USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Settlement in the West : sketches of Rochester with incidental notices of western New-York > Part 26
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It is amusing enough for those who are familiar with the condition of this country to peruse Southey's lamentations for American degeneracy, and his confident predictions of vast calamities to be experienced from the alleged deficiency of religious institutions in the United States, especially in the newly-settled regions. "As the American government has not thought it necessary to provide religious instruction for the people in any of the new states," the veteran Southey tremblingly exclaims, " the prevalence of superstition, in some wild and terrible shape, may be anticipated as one likely consequence of this great and portentous omission.
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An Old Man-of-the-Mountain might find dupes and followers as readily as the all-friend Jemima Wilkinson ; and the next Aaron Burr who seeks to carve a kingdom for himself out of the overgrown territories of the Union, may discover that fanaticism is the most effective weapon with which ambi- tion can arm itself ; that the way for both is prepared by that immorality which the want of religion naturally and more necessarily induces ; and that camp-meetings may be very well directed to forward the designs of a military prophet. Were there another Mohammed to arise, there is no part of the world where he would find more scope or fairer opportunity than in that part of the Anglo-American Union into which the elder states continually discharge the restless part of their population-leaving law and gospel to overtake it if they can-for in the march of modern colo- nization both are left behind."
Well has it been remarked by an American critic upon Southey's Colloquies, that "Ignorance of facts and institu- tions is the excuse for this extravagance. The emigrants from the elder states carry with them the religious princi- ples and rituals which they have received in their youth. The law and the gospel, as they have learned it, go with them; and they are followed by clergy, regular or irregular, for whose ministry they build churches. Moreover, they are not illiterate nor doltish. Occasionally individuals may fall under fanatical illusions ; but, in general, they are too acute, too deeply imbued with particular religious and political maxims, and too intent on the improvement of their earthly condition, to become dupes to any ambitious impostor. If Mohammed were to be commissioned from his paradise to our western region, he would soon learn to talk about river- bottoms, crops, steamboats, railroads, and canals, and might get a seat in Congress by his wordy eloquence. In the ca- pacity of a military prophet, he would not find as many constant followers as Johanna Southcote retained in Eng- land."
This digression cannot be better closed, nor the religious and social history of Rochester more happily introduced, than by an eloquent apostrophe from a speech delivered in Ken- tucky by the gifted Everett, now Governor of Massachu- setts. 'The truth and beauty of the language can nowhere find a heartier response than in a city like Rochester, which
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NEW SETTLEMENTS OF AMERICA.
has sprung into existence with a suddenness and vigour strikingly illustrative of those intellectual and moral quali- ties which emblazon the New-England name with a radi- ance eclipsing the bloody glories of the battle-fields whose trophies sacrilegiously bedeck the Christian temples of other lands :---
" What have we seen," exclaimed Mr. Everett, " in all the newly-settled portions of the Union? The hardy and enterprising youth finds society in the older settlements comparatively filled up. His portion of the old family farm is too narrow to satisfy his wants or his desires; and he goes forth with the paternal blessing, and often with little else, to take up his share of the rich heritage which the God of Nature has spread before him in this Western world. He leaves the land of his fathers, the scenes of his early days, with tender regret glistening in his eye, though hope mantles on his cheek. He does not, as he departs, shake off the dust of the venerated soil from his feet ; but on the bank of some distant river he forms a settlement to perpetuate the remembrance of the home of his childhood. He piously bestows the name of the spot where he was born on the spot to which he has wandered ; and while he is labouring with the difficulties, struggling with the priva- tions, languishing, perhaps, under the diseases incident to the new settlement and the freshly-opened soil, he remembers the neighbourhood whence he sprung-the roof that shel- tered his infancy-the spring that gushed from the rock by his father's door, where he was wont to bathe his heated forehead after the toil of his youthful sports-the village schoolhouse-the rural church-the graves of his father and his mother. In a few years a new community has been formed-the forest has disappeared beneath the sturdy arm of the emigrant -his children have grown up, the hardy offspring of the new elime ; and the rising settlement is already linked in all its partialities and associations with that from which its fathers and founders had wandered. * * Such, for the most part, is the manner in which the new states have been built up ; and in this way a foundation is laid BY NATURE HERSELF for peace, cordiality, and broth- erly feeling between the ancient and recent settlements of the country."
