USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 31
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1849-50, Rev. F. H. Stanton pastor; Orange Dayton superin- tendent the former year, the latter year the ever-faithful child of God, whom we so recently mourn, Quincy Barber. Amelia, the daughter of Mr. Dayton, married a prominent minister and editor, the late Rev. Dr. Abel Stevens. Report of Sunday school. 100 scholars, 15 officers and teachers. Infant teachers. Miss Julia Spencer and Miss Caroline Park.
1851-52, Rev. Almon Chapin pastor; Q. Barber superintendent. Infant class teachers, Miss Spencer and Miss Amanda Paddock (now Mrs. F. Whipple). During part of 1852, the Sunday school met in the Town Hall, as this was the year the church we now have, was built and dedicated by Presiding Elder Rev. J. Erwin. of sainted memory. I will read to you the memorandum as preserved of February 8, 1852, 44 years ago to-day:
"The pastor of the church visited the school and questioned the scholars on the lesson. During the past week one of our scholars died, Huldah Blake, aged 8 years, a good scholar, and attentive, almost always in her place. She died very sudden, taken sick Friday night, died Saturday morning. We miss her to-day in the school."
1855. Rev. Geo. Garry pastor; George Elden superintendent. Keport of Sunday school, 140 scholars. 16 teachers. Infant class 43.
1854-55. O. M. Legate pastor; H. D. M. Minor and Daniel Wilson superintendents. Miss Julia Spencer was married in 1854, leaving the infant class in charge of Miss Amanda Paddock. who married in 1855, when the record shows class closed AApril 29, with $2.35 missionary money on hand. There had been 170 scholars in the class.
1856. Rev. D. M. Rogers pastor: Q. Barber superintendent. 1857-58, Rev. Wm. Jones pastor: George Eklen superintendent. 1859-60, Rev. W. S. Titus pastor; M. P. B. Cook, superintend- ent in '59. In 1860 M. D. Sanford was elected from the class
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
room. Mr. Cook still continuing, by agreement, for two years,. to explain the Sunday school lessons before the school.
1861-62, Rev. L. Clark pastor; M. D. Sanford superintendent.
1863-64, Rev. J. T. Alden pastor. He was taken from earth to heaven in August, 1864, dying. Oh, so peacefully. His body awaits the morn of resurrection in our cemetery. Rev. J. C. Vandercook supplied the pastorate the remainder of the year. M. D. Sanford was superintendent, and the winter of 1864 we had our first Sunday school Christmas tree. A beautiful pine tree was secured, but the following year a hemlock was used. The heat of the candles on the pine tree, and warmth, caused quite an unpleasant experience.
1865-66, Rev. J. H. Lamb pastor: Q. Barber superintendent. Mrs. Lamb as teacher gathered an infant class together that met at the same time of Sunday school (noon) in the north class room.
1867-68-69, Rev. (). C. Cole pastor : Q. Barber, supeintendent in 1867-68. In 1869 W. W. Williams was elected superintendent. It will not be out of place to say he had not always been associ- ated with Sunday school work, or even church work. He was converted when past the prime of manhood, and developed rare qualities for a Sunday school superintendent. It seems, to look back, that he ran to do the Master's work the few years that were left him. We cherish his memory. In 1867 the writer was given charge of the primary class, and has been allowed to retain it until the present time.
1870-71-72, Rev. H. M. Danforth pastor; W. W. Williams superintendent.
1873-74, Rev. T. Richey pastor, W. W. Williams superintend- ent.
1875-76, Rev. A. S. York pastor; George G. Cook superintend- ent in '75, W. W. Williams in '76.
1877, Rev. B. F. Barker pastor; W. W. Williams superin- tendent.
1878-79. Rev. W. R. Cobb pastor; W. W. Williams superin- tendent.
1880-81-82, Rev. H. M. Danforth pastor: W. W. Williams superintendent in 1880, George G. Cook in '81, W. W. Wiliams in '82.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
1883-84-85, Rev. W. L. Tisdale pastor. Mr. Williams again elected superintendent in '83, but was soon taken ill. and "was not, for God took him." Walter C. Stoddard as assistant super- intendent took charge of the school the remainder of the year.
1884-85. James Watkins superintendent, who so recently, we believe, joined the triumphant host.
1886 to 1890 inclusive, Rev. C. H1. Guile pastor and superin- tendent. The Sunday school prospered under his supervision. The Sunday school rooms were enlarged, beautified and refitted. We felt we had model rooms.
