USA > Connecticut > New London County > Hadlyme > Manual of the Congregational church and history of the church and parish in Hadlyme, Connecticut, with a list of the principal officers and an entire list of the members from its organization, June 26, 1745; and a list of present officers and members to 1913 > Part 4
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Church Musir.
The music department of the church deserves notice, for it is an important factor in worship. A religious service with- out inspiring sacred song is like the summer morning without the songsters of the skies. A choir was formed soon after the church was organized. As there has been no continuous record some facts have been gathered from memory.
On October 14, 1742, it was voted that Samuel Dutton "tune the psalm " on the Sabbath. On May 4th, 1743, John Comstock was chosen to this office. This practice to choose some leader to "tune the psalm" was observed for about seventy-five years.
The Comstock and Holmes families for many years con- tributed largely to the service of the choir.
After the practice of appointing a leader annually to " tune the psalm " was discontinued, Ozias Holmes became leader of the choir about 1817 or later. He was followed by Deacon Silas R. Holmes who assumed the leadership when nineteen years of age, beginning his service in 1846 or 1847, and con- tinuing in this capacity to the close of his life. He has been greatly missed in the service of song; and, as a counselor in the affairs of the church. Timothy Holmes, the father of Deacon Holmes, was a singer in the choir and played the bass viol. Ozias Holmes, the leader above mentioned, played the bass viol; also Oliver Comstock.
Deacon Holmes refers to the choir thus in his Anniver- sary address in 1895: "The singers' seats ran around the entire front of the gallery, divided by openings in the center, making six separate seats. Opposite the pulpit sat the treble and counter; on the right and left the tenor and bass. Back of these singers' seats, all around, were the square box pews, the paradise of the small boy. * * * * * For some years of my early life the pitch of the music was obtained by blowing
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the note on the 'pitch-pipe,' a flat box whistle with a slide on which was marked the letters in music. Then came the bass viol, the violin, the clarionet and the flute, and in 1862 the melodeon, and later the cabinet organ."
At the One Hundredth and Fiftieth Anniversary of the church in 1895, the music for the day was under the charge of Deacon Holmes. The voices were accompanied by the cabinet organ played by Miss Annie M. Holmes, and an orchestra consisting of two violins, double bass viol, flute and clarionet. The hymn, "Before Jehovah's Awful Throne," which was sung at the dedication of the present church, was again rendered.
In 1895 Deacon Edward C. Hungerford of Chester, also delivered an anniversary address in which he thus describes a service of song in his boyhood days, then 63 years before :
" The minister has read a psalm from the pulpit psalm- book. The choir in the front of the gallery rises; in their cen- ter stands Esquire Ozias Holmes, Augustus Tiffany, Samuel Brooks, and Frederic W. Comstock; on his left stand Eliza Holmes, Mehitable Holmes, Mrs. Mary Ann Warner, and Mrs. Lock Comstock; behind them stand Ebenezer Holmes, Joseph Holmes, Joseph Warner, and Nelson Tiffany. Esquire Ozias Holmes calls aloud the name of the tune, "Mear " - then he places the "pitch-pipe" to his lips and blows the sound of the keynote. Then he sounds " fawm," and each part of the choir sound the same note with him, and then run their voices along the scale to their own separate starting keynotes. Now the choir, together start the tune; and who of us that remember that singing has ever heard more truly devotional or heart-felt singing of God's praises ?"
Other singers of the past may be mentioned: Miss Phebe Holmes, Mrs. Silas Holmes, Miss Mary E. Brockway, (also organist), Miss Samantha Wells, Mrs. Thersa Phelps, Mrs. Wilkshire Luther, Miss Elizabeth Towles, and Mrs. O. W. Fay.
Deacon Holmes, with his family, conducted the music of the church for more than sixty years, a remarkable example of Christian fidelity and love for the cause of Zion.
