USA > New York > Chenango County > Norwich > History of the first one hundred years of the First Congregational Church, Norwich, New York, 1814-1914 > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
Thank God! the service of His kingdom is neither calculating commerce nor brutal war. He has work for His soldiers here until the moment when he calls them to higher duties elsewhere; and that work is not such as the young can do as well. The mature judgment, the wise sympathy, the knowledge of grief, the familiarity with all kinds of trouble, even with the shadow of death, and the consequent power of counsel and of con- solation-these cannot be acquired in youth. God gives them to the old.
That Christian Church is to be pitied, I say, which cannot command the aid, official or unofficial, of those who have transmuted years into wisdom; in whom patience has had its perfect work; and who, being
244
First Congregational Church History
already fitted, in some degree, for the Life Invisble, are thereby all the more qualified for essential service in the visible life that now is.
At least, my brethren, if this be not true, God pity us old men, who would fain still labor a little longer, and accept our final discharge from Him only!
But Plymouth Church, which had known already the ministrations of Mr. Halliday and Mr. Weitzel, surely did not need to learn, as a new lesson, how God keeps the best wine to the last, and makes age bring forth fruits of the Spirit not known to youth. At all events, if any entertained beforehand foolish and super- ficial doubts as to this general proposition, such doubts melted away in the presence of this helper, who was only nominally old, but really young-the man who had never been seriously ill in his life; the son of the New England hills, whose unimpaired bodily vigor put to shame the performance of our modern youth; the com- panion and adviser around whom the young instinct- ively gathered; the consoler whom the old instinctively welcomed !
Witness, on the one hand, the greatly increased membership of our Young Men's Club, and their affec- tionate testimony to the fresh inspiration imparted by him. And, on the other hand, witness the love and gratitude of inumerable households, into which he came as a stranger, to become, and remain forever, a helpful friend .
To this general testimony, let me add my personal contribution. In the sorrow, the keenness and depth of which you all know, through which my household has been recently called to pass, we were greatly sustained by the unspoken sympathy, and the prayers (anheard by us, but heard by God) of our friends and brethren. Of course, we could not personally see the many dear ones who thus drew near to us! and it was only by a blessed chance (let me say, as I believe, a providence of
245
First Congregational Church History
God) that our old friend, Mr. Scoville, who had been coming twice a day to our door, to read the bulletin and go away again, was one day seen and made to come in. He did not enter to add his helpless grief to ours, or to offer us in consolation the ancient formulas we knew already. His heartfelt words, bis simple prayer, left in that house a more vivid sense of the presence of the Christus Consolator, and a deeper union with the Will of the Father.
Even under the great pressure of his labors here, he continued (as I accidentally learned, one day) to contribute money to the expenses of the Vineland church, and to direct and assist the studies of the Vine- land Bible class, which he had founded and personally conducted, with such success as to draw into it many members of other local churches as well as of his own.
Indeed and indeed, his heart was in his word. Do you remember how old Paul in his cold Roman dungeon, sent for his cloak to keep him warm outside, and for the parchments of his Bible, to keep him warm inside? Something like that was the message, dictated by Mr. Scoville on his deathbed, which I received just a week ago. It ran :
" Dear Ros: The doctor gives me a fighting chance -- that is all. Help me with your prayers. Send by first mail one-half dozen-(a little book, of which we had previously spoken with each other.) . I can use them with advantage among my friends.
" Your old friend,
" SAM SCOVILLE."
Busy in the Master's work to the last!
