USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Sanbornton > History of Sanbornton, New Hampshire, Vol. I - Annals > Part 12
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CHAIR FRON THE ORIGINAL FIRST BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE.
FIRST BAPTIST HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. - CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
83
l'asTolas.
The names of the four pastors of this church are as follows: -
1. Rev. JosErn WOODMAN 1771-1800 .
2. Rev. ABRAHAM BODWELL. 1800-1832
3. Rev. JAMES BOUTWELL . 1852-1865
4. Rev. MOSES THURSTON RUNNELS . (Installed June 11, 1868.) . 1865
II. - TI: FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
" Among the early settlers of the town there were some persous who were acquainted with preachers and brethren of the Baptist denomination, and thought favorably of their sentiments and prac- tice "; and a few of these, we conclude, were among the nutuber who, Earliest Inem- "as early as 1784-85, were baptized and added to the bern connected Baptist Church in Meredith," then under the pastoral care with Meredith. of Elder Nicholas Folsom.
Not deterred by the town's intolerant vote of April 25, 1791, and probably without asking further permission, the people of this per- snasion proceeded, in the latter part of the same year, to erect their first meeting-house, at a greater distance from the town's meeting- honse, on the brow of the hill northwest of the latter, and near the then residence of Dea. William Chase, now Charles B. Perley's. Lient. Benjamin Morgan, Dea. William Chase, and Peter Hersey are said to have been " pillars and prominent actors in starting this society and building its first meeting-house " ; and there First movers for a meeting. were three earnest supporters of the enterprise in one Lousu. neighborhood, in the south part of the town, above Tin Corner, viz., Dea. Taylor Clark, Winthrop Durgin, and Jonathan Chase. The house was not completed till the next year, and was for the first time occupied by the .. Meredith Association," September, 1702. The printed " sketch" of 1833 says, " About this time" (of
the erection of the house) " the brethren who had been baptized and united with the Baptist Church in Meredith were set off and consti- tuted into a separate church, and received the name of the First Baptist Church in Sanboruton." This was on " Ang. 12," probably of 1792, or just before the above-noted meeting of the " Associa- Church and
buciety organ-
ized.
tion"; though one other account puts the date of the
church's formation one year later. The church then con- sisted of about forty members. The " society " must have been organ- ized about the same time, as Father Crockett afterwards speaks of the "agreement between the Church and Society " and himself, entered upon in 1794. (See Vol. II. pp. 190, 191.)
HISTORY OF SANBORNTON.
As early as 1790, preceding the organization of the church, "it pleased God to open the windows of heaven, and pour down a rich blessing." This was the first of a series of " reformation " or revival seasons which this people enjoyed ; so that from time to time, though Gireat promport. subjected to internal trials and discouragements, especially ty under Father during the pustorate of Mr. Crockett, " the church con- Crochetl. tinted to increase in numbers and strength." During the first two years of Mr. Crockett's ministry, twenty-four persons were added to the church by baptism. Between 1795 and 1829, three hau- dred and sixteen additional members were received ; making at the last date a sum total of three hundred and eighty, of whom mean- while one hundred and forty had been excluded, dismissed, or removed by death. Between 1829 and the present (1881), two hundred aud ninety have been baptized and received into the fellowship of the church. In 1833, the meeting-house was removed one mile to the northwest of its original site, and rebuilt on its present location near Crockett's Corner, where for forty-eight years (1881) from its steeple has rung forth the deepest and best toned church bell that Sanbornton has ever been able to boast of.
We append a copy of Rev. Mr. Crockett's " Farewell Address" to his people, less than two years before his death : -
"Dear Brethren, -The satisfaction I have enjoyed while laboring with you can never be expressed. The attention you have paid to my improvements, the regard you have manifested for my welfare, is more thau 1 His " Farewell Address." have merited. Wherein you have ministered to my necessities
by your substance or your prayers, I feel grateful, but can make uo remittances. Witness against me this day if I have shunned to declare nuto you the whole couusel of God as I have nuderstood it; if I have not been with yon in weakness, and fear, and much trembling, in afflictions, in necessity, in tumult, in labors, in watchings and fastings, in youth and in old age. Thirty-nine years of my life have been devoted to your service. I have obeyed your calls; I have sympathized with you in most of your distresses. I am now mindful of my departure; the thue of my removal from this to another world is at hand; my labors, my sufferings, with all my imperfec- tions, will soon be forgotten, and I, as to this carthly tabernacle, shall be as though I had not been. Now, I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
(Signed) "JOIN CROCKETT."
