USA > New York > Chenango County > Norwich > History and manual of the First Congregational Church, Norwich, N.Y. > Part 2
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Twenty-one passed satisfactorily, and one or two were rejected. ra hose accepted were the following : Tracy Ensworth, Sen., and Eliz- oneth, his wife; John Ambler and Ruth, his wife; Joseph Kelso and el sther, his wife; Elijah Chamberlin; Levi Ray, Sen .. and Tryphena, s wife; Joseph S. Fenton and Sarah T. Brush, his wife; Truman ernos and Linda Trall, his wife; Prudence, wife of Josiah Dickinson; d lizabeth, wife of Abraham Snow; Bridget, wife of Ephraim Wells; ng annah Snow, wife of John Randall; Adocia, wife of Judge Elisha B. nc nith; Phebe, wife of a Mr. Brewer; Betsey Miller; and Polly Brisbee, terwards the wife of Friend Thrall, and Frederick Hopkins, Sen. : so ven males and fourteen females. The greater part lived in the vil-
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lage, but some on Great Brook, in New Berlin, and some in Presto
A his They are all dead now. Father Enos -- the first and the last-di Tuesday, May 11, 1869, aged nearly ninety years.
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CHAPTER V.
FIRST ARTICLES OF FAITH AND COVENANT.
The Church was organized as "The First Congregational Church Norwich, N. Y." Articles of Faith and a Covenant were adopte bis and were as follows:
ART. 1. Do you believe that there is one, and but one God, in thr persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost?
ART. 2. Do you believe that God for his own glory hath foreo for dained whatsoever comes to pass, and performs all things in a mann which is perfectly consistent with the free moral agency of his cre. tures?
ART. 3. Do you believe that the Scriptures of the Old and Ne; Testament are given by the inspiration of God, and contain a perfeche rule of faith and practice?
ART. 4. Do you believe that man was created in the image of Godsh which consisted in holiness, and that he was placed under a law whic was holy, just and good, requiring perfect obedience thereunto?
ART. 5. Do you believe that by transgression man fell from orig.to nal rectitude, and became exposed, himself and all his posterity, thh the wrath of God, and are by nature enemies to God in all their vol tions and deeds?
ART. 6. Do you believe that from the ages of eternity, God provid ed a Saviour for lost man, and by the union of the human and divin natures in the second person of the Trinity he became qualified as Me diator, and that by his sufferings and death he hath opened a way fo the honorable exhibition of mercy toward sinners of mankind?
ART. 7. Do you believe that God from the ages of eternity elected some of the human family to eternal life, and that the elect, and they only, will be renewed by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit, and accept of offered mercy?
ART. 8. Do you believe that they who are regenerated are justified through faith in Christ, and that they as well as all other rational crea tures are under obligation to obey the law as a perfect rule of righteous ness?
ART. 9. Do you believe that the regenerate do not in this life whol ly cease from sin, yet according to divine promise will persevere ir holiness unto eternal life?
ART. 10. Do you believe that a strict observance of the first day of the week as a holy Sabbath is binding on all men who live under the light of the Gospel?
ART. 11. Do you believe that those who give visible evidence of faith in Christ, and unite in covenant, constitute a particular Church, and that real holiness is a necessary qualification for ('hristian commu- nion?
ART. 12. Do you believe that Christ hath instituted two sacraments for the use and benefit of his Church, viz: Baptism and the Lord's Supper-the former to be set as a seal on all believers and their house- holds, and the latter to be received by those who give evidence of a change of heart and are cordially received into fellowship by the Church?
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ART. 13. Do you believe that Christ hath instituted discipline in is Church, according to Matthew 18, and that every Church has a ight to discipline its members?
ART. 14. Do you believe that God hath appointed a day in which e will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, who shall ap- ear in the clouds of heaven, raise the dead, pass sentence on the hu- han race, doom the wicked to endless punishment, and receive the ghteous to life eternal?
Do you thus believe?
COVENANT.
Sensible of your dependence on God, and your infinite obligation to is glory, do you now, in the presence of the dread majesty of heaven nd earth, the Searcher of all hearts, and in view of angels and men, lemnly covenant to be the Lord's? do you avouch Jehovah, Father, on and Holy Ghost, to be your God, Redeemer and Sanctifier?
Do you freely give yourself and your all to God, and take his word r your only rule of faith and practice?
Do you solemnly engage, divine Grace assisting, to lead a life of pie- towards God and uprightness towards men ?
