USA > New York > Oneida County > Westmoreland > Exercises in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of the First Congregational Church of Westmoreland, N.Y., Tuesday, September 20th, 1892 > Part 1
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GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01747 6208
GENEALOGY 974.702 W53EX
Exercises in Commemoration
-OF TILE-
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
-OF TRE
First Congregational Church
OF WESTMORELAND, N. Y.
Tuesday, September 20th. 1892.
----
CLINTON, N. V.
1893-
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/exercisesincomme00unse
Exercises in Commemoration
--- OF THE-
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
First Congregational Church, -- OF THE -.
OF WESTMORELAND, N. Y.,
Tuesday, September 20th, 1892.
CLINTON, N. Y., J. B. & H. B. SYKES, PRINTERS, 1893.
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WESTMORELAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Programme.
Morning Service, 10 o'clock. DEACON JAMES W. MANKTELOW, MODERATOR. Singing. Invocation.
Scripture Lesson, Prayer, Address of Welcome,
Response,
Rev. Samuel Manning. Pastor, Rev. W. C. Jones. Rev. C. C. Johnson, East Bloomfield, N. Y.
Singing.
"Church of the Future,"
- Rev. Samuel Miller, Deansville, N. Y.
Singing.
Benediction,
Rev. F. B. Stanford, Westmoreland, N. Y.
Afternoon Service, 1:30 o'clock.
Singing.
Reading Scripture, and Prayer,
Rev. O. A. Kingsbury, New Hartford, N. Y.
Church History, , - Edward Loomis, M. D. Oneida, N. Y.
Prayer. Singing, Hymn 475.
Centennial Poem, Letters from the Absent, Thomas E. McEntee. Read by James Bell, Secretary. Addresses, Deacon J. S. Bliss, Rev. L. A. Sawyer, Rev. C. W. Hawley, Rev. P. S. Pratt, and others.
Address,
M. E. Dunham, D. D.
Singing. Benediction.
Evening Service, 7 o'clock.
Praise Service,
Led by H. M. Dixon, Smyrna, N. Y.
Addresses.
Address-Unwritten History, - Rev. Ethan Curtis.
Singing-"Blessed be the Tie that Binds." Benediction.
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WESTMORELAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Address of Welcome.
BY THE PASTOR, WM. CERDYNOG JONES, PH. D.
Fellow Christians :- In the name of this church and society I extend to all pastors, delegates and friends a hearty wel- come to our midst; a hearty welcome to assist us in our centennial anniversary; and a hearty welcome to our homes and tables.
Very few churches live to see one hundred years in the same place where they were organized. It has fallen unto the lot of this church to receive this blessing. Although apparently old, yet young, having all the vigor of youth at the close of its one hundredth year.
We stand to-day on the verge of two centuries; one dies, another is born. We know from history what has been the destiny of the one that passes by. What of the new one, the child that is born to-day? It needs more than a poet of humanity to reveal its future career. When this church was organized fifteen noble men and women came forward to consecrate their lives for good in this community. In this it has not been in vain. The small seed of organization has grown and has been of greater influence than we are able to comprehend. This church, like many others of its age, has had its share of influence in moulding the life and character of this nation. That influence may be very small in compar- ison with larger organizations. However small it may have ยท been in its beginnings it has gone on progressing and in- creasing in power. Its influence has been felt far and near, in foreign lands, the isles of the sea, as well as at home. Preachers, teachers, deacons and laymen have gone from here, carrying with them the precious truths of the gospel.
The few that organized this society were staunch believers in the old puritan faith and in purity of life. Moving into this place when it was almost a solitary wilderness; sur-
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rounded by hardships and discouragements unimagined by us, yet hardships and discouragements did not quench their zeal for worship. Sabbath after Sabbath families con- gregated together, those at a far distance either walked or came with ox teams. For seven years they worshipped in dwelling houses, when this edifice was built. A few years afterward this church entered upon its records a pledge of total abstinence "from all strong drink," which was a very bold act in those days. At the very outset this church had a ring of aggressiveness and it has not diminished even to this day. Truly it has been "tried in the fire" at various times. Yet it has had its time of refreshing in its most precious re- vivals, and to-day we, who are members of this church, can say that "everything worketh together for good." At pres- ent this church is in good spiritual condition, harmonious, in good working order, and greatly encouraged. During every communion season this year, accessions have been made, and others are waiting.
