeks of his life. IIe dwelt much on the sentiments expressed in the 38th Psalm (Watts), 'Amidst thy wrath remember love.' etc .; also the 39th, 'God of my life look gently down.' Just before he expired he re- quested his friends and attendants to sing the 38th Psalm, ' Amidst thy wrath remember love,' and attempted to join with them; but when the fore part of the psalm was sung he expired, so that it was said by Mr. Hallock on a certain occasion, that he died singing the 35th Psalm."
After Mr. Mills closed his labors, the Rev. Lemuel Wood- bridge and Mr. John Eliott supplied the pulpit, each several months, the latter of whom received a call to settle ; but be- yond this the records are silent.
REV. SETH SAGE.
In 1774, Rev. Seth Sage of Middletown, Conn., was or- dained as pastor of the church, and dismissed in 1778. After his dismission he preached several years in the north part of Canton, for an independent religions body which had applied to the General Assembly for an act of incorporation ; but, for some unknown reason, were refused. Mr. Sage continued to serve them until his death, the date of which we have no record. The house in which they worshiped was taken down about 1842, and the proceeds used for purchasing a library.
At the dismission of Rev. Mr. Sage the church was in low spiritual condition. This will not seem strange when we con- sider that the colonies were convulsed with war, and the men were obliged to serve in the army, while the women performed the manual labor, raising the crops and caring for the flocks and herds. At this time also much sickness prevailed among
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the people. caused by the return of soldiers from the army, who brought back disease in their clothing.
Between 1778 and 1785, from the dismission of Mr. Sage to the settlement of Mr. Hallock, the records show that Rev. Elam Potter. Rev. Mr. Woodbridge - probably the same man who had formerly preached for the people - Rev. Abra- ham Fowler, and Rev. Edmund Mills supplied the pulpit. Rev. Mr. Potter was invited to settle; but as there was oppo- sition to his settlement, the matter was dropped. Rev. Ed- mund Mills preached for about four months, and although it was in the summer, a powerful revival attended his labors, during which between seventy and eighty were hopefully converted.
A SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE REV. JEREMIAH HALLOCK, CONDENSED FROM THE BIOGRAPHY BY REV. CYRUS YALE.
Mr. Hallock was born March 13, 1758, at Brookhaven. L. I. His father's name was William Hallock, his mother's. Alice IToman. His father was a man of prayer. "I have repeatedly," said Mr. Hallock, "found him at prayer in some retired place. I know of none with whom I could talk more freely on religious subjects."
Jeremiah was the oldest of nine children, and, consequently, the severe labor of the farm fell upon him until he was twenty- one. When he was eight, his father moved to Goshen, Mass. While here Mr. Hallock was twice called to aid in the war of the Revolution. This discipline assisted him in the hardships of his subsequent life. Many times in mental distress the memory of one fearful night on Lake George recurred to him, and he took courage on hearing once more the pilot's call, "Steady, boys." and the answer, " All's well."
In these years he had few school privileges. He spent much time in reading and memorizing the Bible ; but was not a Christian, though accustomed to pray. One day he closed a prayer with these words, " And when I come to die. fit me for death." Instantly he saw the absurdity of deferring
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that preparation until the closing hour of life, and determined to wait no longer. It was several months before any remark- able change of mind came to him, and then he writes of feel- ing as if " every head of straw in the oats he was reaping was arrayed with a kind of rainbow glory, the glory of God." His conversion was of such depth and sincerity that he at once began a life of Christian activity. The revival during the subsequent winter, 1780, was partly due to his public and private efforts. In this revival he engaged energetically, exhorting, conducting services, or conversing with people in private.
The next four years he spent in preparation for the minis- try. In August, 1780, he entered Timothy Dwight's pre- paratory school at Northampton. Here the dry study of Latin vexed him as it does many a student to-day. In 1781 he united with the church in Goshen. September, 1782, he was fitted for college, but ill health prevented his entering. HIe soon began theological studies which he carried on under several different ministers. In April, 1783, he visited Mr. Abraham Fowler of West Simsbury, now Canton, and spent the summer studying with him. He notes that a great revi- val was in progress under the preaching of Rev. Edmund Mills. About one hundred were converted.
In January, 1784, he expected to be licensed to preach ; but severe storms prevented the assembling of the association, and he was obliged to defer the matter till April. ITis cherished desire was to be an itinerant preacher, and only the plain will of God led him to become a settled pastor. He preached in many different places, and such was his popu- larity that five churches at one time were awaiting his accept- ance of their call. He had preached frequently in Canton, and been with the people during two revivals. Though he refused their call, they renewed their invitation, seconded by the youth of the congregation. This time he accepted, and was ordained October 26, 1785.
In the spring of 1786 Mr. Hallock married Mercy Humph- rey, a daughter of Oliver Humphrey. Three children were
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born to them, Jeremiah Humphrey, who was educated at Williams College, and who become presiding judge in the circuits of Ohio, and an esteemed officer in the church ; Wil- liam Homan, who spent his life in this town; and Sarah, who died in her fifteenth year.