Do you promise daily to maintain family and closet prayer, to re ember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, and attend on the stated ad- inistrations of the Word and ordinances administered in this Church hile you continue to be one of its members?
Do you engage to dedicate your household to God in the ordinance Baptism, and use your endeavors to restrain those committed to bur care from Balls and other places of sinful amusement, and train hem up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? ("From Balls and other," &c., was afterwards changed to " from all sinful practi- es.")
Do you also covenant as members of this Church, to watch over one other in love, to be tender of each other's characters, kindly to ad- onish and receive admonition, and restore in the spirit of meekness ose who may have gone astray and given evidence of repentance?
Do you engage to use your endeavors to maintain Gospel discipline this Church, to support the Gospel ministry, and encourage and omote in all places and in all proper ways the preaching of the doc- ines contained in the Articles of Faith adopted by this Church, and I doctrines, duties and precepts of the Divine Word?
Do you thus solemnly promise and covenant to live and to walk, de- nding on the triune God for strength and grace to comfort and guide ou into all truth?
The Church on their part, &c .*
May God make you falthful in this world, and eventually receive bu with all the redeemed to himself in glory.
On the organization of the Church, Elijah Chamberlin and Tracy hsworth, Sen., were chosen its first Deacons.
Elder Hascall was living in the village at this time, and was very uch opposed to the formation of this Church, doing all he could, and ying many hard things against it. How long he stayed after this is t known. He was one of the fifteen persons who were formed into e Baptist Church, August 18, 1814.
The Covenant on the part of the Church was not given in the old copy from which these icles were taken.
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CHAPTER VI.
FIRST EFFORTS TOWARD BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE.
About 1813, Rev. Jedediah Randall, generally known as "E Randall," came into the village of Norwich, and bought and occu the house, No. 66 Broad Street, the residence of the late Judge Cha York. The house had been built and used as a hotel by Silas C supposed to have been the third white person who came into the lage. (Clark's History.) Elder Randall organized the Baptist Chu of Norwich in the " ball room" of this house, Thursday, August 1814, and for a few years the Sabbath services at which he officia were held in this room, he making a free gift of this room and his vices, and entertainment to those who came from a distance. T side by side were the two Churches launched.
The Congregational Church had no settled pastor for three or f years. The Sunday services, at which Mr. Fenton or David Butto usually read a sermon-often one of Payson's-were generally hele the two-story Academy, which was torn down to make room for stone house, No. 286 Broad Street, corner Mitchell, now the reside of John Mitchell. Sometimes it was locked against them by a " li pesky teacher," thought to have been Noah Hubbard, who loved annoy them for their strong doctrines about the future state. '] weekly prayer meetings were held in the large kitchens of Mr. E or Mr. Fenton.
The Missionary Society of Connecticut, which, with other local cieties, became in 1826 the American Home Mission Society, for mu of the time during these years supplied the Church with preaching its missionaries. At such times the Sabbath services were held ger ally in the Court House, which was also used by the Baptist Churde The Records of the Missionary Society for that early time were 1 very carefully preserved, so it is impossible now to give the name every one who thus labored with the Church. Among them w Rev. Asa Messer, who stayed about nine months; Rev. William M. ams, who was the first regularly hired minister of this Church, but v only a licentiate at the time; Rev. Benjamin Bell; Rev. Norris Bu who came probably some time in 1819; Rev. Ezekiel J. Chapm: brother of Benjamin Chapman, of this village.
Although the Church was without a pastor, and few in numbers was strong in faith and good works. The untiring zeal of Mr. EI and Mr. Fenton, united with the prayers and labors of the little bo of Christians, soon began to tell on the community, and strong men 1 gan to bow to the Savior. The little band was soon increased such men as Nehemiah Shumway, David Buttolph, Jeduthan Hit cock, Abner W. Warner, and many others like them.
Monday, July 15, 1816, the Church met at the Court House and corporated " The First Congregational Society of Norwich, N. Y
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according to law, Truman Enos and Joseph Kelso presiding officers. Trustees elected were: Ephraim Wells and James Birdsall, 1st class; Truman Enos and Joseph S. Fenton, 2d class; Elijah Chamberlain and Joseph Kelso, 3d class; David Buttolph, Clerk. (Book Incorp. Relig. Socs.) This action was undoubtedly the initial step towards building a house of worship, and it was probably at this meeting, or one held very soon after, that, as Mr. Enos said, " Mr. Fenton and I were appointed building committee to raise the funds." He adds: "We scoured the whole township, taking money or produce of any kind-anything that man could give-and soon set the carpenters at work." (Mr. Sco- ille's paper on Mr. Enos.)
