USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1872, Vol. II > Part 20
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Bless the churches throughout the land and throughout the world.
Finally, we invoke Thy blessing upon all the exercises now before us. In all that may be said or done, may Thy glory and our spiritual good be promoted. We ask and offer all in the name and for the sake of Christ, to whom, with the Father and Holy Spirit, be rendered ceaseless praises. Amen.
By special invitation, Rev. Horace Winslow, of Willimantic, Conn., the last preceding pastor of the church, next gave the ad- dress of greeting to the assembled churches, and continued during the afternoon to read the sentiments addressed to the churches, which had been prepared by Bro. William Cothren, and to intro duce the speakers in response thereto, in an exceedingly happy entertaining and eloquent manner :
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MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ;
In the name of this Church, I am requested to welcome with joyful greeting, her Daughters, with their Grand-mother, (who is fresh and fair, as one who has not passed the marketable age of twenty-five), to a home gathering here to-day.
To these many children, with their children's children, I may say : Your Mother is not young, and still those who do not know her age might think so, for she is hale and hearty, elastic of step, and buoyant of heart, as a girl of sixteen. If you would observe, you can see that her eye is not dim, nor her natural force abated; that in her voice, dress, and bearing, she has all the appearance of youth-and yet she is two hundred years old to- day. Indeed, a simple consideration of the fact of her numerous family, would suggest the thought that she does not belong to the present generation. I may not be able to state just what it is which has kept her so fresh and fair, for she has not been sleeping for two centuries, nor half of them. She has been a personal actor in all the great and interesting events which have transpired in our country during this long period. She was in the field, boldly defending the frontier, in King Philip's war, giving her sons full to the quota all through the French and Indian war, and she was among the foremost of the forward in the grand struggle which achieved the American nationality. The sons of Woodbury marched to glory and to victory under the leadership of Wolfe, Putnam and Washington. And the fact that there is an occasion for it, and that there is a will to erect here a monument to the memory of the heroes who fell in the national defense and the crushing out of the great rebellion, is proof that your Mother has not been asleep for these years, but awake, and loyal to all the great interests of humanity.
She has also kept up with the times. She is as much at home in the progress of the age, as any of her children's children. She holds to those fundamental truths which made her grand old Puritan ancestry illustrious, and their fame immortal, but she believes in progress. She knows that the world moves, and she moves with it, without the help of a railroad.
It is because of this hearty sympathy with the present, not mourning over the dead past, but rejoicing in the grand march of to-day, that she takes a peculiar pleasure in this family gathering. She is rejoiced to meet her children, who have long been of age,
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and have made their mark in the field of thought and action, and with reminiscenses of the past, talk over the affairs of to-day.
We stand in a grand period of the world's history. We behold here a nation grown to vigorous manhood,-developed in all noble qualities,-at once respected and feared by the governments of the world, and loved by all peoples whose hearts are in accord with the interests of humanity. We see here the fruits of those vital principles of Christianity and rights of man, which our Puritan ancestors held and taught, and to realize which, in a social state, they left their pleasant homes in the old world, and began in this wilderness of the west, to build, from the foundations, a free church and a free state.
For these noble deeds we honor those men. But we stand in no stagnant past. We look forward and upward, and are particu- larly joyful to-day in the wasting away of hoary wrongs,-in the advance upon public opinion of broad Christian doctrines of human equality and human rights, and in the hold which the Gospel has upon all earnest minds of our day.
Thus cherishing, with you, a common sympathy with these vital ·interests, the church here delights to honor her Bi-Centennial Anniversary by this gathering. It is with hearty good will that she welcomes you to your birth-place-your early pleasant home in this green valley. And it is a special occasion of joy to us all that we can have with us the venerated Grand-mother. She is very old, and yet we should know it only by her title. Her resi- dence is on the sea shore, and in former years, fishing, I conclude, was an occupation with her. However, judging from her present elegant homes, surrounded with the adornments which wealth and art furnish, that business must be given up, but by way of amuse- ment she now and then puts her hand in, and takes a good Hall, as you will see in the reply to the sentiment which I will read ;
STRATFORD !- Mother revered ! thou that dwellest by the sea Called in a green old age to celebrate the birth-day of this, thy first born daughter, with filial reverence and great joy, we greet thee, and welcome thee to the goodly heritage which the Lord onr God has given ns !
