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And Manual.
Congregational Church,
Homer, New York,
October 6-8, 1901.CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
Dedicated July 8, 1863.
Sermon by President Fisher, of Hamilton College,CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
HOMER, NEW YORK.
CENTENNIAL
ORGANIZED OCTOBER 12, 1801.
Anniversary Exercises October 6-8, 1901.Narrative of the Centennial.
At the annual meeting of the Congregational church of Homer, N.
Y., held December 20, 1900, Deacon DeWitt C. Carpenter, on behalf of
the Standing committee, recommended that arrangements be made for
the proper observance of the One Hundredth anniversary of the organi-
zation of the church. This recommendation was accepted and October
6-8, 1901, named as the time when the Centennial should be observed.
All the details for the observance of the Centennial and the publishing
of a Manual of the church containing also a report of the Centennial
services, were left with the Standing committee or such committees as the
Pastor might deem it wise to appoint.
The Standing committee met several times to complete arrangements
and to revise the Church Manual of 1897.
The following committees were appointed:
Reception Committee—Mrs. Coleman Hitchcock, Mrs. George D.
Daniels, Mrs. DeWitt C. Carpenter, Mrs. E. S. Pomeroy, Mrs. A. H.
Bennett.
Decoration Committee—Mrs. Florence Maxson, Mrs. O. B. An-
drews, Mrs. J. J. Arnold, Miss Caroline Hitchcock, Mr. E. H. Knapp,
Mr. J. Delos Heberd.
Banquet Committee—Mrs. C. A. Watson, Mrs. E. G. Ranney,
Mrs. F. E. Williams, Miss Harriet E. Green, Mrs. J. H. Starin.
The Banquet committee appointed the following: To preside at the
Coffee Urns—Mrs. Wm. F. Kettle, Mrs. Coleman Hitchcock, Mrs. Charles
Fairbanks, Mrs. DeWitt C. Carpenter. To assist at the Tables—Mr.
and Mrs. F. E. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Merrill, Mr. and Mrs.
Carl Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Knapp,
Mrs. J. H. Starin, Miss Harriet E. Green, Miss Carlie Fredricks, Mrs.
F. V. Bennett, Miss Maud Whitney, Miss Alice Rice, Miss Fannie
Clark, Messrs. Hiram Andrews, A. L. Smith, Harry Blackman, Ralph
Bennett, Louis Samson, Fred Crampton, Hugh Allen.
Everything connected with the Anniversary service was a success
and greatly enjoyed by those in attendance.
The purpose of this book is to record facts that may be of interest
to on-coming generations.
WM, F. KETTLE, Pastor.
IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
REV. NATHAN B. DARROW,
The first Pastor of this Church and
Society, which he served from December
10, 1802, to October 15, 1808.
st One Soweth and Another Reapeth.”Order of Service
SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 6, 1901.
Organ Prelude—“Romance,”	-	Coeme
Mrs. W. H. Poster, Organist.
Doxology—All standing until after the Lord’s Prayer.
Invocation—Pastor.
Lord’s Prayer—Chanted by the Choir.
Anthem—Te Deum,	-	-	-	-	-	- Buck
Quartette:
Miss Caroline Arnold, Soprano. Mrs. W. E. Burdick, Alto.
Mr. R. J. McElheny, Tenor.	Mr. H. W. Carver, Ba&&
Responsive Reading—Psalm 145.
Anthem—“Life’s Even Song,”	-	Frey
Quartette.
Scripture Lesson—Deut. 32: 1-12. “Remembering the Days of: Old. ”
Rev. F. A. S. Storer, Syracuse, N. Y.
Gloria Patri.
Solo—“Thy Will be Done.”
Mr. F. Eugene Stone, Skaneateles, N. Y.
Prayer.,
Rev. W. A. Robinson, D. D., Middletown, N. Y,
Response—“Oh Thou Who Can’st Not Slumber,”	-	Gounod
Quartette.
Notices and Offering.
Offertory—Offertoire Religieuse,	-	-	-	- Huss
Hymn NO. 693—“I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord.”
Historical Sermon.
Rev. Theodore T. Munger, D. D., New Haven, Conn.
Hymn No. 774—“From All Thy Saints in Warfare.”
Benediction.
Rev. Ethan Curtis, Syracuse, N. Y.
Postlude—Grand Chorus.
Mrs. W. H. Foster.
DuboisHistorical Sermon.
Preached by Rev. Theodore T. Munqer, D. D„ or New Haven, Conn.
Text.—St. John IV: 38.—“Other men labored, and ye are entered
into their labors. ”
In speaking to you to-day upon the history of this church, I feel like
one gleaning in a field many times gone over by others. All I can ex*
pect to do is to find here and there an overlooked ear, but certainly not
enough to make a full sheaf. Failing in that, I may be permitted to
wander a little from the field and gather such fruits and flowers as
grow outside, yet near at hand, and add to them reminiscences of my
own personal experiences and impressions, and perhaps a lesson or two
prompted by the occasion.
I had thought I could rehearse the early history of the church and
find some hearers to whom it is unfamiliar; but as I looked over the
documents spread before me, I saw that it would be a more than twice-
told tale.
First, there is Mr. Goodwin’s History of Cortland County, a book
more full of eloquence than history, but still a work of clear value.
Then, there is the “Historical Sketch” in the Church Manual printed
in 1856; a brief but compact rehearsal of the chief events up to that
date. In 1876 when the seventy-fifth anniversary was observed, Rev.
Dr. Robinson, then pastor, preached a “Historical Sermon” which con*
tained the fullest and most satisfactory history of the church I have been
able to find.
The manual of 1885 contains two pages of “Historical Memoranda*”
probably prepared by Dr. Robinson. Two years ago, Dea. Coleman
Hitchcock read at the one hundredth anniversary of the Society, an in-
teresting sketch of both Society and Church, with happy characteriza*
tion of each of the twelve pastors. To complete the discomfiture of one
who would write a historical sermon, the Church Manual of 1897, con-
tains “Historical Data” that state every important event up to that time.
These histories are substantially alike, and give only the bare facts
of the changes and more important events that took place as the years
went on. Indeed, not much of great and wide importance ever happened
in Homer; it has been a quiet history, but a great deal has been thought
and felt here worthier of record than much that makes up history.
The first important event was the naming of the town—by whom I do:
not know. Who scattered Lempriere’s classical dictionary over the ‘ ‘Milr
itary Tract,”--a good part of central New York—is a mystery as great
as the history of the places in the ancient world from which they, were
drawn. Mr. Talmadge Hall told me in my boyhood that the region was
surveyed by a lover of the classics, who, at night, read his favorite au-
thors before a camp fire and affixed to the towns laid out during the day
the names he came across in his book. If this is true, he must have
carried a large library—especially of Latin authors. The latest ex-
planation is that the names were assigned to unnamed townships* as
the charts were brought in, by a clerk in the Land Office in Albany,
who happened to be the owner of the above named dictionary. Thus
does romance fade into dull fact under the scrutiny of history. It ex^
culpates, however, Gen. DeWitt, at whose door the assignment of names
has been laid. Our town was favored with the greatest name of an*
tiquity. It is a burden rather heavy to bear, and people who live in
villas and corners and other places with compounded names, smile rather6
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
needlessly over that of ours. It is, however, a brief, compact, easily
remembered name, and by no means does it imply a knowledge of the
siege of Troy on the part of the first settlers; they had a more important
war on hand, even the subduing of the wilderness. Long since I ceased
to connect it with the Grecian bard, and now I only think of it as stand-
ing for home.
A hundred years ago the valley did not look as it does to-day. The
contour of the hills and perhaps the haze of Indian summer would offer
the only likeness that could be detected. Prom the summit of the hills
to the banks of the Tioughnioga—then a dark and rather sluggish
stream—a heavy forest covered every foot of ground; its density pre-
vented its earlier settlement. Had one forced his way through it, he
would have seen only trees and the sky above. Often, he would have
been driven by swamps to take to the hillside. Then there were too
many trees; so doubtless the first settlers thought; to-day there are too
few. Homer is not for beauty what it was sixty years ago, when the
forests crept half way down the hills, and sent on the brooks that sprang
out of their shady depths, making green the pastures and meadows be-
low. Now there are no forests but only springless wood-lots where even
a squirrel can not hide, nor a wood-chopper quench his thirst. As to
the utility and gain, those who have wrought the change must settle the
question with themselves and with posterity—but as for the beauty that
is lost, we who come back can only deplore the change, and pray for
forestry laws.
A sharp turn in the river to the eastward just above the village—
piling up the gravel and so redeeming a spot of earth from the swamps
above—led Joseph Beebe to build a hut there in 1791. He and Amos
Todd, his brother-in-law, came from New Haven, where their family
names are still heard. Instead of going to Yale College they went west,
and became the first settlers of Homer, and so achieved a local immor-
tality. So far as I can learn there was not another inhabitant in what
is now Cortland county. Their settlement here, thirty miles away from
neighbors, was probably due to the fact that they had secured land
from agents of the “Military Tract’ ’—a region embracing nearly all of
Central New York—that had been given to soldiers of the Revolution in
lieu of wages. These pioneers came up from Broome county, having
doubtless worked their way from Kingston into the Susquehanna Val-
ley, and so down to Binghamton. Homer has furnished its proper quota
of strong and heroic characters, but the most heroic figure in them all
is a woman. In the first winter Mr. Todd and Mr. Beebe returned to
Broome county, where they had sojourned for a brief time, for their
household goods, leaving Mrs. Todd alone in a rude cabin without a
human being in the limits of the county. So runs the legend—true in
part if not wholly. But the resolute energy of her husband and brother
in pushing their way into the almost sunless forest—farther and farther
until the river would no longer float their canoes—also commands admi-
ration. They were not of the Leatherstocking order—preferring the
woods to human beings, hunters and adventurers—but men who loved
civilization and achieved it alone. There is one debt the American peo-
ple have not yet fully recognized—namely, the gratitude it owes to those
first settlers who cut down the primeval forests and let in the sunlight
upon the soil. No later work equals it in patient toil and perseverance.
To exterminate the forests and denude the hills is not to fulfil their
work. Some of us can remember a few old men who shared in that he-
roic battle with the wilderness. It requires but little imagination to
hear, on still nights, the ring of their axes, every stroke of which meant
civilization and a new order. This was their Iliad and their Conquest.
Homer’s share in this task was specially heavy, on account of the
density of the forest and the large proportion of hard woods.
But these brave men were not long left to themselves. Soon after,
Esquire Miller made some explorations in the East River district, andCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
7
next year (1792) he brought ;n five families. They encamped at the
junction of the two streams—now in Cortland—marked by an oak that
was standing fifty years ago. It is a tradition that Mr. Miller or his
son introduced into the county the willow—having brought it as a riding
whip from New Jersey. I can bear personal witness to the tradition
by saying that sixty years ago a large spreading willow covered the
house of his son, which stood and perhaps still stands at the foot of the
hill as you cross into the East River district. With equal clearness do
I remember the son himself with his white head and his slight figure, en-
tering the old church and taking his seat in a side pew near the door.
There was an indefinable air of superiority about him that made a
deep impression upon my young mind. His father and himself are, so
far as the records show, the only early settlers from New Jersey; the
rest came from New England or Eastern New York.
But we cannot linger over these beginnings—interesting as they are;
the Church itself is our theme to-day.
It is a significant and prophetic fact that as soon as there were five
or six families, and that was in 1793, religious worship was established.
It is claimed that only on one or two Sabbaths has it been omitted. And
it can be safely asserted that up to the middle of the century almost the
entire population habitually attended church. This was due to the fact
that the town was chiefly settled by families from New England, and
that they were of its most typical stock as to character and habits. Ho-
mer, as I knew it in my boyhood, was a piece of New England set down
in this valley. Never in New England, where I have spent most of my
life, have I ever seen a community more firmly fixed in its ways, cus-
toms and spirit than was this. Indeed, in the forties and fifties, it was
stricter in its customs and habits of thought than New England itself.
I never saw a family there who “kept Saturday night;’’ but Talmage
Hall did, and refrained from calling at our house as on other evenings.
People in New England did not hesitate to go to the post-office on Sun-
day noon; but here it was contrary to a rule of the church to do so, and
the rule was generally observed. Cards and dancing were not only
prohibited by the church but were kept below the point of respectability
long after they were tolerated in New England.
The first worship was held in private houses—which were log cabins,
but a log school house was built in 1795 which was also used as a church.
The first sermon was preached in 1796 by Rev. Asa Hillyer, D. D.
—a Presbyterian missionary, who was on a tour of investigation. As
he crossed the hill from East River, he came upon a company of men
erecting a building. Finding a minister among them, they stopped
work and demanded a sermon. It was preached near the foot of the
hill under a wide spreading oak. Is there not in Homer a poet or painter
who will reproduce and fix the event? What better local subject could
either have? The forest just broken into here and there, a log hut or
two in the foreground, the river winding through dark woods, the half
raised building, the spreading oak, the preacher with a stump for a
pulpit, the men with up-rolled sleeves—strong, rough but with a strange
look of reverence in their eyes, or eyes filled perhaps with tears as they
thought of other worship in far off, early homes—who will paint this
scene—the most notable and the most beautiful in the annals of the town
—and place it in the Academy or the Public Library that is to be—to
remind the generations that it was founded in the fear and love of God?
Then came the immigration from New England. Too much cannot
be made of this early page of the town’s history. The character of New
England was determined, in all respects, by its settlers, in the first
twenty or thirty years. So Homer became what it was for, at least,
seventy-five years, through the coming of a few families from Western
Massachusetts and Connecticut in the first five or six years of its his-
tory. What led to their coming I do not know unless it was due to ex-
ceptional opportunities to secure lands of “The Phelps and Gorham8
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Purchase,” a part of ‘‘The Military Tract.” But come they did in
rapid order—Todd and Beebe from Connecticut, Darius Kinney, the
Ballards, the Hubbards, Moses Hopkins; the Bishops, Joshua Atwater,
Libeus Andrews, the Keeps, the Alfords, Asa White who built a mill
on the site of the present one, the Hitchcocks, the Hobarts—three of them
—then known under the name of Hoar and of the best blood in Massa-
chusetts; Sam. Hotchkiss, Zenas Lilly, Timothy Treat, Enos Stimson,
William Lucas, Asahel Miner, Ephraim Sumner, Noah Carpenter
whose son Asaph was born on the journey hither; the Stones—three in
number; the Phillipses, Thomas Chollar, the Kendalls, Jacob Sanders,
Moses Butterfield, Justin Pierce, Eli Sherman, Abel Kinney, Capt.
Qrandall, Capt. Hicks, and I kno&r not how many more came before
1805 from New England, and the majority of them from Brimfield, Mass.
Homer may be said to be a colony of Brimfield. They brought New
England with them; its institutions, its church, its schools, its habits,
its conscience, its civil instincts, its respectability, its industry, its re-
sistless energy and no little of intelligence and culture.
The point I wish to make here is this,—these first settlers formed a
homogeneous community. With so few exceptions that I cannot detect
them, they were alike in character and condition. As a whole, they
were intelligent, high-minded and religious to such a degree that it was
a saying in “The Millitary Tract:” “If you wish to settle among re-
ligionists, go to Homer.” This homogeneity did not die out, but con-
tinued for at least seventy-five years; or until the time when the de-
scendants of the first settlers gave up their farms, to people of other
nationalities. Then all things began to change. Heretofore the farm-
ers and the farming interest had dominated the town. Now, the village
with some slight manufacturing interests began to come to the front.
It is not for me to say whether the change was for good or ill; I only
say that Homer underwent a change—the same process is going on in
all New England.
The reason for this sustained likeness is to be found in the church
and in the academy,—each doing its part in holding the people true to
their traditions and their principles.
Happy is the people whose life and institutions are so grounded in
religion and education. It means virtue, intelligence, industry and
prosperity.
The town early began to indicate its pre-eminently religious char-
acter.
The State of Connecticut—mindful of her children who were emi-
grating to the far west, as Central New York was then called, had not
long before established a Home Missionary Society, and was sending
out pastors of her own churches to minister for a few months, or a year,
perhaps, to these scattered sheep of her flocks in the wilderness. The
right man was sent to Homer. Rev. Seth Williston is a name forever
to be cherished by this church. It was he who first unified and brought
into shape the religious elements already in the town. He began to
preach in 1798—remaining for a few weeks only—and fifteen converts
were the result. Probably the entire population could be regarded as
distinctly religious. Then came the matter of a church, bringing out
the vexatious question—what church it should be—Congregational or
Presbyterian—for there could be no other choice. The great majority
were Congregationalists having come from New England. It argues, I
think, a good degree of Christian charity that this majority did not, at
once, go forward and form a church on its own basis. But Congrega-
tionalism has always been free from the sectarian spirit, and has given
itself over and over again to the gain of other denominations—especially
to the Presbyterian—and loss to itself. The wisest possible thing was
done in forming a society first and waiting for possible agreement as to
a church. But agreement did not come. Men held their religious opin-
ions stiflly in those days. There were good men on each side. EsquireREV. JOHN KEEP,
Pastor of the Church from October 15, 1821, to October 3, 1833.CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
9
Miller and his son (who afterward became deacon) having come from
New Jersey, were Presbyterians, and were not as pliant in their convic-
tions as the willow that shaded their home. Things were not going
well. Religion began to suffer. The situation was dangerous. It was
then that the patron saint of this church appeared in the form of a
woman. After all, it takes a woman to do the supremely wise and
brave thing. Men strive to untie the gordian knot by delay and com-
promise; a woman cuts it and it is done. After a night spent in prayer
and thought, Mrs. Dorothy Hoar a’^^je in the morning and proposed to
her husband to secure the signatures of those who would sign a creed
and covenant for a Congregational church. This was done and the
church was formed. The time for waiting was over; the hour for action
had come. Indeed, it would seem that action was what all were wait-
ing for. Its success was immediate and complete. The alternative
would have been longer waiting and the formation of two churches—an
unspeakable calamity had it happened. There has not been and never
will be room on these six acres for a Congregational and a Presbyte-
rian church.