. Monday, August 12, 1816, " The Baptist Church and Society of Nor- wich " was incorporated at the Court House, Elder Jedediah Randall ind Elias Breed presiding officers. Trustees elected were: Hascall Ransford, Thompson Mead and Charles Randall, 1st class; Hezekiah Brown, Thomas Prentice and Elias Breed, 2d class; Isaac Slater, Lot Clark and Asa Norton, 3d class. (Book Incorp. Relig. Socs.)
Mr. Enos and Mr. Fenton were busy during the summer and fall [vith the subscription, and the work was begun. Joel Atkins was en- aged to draw the plans and superintend the work. In the first num- er of the "Norwich Journal," published Thursday, November 21, 816, was this advertisement, which was kept in until January 29, 817:
cal m ing " NOTICE .- The subscriber will receive, in the village of Norwich, ny time between this and the first day of February next, lumber of the following defcription, on subfcription for the Presbyterian Meet- ng houfe, to wit: clear ftuff boards, of one inch, and one inch and a genquarter thick, and the firft rate fhingles; well feasoned boards at twelve ollars per thoufand, green at ten dollars per thoufand-for fhingles, ne dollar and feventy-five cents per thoufand. All thofe who can de- iver the lumber immediately, are requefted fo to do.
" Norwich, Nov. 21, 1816. WILLIAM WAIT."
This William Wait was the father of Demon Wait, of this village, nd was a millwright and carpenter, who did much of the work in the rection of the Congregational Church. He also put up the frame of he first Baptist Church, which stood on the East Park, in front of the resent piano building. (Mrs. Elijah Lewis.) Dr. Harris says that osiah Dickinson assisted Mr. Wait on the Congregational Church. ome of the work was probably done during the winter.
The Baptist Church building was also commenced this year, and was nished in 1818, the year before the Congregational.
CHAPTER VII.
BUILDING AND DEDICATION OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. About the middle of December, 1816, the signs of a revival began to ppear. Rev. John Truair, pastor at Sherburne, came and labored
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several days with this Church. Dr. Hotchkin writes : "By the clo of the year, the work had become general, and was deep, rapid, ar irresistible. There was scarcely a thoughtless mind in the whole v ... lage. In a short time more than a hundred professed a hope in Chris All classes were subjects of the work; the old and the young; the rid and the poor; the learned and the ignorant; the lawyer, the farm and mechanic; all alike were made to bow to the sceptre of Immanuel In the month of June it is stated that more than sixty had united wit the Congregational Church." (H., ps. 127-8; F., p. 183.)
In the " Norwich Journal " of January 15, 1817, is this "local:"
" THE WORK OF GOD .- Within a few weeks past there has been great awakening in this place-the last Sabbath were baptized by E der Ferris (of the Baptist Church) 33, and a considerable number no stand propounded for admission to the Presbyterian Church.".
The records show that fifty-six united in January, 1817. It is no known what minister was laboring with the Church at this time. may have been Rev. Asa .Messer. Mr. Truair, of Sherburne, assisted without doubt, several times during the winter. This was at the tin that Rev. Asahel Nettleton, D. D., was preaching with such powd and effect in the towns of Western Massachusetts and Saratoga Cou: ty, N. Y. He did not come into this section, but the influence wa felt through all the State.
Wednesday, February 5, 1817, the "Norwich Journal" containe) the following advertisement:
NOTICE-Is hereby given to fuch of the fubfcribers to the Congreg tional Meeting houfe in this village, as contracted to pay in lumber, thi the following prices will be allowed for that which fhall be delivered by the firft of March, viz: for
Clear ftuff feasoned, pine boards,
$12 per M
do do clapboards,
10 do
Common boards, 5 do
First rate shingles,
1.75 dcl
J. S. FENTON,
Norwich, Feb. 5, 1817.
In behalf of the Trustees.
Tuesday, April 22, 1817, " Peter B. Garnsey and Polly his wife, i consideration of the sum of two hundred and sixty dollars, curren money of the United States of America, to them in hand paid," deede "to the Trustees of the First Congregational Society of Norwich, ant to their successors forever," the land on which the Church was built and which is covered by the eastern third of the present bric Church. (Recorded April 23, 1817, Book W., p. 32.) The frame wa raised in July. Notice was sent out, and as was the custom, a larg number of men came from all quarters to the " raising bee," to assis and enjoy the sport which always followed-a wrestling match. (F Johnson and Dr. Harris.) The next year the work was carried fo ward, but was not completed until 1819. " The Republican Agricu turalist" (published in the village at the time by Thurlow Weed) printe the following notice, July 8, 1819:
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HISTORY.
