Ififlitorg of tiff CHonnfairtrt lajrtt0t Olonli^nttott EVANS i ^ X y >a X N> 00 o 00 w REV. PHILIP S. EVANS, D.D. Hi^iorif of 1B23 lanr yrfBB of ®Ijf Smttl]-1CtnHlpg (EoutpaHii ia0a c DEC ..a -UO O CONTENTS. PAGE. Chapter I. Early Baptist History of Connecticut, - - - - 5 Chapter TI. Early Missionary Movements Leading to its Organization: The First Seven Years of its History, 1823-1829, - 12 c 6 Chapter HI. *^1830-1839, ......... 26 Chapter IV. 1840-1849, --------- 48 Chapter V. >! 850-1 859, o 66 Chapter VI. 1860-1869, 82 Chapter VII. 1870-1879, - - - - 100 Chapter VIII. 1880-1889, - 123 Chapter IX. 1890-1899, - - - - 151 Chapter X. 1900-1907. --------- 183 APPENDIX. A. Necrology, --------- 239 B. Historical Record, __--_-- 269 c. Table of the Churches Aided b}' the Convention, - - 271 D. Proportion of Baptists to Population. - - - - 276 E. Summary bv Decades, - - - - - - -277 Chapter I. EARLY BAPTIST HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.* S early as 1674 some Baptist preachers of Rhode Island had begun to preach and im- merse their converts within the borders of Connecticut. The towns of Groton and Waterford were the scene of such missionary work. Strenuous opposition was made to these move- ments by the ministers of the "Standing Order," and measures were taken to put a stop to such incursions. The basis of government of the state did not contain a single provision authorizing the legislature to enact any religious laws, or establish any form of religion or re- ligious test; and properly speaking the attempt to bind these upon the colony was in itself a usurpation. It was only by a sort of preemption right, or squatter sovereign- ty that the Congregationalists had established themselves as the so-called "Standing Order." Yet the legislature, by general acts wholly void of con- stitutional sanction had empowered the town authorities to prescribe rules and regulations for public worship, and for the raising of parish rates for the support of the same. In Connecticut the right of suffrage was not con- fined to church members, yet these were so largely in the majority that they had everything their own way. The law made the "Standing Order" the legal congregation, * Compiled from the Rev. Isaac Backus' "Baptist History of New England," and Dr. Thomas Armitage's "History of the Baptists." 6 HISTORY OF THE and subjected all persons who neglected attendance on the Lord's Day to a fine of twenty shillings. It also in- flicted a heavy fine upon any person, not a lawful minis- ter, who should presume to officiate at or administer any sacrament of the church. But repression and persecution failed to prevent the spread of Baptist principles. In 1704 a few Baptists in Groton made humble petition to the General Court for liberty to hold meetings and establish a church in that town. No notice seems to have been taken of their re- quest; and so the petitioners, taking silence for assent, proceeded to carry out their purpose. They invited Rev. Valentine Wightman, a gifted young preacher from Rhode Island, to become their pastor. The little band numbered less than a score, but they were a resolute company. This the first Baptist church in the state was never so severely persecuted as were many others at a later date. Mr. Wightman's sterling worth and the en- lightened tact with which he led his little flock silenced the clamors of the "Standing Order." Rev. John Owen, the pastor of the Congregational church in Groton, was on term.s of intimate friendship with Mr. Wightman, and they labored together in great brotherly love through a long period of revival. Mr. Wightman was pastor for forty-two years, and was succeeded in the pastorate, for forty years, by his son, Timothy, who also was followed in the same office by his son, John Gano. In later years the pastorate of this historic church was held by one of the same family, the Rev. Palmer G. Wightman. What we have known of the two latest and perhaps last ministerial representatives of this illustrious family, the brothers, J. C. and P. G. Wightman, enables us to understand what a worthy min- ister of Christ must have been the first Baptist apostle of Connecticut, the Rev. Valentine Wightman. Palmer G. Wightman caused to be erected in Upper Quaker Hill in the town of Waterford, the place of his birth, a monument of beautiful Scotch granite, with this simple !ii=criDtion : CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 7 WIGHTMAN Edward, burned at stake in 1612. John, 1598-1662. George. 1632-1722. Rc-c. Valenline, 1687-1747. Rev. Timothy, 1719-1796. Rev. John G., 1766-1841. Jesse, 1789-1869. Rev. Palmer G., 1820-1907. In the years following tlie planting of the church in Groton the Baptists made steady advance. They were more successful in establishing themselves in small vil- lages and country districts than in the cities and larger towns. Though they organized a church in the village of Waterford in 1710, every effort to build in the city of New London was thwarted by one sharp practice or another until 1804. Yet between the two dates, 1705 and 1804 as many as thirty of the one hundred and fifty- one churches now on the list of the Convention were organized. This is the more remarkable because these were the very years of the greatest sacrifice and suffering in the cause of national freedom. The Baptists of that time did their full share in secur- ing religious liberty and those rights of conscience which the charter of the colony, by silence or by implication, had guaranteed them. By the hands of their ablest men they sent petition after petition to the powers that were. Not till 1818 were full rights of conscience secured to them and all others by the provisions of the new constitu- tion of the commonwealth. The special article providing for this was drawn up by Rev. Asahel Morse, pastor of the First Baptist church of Suffield. In the strenuous years of the war of the Revolution the Baptists were not found wanting in devotion to the cause of Independence. Indeed, the "service above meas- ure" which they rendered then and later to the cause of patriotism was a strong incentive to the legislature to remove all restrictions and inhibitions from their churches. 8 HISTORY OF THE The Great Awakening, a strong religious movement which swept over New England in the years between 1740 and 1743, profoundly affected the Baptist cause in that part of the country. Between the earliest settlement of New England and the middle of the eighteenth century there had been a great decline in the religious life of the people. Speaking of the religious life of the early times in New England, Dr. George Leon Walker says : "The type of religious life which characteristically marked that opening period of New England history was eminent for the strenuous severity of its doctrinal concep- tions; for Its profound and humiliating views of human sinfulness and danger; for its searching introspectiveness into the criteria of personal religious experience; for its absolute repudiation of all dependence on outward forms as a ground of saving hope ; for its reverence for the least and obscurest phase of Scripture; and, in general, for its Intensity and seriousness, passing over sometimes Into austerity and superstition."* This early or Puritan period covered approximately the years from 1620 to 1660. Following this Puritan period, Including the years from 1660 to 173 5, there was a marked falling off In the religious life of New England. Various causes con- tributed to this result. One was a decline in the power of leadership exercised by the pulpit. The preachers of the earliest days were, almost without exception, men of university training. Some of them had gained dis- tinction In England before coming to America. But these men passed away; and, though they had tried to provide for an educated ministry for the churches by organizing schools, there was in general a decline In the power of the pulpit. Undoubtedly political causes contributed to the religious declension. These were the years during which England's unjust treatment of the colonies alien- ated them from her. The thoughts of the people were to a degree diverted from religious Interests by the In- tensity of their feeling In regard to the various * Some aspects of tlie Religious Life of New England, p. 43. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 9 forms which the Injustice of the mother country assumed. A spirit of land speculation also was rife throughout this period. It was during this time that by far the greater number of the towns of New England were surveyed and organized. The pressure of the hard- ships attending life in a new land helped to depress the intelligence as well as the religious life of the people. It was impossible to maintain efficient schools for all; it was often impossible for children to attend school more than a few weeks in a year. Thus the level of intelligence was lowered, anci the religious character of the people suffered in this decline. But chief of the causes that led to the unspirituality of the New England people during this period was the so-called "Half-Way Covenant." This was a device, adopted quite generally by the Con- gregational churches of New England, by which many unconverted persons, children of believers, were received to a certain limited membership in the churches. Its effect was to quiet the conscience with something less than conversion, and to fill the churches with those who knew nothing by experience of regeneration. As a result of such causes the religious life of New England declined greatly; so much so as to justify the finding of the "Reforming Synod," summoned by the General Court of Massachusetts, which pointed out in minute specification as among the evils of the time, neglect of divine worship, disregard of sacramental ob- servances, pride, profanity. Sabbath-breaking, family law- lessness and irreligion, intemperance, licentiousness, covet- ousness. and untruthfulness. But in 1740, under the preaching of Geo. Whitefield, a wonderful revival of religion started in the southern part of New England. Beginning at Newport, R. I., in September, 1740, Whitefield preached successively in Bristol, R. I., Boston, Salem, Ipswich, Marblehead, Portsmouth and York. Turning westward he went through Sudbury, Worcester, Brookfield, Hadley and Northampton. Going southward from this point he went through Springfield, Windsor, Hartford, Wethersfield, 10 HISTORY OF THE Middletown and Wallingford, to New Haven; thence on westward through Milford, Stratfield, Fairfield, Stam- ford and Rye, to New York. In all these places he ad- dressed vast crowds, who were wonderfully moved by his appeals. One noteworthy result of the Great Awakening was the desire to which it gave rise in the minds of many Christians to limit church membership to converted per- sons. These awakened members agitated with this object in view, but being usually only a minority in their churches they could not bring it to pass. In many instances there- fore they separated from their churches and organized congregations of their own. To these the name of "Separatist" was given. Many such congregations came into existence in Connecticut — more than thirty in all — the best known of which were at New London, Norwich, Preston, Plainfield, Lyme, Middletown, Windsor and Suffield. They endured much persecution, being often subject to distraint of their property, and sometimes to imprisonment of their persons, for their failure to pay legal dues to the churches from which they had seceded. As a result of the unfair pressure of law upon them, as well as of internal dissensions into which they fell, most of these Separatist congregations ceased to exist within a score of years from the time when they were formed. They were either reabsorbed by the churches from which they had come out, or else became Baptists. Sometimes whole congregations of them, with their ministers, went over bodily to the Baptists, as was the case with the Third Middletown or Wethersfield church; and practically the same thing took place in Suffield, where Joseph Hastings, leader and minister of the Separatists, having been im- mersed in 1752 while still minister of the Separatists, brought about the organization of the First Baptist church in 1769 with the aid of his Separatist associates. It will thus be seen that the Great Awakening affected profoundly the situation of the Baptists of the state. In the spring of 1798 a great revival began in the church in Mansfield, and soon extended into all parts of CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 1 1 the state and into regions beyond. In many instances Congregational and Baptist churches worked together in loving harmony. By this time the spirit of persecution had largely passed away. Baptists had won recognition as among the forces that work for righteousness. We find that in the year 1700 there were but nine Bap- tist churches in New England, and only fourteen in the whole country. In the year 1800 there were twelve thousand Baptist churches in the United States, with one hundred thousand members ; and the greater part of this increase had been gained in the forty years just preceding. It is not possible to state accurately the number of Bap- tists in Connecticut in 1800. The estimate usually given is sixty churches, forty ministers, and four thousand mem- bers. The Stonington Association was formed in 1772, the Groton Conference in 1785. This latter body was com- posed partly of open communion churches. In a few years it was dissolv^ed, and the regular Baptist churches in it united with the older association, the whole taking the name of Stonington Union Association. The Hart- ford Association was formed in 1789, the Danbury in 1790, the New London in 1817, the Ashford in 1824, the New Haven in 1825, and the Fairfield in 1837. 12 HISTORY OF THE Chapter II. THE CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION.* Early Missionary Movements Leading to its Organ- ization: The First Seven Years of its History, 182^-1 8 2g. As early as 1784 in the Stonington Association, and in 1790 in the Danbury Association, we find the brethren ar- ranging with much pains for the supply of destitute churches. They soon saw, however, how inadequate these chance arrangements must be, and that they really needed one or more missionaries especially appointed to the work. In 1806 the Danbury Association made an appeal to the churches to contribute for the support of such a miissionary; and for the space of twenty years this and other associations in a somewhat desultory and intermittent way, but still in a spirit of true and earnest service, carried on the work of aiding the weaker churches and of preaching the Gospel in destitute fields. The Connecticut Society Auxiliary to the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. This societ}' was organized in the meeting house of the First Baptist church of Hartford, August 31, 1814. Rev. Elisha Cushman had previously issued a circular letter to all the Baptist churches in the state, inviting them to a conference for the purpose of perfecting some plan of cooperation in mission work at home and abroad. It is not known how many churches responded to the call, but a goodly number were represented. Missions were in * Gathered from the historical sketch presented in June 1864, by Rev. J. A. Bailey, and from the paper presented by William H. Potter, in October, 1873, CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 13 the air. Rev. Luther Rice, a fellow-laborer of Adoniram judson, had been visiting the churches in the state to interest them in the great work of foreign missions. By arrangement he was present at the birth of this society and gives an account of it in his report. He says: "Arriving at Hartford, Conn., late in July, 1814, it afforded me great pleasure to find the way prepared for the adoption of measures immediately to bring about the formation of a missionary society in that quarter. I re- turned to Hartford to be present and assist in the forma- tion of such a society on August 31. No instance of this nature has imparted to me greater satisfaction than the manner in which our brethren here have taken hold of the missionary business. At the very threshold a circum- stance occurred which I cannot without violence to my feelings abstain from gratefully announcing. The society received by letter assurance of one hundred dollars a year from an individual, for at least four years. It was re- quested that the name should not be mentioned in the proceedings, except as that of a friend of missions." In the formal constitution which was adopted at this time the great object of the society was defined to be "to aid the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions." The mem- bership was to consist of those who subscribed to the constitution and paid into the treasury one dollar a year or more. The management of its concerns was to be "vested in a Board of Trustees, consisting of a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary, a Re- cording Secretary, a Treasurer, and three Trustees, all to be chosen annually by ballot." Article XIII of the constitution reads: "Whereas it is the purpose of this society to become a component member of the General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination of the United States for Foreign Missions, a regular trans- mission shall be made of the funds of this society, on or before the first of May annually, to the Treasurer of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, and delegates shall be regularly and duly appointed by this society to attend the said Convention." 14 HISTORY OF THE The Board of Trustees appointed the first year was as follows: Rev. Daniel Wildman, President; Revs. Rufus Babcock and Asahel Morse, Vice-Presidents; Rev. Elisha Cushman, Corresponding Secretary; Brother Gurdon Robins, Recording Secretary; Brother Ebenezer Moore, Treasurer; Revs. Jonathan Goodwin, Caleb Moore and John Phippen, Trustees. In the paper from which we quote there is a record of all the meetings of this society for the nine years of its existence. It was not in any sense a delegated or representative body, but a voluntary meet- ing of the contributors to the object for the furtherance of which it had been formed. It was not a chartered society, and had few elements of permanence. It does not seem to have much enlarged its constituency, but it did prepare the way for, and prove the need of, a better organized and more efficient body, that should be fully representative of the churches. Although the only object of this society, as mentioned in its constitution, was the promotion of the work of Foreign Missions, it soon undertook to aid in enlarging and strengthening the work at home. A meeting of the Board of Trustees was held in East Hartford, February 5, 1817, at which James Davis reported eleven weeks of missionary service on the home field, for which sixty dol- lars was voted to him, with the request that he continue his labors. He remained in the employment of the so- ciety for three years, though there was no constitutional provision for his support. The seventh annual meeting, which was held in Hart- ford, November 7, 1821, was made memorable for Con- necticut Baptists by the efforts that were made to start the Christian Secretary. It was resolved: "That it is expedient for this society, provided sufficient encourage- ment be given, to issue a weekly religious newspaper." This initial movement was followed by the publication of the Christian Secretary, which for so many years, with varying fortunes to Its proprietors, rendered such in- valuable service. It Is difficult to imagine how the work of the Convention, either in its earlier or later years, CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 15 could have been accomplished without the aid of this paper in keeping the needs of the field constantly before the churches. The final meeting of the society was held in the town of Mansfield, November 5, 1823, where it was dissolved by the action of its members. The following is the last entry in its minutes : "Whereas, in our opinion, the busi- ness of missions may be better conducted by a convention of churches than by a society of individuals; and, where- as, such a Convention Is now in operation in this state, therefore resolved that this society be from this time dis- solved." It had accomplished much good in the nine years of its life. Organized especially for the advance- ment of the cause of Foreign Missions, it had been faith- ful to this interest. How much money had been con- tributed it is not possible to state, but there is a record of at least fifteen hundred dollars. It had done much to stimulate a missionary spirit in the churches. There is frequent reference in its minutes to reports sent by wom- en's ''Mite Societies," and generous praise is bestowed upon them. In addition it had taken up and prosecuted vigorously what we have come to call "State Missions" — the helping of feeble churches, the establishment of new churches, and the evangelization of destitute regions. The transition from its organization to that of the Con- vention proper was natural and easy. The Connecticut Baptist Convention, iSz^-iSzg."^' At the annual meeting of the Hartford Association, October 2, 1822, Rev. Augustus Bolles, pastor of the Wintonbury church (afterwards known as First Wind- sor, and still later as the Bloomfield church), moved that a committee be appointed "to consider the expediency ol forming a Convention of the Baptist churches of the state." The committee was appointed and brought in a favorable report, l^hereupon Rev. E. Cushman, pastor * This story is essentially that gathered from the files of The "Christian Secretary" by William H. Potter in 1873. 16 HISTORY OF THE of the First church, Hartford, and Rev. Jonathan Good- win, pastor of the Mansfield church, were appointed a committee to communicate with the churches and request each church to send a delegate to meet at the First Suffield church on the first Wednesday in November, 1822, for the purpose of devising a plan and constitution for such a Convention, Accordingly Elders Goodwin and Cushman issued a notice and invitation. At the time and place appointed a meeting of sundry delegates took place, and the plan of constitution was drawn up, which was ordered to be printed and submitted to the several churches. An ad- dress upon the subject was also drawn up, and the body adjourned to meet in Hartford on the last Wednesday of October, 1823. 1823. On the 29th day of October, 1823, according to appointment, a delegation from thirty churches met at the Baptist meeting-house in Hartford, and pro- ceeded to arrange and adopt articles of a constitution by which to organize a Convention and regulate Its future proceedings. "This was executed with much harmony, after which the Convention proceeded to business con- nected with Its Immediate objects, of which the following are the records : "At 10 a. m. a sermon was preached by Rev. Asa Wil- cox from 1 Cor. 1 :26. After which proceeded to or- ganize the Convention. Chose Bro. Asa Wilcox, pastor of Second Saybrook church, as Moderator, and Bro. Isaac Merriam, pastor of Bristol church, as Clerk. The delegates from the churches presented their credentials, from which It appeared that the following churches were represented by their delegates: Churches. Delegates. Hartford, Elder Elisha Cushman Berlin, " Enoch Green, Bro. John Osgood Bristol, " Isaac Merriam CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 17 Churches. Canton, Enfield, First Suffield, Wethersfield, \Vintonbury, New Haven, New London, First North Stonington, Preston, Waterford, . Stratford,, Second Danbury, Newton, First North ford, Hampton, Lebanon, Mansfield, Litchfield, Colcbrook, Second Colebrook, First Middletown, Second Middletown, Haddam, Second Saybrook, First Woodstock, Second Woodstock, Delegates. Elder Stephen S. Nelson " Jeremiah F. Bridge, Dea- con S. Terry " Asahel Morse Wm. Bentley, Brother Robert Francis " Augustus Bolles, Brother C. L. Collins " Benjamin M. Hill " Ebenezer Loomis " Jonathan Miner " Levi Meech Francis Darrow Daniel Wildman, Bro. John Turner Dea. T. Wildman, Bro. Silas Ambler Bro. David Bennett Elder Ezekiel Skinner Dea. Gurdon Robinson Elder Ezek Brown Jonathan Miner Dea. Levi Morse, Jr. Elder Rufus Babcock " Erastus Doty " James Boswell Fred Wightman Simon Shailer " Asa Wilcox John Wilcox Nichols Dea. W. H. Manning "Li all thirty churches and thirty-eight delegates. "Visiting brethren invited to a seat. "Appointed Brother Elisha Cushman to receive what moneys any person may now wish to present to our funds. "Read the constitution reported and recommended by the former meeting at Suffield, and referred it, together 18 HISTORY OF THE with proposed amendments, to a committee composed of Elders J. Goodwin, S. S. Nelson and A. BoUes, to report this afternoon. "Adjourned at 2 p. m. ^'October jo. "Met at 9 a. m. Prayer Avas offered by Brother Brockett. Heard report of committee to prepare and arrange business for the Convention. Resumed the dis- cussion of the constitution, by articles, and continued it until they were severally adopted, when the whole was committed to Brother Bolles to be engrossed for a final reading. Brother Nichols prayed, and the Convention adjourned till afternoon. "Met at 1.30 p. m. Brother Enoch Green prayed. The constitution being engrossed and presented came again under consideration, when under motion of Brother Bolles, the fifth article was expunged and, thus amended, the constitution was adopted. The Convention proceeded to the business connected with its objects, and the follow- ing resolves were passed : ^^Resohed, That the churches of this state and vicinity, not supplied with the constant ministration of the Gospel, be requested to make an annual statement of their condi- tion to this Convention, including the portion of the time during which they are supplied with the preaching of the Gospel, and a fair representation of their means of sup- porting preaching. "Resolved, That we earnestly recommend to the churches to assemble on the first day of each month to pray for the divine blessing on missionary exertions; and that at each of these meetings contributions be made to aid the missionary cause. "Resolved, That brethren who labor in the ministry, under the patronage of the Convention, be authorized and requested to solicit and receive subscriptions, do- nations and legacies to aid the general fund, and to trans- mit the same to the treasurer of the Convention. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 19 "Resolved, That we earnestly recommend to the churches to set apart the Fourth of July annually for pub- lic thanksgi\nng for national prosperit}^ and independ- ence ; and also that public contributions be made on that day for the civilization and religious instruction of the aborigines of our country. "JFherecis, This convention learns that the Connecti- cut Baptist Missionary Society has it in contemplation to relinquish their concerns to the Convention, therefore, "Resolved, That this Convention readily assumes any concerns which have heretofore occupied that society, should it be their pleasure so to relinquish them; and the Board of Managers to be hereafter appointed are here- by authorized to assume any such concerns which have heretofore occupied that society, whenever it shall pass resolutions to that effect. "Resolved, That the annual meetings of this Con- vention be opened bv reading a portion of Scripture and by prayer. "Proceeded to choose a Board of Managers, and the following persons were duly elected, viz. : Rev. Asa AVil- cox. President; Rev. Jonathan Goodwin, Vice-President; Rev. Augustus Bolles, Secretary; Deacon Joseph B. Gil- bert, Treasurer; Revs. Elisha Cushman, Roswell Bur- rows and Oliver Wilson, and Brethren Robert Francis and John Turney, Trustees. "Resolved, That the Board of Managers be a commit- tee to prepare a memorial and petition, and present the same to the legislature of the state, representing the object and plan of the Convention, and praying for an act of incorporatmn to enable us to hold and appropriate the funds committed to our management. "Resolved, That all moneys not specifically designated should be at the disposal of the Board. "Agreed to hold next annual meeting at the Baptist meeting-house in the city of Middletown, on the second V/ednesday of June. 1824, at 9 a. m. "Resolved, That the Secretary of the Convention pre- pare and publish the doings of this Convention in the 20 HISTORY OF THE Christian Secretary, and send one copy to each Baptist church in this state and vicinity. "(Signed.) Asa Wilcox, Moderator. A. BoLLES, Secretary." Isaac Merriam, Clerk. The first business meeting of the Board of Managers was held in Mansfield, November 5, 1823. There were present Rev. J. Goodwin, Vice-President; Revs. A. BoUes, E. Cushman and O. Wilson, and Brethren J. B. Gil- bert and J. Turney. The Treasurer was requested to give a bond for $1,000 for the security of the fund. Rev. William Bentley was appointed State Missionary, and Rev. Brethren J. Goodwin and O. Wilson were requested to enter the serv^ice of the Convention, the churches at Mansfield and North Haven being asked to release them for that object. An appropriation of fifty dollars was made to the New Haven church, and sent by the hand of Deacon William Quiner. The Christian Secretary was adopted, and taken under the patronage of the Board for one year. Brethren Gurdon Robins, Jeremiah Brown and Jesse Savage were appointed a committee of man- agement on the Christian Secretary, with discretionary power to employ an editor and an agent to extend the circulation. A few copies of the paper containing the doings of the first session were distributed gratuitously. The Board then adjourned to meet in Hartford in Febru- ary, 1824. Feb. 4, 1824. The Board of Managers met in Hart- ford according to appointment. There were present Rev. Asa Wilcox, President; Rev. Augustus BoUes, Secre- tary; Brother Joseph B. Gilbert, Treasurer, and also Rev. Elisha Cushman and Brother Robert Francis. The record speaks of remittances from female Mite Societies, and of urgent calls from feeble churches for aid. The reports of work done by the State Missionaries, Bentley, Goodwin and Wilson, were characterized as deeply in- teresting and satisfactory to the Board. Six dollars a CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 21 week and traveling expenses were voted to the mission- aries as compensation. The Rev. Asa Wilcox was also urged to act as missionary, and a letter was written to his people requesting their consent. The question of in- corporation was put into the hands of Revs. Asa Wilcox, A. Bolles and O. Wilson. March 2, 1824. A special meeting of the Board of Managers was held in Hartford to consider the crisis in the existence of the Christian Secretary. The committee into whose charge the paper had been put had resigned. The question was raised, "Shall the Board now discon- tinue the Christian Secretary?" but the Board answered unanimously in the negative, and appointed Gurdon Robins as general agent and editor till the annual meet- ing in June, with a salary of $200 from December 12. Philemon Canfield was appointed printer, and allowed $900 from February to June. 1 824. The first anniversary of the Convention was held in MIddletown, June 9, 1824. At this session fourteen churches were admitted, as follows: Churches. Delegates. Pomfret, Rev. James Grow East Windsor, Deacon S. Terry Second Suffield, Rev. Tubal Wakefield Woodbridge and Salem, Deacon Nathan Piatt Second Middletown, Gershom Birdsey, Ephraim Higby Second Colchester, Alvan Ackley, John Bigelow WalHngford, Rev. Sedgwick Rice, Deacon L. Miller First Lj'me, Rev. Nathan Wildman, Abraham Beckwith Second Windsor, Elias Clark, Lemuel Welch Second Lyme, Baruch Beckwith Tolland, Deacon Aaron Chapman Salem, Deacon Eliphalet Hillard, A. Rogers Second Groton, Rev. Roswell Burrows New Hartford and Har- winton, David Frost 22 HISTORY OF THE Of the thirty churches that reported last year twenty- six reported also this year, making a total of forty churches present by their delegates in this Convention. The Board of Managers chosen for this year consisted of Rev. i\sa Wilcox, President; Rev. Jonathan Goodwin, Vice-President; Brother Albert Day, Secretary; Deacon Joseph P. Gilbert, Treasurer; Rev. Elisha Cushman, Rev. Roswell Burrows, Rev. John Turney, Rev. Fred- erick Wightman, Rev. Simon Shailer, and Brother Seldon Miner, Trustees. The Convention passed resolutions pledging their sup- port to the Chrhlian Secretary^ also commending the bookstore of Hezekiah Huntington of Hartford, because he had "agreed to keep the denominational works." They also recommended uniformity in hymn books, and urged the adoption of "Winchell's Watts." They recorded their belief in and reliance on the Holy Spirit for the effectual promotion of the cause of Christ, and recom- mended that on the first Monday of each month special prayer should be offered in all churches for revivals and missionary success. At the meeting of the Board of Managers immediately following the session of the Convention, full power was given to Brethren Cushman, Wightman and Gilbert to contract for the printing of the Christian Secretary, at a price not to exceed $725, and to employ an editor. The compensation of the State Missionaries was reduced to fiv-e dollars a week and expenses, and the whole matter of their employment and pay was given in charge to the committee above named. Elder Wilson was requested to itinerate in Westfield and other places, and Enoch Green was to visit Buckley Hill (Colchester), Salem and Ches- tersfield. Elder Wm. Bentley was requested to continue his itinerant labors particularly in Westfield, Wind- sor, Andover and Chesterfield, while Brother Green was to visit Southington, New Hartford, Burlington and Granbv. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 23 1825. The second anniversary of the Convention was held in Hartford in June. Three new churches, represented by their delegates, were received, namely: Chesterfield, represented by Rev. Oliver Wilson; Lisbon, by Brother Amos Read, and East Haddam by Brethren Oliver Atwood and William Carter. By this time forty- seven churches were connected with the Convention, thir- ty-three of which were represented by their delegates at this session. A good deal of time was consumed in determining the status of the Christian Secretary in relation to the Convention. The subject of providing religious tracts for circulation demanded a good deal of attention. The constitution was amended, and the representation was enlarged to allow delegates from "any other association of individuals conforming to the constitution and con- tributing five dollars a year to its funds." By-laws were now for the first time introduced, and Sunday-schools were heartily commended. 1826. The annual meeting was held with the church In Wallingford, and two new churches, Andover and First Saybrook, were admitted, making forty-nine churches affiliated with the Conv^ention. Only twenty-six of these were represented by their delegates at this ses- sion. Rev. John M. Peck, a name dear to all Baptists in the early history of our denomination, was present and gave a new Impulse to the cause of missions. Rev. Russell Jennings, Tubal Wakefield, A. W. Whitney, Isaac Dwinnell, Simon Shailer and William Whitnev gave Interesting accounts of local missionary work. All these, with other brethren, were more or less in the em- ploy of the Convention and under the direction of the Board. 1827. At the June session of the Convention In 1827 five new churches were admitted by their dele- gates, viz. : Manchester and Vernon, Colton Wilcox and Irenus Brown: Southlngton. I. Atkins and A. Merriam; 24 HISTORY OF THE Ameiiia, N. Y., Calvin Phileo; Cornwall and Sharon, Silas Ambler. It was a period of tracts and tract so- cieties, and every session was full of good words and resolutions in their favor. There was also manifest a deepening interest in Home and Foreign Missions. At the Board meeting following the Convention four hundred dollars were appropriated to Rev. G. Robins as editor of the Christian Secretary. Rev. Seth Ewer was appointed as agent of the Board at a salary of $400. Four missionaries were reported as having served the Board this year at a salary of five dollars a week and expenses. Where the money came from for this outlay is not apparent, as the Treasurer reported total receipts of only $495. The brethren of the Board were very desirous to help the following churches: Manchester, Burlington, Berlin, Newington, Milton, King Street, Ridgefield, North Stam- ford and Second Windsor, but found themselves unable to do so. The brethren and sisters living in or near Willi- mantic were advised to form themselves into a church, the churches of Lebanon and Mansfield consenting and aid- ing them, and the State Missionary was directed to give his attention to the matter. At the February Board meeting in Hartford the Rev. Levi Kneeland was recognized as a missionary at Packer's P^actory and Voluntown, the previous appointees having failed to enter the field. Rev. Thomas Rand and Rev. E. Skinner had also labored as missionaries with acceptance. 1828. The Convention met with the church in Middle- town on June 1 1 . Nine new churches and seven- teen societies united with the body. Revs. Hill, Shailer, Wilson, F. Wightman and Cookson constituted the Board. A deep interest in the Burman Mission pre- vailed. The Christian Secretary was not forgotten. The number of trustees was increased, and the general inter- ests of the Convention seem to have been greatly pro- moted and its prospects encouraging. As to statistics of CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 25 numbers the manuscript minutes are not clear till the ses- sion of 1831, when the number of communicants was put down at 8,296, churches 86, ordained ministers 68, and baptisms for that year 694. 26 HISTORY OF THE Chapter III. iSso-iSsQ. The history of the Convention from 1823 to 1829, a period of seven years, was compiled from the files of the Christian Secretary. From this time on, however, we hav^e the printed minutes. These records are so full, in- creasing in volume as the years pass and the interests with which the Convention concerns itself multiply, that it is a difficult task to determine what to take and what to leave out. In the minutes of 1830 we fmd an extract from those of 1829 in which, after recounting in brief the history al- ready told, there is added: "This body has been in existence nearly six years, and has expended for foreign and state missions over $6,000. A number of state mis- siotaries have been annually in their employment, churches have been constituted, revivals of religion pro- moted, feeble churches strengthened, and we have reason to believe many souls will through a long eternity bless God that they were permitted to hear the Gospel preached by these servants of the Lord Jesus Christ." This summary of the history of the first six years is also a true forecast of the aims and achievements of the Convention through all the years of its subsequent his- tory. The fathers planned wisely, and laid the foun- dations of their work in prayer and consecration. Condi- tions since their time have greatly changed. The un- expected and unforeseen has happened. It were better to say, since there is no "hap" in the overruling Providence, God has thrust upon the Convention burdens and oppor- tunities that the fathers never dreamed of. There had indeed already begun to pass over the state changes which were to imperil the continued existence of many of our CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 27 rural churches. The depopulation of the country towns had fairly set in, partly owing to the opening up of the great West which, with its broad acreage and more fer- tile soil, lured the younger and more enterprising farm- ers, but still more owing to the growing manufacturing interests which were concentrated in the river towns and larger cities of the state. Most of the Baptist churches had been located in the ■ rural districts," and these found it increasingly difficult to maintain themselves. While one purpose, if not the main purpose, of the Convention was to meet these new conditions already apparent, the fathers could not have foreseen how serious the question was to become, nor how many of these churches were destined to extinction in spite of the efforts made to maintain them. Still un- foreseen was the rapid increase of the foreign population through which today over sixty per cent, of the residents of the state are either foreigners by birth or children of foreigners. It is evident that the fathers and founders of the Con- vention had other and farther reaching motives than the evangelization of their own state. For many years the larger portion of their gifts, and the greater part of their deliberations, were devoted to promoting the spread of the Gospel in what was then the West, where their sons had emigrated. Nor were they content to stop their prayers or stay their outreaching beneficience till they reached the "uttermost parts of the earth." For the first twenty years, 1830 to 1849, the gifts for state mis- sions were $14,646, while for foreign missions they amounted to $39,993, and a still larger sum was given to to the Home Mission Society and the Bible Society. 1830. The seventh annual meeting of the Convention was held in Mansfield, in the church now known as "Spring Hill." The session was opened by Rev. Rufus Babcock, pastor of the North Colebrook church, which was then large and prosperous. Rev. Elisha Cushman was chosen President; Rev. John Cookson, Secretary, and 28 HISTORY OF THE Joseph B. Gilbert, Treasurer. Sixty-five churches were on the roll, though only twenty-nine had sent delegates. Of these sixty-five churches nineteen have since fallen by the way, and nine of the remainder are still on the list of aided churches. A Good Word for an Educated Ministry. Rev. E. Thresher of the Northern Education Society was present and spoke for ministerial education, and doubtless received a contribution. At all events, his ad- dress bore good fruit, for the Convention adopted the following minute : ^'Whereas, The subject of ministerial education deeply interests the feelings of many of our brethren, who confi- dently express their opinion of its utility to Zion, there- fore, "Resolved, That it be recommended to all our churches candidly to examine the subject, and to pray earnestly that God will direct them in their duty." We see how cautiously this preamble and resolution are worded. Evidently the brethren were not entirely a unit on this matter. There was still a "lingering rem- nant" of our people, ministers as well as laymen, who were afraid that an educated ministry might come to con- sider itself independent of the Eloly Spirit, and that too many other books might drive out the devout study of the One Book. But we shall see that the little seed dropped so timidly into the soil of these true and loving hearts soon grew to a full-sized plant. At this meeting Female Auxiliary Societies and Mite Societies, forerunners of the Women's Circles for Home and Foreign Missions, were represented by letters and contributions. A Protest Against JTearing Mourning. The committee on "the expediency of wearing mourn- ing" offered the following resolution, which was adopted without dissent: CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 29 "Resolved, l^hat the custom of wearing mourning ap- parel can afford to the afflicted no source of consolation, and is no evidence to the beholder of real grief, and we recomm.end that it be discontinued." No doubt many of us regret that this resolution, which has both common sense and real piety to commend it, did not possess the force of a self-enacting law. But it was passed by the votes of the male sex only, and was as powerless as was the famous bull against the comet. In the report of the Board of Trustees, by Rev. G. Robins of East Windsor, mention is made of the death of Rev. Samuel Miller, pastor of the Meriden church. Rev. Samuel Miller was father of Rev. Harvey Miller of Meriden, and grandfather of Edward Miller, still living in Meriden in 1908. Brethren William Bentley, I. Glazier, Levi Kneeland and J. B. Ballard had labored as missionaries. All these being settled pastors, had worked for the Convention only a part of the time, and at a wage of five dollars a week. Many interesting reports were made. One of these, read by Rev. G. A. Davis of the First church, Hartford, deserves special notice as an evidence of the world-wide sympathy that exists among Christian breth- ren. It was in relation to the cause of the oppressed Christians in Switzerland. "The history of the United States furnishes abundant evidence that all the efforts to prevent divisions of opinion by restricting religious free- dom have been ineffectual, as we believe they ever must be, in our present imperfect state, and we are convinced that the church is m^ost secure which reposes on God alone for safety, instead of relying on the civil power." A committee was appointed to communicate these views to the Established Church in Switzerland and to plead with that church for freedom of conscience in matters of religion. 1831. The Convention met in Meriden, June 8. The officers were: Rev. Elisha Cushman, President; Rev. John Cookson, Secretary, and George Read, Treas- 30 HISTORY OF THE urer. Rev. J. H. Linsley was presented for ordination. A committee appointed to examine the candidate ap- proved him and recommended that he be ordained. But as there is no record of his ordination taking place it is to be supposed that the brethren were doubtful of the expediency of establishing such a precedent, and wisely refrained. At all events, there is but one repetition of such an incident in the subsequent records, and that is of one set apart as a foreign missionary. The secretaries or other agents of the following so- cieties were requested to furnish the Convention with concise accounts of their state and prospect: The "Con- necticut Branch of the Baptist General Tract Society," afterwards known as the Publication Societ^^, the "Chris- tian Secretary Association," the "Connecticut Baptist Sab- bath-school Society," and the "Connecticut Education So- ciety," which had been organized in 1819. Delegates were appointed to visit the State Conventions of Massa- chusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. The church in Willimantic, having exhausted its means in building, was heartily recommended to the churches for pecuniary aid, as there was no fund in the treasury to relieve them. Proposed Appointment of Delegates. Rev. L. Kneeland, in behalf of the Stonington Union Association, requested the privilege of sending delegates to the Convention directly from that body instead of from the several churches. The request was granted, but there is no evidence in the minutes either that the As- sociation availed itself of this privilege, or that it was granted to any other. Had it become the established custom in all associations it would have contributed much to the dignity and stability of the Convention, and greatly increased its efficiency. But Baptists have made a fetich of Church Independence. Eight churches received aid this year. Three brethren labored as missionaries: William Bentley, Joseph Glazier CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 31 and E. Doty. In the minutes for this year we find a tabulated statement of the churches, arranged according to associations, and giving the vital statistics of each church. In this table 108 churches are enrolled, but 18 of these were outside of the state. The baptisms reported were 694, and there was a total membership of 8,296. 1832. The ninth annual meeting was held with the Middletown church June 13. The officers were Rev. Elisha Cushman, President; Rev. John Cookson, Secretary; Jeremiah Brown, Treasurer. By the passage of the following, special emphasis was laid upon the distinctive work of state missions : "Resolved, That the interests of our holy religion re- quire at this time the united exertions and hearty co- operation of the members and churches of the Baptist denomination, for assisting and sustaining our feeble churches, and for supporting the cause of Christ in our own state." The process of the depletion of the population in the rural districts was becoming each year more ap- parent. While the leaders of our people did not desire that the churches should do any less for the objects far afield, they felt that more should be done and could be done for the churches at home. This year the total benevolence of the churches as reported was $3,765, but of this $435, or about one dollar in nine, was devoted to the state work. For some years following this there was an improvement in this condition. The gifts to out- side objects did not lessen, but the proportion of gifts to state missions increased until it reached one dollar in eight, and one in seven, and in a few instances one in six. Still as the needs of the home field have been consl'antly enlarging, we are not surprised that the constantly recur- ring note in all the pleas of the Board has been "No less for other causes and other fields, but more and still more for Connecticut." During this meeting the Education Society, the Con- necticut Branch of the Publication Society, and the Con- 32 HISTORY OF THE nectlcut Baptist Sunday-school Society, were invited to publish their several transactions in the minutes of the Convention. From this time on these reports form a large part of the Convention minutes. The limits of this volume, however, will forbid more than occasional refer- ences to these valuable agencies, which have contributed so largely to the prosperity of our churches, and have proved such aids to the work of the Convention. Rev. Jonathan Going, at that time Corresponding Sec- retary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, made an earnest appeal concerning the spiritual destitu- tion of the people of the Mississippi Valley. It was then "Resolved, That this Convention become auxiliary to the Home Mission Society on such conditions as may be determined by the Board." This was the first step toward that close union and co- operation which has been so great a help to the work of state missions, especially in the later years in activity among the foreign-born. Yet at the time this action was taken the foreigners were an unappreciable quantity. Action was taken in regard to the plague which had been ravaging Europe, and which it was feared might spread to this country. A day of fasting and prayer was recommended to be observed on the first Monday in July. A Deliverance on Wearing Jewelry. Extended reference was made to the letter of Dr. Ad- oniram Judson addressed to the women of our churches, urging them to avoid the wearing of costly jewels, and to dispose of these for the benefit of foreign missions. Two resolutions were passed, the first of which reads : "Resolved, That we view it as a cause of devout grati- tude to God that several of our female friends have con- tributed their gold ornaments to the cause of missions, and that all the members of our churches who wear such ornaments be affectionately invited to imitate their worthy example." Reference is made to this matter in CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 33 two subsequent meetings, and other examples of this praiseworthy self-denial are given. But either the women of that day did not lavish much on ornaments of gold, or the great majority did not respond to this appeal. The value of all the fourteen articles of jewelry surrendered did not exceed thirty-five dollars. Ten churches were aided to the amount of $220. Rev. Wm. Bentley had continued in the service of the Board as missionary. The name of Rev. N. E. Shailer, after- wards so greatly beloved and revered, and so prominent- ly identified with the mission work of the Convention, appears for the first time. He served as missionary for three months, but then accepted the charge of the church in Montville. The Education Society had begun the enterprise of building the Sufiield Institution. They had received $1,977, but had closed the year with a debt of $1,903. 1833. The tenth annual meeting was held with the Le- banon church, on June 12. The same as last year. Rev. Elisha Cushman was President; Rev. John Cookson, Secretary, and Jeremiah Brown, Treasurer. Fifty-seven churches were represented by delegates. The constitution was amended "to allow each church to send two delegates, besides the ordained minister belonging to them, and each primary society one delegate, and that any member may come as representative." First Resolution on Temperance. In the minutes of this year appears the first resolution on the subject of temperance. It was presented by Rev. J. H. Linsley, and was a ringing arraignment of drunken- ness as a mortal sin, closing with this resolution: "Resolved, That we recommend to all the Baptist churches of this state that they wholly abstain from the use and vending of ardent spirits." Such resolutions are found in nearly every year's minutes since that time. Soon after this a committee on temperance was annually X 34 HISTORY OF THE appointed and presented a formal report. The sentiment on this m.atter, as expressed by these reports, has been uni- formly vigorous and uncompromising. It is not judged necessary to give these reports room in this brief resume of the Convention's history of eighty-four years. They are of necessity largely repetitions, yet they show a decided advance in stringency as time goes on. Not only are "ardent spirits" tabooed, as in the foregoing resolu- tion, but "all intoxicating beverages." A resolution of- fered in a Convention today recommending that no mem-- ber of a Baptist church should engage in the "sale of ardent spirits" would be a decided anachronism. The Convention and the Home Mission Society. The report of the Board deals largely with the Con- vention becoming an auxiliary of the Home Mission So- ciety. Certain conditions had been laid down by the lat- ter society, but these conditions were not accepted by the Convention. Probably this was because they dealt only with the employment of missionaries, and made no provision for aid to feeble churches. The formal co- operation of these two societies was therefore delayed for a few years. The later close union between them will be considered in its place. The Board had granted aid to fifteen churches. It had also continued Rev. William Bentley in its employ as missionary for forty weeks. Men- tion is made of the beginning of an interest in Tariffville under the labors. of Rev. A. Bolles. The employment of a financial agent, as requested by the Board, was referred to a special committee which re- ported favorably, and the following action was taken: "Resolved, That the Board be directed to seek out and employ, as the organ of this body, a suitable brother who will take upon himself the fellowship of ministering to the saints, and of procuring the means necessary to the accomplishment of the designs of the Convention." The reader cannot but notice the quaintness of the phrase- ology, first in naming such agent as an "organ," and, CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 35 second, in implying that his appeals for money, made to the churches, would be in the nature of a "fellowship of ministering to the saints." Yet this is certainly the ideal description of one whose function is to gather the free- will offerings of the people for the service of the Lord. To the ready ears of the people his appeals should be as strains of sweet music. And how can one serve better in "the fellowship of ministering" than when he is made the almoner of the Christian's bounty to the spiritually destitute? It was also proposed, by another committee, that a printed subscription blank should be prepared and sent to all the members of the churches. Foreign and Home Missions, and the Education Society, and the Publication Society, as well as the Convention, should have a place on this document. The suggestion was further made that one cent a month for each object from all the Baptists would amount to $5,000 a year. In this year is recorded the first annuity gift. It was from Mrs. Hannah Smith of Branford, and was a gift of one hundred dollars, to bear interest at six per cent, dur- ing her life. It is not known when this gift lapsed to the use of the Convention. The minutes of the Education Society occupy fourteen pages of this year's annual. The building of the Suffield Academy had been fully entered upon. There is a very interesting list of subscriptions made for the institution, and the name of every subscriber is given. Four hundred and seventy-three persons, representing fifty-one churches, contributed $9,662. 1 834. The eleventh annual meeting was held with the First church, Hartford. The society continued with the same president and secretary as the year before, but the name of the treasurer does not appear. This ses- sion was made memorable by the presence of Rev. Dr. Wade and Mrs. Wade of Burma, Ho Chet Thing, a Karen preacher, and Moung Shwa Moung, a Burman convert. Dr. Wade preached from Psa. 74:20. Half of his sermon he preached in the morning, and the other 36 HISTORY OF THE half in the evening. We can well imagine the absorbing interest felt in these services, and in the presence of these converts from the far-off heathen lands. The names of Rev. Robert Turnbull and of Rollin H. Neale appear for the first time in the minutes of this year. Dr. TurnbuH's name will be found frequently recurring in this history. At this time he was pastor of the Second Danbury church. Dr. R. H. Neale became pastor in Southington. Thence he removed to Boston, Mass., and was for many years the beloved pastor of the First Bap- tist church and a tower of strength to the denomination. He was a native of Connecticut. The Board reported that twenty churches had been aided, and more direct missionary labor performed than in the previous year. Rev. Stephen S. Nelson had served as missionary for nine months, and Rev. B. Willard six weeks. Rev. William Bentley had served the entire year, and to his fidelity the Board bore this testimony: "It has been truly cheering to see that veteran soldier of Em- manuel, Elder William Bentley, permitted to aid in and enjoy a series of meetings of so long duration and so eminently blessed, and that in a church of which he was once the pastor, in a house erected by his own procure- ment, and in the place of his family residence." The committee on the employment of a financial agent reported its inability to secure one, but was instructed to make diligent search, and to offer such compensation as it might deem expedient. The report of the Education Society announced that the Suffield Academy had opened in August, 1833, under the principalship of Rev. H. Ball. There had been an average of sixty students each term. A farm of sixteen acres, with spacious dwelling house and other buildings, had been purchased, and a contract had been made for a brick building to cost $4,500. 1835. The twelfth annual meeting was held with the church in Middletown, Rev. J. Cookson, Pastor. Rev. J. H. Linsley, President; Rev. J. Cookson, Secre- CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 37 tary, and Joseph B. Gilbert, Treasurer. Another foreign missionary, present as a welcome guest at this session, was the Rev. E. Skinner from Liberia, Africa. This was the period when the scheme of colonizing the free colored people and the escaped slaves was in favor, and was deemed practicable. It received countenance and en- couragement even in the southern states, and recognition by the national government. It is still advocated at the present time (1907) by some visionary people, although it has been shown to be physically impossible owing to the rapid increase of the colored race, and morally impossible because the people themselves, being un- willing to be thus colonized, could only be forcibly de- ported. First Anti-Slavery Resolution. The first anti-slavery resolution on record in the min- utes was offered this year by Brother T. Huntington: "Resolved, That while man is, in this land of light and privilege, held in a state of bondage, and denied access to the Bible, it is the duty of the American people openly, definitely, and unreservedly to express a senti- ment of disapprobation, and thus lend an important aid towards the speedy removal of this demoralizing and soul-destroying evil." This resolution, seemingly so mild, was not directly entertained by the body, but was referred to a committee. As no more is heard of it we must infer that it was quietly smothered. The time of the anti- slavery agitation had not fully come. In later years the Convention made ample amends for its then existing lukewarmness. We find in the minutes of this year the name of Rev. J. L. Hodge, a native of the state, who, after several years of useful service in Connecticut became so promi- nent in the state of New York, as pastor of the Mariners' church, and of two churches in Brooklyn. The following action is interesting as a souvenir of a great work completed: 38 HISTORY OF THE "Resolved, That this Convention is grateful to God / for having continued the valuable life of Brother Judson until he has completed the translation of the whole Bible into the Burman language, and recommends to the churches to make liberal donations to aid in the printing and circulation of it among the idolatrous Burmans."* The Board reported that Rev. William Bentley had performed a short term of service, and that Rev. Breth- ren Chester Tilden, Erastus Doty, Seth Higby and C. Curtis had also been under employment for a few weeks. They had also employed a financial agent. "The agent entered on the duties of his office in September. At the meeting of the Board in December he reported that he had collected $276.14 for the American Baptist Home Mission Society. The Convention, it will be seen, de- rived no benefit from his appointment." The report en- larges upon the high qualifications needed for such an agent, and urges that search should still be prosecuted for such a man. The following extract from the report of the commit- tee on the American Baptist Home Mission Society il- lustrates the amount of work accomplished in those days at small expenditure. "During the past year this society had in the field ninety-seven missionaries, besides aiding in the support of several others. They performed sixty- eight years and five months' labor of one minister. Sixty churches have been constituted. At least twenty-five hun- dred were baptized. The entire expenditure, including administration, was only $8,839." The special committee on agent reported quite quaint- ly: "If a suitable man could be obtained we would strong- ly urge his appointment, but as we know of no such per- son, and as a bad or unskillful agent is worse than none, we recommend that the pastors of the several churches be appointed and empowered to act as agents in their respective churches. It is possible that if in later * It may be permitted the writer to add that he had the privilege of living six months, in Homer, N. Y., in the home of Mr. Ranney, the man who as missionary printer in Burma, had set every type in the Bible, and was proud of the achievement and profoundly grateful for the honor of having been a co-laborer with the saintly Judson. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 39 years the brethren could have remembered this earlier experience in finding "the perfect man," they might in some cases have been more sympathetic and lenient and helpful toward those not yet made perfect, who have undertaken the duties of agents or superintendents of missions. The Connecticut Literary Institution, and a Cheap Education, At the meeting of the Education Society gratifying reports were given of the progress of the Suffield Academy. That it was the purpose of the promoters of this school to furnish an education at its lowest possible cost is evident from the following remarkable schedule of prices, which is given as printed in the minutes. Its curfous jumble of the number of pieces allowed in the weekly wash with the bill of fare for the tables consti- tutes one of the curiosities of literature, comparable to the item in "Alice in Wonderland," detailing the charges in the boarding-school, "French and washing extra." Price of Tuition. For the languages, Latin, Greek, French and He- brew, per quarter, $5.00 Higher branches of English, 4.00 Common English branches, 3.00 Prudential expenses, 25 Board and washing, six pieces per week, including tea and coffee, $1.12)^ per week. Without tea and coffee, $1 per week. Furnished rooms from 50 to 75 cents per term." Surely the fathers and their children must have known something in those days of "plain living and high think- ing." And think of only a paltry difference of two dol- lars per term in price between the common English branches and the mastery of four foreign tongues, in- cluding Hebrew! The surrender of tea and coffee would 40 HISTORY OF THE of itself provide the funds for these more erudite studies. All honor to those patrons of the school who made pos- sible the acquisition of so much learning. And all honor to the boys and girls of that hardy home-spun breed, who trod those classic halls, and luxuriated in furnished rooms that rented for fifty cents a quarter, and in board that cost a dollar a week. This year's minutes contained a statistical table of the churches, the first since 1831, and the last until 1840. Six associations were reported. Among these was the ''Union Association," to which six Connecticut churches were attached: Wilton, North Stamford, New Milford, First and Second Danbury and Ridgefield. This As- sociation does not appear again. The Fairfield Associ- ation was formed in 1837, and the churches specified united with it. Four of these churches, Wilton, North Stamford, First Danbury and Ridgefield, have ceased to exist. New Milford is now known as the Northville church, though situated in the township of New Milford. In all the state there were reported 108 churches, 72 pastors, 690 baptisms and 10,606 members. A Relief Society. We find an account of an experiment, begun in 1834, to form a society for the relief of the families of deceased ministers. It was a sort of Ministers' Life Insurance Company, The members were to pay $2 annually, and the family of the beneficiary was to draw $50 at his decease, "as soon as this amount should be paid into the treasury." It was further provided that if the funds should warrant, the directors might vote an additional sum. Eighteen pastors had joined the society, and $34 were in the treasury. Brother A. Bolles had acted as treasurer, and was requested to furnish bonds. We hear no more of it. Doubtless it was found impracticable, largely owing to the constant changes in the pastorates. Yet it marked the first step toward the formation, in the associations, of the societies for "the Care of the CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 41 Widows and Orphans of Deceased Ministers." It there- fore had its entire justification. 