Twenty-six years later a Presbyterian church was formed in Cort-
land, and the few who still favored that order were dismissed to it.
The Millers, though nearer to Cortland, remained here.
The church, 1804, became a member of “The Middle Association of
the Military Tract and Vicinity, ’ ’ which embraced all the Congrega-
tional churches in Central New York. As there were then practically
no roads in the entire region, pastor and delegate must have gone by
trail to far off and infrequent meetings; but I have no doubt they went.
In 1811 this Congregational Association merged itself in “The Pres-
bytery of Cayuga and Onondaga. ”
This was the most important event in the Ecclesiastical history of
the church except its separation from Presbytery in 1868 under the pas-
torate of Dr. Holbrook. It came about under or rather was a part of,
the “Plan of Union,” as it was termed. I cannot enter at length into
an account of this agreement. Stated briefly it was this: Central and
Western New York was settled by Congregationalists from New Eng-
land, and by Presbyterians from other parts of the country. In order
to prevent the formation of two churches by people who were in substan-
tial agreement, which if done would have ensured a wretched existence
of weakness and rivalry, a plan was formed by which a Congregational
church could become a member of Presbytery so far as to report to that
body and be governed by it in the matter of settling and dismissing its
pastors. Otherwise it remained Congregational in its methods.
As the whole thing is now ended, having served its day, it is need-
less to remark upon it.
While it was an astute and well-meant arrangement, all the advan-
tages of it came to the Presbyterian side; for ultimately nearly all the
churches thus associated, gravitated to the body to which they were al-
ready bound,—the associations having died out under a plan that de-
prived it of its main functions. When a mere boy I overheard Deacon Ives
and my father talking on the subject, and the latter’s saying: “The Plan
of Union was wise, as it saved the churches of Western New York;”—
meaning that they were saved from mutual destruction through weak-
ness and rivalry. It is due to Dr. Holbrook—a man of irresistible 1
energy—that this church is to-day wholly and purely Congregational.
He too cut the gordian knot, and a relation that was outworn and anom-
alous was brought to an end.
Dr. Robinson will treat this subject more fully in a paper to be
read to-morrow evening; but I cannot forbear saying that the church
owes an unspeakable debt of gratitude to Dr. Holbrook for his action in
this matter. He has been criticized as having broken virtual promises
not to disturb the relation of the church to Presbytery. But when the
the general assembly passed a vote that if the churches under the plan10
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
of union did not within a given time “perfect their relation to Presby-
tery” they should be cut off, all promises were dissolved; the threat
changed everything. Congregationalism knows no law but only ad-
vice. It is a free system, and recognizes no power outside of itself.
Had this church not sundered its relation to the Presbytery, it would
have been false not only to its own history of 75 years, but to the his-
tory of 300 years; false also to its own nature.
I will not dwell long upon the early pastors. Mr. Darrow—the first
ordained Congregational pastor in the “The Military Tract” was set-
tled by a truly catholic Council—being composed of Congregational,
Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian ministers; a catholicity that was
due however to the fact that the Council was held before the formation
of “The Middle Association. ”
One longs to know the means of travel at that time, for the service
was held in February, and it was less than ten years since the County
was settled. Each of the seven members came from twenty to forty
miles, and doubtless by trail, and on the snow. The list comprised
Manlius, Geneva, Owasco, Lisle, Pompey, Clinton and Cazenovia. The
notable event was described in the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine by vote
of the Council which directed Mr. Higgins the preacher thus to record
it. During the pastorate of Mr. Darrow ninety-three persons became
members of the church, so that nearly the entire adult population must
have been enrolled in it.
It seems to have emphasized the music, for we read that the choir
had two choristers and a bass viol—an instrument that was perpetuated
either in itself or by a representative as late as 1840 when it was played
by a venerable man who also sang tenor. How clearly can I still see
Mr. Clark’s white head in the choir of the old church—playing and
singing with rapt devotion. Far more than the sermon did he engage
my attention, and far better is he remembered. I wonder in what
heavenly choir he now makes melody.
Mr. Walker came in 1808 and remained until his death. Of the
twelve pastors he is the only one who died here. His monument stood
in-the old cemetery where the inscription was read by the children on
Sunday while they strolled through the grounds between services, with
a kind of awe and reverence because he had been a minister. Why
should the minister die—they thought.
We pass over the little trouble and disaffection that prevailed for a
time and was healed by Dr. Lansing of Auburn. Mr. Talmadge Hall
told me that after the Council had set things right and reconciliation
had been affected, Dr. Lansing went forward and said: “Now, brethren,
we must have our hearts warmed up before we separate;” and then fol-
lowed in a strain of powerful eloquence until all were melted and brought
to tears. The meeting continued for two days and was followed by a
succession of revivals in one of which 188 were added to the church. He
died at forty, but in his ministry of twelve years 558 persons were
brought into the church,—again sweeping almost the entire population
into the Christian fold. Where better could they have been? Where else
should a Christian man be but in a Christian church?
Mr. Darrow was a man of “good natural talent but without exten-
sive culture, austere, full of energy and faithful in the discharge of his
duties.” Mr. Walker was a graduate of Brown university, a man of
good breeding and culture, tall and erect in carriage, easy and grace-
ful in manners, and on his first coming to Homer he dressed in conti-
nental style. He seemed to have filled the ideal of a Christian pastor,—
pacific in disposition, prudent, patient and faithful, “pointing to heaven
and led himself the way;” not a great preacher but an excellent pastor.
In Mr. Keep, who followed him, we come upon a man of totally dif-
ferent mould and character,—a man whom I do not hesitate to pronounce
not only the greatest of your pastors, but the most effective citizen the
town has known; a man who left here an impress deeper and in moreCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
11
ways than anyone who has dwelt long among you. He is not to be es-
timated by his native qualities of energy, zeal and fidelity, but by his
ability to measure the questions that were coming to the front in both
church and state, his clear insight into their meaning and their drift,
and his courage and wisdom in maintaining them alone and under an
opposition which led to ostracism.
Where Mr. Keep was born and educated, and what was his age, I
have no means of ascertaining. He was settled in 1821, one of the con-
ditions being that Mrs. Keep should not be expected to do pastoral work
in visiting except as she chose. Whether this provision was due to Mr.
Keep’s great love for his wife (I hope it was) or to her love of herself (I
trust it was not) or to a forecast of the day when woman should have
rights of her own and in no way be mixed up in her husband’s affairs,
I do not know. But, as Mr. Keep was a born radical, I suspect it may
have been due to the latter reason. I find, however, that in the revival
under Dr. Burchard, Mrs. Keep aided Mrs. Burchard in instructing the
children. I infer, therefore, that the condition was simply a flag of in-
dependence hoisted by the husband in defence of his wife. The condi-
tion is'"often acted on, but I know of no other case in which it was made
a stipulation of settlement.
We have a hint of the progressive spirit of the man in the fact that
stoves were introduced into the church the next year. Mr. Keep was a
radical, but he was not an ascetic. He seemed to have entered at once
upon a work which might be termed as evangelizing the entire commun-
ity. His method was that of taking the gospel into every part of the
town, and thus bringing it within arm’s reach, so to speak, of every
man, woman and child in the neighborhood.
It was he, I think, who began the custom of holding regular preach-
ing services in all the school districts. A weekly service was not
enough for him. Often, I have been told, he preached three evenings in
the week—in East River, in Little York, and on the Scott Road and so
on. I think the custom was continued through the ministry of Dr. Rob-
inson. I still remember hearing Mr. Fessenden give notice that on
Wednesday evening at early candle-light, he would preach in the school
house of a certain district. Mr. Keep maintained the custom for twelve
years. He was a preacher of great force—direct, sensible, practical—
demanding direct action in his hearers, and expecting immediate re-
sults. He hardly knew how to wait—even on God.
It is due in considerable part to these meetings in school houses—thus
carried on by Mr. Keep and his successors—that Homer became the
town it is. He carried religion to the door of every house, until almost
every family was drawn into the church. He kept the people alive to
its claims, and made an atmosphere for it. Hence it was that even
within my own memory, a processton of carriages came on Sunday to
the village along every street leading from it. I venture the opinion that
in these days one never sees in the village at any one time so many ve-
hicles as were seen every Sunday sixty years ago. It was almost uni-
versal custom. Well do I remember one1 good man who came four miles
in a lumber wagon from the hills—missing never a Sunday, and as
regularly slept throughjthe sermon. But what of that? He had come
to God’s house and he worshiped all the way down and back. If he
slept, it was because he was subduing the forest, and was resting both
body and soul.
I dwell on this custom because it is so eminently beautiful and fit.
It was then that Homer reached its high-water mark of Christian civili-
zation. In almost every household, family worship was maintained. If
there was an exception, it was more apt to be in the village than in the
country. The school house preaching service, by getting close to the
people, was more effective than the larger congregation. How well do
I remember it!—the flickering candle-light, the heavy shadows, the fa-
miliar hymn—pathetic and solemn, led by a woman’s voice, the plain12
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
direct sermon with its eternal appeal to accept the Saviour now; delay
is dangerous; now is the accepted time; a simple prayer invoking the
influence of the Holy Spirit; the request for any to rise who wished to ex-
press a new-found hope or to ask the prayers of others; the quiet breaking
up; the walk home—silent, because too full of feeling for speech—it was
through such influences in such services that many a life and many a
household was regenerated in more ways than they knew. It was from
families, so inspired and lifted up in their whole life and all their facul-
ties, that young people flocked to the academy where they encountered
such men as Abel Kinney—a saint whose flame of devotion burned too
intensely for his feeble body and passed away leaving a memory so holy
that for years his name was breathed rather than spoken; Henry Nel-
son, whose clear voice to the students at their weekly prayer-meetings I
can yet hear; Mr. Wool worth, a great teacher and a good man, who
stood at the beginning of many a career of high-minded service in
church and state;—such were the influences that flowed out of the labors
of Father Keep—and well was he called Father, for he put that stamp of
thorough-going earnestness into religion that lasted more than one gen-
eration. I have always been greatly touched by the story told of his
dividing the attic of his house,—the one next above Dr. Bradford’s—into
small rooms so that the students lodging in it could each have a place
for his private devotions. A simple fact, but it reveals a man who knew
what he was about and took means to accomplish his end. What a
splendid sense of reality and genuine faith, and what force in execution I
It illustrated his career on a broader field and in many directions.
Father Keep came to Homer when great revivals were sweeping
through the country. Dr. Finney and Dr. Burchard were the chief lead-
ers in this State. The latter held a series of meetings here and was
sustained by Father Keep in the ‘ ‘measures ’ ’—as they were called—that
were employed by him. What these “measures” were I do not fully
know. They were not such as prevailed at that time among the Metho-
dists (which embraced bodily convulsions) but pertained rather to meth-
ods of dealing with those under conviction, and generally to an over-
tense pressure in urging immediate action. Perhaps it might be said
they were fast, whereas they had been slow. However it be, the ques-
tion of “measures” brought about separation which divides men as con-
servative or radical, which has always divided society and will continue
to divide it. Men become more tolerant as time goes on, but this dis-
tinction will not die out; it is as inevitable and as essential as centri-
petal and centrifugal. The churches in Central and Western New York
took sides over Dr. Burchard’s “measures.” Though coming consider-
ably later, I was not too late to hear lingering echoes of the conflict.
“The burnt over regions” where Dr. Burchard labored were still spoken
of in evidence of his unwise measures. Whether the phrase was a just
one or not, I am unable to form an opinion; nor do I know whether Dr.
Burchard upon the whole, did harm or good. I was brought up in the
conservative atmosphere, but I have not always breathed it, and I sus-
pect some of the ancient verdicts I used to uphold.
Father Keep sustained Dr. Burchard, and—considering his temper^
ament—with moderation and charity but with no uncertainty; in that
quality he had no share. He was a thorough-going radical, a stout fight-
er, a close reasoner, of boundless enthusiasm and tireless industry. But
especially he was a humanitarian of a type that had just appeared, yet
had won no recognition save at Oberlin, and here and there at the East
where it was undergoing persecution. As I look back upon him, I think
he was at least half a century ahead of his day. His piety was not the
piety of the time and the region. The saint of that day was one who
prayed much, and meditated, and fed his soul on the divine sovereignty
and waited for the Holy Spirit to come and more fully bless him. May
the type never die out; still there is a higher type that needs also the
other. Father Keep had caught sight of this new type—let me call itCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
13
the humanitarian type—the type of action rather than of meditation—
and set it at work almost before its time. I can not find out if he had
many adherents here. Homer was exceedingly conservative. If one had
set about devising a plan to secure a community of the most thorough-
going conservatism, he could have found no better way than by bring-
ing a company of settlers from Massachusetts and Connecticut into the
wilderness of Central New York and shutting them up for thirty years
by themselves. Why and how should they change? Father Keep came
into such a community. So far as I can learn, he left but two represen-
tatives of himself in the church—Simeon S. Bradford and Orin Cravath.
The former sympathized with his Anti-Slavery views; the latter with
both his political and theological views. For Mr. Bradford I cherish a
reverence as for a hero of the first order, on the strength of a single act.
I can remember that he was always spoken of with respect, but with a
subdued qualification; singular, I think he would have been called. Dur-
ing Mr. Platt’s ministry, an Abolitionist was not to be respected or tol-
erated; but everybody respected Simeon Bradford. Notices of Anti-
Slavery meetings were not given in church during Mr. Platt’s minis-
try; had he given such notices, his pulpit would soon have been vacant.
At the close of a service on a Sunday morning, after the benediction had
been pronounced, Simeon Bradford rose in his pew (it was the first pew
on the right as one entered by the north door—and faced the congrega-
tion) and in a clear, ringing voice—I can hear it yet though it was more
than sixty years ago—gave notice that “an Anti-Slavery meeting will
be held in the school house near Factory Hill on Monday evening at
early candle-light; all are invited to attend.” Mr. Platt reddened in
the face but wisely said nothing. The people looked at one another in
mild surprise; some faintly smiled, but all respected Simeon Bradford.
I suspect, however, that he furnished all the candles that were burned
at that meeting. My impression of him is that he was one of the clear-
est-headed and most intelligent men of the town, as he certainly was
the bravest. He had been under the ministry of Father Keep for eleven
years and had imbibed his spirit and his opinions as to slavery. Later
on (1842) yet when the Anti-Slavery question was at white heat, he was
chosen Deacon; it was a triumph of character over prejudice. I have
recently learned that in Wisconsin where he removed in 1849, he was
called to fill high positions of honor and usefulness in the State.
The other—Mr. Orin Cravath—was a picturesque figure—tall, gaunt,
heavy-featured, a kind of John-the-Baptist in his appearance—the only
man in his day who had the courage or rather the independence to enter
the church in his shirt sleeves on a hot Sunday and therefore was the
only man who was comfortable—as those will confess who remember
how the sun beat in through the uncurtained windows of the old church.
He was a born radical, and at last he shook off the dust from his feet
and went to Oberlin where all things suited him. Time justified him,
for there he educated his son, who became the President of Fisk Uni-
versity, and won a national reputation as a man of great ability and
highest character. Homer should never forget him, for she gave him
birth and nourished him in his early years. As I recall these two
men—Mr. Bradford and Mr. Cravath—I am inclined to the opinion that
they were nearer right than was the church.
I can not leave the ministry of Father Keep without referring to a
sermon which I do not hesitate to say is the most noteworthy utterance
ever made in this town. I do not refer to its eloquence, though it is
packed full of vehement and telling speech, nor to what is usually termed
profundity, for it does not directly touch questions of theology. I mean
that it marked a transition in habits of religious thought and action.
This was brought out in a comparison between old measures and new
measures. These terms stood (as I have said) for methods of conduct-
ing revivals, but behind them lay the distinction in theology known as
old and new school. It was the controversy over the will—then raging14
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
in New England—brought into this secluded town in Central New York.
Stated roughly, one side waited on God for the revival—rather deprecat-
ing any action except prayer, while the other side insisted on action.
Father Keep threw himself with all his resistless energy, upon the lat-
ter side. The sermon is remarkable for the fairness with which he
treated the old school side while he urged the latter. Though nominally
a Calvinist, he leaned heavily to the Arminian side. But he was more
than Calvinist or Arminian; he was broader than either. He early
caught the spirit of the age that was coming on,—the age of action and
of humanity. It appears from the sermon that he had been criticised
for bringing into the church young people at an earlier age than had
been usual in the church. But he contended, that “the church is a
mother;” that “the design of the church is to form a nursery for spir-
itual children. ’ ’ His defense is a masterpiece of cogent reasoning and
common sense.
It is an interesting fact that Father Keep, in this far-off region, in
1833, anticipated by fourteen years Dr. Bushnell’s book on “Christian
Nurture”—the most important and effective book of the century on the-
ology in New England. It also appears from this sermon that there
was a wide difference between himself and the theological Seminaries.