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After the death of Deacon Holmes, the singing was led by Mrs. Lizzie H. Simpson, who succeeded Miss Annie M. Holmes as organist. Mrs. Sidney Daniels is the present leader. The present singers of the choir are: Mr. William H. Mack, Mr. Lee Brockway, Mrs. Lizzie Daniels, Miss Marguerite Daniels, Mrs. Lewellyn Comstock, Miss Laura Comstock, Mrs. E. Hart Geer and Miss Maria Sanford. There are others who volunteer their services from time to time.
To those who have given of their time and talent to this important branch of public worship, the church wishes to make grateful acknowledgment.
A new piano was placed in the church by the Sunday school in June, 1910.
The walls of the old sanctuary were hallowed for nearly a century by the praises of God's people, and when the old building was no more they took up the service of praise in the new church with the same vigor and loyalty which had charac- terized their service in the past.
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Corporate Organization of the Church.
At the January session of the Legislature, A. D. 1889, an act was passed entitled, an act "Providing for the Incorpora- tion of Christian Churches," by which societies also were granted the right of transferring, by a unanimous vote, all the real and personal property belonging to and holden by them, to the church with which they were connected, to be holden by the church for the same purposes as the same was hereto- fore holden by the society.
In accordance with the provisions of this law, the church by the necessary vote passed at a meeting duly warned and holden January 20th, 1890, became a body politic, and corpor- ate, by the name of the "CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN HAD- LYME, CONNECTICUT."
At a meeting of the Society, duly warned and holden on the 28th of January, 1890, it was unanimously voted :
"That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 53 of the public acts of 1889, the society committee be instructed to assign, transfer and convey to the Congregational Church, with which this Society is connected, ( after paying the outstanding claims against the Society) all the property and estate, real and personal, and all the trust funds of said Society now held in possession or bequeathed to be paid in the future to the Society to be held by said Church under the same uses and trusts upon which the same had heretofore been held by this Society."
Which transfer was duly made by the committee.
At a meeting of the church holden on the 30th of January, 1890, the following rules for the government of the church were adopted :
RULE I. The church shall at its annual meeting each year, choose by ballot a clerk and treasurer, also a committee
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of its members to manage its secular and financial affairs, hav- ing the same powers and duties as were by law vested in the committee of the Ecclesiastical Society.
RULE II. Said committee shall consist of three who shall be chosen, one member to hold office until the Tuesday after the first Monday in January, 1891, one member until Tuesday after the first Monday in January, 1892, and one member until Tuesday after the first Monday in January, 1893. At each annual meeting thereafter one member shall be chosen to hold office for three years.
RULE III. The committee and treasurer shall have charge of the trust funds of the church from whatever source received and shall securely invest the same and collect the interest when due and convey the same into the church treasury and the committee shall at each annual meeting report the amount and condition of said funds, how invested and the security holden for the same, and the amount of interest received for the year.
RULE IV. The committee shall not be authorized to spend more money annually for or in behalf of the church, for salary and expenses, than shall be raised or provided by the rental of the slips, by the income of the funds or by subscrip- tion, rent of the parsonage, or otherwise.
RULE V. The committee shall annually employ one or more collectors and a sexton.
RULE VI. The annual meeting of the church under these rules shall be holden on the afternoon of the Tuesday after the first Monday of January of each year, by legal warning signed by the committee.
RULE VII. The committee shall call a special meeting of the church by due warning to be holden on the first Tuesday of December of each year, to take action in the matter of rais- ing funds for the ensuing year.
RULE VIII. These rules may be altered or amended at any annual meeting holden under them by a vote of two-thirds of its members present and voting.
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RULE IX. The stated officers of the church, other than the committee, clerk and treasurer, chosen "to manage the secular and financial affairs of the church " under and by the statute law, shall be a pastor or acting pastor, two deacons, a prudential committee to consist of the pastor or acting pastor, the deacons, ex-officio, and two members of the church, who shall be elected annually, said prudential committee to per- form the duties, and the same duties which have heretofore devolved upon and been performed by the prudential or stand- ing committee.
RULE X. The church shall annually choose a superin- tendent, assistant superintendent and librarian for the Sunday school, to be elected as the church may direct.
RULE XI. The prudential committee and the superinten- dent of the Sunday school will be expected to report on church and Sunday school matters at the annual meeting.
