USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History of the South Congregational Church, New Haven : from its origin in 1852 till January 1, 1865 > Part 14
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Our records show that the accessions to our Church membership within the past year, have been larger, except two, than in any of the 284 Churches in the State. Our congregations on the Sabbath and Sabbath evenings, and also on week-day evenings, have been, and still are, much larger than under any previous ministry, except for a short period during the incumbency of Rev. Dr. Stiles. And this notwithstanding the opposition of individuals within your own Church, and a much larger number out of it, culminating at last in the convocation and fizzle of the late
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Ex-parte Council. Charity leads us to hope that much of this opposition is the result of ignorance ; although igno- rance is a poor excuse when the means of obtaining correct information are at hand; and prejudice is a poor excuse when based upon ignorance or misinformation which might have been avoided; much more if it be the offspring of sectarian exclusiveness, professional rivalry, party animos- ity, or an unwillingness to entertain strangers, which some doing, have entertained angels unawares.
Among the conclusions arrived at by the Council, this is one, viz : " that the South Church, so called, ought to be recognized no longer as a Congregational Church." "No longer." They admit, then, that it has hitherto been a Congregational Church. One of two things follows : Either that this Ex-parte Council, representing a dozen Churches out of 200 or 300 in the State, claim and have exercised the power to put us out of the denomination; or else that, not claiming this power, they have gravely decided that we " ought not to be recognized"-as what we confessedly are. In other words, that the truth ought to be suppressed or ignored. If the latter be their meaning, it is in good keeping with the evidence, and with the avowedly ex-parte construction of the Council. If, on the other hand, they say they have power, and have exercised it to put us out of the Congregational Church, then of course, according to their own showing, they will have no more right hereafter to meddle with our affairs, than with those of a Baptist, Episcopal, or Methodist Church. This is some comfort; and if the few disaffected members who have not already left us, will do so, according to the advice of their own Council, we may confidently hope for a lasting PEACE; for there are no other elements of discord among us. Not that we are all agreed on all subjects, social, political, and economical ; agricultural, mechanical and financial; but since by common consent and choice we leave all these matters outside the Church, they make and can make us no trouble as a Church of Christ. As to ecclesiastical interference unasked for by us, we shall henceforth stand where we intended to do from the first. We were organized simply as a Congregational Church. We were never con-
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nected with any Association or Consociation. Efforts have more than once been made to bring us into one or the other of these relations, but always without success. And now we see the wisdom of our choice. As an Independent Congregational Church, which we always have been and continue to be, we can manage our own affairs without troubling other Churches with our differences, if any we have, or having their differences thrust upon us. But although a Congregational Church, we are not sectarians. And here is another advantage of our position. We can listen to faithful preachers of other denominations with as much pleasure as if they bore our own name. It has so happened, or been so ordered, without any design of ours, that all our ministers have been Presbyterians, with the exception of Rev. Mr. Noyes during a part of his connec- tion with us; and that, with the same exception during the latter part of his incumbency, they have all held the posi- tion of Stated Supply, and not of Pastor, technically so called. We were organized as a Church by a Congrega- tional Council while under the charge of a Presbyterian Stated Supply, (Rev. Dr. Stiles,) and have continued under a Presbyterian Stated Supply, except as above, to the present day,-a period of more than eleven years. Yet on neither of these grounds have we ever encountered any interference or remonstrance from other Churches, until now. It is now discovered that you are not a Pastor ! Why are you not ? So far as this Church is concerned, the objection came from those, or some of them, who called this Ex-parte Council. And it was to secure their concur- rence in the call, as well as to meet your own wishes, (which were known to some of us,) that you were invited as Stated Supply, and not as Pastor.
