USA > New York > Greene County > Maplecrest > A Presbyterian Church journal (with index), December 10, 1822-February 6, 1853 : including baptisms, deaths of Big Hollow (Maplecrest), New York > Part 3
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was appointed to attend meeting of synod at Troy 2d Tuesday Oct. Samuel Bagley alternate Closed With prayer. L. Hitchcock Clk
Nov. 4th 1836 session convened at the meeting house present all the Elders opened with prayer. Chloe Atwater and Lydia the wife of Edmond Avery presented themselves before Session for examination as to their Views and feelinge upon religion with a view of uniting with the church. Their examination was sustained by the Session. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitchcock Olk.
Deo, 15th 1836 Session net at the meeting house present L. Hitchoock Z Hitohoock, H. R. Avery, S. Bagley, S. Atwater. Absent Samuel Chapman. Opened with prayer. Isaac Hull, James Brown and Havilla Winchell, presented themselves before Session for examination. They related their experience and their examination was sustained.by the Session. Closed with prayer. + L. Hitchcock Clk.
February 12, 1837 At the call of the Moderator Session met in the parsonage present L. Hitchcock, Z. Hitchookk S. Bagley Saml Chapman absent Samuel Atwater, H. R. Avery. Opened with prayer, Mr. Jehial Winchell a member of the Chh who had for some time been suspended from Chh. privileges appeared before Session and confessed that he had done wrong in saying and doing many things relative to diofioulties with his brother Ephraim and that he had done wrong in not confessing his falta before. Closed with prayer, - Lemuel Hitchcock, Clk
April 8th 1837 Session met at the parsonage present Lemuel Hitchcock, Samuel Bagley Absent Zalmon Hitchcook Samuel Chapman Samuel Atwater Harry R. Avery Opened with prayer appointed Harry R. Avery to attend meeting of presbytery at Catskill 3d Tuesday in April instant. Lemuel
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Hitchcock was appointed his alternate. Closed with prayer. - Lemuel Hitchoook Clx
Thus far examined and approved with the following exceptions 1. That a letter was granted without speci- fying the church to which the member intended to remove. 2. That the attendance of the moderator at many of the meetings of Spr, is not mentioned - Session of Presby- tery at Catskill April 19th, 1837 - John N. Lewis Moderator of Presbytery
Session met in the parsonage agregably to appointment July 14th 1837 present moderator, I. Hitohoook, Z. Hitohoock, S. Bagley, H. R. Avery, absent S. Chapman & S. Atwater. Sarah tho wife of Nathan Chamberlain requested a letter of dismission from thia Chh and recommendation to the presbterian Ohh, at Malden Session granted her request. Adjourned to meet July 22đ - L. Hitchcock 01k
July 22d 1837 Session met agreeably to adjournment present the Moderator, L. Hitohoook, H. R. Avery, S. Bagley, S. Chapman, absent Z. Hitchcock & S. At- water opened with prayer. The cases of Ralf Coe and Luther Ford and Oyatha his wife members of the Chh were brought before session respecting their leaving our meeting and uniting with the methodist Chh and also denying some of the Doctrines they once professed to believe, after some conversation upon the subject, on motion a vote was taken and carried to postpone all further proceedings upon the subject until we should have the advise of presbytery. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitchcock 01k.
August 6th 1837 £ Session met in the upper school house present the Mod. and all the Elders opened with prayer. Samantha the wife of Myron Merchant came forward and related to session her religious experience with a view of uniting with the Chh. the session were so situated
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that all of them did not distinctly hear so that no decission was made upon her case at that time. Session proposed to those who did not hear to converse with her upon the subject. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitch- cock.
Sept. 12th 1837 Session met at the upper school house present the Mod. Elders L. Hitchcock, Z. Hitchcock, S. Chapman, S. Atwater, S. Bagley absent H. R. Avery opened with prayer L. Hitchcock was appointed to attend meeting at Synod at Sohnectady S. Bagley al- ternate and H. R. Avery was appointed to attend meeting of presbytery at Cairo 3d Tuesday Sept. Zalmon Hitch- cook alternate. Samuel Law appeared before Session and confessed what he had done wrong in speaking slanderous words against the Ohh. and in saying he would never go into the meetinghouse again Session voted to accept his confession. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitchcock Clk.
Dec. 3d 1837 Session mot at upper school house present mod. L. Hitchcock, Z. Hitohoook, S. Bagley, S. Atwater, absent H. R. Avery and S. Chapman opened with prayer. Mrs. Samantha Merchant who had before been examined was now received by vote of session. The cases of Luther Ford and his wife and Ralf Coe which were refered to presbytery for advise to know what to do. They having left our meeting and united with the methodist Chh, and also deny some of the doctrines they once assented to. Session thought best at the time to abide by the advise of presbytery which was that session should say that they have irregularly withdrawn from the Church. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitohook Clk.