He used no names, but he probably referred to the one nearest. The
vigor with which he addressed himself to these abodes of respectability
and conservatism is as refreshing as it was necessary. He contended
for what has always been—with exceptions—the fact, that the churches
are ahead of the Seminaries, and that the people are ahead of the min-
isters. While unsparing in his criticism, he was yet broad enough to
recognize the great value of the Seminaries and the piety of their offi-
cers. He was not a narrow man; his humanity kept him broad and
charitable. He was intense and on-rushing, but it was the intensity
and movement of a soul dominated by profound conviction lighted by
clear vision. What he was to the church he was to the academy—then
in its infancy; and what a helpful force he must have been to it—in those
early days! With such a pastor over the church, and such a principal
as Mr. Woolworth in the academy, it is not strange that Homer came to
be regarded as a home of learning and piety, and that students flocked
here from all the region within a radius of fifty miles. If ever a tablet
should be placed upon these walls to any one of your pastors, let it be
in memory of John Keep,—great alike as a pastor and a civilian. His
contentions have been justified by history.
He was followed by Rev. Dennis Platt, an able man and a good
preacher, conservative but intelligent. His ministry of eight years was
fruitful and the church in no way fell behind.
Of the next pastor, Mr. Fessenden, I can speak only with tender
respect and warm affection. He was a man of good breeding, a gentle-
man through and through, incapable of giving or taking offense, for-
giving to the last degree, incessant in his activity, intelligent, practical
and with a passion for doing good, especially in the form of healing
disputes and restoring the fallen and going after the lost. He was an
ideal pastor, but unfortunately he was an indifferent preacher. After
leaving Homer he spent the remainder of his longlife in Connecticut, where
he was everywhere known and loved for his good works in connection with
reformatory institutions—one of which was created by himself. His lack
of impressing force in the pulpit was, I believe, associated with a sus-
picion fastened on him, of holding lax views in theology. My impression
is that Mr. Fessenden was an orthodox man of the new school type, and
that he did not trouble himself much with theological distinctions. His
sermons, however, could not fail of being regarded as vague. Vague
indeed, were his sermons, but his life was as clear and beautiful as St.
John’s. The church did itself no credit, nor did it better its theology
by sending him away. Dr. Lounsbury filled his place for a year, de-
lighting the hearts of those who loved the old ways and sound theology,CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
15
soundly and ably preached. He was a man of vigorous intellect and
thorough education, a Puritan of Puritans, and a man whom it was a
pleasure to know and to remember. I was at that time a student in
theology, and happened to be at home one vacation when he made a pas-
toral call at the house, and, as was his custom, questioned the assembled
family as to their spiritual condition. I do not remember what account
I gave of myself; but as he had the good sense to avoid theology and I
followed his lead, we had a sweet and peaceful interview. I can truly
say that I remember it with deep and tender satisfaction. What was it
but the Confessional—redeemed from its abuses and set to use once
more in rational ways?
I will say but a word or two of Mr. Priest and Mr. Bigelow; of Dr.
Holbrook I have already spoken.
Mr. Priest was a man of thorough education, a vigorous preacher,
a genial companion, and—as I now recall him—of a child-like disposi-
tion, sensitive to criticism as well as to our climate, the rigor of which
he could not endure. He was a Presbyterian in his affiliations, but
was open-minded and the farthest from anything like partizanship.
As to Mr. Bigelow, I will venture to say that Homer never quite
understood him. Having known him in college, I think I can speak
from more data than are to be found here. Mr. Bigelow was a poet and a
musician. While by no means sentimental, he dealt largely in sentiment,
as every man of the first order does. He was imbued with the modern
habit of thought, though he was not thoroughly versed in it. His ser-
mons were filled with this thought but it was not set in order, and there-
fore failed of strong and definite impression. He took too little time for
writing them. He was always in haste. My recollection of him at
Yale—and it extended over two or three years—was as always hurry-
ing across the college campus,—never otherwise. He was full of busi-
ness and did more work than any three men in college. He was versa-
tile, brilliant, successful, except that he spread himself over too wide a
variety of work. A theological course of study had not overcome his in-
grained habits, or concentrated his energies into one line of action. He
loved his violin, and he paid the penalty—like many a man—of failing
through excess of brilliant talents. I would not imply that his ministry
was a failure. On the contrary he stimulated a certain class of minds
to fresh thought and delicate feeling, and broadened the channels of
human interests in a community that required such an influence in or-
der to keep abreast of the age.
Those of us who knew and understood him, remember him with pe-
culiar affection, and think of him with a touch of pathos—a man of rather
too fine a nature for the rough and tumble of every day life.
Of Dr. Robinson’s ministry, I cannot speak as I would, for, if he is
not here to-day, some echo of my words may reach him on the head-
waters of the Delaware.
What is more admirable than for a man to live in a community
twenty years; put himself at the head of it by virtue of all-round ability
and weight of character; guide it in wise ways by his counsels; support
and strengthen its institutions—church and school, and in almost equal
measure; inspire it by his teachings and his saintly life; a friend of all
and a helper in every good work; without whims, cherishing lofty ideals
and yet living close to the people and their needs, and keeping up to
this level of character and conduct for a score of years with high cheer-
fulness and a stout heart;—what is so admirable! Such was Dr. Rob-
inson, as I have learned to think of him; and so I leave him.
Of the Church and its pastors during the past ten years I know so
little and you so much that I will not speak of the history which they
represent.
Before I close this long, and yet too short history to justify the name,
I will take a few moments to mention what seem to me to be the grounds16
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
of the life and character of the church and the town. I couple them be-
cause for more than half a century they were as one.
It has been usual to attribute the high character of the church and
the community to the revivals of religion that so frequently—almost reg-
ularly—were experienced here.
It was a period of frequent and great revivals. The~churches had
almost no other end in view than to bring about a state of feeling and to
induce an experience which should make the church include the town,
as, at certain periods was almost the case. It-wasCa high church era
with the enthusiasm of the apostolic age.
This is not the time or place to analyze or criticise or praise the re-
vival system. The historian sets down what he finds. It is enough to
say that it kept the people alive to religion. Every home and school
house was a sanctuary of religion. It dominated everything,—deter-
mined habits and customs and speech; it made sin exceedingly sinful
and righteousness stern and commanding. No discerning man will
speak of revivals otherwise than with respect; they are the foundation out
of which have flowed unspeakable blessings to us who were reared here.
The earlier revivals, including those of Father Keep’s day, were
marked by intense feeling. What is there in this American world that
is real which is not also intense? And what is religion but intensity of
conviction that breeds intensity of life? One such movement was within
my own remembrance. There was no excitement that was heard; only
frequent meetings and a quietness that could almost be felt. If there is
a Holy Spirit that can pervade a community and hush it into stillness,
so that the soul can find its way to God, it was so then. I speak sin-
cerely when I say that it was very like the Lenten season of the prelati-
cal churches when it is truly observed—a season set apart for humilia-
tion and frequent prayer and closer access to God. If Lent and the
Revival would each learn of the other it would be ideal.
While revivals are the key to the history of the church and town,
there are other things that also contributed to make them what they
came to be.
First—The soil and the climate are good. As soon as the sun was
let in upon the earth, it yielded rich harvests. There is hardly an un-
tillable acre in the town; certainly not an unproductive one. Hence,
the people were quickly well housed and well fed. Poverty is no-help
to religion and intelligence; prosperity is.
But of far greater moment is the fact that the great majority of the
first settlers were of good New England stock. When a man left Mas-
sachusetts and Connecticut a century ago and pushed his way through
a hundred and fifty miles of dense forest, he was good for something;
he was at least a man. But these early settlers were more; they were
intelligent, of good English blood, alive with the instincts of the highest
civilization in the world, profoundly religious, and thoroughly grounded
in the traditions and habits that led to industry, virtue and civil order.
Hence, sixty years ago, there was no real poverty, almost no degrada-
tion, but little drunkenness or vice or gambling. The few offenders
were notorious, and were held in contempt and used as examples to warn
the young. There was no condoning the conduct of evil doers; even the
man who took usury had a bad name. The standards were rigid and
the verdicts of condemnation were severe, but the air was pure, and
sweet to breathe. Let us who were reared in it thank God, and keep
back every critical word, or flippant comparison.
The next most important factor in the making of Homer was the
Academy. It was named for the County, and so was called Cortland
Academy; but it was built in and by Homer. It should be said, how-
ever, that Homer embraced what is now Cortland, which it reared and
watched over for thirty years and then set off to care for itself in 1829.
I connect the Academy with the church because the history of neither
can be told without that of the other. They were as one to the people.REV. DENNIS PLATT,
Pastor of the Church from March 12, 1834, to April 7, 1842.CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
17
The unbroken tradition of New England to this day is that the church
and the school go together. First a college, in order that the church
might have a learned as well as a Godly ministry. Homer could not
have a college, but it would come as near it as possible and so,—twenty
years after the church was organized,—secured a charter for an Acad-
emy. It was New England over again and in its highest form.
The church and the Academy played into each other; and together they
held the people to what was best in each. It was undenominational,
and the Baptist and Episcopal churches were represented on the board
of trustees and in the teaching faculty. It thus bred a catholic spirit,
and, as I remember the town, it was remarkably free from the sectarian
temper, notwithstanding that doctrinal and ecclesiastical distinctions
were rigorously held. More than all, it diffused a high and noble spirit
throughout the community. The teachers gave the tone to society. In
a very real sense and degree learning was honored, and was counted as
essential to respectability. Every parent, and every bright boy and girl
felt the inspiration of the Academy. As I recur to my childhood I re-
member two chief topics of conversation in the household—the Church
and the Academy; and I can not recall which was named oftener. Mul-
titudes of young men began their education here who are now filling high
positions of honor and usefulness in church and state. In 1859 its stu-
dents had numbered more than 8,000. The hope of the nation and of the
world, and the hope of every man lies in education and religion. Never
were they more truly blended than in this Academy.
A sermon, as long even as this, is too short to cover the history of a
hundred years. I have but touched it here and there; but I hope with
sufficient distinctness to make you, of the later generation, feel that you
are the inheritors of a history not only full of deepest interest, but
marked by the highest qualities that belong to humanity—a profound
sense of religion as a dominant factor of character and conduct; a civic
instinct that insists on good government; a deep sense of the value of
knowledge as a necessary part of true living; a sense of righteousness
that keeps life pure and earnest; that wastes no time in idle pleasures
but makes duty in high and noble ways—the law and the end of life.
It was said of the Pilgrim Fathers that they journeyed to Heaven
and took New England on the way. It may be said also of that gene-
ration—children of the Pilgrims—who brought their faith and their
spirit into this wilderness and wrought them into institutions and tra-
ditions that still perpetuate them.
They sleep in the sacred enclosure which their hands redeemed from
the wild forest. May their faith, their principles, their spirit never
cease to live in those who have entered into their labors.IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
REV. ELNATHAN WALKER,
Who was Pastor of this Church and
Society from July 26, 1809, till his death,
June 4, 1820.
“Servant of God, well done,
Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master’s joy.”Order of Service
SUNDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 6, 1901.
Chorus Choir.
Sopranos.
Mrs. Charles Oliver,
Mrs. Fred Davis,
Miss Carolyn Arnold,
Miss Alice Van Iderstine,
Miss Sarah S. Pomeroy,
Miss S. Grace Pearson.
Altos.
Miss Fannie Clark,
Mrs. W. E. Burdick,
Mrs. C. H. Stevens,
Mrs. E. H. Knapp,
Miss Maud Whitney,
Miss Sadie Larabee,
Mrs. Merton Whiting.
Tenors.	Basses.
R. J. McElheny,
Merton Whiting,
E. L. Stone,
Charles H. Arnold.
H. W. Carver,
F. V. Bennett,
W. H. Foster,
Ralph S. Bennett,
F. Eugene Stone.
Mrs. W. H. Foster, Organist.
Organ Prelude—Festspiel,
Mrs. W. H. Foster.
Volckmar
Hymn No. 776—4‘The Church’s One Foundation.”
Prayer.
Rev. F. A. S. Storer, Syracuse, N. Y.
Response—Chorus,	-	-	-	-	- Fearis
CHORUS—“King All Glorious,” -	-	-	Emerson
Scripture Lesson—Isaiah 61.
Rev. Ethan Curtis, Syracuse, N. Y.
Solo—From “Holy City” “Eye Hath Not Seen,” -	-	Gaul
Miss Arla Hubbard.
Words op Greeting.
Rev. B. W. Hamilton, D. D., Homer, N. Y.
Rev. C. W. Negus, Homer, N. Y.
Hymn No. 770—“Blest Be the Tie That Binds.”
Words of Greeting.
Rev. F. G. Webster, Summer Hill, N. Y.
Rev. Robert Yost, Cortland, N. Y.20
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Chorus—1*Ashamed of Jesus,”	-
Address—‘‘Voices of the Past.”
Rev. F. A. S. Storer, Syracuse, N. Y.
Hymn No. 695—“O, Where are Kings and Empires Now. ”
Benediction.
Rev. W. A. Robinson, D. D., Middletown, N. Y
Postlude—Processional,	-
Mrs. W. H. Foster.
Synopsis of Sunday Evening Service.
Rev. B. W. Hamilton, D. D.
An address was to have been delivered by Rev. B. W. Hamilton, D. D.,
pastor of the M. E. Church at Homer, in voicing the greeting of that
church, but Dr. Hamilton was attending the M. E. conference in Syra-
cuse, and sent the following which was read by Mr. Kettle:
Syracuse, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1901.
Rev. W. F. Kettle:
Dear Brother—I regret exceedingly that I cannot be present at
your fraternal gathering next Sunday evening, and participate in its
proceedings. The Congregational Church as a great and prosperous
denomination, has a warm place in my heart, and the local church over
which you are the Lord’s under shepherd, has endeared itself to me in
many ways. We have labored side by side for three years, and each
successive year has increased our fraternal regard. A hundred years
of existence for any organization, carries a weight of influence with its
history. The Congregational Church of Homer, has had a long and
honorable life, which, as it were, is only just begun. That its good
work may go on gloriously, increasing ever in spiritual influence and
power, and that you and your people may ever be “the blessed of the
Lord,” is the sincere wish of your fellow laborer in the Master’s vine-
yard. Yours Most Fraternally,	B. W. Hamilton,
Pastor Methodist Episcopal Church, Homer, N. Y.
Rev. C. W. Negus.
The first speaker was Rev. C. W. Negus, pastor of the Baptist
Church at Homer. He congratulated the church on the past, on the faith-
ful men and women who had formed its membership, and also on the
Godly men and women who formed its present membership, and who in
a later generation will be looked back upon as we of this age now look
on those who have gone before. He congratulated the church on its ma-
terial prosperity and on its pastor and his wife. He congratulated the
church on its future of promise that opens before it. He then spoke
of the responsibilities that rest upon it as the oldest church in Homer,
saying, it is your work to mould life and to shape the life that shall be
here at the close of the next century. Shall we not be faithful to the
memory of the past and to the charge the men of former days have left
to us? My prayer is that you may fulfill the possibilities that may be
yours. How better can I close than in those words of Oliver Wendell
Holmes in the Nautilus:
Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul,
As the swift seasons roll!
Leave thy low-vaulted past!
Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,
Till thou at length art free,
Leaving thine out grown shell by life’s unresting sea!
Nelson
BatisteCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
21
Rev. F. G. Webster.
Rev. F. G. Webster, of Summer Hill, was the second speaker. He
extended the greetings of a country church, as he said, which had
poured forth of its vitality to strengthen the larger churches, the one in
Homer among them. He spoke of those who had come from Summer
Hill to Homer and dwelt upon the influence of one hundred years of
Christian leadership, and upon the effect of Christian work in the state,
in the homes, and in the church.
Mr. Kettle took up the cue from Mr. Webster’s remarks, and said
that it was from Summer Hill that Deacon E. G. Ranney had come; he
had made his confession of faith in Christ in that church on the hill,
and had come down to Homer to be a power in that church. He re-
gretted his absence from Homer at the time of this anniversary.
Rev. Robert Yost.
Rev. Robert Yost, pastor of the Congregational church in Cortland,
was next on the program. Mr. Yost said that the human mind can be
hardly contented with the present. We are either plodding over parts
of the past or reaching out to the future. Only the mind of the brute is
content with the present. We are best in the hour that turns our minds
back into some channel where our lives were lighted. We are indissol-
ubly linked with the past. One hundred years have put their impress
upon the life and soul of every member of this church. The speaker
said he brought greetings from a blushing maiden of 20 summers. His
church felt quite young in a place like this. Just now it was suffering
from pride and vanity over a new dress, but he expected it to recover
soon and be itself. Mr. Yost congratulated the church on the plans that
it had carried out during the last hundred years, and also on the fact
that some of their plans were not carried out, for the wisdom of man is
sometimes foolishness. He congratulated the church on what it stands
for; on the good it has done unconsciously. Said the speaker: 4‘When
I come into a place like this I feel, would God that I could roll back the
tide that is gone out, and that we could see the record. How many there
are whom you have helped and you never knew it. In the last day I
believe the list of these will be greater than of those you had planned
to help. You have a great heritage coming down into your life through
this century gone. You ought to do more than the church I represent.
When Wendell Phillips was asked where he got the eloquence which he
put in the delivery of his lecture on the ‘Lost Arts,’ he said: ‘I have
gained it by putting 100 nights of delivering it back of me. ’ One hun-
dred years behind you is a great thing. It means 100 years of prepara-
tion to do something better than you have planned. I have been a neigh-
bor to you but a year and a half, but that is long enough to learn that
you value your sacred trust, and I have a safe confidence that you will
carry it out to the good. ”
Rev. F. A. S. Storer.