Response by Rev. Wm K. Hall, of Stratford.
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MR. CHAIRMAN AND FRIENDS :
Such a venerable parent, with such a numerous and honored posterity, would seem to demand a more venerable person than myself to represent her upon this occasion. The incongruity was certainly apparent, even before those humorous references with which my friend has been pleased to introduce me, were made. Appreciating the difficulty of performing such a rôle, I have been endeavoring, as best I could, to accumulate and appropriate to myself such a stock of the past, as at least to feel old. I have been attempting, under the influence of these suggestive emblems and insignia, with which these walls and panels are decorated, to forget the present, and to throw myself back into the past. This, however, were comparatively easy to the task of arousing those feelings of self-pride and self exaltation, which they are expected to have, and which they are wont to have, who are privileged in their green old age to celebrate the birth-day of their first born daughter, honored and blessed, and surrounded by a happy family of her own. This effort to feel like a dear old grandma, whose heart swells with joyous pride, and overflows with gratitude, and whose tongue is garrulous, as she recounts the virtues and honors of the family, is altogether too much for me. Just this, however, the sentiment proposed expects of me. Even your Committee of Arrangements, kindly considering the failings of old dames thus happily, and taking for granted that my own pleasure upon this occasion would be found largely in exercising the right to be loquacious, accorded me the privilege of occupying all the time I might desire, not limiting me, as in the case of the children, to ten minutes.
But I promise not to go beyond the stated limit, if in your indulgence you will pardon me if I do not succeed in toning up my youthful feelings to the high pitch of this poetic sentiment.
The historical sermon and address, to which we have with so much pleasure listened, have given us what are supposed to be all the facts concerning the birth of this daughter. Some of you are aware that a slight variance of views exists, relative to the causes which led to the formation of this Church, and the colonization of this town of Woodbury. Not particularly interested myself in antiquarian pursuits, I have never been disposed to make a critical investigation of the subject. But if the family record is correct-
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that, I mean, which we keep at home-there is a somewhat different explanation to be given, from that which we have heard to-day. It appears that the daughter, dissatisfied with the way affairs were conducted in the household, determined to have them according to her mind. The mother did not propose to yield to the revolu- tionary spirit of her rebellious child. And as the child inherited the disposition of the mother, each persistent and unyielding in her own views of what was right and best, the prospects of an amicable life together beneath the same old roof seemed exceed- ingly doubtful. At this juncture a young man appeared, who succeeded in winning the heart, and as a natural consequence sought to possess the hand of this daughter. Matters became complicated. Councils of friends were summoned to give advice. Even the interference of the civil authorities was invoked. These were warm times. But what was to be done? The troubles came to an end in this way : the young man, whom the mother could not and would not abide, succeeded in obtaining the hand of the daughter, and then, as we might suppose from his very name, if for no other reason, walked off with her. This play upon the name Walker recalls a story that is still current in the old home, and I may be permitted to drop, for a moment, the thread of my story, to repeat it, after the habit of loquacious old ladies.
Those old controversies were carried on, not without consid- erable bitterness. The General Court had interfered to adjust the matters in dispute between the two Church parties. It decided that the Walker party should have the use of the Meeting-House a part of the Lord's Day. Upon one occasion, Mr. Walker had in a sermon made some declaration which Dr. Chauncy had con- strued as unjust, and as reflecting upon himself. In the afternoon, or upon the next Sabbath, Dr. Chauncy took for his text this passage : "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." His first point was, "You see, my Brethren, that the devil is a great walker."