This church has been an eye-witness of rapid strides that have been made in various ways. What Christian civ- ilization has done for the world within the last one hundred years I can barely suggest to you to-day. When we think of navigation, and the printing press, the steam engine and railroad, the telegraph and phonograph, the telephone and typewriter, and causing electricity to be such a common servant. Think of the growth of this nation and the world's increase in power and knowledge. Think of the many in- stitutions of learning which offer schooling to every child in the land. Think of church missions which one hundred years ago had scarcely begun to be, now almost encircling the earth with schools and churches. Think of the univers- al abolition of slavery, and what has been done by means of arbitration to bring nations together. Think of the many hospitals, asylums and other various philanthropies to abate suffering, and to help the needy. Think of the church to- day, with its millions of pious men and women that are ag- gressive in church and Sunday School work. Think of the Y. P. S. C. E. and the Epworth League with their thousands
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WESTMORELAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
of young people, full of life and vigor, working for Christ and the church. Think of the most precious revivals and the thousands of Christian churches imbued with .God's di- vine spirit. Statisticians tell us there are more. Christians to-day in America than there were in the whole world one hundred years ago. We may ask, what has this to do with this church? As well may we ask, what have atoms to do with mountains, or drops of water with the ocean? We see the possibility of a mountain in atoms, or an ocean in drops of water. So every church that was organized one hundred years ago, however small the influence, it has helped the swelling tide of our present civilization.
As a church we have good reasons to be proud of our or- ganization. Yet with reverence and humility we bow before Him whose power is greater than the mountain, of longer duration than the universe, of serener beauty than the stars, more exquisite than the flower. In mystery deeper than the seas. In subtlety higher than the heavens. He has led this church by ways unknown then to our fathers, now vis- ible to us. The germs of fitness for their future were placed here by God, and then, on their mission of develop- ment.
This church has had most noble men as pastors. Some of great intellect and learning, who, by the power of their consecrated lives and teachings, have helped to mould the spiritual condition of this town. Those who have passed away, we cherish their memory; and you, who are present, and the absent ones, in the name of our Master we greet you as true servants of God. With you to-day there are also present those who have been deacons and lay members of this church. You glance to the past and recall trying as well as joyous times. You may try and reproduce some scenes. Imagine faces of friends who worshipped with you here, now gone home. The sermons that thrilled you with joy, the prayers that lifted you to heaven. We say "they are no more." Yet they are realities to you; they are vivid this moment, and are the spiritual mile stones of your life.
May we praise God for this grand privilege of uniting
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WESTMORELAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
thus together in this Centennial Anniversary of this Church. May it during the coming century be the means to win many souls to Christ and these walls again echo "the glad tidings of great joy."
Again I extend to all a hearty welcome.
Response.
BY REV. C. C. JOHNSON, OF EAST BLOOMFIELD, N. Y.
Mr. Johnson in the course of his remarks said it afforded the visitors great pleasure to receive such a hearty welcome. As we look back to 1792 we may also look to 1492 and see what the world has done in that time. But we are to-day principally concerned in the last century. To many of us it has been a pleasure to preach from this pulpit. Mr. John- son recalled some reminiscences in connection with the church. Continuing he said, we belong to the churches as well as to any particular church. I hope the thought of the value of the Christian church in the community will come to the front to-day.
Suppose there had been no church here, who would have wished to live here, who would have wished to invest in real estate here and build up the town? The church stands for Christian religion. Our Lord established principles that should live after his death, and the church has taken them up. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the church has done its work.