And now, in closing this letter, already too long, we desire to express our admiration of the moral heroism which has enabled you successfully to resist the manifold influences which have been brought to bear upon you, tend- ing to swerve you from your one great purpose of " knowing nothing among us save Jesus Christ and him crucified." In one of your earliest discourses in this Church, you declared that such should be your aim, and nobly have you
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redeemed the pledge. We thank you for it, and God for sending us such a man. Go on, beloved Pastor, and He will bless you, if man do not. You have His promise, which cannot fail :- " Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." Matt. v. 12. History is full of examples which show that no strange thing has happened to you. Remember Luther, Bunyan, Whitefield, Paul, Jeremiah, and above all, Christ. The Clergy are often the greatest persecutors. Our own feeble support we pledge you ; but that is a small matter compared with what you apparently lose. Fame, popularity, is a dazzling bait to a youthful mind, but that we cannot promise you in our retired locality, proscribed and maligned as we have been, in common with yourself. It is however within your grasp, if you will only consent to abandon your principles, and violate your convictions of duty. So your Divine Master was offered all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, if only He would fall down and worship the Devil. He successfully resisted the temptation, and so have you, through Him .- Large salaries are an attraction to most men, but we have no large salaries to offer. If we are rightly informed, a call has been placed in your hands from a Church in New York City, [they appear to have no trouble about your being an ordained minister,] with more than double the salary you are receiving from us. We see it stated in a New York paper, that another Church in New York was about to call you, when they learned that they had been anticipated by the first mentioned. And yet, notwithstanding these overtures, we expect, perhaps too confidently, that you will still " abide with us." We feel a bond of affection in our hearts which seems to make you our own. And we know that, to a delightful extent, the attachment is mutual. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and continue to bless us and this community through your instrumentality. Such is the earnest desire and prayer of your Church and people.
Signed by over 130 members of the Church and congre- gation.
NEW HAVEN, January 1st, 1864.
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MR. CARROLL'S REPLY .- HONORS TO REV. MR. BARRETT.
From a New Haven paper, Jan. 30, 1864.
SOUTH CHURCH.
As the late Ex-parte Council have brought the South Church so prominently before the public, permit me to say that the week now closing has been a most interesting one to that Church and people. Not to speak of the very im- pressive services in the Church last Sabbath day, and in the Chapel in the evening, and the very large audiences who attended them, we had on Tuesday evening a noble gather- ing in the Chapel parlor, which covers nearly the entire area of that building, to listen to a Scripture exposition by Rev. Mr. Carroll, and then to hear his response to the letter of 130 of his people, accompanying their New Year's gift to him of $500. That large hall was crowded on the occasion, so that it was necessary to bring in benches. In connec- tion with his response, they expected to learn his decision in reference to a call which had been extended to him by a Church in New York, and which, it had been reported that he was likely to accept. Great anxiety was felt by his people on this point; and on the whole, they were in such a state of mingled apprehension and hope, that when in his earnest eloquence he poured forth his warm heart in love and gratitude for the confidence and kindness they had manifested towards him, a large part of the audience were in tears, or struggling to restrain the outburst of their emo- tions. When he came to the subject of the call, and announced that after much prayerful deliberation, and not without some hesitation, he had that day returned a nega- tive answer to the invitation, nothing but the sacredness of the place prevented a general explosion of rejoicing. At the close of the meeting half an hour or more was spent in mu- tual congratulations, before the audience could be willing to separate. It was an occasion long to be remembered ; and was the more impressive because of the warm and gen- erous sentiments expressed by our pastors towards each other, as well as towards their people.
Mr. Carroll, among other things, remarked that from the day they first met each other until now, there had never
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been a jar between them, even the slightest; and Mr. Bar- rett, (who has always seemed to enjoy the honors intended for Mr. Carroll as much as those received by himself,) said he heartily assented to the remark. Mr. Barrett, in address- ing the people, said he had called upon most or all of them at different times, and had much enjoyed such opportuni- ties -but now he was comfortably settled in his own home, and wanted they should call upon him. "We will," " we will," was heard from different parts of the room, and on Thursday evening following, sure enough they did come, bringing with them all manner of good things, besides what had been previously placed in the Chapel parlor, where it was deemed expedient by his friends to have the reception held, on account of the numbers who were expected to be present.
