USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Clinton > Two hundredth anniversary of the Clinton Congregational Church, held in Clinton, Conn., November 13th, 1867 > Part 3
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It was during his ministry that Dr. Benjamin Gale, who married a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Eliot, died. I refer to him because, in one sense, he stands connected with the history of this Church, and because I desire to call your attention to the fact that even then there were those in this place that were looking for the speedy destruction of the present order of things. He built the stone house, which, with some improve-
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ments, is now known as "The Clinton House." It is said that he had its walls made thick and strong, so that it might stand till he should rise from the dead, so that he could have a home to go to, and one that should look natural. Some state that he set out the cedar which stands in front of it, but others say,-which is far more probable,-that it was there at the first settlement of the town, and is therefore one of the oldest, if not the oldest tree in this section of the country,-a living link connecting us to " the long, long ago." He was buried according to his request, with his feet towards his home, facing the west, so that, as he said, the first thing he should behold on coming forth from the grave, would be his old Homestead. Well, the house still stands, and as far as I can judge, is likely to for years,-perhaps for centuries yet to come ; in front of it the cedar still sways, looking as if weary with its long vigil ; and for your comfort, who desire to so think, his dying wish may yet be gratified ; at any rate, those of you who may wish to visit his grave, will find the following, in letters almost effaced by the finger prints of time :
" In memory of Dr. Benjamin Gale, who, after a life of usefulness in his profession, and a laborious study of the prophecies, fell asleep May the 6th, A. D. 1790, At. 75, fully expecting to rise again under the Messiah and to reign with Him on Earth. ' I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth, and mine eyes shall behold Him and not another.'"
Rev. Hart Talcott was the sixth pastor. He was born at Bolton, Conn., graduated with honor at Dartmouth College in 1812, studied theology at Andover, where, at the end of three years, he graduated with the highest honors of his class, and was licensed by the Tolland Association, June 4th, 1816. He was invited to preach in the 1st Congregational Church of New Haven, and but for his lack of voice would have received, it is said, their unanimous invitation to settle as their pastor.
In 1817 he received and accepted a call to become pastor of this Church, and was ordained and installed the 11th of June of the same year. At his own request he was dismissed June 14th, 1824.
During the first part of his ministry here he lived on the place now owned by Mr. Horace Barker, in an old house which
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has since been removed. In 1823 the Parsonage was erected, and he became its first occupant. After leaving here he was settled in Warren of this State, where he died in March, 1836, greatly beloved and lamented. " As a writer," says one that knew him well, " he was preëminent. His style was chaste, and his reasoning cogent. His sermons when ready for the pulpit were also ready for an Edinburgh Review. Had he possessed sufficient vocal powers, he could have commanded, as those well qualified to judge declare, some of the best loca- tions in our State or land. He was a man of excellent social qualities,-modest, unassuming, and only anxious to spend and be spent in his Master's service."
During his pastorate of six and one-half years, eighteen were gathered into the Church.
After his dismission, a serious division arose in the Church in regard to employing the Rev. Peter Crocker, against whom charges of immorality were circulated. So bitter became the feeling, that a portion of the Church refused to listen to him, and, having withdrawn, worshiped by themselves. There being dissatisfaction also with the Consociation on account of the course the members pursued, formal votes of secession from the Consociation were passed at Church meetings held on May the 5th and June the 28th, 1830, which I will quote, in order to show how squarely they took their stand on pure Congrega- tional grounds :
" At a regular meeting of the ist Church in Killingworth, held at the meeting house, this, the 28th day of June, 1830, it was voted, that this Church do not consider themselves in any way as a Consociated Church, and do stand on the same foundation and footing as it respects Consocia- tion, as the first Church of Christ in Guilford, which has never been Consociated, and that the Consociation have no right, nor any of their ministers, to intermeddle with the right of this Church to appoint its own officers, examine and receive members into the Church, or any other of the concerns of this Church, unless requested by the Church."
On this new basis the Church were again united, and on the 5th of Sept., 1831, at a regular meeting of the Church, it was unanimously voted :
" That we concur with the 1st Ecclesiastical Society of Killingworth in giving the Rev. Luke Wood a call to settle with us in the work of the Gospel Ministry, and also to take pastoral charge of this Church."