1836. The thirteenth annual meeting was held in Nor- wich, with the First church. The officers were: Rev. John Cookson, President; Rev. Orasmus Allen, Corresponding Secretary; Rev. S. S. Mallory, Recording Secretary, and Deacon Joseph B. Gilbert, Treasurer. The American and Foreign Bible Society. Rev. Spencer H. Cone, D.D., pastor of the First church, New York, after preaching a sermon, presented the cause of this new organization. It had lately been formed on account of the refusal of the American Bible Society to aid in publishing any translation of the Bible in foreign tongues which translated the Greek words re- ferring to the ordinance of Baptism into their equivalents in the vernacular. The society insisted upon the trans- literation of such words, thus introducing a word in a lan- guage unknown to the people, so that the mode of bap- tism, whether by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling, might be explained to the native convert at the discretion of the missionary. Dr. Cone's appeal for the full and faithful translation of the entire Word of God met with a cordial response. The following resolutions were adopted: "Resolved, That we are disposed to cooperate with our brethren in any judicious measure to sustain our mis- sionaries in a faithful translation of the Word of God. ^^Resolved, That we recommend the formation of a State Bible Society auxiliary to the American and Foreign Bible Society." This society was forthwith organized, a constitution and by-laws adopted, and a full list of officers appointed. Never perhaps was action more speedy and spontaneous, nor did an appeal ever meet more quick and generous re- sponse. The reports of this society at once took a promi- nent place in the transactions of the Convention, and the contributions for the next few years were large. 42 HISTORY OF THE The Code of Rules. The committee appointed the previous year to formu- late a code of rules for the regulation of the Convention made a report, which was adopted. Only the first rule calls for special mention: "The oldest member present shall call the Convention to order and, after prayer, re- quest the delegates to present the certificates of their appointment." This rule of order has never been re- pealed. It has been honored more in its breach than in its observance. The first clause was abrogated by the by-laws adopted later, providing that the President, or in his absence the Vice-President, or the Secretary, should call the Convention to order. But an experience as Secretary for a period of sixteen years enables the writer to say that very few certificates of appointment have ever been presented by the delegates. This results partly from the fact that the great body of delegates have been per- sonally known, but still more from a natural democratic repugnance to formalities. Yet those familiar with the proceedings of the Convention will readily admit that this neglect of formalities has impaired the dignity of these meetings, and the legality of the actions of this body might be called in question. The Peace Society. This year was characterized by the appointment of a committee on the promotion of peace. Its report in part was as follows: "The popular custom of attempting to settle difficulties, and adjusting points of honor, by shed- ding the blood of our fellow-men is a palpable violation of the principles of our holy religion. It has also proved to be one of the heaviest and bitterest scourges which have afflicted our fallen world. Its heaviest blows fall upon the guiltless, rather than on those who have insti- gated the bloody combat." The report closes with fitting resolutions. Our breth- ren interested themselves in every humanitarian and CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 43 philanthropic endeavor, recognizing that all these are in- cluded in the Great Commission. We can say with full conviction that the Peace Meetings held in eastern Con- necticut so persistently even to the present time have been a potent factor in promoting the national sentiment which has found its latest expression in the "Peace Conference" and the "Geneva Tribunal." Report of the Board. The direct missionary work, done was less than usual. Rev. William Bentley was in the service of the Board thirty-four weeks, and collected for state missions $102. Rev. L. F. Beecher served for six weeks, returning for foreign missions $5.16, for home missions $113.59, and for state missions $149.13. Twelve churches, among which was the First Waterbury, had been aided to the amount of $259, while the Board had been compelled to refuse eighteen other churches which had applied for aid. The Convention had received only $494.29. 1837. The fourteenth annual meeting was held with the South church, Hartford. The officers were: Rev. John Cookson, President; William Parker, Secre- tary, and Joseph B. Gilbert, Treasurer. A committee was appointed to revise the Constitution, and the docu- ment as thus modified was printed in this year's minutes. It is the first constitution that appears in the printed minutes of the Convention. Report of the Board. The report mentions the death of Rev. G. F. Davis, who "was foremost in all our councils, and a warm friend of the Convention," Rev. William Bentley had given nine months to the service of the Board. Brother George Phippin had spent nine weeks as collecting agent, and had raised $51.63. Fourteen churches had been aided this 44 HISTORY OF THE year to the amount of $258.75. The report closes with the following indirect appeal for state missions: "The Home and Foreign Missions are enterprises of vast im- portance, but if we would see them well sustained we must cultivate our own territory." A report of a special committee, raised again this year, on a proposed agency for collecting funds says: "It seems to us inexpedient to appoint a general agent. We recommend as a substi- tute that the Secretary of the Board be directed to ad- dress a printed circular stating the wants of the feeble churches to each pastor, or to a deacon where there is no pastor, requesting them to lay the subject before the congregation, in whatever way may seem to them judi- cious, and make returns of the result to the Secretary," We have given space to these experiments in efforts to raise money from the churches because they have their lessons for our day. If the pastors would always do their full duty in this matter there would be no lack of money. But the history of the Convention up to this date, as well as all subsequent experience, has established the con- viction that the work of the Convention can be properly brought before the churches only by an agent of ability thoroughly conversant with the conditions and needs of the whole field. Deacon William Colgate, a leading layman of New York, was present and spoke in behalf of the American and Foreign Bible Society. The great earnestness of our people in the work of that society was shown by their generous contribution of $2,428 to its support. 1838. The fifteenth annual m.eeting was held with the New London church. Rev. John Cookson was President; Rev. Henry Wooster, Secretary; Rev. Robert Turnbull, Corresponding Secretary, and Deacon Joseph B. Gilbert, Treasurer. This is the first appearance of Dr. Turnbull's name as one of the oflicers of the Con- vention, in which for many years he was "primus inter pares." It is also of exceeding interest to see the names of Rev. Howard Malcolm, Rev. Archibald Maclay and REV. ROBERT TURNBULL, D.D. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 45 Rev. Alfred Bennett, all of whom were distinguished leaders in the Baptist host. Report of the Board. "Out of the meager funds placed at its disposal" the Board had aided fourteen churches, the First Bridgeport being one of the recipients of this bounty. It was not "many days" before the little loaf of bread "cast upon the waters" returned, as only two entries of help from the Convention to that church appear. This church has grown to be one of the strongest and most liberal churches in our state, and a "succorer of many." Not disheartened at the leanness of the treasury, and resolved at least to attempt great things for God, the Board took the following action, if resolving can be called acting: "Resolved, That the Board of Missions be directed to extend their patronage to every church of the denomi- nation in the state which, in their judgment, would be benefited by an appropriation." To show its patriotism, and at the same time to direct that patriotism in a religious channel, the Convention "Resolved, That it be affectionately recommended to our churches to observe the Fourth of July next by as- sembling their Sabbath-schools on that day, and spending it in such religious services as in their judgment will con- duce to their prosperity." 1839. The sixteenth annual meeting was held with the First New Haven church, June 11. The officers were: Rev. J. H. Linsley, President; Rev. R. Turnbull, Secretary; B. Cook, Jr., Corresponding Secretary, and Joseph B. Gilbert, Treasurer. Report of the Board of Trustees. "During the past year $490.21 have been paid into the treasury for state missions. This sum has been distributed among sixteen churches, and $25 paid Rev. 46 HISTORY OF THE Davis T. Shailer, a missionary worker In Branford. In accordance with a resolution passed at the last anni- versary the Board has made efforts to obtain a missionary to labor exclusively among the destitute churches, but has been unable to secure a suitable person. As efforts 'have been made by some associations to do something for the feeble churches within their limits, and a wish express- ed to cooperate v/Ith the Board, the following resolution was passed by the Board at Its meeting in January: *' 'Resolved, That this Board most cordially approves of missionaries being employed by the several associa- tions to labor within their respective bounds, and that the funds raised by the churches composing such as- sociations, and paid into the treasury of the Convention, be appropriated as far as shall be necessary for the sup- port of such missionaries.' "In carrying into effect this resolution the Fairfield As- sociation have set a noble example. Since October last they have raised and appropriated $104." We hear occasionally after this of like action on the part of other associations, but this custom fortunately did not establish Itself. Any one familiar with the entire field of state missions knows that the largest needs are often within the associations that are less able to meet those needs. If all the moneys raised within the respec- tive associations, and only such, were spent on those par- ticular fields, there would be miany churches and much territory utterly neglected. Rev. A. Bennett for the Home Mission Society, Rev. R. H. Neale, then of Boston, for the Foreign Mission Society, and Rev. Dr. Bolles for the same society, made earnest appeals. Temperance and Anti-Slavery Sentiment. Resolutions in regard to temperance and slavery were offered but were laid upon the table, and the following substitute for them presented by Rev. William Jennings, was passed : CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 47 "Resolved, That in the behef of the Convention it is the duty of every human being to be a strict temperance person, and also that it is the right of every human being to be free, unless his criminal conduct should forfeit this freedom, and that the letter and spirit of the Gospel if carried out would completely effect both of these objects. "Resolved, Also, that while we most heartily desire the accomplishment of these objects, yet we deem it best to assign them to their respective societies, and that it is in- expedient for us to act upon them in future in our con- ventional capacity." It is evident from the spirit of these resolutions that while there was practical unanimity among the brethren in desiring the removal of these obnoxious evils, they were divided as to the wisdom of some of the methods urged, and did not wish to jeopardize the harmony of the Convention by the discussion of definite policies or catch-words. The resolutions were passed, yet no rule of order was adopted to carry them into practice. Re- ports and discussions on slavery are found in our minutes till slavery itself was abolished. Committees on temper- ance are appointed each year to the present time. These reports, of varying excellence, are always adopted, but the fact of their being adopted is not evidence that in method and form and phrase they meet with universal acceptance. 48 HISTORY OF THE Chapter IV. 1840. The seventeenth annual meeting was held with the Essex church, June 9. Deacon George R. Read was chosen President; Rev. Russell Jennings, Secre- tary, and Deacon J. B. Gilbert, Treasurer. Report of the Board. This report was unusually brief because little had been done. No missionary had been appointed, and the Board had confined itself to the simple task of distributing aid, as best it could out of the small sum at its disposal, to the churches that applied. It had ventured to overdraw the treasury only to the amount of $18.07. There had been received at the last session of the Convention $310.54, leaving for the year just passed $300. But dur- ing the following twelve months only $35.15 had found its way into the treasury. It furnishes a lesson which to this day our good brethren have not entirely learned, that the enthusiasm awakened in one meeting will not of itself carry the work over the following twelve months. Out of the small fund in hand, less than $350, the Board had granted aid to nineteen churches. Norwalk, New Britain and Waterbury were among the churches aided. There appear also the names of Avon, Hampton and Redding, churches which have long since ceased to exist. There was naturally a renewal of very earnest dis- cussion over the pressing needs of state missions, and the obligation of the churches to them. Several new resolu- tions were passed, including one to authorize the Board to employ two men of devotion and talent to act as gen- eral missionaries under their direction. But to one read- CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 49 ing the report of the succeeding years such action seems even more exacting than the decrees of the Pharaohs to the children of Israel, for in this case the Board was to double the tale of bricks when neither the straw nor the clay was furnished. Doubtless one great reason for this temporary decline of interest in the work of the Convention was the too open hospitality on the part of the churches to many objects good in themselves, but not directly bearing on the primary and supreme mission of the Convention. These appeals had an attraction by their novelty, while the work of the Convention presents so much sameness from year to year that it is in danger of being regarded as stale and commonplace. First Mention of Foreigners in the State. It is to be noticed that in the deliberations of the breth- ren mention is made for the first time of the increasing immigration to this country. No action was taken, how- ever. Several years were to pass, indeed it was just twenty-two years before the first step was taken toward working for the conversion of these people so provi- dentially committed to our care. In 1840 the population of the state was 309,000, and there were already some thousands of Irish Catholics. In 1860, when the popu- ulation had increased to 460,000, there were 80,000 foreigners, 55,445 of whom were of Irish birth, 8,525 of German parentage, while there were only 42 Swedes and 61 Italians. Evidently we did not enter on the work any too soon. 1841. The eighteenth annual meeting was held with the First Hartford church. Rev. Dwight Ives was chosen President, Rev. Nathan Read, Secretary, and Deacon J. B. Gilbert, Treasurer. We find also that Rev. William Reid was chosen Corresponding Secretary. This brother was another of the Connecticut pastors who at- tained distinction In the ministry In the city of New York. 50 HISTORY OF THE Report of the Board of Trustees. Seventeen churches had received aid to the amount of $400. An effort had been made to carry out the mandates of the Convention and to secure two competent men to act as missionary agents, but their churches had refused to release them. The Board sensibly adds: "That men might have been secured we doubt not, but it is our deep conviction that but comparatively few are adapted to this field of work, and to appoint those who are not would be to defeat the object of such appointment." Not disheartened by the repeated partial failures of the last few years, the friends of state missions again urged the appointment of the two men waited for. It was maintained that at least two such men should be nominated at the next annual meeting for acceptance or rejection. Home and Foreign Missions. Though such inadequate support had been given to state missions, the churches were not unresponsive to other appeals in behalf of the cause of Christ. Their total contributions footed up $3,631. In this meeting the Home and Foreign Missions, as always, found able and zealous advocates. We quote from the report presented on Foreign Missions, which shows the magnitude of the work, with its successes and its needs. The report says in part: "We have in all eighty stations, one hundred missionaries, one hundred and two native preachers, sixty-seven churches, and four hundred and sixty-two baptisms the past year. The receipts of the Board were $56,948, expenditures $61,860, leaving a deficit of $4,911." There is found in the minutes of this year a brief sum- mary of the letters from three of the aided churches, New Britain, Norwalk and Willimantic, all expressing their gratitude to the Convention for its financial and moral support. The Willimantic church had received aid CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 51 since 1830. The last gift was made in 1847. Ihesc three have grown into large and influential churches. 1842. The ninteenth annual meeting was held with the Baptist church in Middletown. Rev. Dwight Ives was President, Rev. J. S. Eaton, Secretary, and Deacon J. B. Gilbert, Treasurer. Ninety-two churches were on the list as entitled to send delegates, but only forty-eight were represented. There is also a list of forty- one societies within the churches, of which number only fifteen sent delegates. This is mentioned as a symptom of the apathy of many of the churches toward the work of the Convention. It may have been true, however, that other churches and societies were represented, but that the delegates failed to enroll themselves on account of their repugnance to the formality, on which comment has already been made. Reporl of the Boai'd of Trustees. The Board reported that eight churches had received aid to the amount of $255. Brethren N. Wildman and N. E. Shailer had been appointed missionaries. Of Bro- ther Shailer, who was so long and so happily connected with the Convention, the report says: "On account of the deep religious interest in his church he has been able to give only three months to the service, but the results have been equal to our most sanguine expectations. The charge for his services has been only $92." In the report of the committee to which was referred the letters from the aided churches, surprise was ex- pressed that only four of the eight had written to the Board, and the committee adds: "Would the churches who receive assistance be more regular in their reports, stating particulars of an interesting nature connected with their prosperity or adversity, we believe it would con- tribute greatly to the promotion of sympathy, and to the means of increasing to some degree the funds of the Convention." 52 HISTORY OF THE The Treasurer reported as having received for State Missions, $442.90; for Home Missions, $1,066.99; for Foreign Missions, $2,780.73, and also avails of gold chain given by Sam'l G. Hart to foreign Missions, $5.58. In the report of the Treasurer of the Education So- ciety we also note the gift of a gold watch from some one in the New Haven Association, which netted seven dol- lars, and no doubt proved a timely gift. It will of course be borne in mind by the reader that during these years other societies than the Convention proper held their annual meetings. To include even the most meager reports of these societies would swell this volume to unwieldy proportions. In this year (1842) the Education Society held its twenty-fourth annual meet- ing, the Connecticut Baptist Sunday School and Publi- cation Society its thirteenth, and the Connecticut Baptist Bible Society Its sixth. Years of Special Ingathering. The years 1842 and 1843 stand out conspicuously in the history of the Baptist churches of the state as years of special ingathering. Yet there Is in the minutes no record of any unusual evangelistic effort having been made, nor is there any special mention made of it at the time. In 1842, with 100 churches and 13,399 members at the close of the year, after the gains had been made, 1,531 baptisms were reported. In 1843, with 108 churches, 84 pastors, and 13,999 members, the reported baptisms were 2,052. These numbers have never been equalled since. In 1907 we report 151 churches, 117 pastors (probably a mistake In figures), 27,433 members, and 869 baptisms. The average number of baptisms for the eighty-four years' history of the Convention is 708. These two years of unusual fruitfulness were of course the result of a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Yet equally of course there were certain contributory human preparations and agencies. We can but wish there were some still with us who could tell us of those days of old. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 53 1843. The twentieth annual meeting was held with the Norwich church, Rev. Dwight Ives being Presi- dent, Rev. J. S. Eaton, Secretary, and Deacon J. B. Gil- bert, Treasurer. Among the visiting brethren were the Revs. John Peck, John Bowling and Archibald Maclay, all famous men in the Baptist ranks. Report of the Board of Trustees. The report says in part: "Appropriations were made to eighteen churches to the amount of $452. If they have been able to give in some cases only half a loaf, where a whole one is needed, the divine blessing seems to have verified the declaration, 'They that gathered little had no lack.' . . Some churches have done nobly in liquidating debts. The Willimantic church deserves hon- orable mention in this particular, as having set an example worthy of all imitation." Gratifying letters had been received from several of the aided churches. A great temperance reformation had been sweeping through the state, which accounts in a measure for the large ingather- ing into the churches referred to above. The report says that while these additions were warmly welcomed they did not add to the financial strength of the churches, be- cause King Alcohol, before releasing them from their bondage had stripped them of all their possessions. A legacy of $1,000 from Philo Morse of Litchfield, to be spent in aid of the feeble churches in Litchfield county, had become available. Under direction of the Board, therefore, Rev. N. E. Shailer had spent some weeks visiting the churches in Torrington, Cornwall, Colebrook, New Milford, New Hartford, Burlington, Warren, Rox- bury and Litchfield. The Passing of the Country Church. Of the nine churches just mentioned only three remain to this day, viz. : Cornwall, Colebrook and New Milford, the last now known as Northville. The Torrington 54 HISTORY OF THE church was in the country, four miles from the borough of Torrington, which latter was at that time known as Wolcottville, already a prosperous manufacturing center, and now having a population of 14,000. In 1892 the writer buried the two surviving members of the old Tor- rington church. The New Hartford church maintained itself for many years, through most of which it received aid from the Convention, but was abandoned a few years ago and its property sold. For these untoward events neither the churches themselves nor the Convention Boards are in any way responsible, unless the not having the gift of prescience is to be held a crime. It was owing to the inevitable drift of population to manufacturing centers. It was probably evident to business men, the "children of this world," who are "wiser in their generation than the children of light," that Winsted and Torrington were to be the leading towns of this county. Had the thousand dc^lars been spent then in planting churches in those two places, the large sums afterwards expended for that purpose could have been directed towards other inviting fields. The Treasurer's Report. There were raised during the year for the different purposes of the Convention: State Missions, $475.98; Foreign Missions, $2,362.87; Home Missions, $571.71. In addition to these sums which passed through the hands of the Convention Treasurer should be noted $340 to the Education Society, $72.11 to the Connecticut Publi- cation and Sunday-school Society, and $1,299 to the Con- necticut Baptist Bible Society, making a grand total for the year of $5,061.67. New London County Missionary Society. This year the churches of New London county and vicinity organized a missionary society and reported CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 55 through their treasurer, P. C. Turner, the sum of $625.68. As these moneys had mostly been paid over to our different state societies, they were included in their respective reports. Nothing is heard from this society in subsequent minutes. It is to be concluded that this "separatist" movement had not in it the element of per- petuity. Plan to Regulate the Taking of Offerings. Rev. J. S. Eaton as chairman of a special committee, presented the following resolutions, which were adopted: "Resolved, That the churches in the state be requested to act in concert according to the following plan, viz. : to each quarter of the year let some specific object be assigned, its claims be presented, and an offering taken. For example, let the first quarter be devoted to Home and State Missions, the second to the Education Society, the third to the Bible cause, and the fourth to Foreign Missions. "Resolved, That the editor and publisher of the Chris- tian Secretary be requested to dev^ote a portion of the paper during each quarter to the specific object under consideration, and to give such information and insert such articles as shall be calculated to stimulate the churches to faithfulness and duty in their action." Doubtless it took time to work out the reform thus recommended, but now the most if not all of our churches have forsaken the old hap-hazard methods, and adopted some plan similar to the one outlined in these resolu- tions. 1844. The twenty-first annual meeting was held with the New Haven church, June 11-13. Rev. Addi- son Parker was chosen President, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Brother Wareham Griswold, Treas- urer. Deacon Joseph B. Gilbert had held the office of Treas- urer for a period of nine years and had been "found 56 HISTORY OF THE faithful." Though no very large sums at that time passed through the hands of the Treasurer, yet the ac- counts were complicated, as the funds collected for Home and Foreign Missions were transmitted through the Con- vention treasury. Deacon Gilbert's services were in- valuable. We are surprised to find no record of appreci- ation in the minutes, but doubtless his record was in the hearts of his brethren. The brother who succeeded him, Wareham Griswold, was destined to serve the Conven- tion for many years, to witness a large increase of Con- vention funds, and to bear an increasing weight of re- sponsibility. Rev. E. Cushman, chosen Secretary, held the office for one year, and after being succeeded for two years by Rev. J. S. Savage, was returned to the office, which he held and adorned for a quarter of a century. Our time to write of him will come later. The Report of the Board of Trustees. This was read by the retiring Secretary, J. S. Eaton. Twelve churches had been helped to the amount of $328.47. In pursuing the missionary work the plan of the Board had been to concentrate their efforts upon some particular section. The field selected had been Cornwall and vicinity. Brother N. E. Shailer had labored there, at first under very great discouragements, but he was at last permitted to witness the manifestations of God's gracious favor. Meetings were held daily for several weeks. Sixty-seven were baptized, a church had been constituted at Cornwall Hollow with seventy-four members, and a house of worship was being erected. Brother Shailer was assisted by Rev. A. D. Watrous. The death of the Rev. J. H. Linsley was announced, and resolutions of condolence were passed, but no account of his life is given. As Rev. Eugenio Kincaid was home from Burma, the Board was directed to secure his ser- vices to visit the churches of the state. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 57 1845. The twenty-second annual meeting was held in New London, June 10-12. Rev. J. S. Swan was chosen President, Rev. J. S. Savage, Secretary, and Bro- ther Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. A Step in Advance. The report of the Board, presented by the Secretary, Rev. E. Cushman, says: "Last year the entire amount reported as expended for state missions was less than $300. This year we are permitted to report the ap- propriation of $1,031.64, exclusive of the amount ex- pended by one or two county societies." The Board suc- ceeded in engaging the entire services of Rev. N. E. Shailer at a salary of $400 per year and traveling ex- penses. A part of his time had been spent in collecting funds, and the remainder in exploring destitute regions and counselling and assisting feeble bands of disciples. The new church building at Cornwall Hollow had been finished free from all encumbrance. Rev. Mr. Atwater had done work as a missionary in Fairfield county, and two or three others whose names are not given had labored in other portions of the state, though not sent out by the Board. Nineteen churches had been aided at a cost of $505. Four new churches were received into the fellowship of the Convention, Mont- ville Union, Noank, Greenville and Torrington (old). Mention was made of the death of Rev. W. G. Miller, pastor of the Essex church. The reports of the various committees on State Mis- sions, Home and Foreign Missions, and Bible Society were of unusual interest and elicited a good deal of dis- cussion. At the close of the minutes the Secretary char- acterizes this session as "one of the most harmonious, profitable and highly devotional sessions" the Conven- tion has ever held. 1846. The twenty-third annual meeting was held at Hartford, June 9-11. Rev. Jabez S. Swan was President, Rev. J. S. Savage, Secretary, and Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. 58 HISTORY OF THE The Report of the Board of Trustees. The expectations of the Board had been raised by the increase of funds last year. They had cherished the hope of employing two state missionaries, but they had found themselves unable to do so for want of sufficient money. Brother Shailer had worked alone, but very acceptably and successfully. Three hundred and ninety dollars had been distributed in aid to seventeen churches, and Brother Shailer had been paid $473.56. Meeting-house Stock. The Board, or the Secretary In its behalf, says in this report: "The present year has been a year unparalleled for drafts on the churches in this state in taking up meet- ing-house stock abroad, which in the estimation of the Board is a growing evil and an increasing hindrance to the missionary work, tending most fearfully to dry up the fountains of benevolence among Christians." Now help- ing other churches to pay their debts is not "a hindrance to missions," rather is it a help; nor can it "dry up the fountains of benevolence," but on the other hand will open those fountains. The singular phrase which the Secretary uses, "taking up meeting-house stock," coupled with the charges he brings against the practice, implies that the custom prevailed for churches in debt to borrow money from brethren and give promissory notes bearing tempting interest. If such was the case the lending of such money was a very sorry travesty of benevolence, and of very doubtful benefit to the borrower. It is possible, however, that we are misinterpreting the language used. Proportionate Giving. In the report of the Board, as frequently In later re- ports, the perplexing problem presents Itself, "how to educate the churches in proportionate giving. It is not at all that the Boards grudge the larger amounts given to CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 59 Home and Foreign Missions. From the time of its in- ception the Convention has done all in its power to stimu- late that benev^olence. It is sometimes forgotten that the Home Mission Society as a national enterprise has the whole Baptist membership for its constituency. And under the vast claims of Foreign Missions the whole Christian world stands pledged to carry the Gospel to all nations. But what is done for Connecticut must be done by its own people. Ordination of a Missionary. At the suggestion of the Executive Committee of the American Baptist Missionary Union, and with the sanction of the church of which he was a mem- ber, Brother Erasmus M. Jencks came before the Convention and asked for ordination. The Con- vention resolved itself into an ecclesiastical coun- cil, and after having fully examined the candidate and declared itself satisfied, proceeded to a pub- lic service of ordination. Brother Jencks was under appointment to the foreign field. This very unusual ser- vice added great interest to this meeting of the Conven- tion. Mr. Jencks was sent to Bangkok, but after a itvf months returned to the United States on account of the illness of his wife. His subsequent history is unknown. 1847. The twenty-fourth annual meeting was held with the church in Deep River, June 8-10. Rev. R. Turnbull was President, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. The Board reported that thirteen churches had shared the benefactions of the Convention in amounts varying from twenty to fifty dollars. Rev. N. E. Shailer, the de- voted missionary, had been ill for some months. To sup- ply his lack of service the Board had engaged Rev. D. D. Lyon, who had been indefatigable in labor. Efforts Made at Collinsville. What seemed at the time a promising beginning to- ward forming a Baptist church was made this year at 60 HISTORY OF THE Collinsville. The Collinsville Manufacturing Company had tendered the use of a comrnodious hall. Rev. Lester Lewis was appointed by the Board to labor there, and a good sized congregation was gathered. The work was continued with much acceptance by Rev. C. H. Topliff. No church was formed, however, and after about two years the work was abandoned. An Effort That Succeeded. It was during this year that Rev. D. D. Lyon began a work in the village of Wilkinson, formerly known as "Pomfret Factories." A few brethren were recognized as a branch of the Fomfret church, and measures were already in train for the erection of a house of worship. This church has rapidly grown since Wilkinson has been changed to Putnam. The Putnam church has long been recognized as one of our strongest churches, and its pas- tors and laymen have been among our most useful and honored workers. We see the wisdom of this movement of preempting the flourishing village as a field for Bap- tist work and providing for a successor to the Pomfret church, which was so soon to become depleted and vanish away. // Second Mention of Immigration. In a report on Home Missions presented by Dr. A. G. Palmer, we find the second mention of the perils to the country attending the rapid flow of immigrants. "In ad- dition to this, the unparalleled immigration from the old world, the unevangelized masses daily thrown upon our shores, the fearful combination of influences equally hostile to our civil and religious institutions, the bold and threatening attitude of the man of sin, the ever- widening extent of territory to be occupied — all these are but so many indications of Divine Providence com- mending the work of Home Missions to our warmest sympathies and prayers." CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 61 We are soon to become familiar with these earnest pleas for the conversion of the foreigners among us. But it will be noticed that the danger and the duty seem as yet remote from New England. It is all in the Far West. There is no suggestion of taking up the work in Con- necticut. Yet the hour of opportunity had already struck. 1848. The twenty-fifth anniversary was held with the church in Suffield. Rev. Dwight Ives was Presi- dent, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Brother Ware- ham Griswold, Treasurer. For a part of the time the Board had employed three missionaries, Rev. N. E. Shailer, Rev. D. D. Lyon and Rev. A. D. Watrous. The labors of Brother Lyon in North Ashford had re- sulted in the formation of a new church in what was then known as Pompey Hollow, but afterwards as South Cen- ter Ashford. This church was to be established on "thorough temperance principles, as well as upon Gospel lines." The Church in Seymour. The report of the Board gives an account of the "suc- cessful effort" of Rev. N. E. Shailer to establish a church in Humphreysville. The report says: "We regard this as one of the most important points we have ever under- taken to occupy, and as the good providence of God so ordered events that the services of Brother William Deni- son could be secured as pastor of this new interest, we have taken the responsibility of pledging his support for one year." As Humphreysville was later known as Sey- mour, and Seymour has continued to grow to this day (1908), we can easily see the good Providence of God that led to the planting of this church. But it is not by any means so easy to interpret the unfortunate events that led so soon to the abandonment of an enterprise which looked so hopeful. It is not so easy to see how the failure of the enterprise could have been of God; pos- 62 HISTORY OF THE sibly it resulted from want of funds at a critical stage. Even at that early period, in a community in which other evangelical churches, Congregational, Methodist and Episcopalian, were already fairly entrenched, a Baptist church could not be established without heroic strug- gle for a period of years. There would be no justification for a new church to seek a field in such a place if the Increasing population did not fully warrant an increase in the number of churches. Just those conditions did prevail. We can trace one good result from the effort made. Mr. Beach, who had joined the young Interest in Seymour, transferred his membership to Ansonia when the church in that place was started, and was a very valuable member for many years. A Change of Policy. It Is manifest from the reports of this and the fol- lowing year that the Board was changing its policy. In this year and in 1849 appropriations for assistance were made to only four churches, whereas in the past from ten to twenty such churches had been aided. Yet the churches had contributed much larger sums than former- ly. The Board says: "Several other churches have made application, but your Board deem it inexpedient to acceed to these requests. . . Some of these churches have received aid for a succession of years, and with regard to most of them, it seems to us their condition was such that no pecuniary assistance which we could have con- sistently offered would have added materially to their strength. What precisely is the proper course to pursue may be a question deserving the special consideration of the Convention." This question has been repeatedly coming up for dis- cussion at all our meetings. If not presented in the re- ports of the Board, it is always heard on the floor: "Shall we continue indefinitely these so small gifts to the churches — so small severally, yet amounting to so much In the aggregate — so small that if a church can support itself CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 63 with them, it would seem that with only a little more effort it could do without them? Or shall we devote all our energies to the support of preachers and evangelists, both as helpers to the pastors and as pioneers in unoc- cupied fields?" These are some of the questions which are constantly raised, and which are not yet definitely settled. It would be going beyond his proVince for a mere chronicler of events to give his opinions. Still the writer presumes so far as to say that the most satisfactory re- cord of the Convention is where it has taken up in earnest the planting and nourishing of a new church in some growing town, or some neglected portion of a city and pushed the work to success. The Board of 1848 answered the question by giving $105 to churches and spending $1,306 in support of missionary evangelists. 1849. llie twenty-sixth anniversary was held with the church in Bristol. Rev. Harvey Miller was the President, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. Report of the Board of Trustees. This report, like twenty others that followed it, was written by the faithful secretary who had done, and continued to do such excellent service for the Convention as editor of the Christian Secretary. The report says in part: "Our plan during the past year has been to assist and strengthen by direct missionary labor some of the feeble churches which have been accustomed to re- ceive aid. . . The efforts of the missionaries, N. E. Shailer and D. D. Lyon, in Clinton and Branford have met with good success. Quite a number have been added to the churches, debts have been materially lessened, and better methods instituted for raising money for expenses and benevolence. It is thought that these churches will in the future be independent of the Convention. Rev. D. D. Lyon has been preaching for two months in Rock- 64 HISTORY OF THE vllle, a society has been formed, and $250 have been subscribed for the maintenance of worship." Beginning Work at Fair Haven. Of Fair Haven as a promising field for the planting of a new church the report says: "This village* has a population of three thousand. Among them are thirty Baptist members. The accommodations for public wor- ship furnished by other churches are far too limited for the wants of the community. A new hall in a central lo- cation can be obtained, and as one brother has offered to pay one half of the expense, it seems quite desirable that the position should be occupied if possible." This certainly was a most propitious opening, but the writer cannot say just how much was attempted at that time. The hall may have been secured and occasional and desultory services may have been held, but the church was not organized until 1871, twenty-two years after this first door of hope was opened and then suffered to be closed. The expenditure of a few hundred dollars in 1849, followed by assistance for four or five years, would have enabled the Baptists to establish themselv^es on a footing somewhat like that of the other churches. When the work was finally entered upon the village had been made a part of New Haven and there were two Con- gregational churches, two Episcopal, one Methodist and a large Catholic church, all firmly established and having large and attractive houses of worship. There is reason to believe that one prevailing cause for the long delay — the frost that nipped the tender blade — was the timidity or short-sighted jealousy of the New Haven church, which made it unwilling to dismiss a handful of its members. This, coupled with the re- luctance of the brethren of Fair Haven to assume burdens which they feared they might be left to bear alone, re- sulted in a regrettable failure to grasp the golden oppor- tunity. We know that these considerations often have *Not then incorporated with the city of New Haven. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 65 proved obstacles to the best progress of the kingdom. The brethren concerned have had a zeal for the Individual church, but too little interest in the larger affairs of the denomination. First Aid to the Colored Churches. This year witnessed the beginning of aid to the colored churches in the state. The two that were aided were the Third church, Stonington, and the Immanuel church, first known as the Zion church, New Haven. The Third Stonington received aid only five times, to the total amount of $55. It has not at any time been a strong church, but it has been and still is a quiet, staid, conservative, self-respecting body. Only at intervals have its good people been able to support a pastor, but they rdways maintain the Sabbath service, the Bible-school and the mid-week prayer meeting. They seldom forget an annual offering to the Convention. The New Haven Immanuel has had a checkered career. It has received aid in sixteen grants, amounting to $1,195. It has for several years given a very good account of itself. It has a good house of worship on West Chapel Street and its membership is now (1907) 540. Its able pastor, Rev. A. C. Powell, D.D., has been with it for fourteen years. The Treasurer reported a balance from last year of $307.05; receipts from all sources, $1,256.05; expendi- tures, $1,483.02. Two new churches were admitted to the Convention, Huntington Street, New London, and South Colebrook. 66 HISTORY OF THE Chapter V. i8^o-i8^g. The minutes of the Convention during this decade con- tinue on the same general plan as before. The Rev. E, Cushman retains the office of Secretary, and Deacon Wareham Griswold that of Treasurer. It is impossible to overestimate the value to the Convention of the ef- ficient service gratuitously rendered by these officers. The following committees were appointed each year: on State Missions, Foreign Missions, Home Missions, Bible Cause, and Publication Society. The reports of these several committees and the discussions following them occupy a large portion of the printed minutes. The Convention Treasurer not only continued to re- port the receipts and disbursements of the Convention, but also undertook to report the moneys contributed to the various missions. This was a difficult task, as little of the money actually passed through his hands, although he required vouchers. The practice was afterwards dis- continued. We have used the later adopted term State Missions, instead of the term "Domestic Missions," the latter of which has sometimes been confused in the minds of the brethren with Home Missions, and its use has resulted in the loss of some legacies. 1850. The Convention met with the First church, Hart- ford, Rev. R. Turnbull, pastor. Rev. S. D. Phelps, D.D., was chosen President. The Report of the Board. ' Brethren N. E. Shailer, William Denison and D. D. Lyon had continued in the service of the Board. "The CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION bl deliberations of the Board at all their meetings have been attended with much perplexity, owing to the tardy influx of funds into the treasury. Our missionaries have been so occupied that they could not devote much time to the collecting of money. Up to this time not one half of the amount recommended by the Convention and ap- portioned among the churches, has been paid in." Dur- ing this session funds were received nearly sufficient to meet the appropriations. Referring to the work that had been proposed in Fair Haven the report says: "Among the places visited we may mention the village of Fair Haven which, it will be recollected, was referred to in our last report as presenting a fav'orable opening for a Baptist interest. Upon further inquiry and inspection, however, the circumstances were found far less encourag- ing than had been supposed, and up to this time your Board have not felt warranted in making any further outlay for the establishment of a church in that village." At the same time the church in Newtown was helped in the building of a new house and the church in Gaylord's Bridge was received into the fellowship of the Conven- tion. Well, wisdom after the event is a worthless asset in the kingdom. We can only act according to our best light at the time, and leave the issue with Him who knows. The interest in Rockville was found to be hopeful under the ministry of Rev. D. D. Lyon. Several baptisms had occurred, and a sum of $1,400 had been secured to- wards a church edifice. The church in Northville had been greatly helped in a series of meetings held by Mis- sionaries Shailer and Lvon. Five churches had received aid to the amount of $1 60. Pecuniary Aid to Churches. In the report on State Missions made by Rev. C. Wil- let the following statement occurs : "While we would not recommend the abandonment of the plan of aiding as we may be able, hopeful churches in sustaining the admin- 68 HISTORY OF THE Istratlon of the Word and ordinances among them, we do think that the comparative results of the former and the present system ought to satisfy every one that to give up the missionaries and distribute all the funds among the churches would be to remove the chief glory from our operations, therefore "Resolved, That we recom.mend to the new Board to pursue with diligence the system of the last few years, combining Avith the labors of faithful missionaries' aid to promising churches, however feeble." In the former years fifteen or twenty churches had been aided each year; in the last few years only four or five. ^et it must be remembered that many of the other churches had profited much by the visits and counsels and evangelistic labors of the missionaries, gifts better than of "silver and gold." Foreign Missions. The able report on foreign missions was presented by Rev. J. N. Murdock, at that time pastor of the South church, Hartford. Dr. Murdock was afterwards for many years one of the Secretaries of the American Bap- tist Missionary Union. Dr. Ives of Suffield offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Whereas, Our beloved Brother and Sister Vinton are soon to leave us to return to their toils and labors among the Karens, that people so eminently prepared of the Lord to receive the Gospel, Resolved, That as members of this Convention we recognize with devout gratitude the distinguishing grace of God conferred on them and on us, in calling them from among us to this holy work, for the eminent suc- cess which has crowned their labors, for the sweet inter- course enjoyed with them during their visit, in our public meetings and in our families, for the conversion to God of both their dear children, and for the invigorated health with which they return to their field of labor. We CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVTZNTION 69 hereby tender to them assurance of our confidence and esteem, and pledge them our prayers and cooperation. The Vintons were members of the church on Willing- ton Hill. They filled out a long term of service in Burma, and their children followed in their steps. Their grand- children are in the field today among our most honored missionaries. The Treasurer had received from all sources: For State Missions, $,1,677.44 For Foreign Missions, 5,115.78 For Home Missions, 775.69 Bible Society, 723.35 Publication Society, 91.30 Total, $8,383.56 1851. The twenty-eighth annual meeting was held with the church in Stonington Borough, June 10-12. Rev. E. T. Hiscox was President, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. Among the visitors who were registered, besides the ofliclal representatives of the national societies, we find the names of J. M. Haswell, Maulmain; A. Waring, Hayti, W^. I., and M. J. Gonsalves of the Portuguese Mission. Our brethren continued to keep in touch with the "ends of the earth." Report of the Board. Brethren N. E. Shailer, William Denison and D. D. Lyon had been reappointed. Brother Lyon had accepted a call to Jewett City; the other brethren had served through the year. Brother Denison had continued his labors in Humphreysville (Seymour), and had secured $2,200 towards building a house of worship which was then approaching completion. He had rendered valuable aid in Newtown, Branford, Greenville, Canton and Plain- ville. Appropriations amounting to $525 were made to 70 HISTORY OF THE six churches. These six churches fulfilled the condition imposed upon the Board by the vote of the Convention, that churches aided should have a "hopeful outlook," for they all abide to this day. Yet four out of the six are numbered among our aided churches after the lapse of fifty-six years. A legacy of $1,264.50 was received from J Miss Rhoda Cook, late of Hartford. Seven Years' Retrospect. "It is now somewhat over seven years since we have been steadily pursuing our present system of missionary operations, and through the blessing of God we are per- mitted to reckon the following among the results. New churches have been constituted at Cornwall Hollow, Pleasant Valley, Brookfield, Wilkinson, Ashford, Humphreysville and Rockville, all of which we believe are adv^ancing, and some of them in quite prosperous cir- cumstances. New houses of worship have been built or provided for, or in progress, in each of these places, be- sides one in Newtown and one in Colebrook, making in all nine new meeting-houses. Five or six churches have been, as we may say, effectually assisted and relieved from long-standing embarrassments." 1852. The twenty-ninth annual meeting was held with the First church. New Haven. Rev. Jabez S. Swan was chosen President, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. Report of the Board. "Your Board during the past year have continued their efforts upon essentially the same system as for the seven previous years. Brethren Shailer and Denison have re- tained their commissions, and although as heretofore we cannot report in detail, we can say they have continued faithful, laborious and efficient. A large portion of Brother Shailer's time was devoted to the young interest CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 71 in Plainville. This enterprise lias succeeded beyond our expectation, a church has been organized, a house of worship erected and Rev. P. G. Wightman settled as pas- tor. The labors of Brother Denison at Humphreysville have been successful. The church edifice has been com- pleted, twenty-three have been added to the church, and Rev. William Goodwin settled as pastor." The church in Greenville, now known as Third Nor- wich, was heavily in debt and threatened with fore- closure on its property. By the help of the missionaries enough money was raised to avert this disaster. Aid was granted to seven churches, $215 to all. The "Olive Branch Baptist Society, Colebrook River," was received into the fellowship of the Convention. We believe there was, for a few years, a church called the "Colebrook River Church," but we find no further refer- ence to it in the minutes. The peaceful name adopted by the brethren was the outcome of dissension, and it might better have been called a "breach" than a "branch." The meetings of the Conv^ention were increasing in at- tendance and interest. There was also a growing demand for the minutes, which recorded the transactions of the auxiliary societies, as well as those of the Convention. This year the Convention ordered the printing of eight hundred copies instead of the four hundred which they had usually printed. The Treasurer reported: For Foreign Missions, $3,867.82 For Home Missions, 1,712.08 For State Missions, 1,420.00 For Bible Society, 529.89 Publication Society, 75.00 Total, $7,604.79 1853. The thirtieth annual meeting was held with the Central church, Norwich. Rev. William Reid was President, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Ware- ham Griswold, Treasurer, 72 HISTORY OF THE Report of the Board. "The past year has not been as fruitful of Immediate and obviously cheering results as some previous years. Yet it would be a hast)^ judgment to pronounce it there- fore an unprofitable year. . . The applications for aid have been more numerous and pressing than usual, and we have endeavored to meet them according to the urgency of the cases. Eleven churches have received aid to the amount of $390." The report gives a detailed account of the labors of the two missionaries, Brethren Shailer and Denison. A beginning had been made in the town of Stirling which gave promise of success in the building of a new house of worship. A Pessimistic View. We insert an extract from a strong but discouraging report on State Missions made by Pastor William Reid of Bridgeport: "It is not wisdom to shut our eyes to the fact that few, very few, new churches of great promise have been gathered during the last few years, while many of our feeble churches are lingering on in a poor condition, growing weaker, their congregations smaller, their sup- ply of preaching more uncertain, and the sense of dis- couragement increasing. . . Our last minutes give the names of one hundred and sixteen churches. Forty-two of these gave nothing to any of the objects of the Conven- tion, only seventeen gave over $100 each to all these objects. . . It is also true that feeble churches are multiplying more than efficient ones. Does it not become us more fully to count the cost in planting churches and encouraging them to build meeting-houses?" Many a subsequent report, and many a voice from the floor, has deplored the same facts and uttered the same note of despondency. But it will be recognized that these are partial if not misleading statements and unbelieving fears. There are many unsuccessful business enterprises, CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 73 but while individuals suffer, the larger affairs of business move on. The work of the Convention confronts con- stantly changing conditions. If in the exercise of an infallible judgment, which is itself a chimera, only such churches had been established, and such churches encouraged to live as gave certain promise of growth and permanence, what would have been the result? Many of the country districts would have been utterly destitute of the means of grace, and people for whom Christ died as truly as he did for the denizens of our populous villages and cities, or for the heathen, would have perished in their sins. This also would have happened : that our larger churches would have been the poorer for the absence of that large number of virile Christian men and devoted Christian women, country-bred and nurtured in these country churches, who in the pulpits and in the pews have been the stay and strength of our city churches. That the Convention has never stopped its ears to the Macedonian cry from the thinly-peopled districts of our state, this is its glory. It has put in practice the words of the Master, "When thou makest a feast call in the poor and the needy that cannot recompense thee." 1854. The thirty-first annual meeting was held with the South church, Hartford, June 13. Rev. J. N. Murdock was President, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. Sixty-three churches were represented by one hundred and three delegates, and eighteen societies by one delegate each. Report of the Board. Eight churches had received aid to the amount of $511.75. Tariffville, Rockville and Humphreysville had each been paid one hundred dollars. The report says of these churches that they had by various circumstances been laid under an unusual pressure of embarrassment. In Tariffville a large manufacturing establishment had 74 HISTORY OF THE failed. At Rockville also there had been business de- pression. At Humphreysville the church was still feeble and the outlook disheartening, yet the Board was reluct- ant to give up the project. The church in Greenville had lost its house by fire, but good progress had already been made in rebuilding. The missionaries, N. E. Shailer and William Denison had continued their varied labors with great acceptance to the churches and with constant tokens of the divine blessing. Church Extension. As illustrative of the attitude of the Board and of the Convention toward the planting of new churches, with their feeling of its desirability and its difficulties, we give these extracts from the report : "It seems of course desirable that Baptist churches should be established in all our growing villages and chief centers of business and population, and to a casual observer this may seem a perfectly simple and easy mat- ter. But such impressions are by no means realized in the actual experiment. In many instances we find no sufficient nucleus around which to gather a new interest. Often we are overborne by the numbers, wealth and con- trolling influence of other denominations. Then there are the numerous contingencies, fluctuations in business, changes of population, also the extreme difficulty of se- curing pastors adapted to such fields. . . It should not be thought very strange if in occasional instances our hopes have failed to be realized." The Missouri Compromise. In the doings of this year we find a record of the first protest against the repeal of the Missouri compromise, and the introduction of slavery into the new territories. Deacon Albert Day, so many years one of the strong pillars of the South church, Hartford, offered some ring- ing resolutions, which were adopted without a dissenting CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 73 voice. From that time until the close of the long strug- gle there were adopted in the minutes many such resolu- tions which we may not find space to record. We feel safe in saying that while the Baptists of our state, as of all the northern states, were unanimous in their loyalty to the Union, and nearly though not altogether so in their con- demnation of slavery, nevertheless they showed an un- failing charity toward their brethren in the South whose feet had been entangled in the meshes of the slave net. They mourned over the desolations in the South as truly as over those in the North. They recognize more truly now than they could then the moral force of the motives that actuated the South, and the loyalty which these southern brethren manifested to their states. 1855. The thirty-second annual meeting was held with the Meriden church, June 12-14. Rev. Lester Lewis was President, while the Secretary and Treasurer remained as before. Report of the Board. "The year cannot be reckoned as amongst the brightest and most prosperous in the history of the Convention. In the commercial world it has been a season of pecuniary embarrassment and this has borne hard on many of our churches. . . Yet some of our churches have been visited with delightful seasons of refreshing and have rejoiced in the accession of large numbers. Twelve churches have been aided directly from our funds, $581 in all. "Brother N. E. Shailer has worked alone on the mis- sionary field. Brother Denison having accepted a pas- torate. Brother Shailer has labored with the Greenville church, preaching for them during the illness of Rev. Niles Whiting, their pastor, and after his decease also aiding in the work of rebuilding their meeting-house." The Rockville church had been so weakened and was so much in debt that it had sold its house of worship. For 76 HISTORY OF THE the want of a few hundred dollars to meet its necessities this church remained dormant for many years, to be re- suscitated only at a much greater outlay later, thus prov- ing the truth of the saying, "VvTio gives quickly gives twice." This year marked the beginning of the church in Falls Village or Bantam, where Brother Simonds had taken charge. 