USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Essex > History of the First Baptist Church, in Essex, Conn., during the first fifty years of its existence; read before the church, July 2d, 1861, with the declaration of faith, church covenant, and catalogue of members > Part 2
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Mr. Jared Hayden the son of Ebeneazer Hayden, was born in Saybrook, the part now known as Essex, 1767. Both he and his father were merchants. His father attended the Con- · gregational church, but was not a professor of religion.
Jared Hayden had his attention called to the subject of his souls salvation in seeing how a christian could die, as he wit- nessed the peaceful and happy death of a sister; this event made such an impression as he trusted resulted in the conver- sion of his soul. Soon after his conversion, he heard Elder Dickinson preach at East Haddam. The result of this has
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already been told. Though he was the first to invite a Bap- tist preacher here, he saw many descend into the baptismal waters ere he followed the example of his Savior. He with four others was baptized by Elder John Williams March 24th, 1810. He was an active and earnest christian. Owing to dif- fidence, he seldom if ever spoke in public, yet he was not like many professors, silent on religious subjects, for in private he would warn the impenitent and try to lead them to Jesus.
He was a zealous Baptist, and gave liberally of his means for the support of the Baptist cause. Of his love for the church we need no better evidence than his last bequest. His will was dated but four days after the constitution of the church. He was a man of feeble constitution and his work was soon done.
At the east end of the old burying ground his grave is marked by a plain marble slab, with this inscription,
" In Memory of Mr. Jared Hayden, son of Mr. Ebenezer Hayden,
Who died April 3d, 1814. Æ 47."
"My dearest friends they dwell above, Them have I gone to see, And all my friends in Christ below Shall soon come after me."
The church now having means began to think of building a house of worship. Something more than $1,800 was raised by subscription, which with $1,500 from the estate of Jared Hayden, was nearly the cost of the building. Mr. Samuel Williams gave the church the tract of land now known as Baptist Hill, for a building lot. The house was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1817, but meetings had been held in it sometime before it was finished.
. Elder Asa Wilcox, then of Lyme, preached the dedication sermon from these words ; "I was glad when they said unto me let us go unto the house of the Lord." The house was not large being 50 by 38 feet, yet was commodious for the church
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at that time. According to the wish of Mr. Hayden it was built of brick. It had a small tower in which hung a bell, which those who used to hear it say excelled in tone any now in our village.
At the same meeting November 26th, 1817, at which ar- rangements were made for the sale of slips, a committee was appointed to invite Rev. Asa Wilcox, to become pastor of the church. Mr. Wilcox accepted the call and commenced his labors here April 24th, 1818.
In a letter written to the New London Association, which met at Waterford in October, 1817, the number of members reported was sixty-one. It will be noticed that during more than six years since the church was constituted it had not increased in membership. Fourteen members had been added, but this number was less than the loss by death and otherwise.
In October 1818, the Association met with this church. At the close of the meeting of the association, Reuben Post, and Sala Post were ordained deacons,-Sala Post having been chosen the September previous. Till that time Reuben Post had been the only deacon of the church. These were the only deacons the church has ever ordained.
The church now having considerable property, obtained an act of incorporation, May 1819.
During the first two years of Elder Wilcox's ministry, there were in all but seven additions to the church, but during the third year fifty were added. There were then one hundred and seven members. From this time there were some addi- tions every year till the close of his ministry, April 1828. The church then had one hundred and one members, having in 1825 dismissed twenty seven members to form a church in Killingworth.
Among those removed by death during the ministry of Elder Wilcox, was Deacon Sala Post, who died June 18th, 1821, in the 51st year of his age. In him the church lost one .of its most active and efficient members.
It is proper to mention, that it was by the exertion of Elder Wilcox that a Sabbath School in connection with the church was commenced. His son Asa was the first superintendent.