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And at a Church Meeting held on the 26th of the same month, the following action was taken, viz :-
" Whereas, this Church and the 1st Ecclesiastical Society in Killing- worth have given to the Rev. Luke Wood a call to settle with them in the work of the Gospel Ministry, and he having accepted the call, voted, That we sincerely invite those that once professed to belong to this Church, and are still in good standing, to come together with us upon the same foundation and standing, as it respects Consocia- tion, as the ist Church in Guilford ; and also all those that made a public profession of their faith, and partook of the Sacrament at the Union Prayer Meeting, held at the Meeting House in this place in the summer of 1830. And we also wish them to unite with us in the Installation and settlement of the Rev. Luke Wood over the Church and Society in the work of the Gospel Ministry."
This was acceded to, and Mr. Wood was installed the 13th of October, 1831.
I have given somewhat in full the action of the Church for two reasons : First, that the real condition of affairs in the Church might be seen ; and second, that it might be apparent to all how difficult and peculiar was the position of Mr. Wood. Great tact and skill were necessary to unite in one harmonious whole, the then so lately separate and discordant elements. That he was successful two facts will prove : First, the Church remained united ; and second, during his pastorate of two and one-half years, thirty-one were added to the Church, and all but two on profession of faith. He was dismissed March, 1834.
Rev. Mr. Wood was born at Somers, Conn., in 1777 ; grad- uated at Dartmouth College in 1803 ; took his second degree in course, and also at Yale ; studied Theology with Dr. Em- mons ; was licensed by Hartford North Association, and or- dained pastor of the First Congregational Church of Water- bury, Conn., November 30th, 1808, where he continued till dismissed on account of severe sickness in 1817. Upon his recovery, he engaged in Missionary labors in other states, organizing, during the time, the Congregational Church in Agawam, Mass. ; after this he came to Killingworth. From here he went to Queechy, Vt. ; thence he became pastor of the Church in West Hartland, from which he was dismissed in 1842. Being then far advanced in life, he returned to Somers,
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his birth place, where he spent the remaining years of his life doing good, teaching a Bible class and occasionally preaching. The Rev. Mr. Wood died August 22d, 1851, aged 74.
In the Congregational Journal of February 4th, 1852, it is stated that-
" His (Mr. Wood's) opinion on the subject of the education of the female sex more particularly, were formed on a high standard of female character. On this point his views were greatly in advance of the pre- vailing sentiment during the early years of his ministry; yet with the judicious and reflecting class of parents they had great weight; and not a few among the more highly educated women of Connecticut owe, in part, their superior advantages to the influence of his views upon others."
In the Congregational Quarterly of 1859, may be found the following :
"Mr. Wood was eminently successful as a pastor, and did much to heal the wounds in Christ's Church, and to build up her waste places. His preaching was direct and practical in a good sense."
The eighth pastor was Lewis Foster, who was born at Hart- land, Conn., in 1806 ; graduated at Yale College in 1831 ; studied at New Haven Theological Seminary ; was licensed by New Haven West Association in 1834, and was ordained and installed pastor of this Church, December 3d, 1834, and died October 27th, 1839, after a brief ministry of four years and ten months, during which eighty-one were gathered into the Church.
Mr. Foster was a little above the medium height, and a little inclined to stoop. As a preacher he was earnest, argu- mentative and spiritual, the great, all absorbing desire of his life being to build up and advance the cause of Christ. He loved his flock deeply, his wife often hearing him in the quiet hours of the night, when he thought those around him wrapt in sleep, pleading with God for an outpouring of His Spirit upon the Church and people. It was during his ministry here, that the present Church edifice was erected, he preaching the dedication sermon from the text, "Thy way, O God, is in the Sanctuary."
His labors were eminently blessed, and having lived the same number of years that his Savior did, God called him from
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the scenes of earth, to the brighter and more radiant glories of heaven. He too sleeps in yonder yard, and at the head of his grave is a marble slab, erected by the members of his flock, as a slight token of the love they bore him ; a love which, to-day, after the lapse of more than twenty-eight years, is warm and glowing.
