USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 65
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The church, in 1914, made an effort to ob- tain a pastor, which was not successful; and things went on very much as before, till 1817, when they secured the services of Sedgwick Rice, a licenciate from Connecticut, who was with them 2 years-receiving a salary of $ 100 a year.
During Mr. Rice's pastorate, the subject of building a meeting-house in the village was ag- itated; but nothing was definitely decided up- on it. After he left, the meetings under the lead of Deacons Randall and Moon were still kept up till in November, 1821, they secured the services of Bro. Leman Andrews. The church gave him a call May 4, 1822, and he was ordained by a council composed of the churches of Mt. Holly, Ludlow, Chester, Bran- don, Cornwall, Whiting, Middletown and Ponlt- ney. on the 19th of June following. He con- tinned with the church about three years.
Another year of destitution followed-when, in May, 1826, Gibbon Williams came to preach. The church gave him a call on the following July ; but he did not accept it in time to be ordained before the 23d of May, 1s2 ;. He remained with them about two years in all. The present Baptist meeting-house was built while he was with them, at an expense of $$70. The subscription paper is dated March 31, '27, and the house was completed early in Decom- ber of the same year. [It was built by con-
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tract, by Capt. Simon Cook, who met with no | dent that such a policy as this is not calculated inconsiderable loss in the operation.]
Soon after the house was opened, elder Wil- liams left, when they were again two years without a pastor. There were, however, dur- ing this time, important accessions to the church.
Elder F. Page, the next pastor, commenced his ministry in 1830. July 4, of the same year, 7 members were dismissed to join the new church just formed on the hill. Under this pastor a revival so extensive commenced in '31 that 44 were baptized and brought into the church. At about the end of four years, hav- ing asked a dismission, he was dismissed.
Aug. 31, 1834, Dea. Randall makes his last record as church clerk, and there is no record from that time to Oct. 1, 1835. And the prob- ability is, that during this time there was no pastor and no meetings, as Deacon Randall was unable to take the lead.
Four years of vacancy followed the dismis- sion of Elder Page, with only now and then a supply. In August, 1838, Elder Leland Hunt- ley came and labored a year: 19 baptisms were the fruits. He was succeeded by J. H. Sherwin, who continued about 2 years. Then, for another year, Prof. David Hascall followed. Nothing of interest occurred in these years.
In the winter or spring of 1843,Elder Joseph Packer became pastor of the church, and min- istered to it a little over a year-27 were bap- tized and added to the church during this time. Following Elder Packer, Elder Constantine preached a short time in '44. R. Myers was pastor in '46 and '47. Feb. 21, '47, he baptized 15 candidates. The 3d of April following he was dismissed. Before obtaining another pas- tor, the church repaired their house of worship at an expense of $ 600. At this time they were destitute about a year.
After the refitting of the house. Elder Page again preached a year or two. and was followed by Elder E. H. Sinith for a year.
Mr. Elliot having brought down the history of the church to the commencement of the period of his own pastorate, makes the follow ing comments:
" From the close of the labors of Elder Green, in 1807, to the present time, a period of 48 years, there have been 14 ministerial settle- ments, and the aggregate of the whole service performed by the 14, as near as can be ascer- tained, is about 25 years-less than two years each-leaving the church destitute of a pastor nearly half the time. Now it is perfectly evi- 1
to build up a strong and efficient church. I am not surprised that the church has made so little real progress in the last half century of its existence. I am more surprised that it has an existence at all, after passing through so many changes. I cannot resist the impression, that Deacons Randall and Moon were men of supe- rior minds, and well calculated to watch over the affairs of a church. when destitute of a pastor. It is evident, too, that God has exer. cised a fostering care over the church. He has spared it to be a light to the world for three-fourths of a century. and many precious souls have been truly saved through its instru - mentality. Shall it continue to be a blessing to this community ? This, under God, depends in a great measure upon us. If we are faithful to the truth committed to us, we may be the means of perpetuating this holy influence to help those who may come after us."