A memoir of Elder Wilcox was several years ago published in the Christian Secretary, from which we make the following extracts :
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" Rev. Asa Wilcox was born in Westerly, R. I., Septem- ber Ist, 1764. His father Isaiah Wilcox was for twenty-five years pastor of a Baptist Church in his native town. He said of himself : " When not more than seven or eight years of age, I used to retire by myself for secret prayer, although like Samuel I hardly knew the voice of him that spake. The common pleasures and recreations of childhood were often embittered by the thought that 'for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.' In the winter of 1785-6 according to my common practice I retired in the evening for prayer, went into the fields and knelt down, -the Heavens bowed, my soul was enlarged in prayer, and O what desire for the glory of Emanuel, for the spread of the gospel and conversion of sinners ! I dedicated myself anew to the Lord. The next Sabbath he offered himself to the church for baptism and was received.
In the spring of 1792, Mr. Wilcox removed to Connecticut, where he married and settled in the part of Colchester, now Salem, where he engaged in mercantile business.
His feelings in regard to preaching the gospel were as re- markable as those he experienced before his baptism. He did not give himself up to the ministry till he felt that the wrath of God was upon him if he did not. He says, "I commenced speaking in public in the spring of 1797, abandoned the mer- cantile business and was ordained in February, 1802. He preached to the church in Salem thirteen years. He went to Lyme in 1810. To the church there he ministered eight years. In 1818 he became pastor of the Baptist church in Essex. In 1828 having passed the meridian and vigor of his days and being worn down with the toils of life, and the in- firmities of age, being also influenced by the desolate state of the church he had left so long before, he moved back to Salem where he possessed a small estate, to spend the evening of his days. 1Ie labored with the churches in Salem and Boz- rah, till the winter of 1830-1. In April following he was seized with a stroke of paralysis, from which he never but partially recovered. He died January 4th, 1834.
In regard to his character as a preacher it is said, "He was established in the doctrines of the Calvinistic Baptists gener- ally, and defended their sentiments. His preaching was argu- mentative rather than pathetic, appealing to the judgment and
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conscience rather than to the passions. On some occasions he became elevated and rose with the importance of the subject to a great power of thought and expression.
He was buried in Salem in a family burying ground on his own farm ; but in the fall of 1854 his remains with those of his family, were removed to Essex, where they now repose near the meeting-house. The monument that marks the place was erected by the New London Association.
In 1826 consequent upon new enactments by the Legisla- ture of the State, the church was again incorporated with the name of the "Second Baptist Church and Society in Say- brook."
The church was without a pastor till August 1828, when Elder Pierpont Brocket, accepted a call of the church and commenced his labors as pastor. During his ministry of seven years in this place, ninety-four were added to the church by baptism and fifteen by letter. He resigned his charge August 1835. The church then had one hundred and fifty-one mem- bers, having in April 1830, dismissed fifteen members to form a churchi in Deep River.
January 7th, 1836, Blyn Tyler was chosen deacon, no dea- con having been appointed before since the death of Sala Post.
The church continued without a pastor till April 1836, when Elder Henry R. Knapp, having accepted a call of the church, commenced his labors. He was pastor of the church till April 1840, when he resigned his charge. During his ministry of four years, nine were added to the church by baptism, six by letter, and two by experience, and at the close of his ministry there were one hundred and forty-six members.
In 1837 the church built a conference house. This building was sold 1845, and is now the " Point School house."
Rev. William G. Miller, having accepted a call of the church commenced his labors as pastor, April 1st, 1840.
December 7th, 1840, Alanson H. Hough, Asa Parker and Elias Redfield were chosen deacons. Mr. Redfield never ac- cepted the appointment.
Mr. Miller labored faithfully with the church for five years, when he was removed by death, April 13th, 1845. During his ministry, fifty six were added to the church by baptism, ten by letter and four by experience. Mr. Miller was a de- voted and beloved pastor; the church deeply mourned his loss.
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The following particulars in regard to his life and character have been furnished by his widow and Elder Henry R. Knapp.