A day or two later, I went to the hospital in West Philadelphia where he lay, and enjoyed the unspeak- able privilege of two conversations with him. His utter- ances were characteristically simple and unconven- tional. They were full of hopes and plans for future
246
First Congregational Church History
work for Plymouth Church, if God should restore his strength, and also of grateful recognition of the love of our people, which, in a few months he had so com- pletely earned, yet seemed to regard as a blessing unde- served. Concerning the prospect of death, he said, in substance :
" The doctors think I am going to die, I suppose. It is, indeed, like being in the preliminary land of Beulah, to have my wife and sons and daughters around me. But, apart from that, somehow, I don't feel like dying. You see, this is the situation-I haven't had any premonitions of death; whereas, according to my experience, Christians that are about to die have pre- monitions. For instance, I think a good deal, as I lie here. about the love of the Heavenly Father; and it gives me pleasure and peace-on the whole, I judge, more pleasure and peace than ever before. But here is the difficulty : I think still more, as it seems to me, about my work for Plymouth Church. Now, if I am going to die pretty soon, why should He put such thoughts into my mind, instead of giving me a premon- tion ? If this is really to be death, I don't object to it, mind you; only, I don't understand it! "
What could I say to such quiet, fearless, trustful talk as that? The doctors had positively declared that he must die soon. But doctors are not infallible; and he had been wisely told only this-that they saw no special ground for hope, beyond the general ground that " while there is life, there is hope." What I did say was this-and I would say it again :
" You are feeling just what you ought to feel, old friend! Your living is your business, delegated by God to you. Your dying is His business, not delegated by Him to anybody. If you are to die, he may want to give you a glad surprise by calling you to the life invisible without any ' premonition ' whatever. And as to the fellowship and work of Plymouth Church, if you can
247
First Congegational Church History
come back to it in this world, we shall give thanks to God; but if you go to it in the world unseen, we shall likewise give thanks-for do not forget that the Ply- mouth Church yonder is larger already than the Ply- mouth Church here! "
And so, like Paul again, he approached the hour of his departure, "in a strait betwixt two," whether to stay or to go. He, as he said, did not understand his strange, intense, remaining interest in his earthly work -but I understood it. It was God's seal set upon him. " Blessed is he that endureth to the end!"-not resign- ing a few days before the end; not accepting the tidings of his release from any subordinate or unauthorized source; but standing firm and upright, intent upon his duty here, until God, and not another, says to him, " Well done, come up higher!"
Lord ! let me die this death of the righteous, and let my last end be like this!
INDEX
Preface
3
Opening of History
5
How Chenango River Got Its Name
5
The Iroquois Confederacy.
5
How it Was Formed
5.
Its Territory
5
Origin of "United We Stand "
6
The Beauty of the River
6
The Only Poem on the River
7
Chenango River, (By Miss Hattie Wait}
8
Norwich is on the Most Beautiful Spot.
9
The Indian's Council House and "Castle "
9 10
The Indians Gather There.
10
The Settlers Buy the Land.
11
Town of Norwich Organized and Named.
11
The Whole Valley Called "Shenang Country "
11
Avery Power the First Land Owner
11
John Randall Bought Him Out
11
Hezekiah Pellett and "Uncle John " Came
11
The Great Revival of 1799
12
A Few Faithful Souls
12
Mrs. Elizabeth Snow
12
Truman Enos
12
First Baptist Church Formed
13
David Harem's "Golden Rule "
14
Origin of Truman Enos ..
14
He Came to Norwich and Began Tanning.
14
.Charles Randall and Enos Partners
15
Randall Sold to J. S. Fenton
15
Charles Randall Went to War
15
Conversion of Mr. Enos
15
Experiencing Religions a Very Painful Process.
16
Mr. Enos Improves the Morals of Norwich.
16
Conversion of J. S. Fenton 16
The Woodman's Prayer. 16
Elder Swan's Language and Work.
17
Truman Enos a Strong Republican.
17
His Character
18
His Three Wives
19
The First Church Formed, the Congregational.
13
The Whites Did Not Steal the Land.
He Wanted Another
19
He Drew the Ballots in Draft-1863. 20
He Sat in Chair in Front of Pulpit. 21
His Monument in Cemetery
21
Rev. Jonathan Haskell Came.
21
Mr. Enos Raised the Money for Him.
22
Rev. Joel T. Benedict' Orgnaized Congregational Church .. 23
Rev. Geo. Colton, Missionary.