How much of this is fact, and how much merely legend, or the gossip of the period handed down, much exaggerated, to the present, I cannot say, but it may serve to remind us, what his- torical facts amply teach, that the ecclesiastical disputes of those days engendered warm party feelings, and rendered absolutely necessary an entire separation.
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The daughter, with her chosen spiritual leader and guide, left the old homestead, and in choosing her new home wisely turned northward, preferring the clear, bracing air of the north to the damp and fog and malaria of the shore lands. The record of these two hundred years, and these festivities to-day, testify to the wisdom of that separation and of that choice.
That setting forth from the old home was under circumstances, and amid scenes, which, if we could reproduce them in our imagi- nation to-day, would aid us in rising to the full significance of this occasion. The Plantation was only thirty years old. These years had been years of toil, of hard work in subduing the wilderness, and in making for themselves comfortable homes. They had been spent in almost constant fear of the depredations and attacks of the Indians. One generation was about passing away, and a new generation had already begun to take up and carry on the ever unfinished work. They were just beginning to enjoy the fruits of their hard pioneer toil, were just beginning to realize the benefits of a social life, well ordered, properly systematized as to govern- ment, adequately equipped and adjusted by the experiences of those thirty years. Those years had been years chiefly of prepa- ration. The settlement was now assuming the appearance and the character of a thrifty agricultural town. It must have required a resoluteness of purpose, backed by a firm, conscientious regard for duty, for that little band to go forth at such a time, and strike out an entirely new path for themselves, to begin over again that same laborious work of making new homes in these wild wood- . lands of the north. The prime motives that led them to take that step were wholly of a religious nature. Their rights as church members they would maintain. Spiritnal interests must be held paramount. They felt that they could not remain in the old church home, though it was large enough to contain them, if the course they deemed right and scriptural was not pursued ; so they left it. They had pluck, nerve and energy-stood their ground firmly until they were convinced that it was for the good of both parties that they should secede. I apprehend that at the last, the spirit that prevailed was not far different from that exhibited in the Patriarch brother, after variances had arisen in the family : "Let there be no strife, I pray, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee; separate thyself I pray thee from me.
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If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right, and if thou depart to the right hand then I will go to the left."
Fortunately there was land enough, and that too not far distant from the old home. Could those bold spirits who planned and achieved that work of settlement, whose names shine out upon these tablets before us to-day, see what we of this generation see, could look upon these well tilled, well fenced farms, this attractive thoroughfare, bordered by this cordon of cottage and homestead, indicative all of such comfort, and plenty, and taste, could behold what would be to them of by far greater valne, and in their estimate the largest proofs of their success, and the highest earthly reward of their sacrifices and toil, these marks of church life and church progress which have been commensurate with the growth of the outreaching population, they might well believe that the Lord went up with them and before them, and marked out for them the goodly heritage which was to be theirs, and their children's.
All honor and praise from us be to that devoted band. The un- flinching fidelity to honest convictions, the uncompromising spirit of attachment to what was to them the truth of God, which they exhibited at the sacrifice of so much they held dear, were the rightful issue of the Puritan blood that flowed in their veins. Let us emulate their spirit, and prove ourselves worthy of such a godly ancestry.
The old mother church, whom you have so cordially welcomed . to your feast of remembrances and rejoicings to-day, most heartily enters into your spirit of devotion to the fathers, and would, even as yourselves, seek to be animated anew for the work of the Divine Master, for the glory of the Redeemer's kingdom in the earth. May the blessing of the Great Head of the Church rest upon all these Churches represented here, endowing them with a larger measure of the Divine Spirit, whereby they may be more thoroughly consecrated to God and His service.
SOUTHBURY !- First pledge of our affections, and offspring of our heart of hearts, dweller in the fertile plains beside the beauti- ful river, the Jordan of our ancient inheritance, with maternal joy we greet thee !
