USA > Connecticut > New London County > Norwich > The Methodist Episcopal churches of Norwich, Conn. > Part 11
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Rev. David Niles Bentley was born in North Stonington, Connecticut, July 27, 1785. He was the third son of Mr. Ezekiel Bentley, who died February 4, 1834, in the ninety-seventh year of his age. His mother was Miss Anna Chapman, eldest daughter of Deacon Joseph Chapman, of Groton, now Ledyard. She died October 25, 1853, aged ninety-seven years. He was early impressed with the great truth that God, the Creator, was himself the righteous Judge of the world. This fact was fixed in his young mind by an incident which occurred when he was but a little over five years of age. While playing with some older children, a piece of mischief was done, which they all laid to him, for which he was punished rather severely. Being exceedingly grieved that he was punished for an alleged fault of which he was innocent, he retired into the orchard, and sat down by the side of a great rock, and gave vent to his grief by weep- ing. Then looking upwards, and beholding great majestic clouds sailing through the heavens, he thought that He who made those bodies to float on
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the " wings of the wind," knew that he was inno- cent of the crime for which he had been punished. This thought assuaged his grief, and he felt calm and happy.
About three years after, George, his brother, two years older, was taken with a disease, called at that time " the Camp Distemper," and reduced to a mere skeleton. From him, his mother and all the family, of seven children, took the disease. They were all prostrated at once, and nearly help- less. Only David and his mother were able to render any assistance, and that by the greatest exertion. The neighbors, being terrified at this distemper, which proved so fatal in the army of the Revolution, were afraid to come into the house. Three of the children died-two in one night, within a few minutes of each other. The mother sat by the cradle of his little sister, three years old, closing her eyes in death, while David sat on the floor by the side of a little bed, on which his youngest brother was then dying, and closed his eyes. No person in the house was able to go from one room to another. The father had gone for help, but no one dared to come except a Christian woman, who " laid out " the dead. The following night, his brother, next younger than himself, died, and not a person in the house could do the least thing to the dead. The mother and David were sick with the same distemper, and it was all they could do to render a little assistance to the other
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members of the family, almost in a dying state. While he was closing the eyes of this last brother, his mother spoke to him : " David, why are you so quiet and unaffected while disease and death are all around you ?" In reply, he said : "Dear mo- ther, we can't alter any thing by our tears. God will do that which seemeth to Him right and just. Let us try to do what we can to help the living. We can't bring back the dead to life." His mother exclaimed, "David, you talk like a minister." The father procured coffins, and put the children into them, fastened them, and carried them some distance from the house, where neighbors took them away and buried them on the hill-side.
After recovering, he attended a district school eight or ten weeks, where, as he did not join with the boys in their sports, they called him " Deacon." But after a while his seriousness diminished, and for nearly five years he passed a most unhappy life of sinning and repenting. Having a natural pro- pensity for fun, he would indulge in those things through the day, and at night feel condemned, often afraid to close his eyes in sleep, lest he should wake up in hell. Frequently he would weep and pray for hours before he dared to close his eyes in sleep, many times promising the Lord, if He would spare and forgive him, he would do so no more. This part of his life is clearly portrayed in those beautiful lines of Charles Wesley :
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"Now I repent and sin again ; Now I revive, and now am slain ; Slain with the same unhappy dart Which, oh ! too often wounds my heart."