A few words now concerning Mr. Hallock's character and manner of life, will disclose to us the secret of his usefulness among this people. He was essentially a religious man. Prayer was his " vital breath," and " to do the will of God was more than his meat and drink." Many a secluded spot in the forests near his residence was consecrated by his peti- tions. He designed to spend several hours each day in devo- tion, and observed fast-days as often as he could. Hle greatly regretted if anything interrupted these plans. He was benev- olent, and no needy person was ever turned empty away from his door .. He stood fearlessly for the right when God's canse demanded ; but was willing to yield his own opinions when no principle was at stake. At one time a pronounced infidel was appointed school visitor. Mr. Hallock rose in the meeting and pleaded so eloquently for Christ and the safety of his people that the decision was reversed.
A few anecdotes are so characteristic that to omit them would be to miss giving a vivid picture of the man.
In a sermon he once wished to impress on his people the strength of Satan. He said, " The Devil is as much stronger than Capt. Fred. Humphreys (a man of giant proportions) as Capt. Fred. Humphreys is stronger than my little Jerry."
A brother minister, troubled by difficulties in his parish, came to him for comfort. Mr. Hallock said: "Be not alarmed, my young brother. Soon after my ordination I thought for a time they would kill me. One enemy opened a battery on the right, another on the left; I trembled - I looked to see myself fall every moment - I wondered that I remained alive ; but I found, after a while, it was all roar, roar, and not a single bullet."
" In Mr. Hallock's familiar circle of ministers, two persons were referred to who gave equal evidence of piety, while one professed a hope in Christ and the other did not. The ques-
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tion was, how far the absence of hope was evidence against the latter. One and another gave their views, when Mr. Hal- lock said, 'Suppose I send my two boys down to clean out my well, and it caves in upon them. The neighbors help me to dig down to them, when it ocenrs to me that possibly they might hear my voice. I cry out, 'Jeremiah, are you dead ?' 'No, sir.' 'Homan, are you dead ?' 'Yes, sir.' They report themselves differently, but I have equal evidence that both are alive.'"
As a preacher, his style had little oratorical eloquence, but much of that power which comes from sincere heart prepara- tion. He writes in one place. " O, may I always eat my ser- mons before I preach them." Soon after he came to Canton he adopted the motto, " What can I do for God?" This he sought to follow, though sometimes hindered by the opposition of his people. More often he complains of his own coldness and lack of spiritual vigor. He had a profoundly melancholy disposition, united to a keenly sensitive conscience ; and con- sequently we find him mourning over every hint of sin in his heart. A life so carefully guarded could not fail to be fruitful in its influence over all who knew him.
For twelve years he had labored with but few encouraging results. Suddenly, in the fall of 1798 a revival began. Silently and rapidly the Spirit's influence spread. Thought- less young people and hardened infidels were subdued, and the salvation of the soul was the theme of conversation. Between sixty and seventy were hopefully converted.
In 1801 Mr. Hallock spent four months as a missionary in Vermont in obedience to the call of the Connecticut Mission- ary Society. On returning, he assisted in revivals in neigh- boring parishes. In 1503 another interesting revival pre- vailed in his own church. About thirty were hopefully con- verted. In the spring of 1806 Mr. Hallock, with his deacons, visited all the people in the parish for religious conversation. One would infer from his notes that there was as much relig- ious destitution in the community then as there is now.
In the autumn of 1806 his son, Jeremiah, entered Williams
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College. Many were the prayers for this child, who as yet was not a Christian.
In 1807 Mr. Hallock spent four months on a second mis- sionary tour in Vermont.
Mr. Hallock notes that in March, 1811, Rev. Samuel J. Mills, the pioneer missionary, occupied the pulpit acceptably one Sabbath.
The years 1512 and 1813 were marked by another revival, during which about twenty-eight were brought into the church. The pastor's own heart was grieved by the depart- ure of his eldest son for Ohio without manifesting an interest in religion.
In the autumn of 1813 a severe trial came to Mr. Hallock. Sarah, his only daughter, was stricken with the spotted fever, and in less than two weeks passed away. Her father's chief anxiety was for the salvation of her soul. Ile continued through life to cherish her memory with a peculiarly tender affection. Scarcely had she fallen when Homan was taken with the same disease. He was brought so near death that for three hours he lay in an apparently dying state. The loving father's heart was agonized for his salvation. He wrote in his journal: " And what shall I say? What shall I do? Where shall I go? O, Lord, keep me from murmuring. O, most merciful God, if it can be consistent with Thy will, that we might have some evidence of his being a subject of Gospel faith and pardon !- but O, that in this I might also be resigned." At length Homan rallied, and lived to be an aid to his father and an honored and useful man in our town. Before he had recovered, Mrs. Hallock became sick with the same disease, and shortly after Mr. Hallock was seized. ITis illness prevented him from preaching for nearly four months. The people were exceedingly kind and helpful, not only in word, but in deed. During his sickness the people agreed to build a new church. Since the incorporation of the church in 1750, the people had worshiped in the building erected about that time. This was now considered too small, and they joined unanimously in removing it, and leveling the hill on which it stood. The new building was erected on the
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same site. Mr. Orange Case, a valuable member of the church and society, was killed by the accidental fall of the first tree cut for the frame of the new house. January 5, 1815, this was dedicated. Mr. Hallock's dedication sermon from 1 Kings, viii, 63, was soon after printed, and is now in existence. During 1816 and 1817 sixty-four were added to the church.