Response by Rev. A. B. Smith.
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MR. CHAIRMAN :- In responding to the affectionate maternal greeting of this church, we, the eldest offspring, rejoice in being thus welcomed to the home of our childhood on this interesting and joyous occasion, and with true filial affection in connection with our younger sisters, we would to-day seek to gladden the heart of her from whom we had our origin. Venerable in her age, on this two hundredth anniversary of her existence, we would render to her all due respect and honor.
It is a joyful occasion where all the scattered children, after years of separation, gather together at the old family home. Such is the occasion we enjoy to-day, and few in these degenerate times can boast a like numerous family. It reminds us of the olden time, when a numerous offspring was counted a blessing, and it was really felt, that " happy is the man who hath his quiver full of them." I doubt not the joy to-day is in proportion to the number of " olive plants " gathered around the parental table.
But when the scattered members of the family, after long ab- sence, gather at the old home, it is natural that they should review the past, and talk of their varied experiences. The mother is sure to rejoice in the prosperity of all her children, and to grieve over and sympathize with them in all their adversities.
As the oldest of this goodly family, having now attained to the respectable age of 138 years, we have, as has been here hinted, received the fairest natural inheritance of the whole ancestral domain, Our lot has been cast on " the fertile plains, beside the beautiful river, the Jordan of our " venerable mother's "ancient inheritance"-a land in which Lot himself might have looked with eager, wishful eyes, and chosen in preference to the hill country. But the fertile river bottoms always possess their tempt- ations and their dangers. Though they give promise of an imme- diate prosperity, and for this reason are often chosen in preference to the hill country, yet they are liable to foster luxury, ease, and consequent idleness, with all their attendant evils, and so tend ulti- mately to degeneracy. Such locations, therefore, are not usually the most favorable to the progress of true religion, and the spiritual prosperity of the church. As the vine flourishes the most luxuriantly in the rocky glens and on the sunny slopes of the hill country, so the church, the vine of God's own planting, has usually found its greatest prosperity in the rural districts, and among the hills, where there were few temptations to luxury, ease and indolence. Consequently, our younger sisters among the hills
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have far outstripped us in numbers, and we have become the smallest and weakest of them all, already showing signs of decrepi- tude and decay. But as God has hitherto had "a seed to serve Him" in this church of the valley, and many have been trained up under its nurture for a heavenly inheritance, we trust that it will continue to be so in all time to come. The ministry com- menced by Graham, the learned Scotch divine of noble birth, and continued by Wildman, the compeer of Bellamy, and by Daniel A. Clark, the great sermonizer, though better preacher than pas- tor, has been sustained with occasional interruptions to the present time, though latterly on a less settled and permanent foundation. We hope that on a field where so much good seed has been sown, and watered by the tears and prayers of rich, eminent men, a brighter day will ere long dawn, when a new impulse shall be given to everything good in this beautiful valley-where these tendencies to decay shall be arrested, and enterprise, and virtue, and true piety shall be on the increase, and the church shall arise with renewed strength and vigor, and " put on her beautiful gar- ments," and "look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible " to her enemies " as an army with banners."
BETHLEHEM !- Thou " house of bread," situate like the Bethle- hem in the Holy Land, about six miles from thy Jerusalem-nur- tured, enriched and adorned by Bellamy and Backus-we greet thee, second child of our love!
Response by Rev. Geo. W. Banks.
MR. CHAIRMAN :- It is exceedingly unfortunate for me that I am not a believer in the doctrine of apostolic succession, for it would be comfortable, to say the least, to have a consciousness of some mysterious power or grace descending to me from my pre- decessors, which would enable me to do justice to the sentiment and the greeting which have just been offered. But lacking all such power or grace, I must express, as best I am able to you, sir, and through you, to our venerable and venerated mother, the con- gratulations of the second daughter, the church in Bethlehem. Though more than a century and a quarter have passed since she left the parental roof, yet I trust that the home instinct is not dead, but that she cherishes and would have expressed to-day, a warm affection for the mother church.