One, who was a member of his flock and prized him highly, says : "His ministry was brief but very successful. He won the affection of his people by his ardent devotion to his work, and his earnest and successful labors in the vineyard of his master, as well as by his genial and kindly disposition. The record shows a larger accession to the membership of the Church during his ministry, than for the same length of time in its previous history."
A friend relates the following incident illustrative of the predominant trait of his character. The people had assembled to erect the frame work of this building ; an unsuccessful at- tempt was made to raise a portion of it, when he stepped for- ward, and, amid the silent group, offered an earnest invocation for the blessing of Almighty God upon their efforts to rear, for His worship and glory, this house of prayer. Quietly and rapidly every timber was then placed in position, without accident or delay.
He was exceedingly sensitive. At one time he imagined that the people were dissatisfied with him, which lead him to indi- cate his purpose of leaving his field of labor ; but the spontane- ous protest of his people convinced him, that he had been mis- taken, and thereupon he remarked to one of the brethren, who assured him of the affectionate regard of his flock, that he was ready to live, labor and die among them,-which he did. One, that had ample opportunity for observation, says, "That the time usually occupied by young ministers in rehearsing their sermons, previous to entering upon the labors of the pulpit, was uniformily spent by him, pleading with God for His bless- ing to rest upon his efforts." The prosperity of Zion was the great burden of his life. His death was deeply lamented by his charge, who still treasure his memory so fragrant with all that is precious and lovely in a devoted, humble Christain character."-Truly, " the memory of the just is blessed."
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Orlo D. Hine, was the ninth pastor. He was born in New Milford, Conn. ; graduated at Yale College in 1837 ; licensed by New Haven West Association in 1840 ; was ordained and installed pastor of this Church, April 14th, 1841, and, at his own request, was dismissed October 25th, 1842. He was the first pastor of this Church after the town of Killingworth was divided, and the name of Clinton had been given to this por- tion, which was done at the May Session of the General As- sembly in 1838. During his pastorate, twenty-one united with the Church. He is now, and for the last eleven years has been, pastor of the Church in Lebanon, of this State.
Enoch S. Huntington, was the tenth pastor, who was born in Ashford, Conn., September 30th, 1804; graduated at Amherst College, and studied Theology at Lane Seminary, Ohio. He spent the first of his ministerial life in the West, preaching for several years in Groveland, Tazwell Co., Ill. After a few years, his health failing him he was forced to come East. It was while at home, that he was recommended to this Church by Dr. Biles ; both he and the people being mutually pleased, he accepted a call to become their pastor, and was installed May 24th, 1843, and was, at his own oft expressed desire, dismissed March 26th, 1850. Sixty-eight united with the Church while he was its pastor. After leaving here he preached, as stated supply, to several Churches, and died in Danbury, Conn., April 7th, 1862.
Mr. Huntington, soon after his settlement here, was blest with one of the most extensive revivals ever enjoyed by this people. He entered into the work with his whole heart, labor- ing early and late for the salvation of those out of Christ.
His health,-none of the best at any time,-gradually failed him ; and being of a strong "nervo-billious temperament," aggravated by his labors in the West, he suffered, at times, intensely from melancholy, which unfitted him for mental or corporeal exercise. He would, when thus oppressed, seek retirement, being entirely incapacitated for visiting his flock, or making any suitable preparation for the Sabbath. Sermons, written with the greatest care, seemed, at such times, worth- less, and he would have destroyed many of his best produc- tions, had not his wife, having persuaded him to allow her to
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examine them, put them away for safe keeping, till his despondency should be in a measure past. Often the whole ser- vice of the Sabbath was a terrible trial to him, feeling that his prayers were soulless, his preaching of no power, and he would go home and weep over what seemed to him his weak and inefficient efforts ; during such seasons, he thought himself unfit to preach, and would determine, without delay, to have a council called for his dismission.
