CENTENNIAL SOUVENIR. ^ — ^^ — ^ HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US. l799 — AUGU5IT II^H— 1599. ..•.JBI^OReO, N. Y 3.'/. 33 1^ PRINCETON, N. J. ^ Division. LXIIETO AVrt/o«..<....t O ' O A3 A CENTURY OF CHURCH LIFE, First Congregational Church, ....ELDRED. N. Y.... 1799. HuGUStlltb, 1809, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But unto Thy Name give Glory. " PRESS OF THE rRI-STATES PUBLISHING CO. PORT JERVIS, N, Y. PRESENT OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. Key. Joel F. Whitney, Pastor. Herbert W. Kyte Clerk. Charles, W. Wilson, Treasurer. Deacon Isaac Sergeant, Supt. of Sunday School. DEACONS. Edward B. Wilson, Isaac Sergeant, William H. Austin. TRUSTEES. Charles W. Wilson, Chairmaii, Deacon Isaac Sergeant, Clerk. Eev. a. E Austin, - Deacon E. B. Wilson, Samuel D. Hoatson, - Deacon W. H. Austin. List of Ministers of the Church. Rev. Isaac Sergeaut - - - 1799—1805 Rev. Stephen Sergeant - - - 1818—1826 Rev. Felix Kyte . . - - 1832—1878 Rev J. T. Marsh .... 1879—1880 Rev. E. W. Fisher - - - - 1880—1883 Rev. J. E. Ferine . » . . 1883—1884 Rev. H. P. Hamilton - - - 1885—1888 Mr. J. R. Taylor .... 1888-1888 Rev. W. C. Wilcox - - - 1888—1889 Rev. E. A. Smith .... 1889—1892 Mr. W. J. Stewart - - - 1892-1892 Rev. Henry Smith . . - . 1892—1894 Rev. Geo. M. Rees - - - 1894—1895 Rev. Joel F. Whitney - - - 1896— List of Deacons of the Church. Term Began Term Ended 1799 Ichabod Garmicbael :1;1829 1819 James Elclred ■ :1:1857 1819 Alexander Carmichael tl860 1830 Daniel Wells 1848 1848 Samuel "West tl890 1849 Alfred Hartwell 1860 1849 Sears E. Gardner - 1860 1849 Charles C. P. Eldred - - 11890 1857 James K. Gardner - :t:1860 1860 William M. Mapes - 1869 1860 Ethel B. Sergeant - 11884 1860 Robert M. Mapes 1869 1860 Edwin Hartwell 1879 1869 Edward B. Wilson - _ 1871 Daniel Picken tl884 1880 James Gillespie 1885 1884 James Macintosh - 1890 1884 Alvah Sergeant - tl897 1890 William H. Kyte - ^1896 1890 William Ruddick 1894 1890 Isaac Sergeant - 1897 William H. Austin - - HISTORICAL SKETCH. " The First Presbyterian-Congregational Church of Nar- row Falls, " was organized August 11, 1799. The record is made as follows : " Before the constitution the candidates for church-mem- bership had four conference-meetings and passed repeated examinations to the satisfaction of one another ; and also the articles of faith, and of church-government with the covenant were read and agreed to. The conference-meet- ings were held, the first on June first, the second on June second, the third on August seventh, the fourth on August tenth. Mr. Sergeant,* minister, who had heretofore often visited us, was now |)resent, who also was, bj the members unanimously voted to act as moderator and clerk in all our meetings through the time of constituting. Every meeting was opened and concluded with prayer. " Sabbath August 11, 1799, the church constituted and publicly consented to the articles as they were read to them, article by article, and solemnly entered into covenant with God and one another. After constitution, the church voted Ichabod Carmichael their deacon and he received his charge by Mr. Sergeant." This was according to Quinlan the first religious society in the county of which we have any account. The fourteen members of this church came together for * Mr. Sergeant referred to above was Rev. Isaac Sergeant, of Ridgebury, N. Y. He organized what is now the Presbyterian Church of Ridgebury in 1792 and was pastor until 1798. He came to Sullivan County and preached at various points on the Dela- ware, during the years of 1797 and following. He also organized a churcli with eleven members at Coshethton ( Cochecton ) in 1800. Seven of these appear to have become members of the Presbyterian Church when organized in 18r3. His name appears on our record in 1823. when he preached twice He was buried at Ridgeburry, N. Y. In 1892 on the occasion of the centennial of that church a Monu- ment was secured to mark his resting place and commemorate their Centennial. 6 their first commuuiou, Sept. 8. This was at the house of Jeremiah Barnes. Eleven children were baptised at that service. For several years Rev. Isaac Sergeant continued to visit the people of these regions and hold services at different points, administering the Sacraments and encouraging them to maintain their meetings. In 1803, a large meeting was held at Grassy Swamp. We quote from the records. "Previous to this last Communion as above it was agreed upon by the churches of Narrow Falls and Coshethton to hold a great meeting at the time of the Communion, and to invite a number of ministers to attend. — The meeting to be held at Grassy Swamp, and to begin on Saturday, Sept, 10. Accordingly proclamation was given out very widely. On Saturday, Mr. Sergeant from Ridgebury, Mr. Jones from Chei-ter, and Mr. Crane, from Blooming Grove came and a considerable number of people met. In the