A complete list of the pastors or ministers of this church is sub- Church history joined, chielly from the excellent manuscript " History of by Dearon the Church," prepared by Deacon Benjamin M. Wadleigh Wadleigh. in 1871 : -
SECOND BAPTIST HOUSE OF WORSHIP, WITH VESTRY.
THIRD BAPTIST HOUSE OF WORSHIP, AND SCHOOL-HOUSE, DIST. NO. 13. (See p. 92.)
85
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. - CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
PASTORs. .
1. Rev. NICHOLAS PousoM, of Meredith. Preached half the tique, 1792, and first part of the year 1793.
2. Rev. Jony Chockerr. Ordained Sept. 3, 1794, having preached from April, 1703 ; - till 1833.
3. Rev. NOAH HOOPER. 1833-1837. (71.) *
4. Rev. AMASA BUCK. Professor at New Hampton Institute. Supply, 1837, 1838. (70.)
5. Rev. STEPHEN COOMBS. 1838-1841. (17.)
6. Rev. PASCAL C. ILIMKS. 1812, 1843. (18. )
7. Rev. LELAND HUNTLEY. 1843-1847. (9.)
8. Rev. S. S. LEIGHTON. 1848, 1849.
9. Rev. HIRAM D. HODGE. 1850-1854. (8.)
10. Rev. JEREMIAH D. TILTON. 1854-1866. (37.)
11. Rev. A. MCGLAUFLIN. 1866, 1867. (6.)
12. Rev. C. A. COOKE. 1869. (8.)
13. Rev. G. D. BALLANTINE. 1570-1872. (8.)
14. Rev. F. W. A. RANKIN. 1872-1879. (13.)
15. Rev. AUGUSTUS A. BICKFORD. 1879- . (5.)
III. - THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first meeting-house at the Bay was built about the year 1808, by a Freewill Baptist organization, under the leadership of Eller Moses Cheney, who, besides being a previous resident in that part of the town from childhood, was the principal and highly esteemed preacher there, most of the time, till 1816. (See Vol. II. p. 124
Earliest organi- [21].) No records of this carlier church organization cution and queet- have come to light. The meeting-house was originally ing-house. set exactly on the northeast corner of Elisha Smith's lot (No. 18, Second Division), he giving land ou condition that the house should occupy that spot. Consequently, when it was afterwards moved back and remodelled, in 1836, it was not moved its full length into two feet, that the above condition might still be observed. The roof of the old house was blown off in 1816, and replaced.
The date of the present church organization was " Sept. 9, 1822." .
"The brethren in the northunsterly part of Sanbornton did think it would be to their advantage to be organized into a Baptist church iu Formation of gospel order, and did send letters to Elder Crockett's church, present church. Ehler Folsom's church, and Elder Richardsou's church " [fest Sanbornton, Meredith, and Gilmanton], "to meet with them on that day. . . Rev. John Crockett was moderator, and Rev. Parker Fogg, of More- dith, was clock and preacher of the sermon."
* The numbers in parentheses after each name indicate the number baptized and received into the church by each.
86
HISTORY OF SANBORNTON.
Such is the simple record of their first meeting ; and the " Declara- tion of Faith and Practice " then adopted cousists of seventeen arti- cles, stating only such doctrines as are common to Evangelical and Calvinistic churches, and nothing by which they might be distinctively known even as a Baptist church. October of the same year, John Doe was chosen first church clerk ; aml Moses Gilman deacou, March 27, 1821. Aug. 30, 1823, voted to have communions, statedly, the last Sabbaths of April, June, August, and October. A plate for com- munion service was presented to the church by the Third Baptist Church, of Boston, Oct. 15, 1823. The exact number who first con- stituted the church cannot be ascertained from the records :
First admis- but several soon after joined by letter, and .. Sister Pot- tle " is the first who is stated to have been added by bap- tisi, "June 26, 1826"; Sally Edgerly, the second, Sept. 26, same year.