During this state of mind, one night, after lamenting his sins, he lost himself in sleep, when he seemed to be in a field, where he was chased by a demon, who soon overtook him, and with a long knife began to cut his face, so that the blood ran down his cheeks and dropped from his chin. The muscles of his face felt as if the blood had dried upon them. Awaking, he could not persuade him- self that it was not a reality until he had washed his face and looked in the mirror. From the time of his sickness till his removal to Norwich, for a period of more than five years, he never had the privilege of attending one religious meeting of any kind. On the last of April, 1799, he was hired as a chore-boy to Mr. Barzillai Davison, of this city. He, with the family of Mr. Davison, attended the Old Episcopal Church, of which Rev. John Tyler was pastor. He obtained the English Prayer-Book then in use, and read the lessons and prayers with the congregation, and made the responses as audi- bly as Deacon Warren. At the expiration of six months he went home, where he spent most of the winter in attending the district school. The inter- missions were passed with the teacher in study. In the spring of 1800, he was "bound out " as an apprentice to Mr. Barzillai Davison, of Norwich,
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to learn the trade of a goldsmith. Soon after he went with a fellow-apprentice, Mr. Nicholas Chev- alier, several years older, to the Methodist meeting, where the latter, who was very wicked, soon pro fessed to be converted, quit his business, and went about holding meetings. About this time, Capt. William Davison, brother of his employer, ran a packet from Norwich to New York, and coming home sick with the yellow fever, and dying with his mate, the citizens became alarmed, and many families went into the country. Among them was the family of Mr. Barzillai Davison, leaving Mr. Bentley to take care of the house and shop. He had now but little to do other than reading the Bible, watching with the sick, and attending prayer-meetings. Just at this time, the eccentric Lorenzo Dow came into the place, and preached in a room then occupied by the Methodists, in an old wooden building now standing on the north side of Water street, directly opposite Norton Brother's store. In his unsettled and gloomy state of mind he went to hear, taking a seat directly behind him partially concealed by the door. During his dis- course, the preacher described the condition and feelings of a sinner under conviction for sin. After he had very clearly portrayed to the congregation his condition, he turned himself squarely round, and laying his hand on the head of Mr. Bentley, said : " Young man, is not that the truth, and you can't deny it ?"
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In this state of condemnation he remained seve- ral weeks, reading the Bible, and praying some- times nearly all night. But no light reflected from the sacred page. Soon after, one night, after re- turning home from meeting, he retired to his room, read the Bible, and then prostrated himself before the Lord, and while praying in anguish of spirit he lost himself, and seemed to be urging his way through a dense thicket of thorns and briers, but at length, with great difficulty, he emerged upon the bank of a river, and looking over saw a happy group of friends, among whom he recognized his dear mother and a godly old grandfather. They all desired him to cross over, but no means could be found. Finally, he saw a large tree, the branches. of which seemed to extend quite over to the oppo- site side. He hastened to the tree, and with some difficulty seizing a projecting branch, soon found himself at the extent of its horizontal reach, when, lo ! to his dismay, he found himself only half way over the river. He thought of returning, but had gone so far, return was difficult, if not impossible. There he was, on the bending limb of that old tree, the deep, dark river swiftly flowing beneath him, into which if he fell, ruin was inevitable. He cried for help, and at that moment, when all hope of rescue failed, a most heavenly-looking person, from among that happy group on the other shore, came and stood directly under that bending branch, to which he was clinging almost in despair, and
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looking up with indescribable loveliness, said to him, "Let go of that tree ; I will save you from this raging flood." He let go his hold on that pre- carious limb, and instantly, in some way, he found himself safe on shore, and happy with his friends. The transition being so great, he came to himself, and found it to be a dream. Yet he felt peaceful in mind, wondering what all this should mean. The distress and condemnation for sin, which had so long burdened his soul, were gone. "My mind," he says, " was illuminated with this interpretation, which I applied to myself. That dense thicket through which I passed with so much difficulty was emblematic of that grievous state of mind through which I had been struggling for months. The river which separated me from the happy group on the other bank, was sin. The tree, the branches of which seemed to extend quite across the river, was the law, which, when best per- formed, can only half save the sinner. That .fear- ful holding on to the bending branch of the tree, is the last position of the sinner, before he yields to be saved by grace alone through faith in Christ. The farthest branch of that tree extended only halt way over the river. So the law, by its strictest observance, only half saves the sinner. Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy hath He saved us, through faith in Jesus, which is the end of the law for righteous- ness. While I was hanging on that fearful branch
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of the Law, I saw no way of escape. ' Help failed me.' In my despair, Jesus came to my res- cue, and said to me, 'Let go, and I will save you.' All I had to do was to let go, falling and crying, ' Save, Lord, or I perish.' Immediately, in some way, how I cannot tell, I found myself safe and happy with my dearest friends. I could adopt the sentiment of the poet, where he says,
"' Now will I tell to sinners 'round, What a dear Saviour I have found.'
