USA > New York > Chenango County > Norwich > History of the first one hundred years of the First Congregational Church, Norwich, New York, 1814-1914 > Part 12
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time to write an essay entitled " Truth Frae 'Mang the Heather or Is the Bible True?" which secured a prize offered by the University of Edinburgh, the high- est educational source in Scotland, for the best treatise on the evidences of Christianity. The essay was pub- lished in book form by the University and attracted unusual attention, passing through two or more edi- tions. It revealed the shepherd's simple, unswerving belief in a Supreme Being, evidence of whose existence he found in the trees, and in the flowers; in the habits of the birds and the animals; in the solicitous care of the mother sheep for her young; in the sagacity of the shepherd's dog; in the rain, the thunder and the rain- bow; in everything to quote the author's own words, " from the woven wing of the insect to the roll of the heavenly orbs he read evidence of a skill and wisdom that baffles the united wisdom of the sons of men."
In their boyhood and youth the brothers spent much time together and shared their abiding belief in God until to them the existence of their Heavenly Father was as clear as the sunlit sky above their heads; their faith was as real as the ground beneath their feet.
On New Year's Day, 1836, James being in his 19th year, left this secluded home to try his fortune in the outside world. Five years before this his mother had married a second time and was now the wife of William Armstrong, whose brother, Thomas, was a draper (dry goods dealer) in Cambridge, England. To him James applied and was accepted to learn the trade. His sister, Jean, followed soon after to keep house for him: Four years later, in 1840, he set up in business for himself in St. Albans, not far from London. In 1842 he paid his first and only visit to his old home in Scotland. His mother, widowed a second time, was again left with three small children. The youngest of these, Agnes, accompanied James upon his return to England and remained with him until she had fitted
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herself for a teacher when she went back to Scot- land to make a home for her mother. After her mother's death she came to America and was a resi- dent of Norwich and a communicant of the Congrega- tional church for several years before going to Cali- fornia.
For very good reasons James and his former em- ployer, Thomas Armstrong, kept up their intimate and friendly relations, St. Albans and Cambridge being conveniently located. Both were single men and each had a devoted sister making a home for him. These rather curious coincidences led to some connubial con- sequences.
Ann Armstrong was a " bonnie, sweet, sonsie (comely) lass " with brow as pure and eyes as true as Annie Laurie's of the most familiar Scotch ballad. Just as a matter of fact she was born in the county adjoining the bonie braes of Maxwellton where the real Annie lived. Presumably to James' eyes " her face it was the fairest that e'er the sun shone on " for she won his heart and he asked her to be his bride. They were married November 5, 1851, in the Downing Street Congregational Church in Cambridge. Thomas Armstrong had forestalled the loss of his home-maker by marrying Jean McCaw, a year or two before.
Shortly after starting in business in St. Albans James had united with the Spicer Street Congrega- tional Church. He was made a deacon and was super- intendent of the Sunday school for sixteen years. His business thrived and he was laying up a comfortable fortune when in 1857, his efforts to save a friend in financial straits swept away the earnings of twenty years of hard and zealous effort. He was again on the bottom rung of the ladder and the provider for a wife and three small children. It was then he decided to try America of which he knew something through let- ters from friends already here. The Atlantic was
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crossed in a sailing vessel, six weeks' time being spent on the water. During the voyage, when if ever a soothing smoke must have been a real solace to him, he resolved, for the sake of his example to his little son, to forego his first and only small vice. Many years afterwards he replaced the pipe he accidentally broke for a Norwich smoker with a decorated one he brought over from England but had never used.
The family landed in New York in August, 1857, and reached Norwich, riding down from Utica in a stagecoach, the later part of the same month. They came to visit friends, expecting to continue their journey later to Canada to settle on British soil. But something about Norwich seemed suited to their press- ing needs. Of course they went to church and equally as a matter of course they sought the Congregational that having been their church home before crossing the water. Among the happiest recollections of that period is the cordial greeting of Mrs. Ezra Hewitt who shortly before had been chosen assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. Her kindly interest in the new-comers presumably had much to do with settling their stay in Norwich. She welcomed the children to the Sunday school and her many gracious acts were never for- gotten.
The first winter in Norwich was memorable, the head of the house having no regular employment. The family lived in second story rooms on Hayes street. The next spring Mr. McCaw became a clerk in the grocery store of Hiram Goodrich on North Main street. A year later he entered a clerkship in the hard- ware store of Ralph Johnson at the present Burchard Brothers' Co. stand, which continued for thirty years, through numerous changes of ownership.