While the foregoing is quoted as illustrative of causes which have rendered Rochester what it is, the reader will
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perceive from the annexed statements that the condition of this city exemplifies most forcibly the declarations of the New-England orator.
Twenty-two years ago, when the first church in Roches- ter was formed, there was no other congregation within a tract of 400 square miles ! Sixteen members only formed that congregation ; and it may amuse some who now look upon the many and massive religious structures of Roches- ter, to be informed that even those sixteen members had then to be collected from " the Ridge in the town of Gates and from the eastern part of the town of Brighton !"
The number, the dimensions, and the architecture of the present churches-the dates of their foundation-the size of their congregations, and the moral and benevolent societies connected therewith-are all exhibited in the statements and illustrations herewith presented to the public.
" Population and even business may have increased oc- casionally elsewhere in a ratio perhaps as remarkable ; but in few, very few cases, if any, will it be found that the prog- ress in those points has been accompanied by the PERFEC- TION OF SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS in the degree with which they are now already beheld in Rochester." Such is the language we have elsewhere employed in some sketches of the city. We will not longer detain the reader from facts which may enable him to decide upon its truth-facts which furnish the readiest reply to the erroneous assertions and wild theories of commentators like Southey upon the condi- tion of the American people. The European reformers, who are struggling for the recognition of the VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE in church endowments and government, may here find evidence demonstrative of their theory. Even the veteran laureate, zealous as he is for the union of church and state, may be tempted by such facts to admit that PUB- LIC OPINION may possibly be rendered more efficacious than LAW and BAYONETS in PROMOTING MORALITY and SPREADING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
Before attempting to sketch the rise and progress of the Churches of Rochester, it may not be considered irrelevant to revert to the condition of the place about twenty-five years ago. Therefore do we notice now
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PAGAN RITES AT ROCHESTER.
The last Sacrifice of the Scnecas where now stands the City of Rochester.
The contrast between the past and the present may be strikingly illustrated by reference to the Indian sojourners about Genesee Falls in 1812-13. Many of the Senecas wintered in this quarter, though chiefly roaming elsewhere in the " season of blossoms and fruit." Several families of this tribe occupied the ground north of the Episcopal Church in St. Paul's-street, where now stand the dwellings of the Messrs. Ward, Dr. Elwood, Mrs. Shearman, Judge Lee, Dr. Henry, Mr. Graves, Mr. Galusha, Mr. Charles M. Lee, Mr. S. G. Andrews, Colonel Pratt, Mr. Robert Wilson, and Mr. Samuel Hamilton. Other Indian families resided about the hill in the southeastern part of the city owned by Mr. Tif- fany, Mr. Charles J. Hill, and others-near the tract lately purchased for a city cemetery, to be arranged like " Mount Auburn" near Boston. Some others of the red race dwelt near the residences of Dr. O. E. Gibbs, Mr. Bardwell, Dr. Faulkner, Mr. Achilles, &c., about North-street.
The wigwams of several Indian families also graced the south and east sides of the elevation whereon there may now be seen the Free Bethel Church, and the residences of Gen- eral Vincent Matthews, Mr. Jonathan Child, Mrs. Ira West, Mrs. Nathaniel Rochester, Mr. Thomas H. Rochester, Mr. H. B. Williams, Mr. William S. Bishop, Mr. Joseph Strong, Mr. Henry E. Rochester, Dr. Maltby Strong, Mr. Hervey Ely, Judge Chapin, &c.
At this last encampment some pagan rites were witnessed in 1813, which may be mentioned not merely as illustrative of Indian customs, but as strikingly indicative of the vast changes by which so many Christian temples have been erected on and around the scene of such recent heathen or- gies !
It may be premised that the Senecas, and probably others of the Six Nations, have five feasts annually ; on which oc- casions it is customary to return thanks to Nauwanew for his blessings, or to deprecate his wrath. At these times also the chiefs conversed upon the affairs of the tribes, and generally urged upon the people the duty of demeaning them- selves so as to ensure a continuance of the favour which had attended them in their pursuits of peace or war. These feasts followed the consummation of the matters usually
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watched with most interest by Indians in peaceful times- one of the ceremonies occurring after " sugar-time ;" another after planting ; a third called the green-corn feast, when the maize first becomes fit for use ; the fourth after the corn- harvest ; and the fifth at the close of their year, late in Jan- uary or early in February, according to the moon.