Rev. F. A. S. Storer, for several years pastor of the church and the
predecessor of the present pastor, was the last speaker. He said the
past is a fact whether it is pleasing or not. What is the value of such
services as these? What is the value of going over the history of the state,
of men, of deeds? Why do we not talk of the present and the future?
Some say what is the use of the study of the Old Testament? What do
we care about Jacob? WThat is the value of any history of any nation?
What is the value of the biographies of its great men and women? What
is the value of the history of a church? Because it is a storehouse of in-
struction and encouragement. Voices from history encourage, teach,
warn, inspire. We have been instructed and inspired by Dr. Munger’s
address. It deals with facts, with things done, with people who have
lived, met obstacles and overcome them, people who have made this22
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
church what it is and largely what it shall be. It is a noble heritage
the people of the present receive. It is something to be devoutly thank-
ful to God for, something to inspire and encourage.
What are some of its teachings? What does it tell of the past? Of
deep, strong substantial foundations in its men. The strength of a
superstructure depends not less on its foundations than on its side walls.
The building will go to pieces if the foundations are not strong. This
church was founded by New England men. The same is true of strong
churches in the West, their founders were mostly from the East, sub-
stantial, slow, thoughtful, honest, true stock. Those men founded this
church. It is for you to make the walls as strong as the foundations.
You know more about the gospel than they and you have had visions that
they never saw. The voices of the past tell of a magnificent conquest
for Christ in the multitude of souls won for His kingdom. We are a
goodly company gathered together here to-night in the Church of Homer
Militant. The Church of Homer Triumphant is a mighty company and
it is a mighty power. Let the Church Militant greet the Church Tri-
umphant to-night.
This church has always believed in expansion. Another voice from
the past tells me of world-wide interest in Christ’s kingdom. This
church has never known what it was to live for itself alone. Its sky line
is not about Homer only. Its heart has always gone out to those who
needed Christ. The eternal death knell is sounded for the church which
says it will work only at home. The Homer church never did this.
You have a reputation to sustain as a Home and Foreign Missionary
church. You have a duty here and throughout all the land, an obliga-
tion to the world. The men of the last hundred years helped others.
Better work, better opportunities come to you than came to the men of
former days. The great message of the past to us of this present day is
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your
labor is not in vain in the Lord.”Order of Service
MONDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 7, AT 2:00.
Organ Prelude—Meditation,	-	-	-	- Lemaigre
Mrs. W. H. Foster.
Hymn No. 692—“Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken.”
Scripture Lesson—Deuteronomy 11: 10-25.
Prayer.
Rev. Ethan Curtis, Syracuse, N. Y.
Ladies * Quartette—-“Just as God Leads,”	-	-	Parks
Miss Carolyn Arnold, Mrs. W. E. Burdick, Mrs. Fred C.
Davis, Mrs. C. H. Stevens.
Our Sunday School- -Historical.
Dr. J. W. Whitney.
Our Ladies’ Aid and Home Missionary Society—Historical.
Mrs. P. C. Kingsbury.
Duet—“Peace in This Sacred Dwelling,” -	Smith
Miss Carolyn Arnold, R. J. McElheny.
Our Women’s Foreign Missionary Society—Historical.
Mrs. Martha J. Jones.
Our Young People’s Society—Historical.
Miss Frances J. Kingsbury.
Solo—“Ave Maria,”	------ Luzzi
Miss Sarah S. Pomeroy.
Addresses.
Rev. W. B. Dada, Otisco, N. Y.
Prof. E. J. Peck, L. L. D., Phelps, N. Y.
A New Comer.
Rev! F. W. Dickinson.
Hymn No. 651—“How Firm a Foundation Ye Saints of the Lord.”
Benediction.
Rev. W. B. Dada, Otisco, N. Y.
Postlude—March Romaine, -
Mrs. W. H. Foster.
Gounod24
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Our Sunday School—Historical.
By Dr. J. W. Whitney.
Among* the great achievements in the history of Christianity is the
Sabbath school movement of the past century. Its growth has been mar-
velous. Coming in with the century its members have increased from a
few dozen children to more than twelve millions who meet every Sabbath
to study the Scriptures. Who can measure its influence?
Three generations were born and taught God’s word in the Sabbath
school, and behold they launch upon the Christian world that mighty
force—the Young Peoples’ Societies—which has almost revolutionized
our churches and girdled the world with holy zeal and Christian En-
• deavor.
The children and young people, a hundred years ago, were mere
ciphers in our churches. To-day, with the Bible in their hands and
in their hearts, they lead the van in the great onward movements of
Christian civilization. The Sabbath school, hand in hand with the day
school, has pushed itself westward with every wave of emigration.
Hundreds of New England’s sturdy sons and daughters have reared
for themselves homes on western plain and mountain side. They took
their culture and their religion with them. They established schools,
and very soon, with the help and inspiration of those noble men of the
Whitman type, Sabbath schools were opened and the people were
taught God’s word. To-day the bells are ringing from thousands of
churches, calling the people to worship and to thank God for what the
Sabbath school has brought them.
Our own school—the oldest child of the church—was instituted in
that memorable year, 1819.
Between 1810 and 1815 Sabbath schools began to be generally taught
by gratuitous teachers in the city of Philadelphia. In the year 1815 Mr.
Eleazer Lord, of New York city, spent part of the year in making him-
self familiar with the Sabbath school system then in such successful
operation in the Quaker City. He returned to his home and instructed
the churches concerning this new movement. In 1816 he succeeded in
establishing several schools, which he united later into a Sabbath School
Union.
The fire spread from city to city, and soon schools were organized
in many of the churches throughout the state. Our own school was
among the very first. Our history spans the history of the Sabbath
school movement in this country.
As I have said, the year 1819 was a memorable year to all the in-
habitants of these hills and valleys, for it was in this year that the old
Cortland Academy was chartered, from whose halls so many young
men and young women have gone forth to be a blessing to the world.
The scholars in the Academy became the scholars in the Sunday school.
The teachers in the Academy became the teachers and leaders in this
new movement. It is not too much for us to believe that our own school
had much to do with shaping and directing this new organization. How
otherwise could it have been with such men as Professors Kinney, Wool-
worth and Nichols at its head? Let us turn to the organization of the
school. I will read from the Church Records. *	*	*	*
From 1819 to 1855 the church appointed annually a Sabbath school
committee, which had charge of the organization. They elected from
their own members a superintendent and other officers. This commit-
tee appointed every summer, a committee whose duty it was to organize
Sabbath schools in adjoining districts.
The Sabbath school increased in numbers and influence during all
these years. The year 1855 marks a change in the government of the
school. The church voted that three males and three females make up
the committee. The committee appointed was: Paris Barber, DeaconREV. THOMAS K. FESSENDEN,
Pastor of the Church from December 1, 1842, to 1853.CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
25
Amos Rice, Dr. G. W. Bradford, Miss Mary Keep, Mrs. William Hicok,
Mrs. Caleb Green.
Another motion prevailed at that meeting-, viz: That the teachers and
Sabbath school scholars elect the superintendent. We know very little
of the school for the next seven years, as there were no records kept.
But with sugh men as Samuel B. Wool worth, Dr. Bradford and Deacon
Kinney directing, we cannot doubt the school’s prosperity.
Early in 1862, Wm. Carpenter was elected superintendent. He had
entered on his duty but a few months when his country called him with
others from the school, to go forth to defend the flag. C. N. Woodward
was elected to take his place You who remember him must remember
him as a godly man. The school was greatly blessed under his lead-
ership. From his own pen I read that in 1862 there were thirteen teach-
ers and one hundred and twenty-five scholars, and in 1868 there were
thirty-four teachers with an average attendance of two hundred and forty
scholars. I must note a few things that took place in the sixties. Every
month or so the school heid a concert. Not much is said about the sing-
ing, but considerable about the speaking. Carefully printed programs
were used announcing special subjects. One month it would be “Love, ”
another “The Commandments. ’ ’ Noted ministers from all over the coun-
try took part. I find in the notes of August 13, 1865, that the Rev. T. T.
Munger addressed the school. One month later (September 10th) Rev.
E. W. Hitchcock, Rev. Mr. Perkins, Rev. Mr. Parsons, a gentleman
from the south, and one from Massachusetts, addressed the school.
Let me read you a program. * * * Those years must have been
gracious years. I read in a note in the superintendent’s book made
February 11, 1866, the wonderful statement that in the school that day,
with two hundred and sixty-six present, there were not more than five
present who were not hoping in Jesus.
In 1864, Prof. Nichols was elected superintendent, and served until
1868, when Mr. Woodward was elected superintendent, and P. C. Kings-
bury assistant superintendent. Mr. Woodward served until 1872, when
D. B. Corey was elected superintendent. “A man of blessed memory,”
is the tribute his pastor paid him. Then followed Deacon Coleman
Hitchcock, under whose guidance the school became very flourishing.
But I must not mention names further, as there are no less than nine
superintendents still members of the church, and most of them still mem-
bers of the Sabbath school. Is it not enough my brother superintendents
to know that in our time we did—with God’s help—do something to ad-
vance the Master’s kingdom?
In 1869 the infant department was formed with two teachers (Mrs.
Woodward and Miss Hicok) and fourteen scholars. Mrs. A. H. Ben-
nett had charge of the department for twenty years. She was followed
by Miss Carlie Fredericks, who had charge of the department two years.
Mrs. F. A. S. Storer greatly built up this part of the school during the
next two years. At present Mrs. Cyrus Watson is at the head of this
department. She is truly a worthy descendant of that most illustrious
woman referred to yesterday by our historian.
During the last three decades the school has been an influence in
the church and a great help in carrying forward the work of the Mas-
ter. There sits before me men and women who have taught twenty, yes,
thirty years in this school. There are many who have been scholars
here forty, fifty, sixty, and one who stated to me only a few minutes ago,
that she has been a scholar for seventy-five years. Few schools there
are with such a history.
Let us for a moment picture some of the changes through which the
school has passed. The modern Sabbath school began at the beginning
of the century, by teaching the youth how to spell out the words of the
scripture. It begins a new century by teaching them how to spell out
the meaning and spirit of those words. Early m the century came the
memorizing era, when large portions of scripture were committed to26
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
memory. Rewards were offered to those who would commit the greatest
number of verses. It was not uncommon for a scholar to commit three
hundred verses for a single Sabbath.
The teacher obviously had no time for explanations, and much less
for a personal application. The long session of two hours was not long
enough for all to repeat the verses they had learned. As a result of such
training the memory was greatly developed while the intellect had no
apprehension of the truth. As an illustration I might mention Alex.
Lyons, of Sterling, who could repeat the entire Bible. He could repeat
any verse or chapter if you gave him a single clause—telling just where
it could be found. If asked to give a verse to prove that man was a
sinner he could not give a single text. His memory relied on the asso-
ciation of words; his mind wholly failed to grasp the sense. A change
was demanded and soon the limited lessons were adopted in the schools.
Our own school was among the first to make out a schedule of lessons
and print them for the use of the scholars. There are scores of people
here to-day who recall these changes which were so carefully noted in
our records.
But by far the greatest advance in the methods of instruction came
when we adopted the Uniform lessons,—where the whole school and all
the schools in Christendom studied the same lesson. This system has
been a wonderful inspiration to both teacher and scholar; but, my
friends, I believe we are on the eve of another change in our methods of
study. Before ten years shall have passed we shall have still better
methods. What improvements have been made in the helps to the study
of the word since our school was formed! Prof. Nichols and Dr. Hol-
brook did great service to the school in preparing every year those elab-
orate programs for the year’s study.
The literature of the school in 1819 was the New England Primer.
Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim’s Progress, Webster’s Spelling Book. Now
hundreds of books are published every year, written by our most cul-
tured and consecrated workers. Think of the revolution in our singing!
From the chanting of the Psalms, we have our beautiful hymn books,
whose songs are composed especially for the children. It is with no lit-
tle pride that we can look back and see how bravely and how wisely
our school has held on its course all down the years.
We have been a missionary school from the first. We have contrib-
uted men and women as well as money; we have helped our neighbors;
we have placed libraries on the ships that sailed the sea. Syria, Africa,
China,—yea, the uttermost parts of the earth—have been helped by our
gifts. To-day the school on every fourth Sabbath contributes to the
cause of missions. Our annual contribution amounts to $100. We can
well congratulate ourselves to-day on the grand aggregate of our giving.
Let me say, in closing, that there never was a time when we could
do so much. There never was a time when the children could be so
well instructed. There never was a time when the demands were so
great, opportunities so many for both old and young as there are this very
day. Would that we might throw off our indifference and rise in our
strength to do our duty in making our Sabbath school still a power in
the religious education of our children and the bringing in of the Mas-
ter’s kingdom.
Our Ladies’ Aid and Home Missionary Society.
By Mrs. Cleora Bennett (P. C.) Kingsbury.
The part assigned to me has proved most difficult, for the reason
that no careful records of mission work were kept until a comparatively
recent date. So I shall be obliged to give largely recollections and
impressions. I am told that a Woman’s Home Missionary SocietyCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
27
was in existence as early as 1840. This society was entirely untram-
meled by a constitution or by-laws. They did as seemed to them best.
Their work was sewing for the poor in the church and community, and
each year they brightened a missionary home with a valuable barrel of
clothing and bedding.
When a girl in my teens I attended this society and it was a most
profitable thing for a young girl to do. Character and tone were given
to it by such women as Mrs. Cynthia Smith, Mrs. Elizabeth S. Hicok,
Mrs. Dr. Green, Mrs. E. S. Newton, Miss Mary Keep, Miss Lavinia
Chamberlain and many others. Their conversation ran largely on re-
ligious and literary themes. Many of the ladies were extensive and
discriminating readers, and some of their discussions of the latest books
would have constituted a book review quite fit for publication.
This society was superseded in 1874 by an organization known as
the Benevolent Society of the Congregational Church of Homer, whose
first president was Mrs. W. A. Robinson. In 1883 it became auxiliary to
the Woman’s Home Missionary Union of this State. In 1885, by vote
of its members its name was changed to the Ladies’ Home Missionary
Society, with the avowed object of promoting good fellowship and Chris-
tian unity in the church, and doing such benevolent work as was deemed
expedient. All these societies held their meetings at the homes of their
members, the hostess providing a plain supper. The attendance ranged
from 20 to 50, no men being expected but the pastor. At a later date a
rude kitchen was built on to the little chapel originally known as the
Conference Room. It was provided with the necessary equipment for
furnishing suppers, and I well remember the pleasure and pride with
which we laid our tables, with the first crockery and table linen be-
longing to the church, a supply which would be quite inadequate now.
From that time our meetings were held there till we came in 1887 to the
more commodious chapel which we occupy now.
While very glad of better quarters, many shared with me keen re-
gret when the old chapel was abandoned. In early childhood I had
seen its timbers laid. While still a little girl I had sometimes been per-
mitted to attend its Thursday evening prayer meetings, with my grand-
father, the sainted Dea. Nathan Stone. It was closely associated with
former pastors, was hallowed by sacred memories and had been to many,
the very gate of heaven.
Until 1885 all the funds of this society were devoted to benevolent
work. In that year a Ways and Means committee was appointed, which
still continues. Its first effort was to help raise funds for a new
chapel. The treasurer’s book since 1874, the earliest to which I hav,e
access, shows that $3,761 have been sent to the Home Missionary Union.
Barrels valued at $952, have been sent to missionary homes. The Ways
and Means committee has raised $2,223, which has been applied to im-
provements on the church and parsonage, making a total of $6,936.
Mention should be made of the Mizpah Circle, a band of young girls
who raised $141.34, largely by the sale of needle work, of which $88 was
sent to the Home Missionary Union, the balance appropriated toward
repairs of the church.
It would be a great mistake not to mention the social opportunity
which this society affords. It has proved to be the strong right arm of
the church in promoting acquaintance and good fellowship throughout the
Congregation. It serves a supper fortnightly, with few exceptions, for the
nominal price of ten cents. The attendance is rarely less than one hun-
dred, and on special occasions it has been double that number. As the
aged, middle aged, youths and maidens and children meet and take each
other by the hand and break bread together, dividing lines impercepti-
ably vanish. I am justified in saying that this society was never more
efficient than to-day: never was its work more unselfishly performed.
The fathers and mothers builded better than they knew, when they laid
broad and deep foundations, upon which their children have reared a28
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
noble superstructure. We have heard, and shall hear much well de-
served praise of them. No one exceeds me in love and reverence for
them. Among- them are many of my kindred. But a word should be
said for the earnest men and women of to-day. The.workers die but the
work is still carried on.
Our Women’s Foreign Missionary Society.
By Mrs. Martha J. (Walter) Jones.
The beginning- of foreign missionary work in a church has an in-
terest peculiar to itself. We are now eager to learn the beginning of
foreign missionary work in our own church, so we turn to the best
sources of information,—our records,—and we are glad to combine with
these the testimony of one now living, Mrs. Adeline Ferguson, who was
present at the first meeting of women in the interest of foreign mission-
ary work of which we have knowledge. This meeting was held in No-
vember, 1830, with six young women present, in an upper room of the
house now owned by Mr. Edward Knapp. At that time its owner was
the pastor of the church, Rev. John Keep. Of the success of that meet-
ing we have no record.