Rev. Hiram Doane was then pastor of the church and received Mr. and Mrs. McCaw into membership January 4, 1859, by letter from the Congregational
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Church of St. Albans, England. Rev. Mr. Doane was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Scoville, who had been pas- tor less than a month when Mr. McCaw was chosen a deacon. He gave to his church equal devotion with his other life duties. Its place in the daily round was fore- most and fixed. He was always in his pew at the Sun- day service and never absent from his place in the midweek meeting. His early religious teaching had been wrought into the very fibre of his being, and steadied and strengthened his whole long life. Through all the buffeting of the middle years he never let go of his first simple childhood faith but always held fast to that which was good. He died May 28, 1902, aged 85.
MRS. GERTRUDE L. D. JOHNSON AND MRS. NETTIE C. P. MITCHELL.
Gertrude Louise Dunlap was born August 19, 1842, in the (then) village of Watertown, N. Y., in State street, a few houses east of The Public Square. She was the daughter of Prof. John and Mrs. Louisa (Mal- lery) Dunlap, who were natives of Rutland, Jefferson County, a small farming town about ten miles east of Watertown. Prof. Dunlap was then principal of Jeffer- son County Institute, a widely known school. We call them High schools now. After a few years Prof. Dun- lap became principal of an academy at Rodman, and later held a like position in Martinburg, both in Jeffer- son County. Later he went o a similar position in Onondaga Valley, and in 1854 to the principalship of Cortland Academy. September 6, 1858, he came to Norwich and became principal of Norwich Academy, following Prof. David G. Barber. He rented what we know as the Judge Jenks house, corner South Broad street and Frances avenue, and soon the parents and seven children were installed there. After about a year they moved to 26 Hayes street.
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They all entered heartily in the school, social and religious life of the village and formed very many acquaintances, not a few being life-long. They were Presbyterians, but as the church of that faith was claimed by both Presbyterians and Congregationalists they decided not to get into the controversy, so the family atended the First Baptist, Rev. Lyman Wright, pastor. Miss Gertrude was then sixteen. She was being very carefully educated by her father, who stood very high as an educator. Miss Gertrude was very capable. If at any time the principal was called out, or any of the teachers obliged to skip a class, she would step in, take the class and no break occurred. She had had a good deal of practice with the piano and was a rapid reader of music. She had also a clear, ringing soprano voice, so that she often played ani led the singing at the opening and closing of school. She was very active and possessed of an abundance of energy; a vivacious and interesting talker, and was never so well satisfied as when she could be of some help to some one. She was very soon invited into the choir of the Baptist Church. Albert C. Latham was the leader and Mrs. Almira Penticost was the organist. These both became her intimate friends, and remained so, so long as she lived. She also very soon became ac- quainted with Miss Nettie C. Pike, organist of the Con- gregational Church and they became very firm friends, and both her teacher on the piano.
Miss Dunlap was always very thorough in every thing she did, and could always be depended on in what- ever task she was set to do, whether it was congenial or not. Her father was a very successful disciplin- arian. He seldom spoke to a mischevious student but once. He never got angry or even excited. His personality conquered and words were unnecessary. In these respects his daughter was very much like him. She was a very much readier talker than he, but knew
MRS. GERTRUDE L. D. JOHNSON.
1
Our One Hundredth Anniversary . June 19, 1914
.. The . . . ..
First Congregational Church
NORWICH, NEW YORK.
Paul Riley Allen, Minister 56 West main St. Marquis 'phone 52
SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 1914
.. .
Communion and Reception of Members
The First Sunday in January, March, May, July; September and November.
.
YEAR TEXT
Bring ye the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and prore me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it .- Malachi 3:10.
MORNING WORSHIP 10:45 O'CLOCK
ORGAN VOLUNTARY-Prelude in D Flat. .
PROCESSIONAL HYMN-No. 420 ( The congregation will rise and re- main standing until after the Gloria Patri ).
THE CALL TO WORSHIP:
Minister -- O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord wi'h gladness, and come before His presence with a song.
Congregation-Be sure that the Lord He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Minister-O go your way into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and speak good of His Name.
Congregation-For the Lord is gracious. His mercy is everlasting: and His truth endureth from generation to generation.