The latter ceremonial was performed for the last time in Rochester in January, 1813. 'The concluding rites were seen by some of the few persons then settled in " these parts." From Mr. EDWIN SCRANTOM, now a merchant of the city, who was among the spectators, we have had an account of the ceremonial, as far as he beheld it, which corresponds with the accounts given by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, long a missionary among the Six Nations, and by the " White Woman," that remarkable associate of the Senecas. The latter personage related, that when the Indians returned from hunting, ten or twenty of their number were appointed to su- perintend the great " sacrifice and thanksgiving." Prepara- tions were made at the council-house or other place of meet- ing for the accommodation of the tribe during the ceremonial. Nine days was the period, and two white dogs the number and kind of animals formerly required for the festival ; though in these latter days of reform and retrenchment (for the prevailing spirit had reached even the wigwams and the altars of the Senecas) the time has been curtailed to seven or five days, and a single dog was made the scapegoat to bear away the sins of the tribe ! Two dogs, as nearly white as could be procured, were usually selected from those be- longing to the tribe, and were carefully killed at the door of the council-house by means of strangulation ; for a wound on the animal or an effusion of blood would spoil the victim for the sacrificial purpose. The dogs were then fantastically painted with various colours, decorated with feathers, and suspended about twenty feet high at the council-house or near the centre of the camp. The ceremonial is then com- menced, and the five, seven, or nine days of its continuance are marked by feasting and dancing, as well as by sacrifice and consultation. Two select bands, one of men and an- other of women, ornamented with trinkets and feathers, and each person furnished with an ear of corn in the right hand, dance in a circle around the council-fire, which is kindled for the occasion, and regulate their steps by rude music. Hence they proceed to every wigwam in the camp ; and, in
RELIGIOUS EDIFICES OF ROCHESTER.
The First Presbyterian Church-next south of the Courthouse - built of stone.
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THE CHURCHES OF ROCHESTER.
like manner, dance in a circle around each fire. Afterward, on another day, several men clothe themselves in the skins of wild beasts, cover their faces with hideous masks and their hands with the shell of the tortoise, and in this garb they go among the wigwams, making horrid noises, taking the fuel from the fire, and scattering the embers and ashes about the floor, for the purpose of driving away evil spirits. The persons performing these operations are supposed not only to drive off the evil spirit, but to concentrate within themselves all the sins of their tribe. These sins are after- ward all transfused into one of their own number, who, by some magical dexterity or sleight-of-hand, works off from himself into the dogs the concentrated wickedness of the tribe ! The scapegoat dogs are then placed on a pile of wood, to which fire is applied, while the surrounding crowd throw tobacco or other incense upon the flame, the scent of which is deemed to co-operate with the sacrifice of the ani- mals in conciliating the favour of Nauwanew or the Great Spirit. When the dogs are partly consumed, one is taken off and put into a large kettle with vegetables of various kinds, and all around devour the contents of the " reeking caldron." After this the Indians perform the dances of war and peace, and smoke the calumet : then, free from wicked- ness, they repair to their respective places of abode, prepared for the events of the new year.
The wild spot where these pagan rites were performed only twenty-six years ago has been transformed for the pur- poses of civilized man, and is now surrounded or covered by some of the fairest mansions and the noblest temples of Western New-York.
Such are the results of ENLIGHTENED ENTERPRISE com- bined with LIBERAL INSTITUTIONS in A LAND BOUNTEOUSLY ENDOWED BY HEAVEN.
Let us examine now the origin and condition of
THE CHURCHES OF ROCHESTER.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This is the oldest religious society in Rochester. It was organized in August, 1815, with sixteen members, by a
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committee of the Presbytery of Geneva, when Oliver Gibbs, Daniel West, Warren Brown, and Henry Donnelly were chosen elders, and Elisha Ely clerk.
In January, 1816, the Rev. Comfort Williams was in- stalled as bishop and pastor of the church by the Presbytery of Geneva, and retired from the station in June, 1821.