Session met in the parsonage agreeably to appointment Feb. 19th 1838 present the Mod. and all the Elders opened with prayer. The Moderator stated to session that the object of the meeting was to ascertain what should be done in regard to the different offenses of
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which common fame acoused the mebbers of the church viz. Jehiel Winchell of intoxication, Seth Peok of gambling and Lewis Baldwin of taking the divine name in vain. After having the statement of the Koderator session appointed Samuel Chapman a committee to as- certain what testimony if any can be obtained in reference to the case of Mr. Winchel and Harry R. Avery to ascertain what testimony can be obtained if any in respect to the case of Mr. Peck. 1
Am Mr. Baldwin was expecting soon to remove to the west it was deemed expedient that a committee should be appointed to visit him. Zalmon Hitchcock was appointed that committee. Closed with prayer. - L. H. 01k 1
At the request of Mr. Baldwin session was called to- gether and they met in the parsonage Feb. 23rd at 4 0, clook P.M. present the Mod, and all the elders opened with prayer, The committee appointed to visit Mr. Baldwin reported that Mr. Baldwin did not admit the offence of which it was said common fame acoused him, and requested thet Session should proceed to adduce testimony if there was any to prove that he hadtaken the name of God in vain. The report was accepted and Mr. Chapman and Mr. Bagley were appointed committees to ascertain what testimony if any could be obtained in reference to the case of Mr. Baldwin. - At the request of Mr. Baldwin session adjourned to meet in the parsonage at one Oolook P.M. F 26th 1838. Closed with prayer - L. Hitchcook 01k
Session met Feb. 26th 1838 at one Oolook P.M. in the parsonage agresably to adjournment present the Mod. and all the elders opened with prayer. Mr. Baldwin appeared before Session and was questioned by the Mod. whether he plead guilty he said not guilty. Mr. Horris Bagley was then called upon and qualified and
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testified that on the last of may or the first of June 1837 as he was coming home from work he heard Mr. Baldwin say under apparent irritation that Mr. Hough charged him too much for a daye work, he said by God he would let him know if he was a boy he would do as much as a man Mr. Bagley says I have been in his company and heard him use profane language suoh as devil- Mr. Nelson Avery was next called upon and qualified and testified that on the last of June or the first of July 1837 heard Mr. Baldwin say God dem or God darn it, it was in consequence of a tree falling differntly from which they expected, At other times I heard him say devil and little curse. Mr. Baldwin Q, ion you state any particular time when you hearx me speak those bad words, witness A. in the sap bush working for your father I heard you say little devil. Mr. Wm. Drace was then called upon and qualified and testified that Mr. Baldwin and I were peeling bark together and the tree we were cuting fell in a different direction from which we expected onto a pile of bark and I heard Mr. Baldwin say damn the infernal tree into eternity it is enough to make a minister swear. Mod. asked Mr. Baldwin if he had any witness A. not any. Mr. Baldwin retires. Mr. Bagley was first called upon to say whether the charge be sustained Answer, in my opinion it is. Mr. Chapman says I agree with Mr. Bagley Mr. H. R. Avery declines giving his opinion. Mr. Atwater is excused from giveing his opinion. Mr. Z. Hitchcock thinks the charge is sustained. L. Hitchcock thinks the charge sustained. The Moderator declares the charge against Mr. Baldwin for taking the name of the Divine Boing in vain, sustained. Session then suspended Mr. Baldwin to give him time for repentance. Mr. Baldwin was then called in and was asked by the Moderator if he acknowledged the crime proved against him. Answer
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I do not, The Moderator then declares Mr. Baldwin suspended from the communion of the church meeting. The Moderater announced to him that the charge was sueteinedi closed with prayer by the Moderator. - L. H&tohoook 01k . . ..