Rev. Simeon L. Elliott, on whose discourse I have thus far depended for the history of the church, commenced preaching in Walling- ford Aug. 10, 1851, and was ordained on the 19th of November following. His ministry continued about five years and a half, the re- sults of which were not so much to be seen in the number of conversions and increase of the church, as in the gathering up of the frag- ments that remained after such a miscellane- ous ministry, and so many years of vacancy ; and of restoring the church again to gospel order and discipline. In this direction he ac- complished much; and had it been according to the ordinations of Providence that he should have remained with them, I doubt not that the church would have ultimately regained much of its former prosperity. But God or- dered it otherwise, and he left them much to the regret, as the writer had occasion to know, both of the most devoted members of the church, and the community in general
What further remains to be narrated of the history of this beloved brother will be found in the following beautiful tribute from " The Watchman and Reflector :"
" ANOTHER LABORER FALLEN."
"Died in Wallingford, Vt., Oct. 21, 1865, Rev. Simeon L. Elliott, aged 43 years.
" At the decease of a faithful watchman on the walls of Zion, it seems fitting that a brief notice, at least, of bis character and labors should be given to the public. Brother E. was born in Greton, N. H., and studied for the ministry, and graduated at " The New Hampton Literary and Theological Institu-
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tion." After preaching a brief period at Wash- ington. N. H., ho removed to Wallingford, Vt., where he was publicly ordained to the work of the ministry. He labored here for several years with much acceptance and usefulness. But, at the earnest request of his brethren, at length resigned his pastorate to enter on an agency in behalf of the New Hampton In- stitution, then removed to Fairfax. After the conclusion of his services in this behalf, he accepted the call of the Baptist church in Mer- iden, N. H., and closed his labors there in December last. Removing again to Walling- ford, he preached the gospel as he had oppor- tunity; but declining health forbade his assum ing again the pastoral office.
" As a Christian, brother E. was marked most conspicuously by a conscientious dis- charge of duty. He possessed, to a remarkable degree, an unwavering confidence in God and in the safety and happiness of always obeying Him. He seldom spoke of his own religions exercises, even to his most intimate friends ; but presented before them the continual ex- ample of a conscientious, upright, devout, God-fearing man. As a preacher he was dis- tinguished for clearness of statement, strength and simplicity of argument, and directness and pungency of appeal and exhortation It was his great delight to preach Christ and Him cru- cified : and God gave him a goodly number of souls as seals of his ministry, and stars in the crown of his rejoicing.
" In the Councils of his brethren, in respect to the affairs of the denomination, he was calm, considerate and judicious . accustomed to take large views of things, and to look far forward to distant and more remote, as well as hear and immediate results One who knew him well. and was intimately associated with him for 25 years, can testify to the purity of his character, and the constant conscien- tiousness of his counsels and labors. He was a man to be confided in and trusted. The nature of his sickness deprived his friends of his dying testimony. They needed it not- his whole character gave abundant evidence that he finished his course with joy .- Ilis fu- neral sermon was preached by Rev. F. H. Arch- ibald, from Matt. 13. 43 . Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the king- dom of their father.'"
Mr. Elliott married Miss Sarah E. Coles of Claremont, N. H., who shared equally with him in the affections and regards of the people of Wallingford. She is now the wife of Dea.
Woodbury, a most esteemed and effi- cient officer in the Baptist church in North Springfield, Vt.
I have thus given the history of this church. and the progress it has made under its differ- ent pastors. But there are other facts which are not without their interest, which demand a brief notice.
Of the Baptist churches in the State only 15 were organized before 1750. Most, if not all
of these, with the exception of this church, have since been newly organized or disband- ed. This church, then, is among the very old- est in the State, connected with this denomin- ation. It has had the following ecclesiastical connections. It first united with the Shaftsbu- ry Association, but in what year is not known. From this it was dismissed in 1789, and united with the Vermont, which met in Wallingford in 1790. In 1808 the church voted to with - draw from this Association, and did not join any other for 16 years, when it connected itself with the Manchester, with which it remained till the Association disbanded in 1828 or 9 .- From that time it remained unassociated till 1838, when it went back to the old Vermont, where it has remained.