1856. The Convention met with the Middletown church June il and 12. Rev. W. S. Clapp was Presi- dent, the Secretary and Treasurer continuing in office. It is quite worth our while to devote the space allotted to this year to the tribute paid by the Board to the mis- sionar}^ Rev. N. E. Shailer. To no one man are the Baptists of the state more indebted than to this devoted disciple. The older people will recognize the truth of the picture. A Missionary's JVork in Winter. "Such a succession of stormy Sabbaths, of drifting snows, and weeks of stinging cold as have characterized this winter the memory of the oldest inhabitant fails to recall. And 'through fire and hail, snow and vapor, and stormy wind' wliich, though they fulfill their providential designs, are manifestly incompatible with the very ex- tensive preaching of the Word, our well-tried missionary has plodded his way with an unfailing courage and un- abating hope. He has faced the north wind, floundered in the snow-drifts, and dragged through the mud, and with the exception of three weeks of illness from his ex- posures, has been somewhere in the field throughout the year. In the fulfilment of his duties he has visited every county in the state." Rev. E. A. Stevens from Burma was present and made an address. The reports on Foreign and Home Mis- sions and the Publication Society, prepared by some of our ablest brethren, urged to a more liberal support of these societies. Contributions for all objects aggregated CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 77 $14,045.55, of which State Missions received $1,561.56. Through all the years this seems to have been very near the general average proportionate giving between the State Convention and all other objects of benev^olence. 1857. The annual meeting was held with the First church. New London. Rev. Charles Willett was President. Report of the Board. Very appreciative and tender mention is made of the death of Rev. Harvey Miller, late pastor of the First church, Meriden, and also of the death of Rev. E. P. Fish of Haddam, and that of Rev. W. S. Smith of New- town, younger in the ministry and less known. For these and all other memorial tributes reference is made for greater convenience to the Necrology printed in the Ap- pendix. At this date the report on obituaries had not been made a part of the annual proceedings. For about half of the year the Secretary had served as agent for the Convention and as a missionary together with Brother Shailer, but had returned again to the pas- torate. Mr. Shailer's work had continued, and with the same large measure of success. Nine churches had been aided at an expense of $400. The report says: "A few of the smaller and feebler churches have recently come to a somewhat improved and more hopeful position. This is the case with the Wethersfield, Tariff- ville, Bloomfield and South Woodstock churches. The church at Hadlyme, under the ministrations of our blind brother, William Harris, has refitted and improved its house of worship and is strengthened and encouraged. No new fields have been entered by the Board, though there are a few points in different portions of the state where we hope ere long successfully to plant our stand- ard." With an expense of .'^ 1,207. 25, a balance is re- ported of $505.73. 78 HISTORY OF THE A special committee of seven, one from each associ- ation, was appointed to report next year on the destitute fields and the feeble churches in their respective associ- ations. Report on State Missions. This report, presented by Rev. E. P. Bond, says in part: "The present condition of our churches does not represent the full results of the evangelical labors per- formed either by the pastors and churches themselves, or by those who have been laboring more immediately under the patronage of the Convention. In the crowds that are emigrating to the West are found some of the most efficient and enterprising of our members. They are rendering good service where they are, but are lost to us. For some years past we have tried to secure additional missionary force, but have not succeeded. Perhaps if attention is paid to the lay members of our churches some may be found adapted to the work we propose. Let such brethren alone, or better in pairs, do the sort of work done by colporteurs, going from house to house in our scattered districts telling the story, praying with and for the people, finding out-stations which the nearest church and pastor may find a field of labor." 1858. The thirty-fifth annual meeting was held with the Southington church. Rev. Frederick Denison was chosen President. The Secretary and the Treasurer remain as before. Report of the Board. The report begins with appreciative notice of the deaths of Rev. Lester Lewes, Rev. S. S. Mallory and Rev. Justus A. Vinton. For the first two we refer to the obituary record in the Appendix. Rev. Justus A. Vinton was not closely identified with the work of the Conven- tion, though he was one of the worthiest sons of Connecti- CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 79 cut. It is proper that what was said of him should find its place on these pages. In M emoriam Justus A. Vinton. "On the eve of this anniversary gathering intelligence reaches us of the death of this devoted laborer on the foreign field. Brother Vinton was a Connecticut man and confessedly an able, faithful and successful missionary of the cross. For twenty-four years he has devoted himself arduously, industriously, perseveringly, and with very large success to the work of evangelizing the Karens of Burma. Thousands of that interesting people have come to regard him as their father in the Lord, and his loss must be to them the occasion of deep sorrow. In the present juncture of missionary affairs the removal of such a man seems a very mysterious providence. Let us 'be still, and know that He is God.' " Mr. Vinton had two children, a daughter who married Rev. Mr. Luther, and a son, Brainerd, who married Miss Haswell. Mr. Brainerd Vinton had three children, a daughter who married Rev. Mr. Seagrave, a son, Her- bert, and a son, Samuel who married Miss Bunker. All of these are or have been missionaries in Burma. The Great Revival Year. "The past autumn and winter have been signalized by one of the most extraordinary financial revulsions ever known. All classes have felt the blow and staggered under the pressure of the times. Many of the churches have been weakened and crippled in their resources. "The march of mercy has followed closely upon the track of trouble. Never before has the salvation of God been so mightily revealed in our land. In this visitation of mercy our own state has largely shared." The reports of the churches for the succeeding year were 2,067 bap- tisms, the largest addition in all the years to the present time. The 2,000 mark had been reached once before, in 1843, but has not been attained at any time since 1859. 80 HISTORY OF THE Three new churches were constituted, one of them be- ing at Thompsonville in the town of Enfield. This was a relocation and revival of a former church called the En- field church. One was founded at Baltic, where a large manufacturing plant had been erected, and the third was started at West Hartford. The first two churches have since become extinct, the Baltic church because of the fail- ure of the mills, and the Thompsonville church very largely because of the then unforeseen substitution of foreigners in place of native working people. 1859. The thirty-sixth annual meeting was held with the First Baptist church, Hartford, June 7-9. Rev. S. D. Phelps was President, with the same Secretary and Treasurer as before. Report of the Board. The Board had failed to secure the services of a second missionary, and Brother Shailer had continued alone on the field. He had sought for a release but could not be spared, "though it is true that the perplexities of his posi- tion, as well as its advantages to the Convention, cannot be properly estimated by those not familiar with the de- tails of the service performed." Nine churches had been aided by direct grants to the amount of $475. First Aid lo the Germans. The work of ministering to our foreign-born, which was to grow to such large proportions, began this year. "The First church. New Haven, contributed $15 to the German interest in that city, where Brother Otto has been laboring among his countrymen with evi- dent tokens of the divine blessing." A Promising! Beginning. "The church in West Harford has completed a very pleasant, tasteful and conv^enient church edifice, which CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 81 was opened for public worship in February. They have also settled a pastor and have increased from seventeen, the original number of members last year, to fifty-two. The church has asked for no pecuniary aid. They have paid $20 to state missions in addition to their gifts to other objects." After such a prosperous beginning, and In view of the constantly Increasing population In that charming suburb of Hartford, It is hard to account for the straightened condition of this church In its later years. To such a field the question of Paul may well be applied, "Ye did run well, what hath hindered you?" If experience Is of any value a careful Inquiry into the history of that enterprise ought to result in avoiding the mistakes that must have been made, when new enterprises are planned for the future. The results of last year's remarkable work of grace were seen this year In the report of 2,076 baptisms. This was In the proportion of one conversion to every seven members. A similar proportion for 1907 would return 4,300 baptisms, five times the number that was actually realized. The expenditures of the Board for the year were $1,307.70, and the balance In hand $311.18. The cus- tomary reports were read on the Bible Cause, State Mis- sions, Home Missions, Foreign Missions, Publication Society and the Education Society. This last held on this occasion Its thirty-first annual meeting. These causes con- tinued to Interest all the Baptists of the state and the meetings of the Convention formed the rallying center for all these activities. 82 HISTORY OF THE Chapter VI. i86o-i86g. 1860. In beginning a new chapter we give the figures that represent the strength of the denomination. In 1850 the population of the state was 370,792, and the Baptists numbered 16,033 or one in twenty-three. They had been gradually gaining from one in 107 in 1790 to one in 23 in 1850. In 1860 the population had risen to 460,147, the Baptists numbering 18,806, or only one in 25. This decrease of our relative strength has known no abatement from 1850 to 1907. Now, with a popula- tion of over a million, the Baptists number 27,109, a ratio of one in 39. This of course is entirely owing to the increasing immigration of foreigners. The Convention met this year with the Wooster Place church. New Haven, and Rev. P. G. Wightman was President. This church, of which Rev. W. C. Wilkinson was then pastor, had recently been organized. Subse- quently after the First church had sent out two other colonies, the Wooster Place church was again absorbed into the mother church and the old First occupied the site in Wooster Place. Report of the Board. Rev. N. E. Shailer had continued to serve "with his customary fidelity and acceptance." He had also found time for a very Christlike service "in collecting means among the friends of our departed brother. Rev. Lester Lewes, for the relief of his widow and children." Aid had been granted to eight churches, $425 in amount. The churches in Tariffville, Brooklyn and Bal- tic had made satisfactory progress. The Board says: 4a «: 'f REV. JABEZ S. SWAN. CONNECTICIJT BAPTIST CONVENTION 83 *'In connection with the system of operations thus pur- sued your Board hav^e endeavored to keep themselves advised of the condition of the different sections of the state and to hold themselves ready to occupy any new openings which God's providence may indicate. Yet ex- perience and observation have taught them the necessity of much care in this respect." The amount expended this year had been $1,623.33, leaving a balance of $736.92. 1861. The Convention met with the Central church, Norwich. Rev. Dwight Ives was elected Presi- dent, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Wareham Gris- wold, Treasurer. Report of the Board. Rev. Jabez S. Swan had been engaged to labor as a missionary, together with Rev. N. E. Shailer. Very many must be still living who remember the stirring cam- paign that these devoted men conducted through the state, and how delightful was the harmony in which these two, with such different gifts, labored in the common cause. The church in Stirling had been resuscitated and Rev. Thomas Terry settled as pastor. In Meriden a new church had been organized, the West Meriden, with thirty-seven members mostly taken from the First church. An Earnest Appeal was made from the floor and resolutions adopted urging upon the churches that though the Civil War was in progress and there was a consequent drain upon their resources, they should not suffer the great missionary enterprises to languish. The total moneys passing, either in cash or vouchers, through the hands of the treasurer were $10,044, of which only $2,819 was spent within the state. 84 HISTORY OF THE The Civil IVar was at this time fairly under way, though none could have foreseen the length and severity of that war, or the ter- rible cost of suffering and death which it would entail. The first battle of Bull Run had not yet been fought, but the hosts were gathering and a war spirit was prevalent in all the North. Such a patriotic body of men as the Baptist ministers of Connecticut could not be silent on so momentous an occasion. Rev. E. H. Bond offered a series of resolutions which were unanimously passed. We record the last, which indicates not only our people's abhorrence of the rebellion, but the tenderness of their feelings toward their erring brethren of the South. "Resolved, That we are not conscious of any hostility towards our Christian brethren of the South, such as they have imputed to us, yet while cherishing none but the kindliest feelings towards them we deeply regret and earnestly protest against the unscriptural dogma of rebel- lion and disunion, to the control of which they have sur- rendered themselves." 1862. The thirty-ninth annual meeting was held in Stamford, with the church of which the writer of this sketch was at that time the pastor. That was forty-five years ago. Looking over the list of officers and trustees both of the Convention and of the Education Society, forty-two different names in all, the writer is aware of only four who "remain to this day:" Rev. J. P. Brown, that year the President of the Convention, Rev. C. B. Crane, D.D., Rev. R. J. Adams, D.D., and the writer himself. Some of the laymen named may have removed to other states and be still living. "The fath- ers, where are thev; and the prophets, do they live for- ever : t The Report of the Board, after reference to the effects of the war, the pressure of anxiety, the fever of excitement, and the pecuniary losses CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 85 incident upon the curtailment of business, goes on to say: "Among all this tumult of war the Prince of Peace has been achieving triumphs. In various quarters we have been visited with precious tokens of God's favor. Over one hundred souls have been converted through the labors of our two missionaries." A second appropriation was made to the German church in New Haven. "Per- haps never in the history of our operations," continues the report, "have the claims of the field been more press- ing than now. The embarrassments of the times bear heavily upon some of our smaller churches, and though quite possibly some of them make themselves poorer than need be by always thinking and talking poverty, still the necessities for aid are widespread and real." Two new churches were received: West Meriden and South Norwalk. Report on the State of the Country. Rev. J. A. Bailey presented a report with six resolu- tions, the first and fifth of which we place on record: "That as delegates of the Baptist churches we do here- by express and record our devout acknowledgments to Almight}' God for the spontaneous and unanimous upris- ing of the loyal portion of this great nation to crush out this unprovoked and godless rebellion; for the cheerful sacrifice of property, service and life in defence of the Government; for the wisdom, honesty and prudence which manifestly guided the counsels of the President; for the signal successes that have attended our arms, giving promise of the reestablishment of the authority of the Government over the whole land." "That we are moved to express our gratitude to those of our citizens who jeopard their lives unto death, and to the sick and wounded of our army and nav^^, and the many bereaved families in our land." 86 HISTORY OF THE 1863. The fortieth annual meeting was held with the church in Willimantic, June 9 and 10. Rev. Charles S. Weaver was chosen President. There was no change in the offices of Secretary and Treasurer. Report of the Board. Brethren Shailer and Swan had continued in the ser- vice of the state through the year. They had labored mostly in Windham county. In the Easton and Second Ashford churches about one hundred and twenty-five had been converted. "Some of the churches even in these troublous times, are making encouraging progress; others seem to be declining and decaying." The report assigns various causes: prominent members absent, serving in the army, diversities and collisions of opinion concerning public affairs, local dissensions, possibly in some cases business depression. The report truthfully adds: "As a general thing the business of our people was never more flourishing, and never was the outlay of labor and of capital more remunerative." Eleven churches had received aid to the amount of $385. The total disbursements had been $2,062.82, leaving a balance of $617.77. Report on State Missions. The report from the special committee was presented by Rev. J. A. Bailey, and after long and earnest debate in which ten of the ablest men on the floor took part, was adopted without any expressed opposition. Among other hindrances to progress, hindrances which are often refer- red to in similar reports because they are always oper- ative, being in a sense chronic, one hindrance is specified which was peculiar to that period, though the evil results of it have not wholly passed away from all our churches. The report thus designates this special hindrance: "a dis- loyal and unchristian relation on the part of some of our members to the Government in its hour of trial, and a refusal to sustain a true and holy relation to the moral questions of the day." CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 87 Divergent Vieivs on the Civil War. The writer of this sketch may lay himself open to criticism for calling attention to this matter at so late a date, when a second and even a third generation from those who participated in those stirring times is already upon the stage of life, and the very memory of the Civil War has almost passed away. But truth to history de- mands some explanation of that sharp divergence of view which then divided our churches, and created an acri- mony of spirit whose evil effects have not yet entirely died out in some of them. As we have seen, the great, the overwhelming majority of our pastors and laymen were on the side of the Government. This was mostly because they were altogether anti-slavery, and knevv that the ob- ject of the South was the perpetuation of that institution, and that this was the motive of the proposed secession. There were, however, a few of our pastors and a good many of our members who did not see things as their brethren did. They could not express their views in the meetings of the Convention, but they could and did in their own churches. It is true that they were conscien- tious — that they followed the light as they saw it, even as did our brethren at the South. How did their divergence come about? We find sufficient explanation in these two considerations : First, in the early struggle for religious freedom in our state, as elsewhere, while the Federalist party was the conservative party and held to the standing order, the Democratic party championed the cause of religious freedom. The Baptists as well as the Methodists and Episcopalians allied themselves with the Democrats. In the readjustment of parties many of our Baptist people remained loyal to their party. Secondly, during all the controversy which arose re- garding free soil, the Missouri compromise, and the restriction of slavery, it is a matter of history that the Democratic party took sides with the South, When the southern states, despairing of the United 88 HISTORY OF THE States Government ever coming to their point of view, determined on secession, they expected, and had a right to expect, that the Democrats of the North would take no part in any forcible resist- ance. It is more than likely that the leaders gave pledges to that effect and that when the secret history of those times is disclosed this will be revealed. But if they did, those leaders soon found themselves unable to deliver the promised goods. The great mass of the people of the North, Democrats as well as Republicans, those who cared little or nothing about slavery as well as those who desired its overthrow, would not agree to the division of the nation, but stood for ''the Union, now and forever, one and inseparable." However, it is no cause for wonder that a goodly num- ber of our people were not in sympathy with this Na- tionalist feeling. They stood aloof from the whole busi- ness. They charged it all upon the Abolitionists — all the y horrors of war, and the sufferings of the people. Hence there was dissension in our churches. Not a few of our pastors had to leave their pulpits, some because they were for the Union, while a large portion of their people were not, and others, a few because they were in sym- pathy with the South, while the majority of their parish were for the Union. Those were strenuous and perilous times. All this Is over. The rancour and the bitterness are past. The will of God has been done. Not merely are the people submissive to It, but the whole nation re- joices together In a united country and the destruction of slavery. The recalling of those times of bitterness is a ^ task fraught with ungracious recollections, still a history of the churches of Connecticut could not be written and this chapter left out. . 1864. The forty-first annual meeting was held with the Essex church, June 7 and 8. George Levis was President, Rev. E. Cushman, Secretary, and Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. Rev. William Dean, D.D., the returned missionary, was present and made an address. CONxNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 8V Report of tlie Board. From this we learn that Brother Shailer had been laid aside for the greater part of the year by the illness of himself and of his family and also that Brother Swan had labored through the summer in Bristol at the charges of the church without visible results. Then when he was almost disheartened a gracious revival began. "For weeks the work continued to deepen and widen; the house of God was thronged with eager hearers; sixty were added to the church by baptism. He was entirely over- taxed, and such a condition of exhaustion and disease supervened as quite to lay him aside from service." Little general missionary work therefore had been done this year. Eight churches had been aided at an expense of $300. These churches and others that were under the immediate oversight of the Board had made commendable progress. The German church in New Haven had "taken a more perfectly organized and consolidated form," and Rev. John Blenner had been ordained as pastor. Report on Home Missions. This was presented by Rev. P. S. Evans of Stamford. It finds mention here because it brought before the churches almost for the first time the new burdens of duties which had been providentially thrust upon the so- ciety by the results of the war — which was still to devas- tate the country for a year — namely, the care of the emancipated slaves, and the founding of Christian schools for their education. The report closes with the follow- ing resolution: "Resolved, That the $150,000 which the Home Mis- sion Society proposes to raise the coming year is none too much wherewith to accomplish the work which the Provi- dence of God has thrown upon our hands in the occu- pancy of the growing empire of the West, In the care 90 HISTORY OF THE of the enfranchised slaves, so many of whom are Bap- tists, and in the preservation of Baptist churches in the pacificated and renovated southern states." The Jubilee Year of Foreign Missions. As this was the jubilee year of this notable Christian enterprise more than usual interest was shown in this object. This interest was intensified by the presence and moving address of Rev. Dr. Dean. It was estimated that one hundred thousand had been gathered through the labors of the missionaries of the American Baptist Mis- sionary Union since Judson had landed in Rangoon in 1813. There were three hundred native churches and six hundred native preachers. Rev. C. B. Crane of the South church, Hartford, presented the report, which closed with the following resolutions : "Resolved, That we pledge our earnest efforts to the raising of the requisite $150,000 for the prosecution of the work to which the Missionary Union is pledged. ^'Resolved, That we recommend the churches which have not already contributed to the Jubilee Fund to de- vote the third Sunday in June to that object." Resolutions on the State of the Country. Before the next meeting of the Convention the war was destined to end and peace to be declared. Alas ! our noble President, the latest and most costly martyr, was destined to fall by the hand of the assassin. This year a series of four resolutions was offered by Rev. S. D. Phelps, D.D., of New Haven, for the last of which we find room : "Resolved, That we gratefully recognize the hand of God in the widespread revivals of religion preceding the war in which so many of our young men were prepared for the duties and dangers of soldier life; in the recent wonderful displays of grace in our camps and hospitals, reviving the hopes of believers and multiplying converts, CONNECTICUT RAPTISl^ CONVENTION 91 and in the outgushing benevolence of the Christian and loyal people to relieve the wants of our sick and wounded heroes and minister to the necessities of, and elevate to manhood, those whom God's providence has delivered from bondage." We are very glad to record here this admirable resolution and especially to call attention to the remarkable work done through the unprecedented benevolence of our people by the Red Cross Society, the Sanitary Commis- sion, the Christian Commission, and the Young Men's Christian Association. The writer regrets that he cannot give even an approximate estimate of the amount of money expended in these beneficences. It was a vast sum. Yet the money cost was but the least of the sacrifices. The real sacrifice was the personal service, the loving devotion both of those who in the homes of our land prepared the gifts, and of those who in camp and hospi- tals were the immediate almoners of their bounties. In all this the Baptists of our own state did their full share. 1865. The forty-second annual meeting was held with the Danbury church. Rev. Samuel Graves was President, the Secretary and Treasurer remaining un- changed. Report of the Board. "The cloud of war which at our last session rested so heavily over our country has passed by. With marvel- ous suddenness and completeness its dark folds were broken and dispersed, parting asunder and flitting away with such rapidity that 'we were like them that dream.' We could scarcely credit our senses, so difficult was it to realize the transition. But God has wrought it. We come together to exchange our congratulations and to consult for the kingdom which stands steadfast and firm through all shocks and revolutions, a kingdom of 'right- eousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.' " 92 HISTORY OF THE Brother Shaller had been in the field through the year, and Wilham Denison since November. The missionaries had labored mostly in Fairfield county, with the First Danbury, Easton, Stepney and Fairfield churches. These and other churches had received large accessions to their membership. The total number of baptisms was 698. Five churches had been aided, receiving in all $335. The Committee on State JVork reported the following resolutions, which were adopted: "Resolved, That while we endeavor to cultivate the field we have hitherto occupied, a larger measure of attention and labor should be bestowed on prospecting and entering new fields. "Resolved, That we have unabated confidence In our present state missionaries, and recommend their con- tinuance, and also that the Board should seek able and judicious men, a part of whose time should be employed In exploring and occupying Important points in the state." Such resolutions are frequent in the records of the Convention and are symptomatic of the deep and abiding conviction of the brethren that strategic points should be seized and occupied before It should be too late. But they failed of fruition partly because they were vague and unpractical. Able and judicious men are not easily se- cured for "part of their time," and such men only in temporary employ can not well occupy new fields. Report on the State of the Country. We find a report on this subject. It makes grateful mention of the leadings of Divine Providence in the pro- longed and fearful struggle through which the country has passed, and for its happy issue in peace. One of the resolutions which we record below also expresses gratitude to God for the wise leadership of the lamented President. But we confess our surprise that no reference is made to the manner of his death, which was a shock to the whole world. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 93 "Resolved, 7 hat we gratefully acknowledge the divine favor in granting us through the trying ordeal of war a leader patriotic, devoted, upright and God-fearing, as vv'as our late lamented President; and that we will continue to give our cheerful and hearty support to our present national government, and will earnesdy pray that all who are in authority may be divinely guided in all their official actions," 1866. The Convention met with the First church, Hart- ford, and organized with Rev. J. A. Bailey of Waterbury, President, and the same Secretary and Treas- urer as for several years past. Report of the Board. Brethren Shailer and Denison had continued in the service of the Board "steadily and industriously pursuing their calling in all parts of the state." Gratifying pro- gress had been made on many fields. At Stafford Rev. F. L. Batchelder had been called to begin a second pastor- ate, which was to continue for many years. At Mont- ville a new house of worship had been built. The Bloom- field church was engaged in remodeling its chapel at an outlay of $2,000 and would need help the coming year. In the years immediately following the war business had greatly improved, wages had increased, and the financial condition of the churches had grown better. The Board had distributed $375 in aid to seven churches. The treasurer had received from all sources $1,853. Report on Temperance. In the report on temperance we are quite surprised to note that at so late a date the sin of drunkenness was still prevalent among our members to some degree. The re- port, which apparently went unchallenged, contains this clause: "As the use of intoxicating drinks brings more cases of discipline into the church, and more wounds 94 HISTORY OF THE upon the cause of Christ than any other one cause, we believe the hour has fully arrived when total abstinence should be made a condition of membership." Evidently many of our people had been trying the dangerous practice of a temperate indulgence in intem- perance. It is gratifying to know that the churches were determined to destroy this evil root and branch. Twenty Thousand Germans. The statement was made in connection with the estab- lishment of the New Haven German church that there '' were 20,000 Germans in the state. Yet only three years before had the first step been taken to reach that large class of foreigners who have proved such valuable citi- zens, and who in 1900 counted up 31,852 in our state. Had this matter earlier attracted the attention of the Board, or had more adequate measures been taken even as late as 1866, we should find enrolled now many more than the three German churches with their 433 members. At this session Rev. J. A. Bailey presented a historical sketch of the early history of the Baptists of the state, which finds place in the first chapter of this volume. 1867. The forty-fourth annual meeting was held with the Mystic River church, June 11-13. Rev. C. B. Crane of the South church, Hartford, was President, Rev. E. Cushman and Wareham Griswold continuing as Secretary and Treasurer. Report of the Board. The two missionaries. Brethren Shailer and Denison, had continued in "labors abundant." The German church in New Haven had made advance in numbers and strength. It had settled as pastor Rev. H. L. Dietz and was preparing to build. The large mill in Tariffville had been destroyed by fire. As many of the Baptist members had been em- CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 95 ployed in the mills it was feared that the activities of the church would be suspended for a while. These mills, which were carpet factories, were not rebuilt In Tariff- ville, but were henceforth removed to Thompsonville. Six hundred dollars had been given in aid to seven churches, $325 of this sum to the German church in New Haven. A Working Missionary. The report of the Board tells us that the missionary, William Denison, had "emphatically been working with his own hands. He was largely occupied in superintend- ing the removal of the house of worship from Pleasant Valley to New Hartford. A considerable portion of the taking down and reconstructing of the edifice was done by himself." He did the same sort of service for the church in Winthrop. However unwise it may have been to divert the missionary from his proper work for so long a period of time, it shows his ready adaptability and the deep interest he felt in the churches under his care. The Statistical Secretary. This year was made the first report by the newly ap- pointed Statistical Secretary, Mr. William H. Potter of New Haven. Mr. Potter continued in this office for many years, and to his labors we are henceforth indebted for fuller and more accurate reports both as to the con- dition of the churches and their benevolences. First Work for the French. Rev. Dr. S. Graves, for several years pastor of the Central church, Norwich, presented a very strong and able report on the work of the Convention, which was vigorously discusseci and unanimously adopted. He greatly deplored the utter inadequacy of the help con- tributed to the weaker churches and the failure to enter 96 HISTORY OF THE the many Inviting new fields. He also referred to the large immigration of the French CathoHcs from Canada to the eastern portion of the state. There were said to be al- ready 75,000 of these people, and little or no effort had been made to reach them with the open Bible and the pure Gospel. It was resolved to make a beginning as soon as a worker could be secured. Appreciation of Elder Shailer. "Resolved, That we deeply regret the necessity which has compelled our beloved brother and long-tried fellow- laborer, Rev. N. E. Shailer, after a service of twenty-five years, to resign his connection with the Convention as its missionary, and thus to sever a relation which is so full of pleasant memories to us, and so full of good fruits to the cause which he has so faithfully served. "We do but express the sentiment of our churches throughout the state, many of which, under God, are the monuments of our brother's faith and foresight and toil, when we tender to him in our own and in their behalf our warmest thanks for the fidelity he has shown and for the sacrifices he has made, and as we pledge our prayers and remembrances in the future we hope yet to avail ourselves of his wisdom and great experience for mis- sionary service." 1868. The annual meeting was held with the First church, New Haven, June 9 and 10. Rev. A. C. Bronson was President, Rev. E. Cushman and Wareham Griswold still continuing in oflice as Secretary and Treas- urer. Report of the Board. The report characterizes this year as a year of revivals, but we find on reference to the table of statistics that judging from the baptisms reported the term would have been better applied to the preceding two years. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 97 In 1866 1,394 baptisms were reported and 1,107 in 1867. In this year there were only 797 and in 1869 only 354. Brother Shailer had in a measure regained his health and was reappointed to serve with Brother Denison. An effort was made by the Board to appoint a man as gen- eral agent and superintendent of missions, and Rev. W. C. Walker was chosen to this office, but felt compelled to decline. The Board had distributed $700 in aid to seven churches. In addition to this $300 had been specially donated to the German church, New Haven. Forward Movement Urged. Rev. Dr. Ives in his report on Domestic (State) Mis- sions calls special attention to the necessity of planting churches in the large cities, "whither the native pop- ulation is flowing in strong and constantly increasing currents." He says: "There are at the present time the most promising fields in the state for missionary labor and church extension." In the same report is urged "the employment of but one general missionary, who shall have the oversight of the work in all the state, with such local and revival preachers as the exigencies of the cause may demand, and a 'larger discretion' than heretofore granted." In this year's minutes we find the first fruitage of the appointment of the Statistical Secretary in tabulated state- ments of the spiritual and financial condition of all the churches. From this time on we are able to indicate the money expended for the support of the churches, as well as for all objects of benevolence. The Treasurer reported receipts from all sources as $2,772. He had been obliged to draw $1,000 from the reserved fund to meet expenses. 1869. The forty-sixth anniversary was held with the Baptist church in Deep River, June 8. Rev. R. T. Adams of Wallingford was chosen President. 98 HISTORY OF THE Report of the Board. Brother Shailer had continued in the service of the Board through the year. Brother Denison also had acted as missionary till January, when he assumed charge of the Winthrop church. Rev. H. L. Dietz of the New Haven German church had preached at Yalesville and Meriden and had baptized a considerable number of con- verts. The Board had given $400 to this church in view of its efforts to build a house of worship. Rev. Russell Jennings had bought a lot of ground for the church in Chester and was proposing to build a church edifice at a cost of $8,000. Arranging Date of Annual Meeting. At this meeting it was decided to change the date of holding the anniversary from June to October. The officers and trustees were to hold their positions till October, 1870. It was also proposed and decided that a special mass meeting should be held in October of this year. A committee of which Rev. S. Graves was chair- man, was appointed to arrange for such a meeting. The Secretary was authorized, if he found it practi- cable, to publish the minutes of the different associations in the same volume with the minutes of the Convention. This was done and continued until 1885. The Mass Meeting. The mass meeting provided for at the June session of the Convention was held in the First church, Hartford, commencing on the evening of Tuesday, October 26, and closing on Thursday evening. A part of the sessions were held in the South church. There was no record kept of the attendance at these meetings. It was, how- ever, a large, enthusiastic and fairly representative gathering of the Baptists of the state. Rev. R. J. Adams was chosen temporary chairman. The meeting fully CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 99 organized by electing Hon. J. W. Manning as President, together with six Vice-Presidents and Rev. E. Cushman as Secretary. Its sessions were entirely occupied with the affairs of the Convention. Much time was given to prayer, and a devout spirit pervaded the meeting throughout. A committee of seven was appointed to receive sugges- tions from any member of the body as to modes and plans of conducting the work of the Convention. This committee presented its report through Rev. R. J. Adams at a later hour. It was long and covered many points. The acting clause was as follows: "Your committee would recommend that the Board of the Convention choose an Executive Committee of five, who shall have the supervision of Domestic Missions. Let this committee gain a personal knowledge of the field and learn the wants of the various localities. Let them enlist the cooperation of churches adjacent to destitute fields, who may in some cases take charge ot the work in that locality and support a preacher or employ a col- porteur." This report was discussed at length and adopted with enthusiasm. No change, however, seems to have been effected in the policy of the Convention, except that the Executive Committee of five was formed and this is re- ported in the minutes of 1870. The final topic taken up for discussion was the work to be done among our foreign population. The discus- sion had respect mainly to labor among the Germans. It was felt that if possible the German church in New Haven must be relieved of the debt for its building, which was already completed but could not be occupied until paid for. It was recommended to the Board that they appropriate <<; 1,000 for this purpose. The amount was voted by the Board, and a committee consisting of Brethren Turnbull, Dietz and Phelps was appointed to collect subscriptions to meet it. In the ten years just past there had been added to the churches by baptism 6,256. Contributions to the Con- \ention had aggregated $19,677. 100 HISTORY OF THE Chapter VII. iS'jo-iS'/g. 1870. The forty-seventh annual meeting was held with the New Britain church, October 18. Rev. A. P. Buell was President, Rev. Joseph A. Bailey, Secre- tary, and Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. This year closed the twenty-four years' service of Rev. E. Cushman as Secretary. The report of the Board, read at this session, was the last to appear from his pen. The following resolution was passed: "Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be cordially tendered to Rev. E. Cushman for the entire fidelity with which he has discharged the duties of its Secretary for the last twenty-four years." No one who has not himself performed the duties of this office can appreciate the amount of labor involved in keeping the record of all the meetings of the Board and Conveniion, attending to the large correspondence, preparing the minutes for the press, and in the many incidental tasks that fall to such an office. All these duties Brother Cushman had performed with conscientious fidelity and marked ability. For it all he had received no pecuniary consideration beyond reimbursement for his actual cash outlays. His position enabled him to make the Christian Secretary, of which he was editor, a miore desirable visitor to the homes of Baptists, and this may have incidentally increased his list of subscribers. But the personal value of the position to him was far more than offset by the value of his paper to the society as an organ, though an unpaid organ, of the State Con- vention. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 101 Report of the Board. Brother N. E. Shailer had definitely closed his work as missionary In March of this year. His labors had been many and arduous, extending over a period of about thirty years. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon this good man. He was peculiarly adapted for the work at that time demanded on the country field. Prob- ably no man In the service of the Board before or since ever endeared himself so much to the hearts of all our people. The Board had found Itself unable to carry out all the suggestions made at the last annual meeting or at the mass meeting held In October. It had appropriated $1,000 toward payment of the debt on the German church of New Haven, but had been obliged to draw on the permanent fund for one-half of this amount, as only $500 had been paid on the special subscription. Seven other churches had received aid to the amount of $500. The Invested fund had been reduced to $1,500 and only the Interest of this remainder was available. The Third church, Hartford, was received this year into the fellowship of the Convention. This church oc- cupied the present site of the Memorial church. It started with bright prospects but had a varied experience till It finally disbanded. The new church, the Memorial, was organized in 1884. Calvary Church, New Haven, The report tells us that "a branch church was recently started in New Haven, and a large new church edifice Is nearing completion." In this statement we find the first mention of the Calvary church, which has filled so large a place In the history of Connecticut Baptists. This church had no infancy, but began its career in vigor- ous strength. Its large and well-appointed edifice was built and paid for before the church was organized. When formed It absorbed a part of the membership 102 HISTORY OF THE of Dwight Street church, which had been in existence for a few years in that part of the city, but the majority of its members were dismissed directly from the First church. A branch of the Second Suffield church was started this year in Rainbow. This afterward grew to be an independent church, but it had not the grace of con- tinuance. 1871. The forty-eighth annual meeting was held with the Norwalk church. Hon. James L. Howard was chosen President, Rev. J. A. Bailey, Secretary, and Wareham Griswold, Treasurer. Report of the Board. An executive committee of the Board had been ap- pointed to have charge of Convention matters between the sessions of the Board. In May Rev. W. C. Walker had been appointed general missionary, while Brethren Shailer and Denison had also served especially in behalf of the New Hartford church. The debt of $2,210 on that church had been raised and paid, and the title to the property vested in the Trustees of the Convention. Twenty-one years after the matter had first been pro- posed and refused, the Board had determined to make a beginning in Fair Haven. Meanwhile conditions had greatly changed — the population was much larger, but so many other churches had been built that the oppor- tunity for the Baptists was less favorable. Brother Walker had labored with good success and gathered a church of seventy members, with a promising Bible- school, and a considerable amount had been subscribed for the building of a house of worship. In Hartford a new chapel had been built on Suffield Street, and a mission of the First church started. A few years afterward this was constituted an independent church, but it subsequently returned to the status of a mission. The project of starting the Asylum Avenue HON. JAMES L. HOWARD. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 103 church had been considered. The sum of $1,225 had been given in aid to eight churches. The Social Unioti. This year the Baptist Social Union was organized in New Haven, July 25, in response to a call issued by J. L. Howard, John M, Davis, Isaac Bromley and others. After organization the members repaired to the New Haven House, where they were joined by a number of pastors and other invited guests. The speakers of the evening were Rev. Doctors Lathrop, Turnbull and Crane, Brethren C. O. Spencer, J. B. Hoyt and others. The second meeting of the Union was held in con- nection with the Convention anniversary in Norwalk, October 18. From that day to this the meetings of the Laymen's Baptist Social Union have been a marked feature of the Baptist anniversaries. It would be dif- ficult to exaggerate the influence of this organization for good upon the work of the Convention. It has greatly stimulated the interest of laymen in state missions, pro- moted acquaintance among themselves, and so developed a consciousness of their united strength. We are sorry that the narrow limits of this sketch prevent us from gi\nng an adequate account of the large part this Union has taken in advancing the interests of the Convention. It can be said with confidence that from this time on there was a marked enlargement of the work of the Con- vention. 1872. The forty-ninth anniversary was held with the Waterbury church. Hon. James L. Howard was President, Rev. J. A. Bailey, Secretary, and Ware- ham Griswold, Treasurer. Report of the Board. After only a brief retirement Brother Shailer had again been taken into the service of the Board, but a 104 HISTORY OF THE severe fall in February had disabled him for further work. The Board had continued his salary. He had now been in the employ of the Board for thirty-one years. Brother Walker had served through the year, first in Fair Haven till the church was strong enough to call a pastor, and then he went to Plantsville, where a new interest was starting. Colporteur Work. The first instance of cooperation on the part of the American Baptist Publication Society in the work of the Convention occurred this year in the employment of Deacon H. G. Dean of Cornwall as a colporteur in Litchfield county. His labors in some instances had been greatly blessed, and they illustrate the demand for this special work in the state. The Board had spent $1,710 in aid of eleven of the weaker churches. Several new church edifices had been built, the Wash- ington Avenue and the Asylum Avenue in Hartford, and churches in New Canaan, Brooklyn and Groton. Others were in process of building. The Women s Foreign Missionary Society. This year the minutes of the "Women's Baptist Mis- sionary Society of Connecticut" were given a place with the published proceedings of the Convention. The so- ciety had its origin in Fairfield county. A public meeting was held in connection with the Convention in Norwalk, and Mrs. O. W. Gates was appointed State Secretary. The growth of the society was phenomenal. In October, 1872, there were thirty-nine auxiliary societies in the state. From this time on a meeting of this society has been held, and has constituted one of the features of the occasion at each anniversary of the Convention. It is not possible, however, to make a record of that society in this volume. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVEN llON 105 Rev. Russell J ennings' Gifts. In the report of the Board for this year, as also in that of last year and occasionally in succeeding years, atten- tion is called to the large gifts of Mr. Jennings. The writer feels constrained on his own initiative to make the following comments. For many years of his long life Brother Jennings was engaged in the manufacture of tools, especially wood-workers' bits, which his brother had patented. That brother dying in early manhood, Mr. Jennings had inherited the works and continued the business. Accumulating a large fortune, he was very gen- erous with his money, but he acted solely on his own im- pulse and did not trust to the judgment of the Board of the Convention. It can not be said that his gifts v/ere always wisely bestowed. The total amount of his beneficence cannot be accurately stated, but in the aggre- gate it could not have been less than $100,000. Many of the securities which he gave to the churches that he favored depreciated greatly in value. Some of them became absolutely worthless. In other cases the large endowments operated to render the churches less self-helpful, and when these props fell they became dis- couraged and weak. Of course if this large sum had been left to the discretion of the Board mistakes might have been made in its administration, but it is not likely that these would have been so many. In a few cases only good results have followed his giving, but taken as a whole no other instance is known where so large benefactions have proved so ephemeral. Through many years Brother Jennings retained the affection and esteem of his brethren for his learning and his responsiveness to all appeals that touched him particularly. Though a dark cloud rested on him in his later years the judgment of charity should ascribe this to senility rather than to any radical defect of Christian character. This year the Litchfield Association dropped out of the Convention. I'he few churches left united with the Hart- ford Association. 106 HISTORY OF THE The Jubilee Anniversary. 1873. This session of the Convention, held in the new house of worship of the Calvary church, New Haven, was especially memorable, as it was the fiftieth anniversary. Hon, J. L. Howard was for the third time chosen President, and Wareham Griswold entered upon the twenty-third year of his service as Treasurer. The session became still more memorable by reason of its being the first year of the incumbency on the part of the Rev. Dr. Turnbull of the new office of Superintendent of Missions. Dr. Turnbull also served as Secretary and prepared the report of the Board. From the time of this appointment the work of the Convention took on new vitality and dignity. Dr. Turn- bull had long been the pastor of the First church, Hart- ford. He was known as a man of force and ability, and one whose judgment might be safely trusted. When it was known that such a man was in the field, and all over the field, and seeing all the conditions at first hand, pas- tors and laymen gave him their full confidence, and he could get from them anything he asked for. Prosperity had already set in. The appropriations to the churches, especially to those that seemed to have a future before them, were larger than ever, reaching a total of $3,625. Report of the Board. This was written by Dr. Turnbull and was very able in its review of the past and its bright outlook into the future. The report pays a tender and appreciative tribute to Rev. J. A. Bailey, who for three years had been Sec- retary, and had been chosen to the office of Superinten- dent of Missions.* Mention Is made In the report of three localities In which Baptist churches should be planted, Danielsonville, Ansonia and East Bridgeport. That an eftort for a sec- ond church in Bridgeport was not begun too soon Is evl- * See Necrology in Appendix. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONN ENTION 107 dent from the fact that Rev. C. W. R ly, a missionary of the Board, found 125 Baptists resilient in that por- tion of the city, seventy-five of whom v.c;: members of churches outside of Bridgeport. The report covers eight pages of small type set solid and does not easily lend itself to abridgement. We venture a few short excerpts. "Some of the churches have been truly thoughtful and generous. Among others we are greatly indebted to the members of our Social Union for direct pecuniary aid in swelling the contribu- tions of the churches. Their generous bearing and sym- pathy have produced a good effect through the state, and if continued, as we doubt not it will be, must help to ele- vate the character and standing of the denomination." "We have on hand a large and pressing work which calls for the utmost unity and efficiency in action, and an amount of outlay in work of which few of us have form- ed an adequate conception. No spot therefore ought to be neglected, no church suffered to languish, and above all to die, while a united and vigorous effort must be made to plant the 'banner of ordinances' in every part of the state." "The immense accession of foreigners, instead of being a ground of discouragement, ought to furnish a powerful stimulant in this special emergency to an increase of effort in behalf of our beloved state." Out of 114 churches only 60 were present by dele- gates, and out of 19,490 members not more than 150 were in attendance at this the fiftieth anniversary. Yet it was a v^ery enthusiastic meeting and was the beginning of a new era in the history of state missions. Several im- portant papers, prepared at the request of the Board, were presented. One of these, by Rev. C. B, Crane, then pastor of the South church, Hartford, was a dis- cussion in a catholic spirit of controverted questions, as between the Baptists and other evangelical bodies. It is worthy of being republished in pamphlet form and kept in stock for distribution. It appeared in full in the min- utes. There were two reports on Sunday-school work bv W. S. Bronson and Rev. E. H. Bronson. In addition 108 HISTORY OF THE to these a monumental paper on early missionary move- ments in the state was presented by W. H. Potter. This is reproduced with considerable abridgement in the intro- ductory chapter of this volume. Sunday-school IVork. It should be stated here that at last year's session a large committee on the work of the Sunday-schools, in- cluding two members from each association, had been appointed with W. S. Bronson as Chairman. At a meet- ing of this committee it had been resolved to secure a brother to labor in this particular field and Brother E. H. Bronson had been thus appointed, his salary being provided by the different schools. The first report was made to the Convention this year. It was received with hearty approval, and the Committee was encouraged to continue its work. 1874. i'he fif^ -lirsl: annual meeting was held with the cl. ,;-ch in Putnam. There was no change in the offices of 1 !. 'lent, Secretary or Treasurer. Report of the Board. This report, prepared by Dr. Turnbull, occupies nine pages of the minutes and was full of wise suggestion and inspiring incidents. Speaking of the restricted sums given to the twenty-six churches which had received aid, the doctor says: "The resources of our churches are limited. Some are poorly trained and the rest have not attained anything like perfection in the miatter of s^'^stematic bene- ficence. In all, too, we find some persons upon whose minds the idea of thoughtful, disinterested giving has not even dawned." Fair Haven had bought a lot and begun the erection of a building to cost $10,000. East Bridgeport had purchased a house of worship which, with repairs, would cost $14,000. Danielson and Ansonia were making CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 109 rapid progress. The necessity of laying to heart the wise words which follow has not wholly lapsed with the pass- ing years: "The plan of a more generous outlay for a certain period of years, three or four or more, for newly- formed mission churches in important places has already proved our wisest policy and in the end will be found economical." Arrangements were made for the completion of the special Jubilee Fund of $20,000. Sunday-school Work. The entire evening of Tuesday was given to the con- sideration of the work in the Sunday-schools. The re- ports of the Secretary and the Freasurer of the special committee which had this matter in charge were read. Rev. W. C. Walker, who was employed in this work, gave an account of his labors, and speeches were made by several of the brethren. Over a thousand dollars had been received and expended by this committee in the prosecution of its special work. Three churches were received into fellowship : Daniel- son, Meriden German and East Bridgeport. 1875. The Convention met with the First church, Hart- ford, October 19. There was no change made in the offices of President, Secretary or Treasurer. Report of the Board. This report, like previous ones from Dr. Turnbull, occupying more than half of the space given to the min- utes of the proceedings, is full of vital interest. The following is taken from the body of the report without quotation marks : Thirty-three churches (named in the report) have been aided by missionary effort and money grants given ranging from $25 to $500, and in one case to $609. We gratefully acknowledge the handsome contributions of no HISTORY OF THE Rev. R. Jennings, Captain Morgan, J. B. Hoyt and others, as in past times, in making up the salary of the Secretary of the Convention and helping us In many ways. East and west we are united in the work as never before. So far as they can pledge the whole body by successive resolutions of approval and cheer, followed by a larger generosity and the most energetic work for the last three or four years, the representatives of the churches have pledged the entire denomination In the state, and all are expected, and we trust prepared, to con- tribute to its success. While it is an easy thing to constitute little churches and Sunday-schools, It is by no means easy to sustain them, and these may require for their permanent success years of generous giving and patient toil. Today we could organize a dozen such churches In places where we ought to have had them years ago, but we have not dared to do so for want of means. We have secured In the last eighteen months only half of the proposed Jubilee Fund of $20,000. The rest must come in due time. By vote of the Convention and with the entire assent of the appointed preacher. Rev. C. A. Hubbard, the annual sermon was given up and the evening session devoted to a thorough discussion of the report, which was endorsed in every item and particular. The State Sunday-school Committee reported through its Agent and Secretary, Rev. W. C. Walker. Advancement had been made. Last year there were 126 schools with 15,000 attendants; this year 136 schools with 17,718 attendants. Still there were 52,565 children of the state outside of any Bible-school. The money contributed for this branch of work was '$1,161, there remaining uncollected from the assessments levied on the associations $803. The Treasurer of the Convention reported that be had received for general purposes $5,723 and for the Jubilee Fund $7,938. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 111 1876. The Convention met with the Second church, Siiffield. Hon. J. L. Howard and Rev. Dr. lurnbull were again chosen to the offices of President and Secretary. The decease of Brother Wareham Gris- wold, for so many years the faithful Treasurer, made necessary the choice of a successor. The vacant place was filled by the election of Brother James Lockwood. fVareham Griswold. This devoted brother had fulfilled a remarkably long term of service as the Treasurer of the Convention — a term extending over a period of thirty-four years, or longer than a generation. The duties of this office he discharged with most conscientious fidelity and exactness, and with unfailing patience and urbanity. For it all he sought no recompense but the privilege of serving the cause that was so near his heart. He did more than was required of him. He supplied out of his own re- sources the money needed to carry on the work through the year between the annual meetings. The following resolution was passed by the Board: ''Resolved, That we record our sense of great personal loss in the removal by death of one who by his virtues as a Christian gentleman ever held our sincerest love and re- spect; that we recognize the indebtedness of the Baptists of Connecticut to him for his thirty-four years of service as Treasurer of the Convention, and for the great sagacity, patience and fidelity, attended with frequent personal sacrifice, with which he discharged the duties of this important office." Rev. Elisha Cushman. This good brother, who had for twenty-five years filled the laborious office of Secretary, had also passed away within the year. It is hardly possible that the name of any other man will ever appear again so many 112 HISTORY OF THE times on the calendar of the annual meetings of the Con- vention. The Board adopted the following minute: ""Resolved^ That we will ever hold in high appreciation his character as a pure and consistent Christian, an earnest and successful minister of the Gospel, and a genial and faithful friend; that we hold in grateful re- membrance his services as Secretary of the Convention during twenty-four years, and his valuable influence through the columns of the Christian Secretary in all of our denominational interests." There is no further record than the above even in the minutes of the Hartford Association of the lives of these eminently useful and beloved brethren. They were too well known and too highly esteemed to require eulogy. President Howard's Address. At the opening of this session of the Convention, which proved to mark the last year of his service, Mr. Howard made an address, the first during his term of office. He showed that there had been a gratifying increase in the contributions of the churches and in the work accom- plished, especially since Dr. Turnbull's acceptance of the superintendency of missions. Among other good things he said: "While contributions do not show our real pros- perity, there is so intimate a connection between a man's heart and his money as to make it a strong indication of the piety of the churches. Their faith is shown by their works, so that notwithstanding the death of so many leading brethren, the severity of the times, and other embarrassments, we have no reason to be ashamed of our record, and the outlook for the future has its hope- ful aspect." As a confirmation of these words Mr, Howard was able to add: "We have yet greater reason to rejoice in the spiritual work and growth of our churches as shown in the addition of 1,388 by baptism. This was an increase of four hundred over any other vear in this decade. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 113 Report of the Board. This report, the last but one prepared by Dr. Turn- bull, and the very last presented in person, has in it a minor note of disappointment on account of the debt he was compelled to record. It was nevertheless full of hope and inspiration for the future. The churches under the care of the Board had made material gains. Ansonia was building and had increased its membership in church and school. Danielson had strong hopes of building soon. East Bridgeport had paid all its expenses; its pastor's wife, Mrs. Ray, had the largest Bible-class in the state. Wethersfield had commenced to build a new house of worship. Tariffville had already dedicated an inexpensive but beautiful chapel in place of the one destroyed by fire. Thirty-four churches in all had been aided. This was more than one-fourth of all the Bap- tist churches in the state. We quote one paragraph of this report: "There will be some failure of course. Old and feeble churches, and even a new one occasionally will die out in spite of all that we can do, but that has been the case from the very beginning, and in greater degree formerly than now. We must be cautious, indeed, and economical, discouraging all rash projects and all costly expenditures and all church debts, gathering the requisite experience as we go, and occasionally, as in ordinary life, by painful disappointment. But as incessant vigilance is the price of liberty^ so here incessant giving and work- ing is the price of success." Sunday-school Work. The evening session of Tuesday was given to the re- port of the committee on Sunday-school work, of which W. S. Bronson was the chairman and Rev. W. C. Walker the field agent. There had been an increase of ten in the number of schools, and in that of scholars 1,781. The Treasurer reported receipts $1,234.11, debt $393.28, unpaid apportionments $780.65. 114 HISTORY OF THE At the Wednesday morning session Dr. Phelps, who had purchased the Christian Secretary on the decease of Mr. Cushman, asked the continued interest of the breth- ren in this paper, promising, we have no doubt, that It would still remain as it had been so many years, the faithful though unsubsidlzed agent of the Convention. It was with the Second church of Suffield, Rev. J. R. Stubbert, pastor, that the Convention had been meeting. The students of the Suffield Academy were attendants here, and gracious revivals, in which many students had been converted, had occurred. The following resolution was offered by Brother J. L. Denison : "Resolved, That we recognize the position which God has given this church as a revival church, and the im- portance of its influence on the denomination through our sons and daughters who as students attend the academy; therefore we earnestly ask for the church and the school a special place in the prayers of all our people." 1877. The fifty-fourth annual meeting was held with the Central church, Norwich, Rev. J. Davies, pastor. It was a memorable meeting on account of the retirement from the presidency of Mr. Howard after six years of service, and also because it marked the close of the labors of Rev. Dr. Turnbull as Superintendent of Missions. He had prepared his last report, but was too ill to be present. President Howard read a note from him in which he said, "No words of mine can give an adequate idea of the importance I attach to our work In this state." Before the minutes of this meeting had gone through the press Dr. Turnbull had been called to his reward in Heaven. It will be seen that Hon. J. L. Howard had held the office of President through the years of Dr. TurnbuH's term of service. The two were the most intimate per- sonal friends. Their collaboration had made this period of six years the most successful that the Convention had hitherto passed. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 115 At this meeting, as Mr. Howard declined reelection, Rev. A. G. Palmer, D.D., of Stonington was chosen President, Rev. Dr. Turnbull (whose recovery was looked for), Superintendent of Missions, and James Lockwood, Treasurer. Report of the Board. In this report. Dr. Turnbull's last message to the churches, there is much of special interest, but little of it can find space in this record. We give one valued extract from the general statement: "As in man soul and body, spirit and form, correspond in a marvelous way, all the thoughts and impulses of the one being reproduced in corresponding changes and move- ments of the other, so in religion spirit and form are really, and must be one. This exterior of expression or language therefore, like the hands of a watch, reveals the power and spirit within, and hence determines char- acter and destiny. 'By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.' 'Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these, ye did it unto me.' "In this connection giving is the most important part of expression, especially giving to the Lord's poor, for this essentially is giving to the Lord himself. Giving in fact is worship, this being the real meaning of the word. No Christian man or church can live, except in a doleful, deathly way, who lives to himself. It is on this ground that we attach so much importance to church finances, especially to gifts of beneficence. Prayers and alms together go up for a memorial before God. This is the true touchstone of character, the unfailing index of pros- perity." Aid had been extended to twenty-five churches, from all of which there came a more or less encouraging re- port. Rev. Curtis Keeney had been doing the work of an evangelist, supported financially by Captain E. Mor- gan. The Washington Avenue church, Hartford, owing to dissensions among the members, was entering upon 116 HISTORY OF THE a period of struggle and was burdened with a heavy debt. The Board did what seemed possible at the time for this church.* The church in Plantsville was nearly five thousand dollars in debt, but through the labors of its pastor, Rev. T. A. T. Hanna, generously seconded by Mr. J. Howard Plant, a member of another church, half of the debt had been raised. Changes in the State. The report tells us that the state had increased in population, but altogether through the immigration of foreigners, producing almost a revolution in the char- acter and distribution of the inhabitants. "Over one hundred towns, some of them the oldest in the state, have so declined that it is found almost impossible to sustain churches or even common schools. In all de- nominations many of the churches have died out. Large numbers of our own members can be found in villages where we have no churches, and unless we lay ourselves out by larger expenditures and patient work we shall suffer immense loss, the amount of which will appall us when perhaps it will be too late." Very earnest addresses were made on the report by Rev'. Drs. Lathrop, Crane, Bronson, Rev. T. A. T. Hanna and others. Sunday-school Report. The entire evening was occupied by reports on the work of the Sunday-school Committee and its agent. Rev. W. C. Walker. Brother Walker had done an inimeiise amount of labor. He had reached nearly every church in the state, giving to the 148 schools and churches more than two services each, on the average, during the year. He had traveled within this small state nearly seven thousand miles in the discharge of these duties. In the * This church continued to decline until the year ot its reincorporation as th;; Me- morial Church, and the settlement of Rev. H. M. Thompson as its pastor in 1884. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 117 number of schools and attendants there had been no increase. The 1 reasurer, Silas Chapman, Jr., reported $1,346 received. Robert Turnbull, D.D. "It is our painful duty to announce the death on Tues- day, Nov. 20, 1877, of our beloved and honored Secre- tary, Dr. Turnbull. Born in Whiteburn, Scotland, in 1799, educated in Glasgow University; instructed by Chalmers and Wilson, and in theology by Dick and Mitchell; preaching for a brief period as a Baptist min- ister in Scotland and England, he came to this country in 1833 and settled in Danbury, Connecticut. He labored in Danbury two years; in Detroit, Michigan, two years; in the South Baptist church, Hartford, two years; in Boylston Street, Boston, six years, and in the First Bap- tist church, Hartford, twenty-four years, from 1845 till 1869. His ministry in all these churches was uniformly successful. A born evangelist, he was instrumental in the inauguration of frequent and powerful revivals of religion and in the conversion to Christ of a great multi- tude of sinners. A diligent and thorough student, his preaching was of the highest order, preeminently adapted to promote the growth of Christian believers in knowl- edge and grace. While not neglecting his pastoral duties, he found time to produce many books of great and per- manent value. The marked advance in intelligence of the Baptist ministry and laity of America is largely due to his example and influence. Thoroughly sound in doctrine, he always sought new and greater light. Con- serving the old, he welcomed the new. He was as in- genuous as a child, deferential even to his Inferiors, full of brotherly love and charity, and singularly loyal in heart and life to the personal Christ. "In 1872 he was elected by the Board of our Con- vention to fill the office of Secretary, the former Secre- tary, Rev. J. A. Bailey, having been compelled to resign on account of failing health. How well he served the 118 HISTORY OF THE churches in this capacity during the past years is known to us all. Never for an hour did he spare himself. The cause to which he consecrated himself was ever on his heart. He was the devoted and beloved bishop of us all. His plans were broad, his methods wise, his zeal unflagging, his sacrifices great. Now that his work is done, we can pronounce it well done. "When he was told that he must shortly die he found to his surprise and delight that he had no preparation to make. He was already prepared to meet his God. To live had been Christ, to die would be gain. Now that the heavens have received him, we have only to say in the words of the beloved disciple, 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.' " — Rev. C. B. Crane. 1878. The fifty-fifth annual meeting w^as held with the First Meriden church, October 15. Rev. Edward Lathrop was cho.en President, Rev. T. A. T. Hanna, Secretary, and James Lockwood, Treasurer. Rev. Dr. Palmer made cuc opening address, referring to the early history of the Baptists in Connecticut, relating as only he could have done, many incidents that had come to his knowledge of the early struggles of the Baptists for existence. The Board had elected Brother Hanna to act as Secretary and Superintendent till the Convention should nieet, and he presented the Report of the Board. This report mentions the death of Revs. William Biddle, William Denison, Samuel M. \Vhiting and Wil- liam D. Morgan. Rev. William Denison had served several years as missionary for the Convention, and m.ust have attained a ripe old age. Pie had been a very useful man and enjoyed the confidence of his brethren. Rev. Samuel M. Whiting had spent his early ministry as a missionary in Burma for some years. He had been a CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 119 pastor in Vermont, and later a very successful pastor to the young church in Fair Haven, where his memory is still held in grateful remembrance. His widow filled for many years most acceptably the position of State Secretary of the Women's Baptist IVIissionary Society. Brother Hanna had been engaged to give only a por- tion of his time to the work of the Board. Little had been attempted at direct missionary work, and no new enterprise had been started. After the death of Dr. TurnbuU, the experienced and efficient Secretary, it had been deemed better to hasten slowly. The weak churches had been aided to sustain their pastors. The two churches in New Hartford and Canton had opened their chapels again, both served by Rev. R. H. Bolles. The Ansonia church was doing well under the care of Pastor A. H. Ball. Plantsville had been helped by a generous gift from J. B. Hoyt. The Board had finished the year without a debt. RihJe-school fVork. The sixth report of the special committee on this work was presented and showed the same indefatigable labors performed by the agent, Rev. W. C. Walker, with the same answering results. The treasurer had received $1,183.61, and reported $905 behind on appor- tionment. As this work was the next year merged again in the general work of the Convention we reserve further account of it till then. A long and earnest discussion on the future work of the Convention was participated in by the leading pastors and laymen. The loss of the services of the beloved "bishop" of the Baptist churches was deeply felt. The election of a Secretary who should serve also as Superin- tendent of Missions was finally left to the action of the Board. That body must have made choice of Brother Hanna at its first meeting after the adjournment of the Convention, for his name appears on the first page of the minutes. Treasurer Lockwood reported that he 120 HISTORY OF THE " had received from all sources $5,000 for general pur- poses and $118 for Church Building Fund. 1879. The fifty-sixth annual meeting was held with the Second Danbury church, Dr. A. C. Hubbard, pastor, October 14. Rev. A. J. Sage was President, Rev. T. A. T. Hanna, Secretary, and James Lockwood, Treasurer. Report of the Board. The report tells us that tv/entj'-five of the pastors of the state had volunteered to hold special services in eighteen of the smaller churches, and in most cases their labors had been crowned with success in the reviving of the churches and in the conversion of souls. Allusion was made in the report to the work for Sunday-schools which had been done for several years by the special committee. The Board had placed in the field for several weeks Rev. E. M. Jerome to do the same kind of work. It had been intended that the two brethren, Walker and Jerome, though acting independently and under different direction, should yet work in harmony. Eighteen churches had been aided to the amount of $1,825. Captain Morgan had done excellent service to four of the smaller churches, Pendleton Flill, Lake's Pond, Chesterfield and Salem, having encouraged them to build parsonages by making a liberal gift himself. The brethren of these churches had furnished much of the material and labor, and thus comfortable homes were provided for the pastors without very great outlay. This proved a great boon, for the payment of rent makes a large inroad on the small salary paid on such fields. Mention was made in the report of the work for Sunday-schools, and it was suggested that this should be prosecuted in the future under the direct management of the Board. The matter was freely discussed on the floor. The special committee on this work was not re- appointed. It seems proper to give at this point a resume of what had been accomplished in the last six years. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 121 Resume of the Bible-school IFork — i8'j2-i8']g. At the meeting of the Convention In 1872 a special committee of twelve, two from each association, was ap- pointed to consider the expediency of organizing a special department of work for the Sunday-schools of the state. Of this committee Brother W. S. Bronson of Hartford was made chairman. The committee met soon after in New Haven and mapped out its plans. A special mis- sionary was to be employed, his salary to be paid by the Sunday-schools of the state. Mr. Edward H. Bron- son was chosen for this service. His illness had pre- vented him from devoting his entire time to the work, but he had given some months to It, and In 1873 the committee was able to report substantial progress. Thus the new enterprise was fairly launched. In 1874 the committee reported that its missionary had visited one- half of the schools in the state, being everywhere en- couraged and calling forth the confidence of both teach- ers and scholars. He had also with the help of the pas- tors held four Sunday-school Institutes with great profit to all in attendance. He had resigned, however, to enter a pastorate and the choice of a successor had fallen on Rev. W. C. Walker. In six weeks' service that year the latter had given full proof of his special fitness for such work. The story of this work grows in Interest year by year. An extract from the report of Brother Walker's first full year of work will give an Idea of what he accomp- plished In the five years of this kind of labor: "Our worker has given his whole time and energies to this kind of Christian service: ( 1 ) by communicating with all the Bible-schools of the state, giving required information as to work done, fields of labor, etc: (2) by personal visitations, reaching every church in the state but one, and every mission-school but two, thirty different places twice and several others two to four times for special service, assisting in the reorganization of nine schools in connection with feeble churches that 122 HISTORY OF THE had no schools a year ago, and organizing five new mis- sion-schools; (3) by supplying feeble churches on the Sabbath, and by attending Sunday-school conventions, institutes and associations to promote the general inter- ests of our work. Religious meetings attended, 371; miles traveled, 5,371; sermons and addresses, 283; let- ters written, 500. Some of the results of this work are seen in these figures: last year, 126 schools, 15,000 scholars; this year, 138 schools, 17,738 scholars." Brother Walker continued this work with equal zeal and assiduity the years that followed. An average of about $1,200 was received each year for expenses, but there was an increasing indebtedness owing to the failure of some schools in meeting their moderate assessments. One can not read these reports without the conviction that very great good was accomplished by the happy combination of a committee of enthusiastic men of which Brother Bronson was the efficient head, with a worker on the field such as Brother Walker, who had peculiar and unusual qualifications for the task assigned him. It seems a pity that work so well begun did not continue longer. Had the financial support been larger and more reliable it might have lasted to this day. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 123 Chapter VIII. i88o-i88g. 1880. The Convention met with the First church, Bridgeport. Rev. A. J. Sage was President, Rev. T. A. T. Hanna, Secretary, and James Lockwood, Treasurer. President Sage in his opening address called attention to the variety of interests entertained during the sessions of the Convention. "Thus, in their social and religious aspects, our annual gatherings resemble the great feasts at Jerusalem, in which all the people meet to worship before the Lord and to consider the interests of His kingdom." These gatherings have lately been designated as the "Connecticut Baptist Anniver- saries." Report of the Board. In the report the condition of the aided churches was regarded as favorable. There had been granted to the churches $3,300, and spent for secretary and missionaries i 1,540. Brother Walker had visited and labored in East Killingly, Stafford, Baltic, Tariffville, Pendleton Hill, Winsted, Ledyard, Thomaston and Cheshire. It is noticeable that the Board was not unmindful of Win- sted and Thomaston, though Winsted had to wait ten years for actual work. In Thomaston nothing looking to permanence has ever been done, and conditions are so fixed there now that probably nothing will ever be attempted by Baptists. We are told that Elder Swan "had spent nearly two months in Ledyard and endeav- ored to gather up the fragments there, but he found little encouragement." It is well that in spite of the "little 124 HISTORY OF THE encouragement" Ledyard has not been abandoned through the more than twenty-five years since that time. It is from this field through the hands of a lady not herself a Baptist, and personally unknown to the mis- sionaries, that there has recently come to the Convention in the time of its sorest need the largest legacy ever yet left to that body. A Year of Legacies. The Eber Dunham legacy of 54,500, the interest to be spent in aid of Willington, Mansfield, Andover and Tolland, was paid into the treasury. There was also a legacy from Lucinda Newton of $1,250 for Cheshire, and one of $50 from James Perry oF Columbia for the ordinary work of the Convention. Bible-school JVork. The report of the Board says of the Bible-school work in the state : "Wherever the missionaries have gone they have made it a part of their work to visit the school in each place and to arouse the teachers to more zeal. Institutes have been held in various places. The schools have contributed more liberally the past year to this branch of our work." In the discussions on the floor this subject had a large place. Mr. >V. S. Bronson offered a series of resolutions, of Avhich the following was one: "Resolved, That the Executive Committee be so co?f. stituted that one section of the body shall have super- vision of the church work and another section of the Bible-school work, and that both sections shall constitute one committee for mutual consultation and cooperation." As there is no reference in the next year's report to these resolutions, we conclude that the Board did not regard them as practicable. There being now an avail- able fund for starting a new interest in Cheshire, the Board was recommended to take steps to this end. The CONNECTICU'J' BAPTIST CONVENTION 125 church in that place was organized in 1893, thirteen years later. It numbers now (1907), after a fourteen years' existence, only thirty-six members. The Treasurer reported receipts from churches, schools and individuals, $3,690, from interest, $938. 1881. The Convention met with the First New Lon- don church. The principal officers of last year were reelected. President Sage in his openmg address made some very discriminating remarks on the principles and beliefs of Baptists. We gladly find place for them here as the most condensed and at the same time illumi- nating statement of the points involved that we have met in all our reading. licv. A. J . Sage, D.D., on Baptist Beliefs. "We stand between the extremes, neither Armenian nor Calvinistic, having no formula that is either com- pulsory or even uniform, insisting only on the substance of the faith, using our articles for instruction rather than coercion. In respect of ordinances we reject sacra- mentarianism, all idea of baptismal regeneration, of value or efficiency in infant baptism, and on the other hand Quakerism and its allied teaching of indifference to form, using the ordinances as sacred types and mem- orials, and making the death and resurrection of Christ as expressed in the communion and baptism the foci of the ellipse in which revolve all the great Christian doc- trines. As to church organization, we reject all High church theories and hierarchism, with their attempts at universal organization, and on the other hand the loose- ness of the Plymouth idea discarding church order and the ordination of the ministry. The local church, inde- pendent and sovereign, under Christ and His word, is our simple form of organization, and the communion is not for a mass of Christians in a loose gathering but for the local church as a family." 126 HISTORY OF THE Report of the Board. Much space in the report Is properly taken up in describing conditions among the aided churches. Eighteen churches had been on the list and $2,709 had been dis- tributed among them. The Bible-school work had been committed to the Board. Dr. Stone had held a series of institutes which were very profitable. The report says: "This form of work has not been pushed forward, and we must say that the attitude of the Convention to special Bible-school work is too indefinite at present." Work had been done on new fields. A small group of Baptists had been found in New Milforci and Rev. Mr. Pogson of Bridgeport had with the Secretary held a few meet- ings with them. Two had been baptized, but the princi- pal supporters had moved away and the effort had been given up. Meetings had been held in Manchester by various brethren for the greater part of the year. "We have good hope," says the report, "of a Baptist cause here, but cannot yet report very good progress." The Secretary had also met several times with some Baptist brethren in Winsted and says, "We must be ready to grasp the first opportunity for a more deliberate and settled work there." It is pleasant to read these evidences of the alertness and activity of the Secretary and the Board in seeking out the openings for a larger work. The regret is that in all this they were hindered by lack of sufficient means. First JVork Among the French. This year witnessed the beginning of an effort to reach the French Canadians principally employed in the cot- ton mills in eastern Connecticut. The Board in con- junction with the Home Mission Society had employed Rev. Moise Charbonneau, a member of the Putnam church, to labor there and in that vicinity. The report says: "We believe it was an inspiration from God that led to this work. We should have a like work among CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 127 tiie Germans." This work has continued to this day with alternate hope and discouragement, the latter owing mostly to the constant movement among this people. Per- haps if French churches had been planted, thus furnish- ing the converts a church home, this moving propensity might have been in a measure oNercome. But as fast as these people have been converted they have joined the English-speaking churches in Putnam and Danielson. The French remaining in the Roman Catholic church have ostracised the Protestants, who having no oppor- tunity of comradeship in a homogeneous church home have not come to realize their strength. Bible-school fVork. This matter came up again, this time for long and earnest debate. Rev. J. V. Garton of iMeriden made a vigorous address, in which he recalled the excellent work done by Brother Walker. That brother had found 101 schools, with 13,500 members, and at the close of his work had left 150 schools, with 19,600 scholars. Three years after we find 131 schools, with 18,150 members. A new committee was appointed with Pastor Garton as chairman to report a plan of action. He reported: "We recommend that the Board appoint two men, one of whom shall superintend the church missionary work and the other the Bible-school work of the state." This was adopted. Rev. J. R. Stubbert offered a further resolution, which was also adopted : "'Resolved, That the Convention instruct the Board to employ a missionary for each association; that Brother Hanna have charge of the Xew Haven Association, and that he superintend the whole mission work of the state and retain the position of Secretary, for which he shall be fully compensated." In addition to these two rather conflicting resolutions a third one was offered by Rev. J. M. Taylor, which was also adopted: 128 HISTORY OF THE "Resolved, That we request the Board to formulate a plan for presentation to the next Convention, which shall contemplate the carrying forward of our work by district missionaries, to whom shall be committed the care of both churches and Bible-schools. In the multitude of counsellors there is said to be safety, yet in the deliberations of such a body as the Convention there may possibly be a lack of umty in counsel, though that body has always been a unit in carrying out plans once decided upon. We note the presence at this meeting, we think for the first time, of Rev. J. L. Morehouse, the Secretary of the Home Mission Society. He was there to interest the brethren in the semi-centennial of that organization. 1882. The Convention had the pleasure of meeting with the First Ansonia church, in the house of worship that had been built mainly from the contributions of the brethren and through the ministration of Dr. Turnbull. Brother W. S. Bronson was chosen President, and Brethren Hanna and Lockwood were reelected to their former positions. Report of the Board. The report shows that the Secretary was himself most "abundant in labor," and so had set a notable example to his fellow-laborers. Largely through his personal efforts the debt of the Meriden German church had been cancelled. He had done much directly for the Bible- school work, having visited twenty-seven schools, besides opening two new schools, and had received from the schools $700 for Convention expenses. In appeals for aid he had presented the cause to twenty-six churches. He had attended 400 meetings, preached 200 times, sent out 1,200 letters, made 740 visits, traveled 6,740 miles, written 40 articles for the Christian Secretary, and lived to tell it. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 129 The report speaks of two new churches, Rockville and Shelton. The former was clearly a case of resurrection from among the dead. Under the leadership of Pastor L. S. Brown of Tolland the Baptists of Rockville had come together, secured a hall, organized a school, and held special meetings, and the church which had given up thirty years before was resuscitated. It can be added that though they have had to struggle through many disappointments they never again grew weary of well- doing, though they have sometimes been tired in well- doing, and by the blessing of God they have grown into a strong, self-sustaining and helpful church. The work in Shelton had begun de novo. The pastor of the Ansonia church had visited, preached, started prayer meetings and a Bible-school, and turned the work over to Missionary Naylor. That church, too, through many vicissitudes, part of which might and should have been avoided, has continued to this day. The Danielson church, as well as the Grand Avenue, New Haven, had reached the point of self-support. The Webster Street (colored) in New Haven had secured a new chapel on VVest Chapel Street and had taken the name of the Emmanuel Baptist church. From the doings of the Convention we gather a few items. The three district missionaries who had worked with the secretary. Walker, Martin and Naylor, told the story of their labors. The body approv^ed of this plan of work and urged that other such laborers be em- ployed, as the churches should furnish the means. Three new churches were received: Shelton, Rockville and Baltic. The first two have been spoken of. The Baltic church, like the Rockville, was not "brand new." It had had an existence for several years and had been aided by the Convention. Its house of worship had burned down several years before and there had been no preaching for six years. Rev. O. C. Sargent had looked the people up and had found forty-nine members and sixteen other Baptists. There was an insurance of $1,200, and they had been induced to arise and build. 130 HISTORY OF THE Baptist Ministers' Conference. This year the Ministers' Conference was organized in Ansonia. The first motive that led to its formation was the creation of a fund for the care of disabled ministers and of the families of those who had deceased. Deacon O. B. Grant of Stonington and Captain E. Morgan of Groton had each offered a thousand dollars to form such a fund. It was agreed to call the ministers of the state together for consultation. Rev. A. Pollard, D.D., of Boston, was present to explain the operations of a simi- lar society in Massachusetts. All were found favorable to the project. It was decided to enlarge the scope of the society to "promote the union and usefulness of its members." Essays on interesting subjects were to be prepared and discussed. These meetings, held on the Monday preceding the meet- ings of the Convention, came to form one of the most attractive features of the Baptist anniversaries. A blessed ministry of helpfulness flowed to the aged and In- firm ministers, and to the "widow and fatherless." Subse- quently, however, this ministry was passed over to the Ministers' Home Society, though the Ministers' Confer- ence is still in close touch with the work. It has its representatives In the Home's Board of Control and the agent of the society makes his appeal In person at the meetings of the Conference. The churches of the state take an annual offering for its treasury. 1883. The sixtieth annual meeting was held with the Calvary church, New Haven, October 16. W. S. Bronson was the President, Rev. T. A. T. Hanna, Secretary, and James Tockwood, Treasurer. Six missionaries Including the Secretary had been em- ployed during the year: Revs. Walker, Naylor, Bickford, Charbonneau, Claftord and Hanna. The work of this large force of missionaries is detailed at some length. Brother Walker had labored mostly in the Ashford As- sociation. He had spent some time in Westford, "a new CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 131 field without any religious organization." A church was afterwards formed in this place. Brother Naylor had given most of his time to Shelton, where the work had prospered and a building was in process of erection. He had also done the work of an evangelist in nine churches. Brother Charbonneau had prosecuted the work among the French, and forty-five had been converted, of whom twelve had been baptized. First JVork for the Swedes. The initiation of this work, a work that has proved more satisfactory and permanent than any other the Convention has engaged in, was by the Home Mission Society. The report says: "About the middle of this year the society proposed to us to unite with them in supporting a missionary to the Swedes. We gladly con- sented. The young man chosen for the work is Mr. Thorson Clafford, a native of Sweden." This man began his work in New Britain. The Women's Home Mission Society of New Haven engaged to pay our half of his support. It was an auspicious opening to a most happy enterprise. Brother Hanna had been as indefatigable in his labors as ever. He had been laid aside by sickness for three months, yet besides his duties as Secretary and General Superintendent he had visited forty-six churches, either in evangelistic service or to press the claims of the Con- vention on churches and individual givers. The Crescent Beach Enterprise. Brother J. L. Denison of Hartford, acting for a com- mittee appointed last year, reported that the state Bible- school Union had been formed and had held its first meeting at Crescent Beach, which was proposed as the central rallying place for all general meetings. The report continues: "It may not be the province of your committee to make any recommendations to a body so 132 HISTORY OF THE competent to make and execute its own plans, yet we may be allowed to suggest that in an intei'est so import- ant and in which so much is involved, it may be a worthy thing for this Convention to appoint a committee who shall confer with this band of our workers, and that it may further show its state fellowship and bond of union by appointing one of the number of state missionaries to operate specially with the various Bible-school asso- ciations in holding institutes and such other meetings as may be mutually profitable in Christian work." The matter was referred to a committee of which Rev. P. A. Nordell was chairman. In the report of this committee the project was warmly commended and urged upon the favorable consideration of the brethren. No further action seems to have been taken by the Conven- tion at this or, so far as discovered by the writer, at any subsequent time. An organic union had not been asked for. The enterprise was left in the hands of its pro- moters. These brethren entered upon the work enthusi- astically and prosecuted it to a large measure of succesc for several years. A real estate company was formed, a large plot of land purchased, a very commodious and sightly tabernacle was erected, and many attractive cot- tages were built by Baptist families. Each summer a series of meetings was arranged for, gatherings of Bible- schools were heki, courses of able lectures were pro- vided, women's missionary societies held conferences. Crescent Beach became a popular summer resort, and there seemed to be a sure prospect of the permanent establishment of a first-class Baptist Chautauqua in Con- necticut. Tliat at last interest waned and the bright prospect failed of fulfillment is known to all. Various reasons which do not concern us now might be assigned for this. The principal one is that which has brought disaster upon other auspicious Baptist interests, the want of cohesion and solidarity in our denomination. It is the fault of our virtues, the inherent weakness in our strength. Our church independence too often develops or degenerates CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 133 into self-absorption, isolation, aloofness. The churches of a city, county, or state are disjiDicta membra — not enough "one body in Christ." Against this disintegrating tendency our wise leaders are constantly making effort. The unifying of the churches of the state is the under- lying, primary purpose of our State Convention: its work will not be done till this is accomplished. In the instance we are considering we certainly missed a splendid oppor- tunity. The Statistical Secretary, Elizur Cook, had prepared and presented to the body an elaborate table of statistics, both vital and financial, of all the churches of the state down to that time. He was requested to print them in a separate pamphlet for general distribution.* There had been paid in aid to churches $1,682, and in salaries and expenses $3,705. Contributions received were $5,322. 1884. The sixty-first anniversary was held with the First church, Norwich. Mr. W. S. Bronson was reelected President and Mr. James Lockwood, Treasurer. Mr. Elizur Cook was elected Secretary and Statistical Secretary. The choice of Superintendent of Missions was referred to the Board with power. The Rev. T. A. T. Hanna, who had succeeded Dr. Turnbull and had served for six years, this year severed his connection with the Convention. His last report, presented this year, showed, as all previous ones had done, his unflagging Industry and unselfish devotion. No man could possibly exceed him in zeal and conscientious- ness. Nor can any man know without a personal ex- perience the difficulties of the task devolving on a superin- tendent of missions. It has its blessed compensations, as has any sphere of Christian activity well filled. Among these is the kind appreciation and loving overvaluation, by the best of his brethren, of his attempts to serve. An- other is that he is sure to escape the condemnation pro- * We have not found such a pamphlet in the archives. All these statistics will be found brought down to 1907 in the Appendix to this volume. 134 HISTORY OF THE nounced by the Master upon the man of whom all men speak well. The more faithful and the more capable he is, the less is his exposure to this peril. Report of the Board. The Shelton church had prospered and the new chapel had been built. A special appeal had been sent to the churches and Bible-schools, and $2,500 had been col- lected without difficulty for this object. Missionaries Walker, Bickford and Naylor had labored in different sections of the state. Mr. CI afford had continueci to prosecute the work among the Swedes, and Brother Charbonneau among the French. Brother Sylvester Kronmaier had ministered to the Germans in Seymour, Union City and other places. In this new appointment, as well as in other work for foreigners, the Home Mis- sion Society had borne an even part with the Convention. Moreov^er, the Convention's share of these salaries had been assumed bv the Women's Home Mission Society of Connecticut. The Memorial church, Hartford, was organized this year. This was in fact a reorganization of the former Washington Avenue church. How it was established and set on its prosperous career is a story to be told later. Appropriations had been made to twenty-nine churches, aggregating $4,042, of which $2,500 was for the Shelton chapel. Cooperative Evangelism. In reading the records of the Convention it .is interest- ing to note the intense longing always manifested for general revivals. Three men had been on the field en- gaged especially in this the King's most urgent business, but the brethren were not satisfied. Pastors were ready to spend and be spent in service on other fields besides their own. Suggestions and plans were brought out at nearly every session of the Convention. This year on the initiative of Dr. Herr a committee of one from each association was appointed to formulate a plan by which CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 135 the pastors might cooperate in promoting revivals. Rev. Dr. Stone was to serve as secretary of the movement, to manage the correspondence between churches desiring such ser\ice and pastors willing to render it. He received the names of twenty-seven such pastors, from whom the "teams of workers" should be made up. Others willing to participate were to report to the Secretary. Not a single reference is made to this movement in the next year's minutes. Something no doubt was done, but as a general movement the plan was inoperative. The pastors have always been more than ready to lend a hand to neighboring pastors for special work. J hey are never indifferent to the "Macedonian cry" when it is in their power to respond. But concerted and continuous and simultaneous action for the promotion of revivals according to formal plans, invoh'ing the separation of the pastor from his own field, are always difficult and often barren of commensurate results. On the motion of Dr. Herr the following minute was adopted : ^'IFhereaSy T. A. T. Hanna has filled the office of Superintendent of Missions for the past six years, we deem it a pleasure and privilege to place on record our confidence in the faithfulness, Christian character, and m.anly integrity of our beloved brother." 1885. rhe sixty-second annual meeting was held with the First Hartford church, Rev. Lester L. Pot- ter, pastor. W. S. Bronson was President, Elizur Cook, Secretary, and James Lockwood, Treasurer. Report of the Board. "The work has been carried on without the services of any regularly employed secretary as in former years. We have depended on the gratuitous services of the officers and other friends to secure the necessary' funds. The President, Secretary and Treasurer have taken upon themselves the greater share of the burden. Of these most efficient services the Board desires to make 136 HISTORY OF THE special mention. . . The contributions will compare favorably with those of other years. . . We are able to present to you a report full of encouragement and hopefulness. . . The special work of the year has been the effort to raise $1,500 to assist the Rockville church in finishing their chapel." Rev. T. Clafford had worked among the Swedes in eleven districts. His work had been bright in the autumn and winter, when the services were v/ell attended, but gloomy in the summer, "when people preferred outside amusement to listening to the Gospel." He had preached 225 times and baptized ten converts. In Brother Kron- maier's field there were two thousand Germans in Water- bury, and two hundred families in Seymour. His con- gregations were good in both places. The work for the French had been given up for the present, owing to the difficulty of securing an eflicient worker. Twenty-two churches had been aided. The receipts were $5,344, and the expenditures, $4,686. Rev. W. C. Walker had been laid aside by severe illness. 1886. The sixty-third annual meeting was held with the Waterbury church. Hon. Francis Wayland was chosen President, Rev. P. S. Evans, Secretary, and Wil- liam F. Walker, Treasurer. Mr. W. S. Bronson, the former President, kept the chair till the choice of his successor. During Mr. Bronson's six years of service he was heart and soul in the work of the Convention, and gave more time and personal attention to it than any of his predecessors had been able to give. He was particu- larly interested in the welfare of the Bible-schools, and lost no opportunity' to press his convictions on his breth- ren. More was done in this direction through the years of his administration than at any time before or since. Report of the Board. The report was read by the Secretary, Brother Elizur Cook. Like his previous efforts this one shows the hand of a practical business man. It covers the ground HCX. FRANCIS WA'^LAXD, LL.D. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 137 thoroughly with only as many words as are needed, and is less exhortative than the reports of the preacher-secre- taries are apt to be. Twenty-two churches had been aided. Of them the report says: "Some of these have a small membership, while others have such numbers as would seem to preclude the necessity of calling upon the Convention for aid." The Board through its committee had assisted the Shelton church in removing its chapel to a more favorable location, assuming an obligation in the sum of $1,500 for the purchase of a new lot. It had loaned $1,000 to the New Hartlord church for the building of a parsonage, the church to pay the interest of six per cent. The Con- vention held the title to the ground.* That body had also encouraged the Rockville church to believe that it would give $1,500 for the completion of their new chapel and $400 of this sum had already been paid. Of the missionaries the report said that Rev. 1 . Claf- ford had relinquished his work, which had been so fruit- ful of good among the Swedes, that he might return to Sweden for the further prosecution of his studies. Kev. S. Kronmaier, German missionary in the Naugatuck Val- ley, had also closed his labors and no successor had yet been found. The French mission had been resumed under the ministry of Rev. S. H. F^tienne. Of the German work the report says: "There are now three prosperous German churches. New Haven, Meriden and New Britain. A fourth is on the point of being started in Bridgeport under the labors of Rev. William Ritzman. Kindly Words to the Retiring President. Rev. Dr. Palmer at the request of the nominating com- mittee made an address to the retiring President, which fittingly represented the feelings of the entire body. "yV/r. President: — The committee on nomination has confided to me the very pleasant task of conveying to you * The obligation was afterwards released to the church. 138 HISTORY OF THE and your fellow-workers their assurance of personal regard, and also their high appreciation of the fidelity by which your administration has been distinguished. Pending the discussion, elicited by the report of your positive wish to be retired from the exhausting cares and labors of executive responsibility, we felt a quickened sense of the value of your services in this department. We remember with what enthusiasm, courage, intelligent zeal and generous aims you entered upon your official work, and if you hav^e not fully realized your expecta- tions in such improved methods of action as you saw to be needed, and in such enlarged fruitfulness as the whitened fields seemed to promise, yet we assure you that in the judgment of the committee the failure has not been from the want of wise counsel and untiring industry on your part, but from the scantiness of the resources put at your disposal, or perhaps because your estimates of the work exceeded the practical possibilities of the times. I assure you, my brother, that you have the united and heartfelt testimony of the entire Convention, that in the administration of its affairs, through your entire official term, you have done wisely and well." Tribute to a Trusty Treasurer. As Mr. Lockwood declined another year of office, the Convention heartily adopted the following minute: "Resolved, That in the voluntary retirement of Mr. James Lockwood from the office of Treasurer, which he has filled for twelve years, we desire to place on perman- ent record our high and grateful recognition of the ability and self-denying fidelity with which he has discharged the duties of his office. Assuming office at a critical time in the affairs of the Convention, he has by his wise and ex- perienced management of its investments placed them in a sound financial condition, and has in all respects ad- ministered the trusts reposed in him to the entire satisfac- tion of the churches of the Convention. We tender him an expression of our sincere thanks, and a wish for his CX)NNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 139 continued happiness and usefulness in the service of our common Lord." The Treasurer stated in this his lasi: report that all that was transferred to him upon his entrance into office- was the deed to the farm in Illinois, carried as an asset at $12,295.76. Since then eight bequests had been re- ceived into the treasury amounting to $19,737.48, which sum had been increased to $20,383.99, a gain of $646.51. The President chosen this year, Hon. Francis Way- land, held the office for ten years, and the Secretary, Rev. Philip S. Evans, served for sixteen years, during eight of which he also acted as Superintendent of Mis- sions. 1887. rhe sixty-fourth annual meeting was held with the New Britain church. Rev. I. F. Stidham, Ph.D., pastor. The President, Secretary and Treasurer were reelected. Report of the Board. The report deals first with the appointment of a Super- intendent of Missions. At the first meeting of the Board this matter had been presented and a committee formed to canvas the subject and find the man adapted to the work. 7heir choice unanimously fell upon Rev. C. A. Piddock, at that time pastor of the Middletown church. Mr. Piddock had entered upon his labors January 1. He had proved himself wise in counsel, indefatigable in working. He had visited all the aided churches and made himself acquainted with their condition. He had stimulated the benevolence of the churches, not so much by direct appeal as by the knowledge that some one to be trusted was on the field. The Board had formed a committee to frame a set of by-laws and to suggest needed alterations in the constitu- tion. The report of this committee was submitted to the Convention. The by-laws were adopted this year and notice was given of the proposed changes in the consti- tution. 140 HISTORY OF THE State of the Aided Churches. The report of the Board, supplemented by that of the Superintendent of Missions, enters very fully into the condition of these churches. Only a few of the most im- portant items are given here. The church in Rockville had fairly left the wilderness behind and entered into the Promised Land. A note not bearing interest had been given to the Convention covering the contributions for the building of the chapel and Intended to secure the Convention in case of the sale of the property at any future time. The Fitchville Church. The superintendent had succeeded in organizing a church In Fitchvillc with the liberal aid of the owners of the large mills in that place. "It occupies a very com- fortable chapel and enjoys an Income from an invested fund which togc'hcr with what can be raised on the field will rentier the church Independent of aid from the Con- vention."* The Smaller American Churches. Of these the report says: "In the case of one-half of these, they occupy substantially missionary ground. Should their light go out whole districts would be left in darkness. Our duty to these can never be in doubt. Where there are two or more churches struggling for a precarious life in the same community It Is evident that one or more of such churches should be suffered to die. But it may and will be a serious question, which Is to consent to die that the rest may live. This can only be decided when the representatives of the other denomi- nations will join with us In determ.lning this question in * We are able to add that this promise has been fulfilled. It is largely owing to the fidelity of Rev. R. E. Turner, pastor of the Lebanon church, who for sixteen years has held the ioint pastorate of these two churches. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 141 the light of our mutual interest in the greater kingdom of our Lord." JVork for the Foreign-horn. "Your Board is deeply impressed with the conviction that the subject of work among the foreign-born is of increasing magnitude and requires very careful and patient investigation. We cannot turn away from those providentially sent to us. Foreign missions can now be prosecuted at home and by men from among these people themselves, men who do not neeci to spend four or five of the best years of their life to learn a language in which to preach the Gospel sent to all nations." Rev. n\ C. JValker. This beloved brother and faithful worker had died within the year. The following minute had been pre- pared by Rev. G. M. Stone, D.D.: "The death of Rev. W. C. Walker took place in Andover, October 28. Thus there is removed from the state, and from the church on earth, one of the most efficient servants of the Convention, and one of the most honored ministers of Christ. The Apostle Paul speaks of certain ol his associates in service as messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ. Brother Walker had definite aspirations for such high distinction as these words imply. He was a constant and indefatigable worker, and was permitted to see in many instances the tokens of divine favor. His services in the interests of our Bible-schools will not be forgotten. He was a patriot in the noblest import of that term, and served well in the crisis of the nation's need. His pastoral work in New Britain and other fields is warmly cherished by those who shared its results. Your committee feels it eminently fitting that this record should be made of him in the archives of the Convention." 142 HISTORY OF THE Two Notable Ordinations. The report of the Board called attention to two of the ordinations which had taken place. One of these was that of E. W. Potter, the son of Deacon Giles Potter of New Haven, so widely known in the state and so loyal to the Convention. Brother Potter has done good service in Rockville and other places for several years. The other was that of W. G. Fennell. He was in a true sense a child of the Convention, converted in the hill town of Cornwall through the instrumentality of a missionary of the Convention and educated in Suffield, being helped through his higher courses by the Education Society. He served successfully in Middletown and Meriden. After an absence of a few yej^rs in Newark, N. J., he has now ( 1908) returned to this state to serve the Asylum Avenue church in Hartford. Do'uufs of the Convention. The reports of the Board and of the Superintendent of Missions were fully discussed and the suggestions made therein approved. Stirring addresses were given by a number of the brethren. Representatives of the various interests were heard from. On motion of Brother James L. Howard it was voted that the Board of Trustees at their first meeting divide themselves into three classes, to serve respectively one, two and three years. This was provided for in the new constitution and was carried out in the Board. From the report of the treasurer we learn that twenty- five churches had been aided, receiving, with the mis- sionaries on the field, $3,673.55. Then there had been paid to the Rockville church $1,100, the balance of the appropriation for the building of its chapel. I'he receipts from churches and other sources were $3,826.33, and the liabilities, $1,237.05. 1888. l"he sixty-fifth annual meeting was held with the South church, Hartford, Rev. Kittridge Wheeler, pastor. Words of kindly welcome were spoken by the pastor and responded to by the president. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 143 fl^ords of President M'^ayland. "In addition to what you will hear from the report of the Board, it may be well to add a few words by way, not of condemnation, but of friendly criticism. Ihis last year, in spite of the earnest appeal that we made to the Convention, the amount of contributions from the churches has not increased but diminished and the debt remains unpaid. Why should not the pastors present this cause once a year, and early in the year, to the churches over which they preside? If this duty is not at- tended to we must see our cause suffer, the small churches fail to receive the support pledged to them, and our work in behalf of the rapidly increasing number of foreigners languish. Let us do what belongs to the liberality of our denomination and the seriousness with which we hold the views we profess." Report of the Board. Rev. C. A. Piddock at his own request had been re- lieved of a part of his duties on February 1, and of all his duties on May 1, a step made necessary by his assum- ing the ownership and editorship of the Christian Secre- tary. During his six months of service he had presented the cause of the Convention in twenty-six churches and conducted revival services in six other churches. Tribute to Rev. C. A. Piddock. The writer may be allowed to insert here a personal tribute to our brother and fellow-worker in the service of the Convention, He is moved to take this liberty because it was on the very day when he was writing this portion of these records that he heard of this brother's decease. Mr. Piddock was Superintendent of Missions through two terms of service. He entered upon his first term January 1, 1886, and resigned May 1, 1888, serving only eighteen months. In October, 1897, there 144 HISTORY OF THE being a vacancy in the office, the Board, mindful of his former efficient service, reappointed him. The second time he served for six years. The writer held the office of Secretary through all the years of Brother Piddock's labors as superintendent and of course was brought into constant and intimate relations with him through volumi- nous correspondence and frequent personal interviews. Though not always agreeing with him in his judgment of measures to be used, the writer generally found that Brother Piddock's views prevailed in the councils of the Board. He had the full confidence of the brethren in his business management. Our relations were always most cordial. He was courteous in manner, a great reader and a ready conversationalist, and a more wel- come visitor never entered our home. We shall record much of his labors in the years that follow. The report gives a detailed account of all the mission fields. The mission to the Germans was prospering. A lot had been bought for the church in Bridgeport (after- wards exchanged for a better site), and J^1,000 had been paid on it, the title being vested in the Convention. A very encouraging advance had been made in the Swedish churches of New Haven, New Britain, Bridgeport, Meriden and Hartford. To the appointment by the Home Mission Society of Rev. Mr. Lindh as superinten- dent of the work for Swedes in New England we were especially indebted, particularly for his selection of men as pastors. The Memo?-iaI Church, Hartford. The most notable work of the year, that to which we can look back with the greatest satisfaction, was the set- ting of this church firmly on its feet. We feel justified in telling the sto'-y here with some fullness. The church had been organized for some little time and was wor- shiping in the chapel formerly owned by the then ex- tinct Washington Avenue church. The building had been sold on foreclosure and bought in by Captain E. Mor- gan. He was asking no rent, but the church felt insecure CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 145 in Its tenancy. There had been talk of a sale, and at the October meeting of the Fxecutive Committee Mr. Morgan agreed to sell the property to the Convention for $8,000 in cash, he reserving a claim for $1,000 more, no evidence of indebtedness to be given, and he not to ask for it from the church till all other debts had been paid. It was never asked for. At the same meeting Mr. James Lockwood, formerly Treasurer of the Convention, offered $1,000 toward the payment. Mr. W. F. Walker, Rev. C. A. Piddock and Mr. James Lockwood were ap- pointed agents of the Convention to receive the property and execute a mortgage for $7,000. The transfer was made and the property stands in the name ol" the Con- vention, i he last business act of Mr. Lockwood was the signing of a check for the $1,000. The arrangement made with the church was tljat the Convention should pay the interest of the mortgage, and all the payments the church should make v»-ere to go to the reduction of the principal. New life was put into the church. Before the meeting of the Convention they had alreadv reduced the mortgage by ifi 1,000. Rev. LL M. Thompson was called to the pastorate and abides Avith the people yc" after twenty-one years of service. The mortgage has long since been cancelled, the Con- vention paying the last $1,000. The beloved pastor has obtained a good degree, being advanced to the doctorate and to the presidency of the Convention. The church has greatly enlarged and beautified its sanctuary, and for this a new debt has been incurred, but such a church will find no trouble in cancelling it. In 1888 the membership was 141, in 1907 it was 346. The Board expended in aid to churches and in sup- port of missions $2,997. The receipts apart from in- vested funds were $3,561. Mr. James Lockwood. The tribute to the late Treasurer of the Convention, here taken from the report of the committee on obituaries, was written by Rev. T. A. T. Hanna. 146 HISTORY OF THE "The passing away to the Better Land of our friend and brother, Mr. James Lockwood, is a providence that may well occupy the solemn thought of all who knew him. I knew him chiefly in his official service as Treas- urer of the Convention. The amount of patient, plod- ding, faithful work he did during his long term of ser- vice, the precious time he took from his own pressing business cares to give to this cause were proofs of his sincere love to it. He was a buckler to the Convention in many ways, one of which was that he would never con- sent to let the treasury borrow m.oney. When he did make an exception it was when he loaned the money him- self. "We ministers who are talkers by profession have much to learn from men who cannot talk, but who labor faithfully, act wisely and believe simply. Such a man Mr. Lockwood was. He himself furnished an instance of the wisdom of supporting the weaker churches, for the returns they make to us of men. His early life was passed in Wethersfield, which has had for many years a struggling but faithful Baptist church." 1889. The annual meeting was held with the Putnam church. Rev. J. R. Stubbert, pastor. The former principal officers were elected. The first place in the Report of the Board is given to the beginning of the work in Winsted. As this marks a conspicuous advance in the work of the Convention, or rather a return to the policy followed during the administration of Rev. Dr. Turnbull, the policy of opening new interests in large towns where there was no Baptist church, we give space to the full report made by the Board on this matter. The fVinsted Church. "A committee consisting of Hon. J. L. Howard, Rev. C. A. Piddock and P. S. Evans, Secretary and Super- CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 147 intendent, had been appointed last year to consider the expediency of buying a lot and building a chapel in VVin- sted. Mr. M. N. Griswold of Winsted offered $1,000 toward the purchase of such a lot. He was added to this committee. A lot was purchased at the price of $1,600. l^he committee further executed a bond for the purchase of an adjacent lot and a house thereon at such a time as it might be on the market, at a stipulated price. The chapel is in the process of erection; it is expected to be finished in November. No services have yet been held in account of the difficulty of securing a suitable place and the unwillingness to hazard a doubtful experi- ment. . . To provide for the payment of the lot and the building of the chapel, the IVeasurer was authorized to appropriate the full amount of the Lucinda Newton bequest, and as much as should be needed of the proceeds of the sale of the farm in Illinois." Missions Among the Germans. The Bridgeport German church, Rev. William Ritz- man, pastor, had by and with the consent of the special committee exchanged their lot for another in a better location and had begun the erection of a chapel and parsonage. Mr. Ritzman had collected within the state $3,108.92, of which the churches and friends \\\ Bridge- port had giv^en $1,270.83. Other German churches in Waterbury, New Britain and Meriden were advancing. Swedis h Ch iircli es . The work among the Sv/edes In Bridgeport, New Haven, New Britain and Hartford was prospering beyond our most sanguine expectation. Yet this very advance would for some years impose a still larger bur- den of obligation upon the Convention. There has been a rapid spread of Baptist principles in Sweden. There are 497 Baptist churches there and well established edu- cational institutions. 