At the call of the mod. session mot in the upper wohoolhouns March 28th 1838 prosent the Koderetor and all the elders opened with prayer Session appointed Hurry R. Avery to attend meeting of Pres- bytery at Hudson 3d Tuesday in April and Zelmon Hitohoock alternato. Closed with prayor. - L. Hitohoook 01k -
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At the call of the Moderator sqssion met in the parsonuse April 9th 1838 prosent the Wod, and all the elders opened with prayer. Ax. Avery the ocumittee appointed to ascertain what evidence if any could be adduced in the case of Mr. Pack ro- ported that from the best information he could obtain there is not testimony sufficient to pub- atantiato the charge of which common fame aooused bin. Session accepted the report, It was voted to appropriate two dollars to the commissionore fund. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitchcock Clk
At the call of the Mod. Semmion met in the par- sonage April 27, 1836 prosent tho Mod. olders L. Bitoboook, B. Bagley, H. R. Avory, Z litohoook, S. Atwater absent S. Chapman opened with prayer. The Mod otated to pousion that the object of the meeting was to ascertain what should be done in regard to the offence of which common fame sooneed Mr. Edmond Avory & Rachel his wife Vis drinking to Session appointed Samuel Bagley and Lomuel Hitchoook a committee to ascertain what evidence oan
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be obtained in respect to the acoused.
Mr. Atwater was appointed a committee to 08- certain what evidence can be obtained in regard to Mr. Jehiel Winchello oase, Mr. Zalmon Hitchcook was appointed to serve a citation upon Mr. Luther Pord to appear before session to answer for donying some of the articles of faith at the time and place specified in the oitation. The Mod. was authorized by session to isque the citation. Session adjourned to meet at the meeting house May 11th at 3 0.0. P.M. - Closed with prayer - L. Hi tohoook
May 11th 1838 Session convened in the meeting house agreeably to adjournmant. Procent I, Hitohoook, %. Hitchoook, H. H. Avery, S. Chapman absent S. Daglay, S. Atwater, opened with prayer. Nr. Ford appeared before session agreeably to the citation. The Mod, mentioned to Ur. Ford the noousation contained in the oitation and anquired whether he acknowledged himself guilty he ropliod not guilty. Then at the request of r. Ford and the Church articles of faith were road and exceptions were made to the 8th 9th and 10th articles by #r. Ford as not according to his belier, again at the request of Mr. Ford it was motioned and carried that Mr. Ford should have liberty to prepare three articles which should embrace his views upon the 8th 0th & 10th articles. Adjourned to moot at 4 :00. P.M. 25th May 1838 Closed with prayer. - L, Hitohoook 01k.
May 25th 1838 Session mot at the meeting house agreeably to adjournmont tho Mod, God all the elders were present. opened with prayer. The minutes of the last meeting wore rond and approved theno members of session who wore absent at the last meeting were called to an account and oxoused, The committee appointed to ascertain
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what evidence could be obtained in the case of Mr. & Mrs. Avery reported and their report was accepted. Mr. Samuel Chapman was appointed to serve a citation upon Mr. Edmond Avery and Rachel his wife to appear before Session to answer for offences of which common fame accused them. Resolved that the following paper be presented to session by Luther Ford purporting to contain an expression of his views of the 4th 8th 9th and 10th articles of the confession of faith of this ohuroh, recorded on page# 84,85 86 and 87 also on file with the Clerk- ie in the opinion of the session not only contrary to those articles but appears to have been designed to oast contempt upon them. Session
appointed Mr. S. Bagley a committee to inform Mr. Ford what the session had done and also to inform Mr. Pord that there was still an opportunity for him to come before session and give christian satisfaction. Adjourned to meet at the meetinghouse June 5th at 5 0C. P.M. Olosed with prayer. - L+ Hitohoook Clk.
Session met in the meetinghouse agreeably to adjournment June 5th 5 0C P.M. present the Mod. and all the elders except Mr, Atwater. Mr. Edmond Avery appeared before session but denied the charge with which common feme aooused him. Mr. Bagley who was appointed to visit Mr. Ford and road to him the following papers reported that he had done his duty. Mr. Ford, from the view which the session entertain of the paper bearing your signature, they are under the necessity of informing you that they understand it to contain a denial of the 4th 8th 9th & 10th articles of our confession of faith and as appearing to be designed to cast contompt upon them and that unless you come forward at the next meeting of session to be held in the meetinghouse on the 5th day of June at 5 OC P.M. and make christian satisfaction
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session will feel under obligation to proceed to excommunication. By order of the session - Alfred Gardner Lod.
