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 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
The Bible Class, under the instruction of brother Mills, has been well attended. The Class numbers about 20 at the present time. The average attendance is about 14. Four or five members of the Class have united with the Church this year.
The Tuesday evening prayer meeting has been well attended throughout the year, sometimes numbering be- tween 60 and 70. Average attendance about 50. The brethren who have been called upon to lead us in prayer, have manifested a strong desire for a revival of religion in the Church, and the burden of their prayers has been, "O Lord, revive thy work." The exhortations of our Pastors have evidently been directed to the same object. Quite a number of families have been united to our congregation recently, and we find, on inquiry, that they are almost all of them unconverted. This teaches us, brethren, that our Lord and Master has work for us to do. Then let us pray on, brethren, not only in our social prayer meetings, but in our closets, and let the burden of our prayers still be, "O Lord, revive thy work."
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1858.
E. S. MINOR, C. H. WARNER, AND J. T. MIX, COMMITTEE.
On the 15th of last November, Rev. Dr. Stiles, who had been Stated Pastor of the Church from its organization in
.
194
MISCELLANEOUS.
1852, having been requested by the committee of the South- ern Aid Society to devote his whole time to the interests of that Society, resigned his connection with this Church, that he might enter upon the wider sphere of usefulness which Providence had thus opened to his labors. * By the settlement of Rev. Mr. Noyes as Pastor of the Church, and the formation of an Ecclesiastical Society, our organi- zation was completed according to the usages of our de- nomination. It was hoped that under such auspices, the Church and Society would develop what native strength they possessed, and more rapidly grow to the fulness and stature of a self-sustaining body. It is too soon now to speak with much confidence of the results of this step. The anticipations of the more sanguine have not perhaps been fully realized; yet it is believed there is a deeper sense of responsibility in regard to the maintenance of public wor- ship, and a readier disposition to assume the duties it im- poses, than was felt before.
The usual meetings for public and social worship have been regularly maintained. The attendance on Sabbath Day service has been somewhat increased. The Young Men's Prayer Meeting, held after the afternoon service on the Sabbath, has been changed in name, and in the charac- ter of its attendance. It is now maintained as a Young People's Prayer Meeting, and the attendance of both sexes is invited. The Sabbath School and Bible Class continue, as to numbers in attendance, very much as they were a year ago. The average attendance is 83, being seven less than was reported last year.
At the last annual meeting of the Church, there were reported 180 members, in good standing. During the past year, 28 have been admitted by profession, and 14 by letter. Eleven have been dismissed, and recommended to other Churches, leaving the net gain of the year 31, and making the present total 211.
The past year is one greatly distinguished in the history of the Church as a season of wide-spread and gracious revival of religion. Our Church has shared in the blessing. Such awakenings produce increased attention to the truth; illuminate darkened understandings; make tender, hard
195
MISCELLANEOUS.
hearts; and by the gentle, yet powerful constrainments of Divine love, win reluctant souls to the love and obedience of the truth as it is in Jesus. Who has not asked himself, when witnessing these divine effects, if the Church could not evermore rejoice thus in the light and glory of Christ's salvation ?- if the power of religion could not evermore be all-pervading in the family and the business walks of life, sanctifying the commonest duties, and inscribing " Holiness unto the Lord " upon the products of human skill and the gains of merchandise, making every form of employment a heart-service to God, and not to man? If such are our aspirations, they are the kindlings of the Divine Spirit. Let us carefully cherish them, and each in his particular sphere of duty, endeavor to fill out in his own life and by his performances, that idea of a perpetual revival with which God has inspired him.
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1859.
C. N. SHUMWAY, CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE.
The year now ended is the second of the pastorship of Rev. G. W. Noyes. His labors in the pulpit for the last year, have, it is believed, been performed with faithfulness and energy, and an earnest desire has been manifested in his sermons to bring the Church up to a higher standard of piety. His labors as Pastor are believed to have been ren- dered faithfully, and have been blessed to those who received them. The Sabbath day and evening services have, we think, been quite as well attended as during the preceding year. And this is true too, we think, of the Tuesday Evening Prayer Meeting and Young People's Prayer Meeting. The average attendance at the Sabbath School, as reported for the last quarter, was 115, with a total of 150; which is a larger number than has been reported for any preceding quarter. The Superintendent and Teachers, and all who have labored for the School, have well deserved the success which has crowned their self-
196
MISCELLANEOUS.
denying labors. A Bible Class has met during the year, on Sabbath noons, and the most of the time has been well attended; but under the impression that it in some way interferes with the Sabbath School, it has been decided to abandon it. Those who have been connected with it, will, it is hoped, find places and work in the Sabbath School.