Rev. William Taylor had previously labored with this church very acceptably ; and Aug. 27, 1826, himself and wife, having been dis- missed from the Baptist Church in Concord, were received to this. He was their longest settled minister, - for the space of nine or ten years in all, - and was blessed with a powerful revival soon after his settlement. " Nov. 29, 1828," he " requested the privilege of leaving for the term of one year, to go on a mission for the Bap- The Rev. Wil- tist Board of this State. Agreed to." He seems to have
liam Taylor. . been dismissed prior to Jan. 31, 1835, as the church then chose a committee " to write to Elder Taylor, aud invite him, in case he should return to the New England States, [again] to become our pastor." We learn from other sources that he first went to Michigan as a home missionary, and finally removed his family directly from Sanbornton to Schooleraft, Mich. Ilis great ambition was to rear an institution at Kalamazoo, Mich., like that at New Hampton in this State. For this end he sacrificed his time and property, and laid the foundation of one of the most flourishing Baptist institutions in the country. Ilis first wife died in Schoolcraft. . He there married second, and there died. We have further evidence that he was highly prized and gratefully remembered by this church, from the fact that when the present meeting-house was to be dedicated, soon after " Aug. 27, 1836," it was voted, under this date, " to invite Rev. Mr. Taylor to be with us at the dedication." Other matters of interest from the church records are these : -
" April 24, 1830. For the purpose of more advantageously promoting the interest of Sabbath Schools, voted that we form ourselves into a Sabbath-school Sabbath School Society, auxiliary to the N. 11. S. S. Union, pro- society. posing to choose each year, at Church meeting, near May 1, one
87
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. - CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
person to superintend the school, one Librarian, and a Counnittee of three to appoint teachers for the ensuing year; also to take ammually, about that time, a collection to increase our Library."
Officers first chosen were Brother William Taylor, superintendent ; Brother John D. Sanborn, librarian ; and Brothers William Taylor, Solomon Copp, and John Folsom, committee. The church voted to adopt a " temperance article," in its confession of faith, Temperance Jan. 28, 1838. June, 1844, certain members desired to article. be excluded from the church on account of their avowed belief in Second Advent doctrines.' In 1875 the total membership was one hundred and eighteen, the resident members unmbering ninety- one. Total annual amount then raised, $570.65, mostly for home purposes. We add, finally, the following complete list of the pastors of this church, with brief personal notes, as drawn chietly from the church records : -
PASTORS.
1. Rev. Moses Chessy. Pastor of original church, as above.
2. Rev. WILLIAM TAYLOR. First pastor of present church, as above.
3. Rev. DANIEL MVITISON. Acting pastor In 1835 ; in all, one or two years. Dismissed to Baptist Church in Meredith, Aug. 21, 1836, and there ordained.
4. Rev. BENJAMIN CONGDEN. Came from Pomfret, Coun. Received, with his wife, to this church, June 20, 1836. Ordained May 31, 1837.
5. Rev. FRANCIS E. CLEAVES. Accepted, unanimously, by church, Oct. Is, 1843; afterwards stipulated for $200 salary and use of the parsonage. Received from church in Wareham, Mass., Jan. 12, 1845; but dismissed, with his wife Sarah, to Woodville, Mass., Oct. 31, 1846.
6. Rev. LEVI WALKER. Acting pastor 1846, 1847.
7. Rev. OLIVER BARRON. Received from the Cumupton Church, July 30, 1847. Dismissed to North Sanbornton and Meredith Church, July 6, 1850.
8. Rev. WILLIAM NORRIS. Pastor from March, 1851, till June 1, 1852, when he died in office. (See Vol. II. p. 874 [31 ].)
9. Rev. JonN Q. A. WAns. Received, with Emily II., his wife, Sept. 3, 1853. Dismissed to Addison, Vt., October, 1857.
10. Rev. II. W. DAY. Preached one year or more, 1857, 1853, enjoying au extensive revival of religion, but name not recognized as pastor on the church records.
11. Rev. CHARLES NEWHALL. Received, with Sarah II., his wife, from Strat- ham, Nov. 6, 1839. Dismissed to Exeter (Elin Street Church), May, 1861.