(On Fourth Article- Mr. Ford:)
That God created all things visable and invisable and is the ruler of the Heaven and of the earth ie true; and after making man gave him ability to obey his commande and to keep the Law given him, and commanded him to love him to keep the Sabbath to do no murder not to steel nor commit adultery, Now be- cause mankind do not love him nor regard the sabbath and murder and steel shall we say that it is according to the eternal plan of God that man should do these things and that he was moved upon or governed by an irresistable impulse to do them where then is the moral agenoy or accountability of man. Jeremiah 7th 31st The 8th article I believe to embrace the doctrine of unconditional election which in my opinion is contrary to the word of God and too much advances towards Universalism. Eleoted or saved from Eternity they of course must have been the righteous, and Christ says he came not to call the righteous but siners to repentance I believe instead of 8th article He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and ho that believeth not shall be damned Mark 16th 16th The ninth artiolo too much builds up the 8th that the eleot seed said to have been given to Christ from Eternity although unwilling shall be made willing by a special favor or impulse which others do not have and of course are either left to themselves or to welter out a long Eternity under the wrath of God. For what? because they never had the special call- God is no respecter of persone but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him. Acte 10th 34.35 The 10th article is
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insoporably connected with the 8th and 9th and in my opinion is in one instance contrary to the word of God that the new birth according to the article preceeds repontance and faith which renders the punished sinner excusable and casts the blame on God that they could not repent and believe as they wero commanded without being regenerated and this favor confered upon none but the elect from Eternity. Christ deys yo would not como unto me that ye might hove life He does not say ye could not which evidently would be the case without the special call were the articles true. For the infallible connection between the change and Eternal Salvation see Ezekiel 18th 26th. In closing these remarks I would say I believe none can como unto Christ except the Father draw him and Christ says and I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw men unto me, and he evidently has been liftod up, as the serpent was in the wilderness that woosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. And all have felt the drawings of the spirit, the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, and we all have been irresistably con- vinced of sin and that we must be born of the spirit or novor onter the Kingdom of Heaven but this is not rogeneration as many do have it, if it is and there is an infallible connection between it and eternal salvation then all will be saved. We may be irresistably convinsed but not convorted irresistibly but while we are under the convincing power of God if wo will yiold to be saved bygrace we may fool his converting power. But to
believe that God commands the whole human family to repent, and except they do they shall all perish and at the same time has a descroctive will that some of they should not repent casts a stigma upon the character of Jehovah and which I will four will awfully alarm those that advocate it in the Eternal world. For 10th article
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and the whole if our Goopel is hid it is to them that are lost whom the god of this world hath blinded, the eyes of them that seornot lost the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto thom 24 Cor 4th 3d 4th With these remarks I leave the event with God feeling no condemnation for endeavuring to embrace the truth and to build upon the Rock Christ Jeaus and on no other foundation. And if our hearts condemn us not, then have wo confidence toward God and peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Farewell may the lord be with you.
signed Luther Ford )
Mr. Ford did not appear before session nor give any satisfaction, Session therefore received that Luther Ford be and hereby is excommunicated. Resolved that the moderator publish the excommunication of Mr. Ford the last sabbath in June, Mr. Samuel Chapman was appointed to serve a second citation on Mre. Avery. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitchcock, Clk.
At the call of the Mod. session met at the parsonage June 24th 1838 present Mod, and elders L. Hitchcock, S. Bagloy, Z. Hitchoook, S. Chapman, H. R. Avery, Absent S. Atwater oponed with prayer, Por want of testimony in the case of Wir. Edmond Avery and wife session resolved that the Nod. should publish what they had done and their failure in their efforts to obtain evidence to substantiate the charge of which common fame had accused thez, Adjourned to meet at Thomas Hitchcooks house Friday 29th June at 4 O.C.P .!!. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitohoook Clk
June 29th cession mot at the house of Thomas Ilitohoook - ageecably to adjournmont present the Kod, and Elders Z Hitchcock, S. Atwater S. Chapman, S. Bagley absent
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L. Hitchcock and H. R. Avery opened with prayer, and B. examined Lemuel/Hitchcock on dootrinal and experimental religion and also in regard to his motives in desireing to become connected with this Church. His examination was sustained. They also received Thomas Hitchcock and Ann his wife also Jason Hitchcock and Eunice Hitchcock on examination and by letter of recommendation from the first presbyterian church in Durham. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitchcock Clk
September 3d 1838 session met in the upper schoolhouse present Mod and elders L. Hitohcook, H. R. Avery, S. Atwater, S. Bagley absent S. Chapman and Z. Hitchcock opened with prayer Session appointed Zalmon Hitchoook to attend meeting of presbytery at Malden 3d Tuesday in September and Lemuel Hitchcock his alternate. Closed with prayer. - L. Hitchcock Cik
February 18th 1839 session met at the house of Theron Hough present the Mod elders Samuel Bagley and zalmon Hitchcock absent L. Hitchcock, S. Chapman, S. Atwater and H. R. Avery opened with prayer. Examined Mary Hough on dootrinal and experimental religion and also. in regard to her motives in desireing to become con- nected with the Church her examination was sustained. Closed with prayer, - L. Hitchcock clk
March 4th session met at the upper schoolhouse present the Mod Elders L. Hitchcook, $. Bagley, H. R. Avery, S. Atwater, absent Z. Hitohoook, S. Chapman opened with prayer. appointed Samuel Bagley to attend meeting of presbytery at Catskill 3d Tuesday in April and H. R. Avery alternate. Closed with prayer - L. Hitchcock Clk.