23 23
Rev. Jedediah Randall
24
Services in His House
24
The Baptist Church Organized in His House
25
First Congregational Church Incorporated.
27
Two Organizations
27
Baptist Church Incorporated.
27
First Efforts Toward a Meeting House
28
Signs of a Revival Begin to Appear.
28
Rev. Henry C. Wright.
His Father and Family. Come to Hartwick.
Henry Comes to Norwich to Learn to Make Hats.
Senator Jesse D. Bright.
Mr. Wright Teaches Singing School.
He Studied and Took Walks by the River
Mr. and Mrs. David G. Bright.
Mrs. Elizabeth Snow
Her Arguments For Her Faith.
Revival of 1817.
Rev. John Truair
34
David Buttolph Converted.
35
Revival vs. Ball.
35 35
He Joins the Congregational Church With About Fifty. ..
36
About Thirty Join the Baptist Church,
Mr. Wright Leaves Norwich.
David G. Bright.
Mrs. Snow and Mrs. Bright.
Memorial Tablets for Mrs. Snow and Mr. Enos Proposed ..
Building of Meeting House Stimulated 41 A Lot Bought for It .. 41 41
Baptist Meeting House Begun.
41
The Bells of Both Churches.
Congregational Church Paid For When Dedicated
Truman Hastings.
Mr. Enos and Mr. Fenton Work for Church.
43
Rev. Wm. M. Adams, First Pastor
43
Diagram of Pews in First Church.
44
Rev. Luther Clark, Supply,
45
Rev. Edward Andrews First Installed Pastor
45
Sketch of His Life. 45
30 30 31 32 32-33
Mr. Wright is Converted.
36 37 38 39 40
Baptist Meeting House Burned.
42 42-48 43
Mr. Wright Led the Singing in the Revival
28 .29 29 29 29 30
Rev. Jonathan Haskell, Very Bitter
First of Three Tragedies in the Church. Rev. Peter Lockwood Comes and Goes. 46
46
Rev. Lyman S. Rexford, Supply. 46 Rev. H. P. Bogue Comes as Pastor.
Birdsall and Buttolph
Mr. Buttolph and the Burned Church.
Mr. Enos and Mr. Buttolph Reconciled.
Elder Bogue and Elder Swan.
Elder Swan on Jonah
:
Execution of Denison.
Mr. Bogue Resigns.
Rev. Seth Williston, Supply.
Repairs to Church.
Three Tragedies Have Come to Church.
The Church Joins Otsego Presbytery
Church Joins Chenango Presbytery
Mr. Enos Delegate
Rev. John Sessions . .
Mr. Buttolph, Clerk of the Society
John F. Dean, Clerk of the Society, 1847.
Judge Lewis Kingsley, Clerk of the Society
Mr. Sessions Takes Clerkship and Hunts up Records.
Mr. Sessions and Mr. Enos Clash
Mr. Enos Talks a Good Deal
Christ's Law of Love.
Trial of Enos
Mr. and Mrs. Enos Given General Letters
They Join Sherburne Church. .
Mr. Sessions Resigns and Leaves
John Hammond (Second)
His Father and Uncle.
John Hammond (First) .
John Hammond (Second) Came to Pharsalia.
John Hammond and His Wife Help Form Church in Phar- salia
62
A New Meeting House Built.
John Hammond (Second) Moves to Norwich.
Went Into Business
Was Elected Church Clerk and Was Given the Books
Goes Out of Clerkship.
Record Book Disappears
It i's Thought Mr. Enos Took the Record Book
Mr. Hammond Always Loyal.
B. Gage Berry Elected Clerk. 68 Organization of O., C. & D. Association. 68 68
James McCaw Elected Deacon ... Mr. Scoville Came.
68
Mr. Hammond Again Elected Church Clerk
69
Resigned 1873 Finally. .
69
Deacon W. D. Porter Elected Church Clerk 69 Resigned 1876 69
.