The salary and manner of paying it in the early times, also, affords matter for a pleasant record. In 1797, Elder Green being pastor, " The church agreed to help him on his farm, when he needed, to pay his salary, and to meet at the close of the year to see if each had paid his full proportion. Two years later, in 1799, they voted to give him 40 dollars salary, to be paid in cattle or grain, and averaged on the church, according to their several ability. The next year, 1800, they agreed to give him £ 17, 17s. salary, which would be about $ 60. In 1801 they agreed to raise one penny on the pound, on their church list; and for the two succeeding years the same assessment was voted. In 1805 he was allowed $ 60. This was when the church numbered about 200, and his pastoral duties employed all. or nearly all his time. It was, therefore, insufficient for his support, and he asked a dismission. On this the church met and agreed to pay up arrearag- es, and raise a salary of $ 100 per year in fu- ture, and assist him one day in winter to get up his wood. The church not coming up to this agreement, Elder Green left.
Another fact of interest is, that for a consid- erable period in its early history, the poor of the church were supported by a tax on the members, according to their ability.
It will also interest the present generation to know that this church was very slow to come into the custom so common at the present day of allowing persons withont piety, and often without morality, to take the lead in the servico of praise. For 36 years the singing was conducted only by some member of the church. Dea. Joseph Randall was its first and only precentor during that time. But in 1816 the church passed a vote " to allow persons not
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members of the church to take the lead, in the absence of Dea. Randall"-and the door thus opened to the ingress of non-professors to that office, has remained open ever since.
This church, also, in its early history, acted on the principle of equalizing among its mem- bers all the church expenses; and, to make it sure that all did their part, the church was made the judge of each one's ability.
I have no further information respecting this church that would be of particular interest .- The number of its members in 1855 was 73.
I give the names of the officers of the church, with the time of their election : Dea. Ebenezer Murray, Feb. 10, 1780; Dea. Joseph Randall, April, 1780; Dea. Colborn Preston, June 20, 1792 ; Dea. Sanford Moon, May, 1803 ; Dea. John Button, Jr., March 1, 1834.
The following have also been deacons of the church, but of the date of their election I have no information : Deas. Eleazer Mighells, John Moon, Thomas York.
The church has also had 4 pastors since Mr. Elliott closed his ministry. Rev. Edwin M. Haynes, ordained July, 1858-dismissed July, 1859. Mr. Haynes was subsequently chaplain of the 10th Vt. regiment in the war of the re- bellion-is now the pastor of the Baptist church in Palmer, Mass. Rev. Edward Conover was installed Nov. 6, 1859-dismissed April 1, '63. Rev. James W. Grant commenced to preach in June, '63, and left Nov. 20, '64. Rev. Robert G. Johnson began his labors July 12, '65, and closed them May 4, '67.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
therefore, the concurrent testimony of Deacon Hall and Mrs. Chatterton is to be received, we shall not assign an earlier date to the organiza- tion of the church than 1792.
But the history of the organization of the church is not only-lost in oblivion, but the name of not a single minister who preached to it in the first years of its existence, has come down to us, even in tradition : nor have we any account of a meeting held for prayer, or business, or for any other purpose. Without impropriety, therefore, may we not, in giving a history of the church, commence with the in- stallation of its first pastor ?
REV. BENJAMIN OSBORN,
The first pastor of the church, was installed over it Nov. 10, 1802. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Heman Ball, who was at that time pastor of the church at Rutland. The text was from the Epistle to the Col. 1. 7. " As ye, also, learned of Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is for yon a faithful minister of Christ." This dis- course-and not without reason-was deemed worthy of publication. It was printed at Rut- land by Stephen Hodgman, and I have a copy before me.