What is it that forms public opinion? The press does not make public opinion, it only reflects it. The platform is not the mould. It is the church which is the foundation. The strong outlines of Christianity mould public opinion. With the church goes the school. When our forefathers settled beyond the Mohawk, beyond Fort Stanwix, they built the schools simultaneously with the church. The school is still
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a powerful factor in shaping the deeds of future genera- tions. The church influences young men to seek higher education. The whole force and backbone of temperance reform lies in the teachings of the Christian church. The church is the great promoter of the temperance cause. When its influences are felt, every form of vice and sin suffers.
The church of Christ does a good work upon men who are not Christians, who are not church members, but who are honest men and take pride in their honesty. But they get that very honesty from church influences. The church also has an effect upon values-commercial values. Even the assessable property is of value because there is a Chris- tian church somewhere influencing public opinion.
Only when the church does its work and shows its vital- ity do things assume their true value. The church has pre- served the observance of the Sabbath. If the Christian Sabbath be abolished the Christian religion must go with it. The church stands for asylums, hospitals and all the ap- pliances for mitigating suffering.
The church which has no attention for missions will die of the dry rot. Let the church be true to the missions. If it were not for the church how small would be our hope of heaven!
It is a matter of congratulation that this church in West- moreland has sent out into the world men who have done much for the good of the world and the cause of Christian- ity.
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WESTMORELAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
History of the Church.
BY DR. EDWARD LOOMIS.
[The original settlers of this town were professedly pious people and we naturally infer that they would not be long without the means of grace. Accordingly, it is found that even before the organization of the church, the preaching of the gospel had been established. The Rev. Mr. Bingham is represented as the first preacher who devoted his efforts to the white population on this ground. He was followed by the Rev. William Bradford, whose labors resulted in the organization of this church. Probably they were both sent out by the Connecticut Missionary Society. The original book of records shows that the society for the maintenance of the ordinances of the gospel was organized by the adop- tion of a solemn covenant, involving pecuniary liabilities, on the 5th of September, 1791. This covenant was subscribed by fifty-five names. On the 28th of January, 1792, the so- ciety met for the election of trustees, which resulted in the choice of Josiah Stillman, Isaac Jones, John Blair, Stephen Brigham, Samuel Collins, Silas Phelps and George Langford. On the 17th of January, 1793, this constitutional covenant was annulled and a new one adopted in its place. This new covenant was subscribed by eighty-one names, among which is the name of Simeon Fillmore, an uncle of the president of the United States. It is said also that his brother, the father of the president, was residing here at the time as a hired man in the employ of Esq. Parkman. ]
It was currently reported among the early settlers of the town that the name Westmoreland was adopted as a compli- ment to General Washington, whose home was in West- moreland Co., Va., and who, with Governor George Clinton, owned large tracts of land in the town, on one of which a part of the village of Hampton is located. This town is geographically the central town in the county. The large majority of the early settlers of the town were from Massa- chusetts and Connecticut, and consequently of fixed and
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WESTMORELAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
high religious principles, and of healthy and vigorous con- stitutions, as was also evident from the fact that, notwith- standing the hardships consequent upon the settlement of a new, heavy timbered country, of twenty persons who moved in during the first five years all but one lived to be more than seventy-six years old. Some lived to be eighty-one; several of them more than ninety; and one to be one hun- dred and one. The writer remembers well, when a boy, being carried more than four miles by his father to see the latter during the last year of his life.
There were a number of revolutionary soldiers in the town, and they were generally among the most active and re- spected citizens, as was demonstrated through the action of the first pension law, which gave pensions only to poor and needy soldiers, and of the whole number in town only one received a pension, and he was an excommunicated member of the Congregational Church on the ground of intemper- ance, which at the same time brought him within reach of this strange law.
One of these old soldiers who had served during the war told me that the handsomest sight he ever witnessed was when he saw General Burgoyne surrender his sword.
Judge Deane was the first settler in town, which settle- ment occurred in 1736. He was of New England birth, and was destined by his parents for missionary work among the Indians; and to this end was early in life adopted by an Indian woman of the Oneida tribe, and had his education in this connection, and learned to talk their language perfect- ly.
Under these circumstances he was appointed by the gov- ernment, early in the Revolutionary War, with the rank of Major, to act among the Indians, where he performed im- portant duties in the interest of both parties.