1 here are Baptist members and 148 HISTORY OF THE ministers among the immigrants. After the honorable part the Missionary Union has taken in promoting this work in Sweden we Baptists of Connecticut cannot turn our backs upon these struggling brethren at our own doors. The Closing of the Tolland Church. The difficulties that often confront the Board in its relation to the feeble churches are illustrated in the case of the Tolland church. "Wherever the Baptist church is the only one in the field there never can be a question of giving it up. There are three churches in I'olland: Congregational and Methodist, besides our own. The Baptist church, once strong,- has become weak through removal and death. They are in possession of an attractive chapel with more conveniences than are found in most of our churches. There is also a small company of intelligent and devout believers, who would form a very efi'icient working force in any community that would furnish a field for their activity. The Board hesitates to appropriate what would be needed to sustain the church on this field, when there are so many destitute fields and promising openings for new fields." Painful as was the act, the Board has since that year followed out this suggestion. The Tolland church has ceased to exist. The proceeds of the sale of the property have been covered into the treasury to be spent elsev/here. This incident is of value, as it shows that the Convention is not actuated by any narrow sectarian spirit. A New Enterprise that Failed. The business of the Convention was suspended for two hours on Tuesday afternoon that the brethren might attend the laying of the corner-stone of a chapel for the Calvary Baptist church (colored) in Putnam. The / chapel was afterwards built and a fair degree of pros- perity was enjoyed for a few years. But its history was CX)NNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 149 brief, owing partly to the small number of colored people living in the vicinity, but mostly to the not infrequent difficulty of organizing the northern and lIic southern colored people into harmony. J he title to the property was wisely vested in the Convention and the proceeds of the sale of the chapel have been spent on other colored churches. Joseph B. Hoyt of Stamford. Among the obituary notices read at this session ap- pears that of Mr. Hoyt. Mr. Joseph B. Hoyt died in Stamford, December 27, 1888, at the age of seventy-five years. He joined the Baptist church in that place at an early age. He was for some years a member of the Tabernacle church in New York City, where his busi- ness interests centered. Thirty years ago he returned to his native town and at once identified himself with the church of which he had been a member. Largely through his influence the two Baptist churches then exist- ing, which were both of them weak and not on the most friendly terms, were brought together into one strong body. The writer of this notice was the first pastor of the reunited church. The large church edifice, which still stands, was built almost altogether at Mr. Hoyt's expense. His gifts to the church were large during his life, and at his death he left the church an endowment of $30,000 besides a parsonage. He was a liberal giver to the Convention and to the Education Society and to the Suffield Academy; also to the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and to the Rochester Theological Seminary, a professorship in which still bears his name. He was a conspicuous example of a consecrated business man, and withal as modest and unassuming and friendly and devout as the humblest member of the church. He was as one of the "little ones" of the flock. Twenty-six churches and missions had been aided at an outlay of $2,674. The receipts from churches, etc., were $4,157. The farm in Illinois, which for several years 150 HISTORY OF THE had been carried as an asset at $13,295.67, had been sold for $7,000. A portion of this had been spent in VVinsted, and the remainder was destined to be used in planting the church in Torrington. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION ni Chapter IX. iS()()-i8gg. 1890. The sixty-seventh annual meeting was held with the Middletown church, Rev. W. G. Fennell, pas- tor. The President, Secretary and Treasurer were re- elected to office. In welcoming the Convention, Pastor Fennell said that the church was ninety-five years old as a Baptist church. At the time of its organization church and pastor had come bodily out of the Congregational fold. President Wayland said: "It is thirty-three years since the Middletown church has welcomed the Conven- tion, but that body has gone on in its blessed work of planting new churches, aiding feeble societies, widening and deepening with ever increasing force the influence of those doctrines which, derived from the New Testa- ment alone and transmitted to us from godly ancestors on both sides of the Atlantic, are destined at last to cover the whole earth." Report of the Board. The report as usual covered the whole field of the operations of the Convention. Of the Memorial church, Hartford, the report says: "It is an aggressive, wide- awake church. The house has been improved at a con- siderable cost, which has all been paid. 1 hey have raised in all $1,945." The Immanuel church in Bridge- port had been started and the prospects were hopeful. It was occupying a chapel that had been built for a Union Bible-school and arrangements were being made to put the enterprise into the hands of the Baptists. The Colored Churches. Four of these churches were receiving aid from the the Board. Of these the report says: "We recognize 152 HISTORY OF THE the difficulties of this work. These people are flocking into our northern cities. They do not feel at home in our churches. In some cases thev are not made welcome. Our churches were generous to them while they remained in the South. Can we afford to be less so, now that they are our neighbors and fellow-citizens? They bear our name; we needs must share their reproach, if reproach rests upon them because of their ill-developed Christian and church life. Thanks to what we have done for them, there are already educated and refined men and women among them fitted to be their spiritual guides and leaders. Your Board thinks the time has fully come when strenuous efforts should be made to put these col- ored churches on a proper footing, and we earnestly recommend this matter to your consideration." The fVinsted Church. The chapel had been completed and furnished at a cost to the Convention, not including the thousand dol- lars from Mr. Griswold, of $5,400 for land and building. The cost of heating, lighting and furnishing had been met by subscriptions collected by Mr. Griswold from Baptists and others in Winsted. The church was con- stituted June 21 with thirty-two members. A Bible-school and a Missionary Society had been started, five had been baptized and others were soon to join. The Superinten- dent of Missions was supplying the pulpit and they were raising ten dollars a week for current expenses. The congregations filled the house at almost all the services. The Bridgeport German Church. The new church edifice had been completed. Every step taken had had the full endorsement of the com- mittee of the Convention, though the house had cost more than was originally intended. The total amount of money received up to October 1 had been $7,729.96. The debt remaining was $.3,700 on mortgage and $225 on CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 153 floating debt. The property was a valuable one and it was vested in the Convention. All who had given might count themselves the richer for their beneficence. Work Among the Swedes. "The work among these people bears a very hopeful aspect. Perhaps more easily than any other foreigners they will become incorporated into our American churches. For a generation, however, the Gospel must be preached to them in their native tongue. To do this they must be provided with chapels. The Meriden church is building one at a cost of $7,000. Your Board has pledged $1,000 on condition that no debt be beyond a $2,000 mortgage and that the property be deeded to the Convention. What is being done in Meriden is needed in New Haven, New Britain and Hartford." The Finances. A gratifying advance had been made this year of $1,336 above the contributions of the churches the previous year. The schools had made an Easter offering of $623, the net returns for Easter programs sent out by the Superintendent. In addition to this the Baptists of the state had given to the Bridgeport German church for their chapel $2,252, making a total of $6,455 for state work. The report further says: "The latest rally- ing cry is one cent a day for missions from every mem- ber. That would mean for Connecticut Baptists $73,000. Your Board would gladly divide this sum with the great missionary enterprises, allowing $20,000 to Foreign Missions, $20,000 to Home Missions and $3,000 to the Publication Society, reserving only $20,000 to them- selves. This would still leave $10,000 to Ministerial Education." Twenty-eight churches and missions had been aided, re- ceiving $2,907. Many excellent addresses were made by the brethren on different aspects of the work. The pastors of some of the aided churches and missions were also heard. 154 HISTORY OF THE The Bible-schools. Rev. J. B. Gow of East Bridgeport, made an able and illuminating address on the importance of the work of the Bible-schools. The address is too long for a place here and too closely connected to bear dissection, a process which in a paper so full of vitality would be like vivisection. A few epigrammatical sentences must content us. "A large measure of Biblical knowledge is absolutely necessary for the reception of even the 'pure milk' of the gospel and still more for the 'strong meat.' To fulfill the injunction that we 'cease to speak of the first principles of the Gospel of Christ and go on to per- fection' implies that the first principles shall have been mastered." "The historic demand for the Scriptures in the language of the people needs to be supplemented by the effort to fix the Scriptures in the minds of the people. The cooking stove apostasy, the fair and sociable delus- ion, the craze for revivalists and Gospel singers, are excrescences that tell of a lack of Bible iron in the blood of our churches." Closely following this report, Profes- sor W. R. Harper gave an address on "The Bible Study of To-day." 1891. The sixty-eighth annual meeting was held with the First church. New Haven, Rev. J. H. Mason, pastor. The former ofi'icers were reelected. The pastor felicitously extended a warm welcome. Address of President Wayland. This was a trumpet-call to duty. He said in part: "The interest of this church in state missions is shown by the increase of its subscription, which for this year is $600. We can easily, if we will, hear the call to duty. Wherever this call is not heard above the tumult of traffic and the world's wide uproar, there the interests of Christ's kingdom hold a subordinate place, and the distinct command of Christ is disobeyed. There are CONNECTICUT BAP^IIST CONVENTION 153 feeble churches to be aided; shall we allow them to suf- fer? There are brethren of our own faith coming to us from over the sea, asking not charity but assistance in making a church home in a strange land; shall we refuse to help them? There are desert places thirsting for the water of life; shall we say that our own supply is too small to be divided? Brethren, we must answer these questions to our own conscience. Let us answer them in such a manner as shall make the coming year the beginning of a new era of spiritual prosperity, because of greater combined effort and greater individual self- denial." Friiitfiihicss of the Mission Churches. Attention is called to this in the report. In the mis- sion churches there had been 138 baptisms, one to every thirteen of the members. In all other churches there had been one baptism to thirty members. The mission churches had been aided to the amount of $2,340. They had paid back in benevolence $1,312, half as much as they had received, and had raised for their own expenses $11,101. Truly the Convention had been helping those who helped themselves. Unreported Gifts for State JVork. The report called attention to what has been too often overlooked, the gifts from churches and individuals made directly in the interest of state missions, but not passing through the Convention treasury. This year the Secretary had knowledge of such gifts to the amount of $6,328, which added to the sum that passed through the hands of the Treasurer would make a total of $11,050.50 given for proper state mission work. These amounts were reported from the churches in the columns of benevolence. We may not suppose that so much is given every year in this unrecognized way, but every year a considerable sum is thus given that does not appear in the transactions of the Convention. 156 HISTORY OF THE The Howard Aveiu'e Churcli, Neiv Haven. This had been for some years a mission of the Calvary Baptist church. This year it had been organized as an independent church with a membership of seventy, drawn in about equal numbers from the Calvary and the First churches. The new church was in possession of a good property worth at least $12,000, with a debt of $3,000. A new mission had been successfully started on Dixwell Avenue in New Haven, occupying a chapel that had been used for a Methodist church. This mission rapidly grew into a church and was known as the Olivet church. President JVayland's Tribute to Dr. Palmer. "Surely I do no injustice to those who remain to say of him that he was the most conspicuous figure in our annual gatherings, the acknowledged Nestor at our coun- cil board. We shall not soon forget his dignified bearing or the beauty of his apostolic face, the tender tones of his voice, the prevailing charm of his Christlike spirit. To have known such a man well is a liberal education ; to have been within the scope of his influence and example should be a life-long inspiration." Twenty-four churches and missions had received aid. There had been paid into the treasury $4,902.50. A bequest of $1,500 had been received from Alfred Francis. The Work of the Young People. This year witnessed the recognition by the Convention of the work that was being carried on in our churches by the young people's societies organized under different names. In 1890 a committee had been appointed to re- port on the general subject this year. This report was presented by Rev. Kittridge Wheeler of the South church, Hartford, in the form of six resolutions, which were adopted: CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 157 1. "Resolved, That we gratefully welcome the upris- ing of our young people in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, manifested both in the Y. P. S. C. E. and in other young people's associations. 2. "Resolved, That without interfering with any other alHance, we cordially recommend all these societies among our Baptist churches to associate themselves with the Young People's Baptist Union of America. 3. "Resolved, That the constitution of the Conven- tion be so amended as to invite each young people's as- sociation of Vv^hatever name, connected with a Baptist church in the state, to send a delegate to our annual meeting, and that a place be provided in the program for the proper consideration of the special work of the young people. 4. "Resolved, That we recommend similar action on the part of the associations of the state with reference to the Young People's Movement. 5. "Resolved, That we cordially commend to our young people the excellent and able paper published by our society in Philadelphia, 'Our Young People's Union.' 6. "Resolved, That a commiteee of seven on the work of our young people be appointed, to be known as a 'Central Committee of Advice and Correspondence.' To this committee shall be entrusted the duty of entering into correspondence with all the young people's societies in our churches, securing reports from them, circulating literature among them, making suggestions as to plans of work, holding rally meetings, and, in any way which may approve itself to them as desirable, increasing the efficiency of these societies and promoting their unity." The committee of seven called for in these resolutions was appointed and consisted of the following persons: P. S. Evans, J. S. James, Archibald Wheaton, C. H. Brown, Henry Clarke and F. A. Betts. 1892. The sixty-ninth annual meeting was held with the Willimantic church. Rev. J. Bunyan Lemon, pastor. The officers of last year were reelected. The 158 HISTORY OF THE Willimantic church had been founded in 1828 and it was the second church to receive aid from the Convention. So the Convention was coming to its own. The pastor extended the customary welcome and the President re- sponded. Tribute to Joseph W. Dimock. This tribute to the memory of Brother J. W. Dimock, prepared by Rev. Dr. James, had been adopted by the Board and made a part of its record: "Joseph W. Dimock was born at Rocky Hill, March 15, 1801. He died in the ninety-second year of his age, at Hartford, March 24, 1892. He was baptized into the fellowship of the First church, April 29, 1816, and con- tinued to be a consistent, faithful, active member until his death, a period of seventy-six years. He was a mem- ber of the Board of Managers of the Convention from a time reaching beyond the memory of any survivor. As a boy of thirteen he was present at the organization of the first Baptist foreign missionary society of the state, and continued to be warmly interested in all enter- prises to extend the Redeemer's kingdom. His life was not so remarkable for its length as for its singular sweet- ness and purity. He was a vigorous, active business man and church member until within a few days of his death. He seemed to walk in two worlds, having a lively sym- pathy with the men and interests of this world, and yet so close to the other that his translation scarcely led him through the shadow of death." Reports from the Field. Pastor Rohnstrom of Meriden spoke for the Swedes: "The work began in 1882. That year fifteen Swedish Baptists came to Bridgeport and organized a church. When they had twenty-five members they began to build. They have a good chapel, though still some- what in debt. They have now one hundred and forty-nine members. The second church was the one in New Haven, organized the same year. Now CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 159 they have a membership of fifty, but have as yet no chapel. In 1883 a church was started in New Britain and a fine house is In process of erection. In 1887 a church started In Merlden. It has now seventy mem- bers and a commodious chapel, not yet quite paid for. In 1888 a church was organized In Hartford, which has a membership of fifty-four and meets In the South church." Rev. O. F. PIstor of New Britain spoke for the Ger- mans : "The German settles his relation to the church soon after coming to this land. If not speedily won to Christ he is not likely to be won at all. The Germans m.ust be something; if not for Christ they will be against him." There were at this time six German churches: New Haven, self-supporting, Merlden, also self-support- ing, New Britain, Bridgeport, Waterbury and Seymour. Pastor Clark of WInsted said: "I have no discourage- ments to report. We never have the blues, even If we have difl'Iculties. These are but spurs to new efforts. The people are a willing people, with large hopes. If there ever was any feeling of hostility In the community, it has disappeared. The foundations were laid wisely. We are fully organized for all departments of church work. We are trying to become self-supporting, and soon shall be." The general discussion on the work of the Board was full and earnest. Excellent reports were given by the several committees on Home and Foreign Missions, State of Religion, etc. Rev. J. F. Burditt of the Telugu Mission was present and made a most stirring address on the trials and successes of his work among those interest- ing people. Report of Conimittee ou Work of Young People. The committee on this work, appointed last year under the title of Committee on Correspondence and Advice, reported through Its chairman. Rev. P. S. Evans, Secre- tary and Superintendent: 160 HISTORY OF THE "Your committee respectfully report that they have had several meetings through the year and have been in correspondence with all the societies of young people in the state. Two general public meetings were held in Hartford, which were well attended. Reports were re- ceived from 101 churches, 80 of which had societies of young people, with a membership of 4,464. Your com- mittee also arranged for a series of rallies for Bible study and discussion of practical topics. These were held in Danielson, New London, Deep River, New Britain and Bridgeport. Pastors Nordell, Genung, Stone, James, Mason and Poteat rendered most valuable service, as did the local pastors; and many of the young people pre- sented admirable papers. The micetings were largely attended and thought to be very helpful. The expense of travel and printing, somewhat large, was fully and exactly met to a cent by the offerings taken. The hold- ing of these meetings and of the delegated meeting in Hartford has resulted in the formation of the Baptist Young People's Union of Connecticut. The first meet- ing of this Union was held on the evening of Monday preceding the meeting of the Convention. To this new and vigorous society your committee has entrusted the further prosecution of this work and now asks to be dis- charged." The first meeting of the Union referred to was largely attended and quite enthusiastic. It had been determined after full discussion that the organization should be inde- pendent of the Convention, care being taken that a special time should be set apart by the Convention officers for the meetings, and a report of those meetings should be printed in the minutes of the Convention. The plan first adopced has been carried out through the succeeding years. It adds another society to those which gather around the Convention as their center. This movement has resulted in drawing the young people into closer sympathy and helpfulness in our state work. It is a matter of regret to the compiler of this sketch of the Convention's his- tory that space cannot be given to the meetings of this CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 161 body. This is as impossible as it is to give room for the Education Society, the Ministers' Conference, and the Social Union. Thirty churches and missions had received aid this year, to the amount of $4,375. Of this $1,000 had been paid as the balance of the mortgage on the property of the Memorial church. The church had raised $6,000 besides paying all current expenses. The Convention had paid the interest on the fast diminishing debt. In this year's minutes the secretary published a map of the state, indicating the location of all Baptist churches and furnishing other valuable statistics. There are 158 townships, in 88 of which there were no Baptist churches. In 32 of these townships there were fewer than one thou- sand inhabitants, and in 26 others fewer than two thou- sand. In 1890 the population of the entire state was 746,138. Of this number 22,745 were Baptists, or one in 33. Had the adults alone been counted the proportion of Baptists would have been somewhat larger; and had those of foreign birth been omitted our proportion would have been considerable. 1893. The seventieth anniversary was held with the Second Danbury church in its new sanctuary, October 17 and 18. The officers of last year were re- elected. In the absence of the President the Vice-Presi- dent, Mr. L. A. Gallup, took the chair, and addressing the Convention said: "I notice that this is our seventieth anniversary. We have reached that dignified age when a great deal of wisdom is supposed to have been accumulated. Certain- ly our fathers gave evidence of wisdom in their purpose. We have increased in material wealth. It becomes us to have newer and better ideas of usefulness. The object of this Convention is stated to be 'to promote the preach- ing of the Gospel and the organization and maintenance of churches and Sabbath-schools.' Some of us think that the Sabbath-school is of equal importance with preaching. But our program does not provide for anything except 162 HISTORY OF THE a report from the Sunday-schools. Can we do our whole duty by giving it into the hands of a committee to report next year?" Changes Within Seventy Years. The report of the Board called attention to some of these changes. "The old Danbury Association began the work of state missions, which the Convention seventy years ago was organized to carry on and extend through the state. Among the churches whose delegates met for this purpose we find a number, then strong, that are now among our aided churches. Only fifty-two of the eighty churches then represented are on our records now. Twenty-five of the eighty have ceased to exist, while three have changed their names. It is wonderful that the pas- tors and delegates of the churches so soon to be depleted, and some of them to be wiped out, were the very ones who were foremost in providing for the changed condi- tions. Eighty-two churches have been organized within the seventy years. Nearly all of these have been in some degree beneficiaries of the Convention. "What means have the Baptists of the state put into the hands of the Board to carry on this work? A some- what careful compilation of quite imperfect returns shows that the total direct contributions have fallen short of $140,000. Of course a good deal has been given that has not passed through the hands of the Boards. But when we find that the Baptists of the state in a single year (1892) raised for all religious purposes the large sum of $243,000, or nearly a quarter of a million, we cannot but feel chagrined that in seventy years they have given for all the diversified work of the Convention only an average of $2,000." Missions to the Italians Advocated. The report of the Board thus refers to this matter: I "Nor, brethren, can we longer remain indifferent to the * welfare of the thousands of Italians who are coming into CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 163 our state, many of whom will settle permanently among us. It is said that of all the Papists, the Italians are least attached to the Papacy, In the fatherland they have acquired a love of national freedom, which the Roman hierarchy is doing its best to suppress." In the discussion on this feature of the report. Rev. C. L. Rhoades of Stamford said: "I have been brought into contact with this people and have found them a very devout people. It needs the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we may speak to them in their own tongue the things of God. I have had the privilege of baptizing a few of them already. I am ready to open my heart and my church to any for whom Christ died." It was this address of Pastor Rhoades that resulted in opening the work among this people, of which we have heard so much since. It was his first convert from among this people, Pasqual De Carlo, who was employed as the first missionary. Though afterwards he wrought us much harm, and fellowship was withdrawn from him, yet in the beginning of his work much good was done that has lasted In spite of his defection. Twenty-five churches and missions received In aid $2,765, besides which special aid was given to other churches, the whole aggregating $4,000. In addition large sums had been given for city missions and for chapel-building, Including $9,000 by Mr. Joslah Hull of Cheshire for a chapel In that town. A church was subse- quently started there and has been helped by the Board, but the results obtained do not seem to have justified the enterprise. The returns of 1907 show that after four- teen years of effort there are but thirty-six members in the church. It was a case of misdirected zeal on the part of the good brother. That amount of money, if it had been put at the disposal of the Board, would have been expended in a more promising field. 1894. The seventy-first annual meeting was held with the Central church, Norwich, Rev. J. D. Herr, D.D., pastor. The President, Secretary and Treasurer 164 HISTORY OF THE were reelected. Dr. Herr in his address of welcome said in part: "This is the seventh time the Convention has made a visit to this city. The old huilding in which the fathers worshipped is long since gone. We welcome you to our newest church home. In this city Isaac Backus was born. From this place his mother was taken to the jail in New London because she would worship God ac- cording to the dictates of her own conscience. We wel- come you to this historic place where Washington often came and held councils of war, and where lie the bones of Uncas, tiie Indian chief. We hope you will carry away with you pleasant memories of the city, which has been called the 'beautiful rose of New England.' " Revivals and Evangelistic Labors. From the report of the Board we gather: "It has been a year of unusual depression in business, but the year of financial distress has proved, as so often before, a year of special ingathering. The baptisms reported last year were 900; this year we report 1,318. There has been also very little decline in the benevolence of the churches." The Board had secured the services of Rev. Drew T. Wyman as State Evangelist. Fie had held meetings in Rockville, Hartford, V'oluntovvn, Jewett City, Winsted and Mystic, giving satisfaction everywhere, and the Lord blessing his labors. In his report Brother Wyman says: "During the 82 days I have preached 74 times, given 52 Bible readings, 12 prayer meeting and Sunday-school ad- dresses, besides the singing and inquiry meeting work. There have been 206 who have enrolled themselves as earnest inquirers. The num.ber who will join the churches I cannot estimate." It would have been the joy of the committee to engage Mr. Wyman for permanent evan- gelistic work had the means been in sight. Loans to Churches. Out of certain legacies the Board had loaned $1,000 to the Swedish church. New Britain, and the same amount CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION lb5 to the German church, Waterbury. This form of church aid should receive greater attention than has formerly been bestowed on it. "When large sums are given to a church for building or repairs they should be considered only as a temporary loan without interest, to be paid back in instalments, a mortgage note being given on the property. Thus the money would find its way back to be used again and again. The creation of a 'loan fund' of this character might also attract donations and legacies." Tiie Mission to the French. This work had been abandoned several years for lack of a fit worker. Rev. Daniel Leclere had been placed in the field. The letter of the Putnam church to the Ash- ford Association spoke of the encouragement it had found in the additions to its number from the French mission. Student Supplies. It occurred to the Board that students could be secured from the seminaries and employed through the summer months to advantage. Rev. W. G. Fennell and Mr. J. W. Manning, with the Secretary, were made a committee to have this work in charge. Two such students were secured from the middle class at Newton, Mr. G. A. Martell and Mr. E. B. Dolan, who labored respectively in Eastford and West Hartford. Most satisfactory reports had come from these fields. The charges were $100 each and expenses. The cost to the Convention had been only $90 for both. General Reviezv of Aided Churches. "We have made appropriations to thirty-three churches and missions, assisting in the support of men who are preaching the glad tidings to a lost world. Two of these men are ministering to our colored brethren, 166 HISTORY OF THE two of them to our German brethren, six to the Swedes among us, one to the French. Eighteen are employed as pastors of our American churches. Is this an insig- nificant work? Shall we feel less interest In these our brethren at our own door than in those far off ? Shall it not count for something in our work that all know where and what the work is, and who the workers are? The Board has expended on this work $5,287, of which $2,000 were special gifts in equal amounts to the New Britain Swede and the Waterbury German churches in aid of their building funds." 1895. The seventy-second annual meeting was held with the First church, Bridgeport, Rev. G. W. Nicholson, pastor, in its new and beautiful house of wor- ship. Ninety-four churches were represented by three hundred and fourteen delegates. Report of the Board. Thirty churches and missions had received in aid $3,292, had spent in benevolence $1,342, and on their own fields $12,871, and reported 96 baptisms. The gen- eral benevolence of all the churches in the state exhibited an increase over last vear of $9,000. The baptisms were 925. Messiah Church, Bridgeport. "This church has been making heroic efforts to provide itself with a suitable house of worship. The Board has found itself unable to extend much aid. The means available for such church building have been exhausted in gifts to other churches. The need here has been so urgent that, with the cordial approval of many of the brethren in Bridgeport, the church has entered upon the enterprise. The people have paid $1,800 for a lot and raised $1,800 towards a building that will cost in all J'^7,000. A mortgage has been negotiated for $4,000. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 167 Interest on this will be $100 less than they have been paying for the very wretched and unwholesome premises they have been occupying." New Haven Swede Church. "This is the oldest of all our Swede churches, and has done excellent work. They have been greatly hindered from the first for want of a suitable place of worship, occupying at present a lodge room in the third story of a building on a very noisy street. The Lutheran and the Congregational Swede churches are well housed. There are over two thousand Swedes in New Haven. Because of these unfavorable conditions the church seems as far from being established as it was ten years ago. They contemplate the purchase of a little chapel at a cost of $3,000, which with an outlay of a few hundred can be made available for sev^eral years. They ask your Board to do for them what it has done for other Swede churches. A generous help at first is far more helpful than a little doled out for many years." We are glad to be able to add that this appeal bore fruit, and the church put into possession of this house has made far more satisfactory progress in the years that have followed. The five other Swede churches were re- ported as prospering. The Bridgeport church had be- come entirely self-supporting. Rev. W. H. .Johnson, Evangelist. "Pursuant to the instructions of the Convention, the Board secured the services of Brother Johnson as State Evangelist. Our brother held services in six churches, all of which were well attended and resulted in accessions of membership. The most fruitful was in Groton, where the converts numbered one hundred and twenty-two. The evangelist felt the need of a tent for summer work. The cost of the tent with its furnishings, the lamps being given by Edward Miller, and the organ loaned by the 168 HISTORY OF THE F^i^tey Organ Company, was only $234. This amount was collected by special subscription. The tent was pitched in Branford, Moosup, Preston and Norwich. The experiment has been fully justified." New Fields of Work Opening. "Perhaps first among these, not because of any cer- tainty of immediate success but because of our supreme duty to these strangers in our land, we mention the neces- sity of providing missions to the Italians. More than any other Romanists, these people are accessible to Pro- testant truth. The claim has also frequently been made and we believe justly, that Baptists, of all Protestant denominations, can most consistently and most success- fully oppose the hierarchical tyranny and expose the vain traditions of the Papal church; because they alone have stripped off the last remnant of the rags that clothe the scarlet woman. Yet the one solitary Baptist mission among these people is the one sustained by the Stamford church. It needs our aid. We only await the word from the Convention. "The village or town of Torrington offers an open door. A partial canvass of the place by Rev. W. G. Fennell and the Superintendent has convinced these breth- ren that an 'effectual entrance' cannot be made there unless we are prepared to offer similar, if not equal financial aid to that which we gave in Winsted. Yet lorrington is a larger and faster growing town than Winsted, has fewer churches and a larger constituency to reach and appeal to." A Reminiscence of Fifty Years Ago. Rev. Dr. Phelps, who had attended every Convention for fifty years, said: "Fifty years ago you met in New London. The easiest way for me to reach that distant place from New Haven was to take the steamboat for RH\. S. URMJEX PHELPS, D.D. CONNECTICUT BAP'JIST CONVENTION 1(j9 New York, stop in Brooklyn over night, take the Long Island train to Greenport, and then the steamer to New London. Rev. Jabez S. Swan was President of the Convention. Rev. Emory Shailer was the missionary. They raised $1,440 for your work and gaAc $505 among the churches. The church at Waterbury received $35. The church at Torrington was received into the Con- vention; I do not know what became of it. The church at Montville was also received, though I am sure there had been one there before. There was great need of money for foreign missions. Enthusiasm was aroused by the President offering twenty-five dollars extra as his gift, and five hundred dollars were that evening raised for this purpose. One hundred delegates were present." The doctor was right as to the Montville Union church received that year. There had been two churches, be- tween which a union had been effected, and of this the Montville Union was the fruit. The Torrington he re- ferred to was the church in Newfield district, four miles from the village, then known as Wolcotville. Before this year of 1895 closed the new Torrington church was or- ganized and entered upon its successful career. 1896. The sev*enty-third annual meeting was held with the First New London church, Rev. F. G. Mc- Keever, pastor. The Convention was called to order by the retiring President, Hon. Francis Wayland, LL.D. In extending a welcome to the Convention Pastor McKeever said, among other good words: "We welcome you for what you have been, for what you are, and for what you will be. Unless all the signs fail, more will be required of State Conventions in the future, especially in the New England states, than in the past. Opportunities will be offered that will eclipse all that have gone before. More and more we shall be com- pelled to care for the spiritual welfare of our common- wealth 'every one over against his own house.' The French are here, many of them increasingly distrustful of their mother church and earnestly asking for light. Italy 170 HISTORY OF THE is here, not the Italy of history, and art, and song, and poetry, but benighted, superstitious, almost savage Italy, distrustful of their priests, hostile to the Pope, yet know- ing not the path of freedom. These and others, some more hopeful material for citizenship and Christianity, some less so. It shall be ours to point the way for all. Then may 'dialects unheard, At Babel, or at Jewish Pentecost, Now first articulate, divinest sound. And swell the universal anthem.' " Changes fVithin Fifteen Years. In the report of the Board the Secretary called atten- tion to the changes which had occurred in the state in the fifteen years since the Convention had met with this church. Of the pastors then serving the 120 churches, only four remained in the service of the same church, and of the remainder only six were left in the ministry of the state. Since 1881 twenty-seven new churches had been organized, among which were nine churches in which a foreign tongue was spoken. Of the twenty-eight churches then aided four had dropped out by the way, but eleven of them were now self-supporting. "Certainly the remembrance of what has been done in fostering these churches into strength should stimulate us in the work we are now doing." The whole number of baptisms in the churches this year was 1,255. Of these 118 were from the mission churches. The New Torrington Church. "In December last, after careful survey of the field with Brethren Fennell and Piddock and consultation with the Baptists who were anxious for the work to be begun, it was decided to begin public preaching in a hall. After only a few weeks of trial the prospect seemed so en- CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 171 couraging that a council was called of the churches In the Hartford Association and some of the Convention, and a church of twenty-nine members was recognized. The Board authorized a special appeal to the churches, and Si, 200 had already been received. The church has pur- chased a lot. Also by the expenditure of $350 they have fitted up the J'own House as a place of worship." The Italian Mission Begun. This work, so long under consideration by the Board, had been entered upon. Pasqual DaCarlo had been ap- pointed missionary, half of his salary to be paid by the Home Mission Society. He prosecuted the work with assiduity, preaching every Sabbath in Stamford and in New Haven and frequently in Bridgeport and other places. This work, so tardily begun, has since grown in magnitude and interest till it has become one of the most important departments of the Convention. It has en- countered trials and met with severe disappointments, chiefly from the defection of two of the brethren in whom we trusted. Yet even these things have happened for the furtherance of the Gospel. It was so evidently of the Lord that the Board has never withdrawn from its sup- port. Relation of the Home Mission Society. In this summary of the history of the Convention we may not have made it sufficiently evident that in all the work we have done for the foreigners in the state the Home Mission Society has always been an equal partner with the Convention, both in counsel and in expense. This has been altogether true in regard to the appointment of missionaries and the payment of their salaries; not so much so in regard to the building of chapels; though even in this we have received some grants from the Church Edifice F und of the Home Mission Society. 172 HISTORY OF THE Change of Presidents. Hon. Prancis Wayland had served ten years as Presi- dent and insisted on being relieved from the office. By reason of his high social position, his familiarity with parliamentary law, and his deep personal interest in the work of the Convention, he had filled this office with exceptional ability. The committee on nomination of officers presented for the office of President the name of William A. Grippen of Bridgeport. Mr. Grippen was unanimously chosen to this position, which he continued to hold for four years. Rev. P. S. Evans was again chosen Secretary, and W. F. Walker, Treasurer. A Veteran in the Service. In the discussion on the report of the Board a number of the men laboring on the field were heard from. Among these was Rev. N. T. Allen of Poquonoc Bridge, who con- tinued his unique and useful ministry to that people for four years longer. We let him speak for himself in this record: "1 '"-^ve been in the ministry for fifty-three years. I have been on the present field eight years. It was a part of my field forty-eight years ago. I am now preach- ing to the grandchildren of some I baptized in that early ministry. The church is small and promises to be. Yet the past winter forty or fifty were converted and thirty- nine v/ere baptized and five received by letter." This is a most remarkable, indeed an unprecedented record, con- sidered as the result of the labors of a man who had been fifty-three years in the ministry. To him the promise was abundantly fulfilled, "He shall bring forth fruit in old age." Thirty churches and missions had been aided by the Board at an expense of $5,073, including special do- nations of $1,500 to Torrington and $500 to rhe Messiah of Bridgeport. A debt of $4,780 was reported, but it was lessened by pledges given to the amount of $1,000. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 173 A Change in the Siiperintendency. At the first meeting of the Board Mr. Evans, at his own request was reHeved of the duties of Superintendent, that he might give his time to the young church in Torrington. He retained the office of Secretary for a period of six years longer. Rev. C. A. Piddock, who previous to his purchase of the Christian Secretary had served as Super- intendent for a term of eighteen months, and who, hav- ing now sold the paper, was again available for this service, was unanimously chosen to the position, which he continued to fill for a term of five years. 1897. The seventy-fourth annual meeting was held with the Asylum Avenue church of Hartford, Rev. G. M. Stone, D.D., pastor. W. A. Grippen was President, P. S. Evans, Secretary, and W. F. Walker, Treasurer. Rev. Dr. Stone in welcoming the Convention said: "In the nam.e of this and the four sister churches of this city we give you a welcome. Twenty-five years ago today this building was dedicated to the worship of God. While our church history has been hedged within the terminal limits of twenty-five years, we have been closely allied with the work of the Convention for a much longer period. The Treasurer of the Convention, Mr. Ware- ham Griswold, was a member of this church from its for- mation. Mr. James Lockwood, his successor, was a mem- ber with us, and so also is Rev. C. A. Piddock, the Super- intendent of Missions." Mr. Grippen, the President, said: "One year ago there was a general feeling of depression and discourage- ment in our land, in things botli secular and religious. This has since been dispelled, and the sunshine of prosper- ity is again flooding the land. That the Convention has had some share in this improvement I believe the reports will shov/. The efforts of your Superintendent have been untiring. Let us inscribe on our banners and work to the sentiment, 'Connecticut first, and the whole world at the same time.' " 174 HISTORY OF THE The Chapel in Torrington. The building of this chapel had occupied the attention of the special committee, Hon. J. L. Howard, Rev. C. A. Piddock and Rev. P. S. Evans, for several months. We anticipate the reports of a few years in order to present in brief the history of this enterprise. The chapel was so far finished in October, 1897, that the Superinten- dent of Missions was able to say of it in his report, "The beautiful chapel is nearly ready for dedication and is a delight to all who see it." It was dedicated within a few weeks of that time. The entire cost including land, and filling, and building, and furnishing was $9,800. Of this the Convention paid $4,532, including the nearly $2,000 specially contributed. There was raised on the field $3,367. A mortgage was placed on the property for $2,000. This was in a few years liquidated from a legacy of $4,000 left by Mr. Elisha Turner of Torrington, who had been a Baptist for many years and a member of the First church in New London. Additional ground has since been secured by the church and a comfortable par- sonage bought. In the ten years that have since elapsed the value of the property has greatly increased. Mean- while the population of Torrington has nearly doubled. Report of the Field Secretary. The reports of the Field Secretary, Rev. C. A. Pid- dock, were for this and several following years made a part of the report of the Board. These reports gave de- tailed accounts of the condition of the aided churches and the several missions, as well as of the personal labors of the Field Secretary himself. Of all this only the briefest summary can be given in this historical sketch. This Convention year, during his ten months of ser- vice, Mr. Piddock had held evangelistic services in several churches, always with encouraging results, and had de- liv^ered addresses in forty churches. In the course of his varied labors he had personally visited all the aided CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 175 churches and missions, familiarizing himself with their condition. Of the Italian work, so lately undertaken, he says: "Since the beginning of the year we have had an Italian colporteur. Brother Massimino, at work in New Haven and Southington. It is probable that we shall in the near future be able to enlarge our efforts in this promising field." He reported the conditions on all the fields as hopeful and closed his report with this appeal: "We should enlarge our work among the Swedes and Germans as well as the Italians, and there are still other foreigners that need to be reached. Evidently the plan of systematic beneficence has not yet been adopted, even if considered, by our people. The ideal will not be reached till we have a contribution from every Baptist, young and old, in the state." There was given in aid $3,000, besides the gift for the chapel in Torrington. At the beginning of this Con- vention year there was a total indebtedness of $5,152. Before the minutes were printed the Secretary was able to add a supplementary note to the effect that, from the contributions during the year, and the special effort made in the sessions of the Convention, the running expenses of the year had been met and the debt reduced to less than $1,000. While the Convention was still in session notice was received of the death of Brother Midian N. Griswold of Winsted, who had taken so active a part in the founding of the church in that town. Hon James L. Howard and Rev. P. S. Evans were appointed to attend the funeral services as representatives of the Convention. A fuller notice of this worthy brother is found in the necrology prepared for this volume. The Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the Convention. 1898. The meeting was held this year with the First church, Meriden, Rev. W. G. Fennell, pastor. Brother Fennell had been pastor of the church in Middle- town in 1890, when the Convention met with that church. 176 HISTORY OF THE He was therefore not unfamiliar with the pleasure of extending a welcome to the brethren engaged in a work to which he had been vitally related for many years, being himself, as we have seen before, in a sense a child of the Convention. In his welcome he gave interesting state- ments of the history of the Meriden church which deserve recording here. A Little Baptist History. "We welcome you to historic ground. Baptist history goes back in this community to 1731. Groton was the first church in the state In 1705, Waterford the second in 1710. Waterford established a branch church in Wallingford in 1731, and it was called the 'Third Baptist church in Connecticut.' What is now Meriden was then a part of Wallingford. The place of meeting was three miles southeast of this place. Rev. John Merriam was ordained here and afterward preached for many years in Southington. His death is dated 1784, and on his tombstone he Is styled a 'Calvlnistic Anti-Pa-do-Baptist Minister.' His ministry was to the center of the state what Valentine WIghtman's was to southeastern Con- necticut. This early church after some years ceased to exist. But Baptists are Baptists, and these only waited an opportunity to begin their services again. In August. 1786 the First Wallingford church was formed. This church granted letters to form the Second Wallingford church, In what Is now known as Wallingford proper. With the setting off of the town of Meriden it was found that the F'irst Wallingford church was In the limits of the new town of Meriden. So here we are, originally the First Wallingford, now the First Meriden. This church passed its century mark two years ago. Many of its pastors have been men of power and influence in the state : Samuel Miller, Harvey Miller, Dr. D. H. Miller, Dr. H. A. Cordo, Dr. B. O. True, and J. V. Garton. Our brother, Edward Miller, Is a grandson of the first of the nam.e and a nephew of the second." CONNKCTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 177 President Grippen in his address said: "The period of seventy-five years has passed into history, leaving a record which is a memorial to those to whom the Convention owes its existence. During the year just closing rumors of war, and later the stern realities of actual warfare, have been disturbing factors, diverting thought and action from Convention interests. Under a favoring Providence these untoward circumstances have been removed, and with peace comes increased responsibility. Shall it not be met with energetic and progressive action?" The JVar with Spain. The report of the Board, like the address of the Presi- dent, speaks of the effect of the war in lessening our resources and impairing the activities of the churches, the latter result being seen in the falling off in the number of additions. Our churches had contributed their full share toward the volunteer forces placed at the disposal of the President. The Vice-President of the Conventioii had resigned a lucrative practice to accept a captaincy in a Connecticut regiment. A son of the Field Secretary, and sons of at lea t two of our pastors, had enlisted, besides no doubt many others of our young men. So ready was the response of the country, and so quickly was the war ended, that not a single regiment or com- pany of Connecticut soldiers was sent to the seat of war. Large sums of money, however, were expended through private channels for the spiritual wants of our soldiers in camp. Of these moneys our churches had given their full quota. Whether the war was avoidable or not, two beneficient results have followed It. It awakened in the South a fervent patriotism for the old flag and the reunited country, so that the men who in the earlier sad strife had worn the gray and those who had worn the blue once more stood side by side under the starry flag. Better still, the terms of peace were such as to open up new and promising territory for the soldiers of the cross to conquer for the Prince of Peace. 178 HISTORY OF THE A Few Figures for the Seventy- five Years. The Secretary printed in this year's minutes a brief summary of the statistics for the three-quarters of a cen- tury just passed. He does not claim absolute accuracy, as this cannot be obtained from the imperfect returns. The money expended for state missions was $226,739. The largest amount for one year was in 1889, when it was $10,933. The membership of the churches had risen from 8,236 in 1832 to 25,191 in 1898. The Bap- tisms for the period considered were 49,902. Within this period thirty churches had ceased to exist and ninety new churches had been organized. Report of the Field Secretary. This gives in ample fulness the condition of all the churches aided. The Secretary had visited and preached in over fifty churches. In some of these he had conducted revival services. In speaking of the French mission he says: "The French population in Ashford Association is nearly 40,000. We have but one missionary among them all. The work has not made such advance as we had hoped. Brother Tetrault has labored with assiduity, and his wife has been a good helper. What we should do for this people more than we are doing is a question that should be carefully considered by the Board, or rather by the Convention of which the Board is but the servant." An attractive chapel had been built in the town of Cheshire by the generosity of Mr. Hull. The Board had aided in the support of Rev. R. A. Nichols as pastor and the prospects seemed favorable. Rev. G. W. Nicholson's Report on Missions. The reports of committees on foreign and home mis- sions, and on many other vital interests, form a very important feature in all the meetings and occupy a large space in our minutes. It is a physical impossibility to find CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 179 room to include them in this history. These reports, many of them very able, are listened to with interest and printed in full in the minutes. There they receive honor- able burial, and know no resurrection. This report of Brother Nicholson should have furnished inspiring themes for every pulpit. It should have been put into the hands of every member. He made impressive reference (1) to the results of the war, in opening new fields for mission work in the islands of the sea; (2) to the mar- velous successes on our foreign fields, an average of one baptism every two hours, night and day, for eighty-four years, one Baptist church every two weeks; (3) and to the mighty results from the Student Volunteer Movement, which had placed thousands of our young men and women at the service of the missionary boards. The Last Reference to Crescent Beach. In the report of the committee on Bible-school work we find this : "We recommend that your committee be empowered to confer with a committee of the State Bap- tist Young People's Union to consider the desirability of conjointly assuming the indebtedness of the Crescent Beach Tabernacle, now amounting to $2,300, provided absolute control be given, and the property be deeded to them for their use." This report was adopted, as re- ports usually are, but it must have been without much consideration for in the next year's report we find no reference to the matter. So the often expressed purpose of establishing a permanent Baptist Chautauqua was allowed to lapse. 1899. The seventy-sixth annual meeting was held with the First Waterbury church, Rev. F. T. Parry, pastor. Mr. William A. Grippen was reelected Presi- dent, Rev. P. S. Evans, Secretary, and W. F. Walker, Treasurer. 180 HISTORY OF THE Report of the Board. From this we make a few extracts: "The returns of last year showed the smallest number of additions to our churches for the ten years preceding. There were last year 691. This year there is a further falling off, the number being only 494. Fifty of the churches report no baptisms at all. It is hoped that this session will be marked by a tone of deep spirituality and earnest prayer, that may be the precursor of a great awakening am-ong our churches. The Board desires to bear its witness to the readiness with which the President has devoted his time and business ability and his money to the interests of the Convention. While this has been true of all your Presidents, it is not invidious to say that it is most em- phatically true of Mr. Grippen. The total appropria- tions in aid amount to $4,143, the largest amount, ex- cluding special gifts for building and repairs, given in any year of our history. Yet the Board has httn compelled to refuse some deserving appeals." Report of the Field Secretary. He had visited fifty-two churches in the prosecution of his work. He says: "I have as far as possible responded to the calls for evangelistic services and have given my entire thought to the interests of the work entrusted to me." Of the French, mission he says: "Though the gain has been small and the work in many respects discourag- ing, yet it would be a mistake to abandon it. The con- verts often move to other places and become substantial supporters of mission work in other fields." He speaks hopefully of the work among the Swedes and Germ.ans. 7'here were at this time three Itahan missionaries on the field: DaCarlo, Ceretta and Mazzucca. Rev. .John H. Strotig on the State of the Churches. The report on the state of religion in the churches was given by Rev. John H. Strong. 'While many other re- ports, which we have been obliged to pass over, were CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 181 equally worthy of attention, yet because of the special timeliness of this one, and because Mr. Strong was him- self one of the best exponents among our pastors of that personal consecration and devoted evangelical ministry to which he summoned his brethren, it seemed fit to give it a place in this record. We quote him only in part: "The figures to which we have turned, first of all, for indication as to the religious condition of our churches have not proved encouraging. Four hundred and ninety- four baptisms have been reported for the year. One hun- dred and forty churches have received this number of new members, an average of three persons to one church. Or, twenty-five thousand professing Christians have per- suaded four hundred and ninety-four people, taking a year to do it, to become Ciiristians, an average of one convert to fifty Christians. We have to go back eighteen years to find so small a number of additions. Without quesdon, brethren, the year has been one of general spiritual decline, of weak witnessing for Christ. "Where lies the responsibility for this? Not primarily on the times, the tendency, the tide. Other Christian bodies have floated down the stream for a year with us. Yet not on the tide does the responsibility rest. Let us not ascribe the failure to the obstacles which God put in our way for us to overcome, and so to accelerate our progress and growth. This year's decline would not have taken place if we pastors of the churches had been, in fact as in name, men of God filled with the spirit of God's Son. "W^e acquiesce, we do not strongly enough believe. There is not the disposition among us generally to stake all, even our lives, on the naked word of God, and put Him to the test. Wesley knew the power of consecrated human service when he said, 'Give me one hundred men who love nothing but God, fear nothing but sin, and know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified, and I will set this world on fire.' The heart of God, I take it, is hungering for channels through which to pour his saving power; yet there are so few to offer themselves 182 HISTORY OF THE willingly, so few to test the power of surrendered lives." The reading of this report made so deep an impression that the business of the Convention was suspended and nearly an hour was spent in prayer for the baptism of the Holy Spirit upon the pastors of the churches. Statistics for the Decade — i8go-i8gg. Membership, 25,243; baptisms, 9,122; for state mis- sions, $46,478; for Education Society, $14,067; total benevolence, $493,085; for church expenses, $2,099,912; total expenditure, $2,600,113. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 183 Chapter X. igoo-igoy. 1900. The seventy-seventh annual meeting was held with Calvary church, New Haven, October 16 and 17. In the absence of the President, the Rev. G. W. Nicholson was appointed Chairman. The address of welcome was given by Mr. W. H. Douglass, and re- sponded to by the Chairman. The annual sermon was preached by Rev. F. G. McKeever of New London. Report of the Board. "This year marks the completion of the seventy- seventh year of your history. Within this period you have expended on your work about $236,000. The exact amount it is difficult to ascertain. Nor can we tell how much has been given directly by the churches for what is properly mission work in the state, which has not passed through the hands of the Treasurer of the Convention. The baptisms for the sixty-three years for which alone the precise figures are available were 45,000. It is safe to estimate for the unreported years 6,500. This would make a total of 51,500, more than twice the number of the present membership. How much of this increase is due to the labors of the missionary pastors and helpers it is impossible to ascertain. But if the proportion of the last few years holds good for the entire period, it will be seen that the money spent for state missions has proved the most profitable part of the investments our churches have made for the extension of the kingdom of our Lord. "The tide of immigration has not yet begun to ebb. A less desirable element is pouring into our state. The 1S4 HISTORY OF THE census of a single factory in the borough of Torrington disclosed the fact that fourteen distinct nationalities were among its employees. The postm.aster of the borough asserts that twenty-two nationalities are resident within his district. For only four of these ha\ e we made any provision to give the Gospel. You have cione something for the Germans in the past. You are doing something for the Swedes now. So also for the Italians, and a little for the French. Yet it all seems so little in propor- tion to the urgent needs. "The general outlook is more encouraging thajti last year. Some of the churches have done well in paying off debts. The fine edifice of the Bridgeport church is almost, if not altogether, free from encumbrance. The Dan- bury church has made substantial progress in cancelling its indebtedness. Towards this your Field Secretary has given much assistance, as this also falls well within the sphere of his labors. There have been twenty-five changes in the pastorate and nineteen new ministers have come into the state. It is evident that this constant inconstancy in our ministry is a formidable obstacle in the prosecution of our work. We cannot but regret that any possible remedy for this evil does not properly fall within the province of the Convention." The baptisms for this year were 828, nearly double those of last year. Report of the Field Secretary. On the matter of the Endowment Fund the Secretary- reports: "At the last meeting of the Convention it was resolved that an effort be made to secure a special endow- ment fund of $10,000, and a committee of eight was formed to carry this purpose into effect. Subscriptions were secured to the amount of $4,000, chiefly from the m.embers of the committee, these being conditioned on t'^.e whole amount being raised. We regret to report that we have failed to secure this amount, and we refer the matter back to the Convention for any action that may seem desirable." CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 185 Sivedes in Hartford Build a Church. During the year the Swedes in Hartford had succeeded in buiiding a commodious chapel in a very good neighbor- hood, at a total cost of $13,000. It was a large enter- prise for so small a church to undertake, there being but eighty-one members, and these in very humble circum- stances. Yet over $4,000 was paid by the members themselves, $2,500 being given by other Baptists in the city, and $1,500 by friends outside. A mortgage for $5,000 remained on the property, but the interest on this would be less than the rent of any suitable hall. The zeal and resourcefulness of the Swedish brethren were such that there was no fear but that they would soon work themselves free from all indebtedness. The Field Secretary gave a full report of the condi- tion of all the aided churches and of the work of the missionaries. There were three Italian missionaries and one French missionary on the field, at an expense to the Convention of $1,427. Twenty- four churches, including two German and five Swedish, had received aid to the amount of $1,889. These churches had given in benevo- lence $1,283, and for home expenses $11,871. The num- ber of baptisms reported from the entire mission field was ninety-seven. The Retirinc/ and the Incoming President. It will be noticed by the attentive student of the history of the Convention that for the first forty years of the Convention's existence there was a change in ihe presi- dency nearly every year, so that no one man could formu- late and carry out any plan of his own for Convention work. But for twenty-five of these years Rev. E. Cush- man was the Secretary of the society. In default of a permanent President, the continuity of his tenure of office left in the hands of the Secretary the shaping of the policy of the Convention. Since 1870 what seems a better plan has been followed. The Convention has chosen to the Presidency men to whom it could entrust the shaping 186 HISTORY OF THE of the policy to be pursued, and has kept them in office for a term of years, that they might carry out these plans by and with the advice of the Board, and especially of the Executive Committee, which being a smaller body could be more frequently consulted. Hon. James L. Howard held the office for six years, Rev. Dr. Sage for three, Mr. W. S. Bronson for four. Dean Wayland for ten, and William A. Grippen for four years. Guided largely by the plans of these able and deeply interested men, upon whom the Convention had placed such responsibilities, better results were obtained than formerly. No one of all these men had been more conspicuous in the performance of his duties, had given more time and earnest thought, or been more liberal in money contributions than Mr. Grip- pen. The Field Secretary, in seeking his counsel, had made large drafts upon his time, and all these drafts had been honored. Mr. Grippen's large business ability and knowledge of affairs, together with his strong personal Interest in the work of the Convention, fitted him admir- ably for the position of President, and It was with very sincere regret that the Convention heard that he could not consent to continue in the office. The Committee on Nominations presented the follow- ing ticket, which was ratified by the Convention: Carnot O. Spencer for President, Rev. G. W. Nicholson for First Vice-President, Adams P. Carroll for Second Vice-Presi- dent, Rev. P. S. Evans for Secretary, and William F. Walker for Treasurer. At its first meeting the Board reappointed Rev. C. A. PIddock as Field Secretary. When the election of officers had been declared the act- ing Chairman, Rev. G. W. Nicholson, inducted the new President into the chair with appropriate remarks, to which Mr. Spencer made fitting reply. For five years Mr. Spencer continued in office, with increasing efficiency and popular approval. The Ten Thousand Dollar Permanent Fund. During the discussion of the report of the Board at- tention was called to the raising of the Centennial Fund CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 187 of ten thousand dollars. Under the inspiring appeals of the presiding officer several large subscriptions were re- ceived. Deacon George Morse offered $1,000, Hon. James L. Howard, $1,550 and W. L. Douglass, $500. Smaller subscriptions were made to the amount of $230. In all $5,730 was secured towards the fund. The Committee on Enrollment reported an attendance of 326 delegates this year, against 262 last year. Churches represented were 117, as against 98 last year. Ninety-four of the delegates were pastors. 1901. The seventy-eighth annual meeting was held with the First church. New Britain, Rev. J. H. Strong, pastor. No change was made in the principal officers. The pastor gave a gracious welcome to the Convention. The Address of President Spencer. made a deep impression. We give in brief its principal points : "First, The membership of our churches needs to be more fully informed of the nature and character of the work being done. As a means to this end I advocate the publishing by the Convention of a monthly periodical. In the absence of any Baptist state newspaper or journal, the need of some medium for the giving of intelligence seems to be imperative. "Second, The necessity of more interest on the part of the pastors. This work has its place, and that no inferior one, among the larger missionary operations of our de- nomination. As a layman, I urge our pastors to take this matter upon their hearts. "Third, The Convention should have a permanent fund sufficiently large to pay the salaries and ordinary expenses of the Convention. This once secured, we could appeal to our churches for means to prosecute our work. The Conventions of all our New England States, Con- necticut alone excepted, have such a fund. 188 HISTORY OF THE "Fourth, A new condition now confronts us. In the past we have sent our missionaries to the ends of the earth. Now the ends of the earth have come to our own doors. The Anglo-Saxon element is no longer the domi- nant element among us. At least it would not be if all the other elements v^^ere combined against us. For the safety of our institutions, for the salvation of those who have come to us, we should increase our efforts to evan- gelize these foreigners. "Fifth, Some years ago the Bible-school work was suc- cessfully prosecuted under the leadership of Rev. W. C. Walker, and during the presidency of Mr. W. S. Bron- son. I still hope that this branch of our work will not be suspended for lack of unity in its prosecution." TJie Report of the Board, presented by the Secretary, as well as that of the Field Secretary, which is made a part of this report, was as full and illuminating as these always have been. The Field Secretarv's report bore witness, as had his previous ones, to his unflagging industry, his thorough acquaintance with the conditions, his broad sympathy with the workers, and his sound business judgment. We quote his final words : "The century we have entered upon ought to be the grandest missionary century since the Age of the Apostles. Indeed, it ought to surpass that age since the number of workers has increased and the opportunity for labor greatly widened." Address of Rev. H. M. Thompson, D.D. In the discussion of the reports many able addresses were given by several of the brethren, among whom were Rev. S. G. Hastings, Rev. F. E. Gates, Rev. Dr. Herr and missionaries from the field. The address of Pastor Thompson, because of its terseness in its way of putting things. Is specially worthy of record here. We give this in full, Instead of excerpts from them all. It may stand as a good representative of all the rest. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 189 "We are now brought face to face with the real object of our gathering. We place as the caption to our pro- gram, 'The Baptist State Convention.' Were it not for the Convention the ministers would not have met in con- ference, the young people would not have discussed their work, the women would not have assembled to take a sweeping view of world-wide missions, the Education Societ)' would not have presented its urgent appeals. All these are auxiliary, and because of our interest in these, and to economize time and money, we group them all with this main object, our State Convention. In all these varied ranges of thought, let not the one thing most need- ful be forgot. "There are people who, having made their deposit In a bank, feel such confidence in the official management that they take no more thought of their money. The churches that have sent you as their delegates are not of this sort. They expect you to look after their investments and inquire into methods of operation, if necessary to make kindly suggestions or criticisms as to the work. They look to you to bring back to them an accurate report of things said and done. And what word shall you take to them? "Tell them, first, that aided by them five nationalities have heard in their own tongue the wonderful works of God: Americans, Germans, Swedes, French and Italians. How earnestly we have desired to preach the Gospel to foreign peoples ! Through the work of the Convention this desire is gratified. "Tell them also that twenty-five preachers have been assisted in carrying on the work of Christ in needy fields. Most of these have toiled among the country towns where churches would be closed but for the aid rendered. Sometimes the query is sadly made concerning this or that church, 'Must it not be closed?' The Convention answers, 'Not yet, not yet.' While a stream of life is flowing towards our cities, the head waters must if pos- sible be purified by the sacred influences of Christianity. 13 190 HISTORY OF THE "Tell them also that through their assistance one hun- dred and thirty persons in these mission fields have put on Christ in baptism, having passed from death into life. Should any one say, 'Is not the sum of four thousand dollars a large outlay for so small results?' remind them that on the confines of Turkey a woman in Christ's ser- vice is in peril. It is said on all sides, 'If necessary, the ransom of one hundred and ten thousand dollars must be paid for her deliverance.' And this for one whose soul is in God's safe keeping! And shall we say that an average price of thirty dollars each is too large aid, in securing souls from the eternal consequences of sin? I think on this view of the case few churches will complain, especially in the light of their own small offerings." Chapel for the Italians in New Haven. An appeal was made for this object, and the imperative need for this was emphatically set forth. Such a chapel would cost at least $5,000. The people in New Haven would provide the greater part, but they desired the Convention to give $1,000. A special collection was at once taken amounting to $350. It will be seen later that the New Haven Italian mission eventually came into possession of a very valuable property, which it is now occupying. Concerning! Various Papers and Reports. The reports of the various committees, and the special papers prepared and presented, excelled in number and ability those of any previous meeting of the Convention. Among these were : Rev. Henry Clarke's report on "The State of Religion," Rev. Dr. Hubbard's on "Bible-school Work," Deacon Rush P. Chapman's on "Christian Evan- gelization Necessary to Political Safety," Rev. P. S. Evans' on "The Success of State Work among the Foreigners an Incentive to Greater Effort," Rev. R. Maplesden's on "The Apathy Regarding State Missions, CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 191 its Cause and Cure." AH of these left nothing unsaid that needed to be said to arouse enthusiasm in the work of the Convention. Every Baptist in the state should have read and pondered them. The substance of these papers had been uttered before, and has been repeated many times, but we fear their influence went little beyond the four walls of the building and the few people who heard them, in most cases to forget them. Summary of Work Done. Eighteen American churches and seven foreign churches had been aided to the amount of $2,307. Five missionaries, four Italian and one French, had been kept in the field, at a cost of $2,365. Ihe aided churches had returned in benevolence $1,160, and had spent on their own fields $17,024. Number of baptisms from all these fields, 134. Direct contributions to the treasury of the Convention, $7,677. 1902. The seventy-ninth annual meeting was held with the First church, FTartford, Rev. Harold Patti- son, pastor. Mr. Carnot O. Spencer was President, Rev. P. S. Evans, Secretary, and Mr. W. F. Walker, Treas- urer. Address of Welcome. After speaking felicitious words of welcome to the church and the city. Pastor Pattison said in part: "An assembly like this, composed of delegates from Baptist churches, has no authority ecclesiastical or otherwise. It has only influence. Only Influence ! In the marriage ser- vice the man alone is given authority; the wife has only influence. Every married man here knows how that struggle has been settled. Authority can be exerted apart from character and fitness; not so with influence. Those who have possessed the greatest authority have wielded their influence with far greater effect. We can forego 192 HISTORY OF THE the trappings and precedents of authority, so long as we hold fast that without which all authority is as salt which has lost its savor, namely, influence. We welcome you then as you come to prove your right to be. All that would impair the influence of our gathering is not wel- comed. If we come, as we surely do, to make reports that are not merely traditional, to appoint committees that are not merely ornamental, to listen to speakers who have for us some message of life, to lay plans that shall with fidelity and sacrifice be brought to pass, to cement friend- ships that shall not be broken, then welcome, thrice wel- come to the Connecticut Baptist Convention." The Part of the First Church in the Convention. President Spencer, himself a member of this church, made appropriate reference to the prominent part taken in the activities of the Convention by the members of the First Baptist church: "Of the fourteen names that appear in the Act of In- corporation, three. Rev. Elisha Cushman, Sr., and Deacons Joseph B. Gilbert and Jeremiah Brown were those of members here. The church entertained the Con- vention at its first meeting in 1823. Rev. Dr. Turnbull, for twenty-five years pastor here, afterwards served as Secretary and Superintendent of Missions for five years. Rev. Elisha Cushman, Jr., served as Secretary for twenty- five years, and as editor of the Christian Secretary did most valuable service. Rev. A. J. Sage, D.D., a former pastor, also W. S. Bronson, were of our number." I add to these the honored name of James L. Howard, who had been for six years President, and for thirty-two years a Trustee. The Report of the Board. We give but brief extracts from the reports of the Secretary and the Field Secretary: "The first meeting of the Convention was held with this church in 1823. Seventeen times the Convention has CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 193 met in this city, though not always with this church. The earliest available minutes of the Convention are for the year 1830. That meeting was held in Mansfield. The President was Rev. Rufus Babcock, pastor of North Colebrook church, then a flourishing church but now hav- ing but seven names on its roll. There were at that time 65 churches in the state, with a membership of 8,200. Yet 694 baptisms were reported, only 47 less than reported this year from 142 churches, with a mem- bership of 25,000. Did the same proportion hold today, we should report 1,800 baptisms." At the April meeting of the Board Rev. C. A. Piddock tendered his resignation as Field Secretary, to take effect September 1. The Board reluctantly accepted it and ap- pointed a committee of seven, one from each association, with President Spencer as Chairman, to seek a successor. The committee made its final report at a special meeting held in Bristol, September 16. The members were unanimous in recommending Rev. Frank H. Divine. After full discussion and the reading of letters from those who had known of the good work done by Brother Di\ine the Board unanimously approved of the recom- mendation and he was chosen to the position of Field Secretary. The Secretary notified Mr. Divine of his ap- pointment and received his acceptance. Report of the Field Secretary. This the last report which Rev. C. A. Piddock pre- sented, like the seven preceding ones, gives ample proof of his efficient administration of his office. He gives a graphic review of all the churches and missions aided by the Convention, which he had personally visited, some of them several times. His report all along the lines showed an encouraging condition of things. The only dark shadow on the picture was the serious betrayal of our interests in Bridgeport by Mr. C. Ceretta, the mis- sionary to the Italians, who had renounced our service and connected himself with another denomination. As a 194 HISTORY OF THE consequence our work in that city for the Itahans had been discontinued. Mr. Piddock's report closes as fol- lows: "I came to Middletown in 1880, a young man thirty-one years of age. During my pastorate there, and the eight years I have been Superintendent of Missions, and the nearly nine years I was editor of the Christian Secretary, I have endeavored to identify myself actively with all branches of Christian effort in Connecticut. Last April I requested the Board to release me and to appoint a successor. The Board has chosen Rev. F. H. Divine. I bespeak for him the cordial support and sympathy that have been so generously accorded me through all these years." Church Building and Enlargement. In his report the Secretary mentioned several items of interest in church building and enlargement, and re- moval of debt. The chapel in Winsted had been enlarged for the accommodation of its increasing Bible-school and congregation. The First church in New London had spent a generous sum in beautifying its house of worship and securing better facilities for. its growing work. The East Washington Avenue church in Bridgeport, hence- forth to be known as the Second Bridgeport, had sold its edifice and was engaged in building a new and com- modious house, the cost of which was nearly all provided for. The Second Danbury was nearly, if not altogether, relieved from the burden of its heavy debt. The Hope church of New Haven had been reunited to the old his- toric First, and arrangements were being made to build a large edifice in the northern part of the city. The Immanuel church of New Haven was completing an en- largement of its house of worship, of which the pastor, Rev. A. Clayton Powell, says: "The building will be a monument to the Baptists." This was the largest church among our colored brethren. The sums of money spent in all these enterprises, many times In excess of that given in direct offerings to the Convention, indicated a gratify- ing advance in our denominational strength. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 195 General Discussion. On the various reports presented many interesting addreses were made by the pastors and representative workers from the different mission fields. Rev. G. W. Nicholson closed a strong report on "The State of Re- ligion in the Churches" with the following practical sug- gestions : "Your committee recommends that there be greater attention paid, First, to the children and youth. We deem this to be vital because it is God's method, and we have too often failed to lay hold of these jewels while they have been within our grasp. Our Field Secretary should urge this as he goes over the state, and establish Bible-schools wherever possible. "Second, that special attention be given to the after- meetings on Sunday evenings for hauling the net. No preacher should deliver the Lord's message without the hope of saving one soul at least. "Third, that plans be laid for religious work, especial- ly along evangelistic lines, under the direction and super- vision of the Field Secretary, assisted by neighboring pastors. "Fourth, that special attention be given to the legiti- mate and pressing demands of our English-speaking churches, whom we have too largely neglected the last few years In our anxiety over our foreign brethren. Not less for the foreigners, but more for our own. "Fifth, that our foreign brethren establish an English- speaking department in their Bible-schools for the benefit of their children and youth. Only thus can they hope to retain these youth In their churches." The New S/iperinlendoil of Missions. After being Introduced by the President, Mr. Divine made an address defining his views of the work to be done and his own relations to it. "We are Baptists of necessity, or we are of no special value to the denomi- 196 HISTORY OF THE nation. We have still an important mission in the world. The State Mission is needed to hold what is already gained and to go forth and possess the whole state for Christ. The Secretary of the Convention is not to be a professional collector of money; he is to show that it is possible to make an investment that shall produce sixty to one hundred fold for the glory of God. There needs to be a readjustment, not less for education but more for the souls of men. We need a vision of higher things to lead us to nobler service. I come to you longing to do all in my power to make that vision real." He made a very favorable impression and received a most cordial welcome. A Tribute to Hon. James W. Manning. At the semi-annual meeting of the Board a committee of three: Rev. G. M. Stone, D.D., Rev. C. A. Piddock and Rev. H. M. Wolf, Jr., was appointed to prepare a tribute to the memory of Mr. Manning. That commit- tee reported as follows: "fFhereas, This Board Is deeply conscious of the great loss It has sustained In the death of one of its most venerable and honored members, Deacon James W. Manning of Putnam, therefore, "Resolved, That we cause to be placed upon the re- cords of the Board for future memorial our estimate of his character and usefulness. Deacon Manning had earned the good will and high esteem in which he was held by his own church and community and beyond. In the large sphere of the civil life of the state, by a long career of honest and upright dealing and uniform kindness of spirit. His temperament was calm and judicial, added to which were mental capacities which gave him such poise and judgment as to render him one of the wisest of counsellors. "His connection with this Board Is of long standing. The value of his presence and advice In critical periods through which It has passed It would be difficult justly to appraise. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 197 "He will be sndly missed at our annual and other gatherings. Rarely has there been among us a removal which could more fitly justify the psalmist's prayer: 'Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from among the children of men.' "A recent summary of his life-work, says: 'The earth- ly life of this good man ended March 24, a few days afrer his eightieth birthday. For more than forty years he was Town Clerk of Putnam. He several times repre- sented that town in the Legislature, and for one term was Starte Comptroller. The universal respect in which he was held in his own town was shown by the closing of all stores, including saloons, during the funeral exercises in his home. Memorial services were subsequently held in the Baptist church, in which the deceased was the senior deacon, and numerous bodies of which he was a member passed resolutions of respect for his memory.' "The Convention Board extends to the bereaved family its sympathy in the shadow which has fallen upon their home, and requests the clerk to forward to them a copy of this mem.orial record." Summary of the Year's Work. Five missionaries had been in the field, one French and four Italian. Twenty-eight churches had been aided, six foreign and twenty-two English-speaking, all at an expense of $3,732. The baptisms from these fields were seventy-five. The Treasurer had received $5,802, and reported a debt of $1,217. 1903. The eightieth annual meeting was held with the Grand Avenue church. New Haven, October 20 and 21. Mr. Carnot O. Spencer was reelected President and William F. Walker, Treasurer. At the January meeting of the Board Rev. P. S. Evans, who for sixteen years had filled the office of Secretary, asked to be relieved from his duties. He thought, and believed the Board thought with him, that the best interests of the 198 HISTORY OF THE Convention required that the office of Secretary should be united with that of Superintendent of Missions. The Board acquiescing in this view appointed Rev. F. H. Divine to the office until the meeting of the Convention. At this meeting Rev. F. H. Divine was elected Secretary. Words of Welcome. In his welcoming address the pastor of the church, Rev. E. W. Stone, said in part: "We welcome you not- withstanding the fact that we were not rash enough to invite you, and have been not a little frightened at the thought of your coming. Had we not received orders from the powers that be, and been given generous promise of aid by our brethren of sister churches in this city, which promise has been royally kept, we could not have undertaken to entertain you. . . . We have abundant reason to esteem you highly in love. Born in 1871, in a little hall not far from here, the Grand Avenue church was a feeble child, and the trials of its early days threatened its very existence. But the Lord, through the Convention, said 'Let the child live;' and it has lived, and is going to live." Address of President Spencer. After fittingly responciing to the pastor's welcome, Mr. Spencer urged a change of the corporate name of the Con>^ention to one which would more clearly denote the object of its existence. "The mere name, Convention, is not expressive of its character. It is true that the consti- tution sets it forth, but the name is ambiguous and mis- leading, and does not appeal to the average person. Our brethren in other states have recognized this and, as in the case of the New York Convention, have changed the name to the 'State Missionary Society.' Why not at least insert the word 'missionary,' and style ourselves 'The Connecticut Baptist Missionary Convention?' " After a full presentation of the needs of the Conven- tion the President bore this testimony to the CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 199 Faithful JFork of the Neiv Superintendent. "He entered upon his duties one year ago under dif- ficulties which a man of less faith and energy would have found it hard to surmount. He has labored hopefully and courageously. Some of the fruits of his labors have been been manifested in the toning up and strengthening of the smaller churches, in the straightening out of the entanglements in the missions, in the increased interest of the membership of the churches in the work of the Con- vention, in the raising by subscription of over $2,000 to pay the debt, and in the good results from his faithful preaching of the word." Report of the Board. This was read by Rev. F. H. Divine. It contained a fraternal and appreciative reference to the sixteen years' service of Rev. P. S. Evans as Secretary, including eight years as Superintendent of Missions. There was also a series of resolutions, adopted by the Executive Committee at its June meeting, complimentary to the retiring Secre- tary. The Superintendent had spent eight weeks in Evangel- istic work in Willimantic, Torrington, Stafford and First Waterford. "These efforts have been interrupted by necessary absence on Sundays and by other matters requiring immediate attention. Though some have been baptized as the result of these labors, it has been fully demonstrated that it is physically impossible for a man to be Superintendent of Missions and do useful evangelistic work at the same time." Canton Church Redivivus. The most encouraging report was from the Canton church. "Until last March this, the only church in the community, had an enrollment of five, only one of whom could attend church. In March the Board sent Rev. C. H. Peckham to the help of Pastor Higgins, with the most delightful results. The church now has thirty-one active 200 HISTORY OF THE members. The sum of three hundred dollars has been spent in needed improvements." Foreign-speaking Churches. "The German church in Waterbury did not build in the best neighborhood for its work. It has sold its house of worship and purposes building elsewhere." "The French mission in Putnam and Danielson is still under the care of Brother Tetrault. We wish to declare our unfailing confidence in these brethren's devotion and piety. All work undertaken among the Romanists is difficult. It -needs long patience and heaven-directed wisdom. Inflammatory addresses and tracts arouse hatred and cut off opportunity." ''Hartford is justly proud of its Italian mission. Brother A. Roca was ordained in May. He is an edu- cated man, a true man. The Hartford Baptist Union supports this mission. In New Haven, under A. di Dom- enica, a fine body of young men is being gathered into the kingdom, a Bible-school established, and a campaign started for a building fund. In Stamford, where the work for the Italians first began, we have had a painful ex- perience with the missionary, Pasqual De Carlo, who for several years had been so trusted and honored. Dis- missed for cause from the service of the Convention, he accepted service under the Congregational State Board, induced a portion of his church to join him, and is en- deavoring to get possession of the property they occupy. The Board has sent Rev. V. di Domenica to occupy the field. The little band that remained faithful are wor- shiping in a hall and two have since been baptized."* Evangelism. Through the courtesy of the brethren the evening ses- sion was held in the Methodist Episcopal church. The session was devoted to a discussion on evangelistic work. * The future record will show that the breach has been healed. The church prop- ert)' hat been made over to the Convention; and the Italian mission in Stamford is again prosperous. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 201 In his report the Secretary had made an earnest plea for this work and the means to carry it on. Rev. R. A. Ashworth of Meriden presented a very suggestive and able paper, ending with six vital resolutions looking to the carrying out of what was shown to be the earnest desire and prayer of all the brethren. It was such a paper as should have been freely distributed through all the churches. Rev. A. W. Bourne, D.D., of Glovers- ville, N. Y., deepened still further the impression made by his practical and fervent address on "The Evangelism we Need, and how to Secure it." All this shortly bore fruit in the evangelistic campaigns which were so prominent a feature in the labors of Brother Divine and his able assistants. The report on Bible-school work, prepared by Rev. F. G. McKeever, was quite outside the usual conventional lines and very effective. The report of the Historical Committee, presented by Rev. T. A. T. Hanna, was re- plete with interest, giving much information concerning the early Baptist history of the state. It is with deep regret that we omit these reports, but they do not easily lend themselves to condensation. This eightieth annual meeting of the Convention, the first prepared for by Mr. Divine, was remarkable for the number, variety and ability of the speeches and addresses, and for the enthusiasm awakened. 1904. The eighty-first annual meeting was held with the Central church, Norwich, Rev. P. C. Wright, pastor. The offices of President, Secretary and Treasurer remained unchanged. The customary words of welcome were spoken by the pastor and replied to by the Presi- dent. Address of the President. "The year just passed has been a prosperous one in our work. The few months of evangelistic effort have been fruitful in results. We have reason to be profound- 202 HISTORY OF THE ly grateful, and to take courage for the future. Much more might have been accomplished with more ample means at our disposal. Our small permanent fund is not at all commensurate with our needs. The table which I present will show how our state stands in comparison with the other New England States. States Churches Membership Permanent Kund Maine, 246 20,049 $149,364 Massachusetts, 340 77,288 420,594 New Hampshire :, 88 9,865 117,268 Rhode Island, 78 14,246 57,482 Vermont, 94 8,324 97,960 Connecticut, 145 25,365 11,900 "The first four of these states received large bequests from the late Daniel Sharp Ford of Boston, which have been the means of putting new life into their work, and large results have followed. With a permanent fund of $100,000 your Board could plan a certain amount of work each year. Depending solely upon the fluctuating contributions of the churches, the management is often taxed to know what to undertake. . . The evident blessing of God during the past year encourages us to attempt more and expect more in the future. The whole fruitage of these labors has not yet been gathered. There were 142 baptisms in our aided churches and missions. Following the evangelistic labors of your missionary helpers in other churches, 80 more have been baptized, making 232, more than one-quarter of all that have been received into all the churches." Report of the Board of Trustees. This report, though none too strong for its purpose, occupies sixteen pages in the printed minutes. The dif- ficulty of selecting the most significant portions is ap- parent. "Early in January we were called to part with one of the most honored and useful members of the CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONV^ENTION 203 Board, who had served long and faithfully as President and Trustee of this body; and In the wider fields of de- nominational enterprise and the offices of the state, he had made himself a power for all that makes for human bet- terment — the Honorable Francis Wayland, LL.D. At the January meeting of the Executive Committee the fol- lowing minute was adopted: "Tribute to the Hon. Francis Ji'^ayland, LL.D. "Our brother and fellow-worker In the Lord having in God's grace finished his earthly career on the ninth day of January, 1904, we, the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Baptist Convention, desire to place on our records a testimonial of the high esteem in which we held our brother, and of our appreciation of the service he rendered to the cause of Christ by his connection with the Convention. "Recognizing, as we do, the native ability which was in- herited, the culture which was acquired, the personal qualifications which led to his recognition as a wise coun- sellor in widely varying fields of operation, we rejoice that In mid-life Doctor Wayland submitted himself to the authority of the Son of God, his strong nature bowing at the feet of our Lord in that spirit of a child, without which a man cannot enter the Kingdom of God. "Since February 26, 1882, the day when Dr. Wayland confessed in baptism his faith in our risen Lord, his heart has been In the cause of Christ. He was faithful to the Interests of the local church. He responded to the Con- vention's need of his counsel. He was elected a member of the Board of Trustees in 1883, and continued in that capacity until his death. He was President of the Con- vention from 1886 to 1896. He was a moving spirit in the organization of the Baptist Social Union, and served as Its President. "Dr. Wayland's interest in the work of the Convention was unfailing, even when a multiplicity of other Interests, and increase of years, and Ill-health prevented personal 204 HISTORY OF THE attendance upon the meetings. We shall miss him, but we thank God for him. A strong leader of men has fallen. "These minutes shall be spread upon the records of the Board, and a copy be sent to Mrs. Wayland." This was signed by H. M. Thompson and G. W. Nicholson, Committee. The report of the Board contained a general review of all the fields, which was full of encouragement, especially as regarded the Swedish and Italian work. The New Britain Swedes. Regarding this interest the Secretary makes this not- able record: "Rev. J. E. Klingberg is leading this people in a conquering fashion. They have paid $1,000 on their debt. Out of the generosity and tenderheartedness of the pastor and his wife, early in the year they took into their home two homeless children. This seems to be God's way of laying the foundation for a noble philan- thropic work. From that beginning has come the establishment of a children's home. A house has been rented, help employed, and the funds provided, until the needs of a large number of children are supplied. This is one of New Britain's institutions. Pastor Klingberg's eyes and heart were opened to see and feel the need; prayer and faith have furnished the mans." Willing Helpers. The Bible-schools had been cooperating in the sup- port of a Bible-school worker. The young people's societies of the state had taken upon themselves to help in the support of the work among the foreigners, choos- ing some special field at the suggestion of the Superinten- dent. The report made an earnest plea for the Women's Missionary Societies to add to their other work a care for the missionary interests of the state. Ways and Means. Notwithstanding the enthusiasm that prevailed at the last meeting of the Convention, there had been a falling CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 205 off in the receipts. On the other hand there had been a notable addition to the permanent fund. There had been received a legacy of $10,000 from Levi A, Hall of Mansfield, a trust fund of $5,000 from A. E. and H. T. Westcott of Danielson for the benefit of the East Kill- ingly church, an annunity from the same parties of $5,000 for the general purposes of the Convention, and an annuity from Miss Helen Beebe of $1,000. A very pleasant surprise had come to the President in the receipt of an anonymous letter containing a New York draft for $250 for the use of the Convention. We find in the report a warm expression of gratitude to the Home Mission Society, which in collaboration with the Convention in its work for the foreigners had expended within the state almost as much as it had received from all the churches of the state. « The General Doings of the Connjention. In the discussion on the report of the Board, when it was found that the current expenses exceeded the receipts by $1,800, Rev. G. W. Nicholson made an earnest plea for the raising of the deficit, and the sum of $1,997 was paid in or pledged, more than enough to provide for t!ie debt. JVork for the Bible-schools. The entire evening session of Tuesday was taken up in the discussion of this fruitful theme. Rev. W. F. Row- ley of Middletown presented an exhaustive report, oc- cupying seven pages in the m.inutes, on the necessity and fruitfulness of work expended in this enterprise. The main thesis of the paper was thus stated by the author: "To put it in a word, the mission of the Bible-school is to gather all, to save all, and to instruct all." This thesis was enforced and illustrated from the Scriptures and from the experience of the church. Rev. Henry Clarke followed in an address on the special topic, "The Search 14 206 HISTORY OF THE for the Child," and Rev. T. Edwin Brown, D.D., dis- cussed the theme, "Teaching Christian Morals in the Bible-school." Report on Evangelistic Work. This report was given by Rev. R. A. Ashworth, It presented a phase of the subject that is not often con- sidered in addresses on evangelism. "Out of the 145 churches in the state 59 have held a series of special meet- ings, besides their regular meetings. All of these services, we may safely say, were perv^aded more or less with evangelistic endeavor and fervor. There has been an extensive exchange of pastoral service, and professional evangelists have done a good work among our churches. But we hesitate lest the impression be conveyed that evangelism is synonymous with this form of Christian effort. It is quite possible that some churches that,have held no such meetings this year have been far more distinguished for the possession of the evangelistic im- pulse than some others that have been most active in this direction. "Revival meetings, so-called, may become a bane and not a blessing to the church which holds them. Evangel- ism is not a method but a spirit. When it is not the natural expression of a spiritual life in the church, that can win the respect of a community, such a revival meet- ing would be a hindrance rather than a help to the exten- sion of the Kingdom. Keep the church fires going all the time at an equable temperature, sufficient to warm, though not scorch. This is better than to draw or bank the fires for nine months of the year, and then to run them under forced draft for the remainder. Evangelism is the supreme business of the church for fifty-two weeks in the year. Let the church remember that it cannot stand at a distance and save the world through a speaking trum- pet. Pulpit preaching is not all. It is hand-to-hand, face-to- face methods that prevail. When the Romans shortened their swords they conquered the world. Then each man CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 207 picked his man, and war became duelling on a vast scale. Only when every Christian becomes an evangelist will the world be converted." 1905. The annual meeting this year was held with the Main Street church, Meriden, Rev. A. E. Harris, pastor. There was no change made in the three principal officers. The minutes alone of this meeting of the Con- vention occupy fifty-five pages. Address of the President. None of the presidents of the Convention ever took, more pains in preparing their opening addresses than did Mr. Spencer. In saying this we understate the truth. Only the narrow limits of this volume prevent our giving this address in its entirety. "The most perplexing question that the Board has to deal with is that of the finances. The contributions from the churches are inadequate to provide for our necessities. I have been interested in comparing the amount of contri- butions by the churches within the several associations, with the amount expended in the same territory. The figures are taken from the Annual of 1904. It is found that the cost of work exceeds the contributions in two of the associations: in the Ashford, by $253, and in the New Haven, by $1,187. The contributions exceed the cost in four associations: in the Fairfield, by $80, in the Hart- ford, by $225, in the New London, by $129, and in the Stonington Union, by $417. In the six associations the cost exceeds the contributions by $629. In this cost no account is taken of salaries paid to the Superintendent and the general workers, nor of the necessary incidental expenses. Also in the contributions only the sums sent directly from the churches are reckoned. In the last three years the following gains have been made: $12,050 to the Permanent Fund, $10,000 to the Trust Funds, and $7,000 to the Annuity Funds, making $29,050 in all. David G. Porter of Waterbury, a mem- 208 HISTORY OF THE ber of the First church in that place, after leaving the larger part of his estate to found a training-school in that city, has bequeathed $5,000 each to the First and Second Baptist churches in Waterbury, and $1,000 each to the Swedish and the Italian interests in the same city." Report of the Board. The condition of the German and French missions was reported as favorable. Much attention was given to Work Among the Swedes. Of this work the Secretary writes: "Activity, devotion and progress are ever the order with our Swedish breth- ren. In devotion to their religious profession, loyalty to denominational convictions, aggressiveness, thrift and sacrifice for Christ, they give evidence of the rugged life of the fatherland and a beautiful example to most modern Christians. The Meriden church is delighted with its efforts at self-support. The New Haven church is united and progressive after its experience of the last four years. The new Swedish church in Springfield, Massachusetts, is the result of mission work done by Rev. John Friborg of Hartford. Of the New Britain church we may say every department is prospering. The wonderful doings of God in answer to the pastor's prayers and plans, in the Children's Home that he is carrying on, are as strange as fancy, as soul-stirring as deepest pathos, as real as God. The church in Waterbury has been organized within the year, with a membership of fifty-seven. In July it dedicated its house of worship, or rather the ground floor of it, which alone is finished. The story of this people's achievement is inspiring." Work Among the Italians. "The year has been with them one of steady advance, under the abundant labors of five loyal and devoted men. Rev. A. Roca has pushed the work in Hartford with CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 209 wisdom and vigor. Rev. A. di Domenica has had a year of excellent progress in New Haven, i'his church is just coming into possession of a property in New Haven which has been secured on very easy terms and which will be admirably adapted to its needs. In Stamford, Rev. V. di Domenica, pastor, the record for the year seems like a dream. The few that remained faithful at the time of the defection of Da Carlo are again reinstated in their pleasant church home, and this by no process of law, but the part of the old church that had been occupying it has of its own accord come back to the Baptist fold." The evangelistic work had been prosecuted with suc- cess. The Superintendent, with Rev. A. E. Baker and Mr. Warren O. Barnes with his colporteur wagon, had constituted all the available force for this work. Yet a large amount of labor had been performed in many fields. Some of the visible results were fifty-seven bap- tisms from the work of the Superintendent, and one hun- dred and forty-nine from the efforts of Brother Baker. Suggestion to Bond the Treasurer. The report closed with several valuable suggestions. One of these, in view of the great impending disaster, the delalcation of the Treasurer, was of special significance, disclosing as it did an apprehension, which at least the Secretary felt, that the treasury had not been sufficiently safeguarded. The suggestion was as follows: "The work of the Treasurer requires much time, labor, wisdom and responsibility, all of which is being asked of, and cheerfully rendered by, a very busy man. A hearty vote of thanks is due our Treasurer. If it is not yet time, may the time soon come when the office of Treasurer shall be a bonded office, with compensation enough to pay all costs and provide necessary clerical service." Had the Board of Trustees shared fully with the Secretary in the misgivings and reluctant fears, which the writer knows Mr. Divine had felt for some time, they would have determined that the time for such action had already fully 210 HISTORY OF THE come. Possibly the disaster, then eighteen months in the future, might either have been wholly averted or greatly mitigated. Report on the State of Religion. This report, made by Rev. W. G. Thomas of Essex, disclosed that the number of baptisms was in excess of that of any other year for four years, totalling 1,137. This increase was mostly traceable to the labors of the Secretary and the State Evangelist. While it was not the same churches that reported baptisms each year, yet the percentage of churches thus reporting had been almost precisely the same for the last five years. The report was able, stimulating, optimistic and abounding in terse and vigorous sentences. "A dry baptistry and a lessened membership is a lot no servant of God craves." ''No note of censure can come from this committee upon those who have toiled all night and caught nothing." "Let every pulpit be pitched in the shadow of the cross, and every pew be facing the crucified Christ." "Let there be no discouragement, knowing that God has never promised to use a discouraged man, much less a discouraged church." Bible-school Interests. The evening of Tuesday was given up to the interests of the Bible-schools. Rev. Dr. Johnstone of New York gave an address, and he was followed by Rev. Dr. Sey- mour, of the Publication Society, on the "Need of Ag- gressive Bible-school Activity." Then Mr. Giles Potter presented the report of the committee on Bible-school work. This report was unusually thorough and business- like, owing to the fact that it had been entrusted to a man who had been employed by the state for many years in examining and reporting on the public schools. A series of questions addressed to the different departments of the schools, superintendents, teachers and scholars, had been CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 211 sent to thirty schools. The reason given by scholars for liking to attend the schools were such as these: "Duty," ''Because I enjoy learning the lessons," "It helps me through the week," "To study God's word," "Because of habit," "I was brought up to it." The report adds: "It is noticeable that not one gives as a reason that they have social times, picnics and other amusements. These things are not objectionable, but they should never be allowed to interfere with the proper work of the school, or to form its chief attraction. A manufacturer of an inferior grade of cloth, on being asked if the stock used was pure wool replied, 'We have to card in some cotton to hold the wool together. The fibre of our wool is short.' If the instruction of the Bible-school is shoddy, amusements and many things foreign to the purpose of the school may seem to be necessary to hold the school together." Home and Foreign Missions. This report was prepared by Rev. Harold Pattison. It was based on replies sent by pastors to a set of ques- tions. Of the 120 pastors written to only 75 took the trouble to reply. Yet these replies are sufficiently repre- sentative. 1. The first question was, "In your church to which is most attention given. Home, or Foreign Missions?" The answers indicated that equal attention was given to both. The report endorsed this attitude, but suggested that, as the Foreign field is more remote and less under- stood it should be given the greater emphasis. 2. The second question was, "What is your method of taking offerings, and what improvement can you sug- gest?" Every method seemed to be in use, but the uniform testimony of the pastors was that the weekly offering is the best. The writer of the report agreed with this opinion, but urged the importance of frequent appeals from the pulpit, pastoral letters, abundant circu- lation of missionary intelligence and study classes. 3. "Is the amount of these offerings increasing, or diminishing?" was the third question. While many re- 212 HISTORY OF THE ported a decrease the majority reported increase both of giving and of interest. In nearly all cases, however, the giving was by a minority of the members. 4. "Do you have a monthly or other regular mission- ary meeting for the church?" In all the state, so far as heard from, only thirteen churches had a monthly mis- sionary meeting, though nearly all had women's or young people's missionary meetings. The report strongly urged meetings in all the churches for the whole church. 5. "How frequently do you preach on these sub- jects?" The general answers were: "Just before the offering is taken." "As the spirit moves me." "As I feel like it." Some said, "The pastor preaches missionary sermons twice every Sunday, because in every sermon he makes general allusions." The writer of the report suggested that the word properly used would be halluci- nation rather than allusion. 6. "Is any member of your church laboring under the auspices of either the Foreign or the Home Mission Society?" Six names of workers on the Foreign field were given. 7. "Have you tried having your own representative on the field, supporting him wholly or in part?" Only two churches were reported as furnishing the entire sup- port of a missionary, but a few others had a part interest in some one missionary. 8. "Please mention what in your experience has been found valuable in arousing and maintaining interest in missions." Some of the answers to this question were flippant, but others were given seriously, making very good suggestions: "Train the children." "Keep at it; that is all." "A real live missionary beats everything else with us." Summary of Work. Seven Italian missionaries had been under employment this year, at a cost to the Convention of $2,334. The Home Mission Societv had contributed in addition CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 213 $2,214. No French missionary had been on the field this year. Four Swedish and one German missionary had been in the service, and twenty-two churches had received aid, at a cost in all, besides the Italian work, of $2,380. The Treasurer reported receipts from all sources, besides interest and loans, $9,974.79; from legacies, annuities and trust funds, $17,043.57; from interest, $1,814.47; in all, $28,832.83. 1906. The eighty-third annual meeting of the Conven- tion was held with the South Norwalk church, Rev. H. B. Carpenter, pastor. After cordial words of welcome had been spoken by the pastor. President Spencer said: "This is the first time the Convention has met with this church, "fhe church was received into the Con- vention in 1862. The hand of fellowship was extended to the pastor. Rev. W. T. Fagan, by Rev. J. P. Brown, then President. This veteran in the ministry is still living and present with us today. From a membership of seventy you have nearly reached the four hundred mark. I am pleased to note that during the last year you have received large accessions, and have enjoyed the labors of one of the Con^ ention evangelists. Thus you recog- nize the agency of the Convention in the ingathering of souls." President Spencer's JVords to the Convention. As Mr. Spencer positively declined a reelection, this was the last of the able addresses that were a distinguish- ing feature during his incumbency of the office of Presi- dent. We can give it only in part: "The Convention meets today under most flattering auspices. The success that has attended the labors of our workers in the field encourages us and calls for gratitude to God for his signal blessings. Vv'^ith additional helpers for our evangelistic and mission work, we may look for larger results in the year to come. Our Home Mission Society, recognizing the changed conditions in our East- 214 HISTORY OF THE ern States, is heartily cooperating with us in our work. The churches are not yet sufficiently awakened to their opportunities and responsibilities. We should enter into new fields in the larger towns, as we did in Winsted and Torrington, and that from no narrow sectarian motive but for the building up of the Kingdom." Report of the Board of Trustees. As the work of the Board has increased and its spheres of activity multiplied, the reports have lengthened. Com- pelled to cull from them we may easily run the risk of omitting the best parts. This report began with an exceedingly hopeful note of joy and thanksgiving. This jubilant note was justified by the great enlargement of the work and resources during the last two years. So little could any one foresee the dire disaster that was so soon to follow. "Dear Brethren: Our report is a song of praise to God. The year has been abundant in labor, but God has been more abundant in the bestowment of blessing. With a strong conviction that the best is yet to be had, and that God is waiting to give us 'beyond all that we can ask or think,' we come simply to report progress, and to ask for further instructions, prayers and substantial support." Tribute to Hon. James L. Howard. "The Connecticut Baptist Convention, in kindly and grateful memory of its dearly beloved brother, the Hon- orable James Leland Howard, who passed from the earthly life to the heavenly on the first day of May, 1906, hereby places on its records this recognition of his ser- vices and character. "Brother Howard's official service to the Convention covered about thirty-nine years. He was elected Trustee in 1867, Vice-President in 1870, and President in 1871, to which office he was reelected annually until 1877, when he declined to serve longer in that position. He continued CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 215 as Trustee and as a member of the Executive Committee until his decease. "Brother Howard's executive ability, business qualifica- tions, sound judgment, and tact made him a valuable member of the Board, while his uniform courtesy and brotherly love won for him the highest esteem of all, and his intense zeal and love for the cause of Christ, mani- fested in generous giving and loving service, inspired all. "Every department of Convention work, the feeble churches, the Bible-schools, evangelistic work, missions to the foreign-born, and chapel-building, all received his sympathy and aid. His preeminent interest, wise fore- sight, and zealous service were most conspicuous in the establishment of new missions and the organization of new churches. Many of these are silent monuments of his generalship and service. In the matters of the King- dom and the work of the Baptist denomination, in which he so fully believed and to which he was so loyal in all his liberality. Brother Howard was an expansionist. "No one can measure the weight of his influence upon the Convention and the work of the denomination in Con- necticut, during these long years of service. His loyalty to his Master was unquestioned, and was none the less because of his zeal for and devotion to the Baptist de- nomination. "His financial support of the Convention was constant and liberal, always welcoming and sharing in any forward movement, and often leading the way to prevent threat- ened deficits. He was a noble Christian gentleman. We miss his benign face, his wise counsels, and his kindly acts; but we bless God that he lived, and that we have had the benefit of intercourse with such a life. We trust that the memory of his life may be an inspiration to faithful ser- vice in our denomination and the cause of Christ." Tribute to the Retiring President. We quote from the report: "Upon his own insistence President Spencer will retire after six years of self- 216 HISTORY OF THE sacrificing service. During his administration he has seen the work of the Convention doubled in its annual expenditure, largely increased in its working force, its trust funds multiplied by more than two, its permanent fund multiplied by seven when the Eunice Wood estate shall have been fully settled. He has freely given his best thought, time, strength and money, but now he finds a satisfying return in the more prosperous conditions that welcome his successor." A Providoitial Delay. Allusion has been made to the large legacy of nearly $40,000 left by Eunice Wood. This as the Secretary tells us, came from a stranger, one not a Baptist, and not personally known to any of the officers of the Convention. She was a resident of Ledyard, and a frequent attendant upon the little chapel there, which was kept open only intermittently. The gift was entirely unlooked for by anyone. There was a Providence in the gift, and just as marked a Providence in the delay. Had it been covered into the Treasury a few months sooner than it was, it would have been swallowed up in the defalcation. The payment was delayed until after the exposure of the em- bezzlement and, as a strong influence in restoring courage in the hearts of our people, made possible the splendid successes of the next year. The Nc-zv Canaan Church. The report gave very encouraging accounts of the aided churches, both foreign and native. There were a few local shadows, but in general there was clear sunshine. The New Canaan church had had a very fluctuating his- tory for several years past. Good men had been pastors there, and frequently it had seemed apparent that its future was assured. Then trouble would show itself. Few as the brethren were, they could not dwell together in unity. For the last few years there had been no settled CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 217 ministry. The report of the Board said: "A Mormon elder had obtained permission from the local committee to hold services in the chapel. This committee had also refused to open the chapel, when not otherwise used, to a little c6mpany of Italian Baptists. The deed of the property resting in the Convention, it was deemed best to dispose of it. It has been sold for $3,250, and the proceeds have been added to the Church Edifice Fund, where it may be used to better advantage in a more favor- able environment." A Return lo First Principles. The Secretary in the report advocated the doing away of all auxiliary mission societies within the church. He said: "The ideal church will not be segregated on lines of age, sex or specific enthusiasms. One missionary organization is all that is good for any church. Its micm- bership should be the entire membership of the church; its object should be to gather from time to time, in order to consider in their turn all the interests in Christ's king- dom, and to direct its support in any number of directions as may seem needed." The position taken in the report has much to com- mend it. Many have felt, and many still feel, the dis- integrating influence in a church of a multitude of organi- zations, such as it has been ditHcult to articulate into the framework of the church. But it was a startling prop- osition, and so foreign to the practice of our churches that we are surprised that it passed the Board of Trustees without modification, and still more surprised that it was not challenged by some of the delegates. But the rush of business makes deliberation on even so important a paper almost impossible. Evangelistic Forces. "Rev. A. F. Baker, who had done such excellent service among the churches was compelled to resign on Septem- 218 HISTORY OF THE ber 1. A successor was found in the person of Rev. A. B. Coats, D.D. Since September 1 he has aided the Willing- ton and the two Cornwall churches. The need of a second evangelist who is especially gifted in song became so apparent that a few men and women heartily promised to be responsible for the salary of such a worker, whom we found in he person of Rev. C. K. Flanders. He also has been in service since September 1, and has already proved the wisdom of the enlargement of our working forces. Already the time of these brethren is fully promised till after the holidays. We only require that each church aided should provide suitable entertainment, pay all local expenses and make as large a 'thank-offering' for the Convention as possible." The Passing of Two Churches. "After being without service for twenty years, the small remnant of the Tolland church is seeking by due process of law to close up its affairs and turn the proceeds over to the Convention, before all goes to ruin. A con- summation of this plan is likely to be attained at an early date." "The closing of the mills at New Hartford a few years ago resulted in wiping out the resident member- ship of the church, thus leaving the property to the Con- vention. July 1 last we were able to sell the property to a newly organized German Lutheran church for $1,700, more than could be realized for any other purpose." It may be added that many of the members of this church had found their way into the Winsted and Torrington churches, where they are doing loyal service. There is no reason to suppose that the labor bestowed and the money spent on this field have been "in vain in the Lord." Summary of JVork. One French missionary at Putnam and Danielson, five Italian missionaries, working in ten different stations; one German, and five Swedish missionaries; twenty-one CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 219 Juiglish-speaking churches aided, all at a cost to the Con- vention of $4,726.58. Baptisms, 126. Money raised for benevolence, $1,332.79. For self-support, $14,350.89. Report of Commute on E'vangelism. This report was presented by Rev. W. A. Spinney: "Your committee has a right to report good things regarding the work in this state. The aim and real pur- pose of the Convention seems to center in the spirit and effort of evangelism. Practically we have three men in the field: Coats, Flanders and Divine. These men have come from successful pastorates. It is the strong evangel- istic pastor who is called to the chair of homiletics in one of our foremost theological seminaries.