RULE XII. Special church meetings other than those called by legal, may be called by the pastor by either of the deacons, or by any three members through a written notice signed by them and read from the pulpit on the Sabbath. At these meetings the pastor or acting pastor, if present, may preside; in his absence a moderator shall be chosen.
RULE XIII. Business relating to the modification of the creed, covenant, or any rule other than the eight first in order or to the filling of any vacant office named in paragraphs numbered 9 and 10, shall only be transacted at a meeting call- ed from the pulpit at least one week previous. Other business may be transacted at any meeting called in connection with any regular religious service of the church.
RULE XIV. Seven members of the church shall consti- tute a quorum for business. A smaller number may organize and adjourn.
RULE XV. Dissolving the Pastoral Relation.
If at any time the pastor or church shall be convinced that the pastoral relations should be terminated, the pastor shall give three months notice if practicable; and the church shall give three months, afterward lengthening the time to an equal period to effect the desired change.
The pastor and church should recognize the fact that the spring of the year is the time most desirable to effect a change.
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Duties.
THE PASTOR .- The pastor shall be a member of the church. For the supply of the pulpit he shall be responsible, except during the vacation, have the general oversight of the spiritual affairs of the church and congregation, and administer the sacraments.
DEACONS .- It shall be the duty of the deacons to provide for and assist in the administration of the Lord's Supper, to preside at the meetings of the church in the absence of the pastor, to exercise general supervision with the pastor over the spiritual affairs of the church, and aid in its ministrations as occasion may require.
THE CLERK .- It shall be the duty of the clerk to keep a complete record of the transactions of all the business meet- ings of the church, and all such records in relation to the church as come within the province of his office, and to pre- serve all important items of church history.
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Church Rules.
Ohjert of the Church.
The object of this church is the promotion of the Kingdom of God. Its work shall comprise the Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the administration of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; the support of public religious worship, and the furtherance of all Christian enterprises practicable.
1. Membership.
I. Applicants for membership on the confession of their faith, shall present themselves to the standing committee ( or to such persons as shall be designated by the Standing Com- mittee). If the examination prove satisfactory, their names shall be propounded from the pulpit, or through the calendar of the church, two weeks previous to their formal reception. An expression by vote of the church shall be called for by notice the following Sunday immediately after the close of the morning service. If accepted by vote of the church, they shall on the following Sunday be baptised, unless previously baptis- ed, and enter into the covenant of the church, being formerly received into its fellowship by a public acknowledgment and confession of faith; the candidate must conform to this regulation, except under peculiar circumstances.
2. Persons presenting letters from other Christian churches may be subject to examination by the standing committee. All letters shall be read before the church, two weeks before the vote is taken on their reception. .
3. No person shall be received into its membership on profession or by letter, who manufactures, uses or sells intoxi- cating liquors as a beverage.
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4. If any member is known to manufacture, sell or use intoxicating liquors as a beverage, it is made the business of the standing committee to report the case to the church. .
5. The Duties of Members.
They are expected to be faithful in all the essential duties of the Christian life, to attend the services of the church, and to share in its organized work, and in case of removal to other communities request letters to some Christian Church. If non-residents wish to continue in membership they should report to the pastor or clerk as often as once a year, and if able, contribute something each year as a token of their continued interest.
Absent members may be dropped from the roll of the church for disregarding rule 5, after due notice to them, by a vote of the church upon the recommendation of the standing committee.
6. Resident and Absent Members.
The church considers resident members, those who reside in the parish, and all others outside who attend at least one service of the church each year; as absent members, those residing outside the parish, who have not attended any service of the church for a space of one year or more.
7. Termination of Membership.
If a member wishes to unite with a religious body with which this church is not in fellowship, or which may not re- ceive its letter, the church may give the applicant a certificate of good standing, and thus terminate his membership.
8. Members of other churches wishing to commune with this church for more than one year, are desired to request a transfer of their church relation to us, unless there be special reasons for delay.
9. Voters.
Voters in all church matters shall be twenty-one years of age.