The first settlement of Mr. Osborn was over the church in Tinmouth, a neighboring town, Sept. 25, 1780. From this, after a pastorate of a little over 7 years, he had been dismissed, Oct. 11, 1787. He was, however, subsequently invited by that people to return and resume his ministry among them. This will explain the following extract from the sermon of Mr. Ball, from which we learn the high estimation in which he was held at the time of his set- tlement:
There is no record of the organization of this church. We know not when it was formed- who were its earliest members, nor what Coun- cil constituted it. Thompson, in his Gazetteer "BRETHREN AND FRIENDS: We take part with you in the religious joys of this day. You this day receive an ascension gift of our Divine Redeemer. You this day have a pastor set over you in the Lord-one who may go in and out before you ; may lead you in the paths of knowledge; may bear unto you the mes- sages of grace, and break unto you the bread of life. He is no stranger : he is not a doubt- ful character. Most of you have had long ac- quaintance with him. You have witnessed his prudence, his patience, his meekness. You have had opportunity to be acquainted with his abilities, his learning, and his knowledge in the Scriptures. You are acquainted with his re- puted piety and soundness of doctrine. When, a few years since, his pastoral relation with the people of a neighboring town was dissolved. no objection was found to lie either against his Christian or ministerial character ; and he was unanimously recommended by the Reverend of Vermont, says "it was organized about the year 1802, when they settled the Rev. Benja- min Osborn"; but it evidently had existed a number of years before Mr. Osborn was install- ed. Dea. Mosely Hall united with it in 1798, and he informed me that it had been in exist. ence 7 or 8 years at that time. On this declar- tion I put down 1790 in the new church records as the time of its organization. But he subse- quently informed me that there was no Congre- gational church in town, until after Deacon Abraham Jackson's death. In order to ascer- tain if this was so, I applied to Mrs. Chatterton, who assured me that Dea. Hall was correct- and that she had reason to recollect its organi- zation, as her father was elected its first deacon. Now Deacon Jackson died Sept. 18, 1791. If, | Council there convened, to the service of the
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churches, wherever God, in his providence, might call him. He still held a high place in the affections of a large portion of that people. They have often requested him to preach. He has occasionally preached among them to ac- ceptance. The great unanimity with which they have requested him to resume statedly his labors among them, is both to his praise and theirs. For a time his mind was held in sus- pense. He naturally had a regard for the peo- ple among whom he began his youthful minis- try; and among them he had spent many of his days. Your entire unanimity, your profess- ed friendship, your urgent request, weighed much in his mind. At length the scale pre- ponderated in your favor. He has come to the conclusion to take his residence among you. In this conclusion we hope and trust he was guided by the Divine Spirit. May this event prove in the issue to be for your everlasting good."
To this extract nothing need be added to show the high estimation in which Mr. Osborn was held. Nor have we reason to believe that he was subsequently regarded with less affec- tion and esteem.
Of the circumstances and early life of Mr. Osborn I have been able to gather nothing. While in Tinmouth he married the daughter of Hon. Thomas Porter, a distinguished jurist and eminent citizen of that day, and became the earliest instructor of his brother-in-law, Ebenezer Porter-afterward a much esteemed professor in the Andover Theological Seminary. Where he resided, or what was his occupation from 1787, the time at which he ceased to min- ister to the church in Tinmouth, till 1802, when he was settled at Wallingford, I have been unable to learn. He was probably employed in preparatory studies for the composition of his metaphysical treatise, "Truth Displayed," which he considered the great work of his life.
Mr. Osborn preached to the church and soci- ety in Wallingford for nearly 16 years, when, in consequence of his failing health, the services of another pastor seemed to be demanded. In these circumstances, with the consent of Mr. Osborn, the church extended a call to Rev. Eli Meeker, and invited a council for his settle- ment. This Council convened on the 6th of July, 1818; but finding, as they came together, that there was some division in the minds of the people, whether Mr. Osborn should be re- tained as senior pastor, or dismissed, they thought it best to adjourn before making their decision, till the following morning. During the night the question was decided for them by the great Head of the Church, Who removed Mr. Osboru-taking him, as we trust, to a higher service.
It appears from all I can learn of Mr. Osborn, that he was a well educated and highly gifted man; and that his ministry was attended with considerable success. Mrs. Chatterton, on a certain occasion, summed up his character in the presence of the writer, nearly as follows : "He was a very learned man." said Mrs. C., "yet exhibited no affectation of learning in his preachiug. In that he was always simple and earnest, and never soared in it above the heads of his people. To hear him talk was like hear- ing one read from a well-written book. IIe always made an impression in favor of religion. I used to wish that I could be as good as he was, but thought I never could be."
REV. ELI MEEKER,
The successor of Mr. Osborn, was ordained over the church July 7, 1818. His ministry was a brief one, terminating some time during the succeeding year.