In 1845 Mrs. Caleb Green became a resident of this village. She
promptly identified herself with foreign missionary work. She felt the
responsibility that rests upon every follower of Christ. Women’s for-
eign missionary societies were never heard of at this time. In her zeal
she canvassed the town for ladies who would pledge six cents one week
of the year for this object. Mrs. Elisha Root was the largest contribu-
tor. The amount contributed was sent through the American Board to
help sustain a school in Persia under the care of Fidelia Fiske, a school
friend of Mrs. Green. This was the first money sent through the
American Board from the ladies of this church.
In 1868, under the guidance and direction of the American Board,
the Woman’s Board of Missions was organized. Mrs. Green was one
of the first to advocate the organization of a woman’s foreign missionary
society in this church.
In 1869 the first woman’s foreign missionary society was formed,
with two officers,—Mrs. Green as president and Miss Mary Carpenter
as secretary and treasurer. Meetings were held in the chapel at the
close of the Thursday afternoon prayer meeting, the average attend-
ance during the year being five. Mrs. Green, Miss Carpenter, Mrs.
Lorenzo Bennett, Mrs. Barney Payne—as we recall these names and
remember those associated with them, we pay to each one a loving tri-
bute of praise. Theirs will ever be honored names on our records.
The first contributions of this organization were sent through the
American Board to furnish a room in the Constantinople Home, called
“The Parsons’ room,”—Mrs. Green’s maiden name.
The organization of the New York State Board of the Woman’s Board
of Missions, which we are auxiliary to, was effected in 1875.
In 1877 we were blessed with a real live missionary—Mrs. Mont-
gomery, from Aintab, Turkey—who greatly strengthened the mission-
ary interest among the ladies of the church. Through her influence,
March 3d, we became auxiliary to the New York State Board of the
Woman’s Board of Missions.
We recall that first meeting in the audience room of our church,
well filled with those in sympathy with the object that called us to-
gether, entirely ignorant of each other’s fitness for this work. She who
led us in our first prayer after the organization, (Mrs. Montgomery), has
already joined the ransomed hosts above. Her earnest words at this
meeting showed what a noble, loving Christian woman is capable of
doing in the mission work.CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
29
These years of rest for Mrs. Montgomery were very helpful to us.
The first president of this auxiliary was Mrs. Caleb Green; the first
secretary and treasurer, Miss Mary Carpenter. It has always been a
pleasant memory that my appointment came from Mrs. Green. Mrs.
Green resigned her position in 1881, on account of ill-health, and in 1885
she was called to a higher service. In the forty years of her life with
us she was ever faithful in missionary work, though entirely blind the
last years of her life.
In 1881 Miss Mary Carpenter was called home. A beautiful tribute
to her Christian character was paid in a paper by one who loved her.
Miss Carpenter was one of the founders of this auxiliary, and filled
her office with untiring devotion. Her work was done and well done.
Mrs. Samuel Robinson followed Mrs. Green as president for three
years. We met with a great loss at her death. She strongly attracted
all those who came within her influence. She was a woman of wonder-
ful strength of character, deeply interested in every good work—truly a
missionary mother.
In January, 1881, the Young Ladies’ Mission Circle had twenty-
four members, with Miss Emily Robinson as president and Miss Maud
Crane as secretary. The following summer a temporary society of
young girls was formed, raising $50 for a school in Japan. The meet-
ings of the Young Ladies’ Mission Circle were held monthly. A spirit
of earnestness characterized its meetings, and news from the various
missionary fields gave them a deep interest in the work. They were
always successful in raising the amount pledged. In the thirteen years
of their work as a mission circle the amount contributed was $512. In
1894 they expressed a wish to join our auxiliary, and we gladly wel-
comed them. They brought with them enthusiasm and assumed respon-
sponsibility in the work.
Since the organization of this auxiliary, forty-five life -members
have been made, sixteen of these through the generous gift of Mrs. Cole-
man Hitchcock. Our money gifts amount to $2,247 as the offering of
this auxiliary to the Woman’s Board of Missions. Add to this the
amount contributed by the young ladies, we have a total of $2,759.
We would not forget to mention the gift of an organ from a member
of this auxiliary to Mrs. Balleigh’s school in Japan.
Miss Mary Keep, a member of this auxiliary, left to the American
Board the sum of $30,000.
Our Young People’s Society.
By Miss Frances J. Kingsbury.
The history of the Christian Endeavor Society of this church is not
particularly remarkable, unless it be in that it dates back farther than any
other in this vicinity at least. It really began in 1871, when Rev. Wil-
liam A. Robinson became pastor of this church. At that time no week-
day prayer meeting was held, excepting the Thursday afternoon meet-
ing which was sustained principally by the older members of the church
and congregation. Mr. Robinson being a young man, was naturally
interested in young people, and wishing to interest them and draw them
into the church, soon established what was called the “Monday Evening
Meeting for Young People. ” They had no constitution or formal rules,
and no records were kept of the meetings. Although not largely at-
tended, they were continued for a number of years (about 12) proving
the wisdom of establishing such a meeting.
It was finally thought best to organize and have a more distinctive
name, and a definite purpose. So Mr. Robinson called a meeting of
the young people in his study at his home on Clinton street, to consider
the matter and make arrangements for joining the “Young People’s
Society of Christian Service.” It seems to have met the approval of a30
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
sufficient number to warrant them in making the change, for on the
evening of November 11, 1883, a second meeting was held in the old
chapel to complete the organization, draft a constitution, elect officers
and appoint the different committees. The constitution, although dif-
fering somewhat from that of the Chistian Endeavor Society, was prac-
tically the same, the object being “to promote an earnest Christian, life
among its members, increase their mutual acquaintance and make them
more useful in the service of God. ’ ’
The name, “Society of Christian Service, ” seems to me to be a par-
ticularly good one, for it conveys the idea of being actively engaged in
doing God’s work. The various committees were the same as we now
have with the exception of the Sunday School committee. The officers
elected at this first meeting were: President, Mr. James Fenner; Vice-
President, Mr. Eugene Williams; Secretary and Treasurer, Miss Ellen
Phillips. One hundred and forty-six names were enrolled as members.
The number in attendance at the weekly meetings was not recorded in
the secretary’s book, but there is no doubt but that it would compare
favorably with that of the Christian Endeavor society of to-day. In
fact, the old Chapel was usually well filled, front seats as well as back.
Many of you will distinctly recall the old chapel as it was on a cold
winter night. There was a remarkably free circulation of air around
our feet, while the upper air was heated to a stifling degree by the big
box stove, which was crammed full of wood by the janitor in charge, or
by any member of the audience who happened to sit near the stove and
was feeling chilly.
The other churches in the village in the meantime had joined them-
selves to the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor and a strong
influence was brought to bear upon the pastor and officers of the Chris-
tian Service Society, to adopt the C. E. pledge and constitution, the
chief reason being that the three societies—Baptist, Methodist and Con-
gregational—could work together to better advantage. So on January
20, 1890, the change was made. Union services were held occasionally
for a time, and there was talk of uniting in sending a delegate to St.
Louis to the National convention, but no one was sent. At this time
the proposition was made to change the meeting from Monday to Thurs-
day night. It was finally decided by vote to continue to hold it Monday
night. And although from time to time efforts have been made to have
the meeting held Sunday evening, as is the custom in most towns, and
many reasons presented why it would be better to do so, they have al-
ways been unsuccessful. It is still the Monday evening meeting. It is
rather remarkable that this should be so, for of course in all the years
that have passed since 1871, when the Monday evening meeting was es-
tablished, there have been constant changes in the membership, old ones
dropping out, new ones coming in, so that but very few who attended
those meetings are now members of the Christian Endeavor Society.
This may not seem at all strange to those outside of the Society, for the
young people of 1871 may properly be supposed to have outgrown young
people’s prayer meetings, and either to have passed on into the Thurs-
day evening meeting, or to be so decrepit and infirm with the years that
are on them, that they are obliged to stay at home by the fireside musing
over the past. That is a mistake, however, for no one who belongs to the
Y. P. S. C. E. ever grows old, a fact which it would be well for all.
youthful persons who do not belong to the society, to notice, and if they
wish to be always young, to come at once and join.
The first President of the C. E. was Mr. C. A. Skinner, Vice-Pres-
ident, Miss Hattie Ranney; Secretary, Miss Minnie Burdick; Corre-
sponding Secretary, Miss Emily Robinson (Mrs. Coleman); Treasurer,
Miss Jennie White. No list of members is to be found, but they were of
course about the same as were in the Society of Christian Service. No
record of attendance was kept, the Secretary simply recording the sev-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
31
eral committees as they were elected quarterly and whatever matters of
business came before the society.
In 1893 the weekly attendance was first recorded, and it is quite re-
freshing- to read of from fifty to seventy-five being- present. Sixty or
over, was the usual number, many more at Consecration meetings. In
1894 during the months of July and August, when there is usually a very
small attendance, the smallest number at any meeting was thirty-four
and the largest sixty-two. During that year Dr. Whitney was sent as
delegate to the National Convention at Cleveland. The policy of adopt-
ing what is known as the “Model” or “Iron Clad” constitution was a
subject for discussion in July of this year (’94) and was at length de-
cided in the negative by a vote of the members. Delegates were sent to
the State Convention at Albany, 1894, and the National Convention at
Boston in 1895, Washington International, 1896.	1894, ’95, ’96 seem to
have been the banner years of this Society as they had a larger member-
ship and fuller attendance than at any other time. The County Conven-
tion was held at this place, May, 1895, and again in June of the present
year.
The Society has contributed money for various purposes for the ben-
efit of the church. They have helped pay for flowers used in decorating
the church in winter, in summer a committee being appointed by the
President of the Society to decorate the pulpit weekly. Ten dollars at
different times has been given for hymn books used in prayer meeting
and Sunday School, fifteen dollars toward re-covering the church cush-
ions, two dollars every year to State Conventions, paying for the piano
and keeping it in tune, besides sending considerable sums to Home and
Foreign Missions. The socials which have been held were usually free,
but entertainments have been given which have brought quite large sums
of money into the treasury.
At the time when the George Junior Republic at Freeville, were de-
pending on the churches in the surrounding counties for food, the society
took charge of the soliciting and sending the supplies from this church,
which was no small task. In fact, they have made themselves useful in
very many ways.
We have now fifty-one active (?) members, (so called), twenty-four
associate and seventeen absent and honorary members. For a year or
two the attendance has fallen off greatly. It seems to be a good deal
that way in other towns. The Endeavor Societies rise and fall. If it
were not for a most wonderfully strong constitution, our society would
long ago have died a natural death. Its hold upon life is strong enough
for us to hope that it may be restored to its former strength and great-
ness. Then the few faithful ones would feel rewarded for their efforts,
but I am afraid they will have to wait until the hereafter for their re-
ward. There is great need of a revival of interest in the meetings on
the part of the young people, and unless they do show such interest, and
not only endeavor, but do, the society will soon become a thing of the
past. It would be well to preserve carefully all the records and facts
concerning the Endeavor Society, for in a few years these young people
who are all around us, may be interested to find that there was once
such a society in Homer.
It was in 1896 that a Junior Endeavor Society was organized, which
has been very well sustained ever since. Much interest has been shown
by the juniors, and they have done good work, contributing frequently
to the missions, home and foreign. This has usually been officered by
members of the senior society, but at present is in charge of Mrs. Dick-
inson.
Address of Rev. William B. Dada.
Dear Brethren—I am more than glad to be with you on this hun-
dredth anniversary of your church history. I spent my early child-32
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
hood and most of my youth in connection with this place and people. I
was a member of your Sabbath school about fifteen years. Joseph Steb-
bins was my teacher the most of the time—a man of blessed memory, and
who did much to mould my own character and life. Here I was con-
verted and prepared for college in the old academy, under the tuition of
Professors Woolworth, Gallup and Miller.
My memory runs back about seventy years, and recalls the first
pastor whom I knew, Rev. John Keep, who afterwards became profes-
sor or president of Oberlin college. I remember one special incident
connected with his pastorate over this church. While administering
the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper one Sabbath, Dr. Henry A. Nelson,
then a boy of eleven years, united with the church. After the bread had
been passed, the pastor requested any who might have been omitted in
the distribution of the bread to rise, and, like a little moral hero, Henry
stood up. He was alone in a great square box pew on the north side.
* ‘There, ” said Mr. Keep, ‘ ‘Deacon Ives, you have omitted Henry. Please
pass the bread to him, for the Saviour said, 'Feed my lambs,’ and
Henry is one of the lambs of the flock now.”
The next pastor whom I remember was Rev. Dennis Platt, a large,
portly, dignified man; a man of devoted piety. We boys were somewhat
afraid of him. He called one time at our house on the west hill. We
saw him drive up and hitch his old sorrel horse. To avoid him we ran
to the barn, climbed the ladder, and laid down on a hay-mow, still as
mice. Soon we heard the barn door open and our mother’s voice calling:
“Boys! boys! Come right down: Mr. Platt has come, and we are going
to have prayer.” We obeyed, and went sneakingly in and shook hands
with the dignified parson. During the prayer a playful kitten jumped
on to the minister’s back, to the great amusement of us boys. Mr. Platt
stopped praying and brushed the sharp-clawed animal off, and resumed
his petitions to the Lord. At the close of the prayer he examined us on
the cat-echism, a very appropriate subject after such a catastrophe which
had just occurred.
The next pastor, whom I remember still better, was Rev. Thomas
K. Fessenden, a small man with a big head; a very pleasant, social,
cheerful, happy man. We all loved him. I remember an amusing in-
cident connected with his pastorate. One Sabbath, while preaching, an
old deacon sitting near the center of the church fell asleep, tipped his
head backward at an angle of about forty-five degrees, with his mouth
wide open; and there he sat with his face turned toward the stars, and
with open mouth as if yawning at the heavens. We boys in the gallery
were much amused at the novel sight. One boy by the name of Tom,
full of fun and frolic, took a leaden bullet out of his pocket, wound some
paper around it, and thought he would try his skill at shooting at a
mark. He bent over the edge of the gallery, took deliberate aim at that
open mouth and let the missile drop. It struck the deacon on the chin,
and he fairly jumped, looked around and up. But Tom was out of
sight, and leaned back and was sober as a deacon. Mr. Fessenden.
stopped preaching and looked steadily at the laughing boys with his
sharp, big eyes till all was quiet; then he resumed his discourse. The
deacon kept awake during the balance of the sermon. You see we boys
had been taught the doctrine of total depravity, and we practiced occa-
sionally to see if it was true, and we found it true every time.
Mr. Fessenden was not a great preacher, but he was a great pastor.
He visited the homes of the people and won their hearts. Under his
ministrations I was brought to the Saviour, and by his advice, more
than any other person, 1 entered the ministry and have preached the
gospel forty-six years, twenty-seven of which I spent in pioneer work
in the west. I have helped to build five Congregational churches. On
one occasion I came east to raise some funds for the purpose and was
arrested in Central Illinois for a burglar, charged with stealing $4,000
from a safe in a hardware store. As I had no such amount on my per-REV. J. ADDISON PRIEST,
Pastor of the Church from March 6, 1855, to May, 1858.CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
33
son, or in my satchel, and as ah old friend from a little distance in the
country came in and testified that he had known me for years, and that
I would not steal a pin, they let me off with any amount of apologies
and regrets. I came on east, stopped at Homer, spent the night at the
home of Elias Root; came down to the breakfast table the next morning
and found $100 under my plate, given toward the Home Missionary
Church for which I was collecting funds. On my return west I stopped
at the same place in Illinois where I had been arrested for burglary.
The notice was spread far and wide that I would be there to preach,
and a great crowd assembled to hear the burglar preacher. I preached
on the text: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither
moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor
steal.’1 At the close of the sermon they gave me a collection of $53.
Thus the Lord overruled my arrest for good. My life work in the min-
istry has been a very happy one. If I have done any good, to Christ be
all the honor and glory; and my heart’s desire and prayer to God is,
that this dear old mother church may enter upon the second century of
her existence with renewed zeal and faith and hope, ever remembering
that double golden promise: “He that converteth a sinner from the error
of his ways, shall save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins;
and they that turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for-
ever and ever. ”
Address—The School and the Church.
By Prof. E. J. Peck, M. A., L. L. D.
It is eminently fitting on this occasion to make some mention of one
of the most important results of the work begun by this church one hun-
dred years ago. The organization of this society was effected in a school
house which was for some time used for both religious services and for
education. We are all familiar with Leonard Bacon’s hymn beginning
“O God, beneath Thy guiding hand.”
With this the whole story is told. Everywhere the sons of Pilgrim
sires carried with them the school and the church. Hand in hand these
two institutions have moulded the communities of this fair land, laying
broad and deep the foundations of true religion and true intelligence,
illustrating ten thousand times the truth that there is no true religion
without intelligence and no intelligence really valuable, without religion.
Perhaps there has been no better example of this than that given by
Homer. This school was one of the first established by the Regents of
the University of the State of New York and for a long time was of a
very high standing and of great influence in promoting the higher edu-
cation in this State. As this church has been to other churches, so this
Academy became indirectly .or directly the source from whence other
schools have derived their inspiration.
This town became an intellectual center and its traditions were
closely connected with the school so that the same spirit imbued the fam^
ilies that is found in college towns. Hence the high degree of culture
always found here. In the development of our system of schools it be-
came necessary to turn the Academy over to this system. Then there
was mourning and sorrow indeed. The church, or perhaps I should say
the churches, would not let go this hold and still retained their zeal.