afternoon Mr. Crane preached and Mr. Jones exhorted. " Sabbath morning people began to flock together from all quarters and continued so to do most of the forenoon, till by far the greatest number of precious souls were con- vened that ever was known in these parts upon any occa- sion whatever, supposed to be at least four hundred — a great number for these scattered settlements and the roughness of the roads. " Mr. Jones preached the first sermon. After the sermon Mr. Sergeant prayed, then a hymn was sung, after this Mr. Crane preached a second sermon and made the last prayer. We then had an intermission of one hour. The assembly collected again in the afternoon. Mr. Sergeant presided at the communion table. The communicants consisted of nearly all of the members of the two churches of Narrow- Falls and Coshethton. Full proclamation was made for all members of other churches of every denomination who held the essential sound doct ines of the Gospel, to come and commune with us freely. (Four candidates were then ad- mitted and received the right hand of fellowship. The Sacrament was administered by Messrs. Sergeant and Jones). " After the communion the ministers, each gave an exhortion to the church and spectators. After the hymn Mr. Jones immediately rose and preached the third sermon, made the last prayer and dismissed the assembly with the blessing. God blessed us with two fair, sunshiny, pleasant days ; and we had a precious comfortable time. — a blessed meeting." From this time on the records and traditions tell us of meetings here and there, now in some house, now in a barn, then in a sawmill, moving from place to place with the pop- ulation. The central place of meeting previous to 1818 had come to be what was called the Denton Farm. Rev. Stephen Sergeant was invited to become the pastor of the church Nov. 13, 1818. His labors were greatly blessed and during his ministry, which lasted till 1828, one hundred and fifty were added to the church. Soon after his coming the more central place of meeting was at the house of James Kldred, at Half Way Brook. Many of the present generations have heard of those prec- ious seasons of revival which followed. During the first year, Oct. 21, 1818 to Oct 12, 1819, there were forty-eight who joined the church. The year 1824 witnessed a still larger ingathering, the number being eighty-nine. By re- ferring to the list of members you will find many whose names have been well known in connection with the history of our church and community. Of those who joined at that time, only one is living and still with us as a member, Mrs. Eliza Gardner, Avho confessed < hrist June 15, 1823. She delights to recount the events of those days and tell of the meeting^ held at her father's. No wonder that the cause of Christ prospered when all the meetings were attractive 8 and young and old came together at the appoiuted'time and place, as did those who gathered at Deacon James Eldred's. These men were not discouraged when left without a pastor, but continued to seek the welfare of the church until one came to them whose life is connected with nearly one half a century of the church's history. Felix Kyte was born in Kent County, England, Jan. 20, 1800— only a few months after the birth of the church to which he was to minister. In 1875, at the request of friends, he published a " Narrative or Review of 43 years of Pas- toral Labor." We will quote and condense from this Nar- rative to give glimpses of the history of those years. He was first called to visit this region by a letter from Dea. James Eldred, in the summer of 1832. He came " by the way of Newburgh ; thence to Monticello, and from thence by a private hired conveyance, and was set down at the door of Brother Eldred's residence. This way, through Newburgh and Monticello, was at that time the only way of reaching Lumberland by public conveyance from New York, except that by steamboat up the North River to Ron- dout, and thence by slow travel of the canal to Barryville, taking nearly a week to reach there by that route from New- York." He spent four Sabbaths among the people resulting in a call to become their pastor. He was ordained by the New York Congregational Association, Sept. 30, 1832, moved with his family to Lumberland and preached his first ser- mon as their pastor Oct. 20. We quote again : " By the arrangement of the church on the start, I taught the dis- trict school at Halfway Brook, and spent half my time in preaching at Ten-Mile-River, walking every other Sabbath these 10 miles and back again, making 20 miles and preach- ing three times, i. e., in the morning at Ten-Mile-River, iu the afternoon at Beavsr Bcook, and in the evening at Half- way Brook, my home. But having frequent calls, on occa- REV. FELIX KYTE. 10 sions of death, and there being no resident minister in this region at the time besides myself, I was soon compelled to relinquish the school on