12. Rev. S. S. WHITE. Call given March, 1862, having supplied from Octo- ber, 1861. Came from Etlingham, and dismissed to Northwood, April 7, 1864.
13. Rev. A. W. BOARDMAN. From July, 1865, till March, 1866.
14. Rev. CincoN Surru. From August, 1866, till March, 1809.
15. Rev. V. E. BUNKER. From April, 1870, till April, 1872.
16. Rev. 11. W. DALTON. From May, 1874, till May, 1878.
HISTORY OF SANBORNTOY.
1. Rev. WILLIAM NELSON MURDOCK. From November, 1850. Ordalhed June, lesl. He Is the sort of Rev. John N. Murdock, D. D., of Boston, Muss., late secretary of the Baptist Board of Foreign SHaslous.
IV. - THE FREEWILL. BAPTIST CHURCH AT UNION BRIDGE.
The original organization of this body was effected March 7, 1827, in a simple manner, under the name of the " Free United Brethren "; agreeing, first, to " take the New Testament for our rule Simplicity of
Its urgiuizu- of faith and practice" in matters of religion; also, to Liou.
"meet once a month, unless something special prevents, to relate the state of our minds to each other." It consisted, at first, of fifteen members, - eleven males and four females. Its regular meet- ing was on the first Saturday of each month. This " easy yoke " was proposed in the ndmission of members : " If any wished to join the church, there was liberty ; if any wished to depart, there should be liberty also." Of this church, Henry MI. Pearsons, of Gilmanton, was elected first deacon, and Joseph Brown first clerk. Joseph Lougee and A. Chesley Philbrook were chosen deacons, December, 1836, the former being still in active service (1881). The church was received into the Quarterly Meeting in 1828. June 24, 1847, voted
bubarquent changes. to " dissolve the old church and organize anew " ( thirty- four for and eleven against) ; also, that " we will be known by the name of the . First Freewill Baptist Church in Sanborn- ton,'" which name seems finally to have been changed, Feb. 9, 185-4, to that of the ". U'nion Bridge F'. W. Baptist Church."
Meanwhile, in a meeting at the inn of Josiah C. Philbrook, Feb. 27, 1830, it was resolved that " we " (eight men " and others " of San- bornton, and six men " and others " of Gilmanton), -
" Being situated near Uniou Bridge, feeling friendly to the cause of religion,
Society and desiring to unite our exertions for the good of the cause and formed. for the furtherance of the gospel, do associate and form our- selves into a religious society that may hereafter be known" as the "United Free Baptist Society."
Besides voting their share of the Parsonage Fund money to Elder David Moody that year, and to others afterwards, this society, in April, 1834, made the first effectnal move towards building a house of worship (". 48 feet by 40, and 13-foot posts"), which was completed in June of that year, at a cost of $835.73. This house originally stood on same site as at present, but » side to the road and fronting East." In 1861, by vote of society, it was " turned end Their house of to the road, thoroughly overhauled inside, and remodelled Wurslup.
after the more modern style, at an expense of nearly $900" more. Finally, " in 1876, the Society again repaired their
....
FREEWILL BAPTIST HOUSE OF WORSHIP. (East Tilton.)
METHODIST HOUSE OF WORSHIP. (East Tilton.)
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. - CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
house by reshingling, building the chimneys outside at the back, and frescoing inside."
Preachers have been employed as follows, and nearly in the order and times here given, several of themu proving men of peculiar power and unction, and all, it is believed, of usefulness in their day and generation : -
PREACHERS AND PASTORS.
1. Elder Joseru Brows "coudneted the first meetings " till 1830.
2. Elder DAVID MOODY, two years, 1850-1832.
3. Eller MAYHEW CLARK (chiefly), till 1836.
4. Elder SAMUEL O. FERNALD, one year, 1837.
5. Elder SILAS BEAN, one year, 1838.
6. Rev. LEMUEL MASON, five years, "to a day," 1839, 1844. Absent one year; again, second engagement, three years, 1845 till April 13, 1848.