Hence the school has retained its former standing and has doubtless
had a stronger influence upon the place than the old Academy in its
palmiest days.
I forbear to mention the names familiar to you as household words,
of those who have made Homer famous. I cannot speak of those whose
faces we miss to-day, who were, but are not, for God has taken them.
But we must speak of Dr. Wool worth whose life and services here so
many remember. He it was whose energy and genius began the efficient34
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
work of the University of the State of New York, and thus you may
attribute to the church and school of Homer, the beginning of an effort
which now blesses more than seven hundred cities and villages of our
State. The effect or influence of the church and Academy has been no
less remarkable upon the teachers. The true teacher finds his highest
reward in the success of his work, and none knows, so well as the teacher
how much of that success depends upon the sympathy, appreciation and
encouragement received from the community.
Therefore it is certain that those teachers who have gone out from
you, having attained here some prominence, are not slow to acknowledge
their obligation.
Our last point is perhaps most worthy of mention—the catholicity
of the church and people of Homer. Christian fellowship has shown
itself here bounded by no narrow lines, recognizing the disciple of Christ
by that name. It is this spirit that is necessary to the highest culture.
If I may be pardoned for a personal allusion, I am glad, sir, that you
have given me the opportunity to say in public what I have so long felt
and what I have often said in private.
Our New Comers.
Rev. P. W. Dickinson next spoke as a new comer to the town. He
regretted the misfortune of being born elsewhere than in Homer, but
had rectified the matter as far as possible by making his residence
here. He said that at every step we take in life we are new comers.
As the oak can not go back into the acorn so this church can not go back
into what it was. It is constantly coming away from the bondage of the
letter into the larger fullness of the spirit.Order of Service
MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 7, AT 7:30.
Organ Prelude—Introduction,	-	-	Paul Wachs
Mrs. W. H. Foster.
Hymn No. 703—“O Thou, Whose Own Vast Temple Fills. ”
Prayer.
Rev. W. B. Dada, Otisco, N. Y.
Scripture Lesson—Revelation 7: 9-17.
Pastor.
Anthem—“The King of Love, ”	-	-	-	- Schnecket
Letter from Rev. W. H. Webb, Springfield, Mass.
Address—Relation of Homer Church to the State Home Missionary So-
ciety.
Rev. Ethan Curtis, Syracuse.
Hymn No. 765—“How Sweet, How Heavenly is the Sight.”
Paper—The Indebtedness of the Congregational Church of Homer to
Presbyterianism. Prepared by the late Rev. Edward W.
Hitchcock, D. D. To be Read by the Pastor.
SOLO—“A Perfect Life, ”	-	Hartwell Jones
H. W. Carver.
Address—The Indebtedness of Presbyterianism to Congregationalism.
Rev. W. A. Robinson, D. D., Middletown, N. Y.
Letter from Howard C. Webb, Esq., New Haven, Conn.
Telegram from Hon. Andrew D. White.
Hymn No. 786—“Triumphant Zion, Lift Thy Head.”
Benediction.
Rev. T. T. Munger, New Haven, Conn.
Postlude—Entree Triomphale,
Wachs36
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Letter from Rev. William H. Webb.
West Springfield, Mass., Oct. 2, 1901.
Dear Brother Kettle—I should love dearly to be present at the
one hundredth anniversary of the organization of my old home church,
but find that I cannot. The next best thing will be to send a few words
of congratulation, and to wish the old church God speed for the future.
A hundred years I The organization of our government as a nation,
dates back but a little more than that time. Only one hundred and
twelve years have passed since Washington assumed the responsibilities
of his office as the first president of the republic, and to say that a church
was organized away back almost at the beginning of our nation, seems
a long time ago. It is a long time ago, and means a great deal, both
for a nation and a church. It makes some of us feel old, when we can
say that we have lived more than half of that time, and can remember
events that took place in the first half of the century.
The first pastor that I can remember was the Rev. Mr. Platt. If I
mistake not, he baptized me in infancy. About the only thing that I can
remember about him, is that in after years I recited to him the * ‘West-
minster Shorter Catechism.” I think I must have been either a dull
scholar, or my memory has failed me since then, or Mr. Platt was a
poor teacher, (which could hardly have been possible,) for about the only
question I can answer now correctly, is the first: “What is the Chief End
of Man?” Perhaps I should have been a different man if I had treasured
up the wording of that ancient document. All I can say is: “I still live. ”
Mr. Fessenden, who followed, was to me a very lovable man. He
was fond of children, and his manner was very winning and attractive.
I think no one would have called him a great man, or a great preacher,
but he was a good man, a sincere man, and devoted to his work. It was
under his ministry, and in the last year of his pastorate, that I united
with the church. I have always held Mr. Fessenden in the highest es-
teem, and have reason to thank God for his interest in my spiritual wel-
fare.
Dr. Lounsbury, who supplied the pulpit for a year, was one who
might be called a strong preacher. In his sermons there was “meat” and
plenty of it, but there was not a great quantity of “milk” for the chil-
dren and youth. If during that year of his ministry the people were not
indoctrinated, it was not his fault. The length and dryness of his
“election” sermons are still in my memory. The matter of them has
long since vanished away.
Mr. Priest was very dear to me. He had a love for young people,
and drew me to him. Never could a pastor be more interested in an-
other, than he was in me. He accompanied me to college, and
we were intimate for years afterwards. Letters passed often between us.
He was a fine preacher, oftentimes quite eloquent, and many during his
pastorate were led to Christ and connected themselves with the church.
Since that time I have been to Homer only occasionally, but I came
to respect very highly a number of the pastors of the church that fol-
lowed, especially Mr. Bigelow and Dr. Robinson. They were dear,
good men. It was during Mr. Bigelow’s pastorate, if I mistake not,
that the present church building was erected. And of Dr. Robinson it
can be said, that aside from being preacher and pastor, he was inter-
ested in all that pertained to the welfare of the Academy and of the en-
tire village.
There are very few churches that have had abler or more devoted
men as pastors than this church has had, and there are very few churches
that have been more honored by the presence and power of the Holy
Spirit. Revival seasons during its htstory have been many, and in
some cases there were large ingatherings.
The membership of the church during the years, as must be ex-
pected, has greatly changed. Very few are left of those whom I knewCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
37
in my younger days. Before me, as I write, there rise the forms of Dea.
Ives, Dr. Munger, Dea. Kinney, Prof. Wool worth, Prof. Clark, Paris
Barber, George Cook, Mr. Schermerhorn, Dea. Hitchcock, Manley Ho-
bart, Dr. Bradford, J. R. Dixon, Enos Stimson and a host of others
—good men and true—who served faithfully their generation, and are
no longer seen among us. Paris Barber was my early Sunday school
teacher.
This was while the old church was standing. I see it now with its
high pulpit and doors to shut the preacher in. I see the two huge box
stoves in the vestibule, with stove pipes running the whole length of the
church, and small tin pans under the joints to catch the drip. I see
the many men and women with white heads, as they came sedately in,
with the family of children behind them. I see the gallery all around,
and the choir perched high up above the preacher’s head. I hear the
sound of the bass viol as played by Mosely Clark, and the voices of the
singers as led by Mr. Lund, and the organ sounding above all, played
by his wife. I see the young people—the gallery full of them—not al-
ways quiet, nor listing to the preacher’s voice. I see myself tripping
up the aisle on the north side to the farthest seat, a very pleasant seat
in summer by an open window, but in winter!—my toes seem to ache yet
with the cold as I used to experience it. I did once in a while, however,
get my feet on to my mother’s old-fashioned foot-stove, which I was wont
to fill for her with glowing coals before going in. The sermon in those
days was over none too soon for me; and when the service was over and
the benediction pronounced, I think I made a quick trip homeward.
On Sundays long ago, the church was the great center of attraction,
and I see the long string of carriages as they used to come in from the
Scott road and from the road north toward Little York. The people
loved the sanctuary, and felt that they had lost much if for any reason
they were kept at home.
I congratulate you, Bro. Kettle, that you are the pastor of a church
with such a history. I congratulate the people of the church that they
have such an honorable record behind them. I feel myself honored that,
with many others, I was permitted to go out from it to preach the Gos-
pel of the Son of God. And right here I must stop to speak of two loved
companions who started with me in the ministry—Rev. E. W. Hitchcock,
D. D., and Rev. Chester W. Hawley. We were boys together and young
men together. One of them was to have been with you to-day to speak
of ‘ ‘The Indebtedness of Congregationalism to the Presbyterian Church. ’ ’
He was my mother’s brother’s son. When I saw him, only about a
month ago, he told me of what was expected of him here, and he fully
expected to be present to speak on this theme. He has occupied impor-
tant positions in the church, and has done a noble work for the Master.
He has gone home to receive his reward. The other, Mr. Hawley, was
my classmate in the Academy, and afterwards in the Seminary at
Auburn. We have been very dear to each other. From present appear-
ances he has not long to live. He likely can never preach again, except
as he does it in his own home. There, by his cheerful spirit and his
triumphant faith, he preaches to all who come in contact with him. In
writing me a short time ago, hejused these words; “This feeble heart of
mine is threatening to stop, and I am doing little more than waiting for
that unknown, but not distant hour to come. I am not greatly troubled
about it, and do not ask for pity. I feel myself well off through redeem-
ing love, I invite your congratulations for treasures that the new life
holds in store for me. ”
Thus it is that God’s workmen, one by one, are falling by the way.
Of the whole number of those who received their early religious training
in the old Homer church, and who entered the ministry, not many are
left. May the Lord raise up others from among her sons to preach the
everlasting Gospel, and may the future of the church be more glorious38
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
than the past has been. I am happy to subscribe myself as a son of
the church in the Christian ministry. Fraternally yours,
William H. Webb.
Address—Relation of the Homer Church to the State Home
Missionary Society.
By Rev. Ethan Curtis, Syracuse.
The spirit of Christianity in its earliest manifestation was the mis-
sionary spirit. As soon as Jesus completed the calling- of the twelve, He
sent them out two by two on a missionary tour through the country.
These were the first Home Missionaries of the Christian church. You
remember their commission: “These twelve, Jesus sent forth and com-
manded them saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles and into any
city of the Samaritans enter ye not, but go rather to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel. ” Thus they were carefully prohibited from doing
anything but Home Missionary work. Jesus himself was a Home Mis-
sionary. Whenever he was urged to go beyond this he made it plain
that he was overstepping his commission. When the Syrophenician
woman besought him to heal her daughter, he hesitated and said to her,
“I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Before
his ascesion he said to his disciples: “Ye shall receive power after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me both
in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost
part of the earth.” Mark how they were to be witnesses in Jerusalem
and in all Judea before they could go into Samaria and unto the utter-
most part of the earth. Thus was carefully laid for more than three
years the broad base for work in the regions beyond. Is not this the
true philosophy of missionary procedure? Build strong and deep the
work at home that you may build it up abroad. A dead church at home
has no desire to go abroad. We have denominations in our land which
have so little religious zeal that they have no foreign missions.
The first Christians were witnesses for Christ. “Ye are my wit-
nesses. ” Principal Jowett says in his commentary on Romans, that the
word for gospel meant also believer and preacher and adds: “In the
earliest ages it was hardly possible to be a believer and not also a
preacher of the gospel. ” This is plain enough when we think of it, for
the Gospel was not yet written as we have it, and so the believer must
tell the Divine message if it was to be heard and known. The Christian
was then in a peculiar sense “the world’s Bible. ” And the Jew with his
migratory spirit, went everywhere telling the good news of salvation.
But the early church was not only a missionary, a witnessing church,
it was also a giving church. We little realize the passion of self-sacri-
fice that swept-over the church of the first days, when “as many as were
possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the
things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles’ feet; and dis-
tribution was made to every man according as he had need.” That is
sharing one’s best with the needy in deed and in truth. When we talk
about sharing our best, we mean our best chicken, best salad and cake
and bed or our clothes which we have worn, or a little of our money. We
know little of the giving of the early church.
We speak of the nineteenth as the wonderful century and we stand
with shaded eyes and bated breath before the anticipated revelations of
the twentieth century. We hear much of “getting back to Christ” and
of “the altruistic church.” Now if the twentieth century is to get back
to Christ, there must come back again the missionary spirit: again must
there be the passion to make Christ known far and wide. If the church
is to be an altruistic church, it must be willing to give up ease and go
everywhere witnessing for Christ to small and great. It must not countCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
39
its houses and lands as too dear to be used for the rescue of the perish-
ing.
Now the glory of the Homer church is that it has had much of this
missionary, this altruistic spirit. It has had it in both of Its forms,, for
it has given of its men and women and made large gifts of money.
First, its gift of men. No church in the entire state has been so closely
identified with the founding and moulding of the State Home Missionary
Society. Its pastor, Rev. Dr. William A. Robinson, was one of the
principal organizers of that Society, he was a trustee of it for tweny-
four years and its President for twelve years. The first Secretary of
the Society was Rev. Dr. John C. Holbrook, a former pastor of this church,
The years of Dr. Robinson’s connection with the Society, were years of
great growth and the State owes a large debt to this church for gener-
ously permitting their pastor to give so much of his valuable time to the
Home Missionary Society, and the present efficient pastor, Rev. William
F. Kettle, is in the line of Apostolic Succession, being a trustee of this
Society. But this is not all the debt, for, for seventeen years, Mrs.
Coleman Hitchcock, the very capable wife of one of your deacons, has
been Vice-President of the Women’s Home Missionary Union of the Cen-
tral Association. The time she has given, and the labor and money to
this important work no one knows but-her Master. Secondly, the entire
gifts of the members of this church to Home and Foreign Missions in the
century cannot be less than $220,000, of which $140,000 were in legacies.
The following are the names of the givers of large legacies: Elias Root
and his wife, Miss Mary Keep (whose legacy was more than $75,000);
Mr. Lyman Hubbard, Dea. Manley Hobart, Dea. B. W. Payne and Mrs.
B. W. Payne, his wife. Few of our churches can produce such an honor
roll. It would be well if your Women’s Missionary Societies could ob-
tain the portraits of these and other givers and workers in the cause of
missions and place them on the walls of your chapel. I bring you hearty
congratulations for the great things of the century past. If in the cen-
tury to come this grand old church shall do even more to build up the
Lord’s kingdom on earth, with what glad hearts shall her children
tread the unknown path of the future.
The Indebtedness of the Congregational Church of Homer to
Presbyterianism.
By the Late Rev. E. W. Hitchcock, D. D.—Read by the Pastor,
Rev. W. F. Kettle.
The theme assigned me, about which to group a few historic facts,
is: * ‘ The Indebtedness of the Congregational Church of Homer to Pres-
byterianism. ” The assignment of this theme to myself, I apprehend, has
some connection with a certain ancient document, which, for a century
or so, has reposed in my grandfather’s trunk. At the centennial anni-
versary of “The (so-called) First Religious Society of the Town of Ho-
mer,” held in this church two years ago, I had the temerity to produce
this ancient and recentiy resurrected document. That its exhibitionand
reading awakened interest and excited surprise was evidenced at the
time, and since then a desire to know more about it has frequently been
expressed. Few of us have been aware that previous to the organiza-
tion of “The First Religious Society of the Town of Homer,” Septem-
ber 10, 1799, there had been in existence, for more than two years, * * The
First Presbyterian Society of the Township of Homerf organized on the 24th
day of July, 1797, and duly chartered and incorporated on the 20th day
of August of the same year. Let this charter speak for itself.
To Whom it May Concern:
We, the subscribers of “The First Presbyterian Society of the Town-
ship of Homer,” in the county of Onondaga and State of New York,40
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
chosen by the members of said society to preside at the election for trus-
tees of said society and be the returning officers of the votes for the pur-
pose, do certify that Ozias Strong, Joseph Beebe, John Ballard, Solo-
mon Hubbard, Silas Miller and Francis Strong, are legally chosen trus-
tees of said society, to be and remain, with their successors in office, a
body corporate forever hereafter, to be known and distinguished in law,
by the name and title of “The First Presbyterian Society of the Town
of Homer.”
In witness whereof, We have hereunto set our hands and seals this
24th day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and ninety-seven.	John Miller,	[l. S.]
Joshua Atwater, [l. s.]
Attest—Thos. L. Bishop, Jacob Bishop.
On the reverse is written:
Onondaga County, New York:
Be it remembered that on the 20th day of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, personally came and
appeared before me Seth Phelps, first Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the County of Onondaga, John Miller, one of the
signers and sealers of the within instrument of writing, who acknowl-
edged that he signed, sealed and delivered it as his voluntary act and
deed for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. I, having perused it,
do allow the same to be recorded.	Seth Phelps.
Recorded in the Clerk’s office of the County of Onondaga, in Book A
of Certificates of Trustees of Religious Socities, the twenty-first day of
August, seventeen hundred and ninety-seven, in Folio 15.
[Signed]	Ben. Ledyard, Jun., D. Clerk.
I think you will agree with me, that this legal document has a right-
ful place in the records of this day’s anniversary, when it is remem-
bered that the organizers of this “First Presbyterian Religious Society
of the Township of Homer” waved their denominational preferences, to
unite, two years later, on a broader and more catholic basis, in organiz-
ing an undenominational religious society, in which all who called them-
selves by the name of Christ, could unite in religious worship and work.