account of the inte-ruption these calls gave to the duties of the school. At this time I had to meet all my appointments, in every direction, on foot. But after awhile a good brother, who was then a resident at Hagan Pond, but now dead, tendered me a horse that had become unfit, through age, for his business of lumber- ing (for lumbering at that time was the sole business of the country, there beiug scarcely a farm, worthy of the name, anywhere around.) The donor of this horse remarked that he would " take it out in preaching." Another friend sup- plemented this gift by presenting a " half-worn-out wagon of ancient style." The Narrative gives us a glimpse of the fashions of that early day by telling that many of the good sisters, when they went to meeting, wore do hats at all, but " a clean and decent handkerchief thrown loosely over their heads." The first two members admitted to the church under Mr. Kyte's ministry were Mr. John Owen and Miss Augeline Dickenson. His first wedding was Jan. 11, 1833. The parties were Mr. Jesse Doolittle and Miss Hulda Doring, the ceremony taking place in a log house belonging to Sears G. Tuttle, Esq. Of other weddings Mr. Kyte gives this summary : — " There are nine persons that I believe to be living, that I have married twice, and one that is now dead. There are several parents married by me of whom I have married of the children ; of one couple, four of their children ; of two couples, three of their children ; of an- other couple, two and of six other couples, one each. I scarcley know how I can best leave the impression on your minds as to the whole number that I have united in matri- monial bonds, though I have the figures correct. Were \ 11 tliey all together tliej would make quite a congregation. The precise number up to this date is 253 couples." The record of these weddings is preserved and should any one v/ish a copy of any of them, it can be secured by writ- ting to Felix S. Kyte, 26 Barclay street, N. Y. The number of funerals attended he estimates at 353, the first being that of a child at Ten-Mile-River. He says :— " From that time to the last call, but a short time ago, it has been the providence of God towards me, that I should fol- low many to the grave, whither some, not long hence, may be called to follow me. As to the scenes accompanying a dying hour that I have witnessed, some have been very affecting and trying in the extreme, while others have been calm and peaceful, leaving behind a joyful hope of a future eternal rest. We have followed all ages to the grave. The infant of a few days, or no days at all ; the blooming youth those just entering upon manhood or womanhood ; those who have fallen by casualties of various kinds, by fire, by water, by explosion of steam, two by lightning. One who was drowned was taken to the grave on the very day that was set for his marriage. Many of these you have known when living. They have been of your own liesli and blood, your fathers, your mothers, your husbands, your wives, your children, your brothers, your sisters, those who have been in covenant bonds with you as disciples of Christ. Of many we have known the history and have viewed them as sheaves gathered for the granary of the Lord ; whose lives have not only been humbje patterns of piety, but have been useful to others, by bringing them also to Christ. On speaking of these things ihe tht)Ught comes up to the mind with solemn reflection- what a throng would be before us, could we see all those we have followed to the grave rise up before us. And then the thought, bow duty has been dis- charged toward them where there has been opportunity. Our privileges for Christian communion, not only in public 12 Avorship, but at the Lord's table have been many. The first ordinance of the Lord's supper held by this church as ad- ministered by me was Nov. 1832, and the number of times, up to this date, including occasional observances at Barrv- ville and South Lebanon, have been 378, which Avould be more than a whole year of observances, counting one for every day. We speak of this as a remembrance of privi- leges that we have enjoyed, and if it bring to any of us a remembrance of lost opportunities, wlIcIi we might and ought to have appreciated at the time, let the thought stimu- late us to let no further privileges go unimproved. AVe have preached in log houses, lighted solely by the blaze of pine logs, heaped one on another, until the large fire place was completely filled with blazing material, sending its ravs all over the room and causing those in attendance to defend their faces from the heat by their handkerchiefs and hands. And in one instance 1 commenced the meeting in darkness, where there was no light at hand, but ere we got through a single candle was brought AVhat a, contrast ! Now we have our places for gathering splendidly illuminated by lamps supplied with inflammable oils. " In times past we sometimes