The church in Bethlehem is one hundred and thirty years old
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to-day. Its beginnings were weak in material things, but strong in faith. Fourteen families living on the hill-tops in "the East part of the North Purchase of Woodbury," finding their six miles' walk to their ancient Jerusalem through winter's storm and sum- mer's heat, inconvenient, determined to have a Mt. Zion of their own, and with a faith and self-sacrifice that we cannot too much admire, this handful of poor but heroic settlers, organized them- selves into a church of Christ, and made provision for the perma- nent support of the gospel ministry among them. When a daugh- ter makes an advantageous settlement in life, the mother's heart is made glad. So, when this daughter on the hills gave her heart to a young man by the name of Joseph Bellamy, the mother church in the valley no doubt rejoiced. Under Dr. Bellamy's min- istry of half a century, "the handful of corn on the top of the mountains began to shake like Lebanon." Its name proved to be no misnomer, for if ever a church received abundance of spiritual food, the church in Bethlehem did, from its first pastor.
Of one, concerning whom so much has been written and so well, it would be impossible for me to speak with justice in the few mo- ments allotted me at this time. I may however briefly allude to the affection he bore to the church over which he was placed. It may serve to set in strong contrast the lack of interest with which the pastoral relation is now viewed by many, and the ease with which it is broken. When Dr. Bellamy was at the zenith of his power as a preacher, being regarded as second only to Jona- than Edwards, and by some of his cotemporaries as superior to him in many respects; when his fame had spread all over the country, and even to England, he received a flattering invitation to become the pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church in New York City. To the Consociation called to advise upon the subject, he addressed the following characteristic letter :
" BETHLEHEM, Jan. 25th, 1754.
" REVEREND GENTLEMEN :- My people give me salary enough ; are very kind, too; I love them, and if it be the will of God I should love to live and die with them. There are many difficul- ties in the way of my going to New York, They are a difficult people; don't like my terms of communion, and some of their great men are against my coming; I am not polite enough for them ! I may possibly do to be minister out in the woods, but am not fit for a city. I may die with the small-pox, and leave a widow
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and fatherless children in a helpless condition. My people will be in danger of ruin. It breaks my heart to think that the interests of religion must sink among my people, and the youth run riot, and the little children be left without an instructor. I humbly de- sire, therefore, nothing may be done without the utmost delibera- tion ; and that whatever advice you shall see fit to give me, you will let me and my people know what grounds you go upon. Behold my life and all the comforts of my life, and my usefulness in the world, and the temporal and eternal interests of my people lie at stake; and you, reverend gentlemen, must answer it to God, if you should give me any wrong advice for want of a thorough and most solemn and impartial weighing of the affair. May the in- finitely wise God direct you. I pray you to consider me as one of your unworthy brethren, almost overwhelmed with concern, and just ready to sink under the weight of this affair, and quite broken- hearted for my kind and dear people. JOSEPH BELLAMY."
There exists in his hand writing a memorandum of an imaginary dialogue on the subject of his "declaring" as it was technically called, ¿. e. saying that he felt it his duty to go to New York. Coming at length to the supposition that he has "declared," he writes :
"The news flies through the country, and through all New England, and spreads far and wide; and every one has his say- nor are they silent in hell !"
" Carnal People-Aha! Aha! Here comes the man that pre- tended to so much religion! They are all alike-a pack of rogues ! "
" Godly People-Alas ! Alas! What has he done ? A dread- ful affair ! We must give him up, without pretending to vindi- cate his conduct! Alas for him that was once our guide and friend ! "
" New York-Aha! Aha ! He cares not for his people, nor is moved by their tears, nor touched by their cries and pleadings! He has torn away ! Right or wrong, he's resolved to come though his church is ruined ! Aha! Aha ! Dollars ! dollars ! dollars !"
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