And it is a fact worth recalling that two of the three first trustees of your
‘ ‘Religious Society of the Town of Homer. ’ ’ viz.: John Ballard and Sol-
omon Hubbard were original trustees of “The First Presbyterian Religious
Society of the Township of Homer,” organized in 1797, two years be-
fore, and that thiese representative men in going over to the new, car-
ried with them the prestige, the sanction and moral support of the old
society. Meanwhile a church organization, in which confession of faith
might be made, the ordinances administered and discipline maintained*
was felt to be a growing necessity for the spiritual welfare of the com-
munity. But to what denomination should the church attach itself?
There were strong men and earnest men among the good people of
Homer, men of deep religious convictions, with differing opinions and
preferences, especially in regard to denominational affiliation and church
government. Repeated conferences were held to discuss these questions.
Dr. Williston, a pioneer missionary sent out by the Connecticut Mis-
sionary Society, and whose diary is still preserved in the archives, of
the society at Hartford, frequently visited Homer during this formative
period. In this diary, under dates of January 2, 1799, January 11th,
and December 10th and 14th of the same year, he speaks of conferences
for the organization of a church at Homer. Under one date he writes:
“The people do not seem to be of one heart and one soul.” Under an-
other, “We seemed to be getting wider apart in our views. ” Under
date of December 10th, he writes: “A day appointed for church meet-
ing, but, alas, sorrow attends. One was for Congregationalism, one
for Presbyterianism, one for examination, another against it. ” It is ex-
tremely gratifying to learn from other sources, that throughout the pro-REV. ALBERT BIGELOW,
Pastor of the Church from September 7, 1858, to October 1, 1863.CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
41
tracted discussions, good feeling prevailed and all happily met for wor-
ship on common ground.
The outcome of all these friendly discussions is a familiar story, but
it is so good we do not tire of it. It came through an elect lady, Dorothy
Hoar, who announced to her husband one morning at the breakfast table,
that she had lain awake all night long in prayer for light as to their
duty respecting the formation of a church. “God has answered my
prayer, ” she said, “and this is the plan:	Do you go to all who are wil-
ling to unite in forming a Congregational Calvinistic church, and pro-
cure their names, and let all who will, join us.” The plan was carried
out, and a Congregational Calvinistic Church was organized. But mark the
name on the new church banner, “Congregational Calvinistic I’ ’ Con-
gregational in government, Calvinistic in doctrine. What happier com-
promise! What could have been better! A gathering together, under a
Congregational banner, in the bonds of Christian brotherhood and church
union, of the disciples of John Calvin, the high priest of Presbyterianism,
and all other disciples of Christ who hold the essential truth in love.
The church organized men and women of strong Presbyterian pref-
erences, united with their Congregational brethren in building up this
church, whose one hundredth anniversary we joyfully celebrate to-day.
But let us enter “credits” where they are due, and frankly and gratefully
admit that in the formative periods of this community, Presbyterianism,
through its representatives, set an example of Christian courtesy, of
Christian brotherhood and Christian co-operation, which, if followed
and practiced in other communities, and in mission fields across the
seas, would have averted many unseemly sectarian rivalries—rivalries
which have divided and weakened the ranks of Christ’s followers, need-
lessly depleted the Lord’s treasury and delayed the progress and tri-
umphs of Christ’s kingdom.
But the indebtedness of the Congregational church in Homer to Pres^
byterianism, is not limited to Christian courtesy and fraternal co-opera-
tion during its early and formative period. The first sermon preached
in Homer was by Rev. Asa Hillyer, a Presbyterian missionary sent out
by the old Presbytery of New Jersey. Neighbors and friends have
gathered to aid in raising a building. A stranger appears among them
and offers a helping hand. It is learned that he is a minister, and one
calls out, ‘ ‘A sermon, a sermon!” The company gather under the shade
of a large beech tree near by, and there Mr. Hillyer preached the first
sermon ever preached in Homer, and according to our historian Good-
win— “a most thrilling*and heart-feeling discourse.”
The first pastor of the church was Rev. Nathan B. Darrow. At his
ordination, Congregational, Presbyterian and Reformed Dutch minis-
ters off!mated,*the latter, Presbyterian in everything but name.
Of the succession of ministers who have since served the church as
pastors, a number were called directly from the Presbyterian church.
In 1804 the “Middle-Congregational-Association” was organized, with
this church as one of its constituent members. In 1811, seven years
later, this association was merged into the Presbyterian Synod of Al-
bany, and the Homer church was assigned to the Presbytery of Cayuga
and Onondaga, and later to the Presbytery of Cortland. For fifty-seven
years, more than half the century of its existence, it remained associated
with Presbytery on the old plan of union.
To sum up the benefits resultant from this alliance with Presby-
terianism, would involve computations beyond human knowledge or
ability. Assigned as I have been a “brief” for the claims of Presby-
terianism, I suppose I am justified in doing as Greely charged his lieu-
tenant to do when the bewildering returns were coming in at the close
of a hotly contested presidential election—“Claim everything in sight”
It is safe and just to say, that, through those fifty-seven years there
was great material and spiritual prosperity; that the church grew in
strength and numbers; that its influence for good extended throughout42
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
this entire community, not only, but far beyond its borders; that broth-
erly love continued and God’s blessing* rested upon a working*, benevo-
lent, united, co-operating “Congregational Calvinistic Church.”
There was, however, in the history of the church, one crisis which
came very near blotting its fair record and bringing in discord, division
and disaster. The story has been graphically told by Rev. Dennis
Platt, and is familiar to many of you, but you must let me sketch it in
outline, that I may direct your attention to the part Presbyterianism
played in averting disaster and bringing to the church untold blessing.
It was during the pastorate of Rev. Elnathan Walker, the second pas-
tor of the church, one of its most successful and beloved, and on whose
monument in Glen wood is inscribed: “Erected by an affectionate people as the
last testimony of respect to their beloved pastor.” But back in 1820, some mem-
ber of the church had a supposed grievance against his pastor, and a
council was called to try the case. One member of this council was Rev.
Dirck Lansing, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Auburn, the
founder of Auburn Theological Seminary, and one of the most eloquent
pulpit orators the last century produced. The council had been consti-
tuted, the proceedings opened, and the accuser had presented his charges,
when Mr. Walker interposed that the proceedings were irregular, and
besides, being a member of Presbytery, he could only be tried by that
body. “A dead silence followed, of long and painful duration. The
church was in a dilemma. If left in that position, to all human appear-
ance, the church would be rent in twain, if not ruined, by a protracted
controversy. At length Mr. Lansing rose, and pulling off his great
coat, very deliberately said:	‘Though we have nothing to do as an
ecclesiastical council, we have something to do as Christian brethren to
save this church from destruction and save the souls of the people of
this place from being ruined by the quarrels of church members.’” He
then proceeded, in strains of burning eloquence, to show the effects of a
continuance of the controversy, and appealed to the disaffected to arrest
it. Others followed, urging mutual confession and mutual forgiveness.
The spirit of God was evidently present in power. Prayer was offered
from humble and stricken hearts, and many were in tears. In a kind
and forgiving spirit, Mr. Walker made a few remarks, mingling such
confessions as a good man may always make, without admitting at all
the charges prefered against him.
“The accusers of Mr. Walker were pricked in their hearts .and began
to confess, each for himself, that he was wrong and to take back all
that he had said against the pastor. Soon the principal accuser came
forward and, putting his papers into the fire, fell upon his knees before
his injured pastor and begged his forgiveness. The friends of Mr.
Walker now began to feel twinges of conscience and make confession
and ask forgiveness till, finally, there was not a member of the church but
had some word of confession and of kindness towards his erring breth-
ren.
“Thus the work went on for hours. People outside were waiting to
hear the results. In their anxiety two or three volunteered to go into the
upper room, where the council sat, promising to come back and report;
but they did not come; and finally the whole company were crowded into
that little chamber, awestruck and spell-bound at what they saw and
heard. The meeting was continued through the whole afternoon and
far into the evening, and ended in the complete settlement of all their
difficulties and the united action of the church in labors and prayers
for a revival of religion. Careless men, who went into the room to see
what was going on among Christians, went home to weep and pray for
themselves. A wonderful work of grace went forward, the fruits of
which were felt for a whole generation. The pastor, Mr. Walker, pros-
ecuted his labors with renewed energy and great success, having the
hearts of all the people with him.” In the midshof his work, on the 4th
day of June, 1820, he was called to his rest and reward.CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
43
Dr. Holbrook, in his “Reminiscenses, ” refers to this council and its
outcome as an illustration of the excellency of the Congregational plan
for mutual councils and advice. Only in the issue, I think, can this be
claimed in this individual case. If the council had continued its work
and the trial gone on, only evil would have resulted. Was it not the
arresting power of the Presbytery that forbade progress in the wrong
way? And were not the wisdom and eloquence of the Presbyterian pas-
tor of Auburn, used of God to convince the reason, stir the conscience and
sway the heart of the council, guide them out of their dilemma, harmo-
nize their differences, lead them through the valley of humiliation, to
a clear conception, and, best of all, to the possession of Pentecostal
privilege and blessing.
There is one thing more of which I wish to speak, even at the risk
of traversing a field assigned to others, and of gleaning after the glean-
ers. It is the indebtedness of the Homer church, especially in its earlier
history, to the Presbyterial oversight of the children and their religious
instruction, watch and care.
As I began this paper by putting in evidence an ancient document
discovered in my grandfather’s trunk, so again I refer to this arcanum
for my testimony. Along side of the religious literature of my child-
hood, “The New England Primer, ” “The Shorter Catechism,” and a
very unique, poetic “History of the Holy Jesus,” “Child’s Body of Di-
vinity” and “Songs for Children,” I found a “Circular Addressed to
the Churches of the Presbytery of Onondaga, done in Presbytery at
Homer December 31, 1812, and signed by Dirck C. Lansing, Moderator,
and Jabez Chadwick, Clerk.” This circular has deeply interested me,
showing, as it does, the Presbyterian thought and usage of that day. It
is too long to quote in full. It is based on the concept that baptized
children of believers are included in the covenant of grace with their
parents, and should be regarded and treated as members of the church
and candidates for full communion and admission to the Lord’s Supper
when they reach years of discretion, and bear the fruits of regeneration
and a consecrated life. In this circular the children of the professed
people of God are reminded of the privileges and blessings of their birth-
right, secured to them by divine constitution; and churches and their
individual members are earnestly and solemnly exhorted to the careful
and prayerful observance of prescribed rules:
1.	“That every professing parent, guardian or master of a family
observe the duty of instructing his household in the great doctrines of
our holy religion, of inculcating in their minds the obligations they are
under to God, and the covenant relation they stand in to him, taking for
a general book of instruction the Catechism of the Westminster Assem-
bly of Divines.
2.	“That such parents, guardians or masters commit their household
to the instructions of the church, and bring, or cause them to be brought
to such place or places of instruction as the regular authority of the
church may from time to time appoint.
3.	“That each church within the bounds of the Presbytery, appoint
certain judicious and pious male members of the church as Catechists
to go from house to house, and confer with professing Christians and
their households on the importance of instructing children in the prin-
ciples of religion, and to appoint certain places where the children of a
particular neighborhood or section of the congregation may at stated
times, meet for the purpose of receiving religious instruction from such
Catechists.”
Of the remaining five rules or instructions I will not attempt even an
outline. Enough has been given to show the character of church and
Presbyterial oversight and training of the children of the community in
those early days, and to suggest a reason why the moral tone of the com-
munity was higher than in the present, and the children and youth bet-
ter instructed in the principles and doctrines of religion.44
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Some of us can remember the time when the sweetest and best of
our religious impressions were received at the ‘‘Mother’s Meeting, ” and
the Sunday afternoon Bible school in our district school house, and the
Sunday evening religious service at the same place, at which one of
the pastors preached to the gathered neighborhood an earnest Gospel ser-
mon. The church, Sunday school and prayer meeting and young peo-
ples’ societies have taken the place of these services in the rural dis-
districts. All in the country are cordially invited to the village services.
But do they respond? Many reasons could be named why they do not.
Will not the churches be forced to modify their methods and return, in
a measure, to those of former days,—to go out into the country districts
with the Gospel message,—to go and seek that they may find and save?
In the town of Homer to-day there are households not only, but
whole districts that send no representatives, young or old, up to the
Lord’s house on the Lord’s day. Alas! that what was once a Garden
of the Lord, should.have become a moral wilderness, a religious waste.
Personally I owe a debt of gratitude to this church which I can
never pay. Born within the church; of an ancestry for three genera-
tions identified with and devoted to its interests; baptized, trained and
received into full communion at an early age; guided through its influ-
ence and teachings into the Christian ministry, for which I have ever
had occasion to be thankful; welcomed and honored by it on every re-
turn to my native town; cheered and aided by many tokens and assur-
ances of sympathy and affection—and when affection and sympathy
were most prized,—I gladly and gratefully bring to you on this anni-
versary day my heartfelt tribute of gratitude and affection.
May the prosperity and usefulness of the church increase with the
years. May its consecrated workers be multiplied; and, when our work
day is ended, may we all meet on the other side and enter into our rest
and reward.
Address—The Gifts of Congregationalism to Presbyterianism.
By Rev. W. A. Robinson, D. D.
From 1811, when the old Middle Association was merged in the Pres-
bytery of Onondaga, to 1868 when the Central Association was formed,
this church was connected with Presbytery under the so-called “Plan
of Union.” Its life and work therefore, like those of many other Con-
gregational churches in this state, were closely identified with Presby-
terianism. It received thence not a little ministry and help; and it gave
in turn no little aid and support to that denomination. Not in the way
of drawing narrow sectarian distinctions, or of magnifying differences
of polity, would we to-day refer to the gifts received or bestowed; but in
the interests of historical truth, and in the spirit of fraternal breadth,
we would set forth significant facts and trace important channels of in-
fluence and blessing.
It was my fortune to assume the pastorate of this historic church
just after it had withdrawn from the care of Presbytery and become one
of the constituent churches forming the Central Association. It came to
me to face the feeling which still existed on the part of prominent and
influential members of this church because of that step. My office it
was to do my best to heal and reunite the disturbed relations of the ma-
jority and minority here. With God’s signal blessing this was effected
in a marked and happy measure. It was a part of the grim irony of
circumstances that the first vote upon the question of extending a call
to me, (only men voting as the rules then were) should have stood eighty-
eight for me who had never had any connection whatever with the ques-
tions between the two denominations, and twelve for a loyal son of this
church, then serving in the Presbyterian fold, but far more intense in
his intelligent preference for Congregationalism than I then could be.CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
45
By the magnanimous action of the leaders of the Presbyterian minority,
the call to me was made heartily unanimous,—a course that betokened
and hastened the absolute unanimity as to polity that soon prevailed in
the entire church.
Of necessity the themes presented for our thought to-day were thus
brought speedily and forcibly to my study and thought. After thirty
years I am glad to bear witness to the worth of our heritage from Pres-
byterianism, and to speak, I trust with full fraternal feeling, of the gifts
which in turn we have bestowed upon our sister denomination.
At the very threshhold of our subject we meet the facts concerning
the planting of churches and founding of Christian agencies in all this region
of Central and Western New York.
The greater part of the early settlers here came from New England.
This town of Homer was indeed exceptionally fortunate in the number
and quality of its first settlers of this sturdy sort, but its records illus-
trate what was true only in less pronounced degree in the most of the
leading towns of the “Military Tract’ * and regions to its north and
west. Naturally, therefore, there came also from Congregational
churches, associations and missionary societies in New England, most
of the money and the ministers sent out to help in laying right founda-
tions in the new settlements of this commonwealth. The records of the
services of such men as Rev. Dr. Seth Williston, Rev. David Perry,
Rev. “Father” Spencer, Rev. Walter King, and Rev. Joseph Badger,
emphasize the greatness of the debt due to the indefatigable labors, the
sagacious advice, and the spiritual power of these men of God and the
many others who worked with them. The missionary spirit of the Con-
gregational churches and societies supporting them, was supremely in-
tent upon the promotion of vital godliness and the organization of
churches of Christ, many of which were from the first Presbyterian, and
many others were identified in later years with that denomination.
Another great gift to Presbyterianism is thus suggested. Under the
“Plan of Union,” scopes and even hundreds of churches which were formed as
Cong?egational, became Presbyterian. Among these might be named some of
the strongest and most influential in that body.
If ever question could be raised about the self-sacrificing, broad-
minded, noble-hearted quality of Congregationalism in the time to which
we refer, its full and emphatic answer would spring at once from the
history of the inception and adoption of the “Plan of Union.” It may
have been a questionable policy, viewed from the position of the intense
sectarian, but it was a grand illustration of fraternal breadth, and su-
preme interest in the progress of God’s kingdom, on the part of the Con-
gregational ministers and laymen of that day. The result of this heroic
self-abnegation, speaking in the terms of denominationalism, was the
handing over to Presbyterian control, of the fairest portion of this Em-
pire State. It came from this gift of herself and her children to another
denomination to be true, that not till within the time covered by my own
pastorates in this state, has Congregationalism had such standing and
such strength in this commonweath that it could take its rightfully prom-
inent place by the side of sister states in New England, the Interior, and
the West. For years the thousands of Congregationalists coming hither,
strengthened and enlarged Presbyterian churches in country villages
and growing cities. The outlook of the New England ‘ ‘wise men’ ’
westward along Congregational lines was lifted heavenward as soon
as it passed the Hudson and only fell in time to rest upon Ohio and
the states further toward the setting sun. But though so largely merged
in the ranks of Presbyterianism, and not to be recognized in Congrega-
tional organizations, the sons and daughters of Congregational parents,
and the spirit of Congregational intelligence and freedom, wrought their
beneficent work for the denomination that grew at the expense of the
giver.