preached in barns, and meet ings were held in saw mills, and seats of the rudest benches that could be made, or perhaps nothing but slabs laid upon each other. Yet, even in such cases the word of God was lis- tened to with relish and delight. But now we have comfort- able, and often ornamental seats — whether we hear with the same relish as formerly I will not undertake to say. As to the amount of travel affected, to supply a preached word through these three adjoining towns, which formerly were em- braced in one, and which, as most of you know, has been done mainly in the saddle, does by a fair estimation amount to 30,000 miles or more, enough to ride once and a quarter around the world." At one time, by special request of the people, meetings 13 were held in Woodtown, Pa,, between Shohola and Milford. The congregation met in a private house, being called to- gether by a common dinner horn. The church at Barryville has shared in the labors of the beloved pastor He speaks with kindly feelings of the favors received from time to time during this long pastorate. We would be glad to quote all his words, but have not space. He continued his labors until his failing health compelled him to give up many of his appointments. In 1878 he resigned, bu- the church did not accept his resignation, but voted to re lieve him from being acting pastor, and tendered to him the office of Senior Pastor during his natural life. This action was taken July 3, 1878. On the 29th day of September fol- lowing, after going with his son. Rev. Joseph Kyte, to Barry- ville in the mornmg he attended the evening services here at Eldred. He took part in the services, his son preaching. He was found after the services near the church door where God had spoken to him." '• He found the threshold of the Church he served The Portal of the New Jerusalem ! " We may fittingly close this sketch with his closing words in the Narrative : " May God hear my prayers for your wel- fare, and the success and well being of the churches and cause of God among you." During the 46 years of his ministry 244 persons were re- ceived to this church, and 70 at Barryville, where a church was organized in 1836. Our church edifice was erected in 1835. The frame was raised July 3 and the church dedicated, Nov. 12, 1835. The Church was incorporated in 1836, taking the name, " The First Congregational Church of Lumberland." Daniel Wells, Henry L. West, Richard C. West, Sears Gardner, Charles C. P. Eldred, Samuel C. Maney and James Eldred were the first Trustees. In 1878 the name was changed to Eldred. After the death of Rev. F. Kyte, a parsonage was pur- chased in 1880, and anew house was erected in 1888. The Ladies' Auxiliary has secured a large part of the funds which 14 have enabled the society to secure this desirable site and erect so good buildings. Though the later pastorates have been brief they have not been unfruitful ; in have been received into fellowship since 1879, making a total of 530. In 1894, the Church at Glen Spey was organized, taking 20 members from us. We have also suffered great losses by the death of those who have been leaders in Church and society work. Our present member- ship as reported in the last Year Book, is 60, 13 of whom are absent. It thus appears that our Church has a past. We also have an opportunity and what the close of another century shall record may depend largely on the work we shall do in the be- ginning of that century. MINISTERS, Eev. Stephen Sergeant was living in Michigan in 1861, but has since died. Revs. J. T. Marsh, J. E. Ferine audE. A. Smith are dead. The present addresses of the others are : Rev. H. P. Hamilton, Branchport, N. Y. Rev. J. R. Taylor, Earleville, 111. Rev. W. C, Wilcox, Umvote. Natal, South Africa. Rev. W. J. Stewart, De Peve, Wis. Rev. Henry Smith, Cobbleskill, N. Y, Rev. Geo. M. Rees, Clayton, N. Y. 15 DEACONS. We should be glad to give a fuller account than is possible of the Deacons of the Church. The list gives names and dates, so far as has been possible. Ichabod Carmichael was the first Deacon, and maintained his interest in the church till the close of his life, 1829. His son, Alexander Carmichael, with James Eldred, were elected at the time of the removal of the church to Halfway Brook, now Eldred, in 1819, and after the death of Deacon Ichabad Carmichael, Daniel Wells was elected to this office. He re- moved from the place about 1848 and Samuel West was then elected. It was voted to increase the number of Deacons to six, in 1849, and those whose names appear at that date were elected to office at that time. It was also voted that these officers be elected for a term of six years instead of the in- definite period as formerly. Hon. James Eldred and his son held this office for eighty- one continuous years. During eight of which they both held the office. Their names were often referred to during the centennial services and the village