At the end of the war the Indians, with the approval of the Government, proposed to make him a present of two miles square of land, to locate which he went first to the border of Wood Creek, but the land proved low and wet and he was not satisfied; the Indians told him to go down
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WESTMORELAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Wood Creek until he came to the Mohawk, and then go down the Mohawk until he came to Oriskany (Nettle Creek); then up Oriskany until he came to what is now called Deane's Creek; then up Deane's Creek until he came to the high falls; there find good land. This brought him to Westmoreland, and here he became the owner of what was called Deane's Patent.
He became an active and prominent citizen, holding im- portant positions, both in town and county, and was early an active member of the Congregational Church. I well re- member, when a lad, sitting in the old square pews of the church, of having a great admiration for him when on Sun. day mornings I used to see him walk into church. He is among the first settlers who have descendants yet living in town.
On the 20th day of September, 1792, probably at the house of Deacon Nathaniel Townsend, fifteen persons, with the first Deacon Halbert at their head, after adopting and signing a covenant and confession of faith and the Congre- gational rules of church government, were pronounced by the Rev. William Bradford (probably a missionary) "a church of Christ," under the name of the First Congrega- tional Church of Westmoreland. Three days after the num- ber was increased by the addition of fifteen more names.
This was six years before the County of Oneida was or- ganized, and several months previous to the organization of the town of Westmoreland, being the fourth church organ- ized in the county. There was no other church in this town except a class of Methodist Episcopals which was formed about 1796, until March 17, 1803, when a Baptist Church was organized at Lairdsville, which has long since become extinct.
It is not difficult for any one familiar with the early set- tlers of this town to realize upon reading the list of names of those who at this day lifted the banner of the cross and rallied around it, that they contributed largely to the ele- ment that moulded the high moral character of the people,
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a blessing which few present have not part in. And who can contemplate this sturdy earnestness except with feelings of inexpressible thankfulness?
On the 19th of October, 1792, Thomas Halbert was chosen moderator, Nehemiah Jones, scribe, and at the same meet- ing they, with Alexander Parkman, were chosen a commit- tee to have charge of the meetings on the Sabbath.
On May 2nd, 1793, it was voted to give William Joel Bradley a call to settle in the orders of the Gospel, if after conversation there was an agreement of sentiment.
At a council, duly called, consisting of Rev. Elders Ame R. Robbins, Samuel Kirkland and Dan Bradley, with delegates from the churches at Clinton, Paris and Whitestown, who had previously examined Mr. Bradley at the house of Deacon Nathaniel Townsend, on the 17th day of July, 1793, the Rev. William J. Bradley was solemnly ordained by prayer and the imposition of hands, and the pastoral charge of the church and society in Westmoreland committed to him.
On the 2nd day of April, 1800, Mr. Bradley, having pre- viously tendered his resignation as pastor of the church, on the ground of embarrassments growing out of the agitation of the question of a site for a church building in contem- plation, was by a council mutually called, and with the re- luctant consent of the church, discharged.
During this period of seven years, although they had no place for public worship except in private houses and in different parts of the town, yet it is apparent that there was a quiet, yet steady growth. On the 10th day of October, 1793, Thomas Halbert and Nathaniel Townsend were elect- ed deacons. During this time Mr. Bradley had buried his wife and for quite a period was a lay member of the church.
In January, 1800, there was an association formed of the Congregational Churches of Oneida County, with which this church united by special vote in the April following. This relation continued until April, 1819, at which time it united with the Oneida Presbytery, on the plan adopted by the
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WESTMORELAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
General Assembly and the Association of Connecticut. This plan made it the duty of the church to elect a standing committee of government, leaving each member to decide whether they would be amenable to the committee or the church. This caused a large amount of confusion and dif- ficulty and the church, at its own request, was dismissed in June, 1839, and has remained to the present an independent Congregational body.
Various expedients were resorted to to settle the question of the location of the church building; all failing, each party at about the same time proceeded to build, but the church providentially harmonizing so as to alternate the meetings between the churches; in 1803 the difficulty was adjusted by the sale of the south church to the Methodists, the avails being used in finishing the Hampton Church.