1891-'92-'93, Rev. W. Demster Chase pastor and superinten- dent. The attendance was large during this period. In 1891 a Sunday school missionary society was formed, Miss Jennie Spencer secretary.
1894-95 brings us to the present 59th anniversary of the school's organization. We regret we cannot give the names of every officer and teacher since its beginning. Most of the super- intendents served in other relations to the school. Additional assistant superintendents were Mrs. Emeline Paddock, Thomas Owen, Martin R. Cook, Z. W. Moore, B. N. Buel and Dr. Tows- ley. Z. W. Moore for thirteen consecutive years led the singing in Sunday school, and played the organ both there and at public worship, his remuneration being the "Promise of the Father." During those years it is doubtful if he was absent as many Sab- baths as the pastor. Of the teachers, a few names of those who have closed their eyes, we expect, to open in heaven, were Miss Olive Loomis, Mrs. Ann Stoddard Penfield, Mrs. Wealthy Blakeslee Simmons, B. F. Whipple, Miss Lucy Bowen, George Greene, A. Kilpatrick, Lueina Woodruff, Sophronia Byington, Mrs. Eunice Butler, Maricle Cook, Mrs. A. S. Johnson (mother of Hon. R. S. Johnson), Mrs. Maggie Caswell Linkfield. Daniel Peek, Mrs. Israel Stoddard, Mrs. Sarah Broughton. Mrs. Fanny Peck Buel, Mary Alden, the former Mrs. O. C. Cole. and Mrs. Solon Cook, who was probably a teacher in this school longer than any other person. We can see her now with her Bible in hand, and a smile on her face, going from the morning service to the Sunday school room. She was a godly woman, believed the Bible to be divinely inspired, and that gave her advantage over doubting teachers. She knew much of the Holy Scriptures
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by heart. The Bible was truly God's word to her. She had a large Bible class, and not until the weight of four score years crowded upon her did she lay down the work. The Internation- al lessons were introduced early in the seventies. There were some who considered them an innovation, but do we not love to study the Old Testament better, see the analogy between that and the New Testament clearer, and will not the generation of to-day know more of Abraham and Isaac, of Moses and David, with many others, for having these lessons? We will not forget that it is the Holy Bible we are studying and teaching, and im- press it upon our scholars.
E. A. Harvey has been a warm friend and supporter of the Sunday school. Especially is the primary class much indebted to him for the generous gifts of books and papers. Two only of the earliest workers in the school remain with us, M. D. San- ford and T. D. Penfield. Although quite vigorous, the twilight has overtaken them. As they go out into the night, may the light of the years shine brighter and brighter to them.
The list of officers for 1895 was: Superintendent, Rev. W. F. Brown: Ist Assistant Superintendent, R. C. Knapp: 2nd assist- ant, Mrs. M. Tipple: Secretary, H. G. Littler: Assistant, Harry Curtiss, Ernest I. Castle: Treasurer, Mrs. H. G. Littler: Libra- rian, E. Matteson, Arthur Barnes, Rodney Cook: Organist. Miss Hattie Bird; Chorister, Mrs. A. B. Traffarn: Artist, Frank Hynes. Missionary Society, Secretary, Mrs. Lillian Curtiss Vandewalker; Treasurer, Mrs. Jennie Chapman Castle: Teachers. Rev. W. F. Brown, Mrs. Lillian Smith, Miss L. Blenis, Mrs. Adin Phelps, Mr. Lloyd Thomas, Miss Julia Sanford, Miss Mary Munroe. Mrs. George Anson, Mrs. Solon Smith, Dr. Van Allen, G. G. Cook, Mrs. L. Curtiss Vandewalker, D. D. Van Allen, Mrs. A. B. Traffarn, Miss Ida Munroe, Mrs. C. J. Bacon, Frank Mc- Adam, R. C. Knapp, Mrs. M. Tipple, Miss Carrie Park, Miss C. Clark, Miss May Watkin; Sub-teachers, Mrs. M. D. Sanford, Mrs. B. A. Curtiss, Mrs. E. A. Harvey, Mrs. M. W. Wilkinson, Miss Delia Dick, Miss Minnie Sanford, T. C. Ellis, E. A. Har- vey, Rodney Cook, Walter C. Stoddard.