7. Rev. UMANI CHASE, the intervening year, 1844, 1845.
8. Rev. Sern W. PERKINS, one year, 1848, 1849.
9. Rev. JouN Nouis, three years, 1849-1852.
10. Rev. ALVAN SARGENT, seven years, six months. " Voted to invite, March 17, 1853." Dismissed Aug. 3, 1860.
11. Rev. R. D. PRESTON, Nov. 7, 1860, till April 12, 1861.
12. Rev. ALPHEUS D. Surru, Nov. 11, 1861, till March 27, 1864.
13. Rev. G. W. RICHARDSON, one year, 1864, 1865 (" May 7").
14. Rev. GEORGE M. PARK, October, 1865, till Jan. 1, 1867. (Ordained April 5, 186(.)
15. Rev. EDWIN P. SMITH, Jan. 1, 1867, till April, 1869. (Ordained Sept. 26, 1867.)
· 16. Rev. B. MARTSHORN, April to July, 1865.
17. Rev. GILMAN SANBORN, Sept. 1, 1869, till June 1, 1870.
18. Rev. OrIS F. RUSSELL, from last date till May, 1871.
19. Rev. E. PRESTON MOULTON, from last date till May 4, 1872.
Rev. Mr. WALKER, nearly one year, stated supply, residing at Laconia.
21. Rev. Joux G. MUNSEY, May, 1875, till Feb. 20, 1578.
22. Rev. J. HERBERT YEOMAN, June 1, Is78, two years; rem. to Portsmouth.
23. Rev. WILLIAM H. YEOMAN, father of the last, 1880- lle m., 1st,
. Lydia A., only dau. of Ascenath M. and Henry Brown, who was the mother of [22]. (See Vol. II. p. 234 [51].)
V. - EAST TILTON METHODIST CHURCH.
The present house of worship of this denomination, near Union Bridge, was built about the year 1835 (?) ; last repaired, through the exertions of Rev. D. W. Davis, 1879. At first considerable prejudice existed against the Methodists as a seet, on the part of members of the " standing order" residing in that part of the town.
Early preju- It is remarked that one worthy Congregationalist, in dice overcome. declining years, would never look at the building while in process of construction, even when passing it on the highway. Yet that same individual lived long enough, after this, greatly to prize aud
90
HISTORY OF SANBORNTON.
enjoy the prayers of a Methodist clergyman, who called to see him upon his sick-bed
The name of Jaunes B. II. Norris appears on the records of Northi- field station as Que of their preachers, who, in 1834, was residing at Union Bridge But the steward's records of the Union Bridge or .. East Sanborntou " station do not commence till September, Steward's rec- 1838 ; then said to be on the .. Gilford Cirenit," with orda.
L. II. Gordon preacher in charge. " East Sanbornton" is first mentioned in the Northfield Church records as connected with that brauch in 1845 ; and accordingly it appears from its own stew- urd's records (just named) to have been that year transferred from the " Gilford " to the " Northfield " Circuit.
As presenting a view of the Sabbath-school interests of that carly day, we give the following Sabbath-school report in full,
Sabbath-school dated " June 22, 1839": " School, 1 ; Superintendent, 1 ; report, 1530.
Teacher, 1; Scholars, 35. Bible Class, 1; Teacher, 1; Members, 10; Volumes in Library, 180." In 1860 the record is that the " Members of the East Sanbornton Quarterly Conference " " voted to raise $280 for the support of preaching," and a committee of three were appointed " to circulate subscription."
The following is, of course, the largest list of ministers which has appertained to any one church organization in the town of Sanborntou. It is chiefly (or to the uminber of twenty-eight) made up from the stewards' records, as to names and times of service. Two or three breaks evidently occur. A few on the list are designated as " local preachers," residing in the place, yet assigned for the time being to till the posts of " preachers in charge."
PREACHERS AND L'ASTORS.
1. Rev. I .. II. GORDON 1838. ·
2. Rev. M. A. HowE 1839 (Oct. 14). ·
3. Rev. HUBBARD EASTMAN . 1810.
. 1841. 4. Rev. CHARLES B. M. WOODWARD
5. Rev. AMON S. TINEY .
1842.
6. Rev. Einnibus G. PERn.AM 1843.
7. Rev. Oris G. SMITH
1844, and till June 15, 1845.
8. Rev. D. W. BARBER
· 1845, 1846.
9. Rev. W. D. CASS .
1847.