This church was built near the centre of the village green, without porch or steeple. It had doors opening on both sides, with broad aisles crossing in the body of the church, dividing the square pews into blocks. These pews had seats on three sides, with a door on the fourth opening into the aisle, and were sold at private sale to individuals and permanent written titles given, which became the cause of serious difficulty on change in the style of seats. There were high galleries on the sides, with a high pulpit on one end; the choir in the gallery opposite, led by the wide- awake choristers, and kept in harmony by the ever present tuning fork. The congregation stood in prayer, also in singing, turning their faces to the choir, a custom always confusing and awkward; a custom however which the Rev. Mr. Spencer failed to correct by a sermon preached in his day entitled, "Little Things."
Probably about 1820 the church was removed to where it now stands, and the porch, steeple and bell added. Since that time it has undergone two important repairs, bringing it to its now very pleasant condition. There was never any attempt to warm the house until the time of the first of these repairs, and then by a single wood stove, called a Russian stove, which always seemed to be appropriately named, provided
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it was expected to bring the Russian climate with it. Four years after the dismissal of Mr. Bradley, years cer- tainly of fair prosperity, there being preaching most of the time by temporary supplies, they gave Rev. James Eells, from Connecticut, a unanimous call, and he was ordained pastor by a council duly called on the 12th day of July, 1804, and remained as such until 1825, full twenty-one years. A funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. L. A. Sawyer, then pastor of the church, and resolutions on the report of his death, Jan. 14, 1856. Two of his sons became ministers of the Gospel. John Bears was elected deacon during his ministry; the date is not given. Mr. Eells was not especial- ly noted for pulpit eloquence, but for pulpit ideas he was. He was a true-hearted, faithful man, with one controlling rule of action in his public life, and that was to truly fulfill his pastoral duties. His ministry existed through all my boyhood. and, although he lived two miles from my home, we had few neighbors more familiar at our house than he was, and boy as I was, I formed a veneration and respect for him that has never been exceeded in all my minister- ial acquaintances. He used to drill the four boys of us in the family in the catechism.
He was of course a Calvinist, as was demonstrated in the funeral sermon he preached to a large congregation, and which I well remember listening to, on the occasion of the tragic death of John Parkman, from the text found in I Kings 22-34, "And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the King of Israel between the joints of the harness." It was a general remark that young Smith would hardly need any better defence.
During his ministry, Feb. 25, 1818, under the joint super- vision of William Newcomb and Reuben Bettes, there was a a Sabbath School formed, but it would not seem to have been formally under the direction of the church until 1834, when, by the agency of a special committee, it was duly organized by the appointment of Rufus Pratt superin- tendent, with a board of managers. Up to this time the exercises of the school consisted in the hearing of recita-
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tions of portions of the Scripture committed to memory. The school has been a valuable agency in the church from that day to this, and is now thoroughly organized with James Bell its last superintendent.
Probably rather late in Mr. Eells' ministry there was a very strong total abstinence pledge adopted by the church, from the use of ardent spirits, and made a part of its cove- nant. This fact suggests some very interesting thoughts upon this question. Up to about this time of the common and free use of intoxicating drinks, anything short of down- right and habitual intoxication was not regarded as an im- morality, and the church was not an exception to this rule. At that day it was not an uncommon thing for members of the church to own and keep hotels, selling liquors there, and at other places of business, whilst to-day there are few churches in the land that anyone can sustain a fair standing in who even drinks liquor, however moderately. What a change! Let us thank God, and take courage.
The first contribution of the church to foreign missions was made on the 20th day of June, 1820. It was twenty-one dollars. To-day its Sabbath School will do better than that every year. But the church generally was asleep upon this great question.
In those days we used to call our ministers priests. It was Priest Eells, Priest Gillett, noted for his short sermons, Priest Froast, noted for his able sermons, Priest Weeks, noted for his Calvinistic sermons, and Priest Brainard, noted for his singing sermons, constituting a large part of a circle of ministers we used to hear more or less every year.
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