The list of 1896 is nearly the same. Walter C. Stoddard was elected superintendent : assistant, G. G. Clark; No. of scholars in school. 460; officers and teachers, 42; primary, 70. The history
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THE TOWN OF CANDEN.
of a Sunday school, even with the completest records and the fullest information, how frutile to attempt to put on paper a his- tory of what has been accomplished. If one had a perfect knowl- edge of every teacher who has taught during all these years, and of all the scholars who have been taught; if a minute record of every session of the school had been kept, what was said by the superintendents, the pictures on the blackboard, the hymns sung. the words in whien the lessons were taught by the many teach- ers, the question asked, the answers given. With all this knowl- edge a complete history could not be written here. There is only one who is competent to write an adequate history of this or any Sunday school. He is keeping the records up vonder, and not until the books are opened shall we know what has been accom- plished during these years. What burdens have been lifted, what comforts given, what hope inspired, what sleeping consciences awakened, what souls turned from darkness into light. Seed dropped into desert hearts may not yet have come to blossom. but the word of the Lord shall not return unto him void. The prayers of these years are registered in heaven. The words spoken are treasured in unnumbered hearts. From this school have gone to the west, and to the east, to the south and north, not a few who received their early impressions of truth and God at these altars. The power of their lives is being felt in other fields. The influence of this school is literally reaching unto the ends of the earth. Some word spoken by some teacher may be to-day breaking upon some distant shore in benedic tions of peace. The little things are not insignificant. A bit of water freezing, bursts the rock, a spark of fire ignites the powder train. a violet scents the valley, a single drop of water mirrors the whole sky, a bird dipping in his rapid flight, strikes with his wings' tip the topmost flake of snow on the mountain's crown, and starts the mighty avalanche down the mountain's side, a single smile of some teacher may have led a soul to Jesus, a tract given may have brought another. Richard Baxter was saved by a tract. A few flowers may have given great joy to some tired child of earth. A little girl held a bunch of violets in her hand as she died, and the mother treasures the poor withered things yet : but they are all she has now. Results! The power of a consecrated
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life cannot be measured by any arithmetical process. These are sums for which exist no expressive numbers.
When St. Francis, who went from the cloister to the town one day for the purpose of preaching, returned at the day's close without having spoken a word, his companion of the journey ex- pressed disappointment that their mission had not been accom- plished. "We have been preaching as we walked," was St. Fran- cis' reply. Not all of the instruction of this Sunday school has been given within these walls. Many a life has spoken though 10 word has been uttered. You have preached though you have taken no text. There has been a living of the gospel. the in- fluence of which cannot be estimated. There is but One who can measure the organic force of a timely pressure of the hand, the weight of a falling tear from the eye of sympathy, the courage which leaps from a loving trustful heart into some cham- ber of despair, flooding it with new hopes, the new aspirations begotten of contact with a life impelled by the love of God.
Result. We must not seek to determine the full measure of the good that has been done in this school, and out of it, by the consecrated workers, until the day of judgment. and the books are opened. nor measure the reward of such faithful service as has been rendered by these many officers and teachers. The dividends for Christian work are declared as rapidly as the work done. The reward is in the blessedness of doing service. As Lowell says:
"''Tis not the grapes of Canaan that repay, But the high faith that failed not by the way."
We wait not for the crown at the end of the race. but are daily crowned with the joy of the Lord, and the sweet sense of peace. The work is taxing, but Oh, how glorious! How divine is the compensation for unselfish service! Not one has expressed this . more beautifully than Mrs. Browning:
" Thy love shall chant its own beatitudes After its own life working. A child's kiss Set on thy sighing lips shall make thee glad ; A poor man served by thee shall make thee rich ; A sick man helped by thee shall make thee strong ; Thou shalt be served thyself by every sense Of service which thou renderest,"
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
So with the consciousness of God's present favor, with thank- fulness for the blessed privilege of working for Him, with the joy of knowing that our "labor is not in vain in the Lord." with a tear in memory of the honored and remembered dead, with supreme confidence in the power of God's Holy Spirit, and of our final entrance, if we are faithful unto the end, we go to our work again singing that beautiful hymn of Whittier in our Hymnal:
It may not be our lot to wield The sickle in the ripened field ; Nor ours to hear, on summer eves, The reaper's song among the sheaves.
Yet when our duty's task is wrought
In unison with God's great thought,
The near and future blend in one, And whatsoe'er is willed is done.
And ours the grateful service whence
Comes, day by day, the recompense. The hope, the trust, the purpose stayed The fountain and the noonday shade.
And were this life the utmost span. The only end and aim of man, Better the toil of fields like these Than waking dream and slothful ease.