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2. Communion.
I. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper shall be observed on the first Sabbaths in January, March, May, July, September and November.
2. If any circumstance shall arise which might seem best to postpone the stated communion service, the pastor and deacons shall have the power to do so, giving notice two weeks in advance if practicable. Members of other Christian churches are cordially invited to the communion of this church.
3. This church concedes liberty of conscience to all as regards the subject and mode of baptism.
4. The Baptism of Children.
Our Saviour took the children in his arms and put his hands upon them and blessed them, and said, "Suffer the little child- ren to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." We believe that the divine promise of recognition extends unto the children of believers.
The presenting of the child for baptism presumes a sincer- ity of purpose, and a desire to train the little one in the path of virtue, by faithful council and Christian example.
"Baptism is the sign and seal of the relation between our Heavenly Father and the baptised child. It is the recognition of the child's right to Christian teaching and example in the church and in the home."
If applications are presented peculiar in circumstance, such cases may be left to the discretion of the pastor and deacons.
3. Discipline.
I. The first object of dicipline in this church shall be the restoration and salvation of the accused.
2. Any member having cause of complaint against another, shall seek to have the cause removed according to Matthew XVIII, 15-17.
3. The church shall be the sole judge of the censure administered to the offending member.
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4. In any case coming before the church, a full hearing shall be granted to the accused, with such counsel as he or she may elect from the membership of the church. A copy of the charges preferred, together with notice of the time and place of hearing, shall be furnished the accused by the standing com- mittee, at least one week before the hearing. Leaving such notice at his or her house, or sending it to his or her post office address, shall suffice if he or she cannot be seen in person.
5. Any censured or excommunicated members, upon giv- ing satisfactory evidence of repentance, shall be restored by vote of the church.
Congregational Principles.
A Congregational church is a body of Christian believers whose object is the support of public worship, which includes the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and the proclamation of the Glad Tidings of Salvation. The weight of evidence from the New Testament* Scriptures is that the early churches were independent in character and govern- ment. With this ancient heritage, and with our interdepen- dence the churches of our order acknowledge no superior. Its loyalty is centered in the Great Head of the Church.
In the practice of faith and charity its first believers met together on a common basis, for mutual council and a common benevolence. It was their aim to grow in the knowledge of Divine truth, to perfect their lives, and by example and pre- cept to lead others into the light and truth of the Gospel.
Two principles of polity are primal in Congregational churches, namely: each church legislates for itself; the col- lective churches form a brotherhood. If the church needs advise it may invite a council of neighboring churches for this purpose, but they can use no compulsion.
The churches may unite in State and National Associa- tions, for the purpose of fellowship and inspiration. Our
* The Protestant Reformation rediscovered the Bible and emphasized Independency, being first taught by Robert Browne, finding expression in Scrooby, England, under the leadership of Rev. John Robinson, in 1606.
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church acknowledges Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church; in Him centers its loyalty and authority; our bond of faith is the essential principles of the Gospel; our law, that of Chris- tian love.
We do not insist that our order is the only church, but believe in the Church universal. We fellowship with the sev- eral households of faith, which in our belief, compose the one body of Christ with all who own Jesus Christ as their Saviour, with such as seek the repentant life, and live according to the ideals of the Gospel.
Confession of Faith and Couenant.
The best covenant is that form which best expresses the purpose and intent of the Christian life. The form of one age should not restrict the Christian life of another. We desire that our membership shall be bound together by their "common purpose of Christian discipleship" instead of by any intellectual assent to the doctrines of men.
This church receives the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as its authority in matters of faith and practice. Its understanding of Christian truth is in common with the belief of the Congregational Churches of the United States.
As a church of Jesus Christ, we believe that there is one God, Maker, Sustainer, Ruler of all things: infinite in every attribute, and who is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, -a trinity in Unity.
That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the words of God's revelation of Himself in the work of redemption; that they were written by men under the special guidance of the Holy Ghost; that they are able to make wise unto salvation them that hear God, and that they constitute the authoritative standard by which religious teaching and human conduct are to be regulated and judged.