" After this I was tempted to say nothing about it; that I was a mere boy, and no one would believe me. But I soon learned that the devil was a liar. It was not long after this, when I felt strongly impressed to go home and talk with my father and mother, brothers and sister, but my courage failed me. After a few weeks I resolved to go the first oppor- tunity, whatever might be the result. Accordingly, when I had gained a day by overwork, I started for the old mansion in North Stonington, praying all the way as I went, that the Lord would prepare the way for a successful interview. When I came in sight of the old house, I turned aside by the wall and there prayed the Lord to give me strength and courage to do my duty faithfully, whatever might be the consequence. Rising from my knees I went directly to the door, and knocked, when I recognized the familiar voice of my mother, bidding me 'walk in.' As I entered the room, she ex-
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claimed, 'Why David, is it you ?' embracing me with wonted affection. Soon she began to discover there was some alteration in my appearance, and said, 'David, what is the matter with you; are you sick ?'-' No, mother, I am sick of nothing but sin.' 'I never felt better in all my life. I've come home on purpose to tell you what a dear Saviour I have found.' This touched a chord in mother's soul that brought tears to her eyes, as also the time of her espousal to the Lord. Calling my sister Polly, who was in her chamber, and had not heard of my arrival, she continued, 'David is come home, don't you want to see him ?' As soon as she entered the room she saw that something was the matter, for both mother and I were in tears. She embraced me affectionately, while I responded, saying, 'Dear sister, do you love Jesus? Have you made your peace with God ?' She made no reply and burst into tears. Then, in the fullness of my soul, I exhorted her to seek salvation imme- diately. At this moment, in came my father, and two brothers, older than myself. After the usual salutations, my father said, 'David, I understand . you have joined those deluded Methodists.' --- 'Well, father,' said I, 'if they are deluded, it is a happy delusion.' My -two brothers now joined with father, expressing their surprise that I should be captivated and led away by such a set of enthusiasts. Neither my father, nor any of his family, except mother, had ever made any pretensions to religion. They were all against me, so that I could not stand my
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hand to argue with them. As a last resort, I appealed to the Lord for an argument, and drop- ping on my knees, made my appeal to the Searcher of hearts. How long I was on my knees, I cannot tell, but when I arose, it was evident that the argu- ment of prayer had prevailed. My father stood trembling like Belshazzar, and my sister and both my brothers were completely overwhelmed with as- tonishment and tears; my dear mother sat in silent wonder at what had transpired. Now, I had a fair field, and began to relate my conversion, and the importance of experiencing a similar change of heart. When I had finished speaking and praying with them, daylight began to dawn in the eastern sky. There stood the supper-table, which was being prepared when first I entered the house. There be- ing now a little less feeling, all that were composed enough gathered around the old family table, and after asking God to bless what his providential hand had supplied, we partook. Bidding them all good- by, their hearts too full for utterance, I took my departure for Norwich. After walking nine miles out and back again, with a sleepless night, I went to my day's work, bright as a new-made shilling. The next week after my return, I received a letter from Mr. Benjamin Hill, a young convert, just begining to exhort, who had heard of the visit to my father's house, and had gone four or five miles to see them, and held a meeting at their house. He informed me that my mother was overjoyed at
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the change which had taken place in her family ; that my father was greatly changed ; that my sister was truly converted; and both my brothers were not ' far from the kingdom.' This was in the fall of the year 1800. In the spring of 1801, on the day of the annual fast, having previously sent word that I was coming, I set out for the place of my nativity, where I arrived between nine and ten o'clock, A. M., finding quite a number of the neighbors already convened. By ten o'clock, the house was filled to its utmost capacity, and as I had never attempted to hold a public meeting before, I was at a loss what to do; expecting only a few par- ticular friends and neighbors. The first thought was to apologize, sing and pray with the congrega- tion, and let them go. But then how would that agree with the report which had gone abroad, that I was going around with ministers, holding meet- ings ? I concluded to make an attempt, and do what I could. Standing up and stating that I did not expect to see such a collection of people; as they had come together-perhaps the most part from curiosity, to see and hear what a green boy of fifteen could say about religion, rather than to seek the salvation of their own souls; yet I would try, by the help of God, to gratify them. After singing the hymn, 'Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast,' and kneeling in the midst of the company, and praying with a good deal of freedom, I rose from my knees, perceiving that quite a number