appropriately bears the name of these mem. The former was member of Assembly in 1835 ^iid the latter was postmaster forty years. These men have given of their time and means to the church. The records show their attendance at the monthly church meeting, and their recorded service as members of committees and helpers in the work entitles them to remem- brance as builders of the Church of God. Others who were not elected to these offices were equally zealous and bore their share of the burdens. You will hear their names men- tioned with respect. If we could have the history of each and all it would be interesting. May their names enshrined in loving remembrance be cherished. May the unrolling of the records of Heaven reveal -their names and work that they have wrought with God, and may He in whose keeping are all our ways answer their prayers, giving us the blessings they sought for our Churches. 16 NAMES OF MEMBERS. Those who constituted the church August ii, 1799, were as follows : John Barnes. Ichabod Carmichael. Asa Crane. Thomas Barnes. Henry Barnes. Jeremiah Barnes. Nathan Barnes. I801. James Reeves. Stephen Carmichael. Elizabeth Reeves. Alexander Carmichael. 1803, James Carpenter. Lucy Carpenter. Anthony Gifford. John Carm chael. Joseph Drake. Elizabeth Drake. Anna Bishop. 1818, Reuben Hickok. Aaron Williams. Samuel Sealey. Henry Montgomery. Justus Hickok. Dorcas Carpenter. Mary Wells, [Hickok.] Catharine Vancuren. James Vancuren. Daniel Wells. Elizabeth Carmichael. Margarett Montgomery. Tabitha Wright. Polly V. Eldred. Betsey Hickok. James Eldred. Joseph Carpenter, 4—18 7—25 Elizabeth Barnes. Mercy Mason. Phebe Carmichael. Abigail Crane. Rebekah Barnes. Elizabeth Barnes. Elizabeth Gray. 14 Esther Hickok. Elizabeth Barnes. Susan Barnes. Ruth Gambleton. Louisa Hickok. Keturah Skinner, Eleanor Wiggins. Charles Gambleton. Elizabeth Montgomery. Eleanor E. Carpenter. David Hickok. Mary Watkins. Amelia Eldred. (Wheeler.) Asa Hickok. Hannah Hickok, [Eldred.] Anna Wells. 33—58 1810. Elnathan Corey. Francis Quick. Harvey Wheeler. Alexander Carmichael. Sally Eldred. (Carmichael) Rachel Quick. Sally Watkins. Anna Carpenter. Anna Sergeant. Sarah Mendus. Lydia Maney. Mary Ann Strong. Samuel Reeves Watkins, John Corwin. Henry Cadmas. 15 — 73 17 3—76 1—77 Mary Quick. Thomas Reeves, Comfort Reeves. 1833. Mary Gardner. 183:5. Mary Wells. Eliza Eldred, [Gardner.] Juliann Hartwell. Sarah Hartwell. Harriet Eldred. 5—82 1834. Betsey Corey. Easter Read. F. Allen Carmichael. Thomas Clark. Stephen B. Sergeant. Alexander Corner. Haly Barnes. Jacob Stage. Ethel B. Sergeant. Daniel Case. Wilmot Clark. John H. Elliot. Hiram Riker. Sears Gardner. Charles C. P. Eldred. Robert Montgomery. Hiram Montgomery. David Sergeant. John Gray. Ivy Mills. Samuel H. Lake. John Brown. Jeremiah Barnes, Jr. Asa R. Hickok. Richard Riley. Abraham Ingersol. Martha Carmichael, (Stage.) Carmentha Allen. Letty Gardner, [Sergeant.] Charity Van Tuyl, (Brown.) Eleanor Barnes. Mary Clark. Hannah A. Barnes. Seneth Case. Martha Land. Michael S. Stillwell. John Wells. Samuel C. Tuthill. Alfred Hartwell. Edwin Hartwell. George T. Bishop. I la E. Watkins. Morgan L. Sprout. Clarry Dickerson, Eliza Watkins. James Maney. Samuel Maney. Marston Birdsley. Hiram Hanlon. William Martin. John Corey. Thomas Clark. Bethana Bishop. Syntha Vanaukin. Abigail Corey. Jane Purvess. William Wells. Abbot Royce. Mangle Whelpley. Eli Knapp. Moses Clark. James K. Gardner. Marcus Stickney. Robert Gardner. Fanny Terry. Eliza Terry. Adaline Stickney. Mary Clark. Martha Clark. Eliza Hartwell. Elizabeth Maney. Amelia Skinner. Elizabeth Wells. Sears G. Tuthill. 18 Thomas Clark. Daniel Christie William R. Stokam, Samuel M. Jackson. Gabriel D. Hoyt. Calvin Hoyt. Hosier. Steadman, Rhoda Clark. Abigail Hoyt. Margaret Daley. Catharine Keen. Phebe Clark [Myers,] Thos. Wheeler. Eunice Vanauken. 89 — 171 Philander Hartwell. Drusilla Finch Tuthill. Polly Gardner, (Austin). John Carpenter. 4 — 175 1832. John Owen. Augustine Dickenson, Effie Van Tuyl, [Eldred.] Sarah Jane Van Tuyle, (Fuller.) Elizabeth Barber(Newton) 5—180 1«33. Daniel C. Skinner. Salome Skinner. Lucius Chamberlin. Asa Middaugh. 4 — 184 1834. Peter Dickerson. Polly Corey. Samuel West. [Sister] Owen. Mary Ann Cregier [Gardiner] John Dickerson. Augustus Alonzo Austin. Tjerck Ingram. Peter Woolly. Elizabeth CarmichaeL Eliza Owen. Eleanor Fisher. Dolly S. Williams. Mary West. Thomas Williams. Elijah King. Julia Skinner. 17—201 1835. Phebe Jane Covert, [Maney] Sarah Alwood. 2 — 203 1837. Timothy W est. Mary West. 2—205 1838. Mary Owen. Benj. W. Dennis. Henry West. David Young. Rachel Smith, Phebe West. Sally Hickok, Esther Rogers, [Webb,] Hannah Wells, (Brittan.) Maria Wells. Margaret Howel, Amanda Osborn, [Bunce.] Susan Pool [Detricht,] Betsy Stickney. Felix Kyte. Eliza Kyte. 16—221 1839. Daniel Cornwall. Jackson Quick. Harriet H. Carmichael, [Youngs.] Elizabeth Cornwall. Huldah Doolittle. 