Form of Confession of Faith.
Dearly Beloved :- You are here before God and these witnesses to make open confession of your Christian faith and covenant with this Church to be a Christian disciple.
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Our faith is that God is our Father and that all men are brethren;
That Jesus Christ is our Lord and Master; that through Him we become right with God, obtaining pardon and peace if we sincerely confess and forsake our sins, and attaining unto the blessed hope of life eternal as we freely accept and willingly follow God's holy will;
That the Holy Spirit is given for our knowledge of the truth, for our continual fellowship, and for our growth in grace.
As disciples of our Lord we receive His words and follow His teachings. We accept His great Commandments of love to God and love to men; we believe in the Beatitudes and the Golden Rule, in the clean heart and the pure life, in the forgiveness of enemies, and the service of love.
Is this according to your faith and belief ?
Response: "It is."
Form of Church Cournant.
You do now covenant with this church humbly but stead- fastly to obey God and trust Him; to seek after His will and for the advancement of His Kingdom in all the earth; to let that mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; to live in the spirit of His life, to walk in His steps, to proclaim His gospel and to do His works.
In the fulfillment of this Covenant you do promise to train those who are committed to your care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, to dwell with His disciples in helpful fellowship and brotherly love, to share the duties and privi- leges of His Church and to engage faithfully, according to your powers, in maintaining its worship and work.
Do you thus truly covenant and heartily engage?
Response: "I do."
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On Those Who Mnite With the Church by Letter.
Confessing the Lord whom we unitedly serve, you do now renew your self-consecration, pledging your loyalty to Jesus Christ, and join cordially with us in this, our Christian faith and covenant.
We, then, as members of this Church (Church rises) in the name of Christ affectionately welcome you to His disciple- ship, and to the fellowship of that great multitude who have confessed Him on earth and who follow the Lamb whither- soever He goeth.
"Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well- pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and forever. Amen."
Adopted June 7th, 1911.
Form of Acceptance of Baptismal Couruant.
You, in childhood, were dedicated to God in holy baptism, by an act of parental faith and love, by which it was trusted to gain for you the blessings of the everlasting covenant promised to the fathers and their children.
Do you accept that act as your own act of consecration to God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ? "I do."
Form of Administration of Baptism to Adults. .
Your hearts, we trust, have been sprinkled with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanseth from all sin. Receive now the outward seal of the covenant, and the symbol of that spiritual cleansing which we trust you have experienced. (Baptism administered).
OR THIS. ·
The Scripture saith : Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Do you thus believe ? "I do." (Bap- tism administered).
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Catalogue Of All Who Have Been Connected With the Congregational Church.
Complete List of Members 1745-1913.
A * after a name denotes admission by letter. A t after a name denotes the person to be a widow. The names of husband and wife are enclosed in a bracket.
Rev. Grindal Rawson
John Hungerford
John Comstock
Samuel Dutton
Samuel Crosby
Ephraim Fuller
Christopher Holmes
John Millard
John Comstock, 3d
John Comstock, 2d William Comstock
The above were the charter members.
, John Hudson
Jane Hudson Jerusha Schoval Phebe Kirtland
Simeon Crosby
Mehitable Willey
Stephen Scoville Hezekiah Scoville
¿ Mary Douglass Eunice Comstock
Sarah Scoville Patience Willey Isaac Willey
§ John Willey
Elizabeth Willey Samuel Cone
Damaris Comstock
Thomas Champin James Stewart Hezekiah Stewart Catherine Champen Sarah Holmes Mary Beckwith Ruth Crosby Thankful Sanders
Thomas Beebee Samuel Willey Samuel Tiffany Sarah Willey Deliverance Willey
Thomas Scovill
Joseph Beckwith James Morse
Lucee Schoval
Daniel Scoville Mary Beckwith Robert Hungerford
David Beebee Hannah Beebee
Luce Holmes
Abner Bangs Sarah Bangs
Rachel Willey Elijah Ackley Abel Willey Allen Willey
Lydia Crosby Abigail Warner
§ Thomas Douglass
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