46 46 50
51 53 53 54 55 56 55 55 56 56 57 57 58 58 58 58 59 59 59 59 60 60 60 60 61 61 62
63 68 63 64 64 65 65 67
C. R. Johnson Elected Church Clerk 1876
70
Otis A. Thompson Elected Church Clerk 1906. 70
Lewis M. Donaldson Elected Church Clerk 1910.
70
Mr. Sessions Resigned.
71
His Statement ..
72-73
Mr. Livermore Came and Went.
74
Mr. Richards Came and Went.
75
Mr. Jennings Came and Went.
75
Mr. Clark Came and Went.
75-76
Mr. Bush Came.
77
First Parsonage Bought.
77
Benjamin Chapman and David Maydole.
78
Mr. Chapman in Drug Business
81
He Goes Out of Business
81
W. H. Chapman Begins Business
81 82
David Maydole
82
James Parton Visits Hammer Factory.
86
Nelson B. Hale Partner of Mr. Maydole.
87
Mr. Chapman and Mr. Mayldole Bid on First Pews
89
Rev. Hiram Doane Comes.
90-94
The Church Becomes Congregational
90
David Buttolph and Chas. A. Thorpe
91
The Church Burned ..
95
Academy Chapel Used.
95 95.
Mr. Doane Left.
96
Mr. and Mrs. Enos Return.
96
Mr. Scoville Gets Items of History From Mr. Enos.
97
Mr. Doane Resigns
97
The Church Could Not Build But Presbytery
97
Mr. Doane's Character
98
Mr. Scoville Comes-and an Era of Love.
98
A Marked Change All Through the Church
100
Foundation of Church Begun and Corner Stone Laid.
101
" Coffin Hall" Hired
101
Mr. Scoville Became Pastor.
101
Church United
101
Mr. Scoville Leaves, October, 1879
102
Dr. Taylor. Comes
104
Life of Dr. Taylor. 104
Parsonage Sold and Debt Paid.
106
Col. Hewitt and Wife. 109 Five Yankees in Church. 10.9.
Col. Hewitt Runs For State Senator
112
Repairs of 1847 and Mr. Clark. 113
Col. Hewitt Buys Parsonage for Church
114
Mr. Scoville Came.
His Marriage. 115
115
Benjamin Chapman Died
" Coffin Hall " Used
They Would Have no
He Need Not Have Gone 102
Parsonage Repairs
115.
Old Gray and Old Duke.
115
Old Duke Starts a Sensation 116 116 117
The Grabbing.
Col. Hewitt President af Co. Agricultural Society
His Twenty-one Yoke of Oxen
117
Col. Hewitt Dies.
118
Mrs. Hewitt.
Asst. Supt. of Sunday School.
Home Broken Up
Col. Hewitt Carves a Turkey.
Mrs. Hewitt's Cream Pie
Col. Hewitt's Apple Pie and Milk
Baptismal Font
Warren Newton
W. and I. S. Newton
Bank of Norwich Opens.
Warren Newton and T. D. Miller Converted.
Mr. Newton and Norwich High School.
I. S. Newton
I. S. Newton's Bible Class
Lecture on Trial of Christ.
Loi-yer Newton
130
The Brothers at School Meeting.
131
Isaac S. Newton's Death
He Was Very Liberal.
132 133 133
Son of a Scotch Shepherd.
134 135
William and the 119th Psalm
James' Misfortunes
He Was a Deacon and Sunday School Supt. in St. Albans ..
Six Weeks on the Ocean.
He There Gave up Smoking
Came to Norwich.
Was Elected Deacon of This Church
Mrs. Gertrude L. D. Johnson.
Her Intimacy With Mrs. Scoville
139 139 142 143
Mrs. Johnson Elected Asst. Supt. of Sunday School.
Then Supt. Primary Department.
Resigned from Primary Department 144 Played in Prayer Meeting. 144 144
Deacon C. H. Stanton Resigned from Sunday School Supt.
Dr. George. H. Penticost in Norwich
145
A Sick Woman Runs a Church Tea
Mrs. Mitchell, Organist.