It was fortunate that they did so ; for even that spacious room was filled with a united and happy people, rejoicing at this opportunity to express their kindly feelings toward one who has so endeared himself to our entire Church. A very bountiful and beautiful table was spread, loaded with substantials and confections, to which due respect was paid by all. After supper our worthy senior deacon, (God bless him !) accompanying the act with an apt and graceful address, presented Mr. Barrett with a PURSE on behalf of the people, in addition to the large supplies of commodities which had accumulated in other forms. Mr. B. responded in a most appropriate and happy manner. This called out other speakers-then an impromptu choir made sweet music -then a parting prayer and blessing. It was one of the pleasantest evenings in the history of our hearts and of our Church home. A MEMBER.
As the time drew near for the close of Rev. Mr. Bar- rett's labors among us, agreeably to the arrangement made with him twelve or fifteen months previously, the South Church people desired to give him some part- ing expression of their good will, and of the high esteem which they felt for him as a minister, and as
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a man. Such was the object of the interviews men- tioned in the following extract :-
From a New Haven paper of April 2.
The young folks connected with the South Church, paid the Rev. Mr. Barrett, assistant Pastor, a surprise visit at his residence on Wednesday night last, notwithstanding the severe storm which prevailed at that time. After a cordial greeting all round by the Pastor and his excellent lady, the Rev. J. Halsted Carroll presented the following reso- lutions :-
At a meeting of the South Congregational Church, March 29th, 1864, it was unanimously
Resolved, That in parting with Rev. Myron Barrett, who for more than a year past has officiated in this Church as associate Pastor with Rev. Mr. Carroll, we desire to express to him our cordial affection, respect, and esteem, and our regret that we are no longer to enjoy the benefit of his faith- ful and most acceptable labors.
Resolved, That the harmony and good understanding which, without the slightest interruption, have uniformly existed between him and this Church, and also between him and Mr. Carroll, (who has so far recovered his health and strength, that he expects to be able, henceforth, to perform the full duties of his ministry,) are a subject of pleasant remembrance to us, and will add to the interest with which we shall ever follow him in his future course of usefulness, wherever in the Providence of God, his lot may be cast.
Resolved, That these resolutions be signed by the proper officers of this Church, and be communicated to Mr. Bar- rett as our parting salutation, with our best wishes for the prosperity and happiness of himself and family here and hereafter.
J. HALSTED CARROLL, THOS. HORSFALL, CHAS. H. WARNER, NICHOLAS COUNTRYMAN, C. F. HOTCHKISS, JOHN H. LEEDS.
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Mr. Barrett, with a heart overflowing with gratitude, res- ponded in a few brief remarks, thanking Mr. Carroll and the Church, for this acknowledgement of his humble efforts in the past year. Mr. Frederick Willoughby then, in be- half of the young people, presented Mr. Barrett and lady with a beautiful photographic Album, nearly filled with pictures and " greenbacks," as a testimonial of their esteem, friendship and good will, towards one who had ever been their friend through weal or woe, in sunshine or darkness, and regretted exceedingly that they were called to part so soon. Mr. Barrett was so completely taken by surprise, that he was at a loss for words to thank his friends, but assured them, that though absent, they would not be forgotten. On Thursday evening the adult members of the Society pre- sented Mrs. Barrett with a beautiful rosewood work box, filled with all the little trinkets which are so necessary and useful to a lady's work table. Mr. Barrett leaves many friends in this city who will always feel interested in his welfare.
STATE AND PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH.
At each annual meeting of the South Church, held in the month of November from year to year, a Re- port has been presented by a Committee previously appointed for the purpose, on the " State and Pro- gress of the Church " during the twelve months im- mediately preceding. The first two of these Reports, viz., for the years 1853 and 1854, were given verbally, and therefore we are unable to quote any extracts therefrom. The same was the case with the Report of 1863. From those of the other nine years since the organization of the Church, we proceed to give extracts, more or less extended, as follows :-
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YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1855.
LEWIS M. MILLS AND THOS. HORSFALL, COMMITTEE.
During the past year, the number of those received into the Church, has been encouraging in no small degree, amounting to fifty-two, of whom thirty-four were by pro- fession and eighteen by letter. The largest number re- ceived at any one communion was twenty-one.