Rev. William G. Miller, was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 1803, where he remained attending school at an academy till 1816. When thirteen years old he left home with Capt. Holt and wife of Bermuda, to visit his half-brother who lived a neighbor to them. Mrs. Holt became so much attached to him that she wished to adopt him as her son, and he obtained consent of his parents to remain with her. After three years Mrs. Holt removed to New York city, where, in the providence of God, Mr. Miller, then a lad of sixteen, was led by curiosity to hear Elder Vanvelzor a Baptist preacher famed for his eccentricities. The first time he heard him, it is believed the Holy Spirit accompanied the word to his heart ; and under his preaching he was converted and by him bap- tized. He soon felt it his duty to proclain the "glad tidings of salvation " to the perishing world, and in order to prepare himself he entered the seminary at Hamilton, in the summer of 1820, where he pursued a regular course of study of four years. He then returned to the city, and a little band of Baptists, then meeting in Orange Street, called him to be their pastor, and he was ordained in 1826. He remained with this church about fourteen years; during which time they twice changed their place of worship and their name, finally assuming the name of the "Bethel Baptist Church." From that church he was called to the Essex Baptist Church, where he labored five years. Though of feeble health, he con- tinued his labors of preaching and visiting his flock till within a few weeks of his death. He died suddenly of consumption, in New York, in the 43d year of his age. " The work as- signed him was finished."
" In person, Mr. Miller was prepossessing, in disposition ex- ceedly amiable, he possessed rare qualifications for the ministry, having a voice of great compass, depth and power, yet sweet as the lute in its tone; and a remarkably tenacious memory, which was well stored by extensive reading and at command when required for use. His style was flowing, terse and im- pressive. His sermons were thoroughly studied, and were never superficial, but profound and well analyzed While the melody of his voice attracted the ear, the truth penetrated the heart. Ardent in his temperament and communications, yet
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sweetly pathetic, he was listened to with delight. He was very successful in the city as well as in Essex. His doctrinal sentiments were highly Calvinistic. As a pastor he had few equals, taking heed to all the flock, none were overlooked or slighted.
His defect of character, (for it was a defect as it abridged his usefulness, ) was his excessive modesty, seeking retirement and loving obscurity. His own flock were the center and circumference of his associations. It was almost impossible to get him to speak on public occasions or write for the press, for which he had rare abilities; hence it is that so little is known of his superior powers as a writer and speaker. His labors were much blessed to the churches to which he minis- tered. His death was a severe blow not only to his family and friends by whom he was almost idolized, but to the church it was a shock from which they have not recovered to this day, as they have never been so firmly united in any pastor since."
The church felt their bereavement more, because two strong pillars had just fallen ; Mr. Elias Redfield having died Septem- ber 15th, 1844, in the 52d year of his age, and Mr. Joseph Hayden, December 24th, of the same year, aged 46 years.
Mr. Hayden was one of the most zealous and efficient mem- bers the church has ever had; besides his devotion to her general interests, he made the Sabbath School an object of particular regard. He was superintendent for many years and we have a substantial token of his interest in this cause in the legacy he left of $500 to the Sabbath school, the in- terest of which is to be invested in books.
The death of the pastor and these two members is beauti- fully alluded to in the following lines from poetry composed on the death of Elder Miller.
"The watchman hath fallen,-three brothers now meet,
All fresh from earth's toils in yon Heaven to greet;
Heaven-born in their spirits, being pilgrims on earth, They have gone to the Paradise land of their birth."
In the spring of 1844, by an act of the legislature, the name of the church and society was changed to the "First Baptist Church and Society of Essex."
From the death of Elder Miller, the church was without a pastor till the following August, when Rev. William H. Card
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accepted a call of the church and became their pastor. He continued with them one year. During his ministry twenty were added to the church by baptism and eight by letter.
During the years 1845-6 our present house of worship and parsonage were built. The meeting house was dedicated June 23d, 1846. Rev. William G. Howard, then of Middle- town preached on the occasion.
Rev. Henry Bromley labored with the church from Septem- ber 1846 to March 1847, when Rev. William G. Howard accepted a call from the church and entered on the pastoral labors. He was with the church till September, 1849. Dur- ing his ministry of two and a half years but one was added to the church by baptism and five by letter. At the close of his ministry the church had 198 members.
In December of the same year Rev. Marvin Eastwood be- came pastor of the church and remained one year. During his ministry there were added to the church by baptism sixty- one, five by letter and two by experience. The church re- ported to the association at this time, (December, 1850,) 273 members, a number having been restored.