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found use for their handkerchiefs. I sang another hymn, 'And must I be to Judgment brought,' and with little thought of the position in which I was placed, took an old Bible from the shelf near where I stood, and read these words : 'It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.' I proceeded to speak of the certainty of death-that we must all die ; that the great business of life was to prepare for death, for after this the judgment comes. As I became quite engaged on this awful subject, directing my discourse to a group of young people before me, a young lady rose up quickly and made for the door, when almost involuntarily I said, 'Young woman, you can't flee from the monster, death.' She dropped to the floor, as also another that started to leave. All was consternation for a ยท few moments. I begged the people to compose themselves and be quiet ; that God would take care of those young ladies ; that it was the power of the Holy Spirit, working upon their hearts. The first one was carried to the door, and camphor and other restoratives were used, but to no visible effect. Dur- ing all this time, I talked and prayed with those in the house, especially the one that last fell, who was crying for mercy. When I sang those lines,
'But drops of grief can ne'er repay The debt of love I owe;, Here Lord, I give myself away, 'Tis all that I can do,'
she exclaimed, 'Yes, I do give myself to thee, 8
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blessed Jesus, and if I had ten thousand souls, I would give them all to thee! O thou art my Saviour, I do love thee ! Thou hast died for me. I will praise Him forever. Blessed be His holy name.' While she was rejoicing and praising God, they brought in the other one, and laid her on a bed in a state of apparent unconsciousness. A physician came and examined. He said there was no derangement of the organs of life; respiration was free and regular ; the motions of the heart and pulse were natural ; that from some cause not well understood, the powers of volition and articulation were in some way suspended, as in sleep. He did not think there was any cause to be alarmed. Most of the people went away, but a few stayed to know the sequel. It now was evening, and the one who had become so happy, approached her friend, and began to pray over her, and talk to her about Jesus. After some time she began to make some efforts to speak, faintly saying, ' I saw Jesus hanging on the cross. I saw the blood from his hands and feet, as he bowed his head and died for me, saying, "Father, forgive!" O, is it possible, that Jesus loves me ! O, yes, He died for me ! O, how I love him now ! What shall I do to praise him ? Glory to Jesus.' The night passed almost imperceptibly, and my mother and sister had prepared an early breakfast, after which, exhorting them to hold fast whereunto they had attained, I left for Norwich."
We resume, at this point, the general history of
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Mr. Bentley. He was baptized in the Yantic River, near the New London Depot, by Rev. Peter Vannest, in the same year, and began the practice of fasting on Friday, which he continued nearly three years, when he was taken with the yellow fever,* and continued it until he was instructed by his physician that the habit was injurious to his health. After convalescence, becoming free from his indentures, by the abscondence of his employer, and being at leisure, he traveled on horse the New London Circuit with Rev. Nathan Emory. Believ- ing that he could be more useful in local than itinerant ministry, he commenced business as plumber and brass-founder in 1805. In the fall of this year, he married Miss Letitia Gardner, daughter of David Gardner, Esq., of Bozrah. She was an earnest Christian, an affectionate mother, an obliging friend, and a devoted wife. Eleven children lived to realize and return her undying love, and four died in infancy. Six of the adult members have passed away with the mother, while five remain to perpetuate the memory and virtues of God's highest gift to mankind, next to Jesus, a pious mother.