THE INVOCATION.
SELECTION-The Choir. -
THE RESPONSIVE SERVICE-Selection 24. page 18.
THE GLORIA PATRI. Gounod
THE MORNING LESSON-2 Peter, Chapter 1.
ANTHEM-"Sanctus," Gounod PRAYER.
HYMN-391 (Congregation Standing )
OFFERTORY-Violin Solo Selected MR. W. F. STEINHAUSER Stainer ANTHEM-''I am Alpha and Omega," ..
SERMON-"A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE."
RECESSIONAL HYMN-No. 415.
PRAYER AND BENEDICTION (Congregation seated)
POSTLUDE.
BIBLE SCHOOL 12:00 O'CLOCK
SUPERINTENDENT.
ASSISTANTS-Mr. Dwight Gifford, Mr. F. J. Tuttle, Mrs. M. E. Gray.
WEDNESDAY, 7:15 P. M .- The junior choir will meet for rehearsal. This is the last rehearsal until September. A full attendance is necessary.
THURSDAY, 7:30 P. M .- The midweek prayer meeting in the lec- ture room. Subject, "The New Century."
8:30 P. M .- The senior choir will meet for rehearsal.
The Loyal Workers Circle will meet at 3:00 o'clock Monday in the church parlors to pack a barrel for Piedmont College. The Treasurer will be there and the members are urged to come prepared to pay dues.
NEXT SUNDAY-The Rev. W. A. Trow of Sherburne will preach in the morning in exchange with the Pastor.
7:30-Evening service and sermon by the Pastor. This will be the last evening service until September. The junior choir will be assisted by Mr. Galpin's orchestra. Mr. Frank Hartwell will sing.
TONIGHT-There will be a union service in the First Methodist. church. The sermon to the graduating class of Norwich High School will be preached by the Rev. A. R. Burke.
It has been a great pleasure to welcome old friends and make new friends during the past week. We wish more of the former members of this church could have been with us. We know they were thinking of us while we were thinking of them. It has been a time of well wishing and good cheer. How much it means to wish each other well in the spirit of brotherhood and good cheer! Let us carry this spirit on into all our work together. It is the spirit of a great love expressing itself in sympathy and tenderness and care which are everywhere the supreme values in life. We have been instructed and inspired by the messages we have heard; -messages replete with tender memories and ringing challenges. Let us keep alive everything in the past that was good, and reach after everything in the future that is worthy of men and women who would attain unto their highest. "Now are we the children of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be," That our church is one hundred years old means something, it means more that we have the church now. What of the second century? What shall we make it now? Never was there a louder call for the church of the strong men, never such need of the church equipped for service. 1
We are very grateful to all who have come from away and helped in making our Anniversary pleasant and profitable. The Pastor especially desires to express his appreciation of the splendid co-operation of the members of the various committees and all others at home who have given time and talent in preparation for the Anniversary and during the exercises. The work, no matter how hard, has been gladly done. Every one said "I will do what I can and all I can." It is this fine spirit of fellowship and help- fulness that has smoothed many rough paths and made many im- possible things possible during the last seven years.
May we "Increase and abound in love one toward another and toward all men."
Officiary
Pastor REV. PAUL RILEY ALLEN, 56 West Main St. K. 4. 2_ Clerk L. M. Donaldson, 14 Cortland St. Treasurer W. H. Field, 16 Piano St. Treasurer Envelope Fund . Clarence Ames, 91- South Broad St. Treasurer Benevolent Fund W. J. McCaw, 14 Division St. Board of Trustees W. P. Chapman, President
R. D. Eaton E. S. Moore S. A. Jones J. L. Millspaugh W. H. Field
Prudential Committee Rev. Paul Riley Allen, Chairman Deacons: Messrs.