5—226 1840. Mary Myers. Helen A. Calsbreath. Hannah Madison. Thomas Bruce. James Austin. 19 James E. Wells, Moses Myers. Mehitabel Wells. •Susan Austin. (Freeman.) Sarah Stickney. William M. Mapes. Mary Mapes. Julia Bunce, [Cox.] Garrett Hazen 14—240 1841. Robert M. Mapes. Elizabeth Mapes. Jessie G. Maney. Mary A. Eldred, [Austin] . 4—244 isis. James Maney. Elizabeth Campbell, [Hulse]. Mary Starks. Alexander Boyd. Bridget Tibbits. Jacob D. Youngs. Catharine Dodge. Eliza Wheeler, [Owen]. 8—252 1843. Amanda E. Young, (King.) Absalom Young. Isaac Tibbetts. Mary Barnes. Susan Barnes, (Darling.) 5 — 257 1841. Mary Ann Tibbetts. Gabriel Mapes. Keziah Mapes. Polly Mapes. Eliza Amanda Bates. Elizabeth Eldred. Julia Bunce. 7 — 264 i84(;. Nancy Young 1 — 265 1S47 Oscar T. West Harriet Wells Phebe Mapes 3—258 1848. Jacob Watkins 1—269 1849. Nathaniel R. Higby Orphy Jane Higby Martha Atkins Eliza Corey Daniel Ennis Susannah Ennis 6 — 275 1850. Sarah A. Austin Isaac Purdy Julia Ann Carmichael Edward B. Wilson George W. Eldred 5—280 1851. Hannah Conkling George Wright Elizabeth Wright Andrew Ferguson 4 — 284 1852. Catharine Maney, [Van Tuyl] Andrew Morrison Phebe Tuthill Sarah Tuthill Samuel Wheat Prudence Wheat 6^-290 1853. Alexander R. Martin Polly V. Eldred, (Mapes) Joseph Kyte Elizabeth Taylor Margaret Mills Thomas Martin Lydia J. Carpenter 7—297 18.-. 4 Sarah Ingersol Helen Martin Mary E. Sergeant Joseph Ferguson Mary A. Ferguson Mary Pierson 6—303 20 David Hickok Phebe Wilson 1856. Phebe Sergeant Alvah Sergeant Caroline Sergeant Mary Hickok, [Stidd] Wm. H. Kyte Anne Ferguson 29—343 2—305 6—311 Eliza J. Gardner Susannah Ingersol, (Knight) Catharine Van Pelt 3—314 1858. Rebecca C. Eldred Felix J. S. Kyte Elizabeth Wilcox John Fetter John Dwan Bishop Hartwell Edwin Hartwell Charles H. Aiken George B. Aiken Louisa Hartwell Matilda Aiken Abbe Fetter Jennette Wheat Jane Gordon Aurelia Hartwell Harriet Ferguson Julia Baker Mary Edwards Esther Hartwell Mary E. Aiken Cornelia Drake Clarissa Williams Mary Horlon George E, Mapes Thomas T Mapes. Sarah J. Mapes Louisa An irews -359 William Andrews Mary Hartwell 1859. Christina McMunn Harriet E. Newcome Isaac Sergeant James G. Sergeant Rachel Brown Augusta Collard (Chapman) Elizabeth Mapes [Mattison] Henry Collard Jessie Halstead Charles M. Smith James H. Collard Sally M. Collard Marietta West [Eldred] [Hoatson] Esther J. Ingersol Eliza M. Ingersol Andrew Crawford 1861 Melvina Clark 1863 Sarah M. West [Hausbrook] 1—361 1864 Susannah Knight Jane West 1865 Jane Gillespie James Gillespie Jane Morrison 1866 Mary A. Ruddick Esther White Jane Ann Myers Eliza Cole [Heyen] Henrietta Weidley Ida Heyen, (Toaspern) Ebben DeWolf Lucy Barber Ophelia Carpenter Calvin F. Kyte 1867 Robert McAndrew Samuel ells Harriet Clark John Gillespie 1—360 2—363 3—366 10—376 4—380 21 1868 James Ruddick Elizabeth T. Kyte S. B. Leavenworth Charlotte Leavenworth Emma Austin Robert Morrison John Martin 7—387 1.S69 Emma Bolton, (Ely) Caroline A. Auerswald Julia C. Wilson [Kyte] Frederick Regina Metzger Gottlieb Metzger 5—392 1870 Justin S. Cacks Daniel Picken Mrs. Danisl Pickin 3—395 1874 Frank l. Newcome Annie E. Wilson [Abendroth] Sarah J. Eldred [Wait] Wm. H. Whitney Mary A. Whitney Eugenie A. Whitney M. Alice Whitney [Kyte] John O. Whitney Sherman S. Leavenworth Young Kilpatrick Ella Clark Mary Mills [Wait] Lottie Myers [Darling] Elizabeth Owen, (Thompson) William J. Wait John Glines Edward F. Wilson Sarah L. Wilson 18 — 413 1876 Mrs. D. A. Whitman Margaret Covert Margaret MacKenzie [Telfer] essie Kidd Mary McAndrew 5 — 418 1877 John Ozier 1—419 1879 Augustus Ozier. John S. Van Norsdall William L. Payne Mary C Payne Clara Clark, (Sergeant) Charles Hickok Margaret Ann Gillespie Agnes J. Gillespie [Wilson] ] Samuel R. Davis Anna Davis Louisa Grace Markle Annice Owen 12 — 431 1880 Henrietta J. Crawford Victoria De Silva 2—433 Robert Telfer Marjorie MacKenzie (Goldsmith) Elizabeth J. MacKenzie, (Gay) Donald MacKenzie Rev. E W Fishsr Laura Fisher Christina Mills [Wilson] 7— 440 188'^ William B Ruddick Maggie Ann Ruddick Emma E Ruddick Aida A Austin Janette Y Morgan Annabella McDonald Mary Adelaide Wilson [Hull) 7-447 1883 Emma Prange James Macintosh Hannah Macintosh Lewis Ross Isabella Ross Agnes J Ruddick Anna A Prange John E. Ferine Mary J Ferine Julia M Johnston 10 — 457 2(2' 1884 Charles E Mapes i88e Rev H P Hamilton S A Hamilton 1-458 2-468 1887 James Eldred, Jr Frank R Sergeant James W Sergeant Geo W Hamilton John W Hamilton Ella G Hamihon Elizabeth Hoatson [Clark] [Wilson] Mary D Hoatson Elizabeth Hardcastle [Eldred] Alma L Kelly Emma Myers Anna Maier Charles C R Metzger ' 13 473 1888 Libbie Sergeant 1- 474 1883 Alonzo A Austin Henry Ladore Austin Martha J Hulse Geo McC Clark Annie A MacKenzie (McCord) Charlotte E Maney Lizzie M Gillespie (Mills) Sarah M Gillespie 8-482 1890 William Ruddick Lillie Ruddick Herbert L Eldred Lewis Goldsmith