Mr. Hallock now began to feel the infirmities of age, but he still continued active work. He went here and there, attending associations of ministers, or assisting in revival ser- vices, often enduring hardships that younger ministers shrank from. In 1820 occurred the last general revival in which he ever engaged. He often rode twenty miles or more to assist neighboring clergymen.
The year 1822 brought him the joyful news that his eldest son was hopefully converted. Soon after he wrote: "He has been a child of my daily prayers; I have often thought of those words where the psalmist speaks of praying until his throat was dried, and of looking until his eyes failed. I I could hardly believe for joy." Great was his joy when this son visited him a few years later and partook of the Lord's Supper with him.
February 15, 1824, he preached a sermon from Numbers, x, 1-10, with reference to the bell, which was rung that day for the first time.
The record of the next two years is one of suffering. In the spring of 1825 Mrs. Hallock became ill with a tedious and incurable disease. The year had scarcely closed before his own health began to decline. He still continued public labor though he wrote often of distressing nights and increasing weakness.
May 21, 1826, he preached two sermons and administered the Lord's Supper. The second sermon and the last he ever preached was founded on Ps., xci, 1, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Surely he dwelt there.
June 20th, he was stricken with apoplexy and lingered three days. His lucid intervals were filled with words about
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Jesus, and prayers for the friends he was leaving behind. ITis last intelligent words were addressed to his grandson William .- " O. you little boy, may it be said of you, as of Enoch, that you . walked with God.' I trust I have the happiness of Christ's presence."
Ilis funeral was attended June 24th by the Rev. Cyrus Yale of New Hartford, who preached a sermon from Gen. v, 24.
The following just remarks concerning Mr. Hallock appeared soon after his death in the Connecticut Observer.
" Mr. Hallock was a burning and shining light. He was one of the most distinguished godly men that Christ has raised up in the New England churches. As a minister of the gospel. he was mighty in the Scriptures. His sermons were fraught with plain evangelical truth, and they were delivered with all the tenderness and solemnity of a dying man preaching to dying men. When Mr. Hallock spoke; when he proclaimed the message of the Lord of Hosts, there was silence in the house of God. All present must hear and feel. Many who have gone to heaven before him, and many whom he has left in this vale of tears recognize him as their spiritual father. Perhaps, no minister of the Gospel since the apostle John, has been more universally beloved ; as a Chris- tian he was humble. holy, and heavenly minded. From the day on which he dated his conversion until his pilgrimage on earth was closed, he never slumbered nor slept. He felt and lived like one who knows he has a great work to perform, and an interest of immeasurable importance at stake, and not a moment to lose. He saw the night of death approach- ing, and labored while the day of life lasted. He conversed, he studied, he praved. he visited, and he preached with the final judgment in view. With him, religion was everything. He died as he lived. He lived unto the Lord, and he died unto the Lord. His sun went down without a cloud. As the scenes of eternity were bursting upon his view, he said to one of his brethren ( Rev. Mr. McLean), "Brother, I am far from having distressing doubts and fears. If I have not loved Christ and Christ's things, I don't know what I have loved. I think I can say that the gospel which I have
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attempted to preach for more than forty years, is now like an anchor in a storm." While in the agonies of death his last prayer was :- "O, God prepare me for, and take me to Thyself, through Him who said. Lo I am with you always; grant me Thy presence even until death. O, may I go penitent; go in faith - go in love to Jesus. 'O, Lord, come and take me.'"
In English Literature there are two unsurpassed portraits of pastors ; one by Oliver Goldsmith in the last century, the other by Chaucer about four hundred years before. If either writer had lived in Jeremiah Hallock's time, one might almost suspect that he had been taken as a model. They have drawn his character in better words than we can choose, and we will close this brief sketch by quoting a part of each portrait.
" Benigne he was, and wonder diligent,
And in adversité ful pacient; Wyd was his parische, and houses fer asounder,
But he ne lafte not for reyne ne thonder, In siknesse nor in meschief to visite The ferreste in his parissche, moche and lite, Uppon his feet, and in his hand a staff.
This noble ensample to his scheep he yaf,
That first he wroughte, and afterward he taughte, Out of the gospel be tho wordes caughte.
" He waytede after no pompe and reverence, But Christes lore, and his apostle twelve, He taught, but first he folwede it himselve."
" Near yonder copse, where once the garden smiled, And still where many a garden flower grows wild; There, where a few torn shrubs the place disclose, The village preacher's modest mansion rose .. A man he was to all the country dear, And passing rich with forty pounds a year, Remote from towns he ran his godly race, Nor e'er had changed, nor wished to change his place; Unskillful he to fawn, or seek for power
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