* What does that mean, but that we are to have a new generation of pastors thoroughly imbued with the spirit, and trained in the best methods of evangelism? The ease with which the money for this specific work has been raised from our laymen gives renewed evidence of the value of this work in the estimation of our people. Evangelism is to the life of our churches what wings are to birds, or fins to the fish of the sea. Without it the church will never move or soar in spiritual activities. There has been m.uch talk about this one theme. We are doing the thing talked about." After this earnest plea for evangelistic methods the Rev. Dr. Coats made an excellent address on the general theme, in which he clearly defined some of the unfavorable conditions that sometimes render such special services abortive. It all depends upon the motive on the part of pastor or people. The motives may be radically wrong; as for example: i. A certain helpful notoriety comes to the pastor, but this is a selfish motive, and cannot be expected to result in good. 2. A revival may remove obstacles or restore a spirit of harmony; but this, too, may be a self-seeking motive. ■^- Rev. Dr. Woclfkin, called to Rochester. 220 HISTORY OF THE 3. The church sometimes thinks a revival would increase a declining income. 4. Local denominational pride sometimes becomes a motive. 5. At times a mere philanthropic motiv^e is the most urgent. 6. The ultimate motive is composed of three elements : love for Christ, sympathy with Christ, loyalty to Christ. Report on Bible-schools. This was presented by Rev. Frederick Lent, Ph.D. We insert a few of the most telling sentences: "7 he true conception of the Bible-school is the whole church at work in the study of the Bible. Yet not more than thirty per cent, of our members are in the schools. Among Christian non-attendants there is httle devotional reading of the Bible, and far less study of it. . . It is especially inconsistent for a Baptist to neglect the study of the Bible. Have we not said to the world, 'We have no creed but the Word, as interpreted by Jesus Christ?' How absurd for one who claims to stand on the foundation of the apostles and prophets to absent himself from that one session of the church where he can seriously study the Scriptures. . . Because our mem- bers do not understand allusions to the best known Bible incidents and doctrines, their preacher's message loses its point, and the arrow that would have pierced their armor is blunted against the impenetrable coat-of-mail of ignorance. The only genuine permanent revival of religion must begin by getting the whole church into the school. . . . Most of our churches demand good preaching; and they pay, not well, but considerably for it. Some demand good music; and they pay for that. But these same churches pay little or nothing for their Bible-schools. Would not the money paid for music sometimes be better employed in securing an associate pastor, whose chief function should be the training of a competent force of teachers?" CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 221 Rev. H. M. Thompson, D.D., President. The retiring President, having gracefully introduced him, the newly elected incumbent. Dr. Thompson, said: "It is with great humility and reluctance that I accept this position. I recognize the responsibility that will be upon me for the coming year, and I feel unequal to the accomplishment of the task. I must have declined the honor were it not for the feeling that I am in a vicarious sense showing the appreciation of the church of which I am pastor. Twenty-t%vo years ago thirty poor people felt that they must establish a church. They could not have done this but for the help of the Convention. This was given, and three years later they became self-sup- porting. The property was bought, the Convention paid the interest, the church paid the principal, and in five years they were free from debt. You cannot question but that the church has been and will be loyal to the interests of the Convention, and as pastor of that church I am ready to make an offer of such service as I can render, knowing that the church will be ready to spare me for the time necessary for the work. I want simply to say that I am putting myself at your service for Jesus' sake." General Business of the Convention. The usual reports of committees were presented: On Temperance, by Rev. W. V. Gray; on Obituaries, by Rev. S. G. Hastings; on Home and Foreign Missions, by Rev. G. W. Nicholson; on State of Religion in the Churches, by Rev. P. C. Wright; on Christian Stewardship, by Rev. W. A. Spinney. By vote of the body the Com- mittee on Stewardship was made a standing committee. All of these reports were of a high order of merit and deserved more careful hearing and deliberation than it was possible for them to receive in sessions so crowded with business. On the recommendation of Mr. C. O. Spencer, Chair- man of the Historical Committee, the committee was 15 222 HISTORY OF THE authorized to secure the services of Rev. P. S. Evans to prepare a history of the Convention. This had been the most prosperous year in all the long and honorable career of this body. A larger evangelistic force than ever had been employed. An abundant har- vest had been gathered in. More than double the average of contributions had been received. The exhibit made by the Treasurer was most gratifying. He reported the resources of the treasury as $73,251, with no obligations beyond the interest on the Annuity Funds. The Year of Trial and Triumph. 1907. The eighty-fourth annual meeting of the Conven- tion was held with the Putnam church, Rev. J. R. Stubbert, pastor. Although it was held in the north- east corner of the state, there was a large attendance. The enrollment showed that seventy-four pastors and two hundred and thirty-two delegates were present, but as many, according to the usual habit, failed to register, we may safely place the entire number present at no fewer than four hundred, besides the members of the local church. From the opening to the close the interest was unflagging. The minutes occupy ninety printed pages, of which the report of the Board takes twenty-one. Rev. H. M. Thompson, D.D., called the Convention to order. Pastor Thompson was reelected President, Rev. F. H. Divine, Secretary, and Charles Edward Prior, Treasurer. Pastor Sttibberl's JVclcome. "It is easy to say 'Welcome,' and it is just as easy to feel in our hearts that you are welcome. In the year 1848 a church was erected on this ground. In 1873 it was consumed by fire. A new one was erected and this one was dedicated in 1874, and in October of that year the Convention met with us. In the year 1889 the Con- vention came again. In 1907 it comes once more, making CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 223 three times in thirty-three years. I do not feel myself very old, and yet this is the thirty-second Convention I have attended. "This has been a wonderlul year to the Baptists of Connecticut. We met a year ago with joyful hearts, and great were our expectations for a glorious year for God. But soon such a misfortune came to us as wrung the tears from our eyes, and anguish from our hearts. The man who has brought such sorrow upon us was, dur- ing six years of his boyhood, trained in our Bible-school, while his father, the sweet singer in Israel, was the beloved pastor of this church. "There was great discouragement during the cold months. Our robust Secretary soon rallied, and one good man in the farther corner of the state, Brother Grippen, for four years our President started us with $5,000, and told Brother Divine to go ahead, and the people would not go back on him. The churches have justified this confidence, and today I think it will be pro- claimed that all is raised. "The putting back of this money into the treasury Is good, but that is not half the good that has come to us. A far greater good is the blessing that has come to the churches in the sacrifices they have made, and in realizing their ability to rise to this demand upon their benevolence, a blessing they will not get over in all time." Address of the President. In reply to the words of welcome the President said: "We are indeed passing, through a wonderful period. We are making history. I was present eighteen years ago, when the Convention met here, and made my maiden speech before this body. I cannot fail to have in mind the faces of two men: Dean Wayland, and one who was very dear to me. Rev. P. G. Wightman, who preached the sermon, from the text, 'Enlarge the place of thy tent.' As we recall the place of meeting at that time, and then look upon this beautiful edifice, we recognize that this 224 HISTORY OF THE church has enlarged the place of its tent. It has shown its wisdom in calling back our young brother to the pastorate. The Convention also has enlarged the place of its tent. Then we could hardly maintain one worker. Now we have a Superintendent of Missions, two evangel- ists, one colporteur, and one assistant in the Italian work. For the Convention I gratefully accept the hospitality of this church." Directly addressing the Convention the President said in part: "The presentation of the record of the year I shall leave to our Secretary, who has stood nearest to the work, and who has with untiring energy manifested great zeal and earnestness in the service of the Conven- tion. "We have had a very critical year in our history, and the crisis is not yet past. We appear to be at a parting of ways. Human nature is inclined to seek, the path of least resistance. It is easier to take a dead level in life than to seek the heights, to hold the fort than to capture the enemy's position, to hold our wealth than to invest it in that which promises only uncertain returns, to take our ease rather than to stir ourselves even to save others. It is possible that this Convention even after its heroic struggle of the last months, and partly because of it, may elect an easier path for the future, may decide to retrench, to cut its force of workers down to an extent that will im- peril the enterprise of soul-winning and of Christian character-building. But I believe you will choose the better way. It is a rugged way. It is hill-climbing. It is the way of consecrated service. But the atmosphere will be clear, the backward look satisfying, the vision of the future glorious." After a brief review of the progress of the work, and of the new fields that had opened up, the President said: "We cannot abandon any part of our work and be true to ourselves and our commission. Let our first consider- ation be the reign of God in human hearts, not the ques- tion of church extension. This will result, but let it be a result. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 225 "I long to see a country pastorate of vigorous men, so well paid that they can devote themselves to the spiritual harvest fields early and late when they are required; not anxious about old age; able by economy to give their children an education; having ability occasionally to get a meaty book, and time to devour it; cultivating Chris- tians rather than chickens and cabbage; able to own a horse and saddle-bags. If one field is not enough for such a man, give him the one next to it, and the salary of both. Abandon the country? Never." With equal warmth he pressed upon the Convention the claims of the cities and of the increasing multitude of foreigners. "Our present duty is plain. Our lives and our money should be given to our generation. Then the seed of the next generation will be the children of the Kingdom, saved by the grace of God through us. The solution of all the problems is. Evangelize, Evangelize." Report of the Board of Trustees. This report proved to be the last that Brother Divine was destined to prepare for the Convention. The highly efiicient service he had rendered through the four pre- ceding years had been abundantly evidenced in the results achieved. He did his work so well in this last year, ihe year of trial and of triumph, that his services were coveted for a larger field, — not larger in extent of terri- tory, but of more nationally extensive importance. It was providential that there was found at the service of the Board such a man as Rev. A. B. Coats, D.D., who during a year's labor in the state had become intimate with the conditions of the work, and had found much favor with the pastors and churches of the state. The worker may leave, but the work goes on. No two workers are alike. Gifts differ, but in the Lord's work the same spirit actuates all. We may well believe that the differ- ences, temperamental or other, between these two breth- ren may inure to the benefit of the work that Brother Coats has taken up. We extract a few paragraphs from this last report of Superintendent Divine. 226 HISTORY OF THE "Our report last year began with a song of praise, and we looked Into the year now ending with large plans, strong hopes, and an optimistic faith that was backed by a willingness to do in the name of the Master. We close the year and face another with an anthem of praise on our lips, though our eyes are blinded with the mingled tears of sorrow and of joy. Since the days of the trials of our fathers by bitter persecution, Connecticut Bap- tists have never been put to a severer test, and never have they shown a better mettle than now. While we make this a day of rejoicing over a mighty victory, we ascribe all praise, honor and glory to Him alone who makes the wrath of man to praise Him, and restrains the remainder of wrath. A Misfortune Made a Blessing. "On February 11, 1907, the shocking discovery was made that William F. Walker, who had served as the Convention's Treasurer for more than twenty years, had disappeared, and the Convention's funds had sustained enormous losses." Then follows a detailed account of these losses, pre- pared by the special committee consisting of Charles Edward Prior, the new Treasurer, Edward K. Nichol- son, who had been appointed Attorney by the Board, and Rev. F. H. Divine, the Secretary and Superintendent. The report was prefaced with the following statements: "The Connecticut Baptist Convention is made up of all the Baptist churches and members thereof in the state of Connecticut. Its obligations, moral, legal and relig- ious, are equally the obligations of each member thereof. This statement is made that each may know the facts, and also determine a course of action that is in keeping with every high moral sense, when the facts are in hand. "We are unwilling to evade responsibility, to make the bankrupt's plea at the bar of conscience, to violate sacred trusts, to obliterate the names and memories of our fallen benefactors, and much less to abandon or neglect the work that the income of these funds was intended to further and support. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 227 "The policy taken will largely determine future sup- port. Observing men and women are quick to perceive and act. Their judgment is according to the discovered motives, and the results, often unspoken, are the measure of their respect or disgust. Ours is a hard task, but honor is above cost. It always pays. It will now." Then follow the details of the losses in the Trust Funds, the Annuity Funds and the Permanent Funds, totalling $63,041.06, with miscellaneous assets of $5,751, leaving a net loss of $57,290.06. "The Board met in special session February 19 for the purpose of taking such action as might be deemed neces- sary at this crisis. The office of Treasurer was declared vacant, and Charles Edward Prior was appointed Treas- urer for the remainder of the Convention year. After careful deliberation all m.atters relating to the handling of the finances for the present were referred to a com- mittee of six, in most cases with power to act, and in all cases their acts were to be referred to the Board for ratification. The committee is as follows: Chairman, C. O. Spencer; Secretary, F. H. Divine; members, Ed- ward K. Nicholson, W. A. Grippen, Alfred Spencer, Jr., Ezra H. Stevens and Charles Edward Prior ex-offirio.'' Report of Commiltce of Six. A report of this committee was included in the report of the Board of Trustees. We quote a few of the most essential facts embodied in this report. It was discovered that the apparent assets contained worthless and forged paper amounting to $9,461. Of the other assets doubtful and undesirable securities had now been sold and the proceeds put into such form as would remove all question. The Treasurer had secured the Convention by executing a bond for $10,000, liable to increase as the Committee of Six might direct. The Secretary also had been placed under bond for $1,000. Every mortgage executed, every bond purchased or ac- quired by gift, and every bank account was now made 228 HISTORY OF THE and held in the name of the Connecticut Baptist Con- vention, and not in the name of the Treasurer. "All known lawful outstanding obligations of every kind have been paid. The Rowayton Fund has been fully restored and returned to the church at its request. All matured interest obligations have been met to date, and all dividends due beneficiaries have been paid reg- ularly. All appropriations and salaries have also been paid v/hen due. In the case of funds that have been lost, your committee has in every case agreed to pay the beneficiaries four per cent, upon the principal of such losses, until such time as the said losses shall have been fully restored and investigated, whereupon each bene- ficiary will receive the entire net earnings of the fund to which it is entitled." The Secretary of the Convention went on to give some account of the struggle and the victory, which account we transcribe in full. The Secretary's Account of the Struggle and the Victory. "The foregoing facts give the outline of one of the greatest misfortunes that have ever befallen any Baptist missionary body. The losses to funds given for sacred purposes, the losses to needed income for the work of the current year, the losses of service that would have been rendered in evanglistic effort, and the loss of the man who has gone, the greatest loss of all, are too great for com- putation. Despite this dark and distressing outlook, your Board set itself to the task of restoring all trust and other funds, and the meeting of every obligation. "The campaign to raise $50,000 has been pushed with courage, faith and persistency since the middle of April. Pastors and people alike in all of our churches have taken a stand that is an example to all the world. The poor have given to the point of sacrifice, while the more prosperous have made these gifts effectual. It is expected that when this report shall be put into your hands the entire sum needed will have been pledged, while Ave are CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 229 glad to report that much of the amount has been paid In, and the balance is being paid in rapidly. ''Through all this struggle and gloom not a promise has been broken by your Board, not an appropriation reduced, not a missionary or Convention worker dis- charged, and no form of retrenchment adopted. Restor- ation of every fund has been provided for, every legacy kept intact, every obligation met, and every name pre- served to memory. Forward, not backward, has been the cry. "As the clouds lift and we discover ourselves once again, the Connecticut Baptist Convention is again a new and living thing in the minds of thousands; her interests are theirs in a very real sense; her people stand together as never before; closets and family altars know a new object of petition, while we have driven back every cause of reproach, every fear of compromise or evasion. The glory of Christ in the Church Militant is more conspic- uous, as are also the future hopes of the Convention, while its work Is largely increased In every way." Gencrcil Survey of the Field. This part of the report of the Board was as gratifying as in former years. The Vv'ork for the Italians was pro- gressing finely. Especially was this true in New Haven, where the possession of the large premises secured by them enabled them to organize and conduct successfully so many branches of what may be called Settlement Work. Similar quarters for the Hartford work were a necessity that demanded early attention and large giving, rhe report said: "The progress attending our Italian missions makes pathetic a situation confronting most of our churches and large communities. Colonies of thou- sands of these new-comers are neglected, simply for want of men and m.oney to give them the Gospel. Many of our churches could do more for these people if the vision of faith and service recognized the breadth and equality of the Great Commission. Other races there are among 230 HISTORY OF THE us who need our service, among whom are the Poles, the Hungarians, and the Jews. Too much money and too many workers cannot be sent to the remoter parts, but too little may be done at our own doors." Work among the Swedes had from the first been the most promising of our mission enterprises. They were more appreciative, more responsive, more self-helpful, more aggressive than any other class to which we had extended a helping hand. In Bridgeport, where there had been for several years a self-supporting church, a new church had been organized in the eastern section of the city, known as the Bethel Swedish Baptist church, with twenty-two members. This was in fact a child of the First Swedish church, and a large and growing Scandi- navian population surrounding this new interest insured a fruitful field. The English-speaking churches which had been aided were holding on the even tenor of their way. They were, with two or three exceptions, country churches that had little prospect of attaining to self-support, owing to con- ditions that are familiar to our readers. But they could not be abandoned, because the communities needed them, and from them there was still a steady Inflow of young and vigorous blood into our city churches. The East End church, Bridgeport, organized two years before, and worshipping in a hired hall, had purchased a lot at a cost of $2,000. The Convention had been able to contribute $500 towards the purchase, but only through a gift of this amount to the Church Edifice Fund by Mr. W. A. Grippen, always a generous giver. Evangelism. The work along this line had been interrupted by the great disaster to the treasury. The Superintendent was compelled to abandon all his plans for this service In the middle of February. Both evangelists were called to devote their time to the Restoration Fund at the end of April. Evangelistic services, however, had been held CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 231 through the winter and early spring in eighteen churches. Of the eight hundred and sixty-nine baptisms reported this year, two hundred were from these churches, and at least in part were the results of these special services. So the plea for money was not the only plea heard from the Convention workers. Summary of JVork on Mission Fields. Seven Italian missionaries had been employed, on ten fields. One German church, four Swedish, and twenty- seven English-speaking churches had received aid. Bap- tisms reported from these fields, 122. Cost to the Con- vention: for the Italian work, $2,382.34; for aid to churches, $3,100.78. Benevolence of the aided churches, $2,483.15. Church expenses, $18,260.27. General Doings of the Convention. Only portions of the long report of the Board of Trustees, the gist of which is given above, were read in the Convention. These excited intense interest and enthusiasm. It was hard to leave the mountain-top and come down to the plane of the ordinary routine of busi- ness. But a program as varied and interesting as usual had been prepared and was followed without any devi- ation. Several of the workers gave accounts of their experiences. Rev. Dr. Spalding of the Publication Society told the story of the five colporteur wagons that were at work in New England, one of which had been doing good service in Connecticut. Christian Stewardship. The report on this subject was presented by Rev. W. A. Spinney, and it ended with three suggestions: "1. That pastors seek to master the principle of stewardship. Present frequently, boldly, kindly, the scriptural basis for these views. Study this great truth apart from any special offering. 232 HISTORY OF THE "2. That those entrusted to make assoclational pro- grams allow a generous place for the discussion of this vital principle, and freely distribute the literature on the subject. "3. That in the State Pastors' Conference and in the Convention ample opportunity be furnished for the full- est consideration of this most vital question in all its phases and applications. "We are sure that with anything like general practice of this great and fundamental truth there will result an abundance of money for all the Lord's work, and an evi- dent uplift of spiritual life and power." Report on the State of the Churches. This was presented by Rev. Oscar Haywood, D.D. It differed much from the customary reports. We quote a few of the most significant paragraphs: "In the recorded history of your churches the multipli- cation table has its uses, and figures are indispensable. But when the spirit of commercialism or scientific criti- cism dogmatically aflirms that the mathematician is the final judge in matters religious, we claim that the king- dom of God cannot be gauged by pencils and testing tubes. "Our Baptist hosts are uncountable. No accurate esti- mate can be made. Some years ago in Kentucky a community of 20,000 Baptists was discovered, who had never been tabulated. Our growth has to do with the spiritual, real life and consciousness of a great people. "Your commitee believes that there is a growing sense of solidarity with the Baptist people of Connecticut. During the year just closed there has come to us an episode which had in its surprise the shock of calamity. The death of a thousand strong men would not mean so much as the moral ruin of one trusted man. In the fellowship of disaster and shame we have gone down upon our knees before the throne of grace, and we found not only Jesus Christ in the brotherhood of his suffering, CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 233 but we found also that the denominational brotherhood was strengthened and sweetened by that experience. We are a richer, stronger people today by reason of that loss, which was the exchange of visible, tangible wealth for the inward grace of unity." Report on Bible-schools. This report was presented by Rev. H. B. Carpenter. From an extensive correspondence with superintendents and teachers he had found substantial agreement upon the following points: "1. That our Bible-schools present to us our most vital point of contact with the community. The way of approach to the home and to the hearts of its inmates is in the care and training of the child. "2. That a more sympathetic cooperation and a more practical union of the church with the Bible-school is essential. The school is the church college, from which no person should ever graduate. The critical age, as it is called, when the boy becomes restive and wants to quit, would be less critical if he could see his father luid the men of the church in the Bible-class. "3. That the Bible-school is educational In the broad sense. In moral, social and religious development. This educational mission should extend Into the community by establishing home departments, by meetings for mothers and fathers, and by special classes for teaching boys and girls the sacred laws of life, "4. That the Bible-school is the great evangelizing agency. We want to emphasize the relation of the Con- vention to all the work of the school. It is primarily an educational relation, the relation of a great teacher to a multitude of teachers waiting to be instructed In the most efficient m.ethods of teaching. We do not need a Sunday-school evangelist, but we do need a Sunday-school worker to Instruct our teachers to be evangelists and efficient workers in all directions. Such a worker is called for from every part of the state. Your committee believes it Is the part of wisdom to consider this call." 234 HISTORY OF THE /^6-c. E. E. Chivers, D.D. The Convention had the privilege of Hstening to an address by Dr. Chivers on the theme, "A Complex Problem." lie was at that time engaged in the crown- ing work of his useful, consecrated life. He was the leader in the national evangelistic work inaugurated by the Baptist Home Mission Society. His special work had been to seek to quicken in the minds and hearts of the ministry the true evangelistic spirit. He had him- self the zeal and spirituality of an apostle. He lived and spoke as one who had the vision of the Christ always before him. Had the members of the Convention known that his period of service was so soon to close they would have heard him with more intense interest and his words of entreaty and counsel would have been recorded. He had frequently visited our state. In his capacity as an ofncer of the Home Mission Society he had counselled with the officers and committees of the Convention in regard to the work among the foreign-born, in which work that society bore and still bears an equal part with ourselves. He was one of God's elect, "a chosen vessel." Let us not think he has closed his labors, but rather that he has entered upon a larger, more honorable, and more fruitful field of work among the ransomed hosts, who vet have so much to learn of the grace and glory of our Lord. Report on Home and Foreign Missions. This report was presented in the early session of Wednesday when the attendance was quite small, by Rev. Robert C. Hull, then of Suffield. In it he referred to the action of the Boards, in compliance with the resolution adopted at the last May Anniversaries, of apportioning to the different churches their equitable ratio of the sums needed to carry on the operations of these societies. In accordance with this new plan, the state of Connecticut had been assessed as follows: for CONNECllCUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 235 the Missionary Union. $15,647.50; for the Home Mis- sion Society, $12,700; for the Publication Society, $3,000, making in'all $31,547.50. The amount asked for was practically double what the churches had been accustomed to give. The report said : "The action of the societies in asking us to double our gifts, an action doubtless unavoidable, will make it very difficult for our churches to meet the obligation this year. Nevertheless for the sake of present needs and of future results it must be done. In the year just closed a special appeal was made by Rev. W. S. Sweet of Hangchow, China, to raise $20,000 for the Wayland Academy in Hangchow. He met with a generous response. Had it not been for the more imperative need of the Restoration Fund he would probably have received the full amount." We find from the returns of the churches that not- withstanding the efforts made in behalf of the Restoration Fund they had given during the year: for Home Mis- sions, $12,223.75; for Foreign Missions, $10,689.02; for Publication Society, $804.34; in all, $23,726.93, fall- ing short of the full apportionment less than $8,000. Report on EvcDiyclism. This was presented on Wednesday afternoon by Rev. W. A. Spinney. It was a very earnest and effective paper and should have received far more attention than we fear it did at the close of such a crowded meeting, or series of meetings, beginning at noon of Monday and not end- ing till late on Wednesday. The report closed with a ringing appeal for the holding of three district confer- ences on evangelism, and these to be preparatory to a general state conference, to be held in New Haven. "The power that saves the soul is Jesus Christ. The hea\en- born agency for the salvation of the world is delegated to the redeemed. The spirit of God is the convincing, directing power in the child of God, and upon the sinner, in soul-winning and salvation. May this threefold vision be granted to all our churches, and these powers find clear evidence among all our people in the year to come." 236 HISTORY OF THE Report on Obituaries. This report, like those of several previous years, was presented by Rev. S. G. Hastings. No reports prepared for the Convention demand so much time and care as these. The report this year was unusually long, contain- ing notices of the death of eleven Baptist ministers. Among these were the names of Rev. Palmer G. Wight- man, Rev. A. C. Hubbard, D.D., Rev. C. A. Piddock and Rev. H. M. Wolf. To all these and others Brother Hastings paid deserved and loving tributes. For the sake of ready reference it has Seen deemed best that all obituary notices, except those on which the Board had taken special action, should be printed in the Necrology found in the appendix to this volume. In the case of the brethren mentioned above only the narrow limits prescribed to this work prevent the compiler from adding his personal tribute to these devoted servants of Christ. The Closing Service. This memorable session of the Convention, being its eighty-fourth annual meeting, was closed with a sermon by Rev. W. W. Weeks, D.D., on the inspiring and exhaustless theme, "The Finality of Jesus Christ." This proved a most fitting climax to all the services of the Con- vention. The Convention closed at 4.45 p. m. with the benedic- tion by Rev. J. R. Stubbert. The Baptist Social Union. We have said that the Convention closed at four forty- five in the afternoon, but the annual meetings of this body do not really close until the Baptist Social Union ends. We have said little of this society, a society which since its organization in 1871, largely through the agency of Hon. James L. Howard and Dean Francis Wayland, CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 237 has done so much good In Its quiet way, by Its gracious hospItaHty, Its active Interest In all that pertains to the Kingdom, and especially by Its fostering care for the Convention. The meeting and pleasant reunion that was held on the evening of Wednesday, October 16, was but a fair representative of all the previous meetings. But It had a peculiar significance and adeptedness to what had gone before. It prolonged the keynote that had been struck In the earlier meetings of the Convention, inasmuch as the addresses were a summons to high and lofty endeavor in the service of Christ. The President of the Union, Mr. William J. Grippen of Bridgeport, did the honors of the occasion. After a few happy remarks he introduced as the first speaker. Honorable Mornay Williams of New York City, a soii of Rev. Dr. W'^. R. Williams of blessed memory. Mr. Williams came as a representative of the Laymen's For- ward Movement for Missions, and spoke on the tneme, "The Place and Responsibility of the Laity." He said in part: "Perhaps In a gathering of Baptists this phrase needs explanation. W^e have always held, and held rightly, that the church member neecis no Intermediary between himself and God, for all believers are kings and priests unto God. The terms clergy and laity more properly belong to churches differently organized. Yet even we have been too satisfied to let the responsibility of carry- ing forward the work of the Kingdom rest upon the shoulders of ministers and missionaries. After all. If we believe the theoretical statement that each is a priest and a king, then you and I and every believer are respons- ible no whit less than the man called to officiate as a minister. "The Great Commission was given to plain men, fisher- men, peasants; on them was laid the great command, 'Go ye into all the world.' Nineteen centuries have rolled by, and the command has not been fulfilled. There has been no time when men have preached to all men of their day. In the W'ar Museum in Albany is a paper dated i6 238 HISTORY OF THE 'Executive Mansion, October 6, 1864.' The paper directs a Union soldier, then in prison as a deserter, to be released, and that he should join his regiment in the field. Underneath this monument of the great Lincoln's mercy is written, 'Taken from the body of Roswell Mc- Intyre, after the battle of Five Forks. Pardoned as a deserter, he died a patriot.' The sentence was passed on you and on me, and Jesus Christ pardoned. The pardon is good only as you make it good. Go, give, believe, do ! I am pleading for the dying nations. The power unused atrophies. The pardon unused is not good. Listen to the Macedonian cry. Help ye the dying, lest ye die." This powerful apeal to laymen, from a layman, was followed by an address of which we have not so full a report, from Rev. Dr. H. C. Applegarth, the financial agent of the Missionary Union: "Never has there been a time since Jesus Christ went back to the skies when there was such an opportunity. He gave unto the church, some pastors, some evangelists, some ministers, many laity; and the whole function of the ministry is to bring up the laymen to the point of ministering. "When we get the vision of Him sitting upon the throne, when Christian laymen, men in business, are on the King's business, and the old world so long in night shall roll out into the light, then shall we realize that we have been redeemed by the Son of the King, then shall we bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all, and He shall have the isles of the sea and the utter- most parts of the earth for His possession." APPENDIX CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 241 Appendix A. NECROLOGY. Not till the year 1844 was there any record made in the minutes of the Convention of the decease of the pastors of the state. The minutes of the associations have not been available to supply the data. Some of the following records are incomplete, others have been somewhat abridged from the reports of the Committee on Obituaries. 1844. Linsley, Rev. J. H. He had been active in the early history of the Baptist churches of Connecticut. His daughter became the wife of Rev. S. D. Phelps, D.D. 1845. Miller, Rev. W . G. At the time of his death he was pastor of the Essex church. He was the father of Rev. Harvey Miller, long the beloved pastor of the Meriden church, and grandfather, through another son, of Edward Miller, Esq., of Meriden. 1851. Darroic, Rev. Francis. Long pastor of First Waterford. Cook, Rev. Benaiah. Pastor at Jewett City. Whiting, Rev. Nilex. Pastor at Greenville, now Third Nor- wich. 1856. Bentley, Rev. William. Father Bentley was one of the pioneers. His name and services are identified with the history of this Con- vention from its very beginning. Several of the churches trace their origin to his labors, and rarely did he fail to attest his lively interest in our work by his presence in our gatherings, until the pressure of infirmity and disease laid him aside from his work. Skinner, Rev. Ezekicl. For many years a successful preacher, physician and reformer, he finished his course, leaving behind him the bright track of a good name and a useful life to cheer and com- fort those who sorrowed for his departure. 242 HISTORY OF THE 1857. Miller, Rev. Harvey. He was pastor of the First Meriden church. For many years he was a member of the Board of Trustees and an occupant of various other posts of trust and honor. "To us all his memory is exceedingly precious. The tones of his ringing voice, the light of his flashing eyes, the sunshine of his genial spirit, all pervaded and endued with the savor of his earnest piety, seem still to linger with us and to steal subduingly over our hearts." Wightman, Rev. Frederick. He was one of our beloved and venerated fathers in the ministry, who having, during a long life, emphatically kept faith, finished his course leaving behind him a good name. Fish, Rev. E. P. He was pastor of the church in Haddam. He had not been long in the ministry, but served faithfully the full period allotted to him. Smith, Rev. W . S. Pastor at Newtown. He was one of the younger brethren, not widely known, but true-hearted and de- voted. Gilbert, Deacon Joseph B. He was for four years the Treas- urer of the Convention, in which office he rendered conspicuous service. He was extensively known in various spheres of Chris- tian benevolence and civic trust. 1858. Lewes, Rev. Lester. "In the prime of his manhood, in the full vigor of his intellect, in the very height of his usefulness, blest with a physical constitution unusually robust and giving promise of long years of usefulness in the ministry, suddenly and in the midst of a precious revival among his flock at Middletown, early in January last. Brother Lewes was arrested by an acute disease which terminated his career on earth, . . For many years a member of the Board, one year holding the office of President, always active and consecrated, his removal has left a void among us not easily filled." Mallory, Rev. Samuel S. He was formerly a pastor among us, and took an active part in our work. After an absence of some years he had just returned to the state, having spent a few weeks with the church in Willington, the field of his former settlement. The divine blessing was attending his labors, when he was quite suddenly summoned away. Vinton, Justus A. See record for the year in the doings of the Convention. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 24.^ 1859. Wildjnan, Rev. Nathan. Pastor of the Plainville church. Bro- ther Wildman, himself the son of one of our Connecticut preachers of the former days, had been in the ministry of our state for thirty- seven years, in labors abundant, ever faithful and successful. He at different times occupied various official stations in the Conven- tion. He baptized about eight hundred. At the annual gathering for 1858 he was present and was chosen President of the Educa- tion Society. Groiu, Rev. James. Pastor at Thompson. Father Grow was well known and greatly beloved, and though for some time laid aside from active service by the weight of years and infirmities, he continued faithful to the end. Tillinghast, Rev. J. A. At the time of his death he was pastor of the Tolland church. He was not widely known, as his residence in the state had been brief. He obtained a good report in the church which he served, and his death was a sore loss to that church. "He rests from his labors and his works do follow him." Readj Deacon George. Was deacon in the church at Deep River, and held in high estimation. He was known through the state as one of the most steadfast, devoted, and useful of the servants of Christ. Simple and quiet in his manners, he was always valiant for the truth. He served several years as a mem- ber of the Board, and one year as President of the Convention. 1862. Knapp, Rev. Henry R. He served many of our churches, and was known as a sound and successful preacher, as well as a good man. After a long and painful illness he died at the residence of his son in New York. Lincoln, Rev. Bradford H. Was pastor of the church in Essex. 1863. Jackson. D.D., Rev. Henry. Was formerly pastor of First Hartford, and well remembered for his large and genial and lov- ing heart, and for his industry and usefulness. Savage, Rev. Edward. He was for some time pastor of the Bristol church, and for a short period Secretary of the Convention. 1864. Branch, Rev. Nicholas. He was one of the veteran ministers in the northeastern part of the state. He was really an able and excellent man, but he was called in the latter years of his life to 244 HISTORY OF THE endure intense bodily suffering, so that when at length he passed away to the land where there shall be no more any pain, it was felt to be a blessed release to him, however survivors might mourn his loss. Robins, Rev. Gurdon. Of Hartford. He was long familiarly and pleasantly known among us as one of the founders and fathers of the Convention, and was identified with its progress to the end of his life. He was a sort of impersonation of Baptist history and doctrines. He is remembered with special interest by many of our younger ministers. He finished his ministry and went to his rest in a good old age. Peckham, Rev. Stephen. For a long period he served the Ledyard church. Wost esteemxd and beloved where he was best known, he is deeply lamented through that region. Lewis. Rev. C. Casson. Was pastor of the Second clmrch in North Stonington. A plain man, but a true servant of the Mas- ter, less widely known than some others, but one of the "pillars" of the church. Paine, Rev. John. He faithfully served several of our churches in eastern Connecticut. He was a retiring and unobtrusive man, but a sound and scriptural preacher of the Gospel. He fell on sleep at his home in Preston. 1865. Shailer, Rev. Simon. One of the oldest members of the Con- vention, and father of our senior missionary. Naturally strong and vigorous, both in body and mind, and made spiritually strong by the grace of the Gospel, he "served his generation by the will of God and fell asleep" at his residence in Haddam in the month of August, 1865, at the age of 89. He is remembered with much affection. 1867. Dcnnison, Rev. lirastiis. This venerable and beloved man of God entered into his rest this year. Throughout eastern Con- necticut he was most intimately known, and the fruits and memorials of his labors are all about us. Simple-hearted, un- ostentatious, discreet, devoted, affectionate, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, he wrought with great success in the ministry, and through his agency "much people was added to the Lord." 1868. Brockett. Rev. Pierpont. He "fell asleep in Jesus" at his resi- ence in Wethersfield, April 7, in the eighty-first year of his age. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 245 Father Brockett was widely known and loved amon}2; the churches of the state. He was eminently a good man, a faithful, affec- tionate and successful minister of Christ, and he served on several different fields with fidelity and integrity to the end. Steward, Rev. Ira R. The early years of his ministry were spent in faithful service in this state. He then assumed charge of the Mariners' church in New York City. He paid yearly visits to our annual gatherings to enlist our people in the world-wide work he was prosecuting among those who "go down to the sea in ships." Few men have labored more earnestly or devotedly in the vinc_\ard of the Lord, and his memory is peculiarly precious, both among the sons of the ocean and in the wide circle of his associates at home. Chceseborouffh, Rev. Elihu. He died in Stonington, April 27, 1868, at the remarkable age of ninety-nine years, one month and two days. He was not extensively known among us, having passed the larger portion of his life in close retirement. But by those vrho knew him he was esteemed and noted for his stead- fastness in the faith. His descendants have been closely identified with the Baptist church in Stonington. 1869. Warren. Rev. J. He had retired for some years from active service. He was the father of Rev. J. Warren, pastor of the Easton church. Leach, Rev. B. N. Formerly pastor at Middletown, where the last years of his life were spent. 1870. IValker, Rev. Levi. He had been in the ministry in his earlier years. A good man and faithful, he died in a good old age in Voluntown, where he had been living for some years. 1871. Stone, Rtv. Gil/nan. He had been pastor of the Easton cluirch and had obtained a good report among those who knew him. Bollcs, Deacon James. Of the First church, Hartford. He was a man of great simplicity and purity of character, of deep and unaffected piety, and of unswerving integrity. He so bore himself through his whole life as to command the respect of all who knew him. He was present at the meeting of the Board in 1871. and pledged $600 for the ensuing year. He left by will the sum of $10,000 to be invested for the use of the Convention. 246 HISTORY OF THE 1872. Tilden, Rev. Chester. Formerly pastor of the Willimantic church. He did excellent service in the early j'ears of this church, of which he may be said to have been the founder. Peck ham J Rev. Peleg. Pastor of the church in Stirling. 1873. Holman, Rev. J. W. Died in Providence, R. I., May 16. Pastor of the Third church, North Stonington, and earlier of First Norwich. He was a vigorous preacher, strong in the presen- tation of doctrine, and best beloved by those who knew him best. Meech, Rev. Levi. He was born in North Stonington, Feb- ruary 25, 1795. Pastor of the churches in Bozrah, Lebanon. Salem and Montville. The Lord owned his ministry and per- mitted him to baptize four hundred converts. Munger, Rev. Washington. Born in Wales, Massachusetts. October 13, 1800. He became pastor of the First Wallingford church in 1853, and so continued for eleven years. It was in Waterford that he died. The good pleasure of the Lord prospered in his hands. The Lord gave him grace to love and help those who followed him in the pastorate. Robbins, Rev. Austin. Born in Thompson, 1812, and died at the age of 61. He w^as ordained in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, in 1842. He had served in the ministry in Sanford, Biddeford and Topsham, Maine, in Southboro, Massachusetts, and last in East Killingly for six years. Andrews, Rev. E. Died in Montague, Massachusetts. He had been pastor in Eastford and Tolland. He was a man of unusual strength of mind, and of fine scholarship. He was the father of Governor and Supreme Court Judge Andrews, and of E. Benja- min Andrews, for several years President of Brown University. Lejjingwell, Rev. Christopher. Born in Bozrah in 1803, bap- tized in 1831, ordained in Bozrah in 1842. His work was given to the churches in Bozrah and Salem. He was a faithful laborer on a field that brought small returns bejond what the Master gives. Bailey, Rev. Joseph A. He held an intimate relation to the Convention and its work. For three years he had been its able, self-sacrificing Secretary. A few weeks before his death he had been chosen to the new position of Superintendent of Missions. He was born in Middletown in 1823, and studied for the ministry at the Wesleyan University, Newton, and Rochester Theological Seminary. He was pastor of the Essex church a few years, and CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 247 for eighteen years pastor of the Watcrbury church, where he did his most important work. He was highly esteemed and greatly beloved. With a vigorous mind, a steadfast faith, and a well gov- erned will, he achieved a decided success as a minister of Christ. His health being seriously impaired, he went abroad, and on the advice of physicians proceeded to Carlsbad, Bohemia, to avail himself of its mineral waters. There far from home but tenderly ministered to by friends, he fell on sleep May 11, 1873, in his fiftieth year. 1874. Bolles, Rev. Augustus. His was the first name upon the roll of those who founded the Convention, and he bore a leading part in all its doings till laid aside by the infirmities of age. In the case of such a man, who reached nearly his century of years in extensive usefulness, we have no emotion but that of triumph. As a man, as a follower of Christ, as a preacher of the Gospel, and as a Chris- tian editor, he was well known and highly respected. Clear- headed, warm-hearted, gracious in manner, quaint in speech, tender and effecti\'c in preaching, he was attractive to all who knew him. Goff, Rev. M. J . He was the beloved pastor of the Plainfield Union church, where he left a deep impression of his excellence as a preacher of righteousness, which he exemplified in his orderly consecrated life. He was summoned suddenly, in the morning of his days, for higher service. Plant. Mr. A. P. Along with his brother, Mr. Plant had been instrumental in building up the Second church in the town of Southington, known as the Plantsville church. To this he was a large contributor, and was very active in church work, particularly in the Sunday-school. 1875. Avery, Rev. David. He was born in Preston in 1800. He was fifty years in the ministry, the first seven of which he spent in the Methodist church. He was pastor in Andover, and in South Center Ashford. He always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his brethren. Gates, Rev. Alfred. Born in East Granville, Massachusetts, September, 1803. He was ordained in Willimantic in 1831, and was pastor of ten churches in this state. He was a good man and an earnest preacher, alwa3's laboring for the peace of Zion. Gorham, Rev. George IV. Baptized into the First church, New Haven, in 1838. The most of his ministerial life was spent 248 HISTORY OF THE within the bounds of the New Haven Association. He was a good man and a devout servant of Jesus Christ. In great bodily weakness he held on, and labored on. His last hours bore testi- mony of Christ's nearness to him, and his last prayer was for the growth of the church. 1876. Cushmnn, Rev. Elisha. See records for the year. Grisu'old, Wareham. See records for the year. Ives, Rev. Dr. Divight. Died in Conway, Massachusetts. He had been pastor for many years of the Second Suffield church. He won the highest respect and love of the brethren by his noble char- acter, by his earnest cooperation with the Board for thirty-five jears, and by that rare discrimination and energy which made him one of the leaders in the counsels and labors of our Connecticut Zion. Foster, D.D., Rev. N. P. Died May 8, 1876, aged 62. He was born February 10, 1814, in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, ap.d graduated at Dartmouth College at the age of nineteen. He was pastor at Cornish, New Hampshire, at East Stoughton, Massachusetts, at Burlington and at Montpelier, Vermont, and for eight years in First Baptist, New London. His pastorate was prosperous and his memory precious. Barroivs, Rev. Sylvester. Died March 9, 1876, aged 84. He was like Barnabas, a good man, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. He was born within the limits of the Ashford Association, and with a brief exception his ministerial work was done among the churches of that association. Nature and grace qualified him for his life's work, and diligence and perseverance amply supplied the lack of early education. The churches in which he labored all spoke well of him. 1877. Turnhull, D.D.. Rev. Robert. See records for the year. 1878. Whitinfi, Rev. S. M. In every position which he occupied he was an acceptable and successful worker. As a missionary in Assam during eleven years he was useful as preacher, teacher and translator of the Scriptures. He was known as a scholar of superior attainments, and was loved as a genial friend. His latest service was as pastor of the new interest in Grand Avenue church, New Haven. Denison. Rev. M'i/luini. As a man his genial presence and con- spicuous piety endeared him to a large circle of acquaintances. As CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 249 a preacher his talents made him welcome and useful in various churches. He was for manj- years State Missionary, and died beloved and honored as pastor of the First church, Waterford. Biddlc, Rev. William. In several pastorates in the state, and in much occasional labor for the cause of Christ, he commended him- self during; a long life to the respect and love of many. Morgcin, Rev. Ifilliam D. He was the beloved pastor of the Third church. North Stonington, and was suddenly called away in the full vigor of early manhood. He was a resident of our state only a few years. 1879. Shailcr, Rev. N. E. Elder Shailer, for so the people who loved him always called him, had good report of all men. It was both the glory and the blessing of the Convention that God raised up such a man to toil for the little churches. For over thirty years he patiently and faithfully served as missionary and his praise is in all the churches. Bronson, Rev. Samuel J. He was born in the town of Dan- bury. He was of a preaching stock. His father had been a preacher, so were four of his brothers. The name was a household word in all the Baptist families. His last service as pastor was given to the church in West Woodstock. Raymond, Rev. E. S. When his fatal sickness attacked him he was pastor at New Canaan. He had helped the beginnings of sev- eral other churches. He was a true and faithful servant and died at a good old age "still in the harness." 1880. Davies, Rev. John. No death had occurred for many years, save that of Dr. Turnbull, that had touched all points of the state work as did that of John Davies. His long and successful pastor- ates in South Norwalk and Norwich had brought him into S3'm- pathy with all parts of the state. At the time of his death he was Vice-President of the Convention, a member of the Executive /I!ommittee, and President of the Education Society. His death occurred in Birmingham, England, whither he had gone in pur- suit of health. It was the city of his youth and of his early min- istry. While preaching, in his former pulpit, on the immortality of the soul he was stricken down in a moment, and carried thence never to return. It was on April 19, 1880. Rising, Rev. M. H. He had been living many years in Nor- wich. The greater part of his mature life was spent in confine- 250 HISTORY OF THE ment and suffering. Like Job, he "maintained his integrity." We rejoice with him that he has entered into rest. Knowlton, Rev. Farnham. A man full of j^ears and of faith. He was one of our most efficient missionary pastors, loved and revered by all who knew him. 1881. Staples, Rev. W. W . He was a young man full of promise, just on the threshold of life. Pastor of Third North Stonington. Although the bright prospect of his consecrated life seems to have been untimely cut off, we feel that the Head of the church knows best and we bow to His will. Hill, Rev. Dr. Benjamin. He died old and full of days. In his early years he was actively engaged in the Master's work when our Baptist Zion had few workers so well equipped as he. He held the pastorate of the First New Haven church for several years, wisely laying its foundations as a good master-builder. He was called to the larger service of the American Baptist Home Mission Society when his work was of the utmost value. 1882. Gage, Rev. Leonard. Died at the advanced age of 94. A ven- erable and beloved servant of God in the Baptist ministry. He had served several churches in the state. His death occurred in Southbridge, Massachusetts, at the home of his daughter. He loved the work of the ministry, and was a faithful and earnest preacher. Wright, Rev. David. He died at the age of 94. He did much domestic mission work both in Connecticut and in Massachusetts. His children and grandchildren entered the ministry. He died at Essex, venerated and cared for by his children and theirs. Atkins. Rev. Irenus. Was born in Southington, where he min- istered for twelve years. His longest pastorate was in Bristol. He had entered his nintieth year when called home. He was a pillar of Bible doctrine,, and a winner of souls. Fletcher, Rev. Joshua. Died aged 78. He had served several churches, one of which was Southington. Hart, Rev. Lucius P. He died in Bristol in his sixty-first year. He was a laborer for the Gospel in humble fields, and knew much of the hardship of a minister's life, Norfolk, Canaan, Cornwall and Bantam Falls were some of the churches he served. "There are first that shall be last, and last that shall be first." CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 251 1883. Bronson. Rev. Asa C. He had been pastor in Mystic River, Wallingford and Lebanon. His work everywhere was good and abiding. He was one of a family of ministers, the father and five sons. In this year lie followed his father and his brother Samuel to obtain the faithful shepherd's unfading crown. 1884. Keency, Rev. Curtis. From the time of his conversion and first sermon to his death he was a faithful and laborious minister. He had only a common school education, and was intensely plain in speech and manner, but a man of deep religious experience, of clear, distinct theological thought, and of positive convictions. Through his ministry "much people was added to the Lord." Doicling, Rev. Thomas. He came to this country from Eng- land in the early part of his life and ministry. He was a man of more than ordinary culture and ability, a good classical scholar, a profound thinker, and an instructive preacher. His style and manner of delivery were not attractive, hence his ministry was confined to our smaller country towns. We had in the state few- stronger men, and none better, than Thomas Dowling. Burleigh, Rev. Lucian. He had a good English and classical education, a clear, logical mind, poetical imagination, and great versatility of adaptation to the changing phases of his exceedingly diversified labors. He was sound in the faith, a good preacher, and above all a genial Christian and fellow laborer in the king- dom and patience of Jesus Christ. 1885. Ketchuni, Rev. Frederick. Died in Havana, Illinois. Had been pastor of the Winthrop and of the Second New- Haven churches. Martin, Rev. Orra. Died in Wisconsin, July 14, 1885, in the ninety-fifth year of his age. He was ordained in Bristol in this state in 1817. Swan, Rev. Jabez S. He passed away in peace November 19, 1 884, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted as a soldier in the army of the Lord. He prosecuted his studies at Hamilton, N. Y., and was ordained in Stonington in 1827. He was pastor at Preston, First and Huntington Street, New London and Waterford. He also served two or three churches in the state of New York. He was for some years in tlie service of the Convention as an evangelist. A man of much 252 HISTORY OF THE prayer, mighty in the Scriptures, fearless in denunciation of sin, bold in attacking error, tireless in labor, yet tender and sym- pathetic, genial in social intercourse, and beloved of all. Bollard, Rev. Joseph. Died in Norwalk, November 13, 1884. He was known in this state, not so much as a pastor, but as an agent of the Publication Society, and connected with the religious press. An able preacher and sound in the faith, he passed away in a good old age. Willet, Rev. Charles. Died in SuflReld, May 3, 1885. Licensed in June, 1838, ordained at Tariffville in November of the sam.e year. Pastor in Southwick, Massachusetts, Central Thompson, Putnam, New London and Sufneld, in this state. His apprehension of Bible truth was strong, and his preaching clear and forcible. He baptized many converts and strengthened all the churches he served. Rawsoti, Rev. Otis B. Died at North Lyme,, August 24, 1885, at the age of 49. Entered the ministry in Bethel, Maine, in 1876. Held pastorates in Connecticut, in Packerville and North Lyme. He was a careful student and earnest preacher. His was a beautiful Christian life, and he v^^as early called to his reward. 1886. Tejft. Rev. Alfred B. Died in Mansfield, aged 65 years. He had been pastor in Voluntown, Chesterfield and at Waterford for nineteen years, and had begun labor in Spring Hill. His preaching was scriptural and instructive. Shailer, Rev. Davis T. Died at his home in Haddam at the age of 84. He studied theology at Newton, and gathered the church at Branford, where he stayed eight years. After serving in other states for fourteen years he returned to this state, and was pastor for eight ^ears in Haddam, his native town. Gregory, Rev. Alvah. He died in Easton, April 1, 1886, in the eightieth year of his age. He was born in Easton, where also he lived the greater part of his life. He was ordained as pastor in Willimantic. and stayed there three years. At the formation of the Stepney church he went to that place to aid the new interest. On account of ill-health he did not again assume a pastorate. He was a staunch friend and helper of the pastors, a "succorer of many," esteemed and revered of all who knew him. Webb, D.D., Rev. Greenleaf S. He had been pastor at Stam- ford five years. He served many years in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he died at the advanced age of 98. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 253 Chaplinj D.D., Rev. Jeremiah. He had been pastor in Nor- walk, and achie\ ed distinction in the ministry in other states. He died in Utrecht, Long Island, in his seventj^-third year. Illslcy, Rev. Silas. Pastor tor some years in Essex. Most of his ministry was passed in New York state, at Albion, Brooklyn and Syracuse, where he died. Maine, Rev. Ralph H. Pastor at Tariffville, Winthrop, Bloomfield and Plainville. Died in V^ineland, New Jersey, in his seventv-fifth year. 1887. Benedict, Rev. Thomas. Born in Massachusetts in 1803. Died at North Colebrook, March 9, 1887. He was ordained in Tor- rington, Newfield Society, in 1836. He preached there more than twelve years, and was afterwards pastor in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Houard, Rev. Amasa. Born in Woodstock, 1832. Died in Wethersfield, 1887. Engaged in mission work, first in Boston, then in Hartford. He was pastor of the Third Providence church, and then of Washington Avenue, Hartford. His last labors were as chaplain of Wethersfield prison, where his quiet perception of character, ready sj'mpathy, and genial nature fitted him to do good service for the Master among the inmates of that institution. Judd, Rev. Truman O. Born in Naugatuck, 1810; died in Montowese, July 21, 1887. He was twice pastor in Montowese ; also served in East Lyme, Canton and Plainville, besides several churches in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York. Pendleton, Rev. George W . Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, 1821 ; died in Rahvray, New Jersey. He v/as pastor in Colchester and Poquonoc Bridge. He also held par.tcrates in JacksonviHe, Illinois and Railway, New Jersey. He was quiet, retiring, pos- sessed of scholarly tastes and esteemed for his devoted piety. Hicki, Rev. Be/a. Died in Sandwich, Illinois, ninety years old. He was pastot m Pomf:n.*, Thompson, Stafford, West Wood- stock and Mansfield. He was a strong and zealous preacher and revivals followed his labors. He left the state thirty-five years before his death. Ellis, Rev. Harmon. He died in Marshall, Wisconsin, January 28, 1887, in his eighty-fifth year. He was pastor in Winthrop, North Haven, Stratford, Canton and Norwalk. He did much pioneer work in Wisconsin. Walker, Rev. fVilliam C. See records for this year. Potter, Honorable William H. Died March 28, 1887, in his 17 254 HISTORY OF THE seventy-first year. He was honored and beloved for his integrity and piety. For some years he was Statistical Secretary oi the Convention. No other man was so well acquainted with our denominational history in this state. His "Pen Portraits of Bap- tist Pioneers," published in the Christian Secretary^ are valuable historical papers. 1888. Mattheii'son. Rev. Percival. Died in Woodstock, February 27, 1888, aged 74. His ministry had been mostly confined to churches within the Ashford Association. His record is most excellent. The later years of his life were spent in Woodstock, where he was a most useful helper to the pastors. Jennings, Rev. Russell. Born in Groton, February 12, 1800. Died in Deep River, March 8, 1888. He was a graduate of Madison University and Newton Theological Seminary. He was pastor at Winthrop, Meriden, Waterbury, Norwich and Deep River. In 1885 he engaged in business, and greatly pros- pered. His charity grew with his increasing income. He liberally endowed several churches and gave large sums to the building of chapels and parsonages. He was quite a scholar, especially in the Greek Testament. His last thoughts were for the welfare of the churches. Lockwood. Mr. James. See records for this year. 1889. Mattisfjn, Rev. N. Jf. Died in Preston, November 11, 1880, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. Served as pastor in Preston City, Colchester and North Lyme. Laid aside by ill-health for many years, he ministered occasionally as supply to \arious churches. Perkins. Rev. Stephen. Pastor of Second Waterford. He died November 11, 1888, in his sixty-third year. He was ordained in 1870, and served the churches in Ledyard, Poquonoc and Lake's Pond. Modest and retiring, he was a man of sterling worth. Joy, Rev. F. B. Died in New York. March 11, 1889, in his sixty-seventh year. He was pastor in Preston. Montowese, Moos- up and South Windsor. In early life he followed the sea, and he had the generosity and frankness of a true-bred sailor. He had only lust entered upon this his last pastorate. Wakemon, Rev. Levi H. Died at Stamford, April 21, 1889, in his seventy-third year. He was pastor in Westfield, East Had- dam. Stepney, West Woodstock, Willington and New Hartford. He also served two churches in Massachusetts. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 255 Burnett, Rev. Joseph. Died June 15, 1889, at Braman's Corner, New York, aged seventy years. He was pastor in Old Lyme, Tariffville., Wethersfield and New Hartford. He was an ardent lover of books and his knowledge of them was remark- able. His preaching was simple and evangelical. 1890. Purinton, Rev. L. M. Born in Rensselaerville, New York, in 1826. It was there that he began his work as pastor. He served three other churches in that state. For six years he was pastor of First Waterford church, where his work was much blessed. Over one hundred were baptized into that church as the fruit of a single revival. He loved the truths of God, and held fast to them. Gilbert, Rev. Isaac H. Born in Stepney in 1830. Died in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, February 13, 1890. He was or- dained pastor in Bristol in 1856, where he continued till April, 1863. He was then pastor in Middletown till 1870. He had four pastorates in Massachusetts. A man of devout piety and earnest in his labors. Hopper. Rev. B. McGregor. Died in Utica, New York, November 19, 1889. Ordained as pastor of the Academy Street church. New Haven. He served the First church, Bridgeport, for many years, and as pastor in churches in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. He died in the sixty-eighth year of his :ige- Morgan, Captain Ebenezer. Died in Groton, August 11, 1890, having reached the age of seventy-nine. Bred a seaman, he carried into his religious life the same restless energy which characterized him as captain of a whaling ship. He was a liberal contributor to missions at home and abroad, and a ready helper in any revival work. Taylor, Rev. David Henry. Born in New Brunswick, 1847. Died in Newtonville, Massachusetts, December 10, 1890. He studied at Suffield, and at Brown University and Rochester Theo- logical Seminary. He was pastor at Salem and Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and at Central church, Norwich, from 188o to 1889. His last pastorate was with a Congregational church in Newtonville, Massachusetts. With a strong and yet tender and poetic nature he combined unusual literary and preaching ability, and was emphatically one of Christ's noblemen. Miller, Rev. E. C. He was born in Canada, where also he was educated, ordained, and had his first pastorate. He was pastor 256 HISTORY OF THE at Poquonoc Bridge for six years, and at Plainville for the same period. In October, 1889, he began his pastorate at South Wind- sor, but it was soon terminated by his death, November 1, 1890. His was a life of faith and earnest service. 1891. Gates, Rev. Oliver W . Born in Preston in 1830. He studied at Suffield and at Madison University and Hamilton Theological Seminary, and was ordained at Greenville, where he labored three years. He was pastor in Norwalk for twelve years, and then took a pastorate in San Diego, California. He was a devout Christian disciple and a faithful preacher of the Word. He died at Southern Pines, North Carolina, April 4, 1891. Jerome, Rev. Edward M. Died in New Haven, June 8, 1891. He was a graduate of Yale College and of Yale Law School. His early church relationship was with the Congregationalists. He joined the First Baptist church in Hartford in 1856. He was ordained in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and held pastorates in Northampton and Westfield in that state. He was pastor in West Meriden and Ansonia in this state. A bronchial trouble precluded his preaching during the later years of his life, and he devoted himself to journalism. Pahner, D.D., Rev. Albert G. Died June 30, 1891, in his seventy-ninth year. He was converted when ten years old and began to preach when seventeen. He came to manhood self- educated, and was ordained in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1837. He was pastor there six years, then at Stonington nine years. After short pastorates in Syracuse, New York, Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Wakefield, Rhode Island, he returned to Stonington where he labored for almost thirty years. He was an evangelical preacher, a comforter to the afflicted, deeply interested in all mis- sion work, and a poet, whose graceful verse has commemorated the labors and virtues of many a servant of God. Weaver, Rev. Charles S. Died in Voluntown, September 8, 1891, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. He was pastor in Noank, Suffield, and twenty years in Voluntown. Denison, Rev. Albert E. Died in Plainville, October 6, 1891. He was born in Saybrook and graduated at Brown University. He was pastor in Saybrook, Wallingford, Clinton and Plainville. In 1878 he retired from active labors. He was a promoter of education, of a cheerful disposition, and created an atmosphere of. sunshine wherever he went. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 257 1892. Smith, Rev. Henry G. Died suddenly in Bloomfield, January 10, 1892. He was born in East Haven, and united in early life with the church in Branford. He studied in Suffield Academy, and began pastoral work in Wethersfield. In May, 1878, he became pastor of the East Cornwall church, where he labored four years, extending his labors to Bantam and Cornwall Hollow. He also had pastorates in Bloomfield and West Hartford. His last 5'ears of service were devoted to temperance. He was an indefatigable worker, firm in his convictions, and loyal to the Master. Lovell, Rev. Andreiu S. Died in Andover, January 20, 1892, at the age of 84. He was six years associate principal in Suffield. He was pastor in Mansfield, Bloomfield and Tariff\Mlle. A scholarly man,, and a good man. Chapman, Rev. D. F. Died in North Stonington, September 23. 1892. He followed the sea for many years. When forty- five years old he entered the ministry. He was pastor in East Lyme, Rainbow, Brookfield, Cornwall and North Stonington. He was a man of marked native ability, and an excellent pastor. Bronson, D.D.. Rev. B. Franklin. He died in Ithaca, New York, October 23, 1892, at the age of 70. His father was Rev. Asa Bronson, and he was one of five brothers w^ho were preachers. For ten years he was pastor at Putnam. Reid, Rev. William. He was born in Scotland. He was ordained in East Windsor. He was pastor at Wethersfield, Tariflfville, Bridgeport nine years, and First New London eight years. His subsequent ministry was in New York and Brooklj'^n. He died in his eighty-first year. 1893. IFatrous. Rev. E. Hayden. Died November 5, 1892, at Deep River, at the age of sixty-two. He studied at Suffield, and was pastor in Colchester. He served churches in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. Garner, Rev. William V. Born in Wales. He died suddenly In Bridgeport, having had pastorates in Binghamton, New York, St. John, New Brunswick, Boston, ^Massachusetts, and Concord, New Hampshire. He was pastor at First Bridgeport for seven j-ears. He was an able preacher, a faithful pastor, and a noble Christian. Miner, Rev. Noyes IV. Died at Paterson, New Jersey, seven- ty-one years of age. He was born in Stonington, March 10, 258 HISTORY OF THE 1822. He studied at Suffield, Trinity College, Hartford, and in Newton Theological Seminary. He was pastor for three years in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and three years in Lebanon. His longest pastorate \vas one of fourteen years in Springfield, Illinois. Here he formed an intimate friendship with President Lincoln. After several other pastorates he served for eight years as Cor- responding Secretary of the Ministers' Home Society. McGonegalj Rev. Robert. Died at Norwalk, December 4, 1892, eighty years of age. He had formerly served at Deep River and Norwalk, but had retired from active work. 1894. Callen, Rev. Charles G. An Englishman by birth and educa- tion, he performed his first pastoral service in that country. After preaching a few years on Long Island, he assumed the charge of the Rowayton church in 1891. He was a man of zeal and rare good judgment. Darrow, Rev. Allen. He was baptized in Waterford in 1817, Avhen fourteen years old. He was ordained in the state of Ohio, where he had several pastorates. Returning to this state, he was employed for some j'ears as missionary by the Convention. He was pastor in Waterbury and Putnam. The last years of his life were spent upon his farm in Waterford. He rested from his labors in May, 1894, aged ninety-one years. Gale, Rev. Solomon. Died in Mystic, August 4, at the age of 84. He began his ministry in Putnam in 1847. He was also pastor at Cornwall, Tolland and Baltic. He was stated supply in Third Stonington for eleven years, rounding out fifty years in the ministry, during which he baptized over five hundred con- verts. Torrey, Rev. Charles E. Died April 1, 1894, at Riverside. California. He was formerly pastor at Norwalk church. His was a brief but fruitful ministry. Crofut, Mr. A. J. He was a leading la)'man of high standing and usefulness in the church of which he was a member in South Norwalk. He was known for many years as an upright, success- ful manufacturer, while in his home he exemplified every domestic virtue. Three times he represented the town in the state legis- lature. He was a member of the Board of Directors, and a liberal supporter of our Convention. Within three weeks of his death he had spent a day in the company of Rev. C. L. Rhodes and the Secretary inquiring into the possibilities of establishing a church in Greenwich. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 259 1895. Lyon. Rev. D. D. Died in Montville, February 14, 1895, at the age of 81. He was a pioneer and organizer of churches. From his earh'^ youth to mature age he was wise in counsel, sound in judgment, and a man of lovable nature, — a man of God. Graves, D.D., Rev. Samuel. He was the successful and highly honored pastor for ten years of the Central church, Norwich, a fine scholar, and earnest preacher. He died in Grand Rapids, Michigan, January 17, 1895. Walker, Rev. Orrin T. Born in Preston in 1822. Died Sep- tember 9, 1895, in his seventy-fourth year. His father was a min- ister, as was also his brother. Rev. W. C. Walker. He was pastor in Meriden for some years, but served longer and was better known in Massachusetts. 1896. Phelps, D.D., Rev. S. Dryden. He was a spiritual, scriptural and edifying preacher. He was always present at our gatherings. At the last meeting before his death he recalled the memories of fifty years gone by. For many of these years he had been on the Board, and on the Executive Committee. For over twenty-five years he had been pastor of the First New Haven church, and he was afterward editor of the Christian Secretary. Several of the hymns he composed are favorites in our worship. Bromley, Rev. Henry. He began his ministry of fifty-seven years at Spring Hill, Mansfield. He was particularly adapted to the special work of pastor's assistant. He filled that office with unusual fidelity in many churches in New York, Philadelphia and Brooklyn. Gallup, Mr. Loren //. He was for many years a prominent member of the Central church, Norwich. He held a high position in the city as a business man of integrity and ability. He was Vice-President of the Convention for some years, and one of its most trusted counsellers. Bronson, Mr. W. S. He was one of the most active and use- ful members of the First church, Hartford. He served the Con- vention for many years as President, and was conspicuously active in the interests of the Bible-schools in the state, being for many years Superintendent of the Bible-school in his home church. Few have filled so large a place in the counsels and work of the Con- vention. 260 HISTORY OF THE 1897. Beebe, Rev, D. F. Of North Colebrook, a true servant of God, died in the midst of his work, faithful to the end. Chapman, Rev. Henry A. Pastor of Emmanuel church, Bridge- port. He was a man of varied energies, and he used all of them to the utmost in spite of his physical infirmities. His death was sudden at the last, yet his work, though it might seem to us unfinished, was done, and well done. Fitch, Rev. Latham. For sixteen years pastor of the Second New London church. He was a man of recognized piety and a strong and earnest preacher. He loved the work to which his life vras given. Putnam, Rev. George L. Six years pastor at Woodstock, and formerly of Lebanon and other churches in the state. A man able to fill higher positions in the ministry, he labored from preference in the smaller churches in the state. Miller, D.D., Rev. D. Henry. After more than forty years in the ministry he had retired from pastoral work. He died at his home in Mystic, November, 1896. He had baptized 1,700 converts. He was pastor in Third North Stonington, Meriden and Norwich ; also in Lowell, Trenton, New York City and Brooklyn. Griswold, Mr. Midian N. While the 1897 Convention was yet in session word came of the decease of this brother. He had been largely instrumental in the formation of the church in Win- sted. He was a man of sterling Christian character, held in high estimation by his fellow-citizens. He was liberal in his gifts to the church. The writer of this brief tribute had an intimate and endearing acquaintance with him during the year and a half he spent in building up the Winsted church. Brother Griswold left all his property, including his home, for a parsonage, to revert to the Convention at the death of his widow. 1898. JVatrous, Rev. Amos D. Died in Deep River, aged 94. In early manhood he was a man of great force of character and a successful evangelist. He is said to have been the means of the conversion of more than five thousand persons, and to have him- self baptized over one thousand. Always eccentric, during the last twenty years of his life he became greatly unbalanced in his mind. Hodge, D.D., Rev. James L. Died in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of eighty-four. He was a native of our state, and was CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 261 pastor in Bridgeport for several years. He was also pastor in Brooklyn, Mariners' church, New York Citj', and Albany, in New York State, and in Newark, New Jersey. He was a man greatly beloved and highly esteemed. 1899. Bond. Rev. E. P. Died at Suffield, at the age of 75. He was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, September 6, 1824. Baptized at Tolland in 1840. Fitted for college in Suffield, and graduated from Brown University in 1851. Studied theology at Hamilton. Pastor in New Britain. Chaplain of Fourteenth Regiment, Con- necticut Volunteers. For five years Principal of Connecticut Lit- erary Institution. Pastor in Agawam, Massachusetts; Professor and Acting Principal in Peddie Institute, New Jersey; Pastor at Wethersfield, at the same time assistant editor of the Christian- Secretary. His scholarship was wide in its range, and accurate in its results. He was restrained by peculiar modesty from a per- sonal aggressiveness equal to his capacity. Cranston, Rev. James S. Died September 8, 1899. He had been pastor at Salem, Preston City, and Chesham,, New Hamp- shire. He was pastor of First Saybrook when attacked by the disease that issued in his death. He filled the measure of his days in usefulness and with fidelity. 1900. Allen, Rev. A. T. Born in North Kingston, Rhode Island, December 28, 1815. Died in Groton, while still pastor of Poquonoc Bridge church, March 29, 1900, at the age of 84 years and three months. For fift^-eight years he had been an active and faithful minister of Jesus Christ. He served as Chaplain of the Twenty-sixth Connecticut Volunteers in the Civil War. His sympathies were very strong, and so tender were his words in the house of mourning that he was often called on to officiate at funerals. He is said to have attended over a thousand such ser- vices. Almost all his pastoral work was done in southeastern Con- necticut. His praise was in all the churches. Robinson, Rev. A. A. Born in Windham, May 12, 1814. Died in Packerville, where he was still pastor in 1900, at the age of eighty-six. He was one of the earliest students in Suffield, and was ordained in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1848. He served several churches in that state, and was also pastor in First Suffield, Mansfield, Willington, Winthrop, and North Ash- ford. He was called at Packerville when seventy years old, and served that church fourteen \ears. 262 HISTORY OF THE Guy, Rev. Albert. Born In Westford, New York, December 3, 1812. Died in Hartford, March 6, 1900, in his eighty-eighth year. He had been pastor over six churches in the state of New York, and one in Ohio. He moved to Hartford in 1886, and was during the years that followed a useful and well-beloved member of the First church, always loyal to the pastor and rever- enced by the brethren. Goodivin, Rev. William. Born at New Hartford, January 1, 1814. He was a graduate of Williams College and of East Wind- sor Theological Seminary. He was for six years pastor of a Congregational church, and then united with the South Baptist church, Hartford, in 1851. He was pastor of six Baptist chui'ches in this state, and retired from active service in 1888. He was a great Bible student, being a much better scholar in Hebrew and Greek than most of our pastors. Bennett, Rev. Edwin. Born in Canterbury, May 10, 1829. Died in Brooklyn, November 15, 1900. He entered the ministry in 1887, at the age of 56. He was called to the pastorate of the Brooklyn church, v/here he wrought faithfully for thirteen years. A man of limited education, but conscious of his limitations, he became a very conscientious student. His v»'ork was owned and blessed of God, and appreciated by the church. He was a man greatly beloved by his brethren in the ministry. Stillman, Rev. Samuel. Died in Easton, in the house in which his father and his grandfather had been born, November 11, 1899, in his sixty-sixth year. He was a graduate of Brown University and Nevv^ton Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1864. and became a missionary to the freedmen in the South. He was pastor in Memphis, Tennessee, and also in First Danbury, White Hills, Old Lyme, and Winthrop, in this state. 1901. Brooks, Rev. Leslie O. Born at Waterford, New York, 1875. He was baptized at the age of thirteen, in the First church, Pitts- field, Massachusetts. He studied in the Moody Training School at Northfield, Massachusetts, and engaged in missionary work in Connecticut under the auspices of the Convention. He was or- dained pastor of the Emmanuel church, Bridgeport, in 1897, and served two years and a half, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill-health. After a brief period of rest he accepted a call to White Hills, but was forced to give up the work in a few months. He died at his father's home in Herkimer, New York, April 10, 1901. He was singularly devout and consecrated, and is deeply mourned. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 253 Follu-ell, Rev. George PF . He was pastor some 3'ears in Water- bury, and attained eminence in the ministry. Like Apollos, he was "mighty in the Scriptures." He died in Easton, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1901. Denison, Rev. Frederick. He was one of a family of ministers who have filled a large place in the Baptist history of our state. He was born in Stonington, and was ordained in 1847. He was pastor of Central church, Norwich, Pilgrim church. New Haven, and of Westerly, Central Falls, Woonsocket and Providence, Rhode Island. He was the author of nian\' books and poems. He died August 16, 1901. Battersou, Mr. James Goodwin. For many years a prominent member of the First church, Hartford. He will long be remem- bered as the contractor and builder of the State Capitol in Hart- ford, which is said to be the only building of its class that has been built in this country within the appropriation, and with an unexpended balance returned to the state. He was also a fine classical scholar. He died in his seventy-eighth year. McWhinnie, Deacon James. For many years senior deacon of the First Waterbury church. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1816. His life was fully consecrated to the truest service for Christ. He was the father of Rev. James McWhinnie, D.D., a man of great gifts and sainted memory. His daughter, Margaret, rendered long and valuable service at the Woman's Home Mis- sion Rooms in Boston. He passed to his rest, October 15, 1901, aged 85. 1902. Chapman. Rev. Benjamin F. Died in Andover, December 29, 1901, aged ninety years. He was born in Griswold in 1811. He was married in 1837 to Nancy C. Peabody of North Stoning- ton, and moved with a colony of twenty families to central Illinois, where they founded the town of Stonington. He re- mained there for twenty years, and then returned and became pastor of the First church, North Stonington. He removed to Andover, where he lived forty-four years. He was a good man and loved the cause of Christ. He bequeathed $2,000 to the church in Putnam. Wilson, Rev. Henry IV. Pastor of the First Groton church. He died at Old Mystic, June 5, 1902, at the age of fifty-three. He was educated at DesMoInes College and Rochester Theologi- cal Seminary and served several churches in other states. He was pastor for six years at Stratfield, and two and a half years in Groton, where he received thirty-eight by baptism. 264 HISTORY OF THE Parry, D.D., Rev. Francis John. Died suddenly in Water- bury, where he had been pastor for five years. He was born in Philadelphia in 1847, and was educated in Lewisburg and Hamil- ton. He was pastor in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cooperstown, New York, Burlington and Brattleboro, Vermont, and New Y'ork City. His labors were abundant and incessant. Sage, D.D., Rev. Adoniram Judson. Died July 7, 1902, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born in Massilon, Ohio, in 1836. He graduated from Rochester University and Theological Semi- nary, and was pastor at Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, and Morgan Park, Illinois. He was Professor of Latin in Rochester, and of Homiletics in Morgan Park. He was pastor of the First church, Hartford, for thirteen years, 1871-1884. For three years he was President of the Con- vention. True, D.D., Rev. Benjamin Osgood. Died July 19, in Roches- ter, New York. He was twenty-one years Professor of Church History in Rochester Theological Seminary. He was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, December 17, 1845. He graduated at Dartmouth College, and Rochester Theological Seminary. He was pastor at Baldwinsville, New York, and Providence, Rhode Island, and for six years at the First church, Meriden. Hiscox, D.D., Rev. Edivard T. He was for five years the pastor of the Central church, Norwich. He was born in Wester- ly, Rhode Island, 1814. His pastoral life was mostly spent in New York City, where he was recognized as one of the leading ministers, acquiring a national reputation. Terry, Rev. Thomas. Died in August, 1902, in Southwick, Massachusetts, aged 73. He had held pastorates in Brooklyn and East Lyme in this state. Emerson, Rev. Forrest F. Died in New York, May 10, 1902, aged 62. He was a graduate of Brown University, and studied theology in Newton and Rochester. He was pastor at Brock- port, New York, at Gloucester, Massachusetts, and for six years, 1873-1879, at Asjdum Avenue, Hartford. He then became a Congregational pastor, serving at Amherst, Massachusetts, and Newport, Rhode Island. Manning, James W . See records for 1902. 1903. Nichols, Rev. Charles N. Born in Trumbull, August 15, 1832. Ordained in New Hartford, 1862. He was pastor in New Hartford, Cromwell, Old Lyme, Colchester and Andover. He died in Andover, January 18, 1903, in his seventieth year. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 255 Love, Rev. George F. Born in England, August 15, 1830. He came to America in 1850. His last pastorate was in Saybrook, from 1899 to 1902. He died at the home of his daughter in Littleton, New Hampshire, January 17, 1903. Frost, Rev. Clarence C. Born in Maine, May 6, 1842. He was pastor of First Norwich, 1879 to 1882. He afterwards practised law and became a prominent lecturer on Temperance. He died at Norwich, February 16, 1903. Gallahcr, D.D., Rev. Henry M. Born in Ireland, September 11, 1833. He graduated from Shurtliff College, where he studied theologj'. He was pastor of the Calvary church. New Haven; in Quincy, Illinois; in Brooklyn, New York; in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and in Essex, Connecticut. He served as Chaplain in the army during the Civil War. He was a man of remarkable versatility, very eloquent as a preacher and lecturer, and greatly beloved for his genialitv and humor. He died in Essex, May 19, 1903. Potter, Rev. C. W . Born in Voluntown in 1821. He was the first person baptized b^^ Rev. Dr. Palmer. He was ordained at Avon in 1846, and was pastor in North Haven, Cromwell, Willington, Bantam, Stirling, Stepney, and Rowayton. He was a wise counsellor, an edifying preacher, and a large-hearted, saintly man. He spent the last years of his life in retirement in Bantam. Whcaton, Rev. Archibald. Pastor at South Norwalk from 1889 to 1892, and at Mystic from 1893 to 1900. He went to Jackson, Michigan, in 1900, where he seemed to be doing the best work of his life. There he died,, December 13, 1902. He was a faithful pastor and an able preacher, much esteemed by his brethren in the ministr3^ Stifler, D.D., Rev. James M. He was pastor for five years of the First church. New Haven. For over twenty years he did most eflicient service as Professor in the Crozer Theological Seminary. Phelps, Mrs. Sophia Emilia. Daughter of Rev. James H. Linsley. She was the wife and widow of Rev. S. Dryden Phelps, and a lady of unusual gifts and of marked spirituality. For twenty-seven jears, besides being a model pastor's wife, she taught a large Bible-class, a work for which her intellectuality and knowledge of the Scriptures peculiarly fitted her. For seventeen years she wrote the expositions of the Bible lessons that were published in the Christian Secretary. Even to old age she continued to teach with great acceptance in the Calvary church Bible-school, in New Haven. She was emphatically one of the "helpers in the Gospel." 266 HISTORY OF THE Freeman, Rev. Andreiv L. Born April, 1828. He graduated at Rochester, and was ordained at Camillus, New York, in 1854. He was pastor in Southington from 1864 to 1873. He died suddenly in Camillus, where he was for the second time pastor. He had preached the day before his death. Holmatij Rev. John W . He was ordained in Voluntown. He also had a pastorate in East Lyme. His funeral was conducted by his three brothers, all of whom were Baptist ministers, Sullivan L., William O., and George W. Holman. 1904. Peckkam, Rev. Charles H. Born in Perryville, Rhode Island, December 16, 1854. He was ordained March 9, 1897. He had unusual evangelistic gifts. Employed by the Convention Board he rendered fruitful service at Canton and other places in 1903. He was pastor of the Bozrah church, and died July 11, 1904. Pattison, D.D., Rev. Thomas Hariuood. Died February 11, 1904, in Rochester, New York, where he had been Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology since 1881. He was born in Cornwall, England, December, 1838. He w^as educated at Regent's Park College. After serving in the ministry in England he was pastor of First church, New Haven, for four years, and of Emmanuel church, Albany, for two years. His work as author and teacher, as well as preacher, has given him a wide reputation. He was the father of Rev. Harold Pattison of the First church, Hartford. Herr. D.D., Rev. Joseph D. Died suddenly in Boston, Massa- chusetts, February 20, 1904. Born February 23. 1837. When seventeen years old he united with a Methodist church by im- mersion. He was educated in Madison College, Pennsylvania, and held several pastorates in the Methodist connection till 1870, when he joined the Baptist church. He was pastor in Pittsburg, in New York City, in Central church, Norwich, in Milwaukee, and then again in Central church, Norwich. He filled a large place in the work of the Convention during his two pastorates in Norwich. The last years of his life he was Dean of the Gordon Training School at Boston. fVayland, LL.D., Hon. Francis. See record for 1904. 1905. Crocker, Rev. Thomas L. Born in Petersburg, Virginia, 1858. Died in New London, March 7, 1905. He was licensed by the Congdon Street church. Providence, Rhode Island. He was ordained as pastor of a church in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. For eleven years he ministered to the Shiloh church, New London. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 267 Sessions, Rev. A. H. Born in Sandisfield, Massachusetts, November 25, 1831. Died in New York, February 3, 1905, at the home of his son-in-law, Professor H. L. Osgood. He was licensed by the North Colebrook church, and educated at Hamil- ton. He was ordained in 1857 at Lanesboro, Massachusetts, and served forty years in the ministry, over six churches. His last pastorate, of ten years, was with the church in Montowesc. At the time of his death he had spent eight years in retirement. He was a faithful pastor, and a preacher of more than ordinary ability. His life was blameless. Goodspcrd, Ph.D., Rev. George Steplun. Died in Chicago, February 17, 1905, aged forty-five. While pursuing his post-grad- uate course in Yale he was pastor of the Howard Avenue Church, New Haven. He was a son of Rev. Edgar J., and nephev/ of Rev. Thomas W. Goodspeed. 1906. Elsdon, Rev. fV. P. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 21, 1841. Died in Highland, California, December 31, 1905. He studied for the ministry at Fredericton, New Brunswick. His pa.storates were at Lynn, Brewsters, and Hyannis, Massachusetts; Belvidere and Englewood, Illinois; Waterbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut. In 1896 his eyesight failed, and for a number of years he engaged in evangelistic labor. He was a man of great ability, fearless, earnest, forceful and tender in the pulpit. He was held in high esteem wherever known. Arnesbury, Mr. Jabez. Born in Newton, Massachusetts. Died in Danbury, January 2, 1906. For fifty years he was cashier of the Danbury National Bank. During his entire life in Danbury he was one of the leading and most influential of the members of the Second Baptist church. He was active in the work of the State Convention. Smith, Ph.D., Martin Henry. Born in Suffield, August 5, 1833. Died in Suflield, January 31, 1906. He studied in Suf- field Academy, and graduated from Williams College in 1857. He was head of the Maysville Institute, at Maysville, Kentucky, for twenty years ; then Principal of the Suflield Academy for eight \ears. He was Judge of Probate in Suffield for several years, anil was held in honor for efficiency and faithfulness. Lathrnp. D.D., Rev. Edward. Born in Savannah, Georgia, March 14. 1814. He graduated from Madison University in 1840. He was pastor at Beaufort, South Carolina for three years; then at the Tabernacle church. New York, for twenty- two years, and at Stamford, Connecticut, for twenty years. He 268 HISTORY OF THE was a man of noble presence, and as a preacher and counsellor took rank among the foremost of Baptists. He died in the city of New York, April 5, 1906, in his ninety-second year. Howard, Hon. Jotiies L. See record for the year. Denison, Deacon John L. Born in Stonington, September 10, 1826. Died in Hartford, July 2, 1906. He studied at Suffield, and was always a warm friend of that school. He served as Superintendent of the Bible-school of the Central church, Nor- wich, for many years. In 1855 he received the degree of M. A. from Brown University. He removed to Hartford in 1878 and entered the employ of the Travelers Insurance Company. For many years he was an honored deacon of the Asylum Avenue church. Constant in attendance upon the meetings of the As- sociation and Convention, he came to be widely known and loved. 1907. D arrow, Rev. George R. Born in Montville, September 29, 1820. Died at Butte, Montana, October 16, 1906. He was bap- tized in 1841 by Elder Jabez Swan, into the fellowship of the First Nevv' London church. He was licensed to preach in Mont- ville in 1847, and ordained in Greenport, Long Island, in 1848. He was pastor in Providence, Rhode Island; West Boylston, Hyde Park, and South Abington, Massachusetts; Camden and Trenton, New Jersey, and Willimantic, Connecticut, He served as Chaplain in the war for the Union. The last twenty years of his life were spent in the West. Wright, Rev. Thomas G. Born in Westfield, Massachusetts, January 18, 1820. Died in Hartford, November 11, 1906. A graduate of Waterville College in 1839, and of Hamilton Theo- logical Seminary in 1842. He was pastor at Lyons, New York, and also of several churches in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. He was a man of transparent sincerity and admirable simplicity, and in his later 3-ears a venerable figure. Cordo, D.D., Rev. Henry A. Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1836. Died at Gloversville, Nev/ York, November 24, 1906. He was a graduate of Madison University and Hamil- ton Theological Seminary. He labored with great acceptance In Meriden, Connecticut; Jersey City, New Jersey; Boston and Whitman, Massachusetts; and Gloversville and Cortland, New York. Dr. Cordo was a man of more than ordinary intellectual and spiritual strength. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 269 Roberts, D.D.. Rev. Ml/liam S. Born in New Carlisle, Ohio, April 1, 1845. Died in Noroton, Connecticut, December 4, 1906. He held several pastorates, the last in Deep River, Connecticut. In all his pastorates he left an impression of strong and 2:entle personality. He gave his life in willing service to any who needed him. H'ightman, Rev. Painier G. Born in Groton in 1820. Died in Maiden, Massachusetts, January 14, 1907. His character and work are of more than ordinary significance to Connecticut Baptists. He was of the stock of Valentine Wightman, the first Baptist preacher in the state. He was ordained as pastor of the Second Waterford church, September, 1843. He served in East Lyme, Plainville and Branford, and in Tiverton, Rhode Island. He was a devout Christian, mighty in praj'er, an able preacher, and a model man in his calling. Enston, Rev. Daniel C. Born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, in 1844. Died in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, January 20, 1907. He graduated from Madison University, and held two pastorates in this state, North Stonington and Fitchville. Buell. Rev. A. P. Died^■n Cleveland, Ohio, March 11, 1907, at the age of 88. He served as pastor of the Huntington Street church. New London, and of the Southington church. He was President of the Convention in 1870. Wolf, Rev. Henry Miles. Born in Jersey Mills, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1852. Died in Bloomfield, Connecticut, March 18, 1907. He graduated from Bucknell University in 1880, and devoted himself for some years to newspaper work. He was ordained to the ministry in 1886, and served as pastor in Water- ford eleven years, and in Bloomfield four years. He was a man of strong religious principle, and a fearless advocate of that which he regarded as truth. Siegfried, M.D., Rev. Thomas J. Born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1850. Died in Salem, Connecticut, April 4, 1907. He was educated for the ministry at Denison University, Ohio, and was ordained in 1871. For thirty years he was pastor of churches in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Connecticut, in the last named state at Salem and Scott Hill. Hubbard, D.D., Rev. Andrew C. Born in Linsdale, Ohio, January 23, 1839. Died in Danbury, Connecticut, April 19, 1907. He graduated from Denison University, from which he later received the degree of D.D. He was ordained in 1861, and was pastor in Woodstock, and Springfield, Illinois, and also in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1868 he was called to Second Danbury, i8 270 HISTORY OF THE of which church he remained pastor for thirty-five years. The church of which he was pastor developed with the growth of the town. He was a loving pastor and teacher, a staunch friend, and a wise and kindly adviser. It is not too much to say of him that he was the leading citizen of Danbury at the time of his death. Piddock, Rev. Charles Albert. Born in Lorraine, New York, July 25, 1849. Died in Hartford, April 22, 1907. When fifteen years old he served in the Civil War, and was wounded in the Wilderness campaign. He graduated from Madison University and Hamilton Theological Seminary in 1874. He was pastor at Saxton's River, Vermont ; at Claremont, New Hampshire ; at West Springfield, Massachusetts, and at Middletown, Connecti- cut, for six years. He was for two years Superintendent of Mis- sions for the Convention, then editor of the Christian Secretary for eight years, and again Superintendent of Missions for six years. Afterward, while engaged in business, he frequently sup- plied vacant churches. Large in physique, genial and hopeful in temperament, approachable, sympathetic, ready to spend and be spent in any cause that appealed to him, he left an impression in our state which only the advance of newer generations can eflEace. CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 271 Appendix B. HISTORICAL RECORD Date PUce President Secretary Treasurer Preacher 1823 Hartford Asa Wilcox Augustas Bolles J. B. Gilbert 1824 Middletown Asa Wilcox Albert Day J. B. Gilbert 1825 Hartford Jonathan Goodwin Albert Day J. B. Gilbert 1826 Wallingford Jonathan Goodwin Albert Day J. B. Gilbert J. M. Peek 1827 Hartford Asahel Morse Albert Day J. B. Gilbert Esek Brown 1828 Middletown Jonathan Goodwin Gurdon Robins J. B. Gilbert B. M. HiU 1829 Hartford Rufus Babcock Gurdon Robins J. B. Gilbert J. Cookson 1830 Mansfield Elisba Cusbman Gurdon Robins J. B. Gilbert P. Brockett 1831 Meridcn Elisha Cuihman AuBTistus BoUet Georje Read G. Phippin 1832 Middletown Elisha Cushman Albert Day Jeremiah Bro%vn G. Robins 1833 Lebanon Elisha Cushman J. H. Linsley Jeremiah Brown L. Kncebnd 1834 Hartford Elisha Cushman H. Stanwood John Cookson N. Wildman 1835 Middletown J. H. Linsler S. S. Mallory J. B. Gilbert R. H. Neale 1856 Norwich J. Cookson Wm. Palmer J. B. Gilbert S. H. Cone 1837 Hartford J. Coolcson R. Turnbull J. B. Gilbert J. Cookson 1838 New London J. Cookson B. Cook J. B. Gilbert B. Cook 1839 New Haven J. H. Linsley H. Wooster J. B. Gilbert R. Turnbull 1840 Essex Georee Reed Wm. Reid J. B. Gilbert F. Withtman 1841 Hanford D. Ives J. S. Eaton J. B. Gilbert R. Babcock 1842 Middletown D. Ives J. S. Eaton J. B. Gilbert T. C. Teasdale 1843 Norwich D. Ivea E. Cushman J. B. Gilbert J. Dowlin? 1844 New HaTcn A. Parker E. Savaie W. Griswold D. Ives 1845 New London J. S. Swan E. Saraee W. Griswold A. Parker 1846 Hartford J. S. Swan E. Cushman W. Griswold A. G. Palmer 1847 Deep River R. Tumbull E. Cushman W. Griswold J. S. Swan 1848 Suffield D. Ives E. Cuihman W. Griswold E. Cushman 1849 Bristol H. Miller E. Cushman W. Griswold E. T. Hiscox 1850 Danbury S. D. Phelps E. Cushman W. Griswold R. Turnbull : 1851 Stonington E. T. Hiscox E. Cuihman W. Griswold C. WiUett 1852 New Haven J. S. Swan E. Cushman W. Griswold J. N. Murdock 1853 Norwich Wm. Reid E. Cushman W. Griswold S. D. Phelps 1854 Hartford J. N. Murdock E. Cushman W. Griswold H. Miller 1855 Meriden L. Lewis E. Cushman \V. Griswold J. L. Hodge 1856 Middletown W. S. CUpp E. Cushman W. Griswold W. Reid 1857 New London C. Willett E. Cusbman W. Griswold A. D. Denison 1858 Southinetun F. Denison E. Cushman W. Griawold J. A. Bailey 1859 Hartford S. D. Phelps E. Cushman W. Griswold W. Fitz 1860 New Haven P. G. Wiehtman E. Cushman W. Griswold J. P. Brown 1X61 Norwich D. Ires E. Cushman W. Griswold D. H. Miller 1862 Stamford J. P. Brown K. Cushman W. Griswold D. Ives 1865 Willimantii C. S. Wearer E. Cushman W. Griswold C. B. Crane 1864 Essex Geo. I^ovii E. Cushman W. Griswold G. M. Stone 1865 Danbur)' S. Gravel E. Cusbman W. Griswold S. D. Phelpg 1866 Hartford J. A. Bailey E. Cushman W. Griswold 1. H. Gllbeft 272 HISTORY OF THE Date Place President Secretary Treasurer Preacher 1867 Mystic River C. B. Crane E. Cushman W. Griswold R. Turnbull 1868 New Haven A. C. Bronson E. Cushman W. Griswold E. Lathrop 1869 Deep River R. J. Adam? E. Cushman W. Griswold B. S. Morse 1870 New Britain A. P. Bucll J. A. Bailey W. Griswold H. G. Mason 1871 NorwaUc J. L. Howard J. A. Bailey W. Griswold G. L. Hunt 1872 Waterbury J. L. Howard J. A. Bailey W. Griswold A. G. Palmer 1873 New Haven J. L. Howard R. TumbuU W. Griswold A. J. Saee 1874 Putnam J. L. Howard R Tumbull W. Griswold C. E. Smith 1875 Hartford J. L. Howard R Turnbull W. Griswold A. C. Hubbard 1876 Suffield J. L. Howard R Turnbull W. Griswold A. C. Hubbard 1877 Nonvich A. G. Palmer R Turnbull James Lockwood F. F. Emerson 1878 Meriden Ed. Lathrop T A. T. Hanna James Lockwood J. Davies 1879 Danbury A. J. Saje T A. T. Hanna James Lockwood E. F. Bronson 1880 Brideepon A. J. Sate T A. T. Hanna James Lockwood J. M. Taylor 1881 New London A. J. Sace T. A. T. Hanna James Lockwood J. R. Stubbert 1882 Ansonia W. S. Bronson T A. T. Hanna James Lockw ood G. H. Miner 1883 New Haven W. S. Bronson T A. T. Hanna James Lockwood M. H. Pogson 1884 Norwich W S. Bronson Elizur Cook James Lockwood O. C. Sargent 1885 Hartford W. ?. Bronson Elizur Cook James Lockwood J. V. Garton 1886 Waterbury F. Wayland P. S. Erans W. F. Walker C. W. Holnan 1887 New Britain F. Wayland P. S. Evans W. F. Walker 3. W. Lockhart 1888 Hartford F. Wayland P. S. Evans W. F. Walker D. H. Taylor 1889 Putnam F. Wayland P. S. Evans W. F. Walkei P. G. Wigbtman 1890 Middletown F. Wayland P. S. Evans W. F. Walker J. R. Gow 1891 New Haven F. Wayland P. S. Evans W. F. Walker W. G. Fer.'iell 1892 WilHmaniic F. \\'ayland P. S. Evans W. F. Walker J. S. James 1893 Danbury F. Wayland P. S. Evans W. F. Walker H. M. Thon.psoir 1894 Norwich F. Wayland P. S. Evans W. F. Walker J. is. Leiram 1895 Bridgeport F. Wayland P. S. Evans W. K. Walker J. D. Herr 1896 New London Wm. A. Grippin P. S. Evans W. F. Walker J. H. Mason 1897 Hartford Wm. A. Grippin P. S. Evans W. F. Walker W. D. McKinney 1898 Meriden Wm. A. Grippin P. S. Evans W. F. Walker E. M. Potcat 1899 Waterbury Wm. A. Grippin P. S. E\ans W. F.' Walker Henry Clarke 1900 New Haven Carnot O. Spencer P. S. Evans W. F. Walker F. G. McKeerer 1901 New Britain Camot O. Spencer P. S. Evans W. F. Walker F. J. Parry 1902 Hartford Caniot O. Spencer P. S. Evans W. F. Walker G. H. Fcrri? 1903 New Haven Carnot O. Spencer F. H. Divine W. F. Walker O. O. Fletcher 1904 Norwich Carnot O. Spencer F. H. Divine W. F. Walker R. A. Ashwonh 1905 Meriden Carnot 0. Spencer F. H. Divine W. F. Walker Harold Paltison 1906 South Norwalk H. M. Thompson F. H. Divine W. F. Walker P. C. Wrifht 1907 Putnam H. M. Thompson F. H. DiWne C. E. Prior J. A. Elder CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVT.NTION 273 Appendix C. TABLE OF THE CHURCHES AIDED BY THE CONVENTION. t-ir^t l.asr Year Year Anmunt Total New Haven, 182b $50 Goshen,* 1830 1831 26 Willimantic, 1830 1847 259 Vernon,* 1831 1834 78 Ashford 1st., 1831 1907 1,894 Anilover, 1831 1907 972 Windsor East,* 1831 1845 237 KilHni,nvorth,* 1831 1838 125 Tolland,* 1832 1887 1,274 Woodstock West. 1832 1903 115 Marlborough,* 1832 1840 121 Brooklyn 1832 1882 2,390 Hampton,* 1833 1842 215 Ashford 3rd 1833 1849 254 New Hartford,* 1833 1905 5,189 Middletown 2nd., 1833 1873 1,267 Avon,* 1834 1847 207 Wcrhersfield, 1834 1907 1,685 Voluntown, 1834 1841 112 Montowese, 1834 1846 208 Manchester,* 1834 1882 302 Ashford 2nd 1834 1847 163 Norfolk,* 1834 25 Enfield,* 1834 25 Wilton,* 1833 25 Sharon,* 1834 1835 50 Bo/rah, 1835 1875 168 Hanover,* 1835 37 Stafford 1835 1853 799 Lisbon,* 1836 1837 50 Tariffville 1836 1907 4.345 Hadlyme,* 1836 1838 62 * Disbanded. 274 HISTORY OF THE First Latt Year Year Amount Waterbury 1st., 1836 1847 122 Colchester, 1837 1841 65 Northville, 1838 1870 189 Bridgeport 1st., 1838 1839 100 Saybrook 1st., 1838 1841 35 Clinton, 1839 1863 663 New Britain 1st., 1839 1843 83 Norwallc, 1839 1844 220 Chester, 1839 1868 250 Bloomfield, 1839 1907 1,570 Danbury 1st.,* 1839 13 Branford, 1839 1864 661 $26,600 Jewett City, 1842 1847 $145 Old Lyme, 1843 1903 964 Southington, 1843 1848 120 Ellington,* 1843 1845 75 Westfield,* 1844 1845 38 Cornwall East, 1845 1907 1,168 Torrington* (Old), 1845 1846 30 Gaylord's Bridge,* 1845 12 Pleasant Valley,* 1845 1846 40 Windham South,* 1846 1847 140 ColHnsville,* 1848 1849 55 New Haven Emmanuel, 1850 1893 $1,195 Stonington 3rd, 1850 1875 55 Norwich 3rd, 1850 1894 525 RockviUe 1851 1898 4,977 Westford, 1851 1907 979 Groton Heights, 1851 1872 350 N. Stonington 2nd, 1853 1866 229 Plainville, 1852 1887 2,980 Suffield 1st, 1853 1855 100 Seymour,* 1854 100 Brookfield,* 1855 1876 218 Ledvard, 1855 1907 507 Bantam, 1855 1906 1,177 Salem & Scott's Hill 1856 1901 986 South Woodstock, 1858 1907 650 * Disbanded. $2,757 CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 275 Kirit Year Baltic,* 1858 Colebrook River,* 1858 Newtown,* 1859 Montville, 1859 Thompsonville,* 1859 Cornwall Hollow 1 860 South Colebrook, 1860 South Windsor, 1860 Chesterfield, 1865 North Colebrook 1863 Lake's Pond. 1867 Rowayton, 1 867 Sterling, 1872 Poquonnock, 1872 New Haven, Grand Avenue, .... 1872 New Canaan,* 1873 Bridgeport 2nd, 1874 Danielson, 1874 Ansonia, 1874 Willington, 1874 Hartford. Windsor Avenue, 1874 Pendleton Hill. 1874 Norwich, Mt. Calvarv 1873 East KiUingly, 1875 West Hartford, 1875 Plantsville, 1876 Canton, 1877 Moodus, 1878 Chestnut Hill (?), 1879 East Haddam, 1881 White Hills, 1882 Norwich 1st, 1883 Hartford Memorial, 1883 Shelton, 1884 Willington, 1886 Spring Hill, 1885 * Disbanded. Last Year Amount 1883 1,250 50 1882 230 25 50 1907 1,150 1907 1,122 25 1890 1,050 1907 1.163 1899 200 1898 982 1906 2,405 1906 2,195 1882 3,561 1898 1,644 1885 4,923 1882 2,543 1881 12,439 1883 354 1877 1,285 1892 1,271 1897 1,185 1885 305 1907 1,320 1880 595 1907 556 1898 808 40 1899 675 1907 931 1885 242 1893 2,773 1907 5,733 96 1889 408 $16,633 $5,692 $37,429 $10,858 276 HISTORY OF THE First Lajt Year Year Amount Total Winsted, 1890 1895 6,597 Bridgeport Messiah, 1890 1897 1,100 Torrington 1895 1907 7,910 Ansonia 2nd, 1893 500 Naugatuck 1896 1907 633 New London Shiloh, 1896 37 Warrenville, 1898 1899 97 Cheshire 1898 1907 272 $17,146 Waterbury, Grace 1902 1907 325 Danburv (Colored), 1902 1905 275 Milford (Colored), 1903 1907 150 Harrford (Colored), 1905 100 Bridgeport, East End, 1907 500 $1,350 Foreign Churches. New Haven German, 1863 1874 2,250 Mcriden German, 1875 1893 959 New Britain Swede 1883 1907 4,416 Bridgeport German.! 1886 1907 4,058 Bridgeport Swede, 1886 1895 624 New Britain German, 1884 1893 817 Waterburv German, 1887 1906 2,561 New Haven Swede 1888 1907 2,300 New Haven Dane, 1888 75 French Mission, 1881 1907 4,953 Seymour German, 1890 1894 175 Meriden Swede, 1890 1894 1,649 Hartford Sv,cde 1891 1907 2,306 Waterburv Swede, 1894 1907 1,382 Bridgeport Bethel Swede 1907 55 $28,580 tin addition Rev. Mr. Ritzman collected from the Baptists of the state $2,901.72 towards the chapel. Italian Missions. Stamford 1897 1907 4,371 New Haven 1898 1907 4,911 Bridgeport, 1900 1905 1,414 CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 277 First Last Year Year Amount 'I'otal Hartford, 1901 1907 2.185 New London, 1904 1907 1,150 Torrington, 1906 25 South Norvvalk, 1907 12 Waterbury, 1907 360 Bristol, 1907 30 $14,458 Grand total, $161,503 One hundred and thirty-four churches in all ; of which thirty- iwo have disbanded. The nine Italian Missions are not included in the number given above. 278 HISTORY OF THE Appendix D. PROPORTION OF BAPTISTS TO POPULATION. Bai>titt Year Pupulation Members Ratio / 1790, 2,220 1 to 107 ^ 1800, 251,000 4,663 ' " "^ 1810. 261,900 5,149 1820, 275,248 7,503 1830, 297,675 9,196 1840, 309,978 11,021 1850, 370,792 16,033 1860, 460,147 18,806 1870, 537,454 18,843 1880, 622,700 20,618 1890, 746,258 22,239 1900, 908,420 25,111 Excluding the foreign population, the proportion of Baptists in 1900 was 1 to 26. Foreign-born. Population 1880, 129,992 1890, 183,601 1900, 238,210 54 50 36 32 28 23 25 28 30 33^2 393/^ CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 279 C/D W Q < u tu w X o •o ^ c CQ V o. >- o. o:: < < D C/3 oo CO o o o^ NO fO 00 o CNJ T-^ m -* fO «N C^J vO^ CO 0^ vO_ NO T^ oo" CN v-^ o CO 'i- o fS -•l- m ^ Y— 1 vO o ON CN en \D o r>^ t^ NO CN •w- T-H ^ (nT CnT o o IT) m \r^ t^ (N OO -4- ^ ^ vT) (NJ C^l lO Tf NO m r^ C^4 ON t^ r— 1 o fO ^' Th r>^ oC cm' oo' ^' ON ■W)- OO ^ ON !>. rj 00 CO c 00 u-j ON t^ o OJ I^ to o (N ro NO nO_^ ON 00 tJ- t>. .2 no" oo'" '^' ON rf oo" •o" ON i ■m- -+ ro •^ in o, NO oo NO r-^ o CO *« o s u~> CO NO 00 -+ CO c NO o CO ON r~. ^~ (N -+ o" NO od O^ o" (N *r^ rC s ^" '~' *"* ""* CNJ CNl CO NO _ NO rNj . l/-> CN) ON CN »— * 'S c^ o CO (N CO_^ W-) o s no" On" r-~ no' l>r no" ON !>• •a oo CO !>. OO ▼— < O V— ^ ▼— H 3 o '-' —* (N CO r»- to o - ON On ON ON ON ON ON t^ fO rt- U-) NO r^ OO On o A 1 o O O o o o o o V m ^ tn NO r^ oo ON o '^ 00 00 00 oo 00 oo oo o^. NO CO o CNJ o CNJ CNJ 00 i^ CO to NO on" o 00_^ CNJ »o CO o oo CNJ ON^ od CO CN o o »o On" lO o ;^ >, jG -S INDEX INDEX Aid to churches, iniportarxe, . . , . .165 Allen, Rev. N. T., record of service, . . . .172 Sketch, 261 Amenia, N. Y., admitted, ...... 24 Amesbury, J., ....... . 267 Andover, admitted, ....... 23 Andrews, Rev. E., ...... . 246 Ansonia, first mention, ...... 106 Progress, 108 Anti-slavery resolutions, ..... 37, 46 Ashford Association formed, . . . . . .11 Ashford, South Center, beginning, . . . .61 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, built, ..... 104 Atkins, Rev. I., 250 Atwater, Rev. Mr., missionary, ..... 57 Auxiliary Society, organized, . . . . .12 Described by Rice, . . . . . .13 Final meeting, ....... 15 Avery, Rev. D 247 Avon, once church at, . . . . . . .48 Av.akening, Great, effect on Baptist cause, ... 8 Results 10 Bailey, Rev. J. A 106,246 Baker, Rev. A. E., missionary. .... 209,217 Ball, Rev. H., first Principal at Suffield, ... 36 Ballard, Rev. J 29.252 Baltic, abandoned, ....... 80 New, admitted, . . . . . .129 Bantam, beginning at, ...... 76 Baptisms, average number. ...... 52 iiaptist beliefs, A. J. Sage on, ..... 125 Baptists, condition in 1800, . • . . • .11 Proportion to population, ..... 82 Barnes, W. O., colporteur, ...... 209 Barrows, Rev. S., . . . . . . . 21S Batchelder, Rev. F. L., long .service at Stafford, . . 93 284 HISTORY OF THE Batterson, J. G., Beebe annuity, Beebe, Rev. D. F., Beecher, Rev. L. F., missionary, Benedict, Rev. T., Bennett, Rev. E., Bentley, Rev. W., Bible-schools, importance, Bible Society, American and Foreign, Biddle, Rev. W., Bloomfield, improved condition, Remodels chapel, Bolles, Rev. A., . Deacon J., . Bond, Rev. E. P., Branch, Rev. N., Bridgeport, East, first mention, Purchases building, Admitted, . East End, purchases lot, First, beginnings of, German, progress, House completed, . Messiah, Second, new location and house Brockett, Rev. P., Bromley,, Rev. H., Bronson, Rev. A. C, . Rev. B. F Rev. E. H.. Rev. S., . W. S., . . . Brooklyn, progress. Church built. Brooks, Rev. L. O., . Brown, Rev. T- P., Buell, Rev. A. P., Burleigh, Rev. L., Burlington,, once church at, . Burnett, Rev. J., Callen, Rev. C. G., Calvary, New Haven, organized, Putnam, abortive, : 54, 220, 263 205 260 43 253 262 241 ;, 233 41 24^ 77 03 247 245 261 243 105 lOS 109 230 45 147 152 166 194 244 259 251 257 121 249 136, 137,259 82 104 262 S4 269 251 53 255 258 101 148 CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 285 Canton, redivivus, Chaplin, Rev. J., Chapman, Rev. B. Rev. D. F., Rev. H. A., Cheeseborough, Rev. E., Cheshire, work started. Abortive, Chesterfield, admitted, Chivers, Rev. E. E., address and tribute, Christian Commission, use in Civil War, Christian Secretary, first efforts. Adopted by Convention, Crisis, Status debated. Organ of Convention, Purchased by Dr. Phelps, Purchased by C. A. Piddock, Civil War, sentiment during. Divergent views, . Coats, Rev. A. B., missionary. Address on evangelism, . Superintendent, Colebrook, South, admitted, Colgate, Deacon William, speaks for Bible Society, Collinsville, efforts at, . Colored churches, first aid. Difficulties, . Cone, Rev. S. H., presents Bible Society, Connecticut Literary Institution, tuition charges. Convention, Connecticut Baptist, first steps, First business meeting, . First anniversary. Change of name proposed. Cook, Rev. B., , Elizur, statistical secretary, Secretary, Cooperative evangelism, Cordo, Rev. H. A., ... Cornwall, admitted, Cranston, Rev. J. S., . Crescent Beach enterprise, . Crocker, Rev. T. L., . 199 253 263 257 260 245 124 163 23 234 91 14 20 21,22 23 100 114 143 84 87 218 219 225 65 44 59 65 151 41 39 15 20 21 198 241 133 136 134 268 24 261 131,179 . 266 iq 286 HISTORY OF THE Crofut, A. J., . Curtis, Rev. C, missionary, . Cushman, Rev. Elisha, issues circul On first committee, President, Secretary, Close of service, . Tribute, Danbury Association formed. First state mission work, Danielson, first mention. Progress, Admitted, . Self-supporting, Darrow^, Rev. A., Rev. F., Rev. G. R., Date of anniversary, changed to Octobe Davies, Rev. J., Davis, Rev. G. F., death. Declension in early New England Denison, Rev. A. E., Rev. F., . Deacon J. L., Rev. William, missionary. Manual work. Sketch, Dennison, Rev. E., Dimock, J. W., tribute, Disaster, history. Reviewed by Stubbert, . By Thompson, Statement, . Divine, Rev. F. H., Superintendent Defines views. Faithful work. Services coveted elsewhere. Domestic missions, name embarrassing Doty, E., missionary, . Dowling, Rev. J., Rev. T., . Dunham, Eber, legacy, Easton, Rev. D. C, CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 287 Education Society, date of organization, . Ellis, Rev. H., '..... Elsdon, Rev. W. P Emerson, Rev. F. F., . Emmanuel, New Haven, purchases building. Evangelism, prominent in Divine's period, Reports on, .... Evans, Rev. P. S., Secretary and Superintendent, Historian, Fairfield Association formed, Fair Haven, beginning at, Permanent start, . Begins to build, Self-supporting, Fennell, Rev. W. G., ordained. Finances, improvement in, Perplexing, (See Disaster.) Fish, Rev. E. P., Fitch, Rev. L., . Fitchville, organized, . Flanders, Rev. C. K., missionary, Fletcher, Rev. J., Follwell, Rev. G. W., Foreigners, first mention. Foreign Missions, Jubilee, Foreign-speaking churches, Foster, Rev. N. P., Francis, Alfred, bequest, Freedmen, care of, Freeman, Rev. A. L., . French immigrants, first solicitude for, First work among, French, missionary among, Frost, Rev. C. G., Gage, Rev. L., . Gale, Rev. S., Gallaher, Rev. H. M. Gallup, L. A., . Garner, Rev. W. V., Gates, Rev. A., . Rev. O. W., Gaylord's Bridge, admitted, . 30 . 253 . 267 . 264 . 129 . 201 206,219 . 139 . 221 11,40 64,67 102 108 129 142 153 207 242 260 140 218 250 263 49 90 200 248 156 89 266 96 126 65. 178, 180 265 250 258 265 259 257 247 256 67 288 HISTORY OF THE Germans, first aid to, . . 80 Characterized, ..... . 159 Gifts to churches, policy, .... 62,67 Gilbert, Rev. I. H., . 255 Deacon J. B., Treasurer, . 37 Career, ...... 55, 242 Glazier, J., missionary, .... 29, 30 GofiF, Rev. M. J., ' . 247 Goodspeed, Rev. S., . . 267 Goodwin, Rev. W., ..... . 262 Gorham, Rev. G. W., ..... . 247 Grand Avenue, New Haven. (See Fair Haven.) Graves, Rev. S., . . 259 Gregory, Rev. A., . . 252 Grippen, W. A., president, .... . 172 Griswold, M. N., 175,260 Deacon Wareham, Treasurer, . 55 Tribute, ...... . Ill Groton, scene of earliest missionary work, 5 Church established, .... 6 House built, ..... . 104 Grow, Rev. J., . . 243 Guy, Rev. A., . 262 Haddam, East, admitted, .... . 23 Hadlyme, improvement, .... . 77 Half-way Covenant, ..... 9 Hall legacy, Mansfield, .... . 205 Hampton, once church at, . . 48 Hanna, Rev. T. A. T., Superintendent, . . 118 Abundant labor, ..... 128, 131 Tribute, ...... . 135 Hart, Rev. L. P., . 250 Hartford Association formed. . 11 Hartford, First, part in Convention, . 192 Hartford, Third, admitted, .... . roi Hastings, Joseph, becomes Baptist, . . 10 Herr, Rev. J. D., . 266 Hicks, Rev. B., . 253 Higby, Rev. S., missionary, .... . 38 Hill, Rev. B., . 250 Hiscox, Rev. E. T., ..... . 264 Hodge, Rev. J. L., . 260 CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 289 Holman, Rev. J. W., . 246 Rev. John W., . 26b Home Mission Societjs steps toward cooperation, . 32 Cooperation delayed, .... . 34 Economy, ...... . 38 Relation, ...... . 171 Hope Church, New Haven, reunited to First, . . 194 Hopper, Rev. B. M . 255 Howard, Rev. A., ..... . 253 Hon. J. L., President, .... . 102 Last address, ..... . 112 Close of service, ..... . 114 Tribute, ...... . 214 Howard Avenue, New Haven, organized. . 156 Hoyt, Hon. J. B., gifts, .... 110,119 Tribute, ...... . 149 Hubbard, Rev. A. G., . 269 Huntington, Hezekiah, bookstore recommended, 22 Huntington Street, New London, admitted, ". b5 Illsley, Rev. S., . 253 Immanuel, Bridgeport, started, . 151 New Haven, history, .... 65 Enlarges house, ..... . 194 Immigration, early mention, . . . . . 60 Ingathering, years of, . . 52 Italians, missions to, advocated, . . • . . 162 Importance, ..... . 168 Mission begun, ..... . 171 Chapel for, in New Haven, . . 190 Interests in Bridgeport betrayed, . 193 Vicissitudes in Stamford, . 200 Good work in Hartford, . 200 Progress, ...... . 208 Ives, Rev. D., ...... . 248 Jackson, Rev. H., . . 243 Jencks, E. M., ordained by Convention, . . 59 Jennings, Rev. R., gifts, .... . 105 Help acknowledged, .... . 110 Sketch, . 254 Jerome, Rev. E. M., ..... . 256 Jewelry, sentiment regarding. 32,52 Johnson, Rev. W. H., evangelist, . . 167 Joy, Rev. F. B . 254 290 HISTORY OF THE lubilee Fund, .... 109,110 Judd, Rev. T. O.. . . 253 Judson, Adoniram, completes translation of Bib ie. . 38 July Fourth, as religious day, 19,45 Keeney, Rev. C, . . 251 Ketchum, Rev. F., . . 251 Kincaid, Rev. Eugenio, visits churches, 56 Knapp, Rev. H. R., . . 24^ Kneeland, Rev. L., missionary, 24, 29 Knowlton, Rev. F., . . 250 Lathrop, Rev. E., . . 2b7 Leach, Rev. B. N., . . 245 Ledyard, discouragement, and fruit. . 123 Leffingwell, Rev. C, . . 246 Lewes, Rev. L., . . . . 242 Lewis, Rev. G. C, . 244 Liberia, ..... . 37 Life insurance, ministers,' attempted. . 40 Lincoln, Rev. B. H., . . 243 President, resolution regarding. 92, 93 Linsley, Rev. J. H., . 241 Lisbon, admitted. 23 Litchfield Association, drops out, . . 105 Litchfield, once church at. . 53 Loans to churches. . 164 Lockwood, J., treasurer. . Ill Tribute, .... i: 58, 145 Love, Rev. G. F., 265 Lovell, Rev. A. S., . . 257 Lyon, Rev. D. D., . 25Q Maine, Rev. R. H., . 253 Mallory, Rev. S., . 242 Manchester, admitted. 23 Manning, Hon. J. W., tribute. 19b Mansfield, early revival in, . 10 Map of state, Baptist, 161 Martin, Rev. O., . . . 251 Matthewson, Rev. P., . 254 Mattison, Rev. N. H., . . . 254 McGonegal, Rev. R., . 258 McWhinnie, Deacon J., . 263 Meech, Rev. L., . . . . 246 Meeting-house stock, . . . . 58 CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 291 Memorial, Hartford, organized, History, .... Meriden, beginning among Germans, First, history, German, admitted, West, organized, . Admitted, . Miller, Rev. D. H., . Rev. E. C, Rev. H., . Rev. S., death mentioned. Rev. W. G., Miner, Rev. N. W., . Ministerial education, early feeling toward, Ministers' Conference, organized, . Ministers' Home, Mission churches, fruitfulness of, . Missionary organizations, suggestions, Missouri Compromise, repeal. Montville, builds new house,, Morehouse, Rev. J. L., first visit, . Morgan, Capt. E., gifts, Sketch, .... Rev. W. D., Morse, Rev. Asahel, author of free law Morse legacy, .... Mourning, protest against, Munger, Rev. W., Murdoch, Rev. J. N., first mentioned. Neale, Rev. R. H., mentioned. Nelson, Rev. S., missionary, New Canaan, church built, Checkered history. New Hartford., church at. Ending, New Haven Association formed New Haven, Germans aided to pa\- for buildin Hope church united to First, Swede church. New London Association formed. New London County Missionary Society New London, First, organized. Improves edifice, . 10. 120 lU 144 0 /.•) 77, S2 94 255 252 53 i3, 46 93 261 18S 221 224 80 38 246 243 148 21S 53 168 170 174 30 209 264 44 106 1!4 117 40 155 23 68 79 296 HISTORY OF THE Wade, Dr., of Burma, preaches, .... .35 Wakeman, Rev. L. H., ..... 254 Walker, Rev. George Leon, describes early religious life, 8 Rev. L., 245 Rev. O. T 259 Rev. W. C, missionary, .... 102 Sunday-school work, ..... 121 Tribute, ....... 141 Warren, Rev. J., ..... . 245 Washington Avenue, Hartford, built. 104 Struggles, ....... 115 Watch, contributed to Convention, 52 Waterford, scene of earliest missionary work, . 5 First church organized, .... 7 Watrous, Rev. A. D., missionary. 56 Sketch 260 Rev. E. H., 257 Wayland, Hon. F., President, .... 136 Close of service, ...... 172 Tribute, . . 203 Weaver, Rev. C. S., . 256 Webb, Rev. G. S., 252 West Hartford, beginnings, ..... 80 Westcott Fund, ....... 205 Wethersfield, improved condition, .... 77 Begins to build, ...... 113 Wheaton, Rev. A., 265 Whitefield, labors in New England, 9 Whiting, Rev. N 241 Rev. S. M., service, ..... 118 Sketch, 248 Wightman, family, ...... 6,7 Rev. F., 242 Rev. P. G., 269 Valentine, ....... 6 Wilcox, Rev. A., first preacher and moderator, !6 Wildman, Rev. N., missionarv, .... 51 Sketch, ....... 243 Willard, Rev. B., missionarv, .... 36 Willett, Rev. C, . ' 252 Willimantic, struggles in building. 30 Aided years, ...... 50 Debt-paying, ...... 53 CONNECTICUT BAPTIST CONVENTION 297 Wilson, Rev. H. W., . 263 Winsted, first mention, 123 Beginning, .... 146 House completed, . 152 Chapel enlarged, , 194 Wolf, Rev. H. M., . . - 269 Women's Foreign Missionary Society, 104 Wood legacy, providential delay, . 216 Woodstock, South, improvement, . 77 Wright, Rev. D., . . . 250 Rev. T. G., 268 Wyman, Rev. D. T., evangelist, . 164 Yalesville, beginning among Germans, 98 Young Men's Christian Association, 91 Young people, work of, . 156, 159 University of Connecticut Libraries 39153020890119