They remained without a pastor till September, 1851, when Rev. Joseph A. Bailey having accepted a call and commenced his labors as pastor, and was ordained by a council called October 22d, 1851. He resigned his pastoral connection with the Church June 24th, 1855, though at the request of the committee, supplied them till the following September. Dur- ing his ministry of four years, eleven were added by baptism, and nineteen by letter. Number of members at the close of his ministry 239.
Jeremiah Gladwin was chosen deacon March, 1856.
Rev. Silas Ilsley commenced his labors with the church as pastor, November, 1856. He presented his resignation in November 1858, but remained with the church till the follow- ing May. The additions during his ministry were by baptism fifty-three, by letter eleven, by experience one.
Rev. Bradford H. Lincoln* commenced his labors with us July, 1859. Since this history was read before the church, he has closed his labors with us, his resignation taking effect
* Brother Lincoln died in Meriden, May 3d, 1862.
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March 1st, 1862. Additions during his ministry were by let- ter, eight.
. In the fall of 1859, the church obtained dismission from the New London Association, and joined the New Haven Asso- ciation.
In October 1859, we were called to mourn the loss of Deacon Reuben Post, who died at the age of eighty-seven years. He was the last of the constituent male members of the church. He had been a professor of religion fifty-two years and a deacon forty-five years.
More recently April 14th, 1860 we were called to mourn the loss of another officer, Deacon Asa Parker, who died at the age of seventy-two years. He had not been an officer or member of the church nearly as long as the one just referred to, but he served the church faithfully and went rejoicing to his reward.
And still more recently, death has afflicted us in taking away yet another officer, one in the meridian of life, Deacon Jeremiah Gladwin has gone with others to meet his Savior. He died June 7th, 1861.
Brothers Asahel C. Braddick and James S. Newell were chosen deacons January 1860. Brother Newell having re- moved, brother Carnot O. Spencer and Bela C. Post were appointed deacons November 4, 1861.
During the fifty years since this church was constituted, it has had eleven pastors. The longest time it has been under the care of any one pastor is ten years, the shortest one year. It has had many supplies for shorter seasons. It has had in all 585 members. Present number is 248 .*
Besides the bequests to the church which have been men- tioned, $2,376 was bequeathed to it by Capt. William Williams who died in the year 1836; the interest of which is to be applied to missions.
Mrs. Irene Williams who died in 1840 left by will to the church $1,907 the income from which is to be applied to the same object.
Thus far our attention has been chiefly directed to the exter- nal affairs of the church and the succession of its pastors. We turn now to contemplate the events that pertain more closely to its spiritual life. Numerous revivals of religion
* June 18th, 1861.
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deserve particular attention. Unfortunately we are left with- out any record of many of them and can form an opinion of the powerful works of God upon the hearts of the people, only from the number of names that from time to time ap- pear on our catalogue of members.
The first revival that calls our attention, was before the constitution of the church, about the year 1809. There does. not appear to have been a general religious interest in the town at that time, but it was mostly confined to the Baptists. These meetings were solemn and very frequent. Jared Hay- den is mentioned as one who went about conversing with the impenitent, and pointing inquirers to Jesus. The interest did not last for a short time. and then pass away, but seemed to continue for about two years. The result was about twenty- five conversions, besides other accessions to the Baptists of those who had been members of other churches. From this time there were some additions to the church every year for a number of years, among them is mentioned Mrs. Elizabeth Whittlesy, who was baptized at the age of 76 years.
Soon after, the church seemed to fall into a state of com- parative coldness, and being divided, for sometime neglected the communion. When Elder Wilcox became pastor, the church though outwardly in a prosperous condition, was spirit- ually destitute. But they said in a letter to the association at that time, "we enjoy a comfortable degree of christian union."
In 1821, there was an abundant out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, and from April 22d, to August 12th, fifty were added to the church by baptism. This revival is remarkable not only for the number of those converted, but that the interest continued through the busy season of the year, showing the fallacy of the too general opinion that revivals can not be enjoyed in the summer. From this time till 1824, there were occasionally baptisms. Then for two years there was a period when the blessing of God seems to have been with- .held. In 1827, the attention of the impenitent was again called to spiritual things, and March in and April, ten were added to the church by baptism.