In April, 1822, the Rev. Joseph Penney, D.D., was in- stalled as the successor of Mr. Williams by the Presbytery of Rochester, which presbytery was organized in 1819. Dr. Penney resigned the charge of this church in April, 1833 ; and, after having spent two years as pastor of the First Congregational Church in Northampton, Mass., was elected to his present station of President of Hamilton Col- lege. It may be here mentioned, that the first organized effort in the cause of temperance in Ireland, if not in Great Britain, was made through the instrumentality of Mr. Penney, while on a visit to his native land on leave of absence from this church. It may be also mentioned, as equally credit- able to the citizens of Rochester and to the object of their partiality, that a sum equal to the interest of $20,000 is an- nually paid by some liberal residents of Rochester to sustain Hamilton College in supporting the president.
In 1834, the Rev. Tryon Edwards was ordained and in- stalled as bishop and pastor of this church. On the day of public thanksgiving in December, 1836, Mr. Edwards de- livered a discourse on the "Reasons for Thankfulness," which imbodied much statistical information, and from which there is copied into this work some tabular statements of the churches and Sabbath-schools of the city, &c.
In 1827, the Rev. Jonathan S. Green and Miss Delia Stone (now Mrs. J. R. Bishop) sailed as missionaries for the Sandwich Islands ; and in 1836, the Rev. F. D. W. Ward and the Rev. Henry Cherry sailed as missionaries for Southern India, all members of this church.
The progress of improvement in this quarter may be in- ferred from some facts mentioned by the Rev. Mr. Edwards in his thanksgiving discourse. "In 1815, when this con- gregation was organized, it was the only church in a tract of about 400 square miles ! the second meeting of its session was held on Brighton Ridge; and no church meeting was legally called, unless notice had been sent to the settlements on the Ridge in Gates and in the east part of the town of Brighton !"
RELIGIOUS EDIFICES OF ROCHESTER.
St. Luke's, Episcopal-Fitzhugh-street, opposite and west of the First Presbyterian Church.
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THE CHURCHES OF ROCHESTER.
It is worthy of note, that, in the year 1828, "no one of the members of this congregation died at Rochester, though their number was between 400 and 500."
The church edifice, of which a representation is herewith presented, is a massive structure of stone, with buttresses rising between the windows and above the eaves, surmounted with spires, giving to the building an unique appearance. These buttresses were added to strengthen the walls, after an alarm occasioned by some imaginary insecurity of the building, owing to the large concourse which thronged to hear the Rev. Mr. Finney during a revival a few years ago. Although the church edifice is one of the largest in the city, as the " Table of Religious Societies" will show, the en- graving of it might occasion a contrary belief, from the fact that, owing to a desire to have a view of the session-room included, the main edifice was necessarily drawn upon a smaller scale than that allowed for other representations.
The officers of the First Presbyterian Church are L. Ward, Jr., M. Chapin, Charles J. Hill, Frederic Starr, Ashley Samson, and James K. Livingston, Elders ; Everard Peck, F. M. Haight, R. M. Dalzell, Silas Ball, Theodore Chapin, and L. B. Swan, Trustees.
ST. LUKE'S CHURCH.
This Episcopal church was organized, with two or three communicants, on the 14th of July, 1817, under the name of " St. Luke's Church, Genesee Falls," by the Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk (now bishop of the diocess of Pennsylvania), rector of St. John's Church, Canandaigua, and missionary.
Dr. Onderdonk performed occasional services for the con- gregation in the old schoolhouse on the lot adjoining the present church edifice (the schoolhouse now erected there is one of the best edifices for the purpose in the state). After the removal of Dr. Onderdonk to Brooklyn, there were occasional services by missionaries until the spring of 1820, when the Rev. Alanson W. Welton was engaged to perform divine service once in three weeks for one year. This ar- rangement terminated in a few months by the removal of Mr. Welton to Detroit.
In the fall of 1820, the congregation erected a wooden church, 38 by 46 feet, on the lot now occupied by the pres- ent church, which was presented to the society by Messrs.
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Rochester, Fitzhugh, and Carroll, the original proprietors of . the " 100-acre tract." This edifice was consecrated by Bishop Hobart on the 20th February, 1821, and on the day follow- ing he ordained the Rev. F. H. Cuming to take charge of the congregation, Mr. Cuming having received a call thereto in the previous December. There were at that time ten communicants.
In April, 1823, the vestry resolved to build a new church of stone, 53 by 73 feet, on the lot occupied by the wooden church. The new edifice was occupied for the first time on the first Sunday in September, 1825. Owing to the absence of Bishop Hobart, it was not consecrated until September 30, 1826.