(This far examined and approved with the exception of the proceedings of Session in excommunicating Luther Ford £ Session of Presbytery at Catskill April 18th 1839 B. Johnson Md.)
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The session met agreeably to adjournment at the house of Mr. Monger April 5th 1839 at 5.0.Clock P.M. and was opened with prayer. The Moderator, and eldere, excepting dr. Atwater, and ir. Begley, were present. The Moderator read to Session a letter from Lewis Baldwin in which Mr. Baldwin requested a letter of dismission and recommendation for himself & wife. As Mr. baldwin is under suspension, and as his lettor contains no evidence of repentance, session resolved that his request be not granted. Session authorized the moderator to write to Mr. Baldwin and inform him of the reasons that his request could not be granted. Resolved, that the request of Mro, Baldwin be granted, as soon as she shall herself signify her desire to bo dismissed from this church and recommended to some Presbyterian Church which she shall designato, Cloned with prayer - Lemuol Bitchoook Clk
Session met at the call of the Moderator, in the house of the Paster August 4th 1839 at 12 0CLook P.M. and was opened with prayer. Procent the Moderator and all the elders. Jousion appointed Lomuol Hitchcock to attend the meeting of Presbytery to be held in Stockport August 13, 1839 Closed with prayer. - Lomuol Hitohoook Clk
Session mot in the upper schoolhouse Sopt 3d 1839 at 6 OClock F.M: agregably to the call of the Moderator and was opened with prayer. Fremont the Moderator and the eldere, excepting "r. Avery, Mr. Chapman. Lemuel Hitchoook was appointed to attend the mooti of synod to be held in Albany Oot 2, 1839 closed with prayor - Lomuol Hitohoook 01k
Session met at the house of the Moderator agreeably to his oall Nov. 8th 1839, at 7 OClook P.M. and was opened with prayer. Elders presenti Lomuol Hitchoook, H. R. Avery, S. Bagley, Aboont S. Chapman, S. Atwater and Z. Hitchoook. Mrs. Sarah Chamberlin a Kro. Ann
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Bagley presented to Session lotters of dismission & recommendation, the former from the Presbyterian Church of Malden and the latter from the Presbyterian Church in Catskill. After hearing the letters and examining thom on experimental religion, Session sustained their examination, and voted to receive them as members of this church. Closed with prayer. - Lemuel Hitchcock olk
Session met at the house of the Moderator, Feb. 16th 1840 at 12¿ OClock, P.M. and was opened with prayer. Mr. Orin Peck, presented to Session a letter of dis- mission & recommendation from the church in Lexington. After hearing the letter and examining Mr. Peok on doctrinal and experimental religion, Session sustained the examination and voted to receive him as a member of this church. All the elders with the Moderator were present. Closed with prayer. - Lemuel Hitchoook Clk
Session met in the U. schoolhouse April 6th at 6 OClock P.M. agreeably to the call of the Moderator, and was opened with prayer. Present the Moderator and all the elders, excepting Mr. Atwater and Mr. Chapman, II. R. Avery was appointed to attend the meeting of Presbytery to be held at Stockport April 21st 1840 and S. Atwater was appointed his substitute. Closed with prayer, - Lemuel Hitchcock Clk
(Thus far examined and approved Session of Pres- bytery at Stockport April 21, 1840 Thus far examined & approved William James Mod. )
Mr. Orin Peck having been elected by the church at a meeting held in the meeting house on the Friday pre- ceding the first Sabbath in May 1840 to the office of Ruling Elder was ordained to said office on that Sabbath. The name was accordingly enrolled among the members of session at its next meeting. - Lemuel Hitch- cook Clk
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August 20th 1840 Sespion mot at the house of the pastor agreeably to a call of the Mod, precont tho Mod, all the elders opened with prayer. Mr. Orin Peek a ruling Elder was appointed to attend meeting of presbytery at big hollow 3 Tuesday Sept 1840. Closed with prayer - L. Hitchcock Clk
After the services of the sabbath Oct 6th 1840 session appointed Mr. Orin Feck to attend meeting of Synod at Troy 3d Tuesday 0o.
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