The Gospel in its purity has been preached twice every Sabbath, the efficacy of which we trust may be seen in a great measure, from the fruits of holy living among the members of the Church, and in the deep interest manifested on the part of the impenitent, in the oft repeated inquiry, "What shall I do to be saved ?" And the evening service, where a review of the great and important truths presented during the day from the pulpit, has been made, has had the tendency, in our opinion, to fix on the mind, and impress upon the heart and conscience, whatever has been presented in the public assembly. Thus has been afforded opportu- nity for self-application and self-examination, producing the peaceable fruits of righteousness.
At the close of the afternoon service, the Young Men's Prayer Meeting, numbering at times as high as three and thirty, and averaging about twenty, has been well sustained during the year, in which those who have just entered the Redeemer's service, have been gathering strength, and where, by their united prayers and exhortations, a unity of sympathy has sprung up, arming them with a moral power which has stood by them in their hours of temptation and trial, when engaged in the busy scenes of the world. In this meeting it is worthy of remark, that every one has felt it to be his duty to sustain the exercise. Every one has been at his post, and all have considered the time devoted to this hour, as consecrated and precious.
The Monthly Concert for the conversion of the world, has been sustained with great interest. Here, not only has the Church been ready to cry mightily unto God for the outpouring of His Spirit on the dark places of the earth, as our beloved Pastors have set forth the great wants of the dying nations, and held up the glorious promises for their
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redemption which draweth nigh,-but, according as God has prospered them, they have contributed of their sub- stance, counting it all joy to be permitted to co-operate with the great God in the glorious plan of human Redemption.
Your Monthly Donations for this object have amounted, during the year, to $ 205 89
For the Southern Aid Society, 1,029 78
6 American Tract Society,
217 00
American Bible Society, 50 00
American and For. Christian Union, 100 00
American Home Miss. Soc., 66 09
66 City Mission, 33 74
Am. Seaman's Friend Soc., 31 50
Collections at Communion Service, . 53 00
Amounting in all to $1,787 00 besides what has been collected for the Sabbath School.
The Tuesday evening conference meetings have been occasions of the most intense interest; the number in attendance averaging about fifty. The exercises have been usually opened by one and sometimes by both of the Pas- tors, by remarks whose savor has been of life unto life, as we trust shall be evinced, when the great Book shall be opened. These occasions will long be remembered by many of those who during the past year met with that glo- rious change from darkness to light, and from Satan to God. Precious meetings these have been, brethren and sisters, in which we have gained new accessions to the throne of our Father. Their memory will ever be green, and the retrospect of them will summon up before our minds, seasons when our souls had a nearness to God, and a communion which was sweet.
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1856.
C. F. HOTCHKISS AND CHAS. H. WARNER, COMMITTEE.
The increase to the Church during the past year, by pro- fession, is 16 ; being but about half the number of the year
16*
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previous. The blessed influences of the Holy Spirit, to a greater or less degree, have ever attended the truth deliv- ered to our congregation on the Sabbath by our Pastors; and it is worthy of remark that many of their extraordinary and earnest appeals have been sent home to the hearts of those who were occasional in their visits to our sanctuary ; thus sowing the seed, to grow and ripen for the harvest at the Great Day. We may never gather them in this fold upon earth; we may never see them again here; but we may see them in the mansions of our blessed Saviour, and hear them tell that their acquaintance with the truths of the Gospel commenced in these temples consecrated to the service of God.
The Sunday evening meetings in the Chapel, where the subject matter of the day's service has been reviewed, have during the year been extremely well attended, and the op- portunity to apply these great truths, has not, we trust, been in vain. The usual number in attendance, has been about 130 persons.
Connected with our Sabbath exercises, is another auxili- ary in the cause, of no less importance. We allude to the meeting following the afternoon service, called the "Young Men's Prayer Meeting." This is held in the Chapel, and has been kept up ever since that building was completed. Here a feeling of brotherly love has been exhibited, well worthy the imitation of all our other organizations ; for your Committee are constrained to say, that in this branch of the Church an earnestness in prayer, a freedom of exhorta- tion, and an anxiety for the welfare of the Church, have been displayed, that will add great strength to the cause, and to the Church in its future history. The average number present at these meetings is 16.