10. Rev. AMos KIDDER . . 1848.
11. Rev. LEWIS HOWARD . 1849, 1850.
1850, 1851. .
13. Rev. Rowkar S. SruBBs .
1852.
14. Rev. CHARLES U. DUNNING
1853, 1854.
15. Rev. JAMES B. FAULAS
16. Rev. REBBEN DEARBORN .
17. Rev. HENRY CHANDLER 1801.
650.
· 1860.
12. Rev. LORENZO D. BLODGETT
-
91
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. - CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
1 4. Rev. RICHARD HARICOURT
1863.
19. Rev. N. G. ChENEY ·
1864, 1865. .
20. Rev. N. J. SQuines 1506.
21. Rev. M. V. B. KNOx . 1867.
22. Rev. J. M. DURRELL .
1868, 1569.
23. Rev. F. W. SMITH .
1869, 1870.
24. Rev. N. P. PHILBROOK
1871, 1872.
25. Rev. J. W. BEAN
1873, 1874.
26. Rev. JOSEPH FAWCETT
1873-1377. .
27. Rev. D. W. DAVIS .
1878, 1870.
28. Rev. MOSES SHERMAN 1550. (Resigned on account of sickness, and soon after died. )
29. Rev. ALBERT TWITCHELL . August, 1880, till April, 1881. . 1881-
30. Rev. FREEMAN C. LIBBEY .
VI. - THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF NORTHFIELD AND TIL.TON.
We are indebted for this notice to the " sketch" furnished for the new Church Mannal, in 1878, by Rev. C. Curtice. This church was
Originally organized in the former town, July 18, 1822, and enjoyed
formed in the faithful labors of Rev. Liba Conant, first pastor, for Northtield. about fourteen years. He commenced with them, as a young man, in 1822 ; was ordained May. 29, 1823 ; occupied the old Northfield towu meeting-house (finished 1794), and closed his labors in September, 1836. Rev. Hazael Lucas, second pastor, was stated supply for one year, till September, 1837. Rev. Enoch Corser, third pastor, - formerly of Loudon, - was then the acting pastor till the close of April, 1843. His labors were abundant and very successful. During the early part of his ministry, in 1837, the prescut Congreg :- tional meeting-house, on the Sanbornton side of the river, - .
" Was built and dedicated, the society being free from debt. In 1841 an arrangement was made by which the Congregational people in
Union with
Sanborutou. the south part of Sanbornton united with those of Northnield, under the name of the ' Congregational Church of Northfield and Samboruton Bridge,' -a judicious movement, as events have shown. Rev. Corban Curtice, fourth pastor, connueuced preaching here May 1, 1843, and remained through April, 1870, just twenty-seven years. Rev. Theodore C. Pratt, fifth pastor, commenced his labors here May 1, 1870, and closed them in June, 1875. Rev. Frederic T. Perkins, sixth pastor, connneneed his minis- try here September, 1875. A Sabbath school was organized in Northfield in 1821, which has continued to the present time, und has been the source of great good to the church and community."
The meeting-house was elevated, remodelled, and a vestry and pastor's rooms placed underneath, during the latter part of Mr. Cur- tice's ministry. The present year (1881) it is also undergoing exten- sive repairs, with marked improvements and adornments. The rules
92
HISTORY OF SANBDILNTON.
of this church are clearly defined, and its discipline efficient. The number of its original members was sixteen ; present membership,
one hundred and eighty-two, - thirty-one absent. The Semicenter- semicentennial anniversary of its organization was cele- utal.
brated in 1872, and Dr. Enos Hoyt, of Framingham, Mass., an original member and officer, delivered au able historical address, which was published, with other proceedings.
The following vote was passed at a meeting of the church, Oct. 31, 1878 :-
"That the thanks of the church be given to the Rev. Corban Curtice for his patient labors hu preparing the historical sketch and catalogue of Vote of thanks the church. . . . And also, au assurance that he is gratefully to Huv. C. Cur.
Licu. remembered for his many faithful services durlug his ministry of twenty-seven years, in which he was helped of God to trahi a generation of children and youth to sing ; lead many souls to Christ; comfort many hearts; build up the church in the faith; help on the reforms of the day ; and promote the general welfare of the community." (See Vol. II. pp. 205 [3] and s80 [17].)
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