By the judicious management of his wife, who would urge him to take carriage exercise, his life was prolonged many years. The following incident will illustrate the nervous excitability of the man : The neighboring ministers, on a cer- tain occasion, were to meet at his house and take dinner with him. The butcher failed to appear with the desired beef, and, having sought in vain for a substitute, he came home all excitement, exclaiming, "Wife, wife ! what shall be done ? ten or a dozen brother ministers to take dinner with us, and we have nothing to give them !" " Do not worry, Mr. Huntington, you take care of the ministers, and I will attend to the table." "But wife, we must have something to eat, and I can find neither flesh, fish nor fowl." "Have faith, have faith, Mr. Huntington ; God will provide ; just leave it with Him." "Yes, but what will He provide, codfish and potatoes ? You are all faith, but I think it about time for works. Only look,-in one half hour, and my brethren will be here, and we have nothing for dinner." " True, but I assure you, that there shall be enough and well cooked." While this debate was going on, a knock was heard, and upon going to the door, Mrs. H. found one of their parishioners, who said : "We have been killing some nice roasters, and, thinking that our pastor might like one, have brought this, which, I hope, may be acceptable." It is need- less to say, that Mr. Huntington felt rebuked ; and with tears he acknowledged his lack of faith in the loving and providing care of God.
The eleventh pastor was James D. Moore, who began his ministry the tenth day of March, 1850, and ended his labors as pastor on Sunday, the 4th day of March, 1866-a ministry of just sixteen years. As one result of his labors, one hundred and twenty-three were gathered into the Church ; and if those
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who united on the first Sabbath in May, after his departure, be added, it will increase the number to one hundred and seventy-six. He is now pastor of the Congregational Church in Plainfield, Conn.
Of him, or his, or his works, I need not speak. His pleasant face, his kindly beaming eye, his cordial greeting, his loving heart,-these are household treasures-present to you all. His deep and sincere sympathy especially endearing him to the afflicted. As a citizen, he was an ardent lover of his adopted country ; as a man, he was honored and respected ; as a pas- tor, he possessed the confidence of his flock, as one who really desired to do them good ; and as a friend, he was loved. He especially desired that his people might not only be Christians, but intelligent ones.
Your present pastor was ordained and installed, May 23d, 1867.
In looking back over the history of this Church, we find that there have been, including the present, four " Meeting Houses." The first which was built at the first settlement, and lasted till the year 1700. The second was then built, for which a bell was procured in 1703 ; and in which galleries were made in 1709. In 1731, the third was erected, upon which a new steeple was raised in 1809, as is shown by the following entry by Mr. Mansfield :
" 1809, June ist. The new steeple was raised to the meeting house. The meeting house was then about seventy-eight years old."
It faced the West, the principal entrance being on the South. It had gallaries, high pulpit on the side-under which was the Deacons' seat,-and its "pews " were high and square. In the foundation wall of this building, near the South-east corner, may be seen the stone step, which was at the South or principal entrance, worn smooth by the countless steps of our fathers and mothers who trod upon it entering into the house of God,-a sacred memento, and appropriately placed as one of the corner-stones of this Sanctuary.
Some thirty years out of the two hundred, the Church has been without a pastor ; one half of this period elapsed between the dismission of Mr. Woodbridge and the settlement of Mr.
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Pierson, in which "their pulpit was supplied, for longer or shorter periods, by several occupants. Among these, Rev. Mr. Bayly preached in the years 1684-5; and in June of the latter year, a unanimous call was given to him to settle, at a meeting warned for that purpose, 'which was the number of twenty.' Another year passed without any permanent set- tlement being effected. When, in Sept., 1686, another vote was passed accepting his terms ; still no settlement was effected. In 1692 the Rev. Mr. Mather was acting minister, and in August a call was given to him to settle. He continued to preach sometime longer but was not installed."
I have already stated that both Mr. Eliot and Mr. Mansfield preached nearly two years each, before becoming pastors by ordination and installation, but as the Church had previously given them a call to become such, I regard them as pastors from the beginning of their ministry here.
The average length of pastorates has been about fifteen years ; and if we deduct that of Mr. Wood and Mr. Hine, which united amounted to only four years, it will bring the average up to a little over eighteen years.
Mr. Eliot's pastorate was the longest, being about fifty-six years ; Mr. Hine's was the briefest, being one year and a half.