The Tuesday evening prayer meetings held in this room, are among the most interesting, and as your Committee hope, profitable branches of the Church, both to its members and the strangers whom we often see in our circle. The Church is largely represented in these meetings, and it has uniformly been so during the year. The average atten- ยท dance for the year has been 51. The largest number pres- ent at any time, was on the 26th of February, when the meeting numbered 74 persons.
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The Bible Class, under the instruction of brother Mills, has become a source of great interest to those who are con- nected with it.
Another auxiliary in the cause, is the Ladies' Sewing Society. Suffice it to say, that the efforts of the ladies have been signally comforting, not only to the poor in our neighborhood, but to destitute missionaries and their fami- lies at the West.
The Sabbath School, under the superintendence of brother Minor, numbers about 100 ; average attendance 80.
The records of the Secretary of the Church show the fol- lowing contributions during the year, viz :
Foreign Missions, $205 90
Am. Tract Society. 218 42
Sabbath School, 31 75
Am. Bible Society, 37 15
Am. and For. Christian Union,
92 07
City Mission, 35 56
Am. Home Missionary Society, 61 00
Am. Seamen's Friend Society, 36 00
Southern Aid Society, 1,000 00
$1,717 85
The state of our finances is next in order, and is usually in all large bodies a matter of great importance. With us, our financial department seems to claim but little of our concern. We certainly have great cause for thankfulness that we are so comfortably situated, and that these blessings are so bountifully provided for us. The yearly expenses of our whole Church arrangements must, in the opinion of your Committee, be between $6,000 and $7,000 ; while our whole income proceeds from rents of slips, and cannot probably exceed $700.
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1857.
THOMAS HORSFALL; C. B. FOOTE, AND WM. M. HUBBARD, COMMITTEE.
We have been permitted, in the providence of God, to enjoy the labors of two ministers another year. They have
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labored faithfully for the upbuilding of the Church. We have had preached to us two sermons every Sabbath, and there has been a good attendance on these means of grace, not only by our own Church and congregation, but by strangers and members of other congregations in the city. The preaching of the Word has been owned and blessed of God in the conversion of sinners, and in the edifying, com- forting and strengthening of his people. There have been added to the Church during the year, 13, viz: 8 by pro- fession, and 5 by letter. Three have died. The whole number of Church members in good and regular standing is 180. You will perceive, brethren, that the number added to the Church this year is much smaller than in any pre- vious year since the Church was organized. Your Com- mittee are aware that the number of unconverted in the congregation has been smaller than in any former year. Yet if we had all been as faithful as our Pastors have been, we think the number of conversions would have been larger.
The religious exercises on Sabbath evening have been very well attended throughout the year, not only by our own Church and congregation, but by many whom we never see in the Church during the day. One of the most interesting features of these meetings is the large number of young persons who are present every Sabbath evening. Your Committee feel confident that the earnest, searching appeals made to them so often by our ministers, cannot be lost upon them.
The Monthly Concert of Prayer for the conversion of the world, has been very well attended. Also the Young Men's Prayer Meeting, held in the Chapel immediately after the afternoon service. The average number in attendance at the last mentioned meeting has averaged about 16. These meetings have been greatly blessed to all who have attended them.
The Sabbath School, it will be remembered, was brought nearer to our Church at the last annual meeting,by the adop- tion of a rule making it the duty of the Church to appoint a committee of three at the commencement of every quarter, for the purpose of visiting the families connected with the Church and congregation, and endeavoring to awaken an
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interest in the School on the part of parents, and to secure a more regular attendance of the children. Also to visit the School occasionally, and thus cooperate with the Superintendent, by every means in their power, to promote the welfare of the School. Your Committee feel no hesi- tation in saying that this rule has worked well. Very soon after the first committee commenced their labors, the School began to increase. The committee have been uniformly well received, and parents seemed ready and willing to cooperate with them in awakening on the part of children a new interest in the School. The number of scholars has increased during the year from 100 to 145. Average attendance about 90. Teachers, 19.
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