This is the second year of our organization as an Eccle- siastical Society, and we have reason to be gratified with its results. More money has been pledged for the support of the Gospel, by the rent of slips in the Church,* than in any former year.
The choir are deserving all praise for the time and labor they have expended, and for the success which has enabled them to make so interesting the choral services of the sanc- tuary.
There has been collected for benevolent purposes during the year, $1,115.83.
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1860.
RUFUS S. PICKETT, GEORGE S. MINOR, AND JOHN W. SCOFIELD, COMMITTEE.
The stated meetings of the Church have been the same as in former years. The attendance at the usual service on the Sabbath has increased somewhat, especially in the afternoon. Your Committee are not able to report an increased attendance at the Sabbath evening service, but are under the painful necessity of saying that it is some- what less than formerly ; which is a cause of discourage- ment to those who labor to sustain that meeting. The Young People's Prayer Meeting has been sustained with the usual interest; but we regret to say that a majority of the females who formerly attended it, have of late deserted it, which has reduced the attendance to an average of thir- teen. The Church Prayer Meeting on Tuesday evening has been sustained with much interest. The largest num-
* Partly raised by subscription .- ED.
197
MISCELLANEOUS.
ber present at any one of these meeting is 60; the average attendance, 38. The average attendance on the Sabbath School during the year is 114; and the whole number of names on the Secretary's book is nearly 200. These fig- ures, compared with those of 1858, show a gain of over forty per cent.
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1861.
WM. C. SCOBIE, THOMAS E. BARRETT AND ALFRED W. MINOR, COMMITTEE.
Your Committee find themselves unable to present as favorable and cheering accounts as have been presented in former reports. The unhappy state of our country has perhaps been one prime cause of this ; tending, as it does, to withdraw the minds of the Church from spiritual to tem- poral things, and consequently disturbing the harmony of purpose and unity among its members.
Some time in the month of May, our Pastor, Rev. G. W. Noyes, sent in his resignation, preached his farewell ser- mon on the 2d of June, and was dismissed on the 3d. Since then the pulpit has been filled by an irregular supply. During the past year the attendance upon the Sabbath services has been very irregular, the whole congregation at times numbering considerably less than one hundred, and that too, before Mr. Noyes was dismissed, and without any good reason why the attendance should not have been larger. The regular Sabbath evening meeting has through- out the year been sustained by a very few members of the Church ; the numbers present being frequently too small to sustain the interest of the meeting. The young people have continued their meeting, with an average attendance fully equal to the standard of previous years. This meet- ing, which was established a few weeks before the formation of the Church, has been felt by those who have attended it, to be one of the pleasantest gatherings connected with the Church. Average attendance during the year, 14; being one more than the average of last year.
17
198
MISCELLANEOUS.
The regular weekly prayer meeting has been held every week but one throughout the year. The largest number present at any time was 44; the smallest, 9. Average, 25. The average attendance at the Sabbath School has been 115; one more than last year. By the report of the Ladies' Sewing Circle, we find that their income, and con- sequently their disbursements, have been considerably less than in any previous year.
Your Committee are not aware that there have been any hopeful conversions, or that there has been any particular religious interest, either in the Church or congregation. There has been but one addition to the Church, either by profession or letter ; while 22 have removed their relations from us to other Churches. Four have been removed by death ; and four have either already gone or are about to leave us, to engage in the service of their country. Others, whose names appear on the list of Church members, have for a long time past absented themselves from Church gatherings, and from the Communion.
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1862.
CHARLES F. HOTCHKISS, G. H. BUTRICKS AND ROBERT LATTA, COMMITTEE.