DEDICATION .- The Meeting House of the First Congregational So- y of Norwich will be Dedicated the 14th day of July instant. A ourse appropriate to the occasion, will be delivered by the Rev. Truair, of Sherburne. After the exercises of the day, it is expect- that the Pews of the House will be sold.
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N. B .- The Singers of the Societies of Sherburne have generously sented to favor us with their attendance."
he "Norwich Journal " prints the same for two weeks-July 1st and
n the day of the Dedication there remained a debt of $600.00. Enos and Mr. Fenton had each given five hundred dollars, and- Ir. Enos' own words-" everybody had given all they could afford, we among the rest, but we agreed to divide the amount between and the building was dedicated free of debt." (Mr. Scoville's paper.) he dedication services were very imposing for the time, and were he usual hour for morning service. The attendance of people from surrounding country was very large. Several ministers were sent and took part; among whom were Rev. John Truair, who ched the dedicatory sermon; Rev. John Smith, pastor of First sbyterian Church at Cooperstown; Rev. Luther Clark, probably a sionary, who supplied the Church for a while after the dedication; . Edward Andrews, afterwards pastor of the Church; and Rev. n B. Hoyt, then stated supply at Greene. What parts these men in the exercises is not known.
he Norwich Journal of July 20, 1819, has this " Jocal " by the Ed- John F. Hubbard, Sen. :
DEDICATION .- On Tuesday, the 14th inst, the Congregational ting-House in this village was dedicated to the solemn worship of A sermon suitable to the occasion was delivered by the Rev. Truair. The Singers of the Societies of Sherburne attended with excellent teacher of Sacred Musick, Mr. Hastings. Owing to in- bosition, I had not the gratification of hearing their performance, ch it is said equaled the Concerts of New York. The Congre- onal Society have now an elegant and commodious House, for the ship of that God, who 'is the giver of every good and perfect The villagers are indebted to the talents of Mr. Joel Atkins, this ornament to the village, which is a fine specimen of Archi- ure. Mr. Atkins designed and superintended the execution of the k, and is deserving of the highest praise. He has discovered, in design and execution of this building, talents, and a knowledge of hitecture which would do honor to the best proficient in the State."
he choir, spoken of in this notice, was a very large one, and occu- I the gallery at the south end of the Church. One who was at the ices says that Mr. Hastings, who led the choir, " had very white , and skipped about from one end to the other of his charge with t agility." He was an " Albino," and later in life, became the no- Dr. Thomas Hastings, the composer of much of the sacred music used in the Christian Churches throughout the world, and the au- of many of our best hymns. He died in New York City, May 15, , aged 87. (Hon. S. S. Randall and Rev. Thos. S. Hastings, D. D., ters.) i
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CHAPTER VIII.
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING, AND INSTALLATION OF FIRST PASTOR.
The Church building was of wood, plain, and stood with the gable e toward the street. It had a substantial stone foundation rising to ab( six or seven feet above the ground. The back and sides of the bui ing were clapboarded. The front was ceiled, with four pilasters ri ning from the foundation to the cornice. The roof was shingled, a the steeple arose from the ridge over the front. Entrance to the bui ing was had by a wide flight of steps to large double doors in fro which opened into a vestibule, and this in turn opened at the rig and left into the audience room. On each side of this room-east a west -- was a row of pews next the wall, with aisles between them a the two rows of body pews in the centre. (See diagram.) T pews were of the old-fashioned " box " style, with doors, showing lit more than the heads of the persons sitting in them. The pulpit was att north end of the room, between the entrances; and a gallery around t three other sides, seated like the floor below, except that the back row seats was raised. A room for Sunday School and Prayer Meetings w afterwards made as a basement, the floor being carried about three four feet below ground. This room occupied about two-thirds of t basement on the south side. The rest was used as a cellar and woo room, a few feet being partitioned off from the west side for an enti way to the Session Room. Entrance to this was had by a door c through the foundation wall at the front of the building. near t. north-west corner. All the wood work of the building was paint white, except the moulding on the tops of the seats, which was stained imitate rosewood. At the time it was built it was undoubtedly t. finest building anywhere in the vicinity.
The Dedication over, Rev. Luther Clark remained for a while, al supplied the pulpit. How long is not known. (Hon. S. S. Randa and Dr. Harris.)