The annual additions to the Church were the largest during Mr. Foster's ministry, averaging almost seventeen ; the small- est during Mr. Talcott's-being less than three annually.
There have been, including those now living, seventeen Deacons, fourteen of whom have finished their work, and have entered into their rest. They were men, generally, who were an honor to their office ; and so far as they are remembered, were considered worthy, pious men, sincerely desirous of pro- moting the interest of religion and morality in the Church and community ; inculcating, by their example, the duty of keep- ing holy the Sabbath day, which, with them, began with the going down of the sun on Saturday. Then all work would be suspended, and the time devoted to preparation for the duties of the coming day, and no little thing kept them from being promptly present, with their families, at the services of the Church. As sunset Saturday night began, so sunset Sunday eve closed the Sabbath.
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Of the thirteen hundred and sixty-two, who have become members of this Church since its organization, one thousand, at least, have mouldered back to dust. Many of them are sleeping in yonder cemetery, among whom, as guardian shep- herds, five of your former pastors keep watch-Pierson, Eliot, Huntington, Mansfield-the youth winner, as he was called,- and Foster, the devoted, but too early called .*
There, too, rests the tuneful Redfield, whose life was a speaking witness of the deep Christ-love, which, as a gushing fountain, lived within his soul. His loving words, his earnest prayers, his songs of praise,-these have written themselves upon your hearts ; and well do many of you remember the last time his faltering voice was heard, joining in with yours, in the closing hymn, as you went forth from the Sacramental Board.
Then, too, what sweet and precious memories cluster around the name of John L. Hull ; seldom heard, but always working for Christ ; whose daily life and consistent walk were fitting exponents of the living, loving, clinging faith, which made him what he was,-a devoted husband, an affectionate father, a kind neighbor, a good citizen and a worthy and exemplary Christian.
Let these two, whose memories are so fragrant and precious, be types of many, many, whose names I may not speak, who have here lived, and labored, and who, by a loving Father, have been taken from the Church militant, and are now the enrolled and rejoicing members of the Church triumphant.
During the two hundred years now gone, God has given many a gracious token of His presence. Time and again has
* The first Marriage, Birth and Death found recorded are the fol- lowing :
" John Meigs and Sarah Wilcox were married the 7th day of March, 1665."
" Hannah, the Daughter of Joseph Wilcox, was born the 19th day of January, 1665."
" William Haydon died the 27th of Sept., 1669."
The oldest stone in the Clinton burial ground, has cut on it the letters " M. G." with the date 1670.
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His Spirit been poured out upon this people,-glorious harvest times when many precious souls have been gathered into His Garner House.
How sacred, in the spirit life of this Church, should be the years 1711, '14, '21, '25, '31, '36 and 1757, in which Mr. Eliot, by the blessing of God, welcomed more than five hundred to the Communion of this Church. Yes, scattered all along through these two centuries, have been precious seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, causing plants of righteousness to spring up and strengthen this vine of His love.
The last of these occurred in 1866, and was a beautiful illustration of the loving care of the Redeemer for His Church, as well as of the prophetic words, "He shall come down as rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the Earth." With no pastor, and having no ministerial labor, save on the Sabbath, still the work went forward, quietly, yet with power, till more than fifty,-many of whom were from the Sabbath School,-were gathered, as precious fruit, into the bosom of the Church.
At some of the most prominent points in the history of this Church I have now glanced ; photographed, though dimly and imperfectly, its former pastors, of whom all, save two, have entered into their rest ; have spoken of the three Church buildings, which were but are not,-which, together with this, have all stood on this very hill, and near the spot where this now stands ; called to mind the more than ten hundred, who, as we trust, have past on from here to the rest and joy of heaven ; and have reminded you of God's loving and watchful care towards you as a Church and people ; and now, as we stand here on this rocky, but oh, how sacred hill, and let our eyes glance back over the two hundred years to the birth morn of this Church, and behold what the world was then, and what it is now, we cannot but feel, and be deeply and movingly impressed with the fact, that they have been most important centuries in the civil, educational and religious history of the world.
Only forty-seven years had then past since our Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth Rock,-yea, many were then living, who had been the subjects of Elizabeth, England's most noted
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