It speaks volumes for our good, kind-hearted officers, on whom we have placed the charge of all our organizations, and who at all times, and amid the various sectional inter- ests that have crossed the path of the Church, have ever been at their posts, true to us and the Church of Christ. How difficult the duty of satisfactorily supplying the pul- pit for so long a time, and yet how well it has been done.
On the 1st Sunday in June last, our present dear Pastor was by our united hearts and the best affections of his people, regularly installed in our pulpit, though not by an Ecclesiastical Council. A perceptible change in the various branches connected with the Church was at once seen. From the 10th of January last, when your Committee's labors commenced, (they having been appointed at a special meet,
199
MISCELLANEOUS.
ing in place of a Committee who had resigned,) until the 1st. of June, the attendance at the main Church had been gradu- ally on the decrease, and it was seldom visited by strangers. The largest number present in the forenoon during that time, was 91, and in the afternoon, 179. The average attendance was 80 in the morning and 130 in the afternoon. The smallest number in the forenoon was 45, and in the afternoon 92.
The Sunday evening services in the Chapel were mostly supported by the constant presence of a few devoted broth- ers and sisters, who deemed it their duty to be in their seats. The smallest number present during the above mentioned period, from January to June, was 15; largest, 37; average, 23.
Compared with these statistics, we have the satisfaction to state that since our new minister entered upon his labors, a great improvement has been visible in every particular. The attendance on Sabbath morning, June 1st, (his first Sabbath,) was 146 in the forenoon, and 189 in the afternoon. These are the smallest numbers present on any Sabbath since he commenced his labors. On both parts of the day, the average increase is about 300 per cent. In many instances the Church has been filled, far beyond our highest expectations. The Sunday evening services from June 1st to the time when the meetings were transferred to the Church, show an increase of more than 200 per cent. The young people's prayer meeting has largely increased. The Sunday School, under the care of brother George S. Minor, still continues to be attractive, and is well attended. A Bible Class of about 25 persons gather regularly in the Pastor's study between the regular Sabbath services, under the direction of brother M'Neill.
Our Church and congregation have contributed largely to the rank and file of our army, and perhaps none have been more saved from the ravages of war; for, thus far, not one to our knowledge has fallen by death, although disease has laid several aside for a time.
One great cause for congratulation to the Church is, that in our meetings for business, or for any other purpose, of late, nothing foreign to a mild and Christian spirit has
200
MISCELLANEOUS.
been displayed, and nothing has occurred to mar that true Christian feeling which alone can give it prosperity.
Thus as a Church and congregation we have abundant cause for heart-felt thanksgiving to God ; Financially,-in that we are entirely free from debt. Numerically-that in the five months of Mr. Carroll's ministry among us, our congregations have steadily increased up to 300 per cent. Socially-as seen in our last Ladies' Sewing Society in this room; the largest ever assembled here on a similar occasion, and as harmonious and as joyous as possible. And Spiritually-the best of all. . We have reason,-() so much !- to bless our dear God for His presence in the ser- vices in the Church and in the prayer meeting; in the edification and warming of our hearts who are Christians, and in our up-building; for we are fed by the preached word, and have had the strong meat and marrow of the Gospel of Christ, which keeps our souls active and full, while the babes have the sincere milk of the word dispensed by our Pastor to them too, that they may grow thereby. And they are growing ; for, thank God, His Spirit is now striving with many of the youth in this Church; quite a number have been hopefully converted and are rejoicing, while many of their companions are inquiring anxiously after salvation. O then, like the disciples of old, let us continue, with one accord, and of one mind, in one place, . and pray without ceasing, that upon us as upon them, God will pour down a Pentecostal blessing, thereby adding to our dear Church, multitudes of such as shall be saved.
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1863. CHARLES H. WARNER, JOHN H. LEEDS AND AMOS SMITH, COMMITTEE.
This report having been communicated verbally by the chairman, we are unable to give extracts from it. We remember, however, that it was full of encouragement, and represented the affairs of the Church to be in a very pros- perous condition, as to its general features and prospects.
201
MISCELLANEOUS.
YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1864. C.F. HOTCHKISS, WM. M. HUBBARD AND PASCAL WITHEY, COMMITTEE.