In April or May, 1820, Rev. Edward Andrews came, probably ( trial for three months. Wednesday, June 28, he was ordained by joint Committee from Otsego Presbytery and a Constitutional Count from Union Association, and installed over the Church, being the fir regularly settled pastor.
Joseph S. Fenton was Commissioner from the Church to extend tl call. The Committee were Revs. Joshua Knight, Charles Thorp ar Asa Donaldson; the Council. Isaac Foote, Sen., Benjamin Simons ar Ashuel Blake. Rev. Joshua Knight. Moderator; Rev. John Smith Clerk.
The services were as follows: Introductory Prayer by Rev. Jest Miner; Sermon, Rev. John Smith; Ordaining Prayer, Rev. Henry Cha; man; Charge to the Pastor, Rev. J. Knight; Charge to the People
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Wood Church. Dedicated July 14, 1019, Burned February 2, 1858,
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'ev. John Truair; Concluding Prayer, Rev. John R. St. John; to put Constitutional Questions, Rev. J. Knight. (Records of Otsego Pres- ytery and Dr. Harris.)
CHAPTER IX.
" ACCOMMODATION PLAN."
In the year 1800 " The Oneida Association of Congregational Minis- ers and Churches" was formed, and was the first body of the kind on le New England plan in Western New York. At a meeting at West- toreland, in September, 1808, it was, by vote of its members, divided, od the part including Chenango County was named " Union Associa- on." This body held its first meeting at Madison, Tuesday, June 13, 309. This Church united with that body, but when is not known. Tednesday, February 20, 1822, this Association was dissolved, and its embers soon united with the Presbyteries most convenient to them. his Church joined the Presbytery of Otsego, date unknown.
Monday, May 29, 1826, the Presbytery of Chenango was formed, king ministers from four adjacent Presbyteries: Revs. Edward An- rews and Asa Donaldson being from Presbytery of Otsego. (F., p. 10, ., ps. 109-10-12-13.) Its first meeting was at Oxford, Thursday, June ), 1826, when this Church, through its representative, Jeduthan Hitch- ock, applied to be, and was, received to membership on the " Union, Accommodation Plan." (Records Chen. Presbty. Bk. A.) This Plan of Union " between Presbyterian and Congregational Churches as devised in 1795, by John Blair Smith and Eliphalet Nott, first and cond Presidents of Union College. After revision, and undergoing good deal of discussion, it was adopted by the General Association Connecticut, and the General Assembly of New York in 1801. On is plan, with more or less modification, all the Congregational Church- in Western New York in time united with Presbyteries. The plan 1 which this Church joined the Presbytery of Chenango was that the ecisions of the Presbytery were binding on the Church, and the Church as entitled to representatives with " all the privileges of ruling elders.', he Church was to manage "its own internal concerns," but was required , keep records and submit them annually to the Presbytery " for in- pection and revision." In trying cases from the Church, the Presby. ry was bound by the rules of the Church. (F., p. 63.)
Wednesday, October 25, 1826, Mr. Andrews requested the Presbyte- y to dissolve his pastoral relation with this Church, to take effect hursday, November 30. The request was granted, and Sunday, De- ember 3, Rev. Ambrose Eggleston preached by direction of the Pres- ytery, and declared the pulpit vacant. The Presbytery also appoint_ 1 Rev. Asa Donaldson to supply the pulpit during December and Jan- ary following. About the middle of January, 1827, however, Rev. 'eter Lockwood came as a candidate, and began to preach on the usu-
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al three months' trial. He remained until about the middle of M: received a call from the Church, accepted to be installed by the Pr bytery in July, and went to Stamford, Connecticut, for his family a goods.
Before Mr. Andrews left, two factions had sprung up in the Church one for and the other against him. Mr. Lockwood was recommend by Mr. Andrews, and called, and his salary pledged by the most pror nent of the opposing faction; but during Mr. Lockwood's occupation the pulpit, James Birdsall, a prominent member of the Society, and. ardent adherent of Mr. Andrews, was out of town, and of course kn nothing of Mr. Lockwood. While Mr. Lockwood was east for l family, Mr. Birdsall returned, and began so violent an opposition him, that the Trustees thought it best for Mr. Lockwood to continue while longer on trial, hoping that Mr. Birdsall would give up his opp sition when he came to hear and know him. The letter of the Truste reached Mr. Lockwood at Utica, and he hastened to Norwich to j quire into the matter, leaving his goods at Utica. Feeling very mu aggrieved at Mr. Birdsall's course, he flatly refused to remain longe and soon left the place. These factions remained in the Church f nearly four years, and prevented the settling of a pastor. They we finally united under Mr. Bogue.
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