Then followed a time of spiritual declension. The follow- ing extracts are from a private journal, -"Fall of 1829-Cold- ness in the church, but December 14th, prayer-meeting at Mother W's, where many seemed to be revived, and one in a
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very interesting manner. January 1st, 1830,-church pray- er-meetings at Mother W's, and female prayer-meeting in the evening at Mrs. Mason's twenty-two were present,-much of the influence of the spirit seemed to be felt at both places, and these occasions will doubtless, long be remembered." Elder Brocket has given us an interesting account of the revivals which commenced about this time, and continued during his ministry with the church, he says
"During the first three months of my residence in Essex, sickness, disease and death were found in almost every family. Visiting the sick and attending funerals occupied the greater part of my time. When sickness abated, the good spirit of God was sent among us, and our meetings became deeply solemn and interesting, and were held more frequently. Some of the unconverted soon began to be concerned about the sal- vation of their souls. In a few weeks, some of these were rejoicing in hope. On the first Sabbath in February, 1829, Harris Stanard and Esther Pratt were baptised. When. giving the right hand of fellowship to these persons, the Holy Spirit evidently descended into our midst. Nearly all the singers, (a large choir,) were so powerfully wrought upon as to be unable to sing, and many others were awakened at this time. We now began to hold meetings nearly every evening. The members of the church, nearlly all seemed to pass through a season of deep searching of heart, and some for a season, (though short,) gave up their hopes. In a few days they came into a more full liberty and stronger faith than they had been accustomed to enjoy. Nearly all the members were now ready to work for God. Among the more earnest labor. ers, were brothers Reuben Post, Joy Post, Simeon Post, Ben- jamin Post, Gurdon Smith, J. Redfield, A. F. Whittemore, and indeed I know not where to stop without including all the brothers and sisters.
Those who were awakened among the unconverted, were so deeply anxious that it was difficult to close our meetings before ten or eleven o'clock, and then we had to assist some of those tlie most deeply distressed to their homes. The good influence of this revival was felt in our meetings for more than a year and a half. About forty were baptised and added to the church.
In 1830, during the winter and spring, we were again
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favored with a shower of divine grace, in which about twenty- five were added to the church by baptism. In 1832, the friend of sinners called upon us, when twelve were added to our number. In the winter of 1833, we were blessed with another refreshing shower, when twenty-one were added by baptism. In 1834 eight more were brought from darkness into light and added to God's people.
Our meetings were generally well attended by day and night, on the Sabbath and in the week time. During one of our revivals our bell rang, I think, every night except one for three months.
My residence with Essex church was very pleasant to my- self and family, and we love them still. During my stay with them we had but little difficulty or church trouble and labor, probably less than most churches. Many of those who were added when I was with them, have finished their course on earth, and I doubt not have gone to the mansions prepared for them by the dear Savior of sinners. There I expect be- fore long to see them again, and what is still better, to see Jesus as he is and be more like him.
From 1835 to 1841, a period of six years, there was a time of spiritual destitution ; during that time only thirteen were added to the church by baptism. Elder Knapp says, "when I took the charge of that people April 1st, 1836, they had been des- titute of a pastor some time, and as is usual, the congregation had greatly declined, and the church was in a low state. The congregation soon began to increase, until, the old brick edi- fice in which we then worshiped, was overflowing. My labor seems to have been preparatory. or a seed time rather than harvest." He adds, "That church is endeared to me by ties of affection and interest, more than any other church during my ministry of more than thirty years. It is under God to their prayers in connection with others, that so many of my dear children are made the subjects of divine grace. But few . of that goodly band with whom I took sweet counsel, remain on this side of Jordan."*
In March, 1841, soon after Elder Miller commenced the pastoral labors, the hearts of believers were revived and sin- · ners awakened. As the fruits of this revival, twenty-six con-
* Elder Knapp died in New York, May 14, 1862.
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