Your Committee beg leave to report that the number of additions to the Church since our last annual meeting is 25; of whom two came to us from other Churches, and 23 by confession of faith, including one who returned a certificate previously given her by this Church. Included in this number are also several who, having been denied letters by their own Churches, were admitted on profession of their faith, after examination and recommendation by the Stand- ing Committee.
Since the last annual meeting our congregations on the Sabbath have steadily increased in numbers, and on several recent occasions have been very large. The Tuesday eve- ning prayer meetings have been well sustained throughout the year, with an average attendance much larger than last year.
During the period the Sunday evening meetings have been held in the Chapel, we all know how admirably they have been attended; and the subjects selected by Mr. Car- roll, with his full and interesting remarks on them, have been instructive to us, as well as the many strangers who have been attracted thither. We are now permitted to commence a new series of discourses on Scripture charac- ters, to which, we trust, we shall see increased attention.
The Sabbath School, under the direction of brother C. H. Warner, is in a flourishing condition, and has safely sur- mounted all the evil influences that many of the seceding members brought to bear upon it. The Bible Class, under the direction of our good brother Kirkuff, has an increasing attendance, numbering nineteen the last Sabbath.
The Ladies' Sewing Society favored us a few evenings since with the report of their doings, and shared with us the bounties of their beautifully arranged tables. That institution also has surmounted all its share of trials the past year, and opens for the future with a better prospect than it did one year ago. At its annual meeting there were
17*
202
MISCELLANEOUS.
present 104 persons, including many who had recently cast in their lot with us. This department continues to be useful for its social as well as charitable connections, and we should by every means in our power, forward and encourage its managers in their good work.
The pulpit, by the blessing of God, has been filled, we believe, to the cheerful acceptance of all. Under the direc- tion of our dear Pastor, and the assistance during a short vacation, of our valued friend and his former associate, Rev. Myron Barrett, we have the past year been favored with the preached word without having our minds disturbed by the absorbing worldly topics of the day; and if by the exclusion of such matters, our dear Church has been an asylum to which many of our fellow citizens could resort, we may take courage to believe that for the future we may be able to welcome many more, to worship with us at our altars. This class of persons are numerous, we are happy to say, and the revenue from slips will much exceed that of any former year in the history of our Church. The peace within these walls should not cause us to forget that in a large section of our beloved land, Churches are made desolate by the ruthless hand of war, the men of God without support, and the people scattered and driven from their homes, to seek a shelter for themselves and their little ones wherever charity may be found. Within these enclosures no disturb- ing element is now felt, and none molest us or make us afraid. Here we enjoy the sweet communion of kindred fellowship, and unite in our Christian cheer. Hither we bring all our sorrows and rejoicings,-our songs of praise and prayers. It is here that we can shut out the world, and in faith try to catch a word from our dear Saviour, whose blessed Spirit seems at times to fill our hearts too full for utterance, and sweetly whispers, "My peace I give unto you," O blessed sanctuary, our happy earthly home ! Who among us to-night, when he scans our privileges as a band of Christians, can refuse to lift up his voice and thank God for his protecting care over us, through the many dark and fearful days in the past, and for the bright openings of the future. Blessed with peace and good will in the Church; blessed with occasional conversions from the ranks of sin ;
203
MISCELLANEOUS.
blessed with the use of these comfortable and commodious buildings; blessed with the shepherd whose voice we all can hear and love, because we know he careth for the sheep, in that he breaks to us the bread of life ; blessed, though last yet not least, because all these God-sent blessings are ours without pecuniary burthens,-we may almost say without money and without price. This is our home; our " Memo- rial Stone" is erected here ; and to-night we can truthfully re-inscribe on its front, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
It is probable that no one connected with us is ignorant of the fact that fellowship is denied us and our dear Pastor by nearly all the Churches of our denomination in New England. Parties acknowledged by sister Churches to be of their membership in good and regular standing, and desiring to cast their lot with us, are denied the usual cer- tificates. Also members from us with the same qualifica- tions, and presenting certificates from us in the usual form, can only make those certificates available by having them endorsed by the Scribe of a certain Council, which assumed to sit in judgment on our Church and its beloved Pastor. While it is not to be denied that these are real inconven- iences, and that such proscription is as undesirable as it is undeserved, we may well doubt whether the effect upon our numbers and general prosperity has not thus far been favor- able. And with the help of God, it may be still more so in time to come.