On the 7th May, 1827, the vestry passed a resolution to organize a new congregation on the east side of the river, by the name of " St. Paul's," now Grace Church. .
In 1828, thirty feet was added to the length of the church, making the whole length 103 feet, affording seats for up- ward of a thousand persons. The edifice is of the Gothic order, built of stone, and is situate opposite the First Pres- byterian Church and the Courthouse. An engraving ex- hibits its appearance.
The Rev. Mr. Cuming continued his connexion with the church as minister and rector until March, 1829; when, after upward of eight years service, he resigned. The number of communicants was then 109.
The rectorship of the church continued vacant until Oc- tober, 1829, when the Rev. Henry J. Whitehouse, of Read- ing, Pennsylvania, was elected. He officiated in the church as its rector on the first Sunday in December, 1829, and was instituted by Bishop Hobart in August, 1830.
In 1832 a Sunday-school and lecture-room was erected in rear of the church, dimensions 50 by 44 feet.
In September, 1833, the Rev. James M. Bolles was ap- pointed assistant minister, to take charge of the congrega- tion during the temporary absence of Dr. Whitehouse on a tour to Europe for the benefit of hi's health ; which office he held for one year.
A parish library was organized in 1831, and contains now several hundred volumes. It is supplied with ten periodi- cal religious publications, and is designed for the use of the congregation generally.
A charity school of seventy-five scholars is kept in the
RELIGIOUS EDIFICES OF ROCHESTER. The Second Baptist Church-corner of Clinton and Main streets-built of stone.
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THE CHURCHIES OF ROCHESTER.
Sunday-schoolroom of the church. It was established in 1833, and is mainly supported by the "Young Ladies Benevolent Society of St. Luke's."
The Rev. Dr. Whitehouse still continues in charge of the congregation of St. Luke's, having declined the bishopric of Michigan to which he was elected. He is assisted by the Rev. Mr. Bruce.
The wardens of the church are Vincent Matthews and William Pitkin ; and the vestrymen are N. Rochester, John Allen, Frederic Whittlesey, Matthew Mead, Seth C. Jones, William Brewster, D. Hoyt, Jonathan Child.
A subscription has been raised, and a lot on Brown's Square purchased, for the purpose of erecting a
THIRD EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
the edifice to be of stone, and 60 by 90 feet in dimensions.
THE FRIENDS.
A society of Friends was formed in 1817, and a meeting- house was soon after erected in Fitzhugh-street, nearly op- posite the Brick Church.
In consequence of the discussions in which the name of Elias Hicks was frequently mentioned, another society was formed in 1828, called the
ORTHODOX FRIENDS.
The second meeting-house of the Friends is, like the first, a plain frame building. It is situated on Jay-street, in the part of the city known as Frankfort. This latter edifice is the one occupied by the "Orthodox Friends."
It is, of course, generally known that the Friends have no regularly settled preachers.
The trustees of the " Orthodox" society are Jesse Evans, Silas Cornell, and L. Atwater.
The trustees of the other society are Samuel Post and Joseph Green.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist Church in Rochester was constituted on the 13th July, 1818, with twelve members. The first pas- tor was the Reverend Asa Spencer-he was settled in No- vember, 1818, and resigned in December, 1819. 'The
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church then remained destitute of a pastor for more than four years, enjoying the labours of different clergymen du- ring that time. In March, 1824, the Rev. Eleazer Savage became their pastor ; and through his labours the church was greatly prospered-the congregation increasing in num- bers and extending its influence and benevolent operations. He resigned his charge in May, 1826 ; and, until his recent settlement as pastor of another church, has since been chiefly engaged in forwarding the tract and Sabbath-school opera- tions.
The Rev. O. C. Comstock, the third pastor of this church, was settled in December, 1827, and continued in charge till March, 1835, when failing health compelled him to resign a station, in the discharge of the duties of which his consti- tution suffered considerably. Since that time, his health having been restored by travelling, he was elected chaplain of the Senate of the United States for one session. "Du- ring his labours with this church," it is stated by one of the officers of the congregation, " Dr. Comstock had the satisfaction of welcoming to its numbers nearly eight hun- dred persons ; among whom was his son, who, when about to be admitted to the bar as a lawyer, devoted his attention to theological studies, and is now successfully labouring as a missionary in the Burman empire."
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