Mrs. Mitchell and the Union.
Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Johnson and the Organ.
145 147 148 149
Miss Mary Johnson, Organist in Baptist Church. 150
Miss Almira Thomas Followed. 150
Miss Thomas Became Mrs. Penticost. 150
Mrs. Penticost Became Mrs. Latham 150
136 137 138 138 138 139
Deacon McCaw.
119 119 120 120 121 122 122 123 124 124 126 126 127 130 130
Mrs. Mitchell Becomes Chorister in Congregational Church 150
Mrs. C. B. Chapman Becomes Organist and Chorister .. 151
Mrs. J. L. Millspaugh Becomes Organist and Chorister 151 Miss Mary E. Lewis Becomes Organist. 151 Mrs. Stover Becomes Chorister
Miss Lewis Becomes Organist and Chorister.
151
Junior Choir Formed-Frank P. Hartwell, Leader 151
Mr. R. D. Eaton Gives Gowns to Both Choirs. 152 Mr. H. W. Millspaugh Becomes Chorister of Both Choirs .. 152
Theo. Miller Came to Norwich
153
T. D. Miller-Banker and Druggist.
154
Became a Church Trustee
154
Geo. A. Thomas' Memorial Address on Mr. Miller.
155
Mr. Miller on His Knees
157
W. P. Chapman, Clerk for His Brother-in-Law
158
W. P. Chapman, Clerk for His Cousin
159
Chapman and Miller, Ushers
159
W. P. Chapman Became a Partner with W. H. Chapman.
161
W. P. Chapman Married
161
Elected Trutee of the Church
161
Elected Fourteen Times.
161
Elected Deacon For Life.
162
His Faith Worked a Miracle
162
Retires From Business.
162
The Chapman Business is a Century Old.
163
Mr. Upton Comes to Preach One Sunday
163
Leaves Train at North Norwich.
164
Drove Down.
164
Preached Next Day.
164
Came as Pastor
166
College Life
166
Resigned
167
Went to Syracues and West
167
Died
167
Organ Installed
168
Inaugural Concert.
169
First Used at Service
169
Its 30th Anniversary
170
Edward Brechlin's Playing.
170
Mr. Upton's Preaching.
171
Mr. Otis Came
172
Mr. Yatman
173
Mr. Otis Resigns
173
His Sermons.
173
He Married
174
Puget Sound Academy
174
Mr. Otis Made Supt. Western Washington
174~
Made Gen. Missionary for United States. 175
Teaches a Bible Class Near New Haven 175
Pastor at Orange, Conn. 175
Mr. Scudder Came
176
151
Daughter Mary Hedley Born
176
Parsonage Bought
177
Two Boys Born. 177 Men's Club
Eightieth Anniversary
Fire in Parsonage.
178
Two Children Smothered.
178
Parsonage Repaired
179 181
Born in India
182
Died
182
Mr. Klock Comes
183
Two More Deacons Elected
185
State Convention
185
Mr Klock Leaves.
186
Mr. Dexter Comes
187
Ordained
188
Three Funerals
188
Married
189
Individual Communion Set
189
Mr. Scoville's Death
190
A Committee from this Church went to Funeral.
192
" Doctor Scoville "
192
The Scoville Memorial
193
Choosing a Pastor
193
The Successful Way-at Least This Once
194
Mr. Allen Comes.
195
Repairs in Church in 1910.
198
Mr. Allen Marries Miss Hicks.
198
Repairs Finished
199
The Loyal Worker's Circle
201
The Loving Kindness Circle.
202
The Gateway Circle
203
Woman's Missionary Societies
204
Women's Working Association
205-
The Scoville Brotherhood
208
Diagram of Churches, 1862 and 1874. 210-211
Scoville Biography
212
Mrs. Scoville's Life and Death.
215
Mr. Scoville in Norwich and Anecdotes
220
Dr. Raymond's Address
239
177 177
Mr. Scudder Leaves
191
Memorial Service in This Church
The First Mrs. Allen's Death 197
-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.