But life, though falling, like our grain, Like that revives and springs again ; And, early called, now blessed are they Who wait in heaven their harvest day.
WESLEYAN METHODIST.
In 1843, some sixteen members of the Methodist Episcopal Church withdrew from that body, forming a society, calling themselves Wesleyan Methodists. They were: A. Gifford. W. S. Tuttle, A. Raymond, J. Wingate. H. H. Gifford. 1 .. Stead- man, E. Gaylord. A. Skinner, and eight others.
In 1864 this society was disbanded, many of its male mem- bers having enlisted, and many having fallen in defense of their country's liberty.
A Free Methodist Society was organized in August. 1887.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
and purchased the framed church formerly owned by the Wes- lovan Methodists. It was remodeled in 1895, and is to-day a flourishing society.
MILLERITES.
In 1842 there was a religious body in Camden calling them- selves "Millerites." They sprang from one Miller by name, called "The End of the World Prophet." We do not know that any of this faith are now living in the town.
TRINITY CHURCH.
The next church to be established in Camden was the Protest- ant Episcopal. A few families of that faith had come here to locate, and they soon began to feel the need of a church home. where they could join in the services so familiar to them. From the journal of the Diocesan Convention of Western New York for the year 1839, we find that Rev. Nathaniel Burgess, a mis- sionary, came to Camden from Rome, and held three Sunday services, and officiated during Lent of the same year, once a week lecturing on the festivals and fasts of the church. In his report he says: "1 found a few families Episcopalians, organized a Sunday School, with a superintendent and four teachers; com- municants, twenty-eight." The mission thus organized was called St. Thomas Mission. In 1843, the Rev. Edward Kennicut had charge of the mission. Artemas Trowbridge represented the church at the convention which was held at Auburn, N. Y., August 16, 1843. There were fifty families at this time connected with the mission, one hundred and thirty-eight adults and ninety- nine children. Services were held in an upper room of the academy, which was located on the south side of the village park. But the society was anxious to have a church building of its own, and funds were raised with that object in view. While the members of the mission were putting forth every ef- fort to raise money for the building fund, Mr. Artemas Trow- bridge, who was engaged in the mercantile business, went to. New York to purchase goods. He called on the Wardens and Vestrymen of old Trinity Church, told them of the small band of Episcopalians in Camden, struggling to build a church home for themselves. From their abundance they generously gave
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
five hundred dollars, providing the new church should hear the name of Trinity, a namesake of their own. Mr. Trowbridge re- turned with the needed funds, which warranted the beginning of the new church edifice. Mrs. John Jamieson, a most devout church woman, and one who gave generously, donated the land, jeis. south of T. D. Penfield's residence, where the present edifice now stands. After her death, a marble tablet was erected on the west wall of the church, on the south side of the chancel, to hier memory, which was destroyed at the time of the fire. Work on the church was begun in 1843, and on the 28th of Februar ... 1844, it was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God, by the Right Rev. William Heathcote DeLancey, Bishop of West- ern New York, by the name of Trinity Church. The following day the Bishop held service, and confirmed seventeen persons. and administered the Holy Communion. It was a large square unpretentious building of wood, painted white, with a long flight of steps reaching almost across the entire front, leading from the walk to the entrance door. It stood nearer the street than the present church, crowned with a square tower, from which the sweet toned bell, given by the congregation, sounded the call to prayer. Four or five long windows graced each side of the building, and one each side of the entrance door in front. The large, box-like pews were very comfortable, and were rented by their occupants, as was the custom in all churches at that time. A gallery ran acrosss the east end of the building, opposite the chancel, where a fine organ was placed. the first in the town, a gift of Artemas Trowbridge. The choir was led by Roswell Bal- lard, and Miss Jane Bright was the organist. The services were hearty and the singing unusually good for a country parish. The chancel was beautifully furnished with royal purple velvet. with heavy fringe. and tassels on the corners of pulpit and desk cushions. The material was given by Mrs. Jamieson. During the building of the church, services were held in the upper room of the Town Hall, and the church society were at the expense of placing seats there for the privilege of using the building.