Mr. Bentley began business with nothing but his hands, the respect of community, and His blessing " that maketh rich," yet, by honesty and integrity in his transactions, despite the expenses of
* 1804.
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a numerous family, he amassed property, and has presented a noble instance of generosity, which should lead others to emulate his heaven-deposited charity. Chiefly by his liberality and indemnifica- tion, the church was built upon the Wharf Bridge, previous to which a large part of the expenses accruing from the rents of religious conventicles, "keeping " the preachers' horses, fuel and lights, was met by his unstinted charity. The Sachem Street, Main Street, Free, and Greenville churches were all early indebted largely to his contributions, both of money and exertions. In order to prose- cute the erection of the church that was lost by the flood, after suffering it to absorb his ready means, he mortgaged his house to furnish the requi- site deficiency, making it a security for a note of six hundred dollars. His name, in gold, at least, is inscribed on all the pillars of the above churches, and the memory of his munificence can hardly be less than " apples of gold in baskets of silver."
In 1817, he was solicited to remove to Zanes- ville, Ohio, and, taking the precaution to go and become fully apprised of the position before con- cluding the agreement, he passed most of the jour- ney in a single team, and decided to emigrate by the 25th of December following. He was pre- vented from going by a fall from a horse, and was disabled for three months, the effects of which have never been fully removed. His peculiar experience in 1827 is transcribed from his own pen. "It was
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the commencement of the great 'anti-Masonic excitement,' which extended all over the country, from one end to the other, entering every circle, domestic, political, and religious. If any one did not take sides with either party, he was despised by both. I was a Freemason ; had passed through every degree of the institution from an Entered Apprentice to the Council, but had not met with the lodge since the laying of the corner-stone of the Sachem Street M. E. Church, not because there was any thing wicked in the institution, but because my time was required by duties to my family, the Church, and the salvation of my fellow-men. After a while, it became known that I had not renounced the institution, and a committee was appointed to wait on me, and inform me that I must renounce Masonry, or be renounced as a preacher. I wrote to them that I did not under- stand what they meant by 'renouncing.' If they meant that I must expose or divulge any secret, mark, or sign, I never should do it. They said there were no 'secrets' now, that they had been all revealed and published to the world. 'Then,' I replied, 'I can't reveal that which is already exposed to public view.' So they let me alone, threatening to raise a mob, and pry out the corner- stone of the church, which the Freemasons had laid."
In 1836, January 13, Mrs. Harriet C. Jewett, his eldest child, wife of Mr. Henry L. Jewett, died of
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consumption, after protracted suffering. She was converted at eleven years of age, and her baptism was somewhat characteristic. Mr. Bentley had invited a number of converts to his house, prepa- ratory to baptism, and after he had spoken with them, Harriet, eleven years of age, having pro- fessed conversion just before, said to her father, "You have not said any thing to me about bap- tism."-"No, my child," he replied, "you were baptized in your childhood, and I will talk with you on the subject, some other time." The next day, when he had baptized the last candidate, and was coming up from the water, his daughter came down the bank, habited to receive the ordinance. Mr. Bentley addressed her, "Why, Harriet, you were baptized in your infancy."-" No, father," she returned ; "if I had been baptized in my infancy, I should have been satisfied. But I was old enough to know that I was a sinner, for I was mad when the minister baptized me, and wet my new dress with the water." The father no longer deferred her request, and after its performance, approaching the shore, he said : "Baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answering of a good conscience towards God." Her faith and trust continued to the last moment, and when it was supposed that the mortal struggle was over, she again revived, and said : " I thought that wave would have landed me on the tranquil shore of Heaven and Immortality, but this one, I trust, will
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be the last." Pressing the paternal hand, she breathed faintly, " Farewell ! meet me in heaven."
October 27, 1838, his daughter, Mrs. Jane L., wife of Mr. Zalmon Booth, deceased, after she had expressed a willingness to depart and be with her sister, who had gone before to that heavenly land, " where the inhabitants never say they are sick."
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