REV. ELI S. HUNTER
Succeeded Mr. Meeker; but the precise time of the commencement of his ministry is not known. He probably ministered to the church about 5 years. He was dismissed on account of pecuniary embarrassment, arising from inade- quate support, April 26, 1825.
The records of the church had been kept in a very loose manner. and Mr. Hunter, when about leaving, told Dea. Moseley Hall if he would let him take them, he would put them in order, and get a book and copy them into it. He took the records; but nothing was afterwards seen of Mr. Hunter, or the church records he had taken with him. He was a man of considerable ability. Of his ministerial life, after he left Wallingford, I have no infor- mation.
REV. TIMOTHY M. HOPKINS
Was the next minister. Of Mr. Hopkins the church records make no mention.
Rev. Aldace Walker, D D., now ministering to the church in Wallingford, furnishes the fol- lowing : "Rev. Timothy M. Hopkins was born in Pittsford. July 8, 1800; had slight oppor- tunities for early education-studied theology with his brother, Rev. Josiah Hopkins, D. D., of New Haven. Vt .- was licensed to preach by the Addison Association in the autumn of 1827-ordained without charge by the same Association in 1828; came to Wallingford July 5, 1828, and closed his labors in the spring of 1830. These facts I gather from a letter re- ceived from him, dated at Geneva, N. Y., July 16, 1868. In this letter he says, 'We contin- ued to meet for a time in the Old Church, as it
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was called, which stood about a mile south of the village; but soon removed to the village, occupying the Baptist church, which had just been completed, and which that denomination, then without a minister, kindly offered to the Congregational church."
" During the summer and autumn of 1829 the Congregational church and society erected a church, and in the beginning of the following winter it was dedicated. Rev. Charles Walker, D. D., then of Rutland, preached the dedicatory sermon. My labors with them closed the fol- lowing spring."
In this letter Mr. Hopkins says of Rev. Eli S. Hunter, his predecessor in the ministry at Wallingford, that " He removed to Middlebury (now Wyoming), N. Y .. where he labored sev- eral years. Afterwards he was connected with the American Colonization Society, and finally removed to Milwaukie, Wis., where he died. '
Mr. Hopkins subsequently preached at Ra- cine, Wis., where he was instrumental in or- ganizing a church. He made his home after- wards in Geneva, N. Y.
REV. STEPHEN MARTINDALE
Was from Dorset, and, was brought into the ministry through the influence of Dr. Jack- son. His first settlement was at Tinmouth, Jan. 6, 1819, where he remained till Feb. 6. '32. He commenced to preach in Wallingford a little more than a month prior to his dismis- sion from Tinmouth. He did not wish to be installed at first ; and never was installed after- wards. His connection with the church was that of acting pastor, which relation he contin- ued to hold till his death, which occurred March 8, 1847.
In Mr. Martindale were united many of the elements which constitute the efficient minister. He had an engaging personal appearance, a good voice-great flow of language, and an earnest and impressive manner. His piety was, moreover, undoubted, and his judgment of a kind that led him to divide the Word to his people according to their needs. Under his charge the church had many additions, but was not favored with any general revival. It was his lot to have an appreciating people, and to find his grave among them. A handsome monument, erected by his parish, marks the spot in the village cemetery where he is laid. Mrs. M .. who was Dianthe Kent of Dorset, sur- vive l him a few years-the last three or four of which she spent with her son-in law, Isaac Munson Hill, in Beloit, Wisconsin. A year
or so after her decease, her remains were brought to Wallingford, where they now rest beside those of her husband. Mr. Hill, also, who was long the occupant of the hillside farm, and with whom and his family, the writer and many of the citizens of the valley had pleasant associations, has since passed from the cares and turmoil of life. Thus, one by one, the forms endeared to us pass from our view.
Soon after Mr. Martindale's settlement a branch-church, as it was called, was formed on the Hill. A large number in that part of the town had embraced religion, in the extensive revival under Mr. Hopkins, and it was thought both proper and expedient, as the distance from the village was so great, that they should be allowed the services of the pastor a portion of the time. This arrangement accordingly was entered into and continued till the year 1856, when, owing to the great change that had taken place in the circumstances of the society, it was thought best that service should be held in the village, without interruption. No regular service, therefore, since that time, has been held on the Hill, on the Sabbath.
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