L. M. Donaldson, Clerk
W. P. Chapman . G. W. Nagel
M. E. Gray
W. J. McCaw Chas. A. Burr
William Gasten
T. E. Wands N. F. Wiley
R. C. Chapman
C. R. Johnson George H. Graves F. J. Tuttle
Deuconesses
Mrs. W. J. McCaw Mrs. R. D. Eaton Mrs. F. O. Graves Mrs. Mary, M. Sumner Superintendent Bible School M. E. Gray. 18 Elm Street Leader, Loyal Workers' Circle, King's Daughters Mrs. J. F. Windolph, Hayes Street Leader, Loving Kindness Circle; King's Daughters" - Miss Abby Beals, 16 Birdsall Street Leader Gateway Circle King's Daughters Miss Margaret Newton, North Broad Street President Woman's Missionary Societies Mrs. Willian E. Reed. 94 South Broad Street Vice-President Home Branch-Mrs. R. C. Stofer, 28 Hayes Street Vice-President Foreign Branch-Mrs. T. E. Wands, 14 Francis Avenue President Mothers' Club Mis. Paul R. Allen, 56 West Main Street President Woman's Working Association Mrs. M. M Blakeley, 38 Hayes St. President. Scoville Brotherhood-Mr. Clarence Ames, 91 South Broad St. President Men's Brotherhood-J. F. Windolph, 15 Hayes Street Organist Miss Mary E Lewis, 34. Elm Street Director Senior and Junior Choir-Mr. Harry Millspaugh
Chairmen of Ushers
Morning, M. M. Blakeley, 38 Hayes St. Evening, George Waters, 44 Birdsall. Sexton -M. B. Steward, Cortland St .; Marquis Telephone 2456
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when to talk and when to refrain. Mr. Dunlap's pupils were always loyal to him and even to this day the few who are left speak of him with affection and praise. Int 1862 he resigned and accepted the principalship of Palmyra, Wayne County, Union school and at once removed to that place. The ties of friendship were too strong to be so lightly broken and it was not many months before Miss Gertrude, at the persistent and urgent invitations of her many friends, came to Nor- wich and remained for a few weeks among them, to the great pleasure of all concerned. Several of these friends returned this visit and reported a very enjoy- able time.
In September, 1864, she married a Norwich young business man and came to Norwich and made a home, which she maintained as long as she lived.
The church had at this time become Congregational. Mr. Scoville was the pastor and was in his third year. Her husband was a regular attendant of that church and had come to be an intimate friend of Mr. Scoville; so that when the bride and groom returned they went to the Congregational Church at once; but they did not become members until the next spring. A strong attach- ment also sprang up between Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Scoville so that it was not long before the mutual attachment took in both families and this remained until the end.
Mrs. Johnson was like her father-she was a born teacher and disciplinarian. I have forgotten how it came about; but I know it was not long before she had a Sunday School class of young ladies from 15 to 18 years of age-some fifteen of them. A strong attach- ment sprang up between them. She kept the class until most of the girls had married and left town. The class was under very rigid rules; but as the rules were made by the class, no one objected. About 1875 Mrs. John- son was elected Assistant Superintendent of the Sun-
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day school in place of Mrs. Harriet A. Hewitt, who had held the office more than 16 years, and was very mnuch disappointed at the result of the election. This election was very embarrassing to Mrs. Johnson, be- cause Mrs. Hewitt was not only a cousin of her hus- band, but was a very much esteemed friend whom we could not afford to turn down. She was also " Auntie Hewitt " to all the Scovilles and Col. and Mrs. Hewitt were indefatigable workers in everything pertaining to the church. Mr. Scoville had many conferences over the matter with Mrs. Johnson who was ready to resign for the sake of peace, and to avoid all cause of bitter- ness, but Mr. Scoville was very decidedly opposed to any such solution of the problem. He was very anxious that Mrs. Johnson should stay. He thought that there should be a younger person in the place. How he man- aged it I do not know, but Mrs. Johnson held the place and the relations between the parties remained en- tirely harmonious; a marked illustration of Mr. Sco- ville as a pacifier.