And now, as to the progress of our Church. The aim and object of our associating ourselves together in the capacity of a Church, we all agree, is, that the cause of our Redeemer may be advanced, and that we may receive spir- itual instruction as a support in our pilgrimage here, our stay in the hour of death, and preparation for an endless eternity. These considerations should bind Pastor and people more closely to each other ; and if we do our duty faithfully, giving him our support, and co-operating with him in his exertions for the salvation of souls, God will prosper us, and the Redeemer's kingdom will be extended by our progress. We must be a united and happy Church; united in our endeavors to comfort and sustain each other in hours of trial and despondency ; united in protecting the
204
MISCELLANEOUS.
interests and good name of our little flock, avoiding every thing that tends to strife and ill feeling, ready to put aside our own selfish ends to comfort and cheer our brethren,- in other words, act according to the Golden Rule,-and then no root of bitterness will spring up among us, but we shall be a happy people whose God is the Lord. Our use- fulness will be felt, our zeal for the Church quickened, and we shall see conversions to Christ more frequently than we now do. This is what we want. We want all our house-
holds converted. We want our souls to go out in earnest, united prayer that God will save not only us, (for this is selfish,) but our kindred, friends and neigbors,-nay, a per- ishing world. These appliances are for that end. Our dear Pastor is here with us for that object; and it is for us, from this time forth, to shake off our indifference about men's souls, and WORK.
All our distracting anxieties as a Church,-all the ele- ments of strife,-like the dark clouds of the storm, have passed over us, and we can have no claim to an excuse for future inactivity. May God in his infinite goodness, who has so kindly directed us in the year that is past, be our director and support for the year to come ; and may we all, from this good hour, be willing to be guided in the ways of truth and righteousness, ready to meet the summons when- ever God shall call us hence, to death and to judgment.
SOUTH CHURCH FINANCES.
The Ecclesiastical Society connected with the South Church, was organized on the 5th of December 1857. Dr. Stiles had resigned his position as Stated Supply on the 15th of the previous month. Until the organization of the Society, the principal proprietor of the buildings paid the ministers' salaries and most other expenses, in his own way, receiving from the Treasurer of the Church such part of the revenue from slips as was not required for incidental expenses. Said proprietor kept no exact account of his payments ; but from such data as are at his command, he
205
MISCELLANEOUS.
estimates them at $5,000 a year on an average, for the first five years, ending about the date of Dr. Stiles' resignation. By way of offset, he received out of the slip rents (and there was no other revenue) an average of $300 or $400 per annum. The first annual report of the Treasurer of the Society covered the year ending Nov. 1, 1858. The receipts and expenditures of the Society during that and each sub- sequent year, ending Nov. 1st, were, according to the Treas- urer's reports, as follows :
RECEIPTS.
EXPENDITURES.
Year ending Nov. 1, 1859
$2,127 71
$2,127 71
66
66
1860
2,309 13
2,229 30
‹‹ .
1861
2,325 80
2,320 94
66
1862
1,706 09
1,704 79
66
1863
2,788 40
2,799 31
1864
2,708 90
2,768 87
.
16,219 77
16,279 74
Due Treasurer,
59 97
$16,279 74
From the first, a large part of the receipts have been derived from voluntary contributions made by members of the Church and congregation ; the rent of slips being low,- highest $25, lowest $2,-to bring them within the means of persons in moderate circumstances. No assistance to- wards the support of public worship, has ever been asked or received from persons not belonging to the Church or congregation. It should be remarked, however, that under the ministry of Dr. Stiles, (and the same is true at present,) several families rented slips, and occupied them a part of the time, who belonged to other Churches. This explains the fact, that the revenue from slips was larger during the first two years after the formation of the Church, when Dr. Stiles was preaching his great sermons, than it has been at any period since. For the current year it will probably be larger than under Dr. Stiles' ministry. During the whole period of twelve years, ending 1st of November last, the average rent from slips has been about $500 per annum.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.