George MacKenzie Sarah E Wormouth William H Austin Rev E A Smith Mary E Smith Emily Smith Mary A Steele 11-493 1891 Alice E Steele John Bradley Helen Doolitile Belle A Ruddick Mrs Stewart 5 498 1891 Char las W Wilson Samuel D Hoatson 2 500 1893; Henry Smith Ida C Smith Charles C Racine George Stewaxt Addie W Parker S Lulu Myers Sadie De Silva Mary A Kyte Eliza C. Eldred Elizabeth Starritt 10 510 1894 Mary Stewart Geo M Rees Maggie Rees George Beck Alexina Wilson Maggie Woods: Fannie L Steele Myra Steele Elva Steele Floyd McKechnie 10 520 1895 Mary Turner Ida Dailey Violetta Van Gordon Lulu Beck 4—524 189<> Joel F Whitney Louisa M Whitney Edward F Whitney Mary Etta Whitney Herbert W Kyte ^^-529 1897 Letty Justina Sergeant 1—530 23 1799 — AUGUST U — 1899. By M iss Florence Grace Beck of Eldred. Our Church ! A thousand loving memories Some sweet — some bitter — but all tender, cling About thy modest image in our hearts. A simple church, yet still our praise we bring ; Just " two or three," but "gathered in His name," Striving to find the right through good or ill, And, finding^ it, to do it with our might, Knowing it is His will. A century has faded since thy birth, Sunshine aiid shadow, mists and hopes and fears^- Doubtings, and glorious triumphs of thy faith Have marked the passing of those hundred years. Since that bright day when dauntless energy And mighty faith inspired that little band- Just thirteen " friends to Jesus "—to unite, How rich the blessings scattered bj' His hand. How bitter, too, the sorrows He has sent, No less in blessing, tho' in dark disguise. Only those loved disciples who have known His chastening can tell. Today our eyes Grow moist in sympathy and loving pride, As, through the mist of years, we call to mind The story of that small devoted band. No church had they nor hall, of any kind, Only a simple room, prayer-sanctified. Now here — now there- — as in the olden days, The Master's presence made the humblest homes Temples of prayer and praise. Though now this church, for three-score years and fourj Guarding our little " village of the hills," Has sent her sweet-voiced invitation forth, Calling to worship " whosoever wills " And steadily the faithful number grew — Ten, twenty miles they came to hear the Word, And in communion to confess that Name Whose reverent praise the listening forest heard ; The forest — for within that giant heart Of murmurous worship, they had made their home, And when its yielded treasures all were given, Still nobler growths then tempted them to roam M Farther and farther, but they bore with them The tabernacle of their faith. Lono; years Houseless and shepherdless the church lived on, Steadily gaining; strength, despite the fears And difficulties of the place and time. HousAess, not //^wdess. In such loyal hearts The truest sanctuary of our God Is found ;: and He who strength imparts For every need, Himself their guide and friendl Surely 'twere idle to repeat those names (Many of them are known and honored still Among us) which to day our mterest claim You know them all : and better far you know Their histories than tongue of mine can tell. We need no words to wake in loving hearts The memory of that good old man who fell So peacefully "on sleep" that summer eve. His ministration ended — among men — He found the threshold of the church he served: The portal of the New Jerusalem ! All honor to his memory ! All praise To those who came before him and to those Who, as the years sped on^ from time to time, Have spent a season with us : some to close Their life-work here among our pine-sweet hills : Some to begin it : others in their prime Of man's ambitious strength, to seek the fields Of wider labor in a little time. All honor and all praise ! But not to these The warmest tribute of our hearts today, Is given, but to those true hearted ones Who dared so much in their own steadfast way. With zeal unfailing, and with earnest faith They faced discouragements we cannot know. And rose above them, grandly triumphing. The heroes of our Church's long; ago ! 25 CENTENNIAL HYMN. * For the Congregational Church, Eldred, N. Y. — By Miss Charlotte Chambers Hall of New York City. 1799 — August ii — 1899. PSALM 115 : 1. TUNE, DUKE STREET. Not unto us^ but to Thy name — Not unto us, the glory be ! Thy mercy to our fathers came, We worship and we praise but Thee, Before Thy holy throne we bow, Forgive our sins for Thy name^s sake, Reveal Thyself unto us now O Lord, this church, Thy dwelling make. Through these one hundred years of grace, Thou, Lord, has been the help, the shield : In forest-homes Thy church had place, By forest-streams Thy word was sealed. Our fathers put their trust in Thee, Thy grace sustained them to the end. Let us re-consecrated be. That Thou, Thy blessing mayest send. Baptise with Pentecostal 2eal Thy waiting people in this place : With seeking: souls in mercy deal. That many here may find Thy grace. With all below who love Thy name — With saints above, the radiant host, One Ebenezer-song we frame, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. *II)edicated to Mrs. Eliza Gardner, Barryville. Sullivan County, N. " widow of Judge James K. Gardner and daughter of Hon. James Eldred. 