The infant class had been in charge of Mrs. Julia A. Sumner for several years. It consisted of a class of five to eight girls, and a class of four to six boys. It showed no signs of increase, which did not satisfy Mr. Scoville, and he brought it about that Mrs. Johnson should teach the class as assistant superintendent. Its name was changed to primary department, so that children a few years older could have a place in it. One night about 10 o'clock in the fall of 1875. we heard a quick footfall on the steps and in an instant the door was opened and " Good evening, children " re- vealed the cheerful voice of Mr. Scoville, who came in and sat down. He had worked out a very complete three years' course of graded Bible lessons and had got them printed and ready for use. It was certainly a very fine thing and was an entirely new idea at that time, though later a similar idea was introduced into
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the International Lesson leaves. Among the first words he said was: " Gertrude, I want to make the primary department amount to more than it does now and I want you to run it." She protested that she knew nothing about it and was sure she was not the one fitted to conduct it. "But I want you to take it just the same and I will stand by you and do anything I can do help you." She still said, " No, I'm not the one." He stayed perhaps an hour and argued and urged, but to no purpose; so he left with this final shot: " Yes you must take it. Think it over, Good night," and he was gone. If ever a woman studied a knotty problem she did that. I said that I knew she could do it and ought at least to try. At the next election she was elected -unanimously, I think-superintendent of the primary department-and accepted. It took some time to block out the schedule, but it was ready in time. Classes were formed and teachers secured. No class to have more than six pupils under any circumstances. She chose former members of her class as teachers and other young ladies as they were needed. Every teacher must come to teachers' meeting every week unless prevented by something which she could not control and must have the lesson so thoroughly learned that the lesson leaf was not necessary in the class. Complete rec- ords were kept and three violations of any rule by any teacher, resulted in a new teacher taking the class. People said " you can't make that work;" but she did make it work; and the department grew enormously. She led it five years or more. When she took it there were two classes-one for boys and one for girls- about 12 to 15 in all. When she left it there were fifteen teachers and officers and more than 125 pupils, all-officers, teachers and pupils-intensely loyal to. the superintendent, to each other and to the pastor.
Hon. John W. Church, at a church social facetiously remarked, that " Gertrude was so enthusiastic over her
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department that the moment she heard that a child had been born in town, she at once hastened to call on the mother and engage the " kid " for her Sunday school." Rather overdrawn, yet at the same time, every member of the department was just as enthusiastic as the super- intendent, and the result followed of course. In the meantime, Mr. Scoville had gone and Dr. Taylor had come as supply. At the end of the year he was hired as pastor. While he did not oppose the conduct of the department, it soon became apparent that he was not in sympathy with it. Deacon Charles H. Stanton was superintendent of the whole school and was heartily in sympathy with the management of the primary department. They both saw that a clash would come sooner or later. Mrs. Johnson's health was far from good. Dr. Brooks gave the positive command that she must leave the school entirely. She was, from child- hood, a big bundle of energy stored in a not too strong body, which she had been constantly overtaxing; but now the time had come when a halt must be called to avoid a total collapse. She resigned and a new super- intendent was elected. Not long after Mr. Stanton also resigned. Several classes were graduated into the intermediate department; the International Lessons were adopted and a new superintendent eelcted.
This was the last of Mrs. Johnson's taking any leading part in the work of the church, except playing at Thursday evening meetings. This she did almost con- tinuously for 15 years-during several years in the later part of Mr. Scoville's pastorate; all of that of Dr. Taylor; all of Mr. Upton; all of Mr. Otis; and a while in that of Mr. Scudder. She was always faithful to the trust, attending and on time every meeting that it was possible for her to attend-many times at great risk of her health; and no dragging nor sluggishness in the time of the music.
February 7, 1887, Dr. George F. Penticost of Brook-
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lyn began a series of evangelistic meetings in Norwich. It was a Union effort by the Congregational, Baptist and Methodist Churches. Afternoons were given to Bible reading's in the Baptist Church; and a cabinet organ was brought in to help in the singing. No one was engaged as player. It was expected that some one would volunteer. For a few days the playing was too slow and dragging. At the next service he asked who would play? Someone said " Mrs. Johnson." Dr. Penticost said, " will Mrs. Johnson please play for us?" She did so. After the service he came to her, introduced himself and said, " Won't you come and play for us every day?" She said she would. The last service was in the Congregational Church. After the service had closed several were standing talking with him, when he thanked Mrs. Johnson for playing and said he wanted to give her a souvenir, and handed her a paper folded. She thanked him and opening the paper found it was the typewritten notes of the ser- mon he had just preached.
The last work that she did in the church was in the spring of 1901. The church teas and socials had been almost failures, and the ladies were a good deal dis- couraged over the prospects of the next one, to be held the next month. They finally concluded that if Gertrude Johnson would take charge of it it would go. They found her in far from good health and, as she thought, not able to undertake it. Later they came again and said they would do all the work if she would only boss it, which she finally consented to do. She made a list of young ladies as a committee for work and sent a postal to each to meet at her home at such a time. They were all there and on time and full of enthusiasm for work. She laid out the village and gave each young woman a district and the work she was expected to do, and which was to be aH done and she was to report at such a time. Every one of the committee reported
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