The wardens and vestrymen at the time of the organization were, Artemas Trowbridge. Senior Warden: Henry Bacon, Junior Warden. John Jamieson, George Trowbridge, Edwin Rockwell, Hiram Miner, Jefferson Colton, Edwin Dunbar, Ves- trymen. The latter part of the year 1844, the Rev. Steven Doug-
28
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
lass was appointed missionary at Camden and Constantia, in place of the Rev. Edward Kennicut, who was compelled to re- sign his work on account of failing health. The funeral of Mrs. John Jamieson, who had been a most active member, and one whose loss the church and community mourned deeply, was the first held in the new church. The first wedding was that of the organist, Miss Jane Bright, to Mr. Roswell Ballard. For many years they were connected with the choir, and only severed their connection with the church when they made their home elsewhere. In the early days of the Episcopal Church in Cam- den there was no railroad communication to or from the town nearer than Rome or Oswego. Before a clergyman was placed permanently in charge of the mission, he must drive all of the way from Rome by stage on Saturday evening for Sunday ser- vice. When the Bishop made a visitation, one of the parishion- ers went to Rome with his private conveyance, brought him to Camden, and after the service drove him to the appointed place for his next service. A private school for girls was opened in the basement of the church. The first teacher was Miss Dan- forth, from Dover, N. H. Miss Byington, who resided in Cam- den, succeeded her. The attendance was good and the teachers interested in the progress of their scholars, gaining both their love and respect. From time to time they were succeeded by other teachers, until it was decided best not to rent the basement longer. After the church was fully established the society pur- chased a parsonage, the residence lately owned and occupied by A. G. Timian, on Washington street. We have before is a printed invitation to an "ice cream party," which we copy: "The ladies of Trinity Church, Camden, will give a social party on Tuesday, the 10th of Aug. in the afternoon, at the Town Hall, where a variety of refreshments will be served, with the fruits of the season. Admittance 121/2 cts. Also in the evening will be given a concert of Vocal and Instrumental music with a variety of nice things to please the eve and taste. Admittance 121/2 cts. The proceeds are to be devoted to the purchase of blinds for the church. Your attendance is earnestly solicited. Camden, Aug. 3. 1847. By order of Committee." The enter- tainment was probably a success, both socially and financially. as the blinds were purchased, adding much to the appearance of the church on the outside, and toning the light in a pleasing manner for the eyes of the congregation. In May, 1867. it was
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
decided to sell the parsonage and use the proceeds towards the expenses of the church. At this time the society was in a fairly flourishing condition, with the Rev. Francis Gilliatt as recto -. The high flight of wooden steps had been taken away and the entrance door lowered: the steps leading up each side to the audience room from the interior. But in many ways it was not satisfactory. At a meeting called May 29th, it was decided to sell the building and lot and erect a new church in another part of the town, location not decided upon.
We find in one of the town papers Trinity Church and lo! was to be sold at public auction the 15th day of June, 1867. But for some unknown reason the sale was delayed. and on the 224 of June the building was destroyed by the destructive fire which passed over that section of the village, with nearly all of its con- tents. On account of the prospective sale of the property the insurance, which had run out, had not been renewed.
In one short hour the people saw the building where their most devout prayers had been offered, where their infants had been baptized, where young men and maidens had been united in the holy bonds of matrimony, and where the funeral services ot many a loved one had been chanted ere he was carried to hi- last resting place, and for which they had labored with untiring energy, reduced to ashes with all its contents. But a short time elapsed before the strong love they had for their church awoke an earnest desire to again own a place of worship, and immediate steps were taken to rebuild. They found they had no right to sell the land, which had been given for the use of the society. S. Cromwell, H. A. Case and A. L. Stone, men who had been identified with the best interests of the former church, were ap- pointed a building committee, and active operations were begin towards erecting a new house of worship, with but little else be- side a strong faith that God would aid them to the completion of their work.
A subscription paper was circulated: the towns-people as- sisted them in a noble way, and many contributions were re- ceived from members of other denominations, who gave freely to their own churches, but did not forget those who were strug- gling hard to make good their great loss. In the meantime. services were held in the Town Hall and Wesleyan Church. Work was begun clearing away the debris from the site of the old church, and the work pushed rapidly forward. On the 12th
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day of September the corner stone of the present structure was laid. The services were conducted by Bishop Coxe and the rec- tor, Rev. Francis Gilliatt, to whose untiring energy and intense interest in the new structure for divine worship, the society is greatly indebted.
Work progressed satisfactorily; the brick walls were com- pleted, and the long heavy rafters were up to the top of the high peaked roof, but not covered. On the 2d day of November. a terrific wind-storm passed over this section, doing consider- able damage, but the severest loss was to the new Episcopal Church. It blew down the west wall and that, together with the roof timbers, fell into the building, injuring the east end and side walls. Several men were at work when, seeing the storm com-
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