26 .V. JOEL FiSK WlliTXEY. ^7 Centennial Services. At two o'clock, Friday, the church bell rang out its joyous welcome to the Centennial Services. Within the Church, •over the pulpit, the organ and the walls, the wild clematis, with full clusters of flowers and graceful foliage, was artistic- ally draped, while evergreens wreathed the three mottoes. Old comrades and kindred, long separated, joined in singing the Centennial Hymn of Praise. Rev. S. O. Rusby ■of the M. E Church, led the devotional exercises and words of welcome were spoken by the pastor. At the children's hour, passages of Scripture were repeated relative to the Church, bv the following boys and girls. Arthur Wilson. Alfred Hutchings, Wesley Morgan, Georgie Clark, Julia Wilson, Mabel Turner, Lena Dailey and Minnie Sergeant. The last one named is a descendant of Rev. Isaac -Sergeant. Her father. Deacon Isaac Sergeant, has been Sunday School Superintendent for more than 30 years. There were many other descendants of those pioneers present. Miss C. C. Hall spoke of the motto, telling them how to glorify God, Felix J. S. Kyte told of his boyhood recollec- tions. He told of his coming, when three years old, in 1832, on the canal, of his brother Thomas' learning to call out the warning to those standing, ' B'idge ahead." His account of the beginnings was listened to with interest Mr. Jacob Stage, now q6 years old, was present. He re- members having seen Deacon Ichabod Carmichael, one of the first members. Stephen St. John Gardner spoke for his mother, now 84 years young. " If I were 3Q'years younger I would walk up to Eldred, even in a storm, if I mignt seethe same spirit of love there now that I saw in those early days." Mr. Gardner spoke feelingly of his remembrance of those who used to worship here, picturing them as they sat so that we could almost see them again as they listened to the word, sang God's praise and studied the Bible. Deacon Edward Wilson, in his gentle way, told the chil- dren, " I was 17 years old when I first went to Sunday School and learned that verse " God so Loved the World," etc. Rev. Joseph Kyte told how the people treated the minis- ter's family. He remembered going to Mr. Covert's, at Glen Spey, where they were feasted on what the)^_ supposed to be " roast beef," but found it was " bear meat." Rev. A. E. Austin spoke of his efforts to teach the little Indians of Alaska of the love of Jesus. After a brief intermission spent in looking at pictures of those who used to be here, the audience listened with interest to further reminiscences of the years gone by,, telling of the trials of those who were the pioneers. At the evening services letters were read from some of the former pastors and others, regretting their inability to be present and bidding us God speed in the work. Miss Beck recited the poem " Our Church." A historical sketch was read by the pastor. Others who had spoken be- fore paid further tribute to those fathers and mothers of long ago. The closing hymn, " Blest be the Tie that Binds " was. sung and the audience dismissed with the benediction. Rev. Joseph Kyte preached on the Sabbath. His text was. Eph. 5 : 25-27, " Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it. * * * * * that he might present it to him- self, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. His sermon was a pointing to incidents in the history of this church, which " makes links in the chain of God's kindness, or threads in the weaving of His loving care." He gave this tribute : " So far back as I can remember this band of believers, I am proud to say, I never have known more devout and faithful Christians than they." He closed with these words from I Kings, 8 ; 57, 58, " God be with us, as He was with our fathers. Let Him not leave us nor forsake us, that He may incline our hearts unto Him to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, and His statutes and His judgments." After the close of the regular service the most tender, lov- ing and helpful service of all was held. All felt the thrill of the spiritual uplift. New resolves were made, faith was strengthened and all felt " It was good to be there. " The present pastor is a native of Wadhams Mills, N. Y. He was ordained in 1871, going the same year to Micronesia as a foreign missionary, and re- turned to this country in 1881. Since that time he has held pastorates at various places in New York and Vermont, and came here in 1896. As many of the speakers have said, so I would say : "All! have been able to become and accomplish I owe under God, to my motheo. who consecrated me in in- fancy to this work of the Lord."