Still another rich gift to Presbyterianism was thus bestowed. The46
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
unfettered thought and the spirit of Democratic freedo?n which are characteristic of
Congregationalism stirred and strengthened progressive life in her sister denomina-
tion.
The effect of this influence may easily be traced in the two great
controversies which have divided American Presbyterianism territori-
ally and doctrinally. The great Anti-Slavery conflict which affected
so powerfully the course of our national politics for several decades of
years, was not less pronounced in its influence upon the counsels and
deliverances of the great Presbyterian Church. That conflict within
the church was marked with intense bitterness; it found expression in
some very strange resolutions and acts by successive General Assem-
blies; it occasioned many attempts by compromises to avert the coming
storm; but it finally determined the division of the church into two parts,
North and South. Among the forces that wrought continually, some-
times openly and always as a real and mighty influence, was the
thought and spirit of Congregationalism both within and without the
church itself. This was an influence that would not cease while wrong
was given place, and that made its ideals and inspirations a summons
to courage and loyalty to God’s call that could not readily be ignored.
It found indeed its strong coadjutor in the sturdy Dutch principles that
contributed to the sterling love of liberty in a portion of the Presbyter-
ian fold. It appealed not in vain to the nobler purpose and thought of
the English and Scotch-Irish elements in that communion. Huguenot
blood accounted for no small part of the fidelity to liberty witnessed in
successive General Assemblies. But as a gift of priceless worth at crit-
ical junctures, the convictions of her children trained in Congregational
ideas of liberty, and the force of Congregational example and testimony
made themselves felt in Presbyterian thought and action.
The other great controversy which arrayed intellectual giants in
conflict, though doctrinal, had close connection with the contest just out-
lined. The issue between Old-School and New-School theology was the
outcome of a purblind conservatism in political ideas as well as in those
of creed and definitions of doctrine. In all the range of discussions and
debates and “overtures” and “deliverances” upon these vexed questions
of theory and dogma, the influence of Congregational thinking and of
her spirit of freedom from the mere trammels of tradition, made itself
strongly felt. It permeated the brightest minds of the church as a sort
of hereditary and generic inheritance; it touched and toned up the con-
victions of multitudes as by the stress of a divine emancipation of thought.
When the trial upon charges of heresy of such men as Albert Barnes and
Lyman Beecher sharply arrayed the two Schools of thought within the
church, the sympathy of Congregationalism with the cause of freedom
of thought and progress in theological definition was unmistakable, and
effectively sustained and strengthened the side that sought to be true to
the leading of the Lord in the present day, as the fathers were true to
His leading in their time. The disruption of the Presbyterian church
in 1838 into two Assemblies; “Old-School” and “New-School,” which
continued for more than thirty years till the reunited church came to-
gether in the Assembly of 1870, was a conspicuous illustration of the
unwisdom of trying to repress the spirit of free inquiry—the impossibil-
ity of holding down the ferment of progressive thought, and, we Congre-
gationalists would say,—of the disadvantage of a polity that seeks to
fashion the definitions of belief by the edicts of an Assembly. For the
fidelity of the defenders of liberty of thought, and for the outcome of a
freer spirit since the reunion of the two Assemblies, Congregationalism
may take some credit.
One other gift to Presbyterianism, as precious as any that may be
named, deserves our thought. To the ministry of the sister church we have
given a great number of men who have wrought faithfully for the blessing
of the world and the glory of God. Among them have been some of theCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
47
noblest souls that have made illustrious the record of the American
pulpit.
In the early days in this State the majority of the ministers who took
charge of Presbyterian churches were the sons of New England. S uch men
as Drs. Fitch, Richards and Lansing, and Revs. Chapman, Higgins and
Lindsley, may stand as noble examples of this fact. The same thing is
true of a very large number of the teachers, preachers and leaders in
the Presbyterian church in subsequent times. For instance, in the Cat-
alogue of the Alumni of my own Alma Mater, Middlebury, Vt., I find the
names of scores of men who have won high positions in that communion
as ministers, professors or presidents in colleges or theological semina-
ries, secretaries of benevolent societies, evangelists, editors, authors,
or officials in the administration of the affairs of the church. This but
hints the extent and inestimable value of this gift of Congregational-
ism to her sister denomination. For example, three of the leading Pres-
byterian pastors of Syracuse, with whom it has been my privilege to
have personal acquaintance, Drs. Thurber, Millard and Spaulding,
were trained as Congregationalists. If further names are needed to
emphasize the fact before us, we need but to mention Rev. Dr. William B.
Sprague, for forty years pastor of the Second Presbyterian church of
Albany, N. Y., eminent as a preacher and famous for his historical and
biographical work; or Rev. Dr. Gardiner Spring, for sixty-three years
pastor of the renowned Brick Church of New York city, using his pen
as a wand of power, but especially making his pulpit and the work of
his church a mighty force for good; or Dr. Byron Sunderland, who
made his pulpit in Washington potent for liberty and union in days that
tested men’s quality and were critical for the issues of national life and
righteousness.
But in portraying in outline the greatness of this gift of men, I have
purposely reserved to the last, reference to the gifts of this kind made
by this honored church. More than a score of her sons have entered the
ministry, and nearly one-half of them have been Presbyterian clergy-
men. Several of them have won deserved prominence in their life-work.
While the names of others held in honor for their good service as Christ’s
ambassadors, readily rise to your thought and mine, I must content my-
self to-day with naming two, of whom we may say that if no other of-
fering had been made by this people to the work of the Lord, it would
not have been in vain that this church has had its hundred years of life.
Rev. D?. Henry A. Nelson was eight years of age when his parents moved
from Massachusetts into this town. When he was eleven, he joined this
church on confession of faith. In a peculiar sense he was here trained
for his noble work, for this church helped and encouraged him in his
preparatory studies, assisted him in his college and seminary courses,
and held him in her prayers and love in all his ministry. After a suc-
cessful pastorate of ten years with the First Presbyterian Church of
Auburn, N. Y., in God’s providence it was given him to stand as pas-
tor of the First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, Mo., from 1856 to
1868;—years that were crowded full of issues of such far-reaching im-
portance in this country and for God’s kingdom in the world. In that
city, where the battle raged fiercely, he was a warrior for liberty and
for God as fearless and as noble as any that ever stood under the Ban-
ner of the Cross when heroes contended for the honor of ‘ ‘the faith once
delivered to the saints. ” His pen and his pulpit gave forth no uncertain
message touching loyalty to God and to country in God’s name. Then
from 1868 to 1874 he was professor of systematic and pastoral theology
in Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, where still he had opportunity to
to make his influence powerfully felt in the affairs of his denomination
and the progress of the kingdom of Christ. From this professorship he
came to Geneva, in this state, leaving his pastorate there after nine
years,to take editorial charge of the periodical which carries to Presby-
terians the tidings of their missionary work in all its departments.48
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
This church may well be proud of the life-work of her noble son, Henry
A. Nelson, D.D. The denomination with whom his ministry was spent,
may well be grateful to God that here he was trained so efficiently and
helped to his preparation in mind and heart, in vital convictions and
lofty ideas, for his eminent services with them for God and humanity.
A chastened and loving tenderness is ours as we refer to the second
name which I present in this connection. Rev. Dr. Edward W. Hitchcock
was to have presented the paper with which this one was designed to
join in the full presentation of the mutual relations of the Congrega-
tional and Presbyterian churches, and which has just been read in our
hearing. But he has been called away from the earthly service to the
reunion and the reward in the heavenly sphere. I loved him as did all
who came to know him. His was a true, sweet and sincere spirit; a
gentle, genial and cordial nature; a life that was loyal to God, to truth
and to all that is pure and good and ennobling. The gift of such a man
to fill his honored place in the Presbyterian church was a precious one
indeed. He was strong and outspoken in his preference for the church
of his adoption, yet always in his big heart he cherished a deep love for
this church of Homer, and with him the kingdom of God was ever of
supreme account beyond any sectarian policies or ambitions. For por-
tions of several years he was my parishioner here, and I have often used
his name to refute the idea that a clergyman makes a troublesome man
in the pew. I wished then, and have often wished since, that it might
be my good fortune to have many such noble and helpful men as he
among my parishioners. Of the able ministry of our dear brother in
this country and in France, others have lately spoken, but I can not for-
bear here to-day to pay this sincere tribute as one that “loved him well,
and knew him true. ” As I think of him and those with whom he was
associated in a special fellowship, I realize that the rearing of such men
for the Christian ministry is a great gift from a church like this, and
that the denomination enriched by such offerings receives the choicest
benefaction that can be named.
We emphasize the worth of the work of Congregationalism in help-
ing to lay right foundations in this Empire State; in organizing churches
which, under the “Plan of Union,” became Presbyterian; in contribu-
ting to breadth of thought and love of liberty in that communion; and
especially in furnishing to the ministry of her sister denomination so
many men consecrated, useful and eminent in their service.
At Reichenau, in the Swiss Alps, two branches—the Vorder and the
Hinter—unite to form the river Rhine, which thenceforward flows with
increasing volume,in its course of a thousand miles to the sea. So our
thought to-day would consider Congregationalism and Presbyterianism
as twin streams finding their importance and glorjr only as they help
to promote the coming of God’s kingdom among men;—that kingdom
which, like a mighty river, is to bless all lands, and be finally merged
forever in the Sea of glorious and eternal Life.
Letter from Howard C. Webb, Esq.
New Haven, Conn., Oct. 4, 1901. .
Rev. W. F. Kettle, Pastor Congregational Church, Homer, N. Y.:
My Dear Mr. Kettle—Yours of the 23d at hand relative to the an-
niversary of the Congregational Church of Homer, which occurs on Octo-
ber 6-8, and in reply would say, that while I should like to contribute
something which might add to the occasion, I fear that a letter from me
will hardly accomplish that result. As you are well aware, I was not
a member of the church, but as you have very truly suggested, “was
raised in it.” I was “raised in it” in two senses of the term. In the
first place it was at this seat of worship that a lovable, devout Christian.REV. JOHN C. HOLBROOK, D. D.,
Pastor of the Church from February 23, 1864, to September 18, 1870.CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
49
and saintly mother gained her inspiration, help and guidance, which
beautified and made perfect a life of devotion, of tenderness and of love.
It was here also that a father, whose days are drawing to a close,
imbibed the faith that has remained his support in the declining years
of his life; a faith so full of promise to him that it drew from him the ex-
pression to me upon my last visit, “my hope is in heaven,” and a faith
which mellowed and hallowed his entire life. The influence of these
two was ever present and about me, and out of the fullness of youth
their religious principles took root, and as I have grown older and into
manhood, they have grown stronger and deeper, and have, whether con-
sciously or unconsciously, shaped my life. I was “raised in it” in the
second sense, that it was in its Sunday school that I spent the earlier
years of my life. It was there that I learned to pass the plate and dis-
tribute books from the library, with proper cadence and solemnity. It
was within its sacred precincts that as the chief manipulator of the
organ for several years, to-wit, as motor power for the bellows, a posi-
tion perhaps not fully appreciated in those days, or even now, unless
one fully understands that a strict attention to detail is necessary to
prevent a sudden squawk from the instrument, liable to jar, disturb and
ruffle even the composure of the most devout, that I here learned how to
be patient, resigned and even charitable, qualities which I found to be
essential on a Saturday night rehearsal. And my mind’s eye now re-
calls the faces of many of the old true and tried supporters of the church
whom I gazed upon from the organ loft, who Sunday after Sunday bent
the knee in humble submission to the divine will. Among them I may
mention Paris Barber, John Hicok, William Hicok, Deacon Alvord,
Jedediah Barber, Aunt Charity Kinney, Deacon Kinney, Vernon T.
Stone, J. M. Schermerhorn and Josiah Stone. There were a host of
others whose names stand high upon the roll, but time alone prevents
their enumeration.
A large proportion of those who occupied the pews at that time have
gone to their reward, and Glen wood is dotted with stones bearing tri-
bute to many a one who helped to make the Congregational church great,
the influence of which by precept and example they disseminated,
making the world about them better and enlarging the scope of its power
beyond the confines of its boundaries.
My earliest recollections of its pastors relate only to the time of
Rev. Dr. Holbrook and of his ministrations, but of this there is but a
dim recollection, and that only based upon an overpowering conviction
that his hour-and-a-half discourses were not conducive to interest my
juvenile mind, but rather to exercise an influence over me likened unto
a lullaby with its natural consequences. That Dr. Holbrook, however,
was a faithful steward to the Congregational church, his long serviec
can well testify, and under his ministration the church, as history re-
cords, took a long step in influence and prominence in the councils of
the denomination. Of Rev. Dr. William A. Robinson my recollection
is more vivid, and his strong, powerful and eloquent address, together
with his lovable personality, impressed me with the strength of his call-
ing and the earnestness of his life’s work. I recall one sermon in par-
ticular which he preached, and it was aimed directly at the members of
the church, and had something to do with the empty pews upon the
Sabbath. It was direct, it was vigorous, but kindly, and the following
Sabbath empty pews were at a premium, showing how fully and how
truly he touched the better impulses of human nature. Such I believe
was the effect of his work, influence and teaching throughout his minis-
tration which marked an epoch in the church’s history and will al-
ways remain as a bright and shining mark in its career of usefulness
to Homer and the world at large.
I have written more than I intended, but the associations, the im-
pressions, the ever-abiding influence of the Congregational church in
which “I was raised,” in the two senses I have described, linger with50
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
me and must be my excuse for trespassing upon your time. Whatever I am
or whatever I may be for good, to the noble church of which you are now
the pastor I am deeply indebted. That its power for good may broaden
and expand under your wise guidance, and that it may grow stronger
and more prosperous, is the earnest prayer and wish of one not a mem-
ber, but one raised under its benign influence.
Yours very truly,	Howard C. Webb.
Telegram from Hon. Andrew D. White.
Syracuse, N. Y., October 7, 1901.
To Rev. W. F. Kettle, Pastor Congregational Church, Homer, N. Y.
Sincere regrets that I cannot accept your kind invitation. My most
hearty congratulations and good wishes to your church, as well as to
yourself and Dr. Munger.	Andrew D. White.The Banquet
TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 8, 1901.
Tuesday evening-, a little before. 7 o’clock, a larg-e company of the
people of the church and many visitors from out of town were invited
from the church auditorium, where they had been spending- some time in
pleasant social converse, to the church parlors, where serving- tables
were spread, and where a very abundant, delicious and much enjoyed
menu was served to about 300 people by an efficient committee of ladies
of the church, assisted by a corps of young- ladies and g-entlemen who
acted as waiters.
Rev. B. W. Hamilton, D. D., said grace before the feast.
After the good things provided had been enjoyed, Mr. Kettle read
the following letter from Ambassador Andrew D. White, written at Syra-
cuse under date of October 7th, and addressed to Rev. Willi am F. Kettle:
Reverend and Dear Sir—Your kind invitation of September 26th
is just received. It would be a great pleasure to me to be with you dur-
ing your centennial anniversary exercises, for I have most vivid recol-
lections of the old Congregational church on the green at Homer, which
so many members of my family once attended. Moreover, it would be
an especial favor to meet the friend of my boyhood, young manhood and
recent years, the Rev. Dr. Munger; but* in view of the very short time
at my disposal during my present visit, and the multitude and variety
of matters claiming my attention, I am obliged, most reluctantly, to
forego the pleasure of visiting Homer at this time. With all kind mes-
sages to your flock, as well as to yourself and to Dr. Munger, I remain,
Reverend and Dear Sir,
Most respectfully and sincerely yours,
Andrew D. White.
This was followed by music from the Ladies’ Quartette—Miss Car-
olyn Arnold, Mrs. W. E. Burdick, Mrs. Fred E. Davis and Mrs. C. H.
Stevens.
Mr. Kettle, who acted as toastmaster of the evening, then called
upon Rev. Ethan Curtis, of Syracuse, Secretary of the State Home Mis-
sionary Society, to speak upon “Territorial Limitations of a Church.”
Mr. Curtis spoke of growth in missions. The field is now world-
wide. We can touch the people everywhere. “Our parish is the world, ”
was his concluding thought, “let us fill it.”
Rev. Robert Yost.
The next speaker was Rev. Robert Yost, and the subject assigned
to him was: “The Use of a Neighbor.” Mr. Yost had a number of
good stories which appealed to his hearers, and then he became serious
in the remark that the worth of a neighbor depends upon the individual
himself. The same tree is made into a boat, a house, or a gallows-tree,
according to the use to which it is put. So a neighbor is what we make
him, according as we fashion ourselves toward him.
Rev. George H. Brigham.
The venerable and beloved Rev. George H. Brigham, of Cortland,
once pastor of the Baptist church of Homer, and for many years inti-
mately acquainted with many Homer people, next responded most de-
lightfully to the toast, ‘ ‘Christian Fellowship. ’ ’ Mr. Brigham said that52
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
he was frank to say that he esteemed it a privilege to be invited to be
present on this delightful occasion and to have something to say. The
subject was just the one he liked. Christian fellowship had entered
largely into his life and the fellowships had been as frequently with
people outside his own denomination as within, and with no other church
people outside the Baptist church, had he enjoyed so many Christian fel-
lowships as with the people of this Homer church. Mr. Brigham said
when he came to Homer as pastor of the Baptist church, he lived for a
while on North Main street surrounded by good Congregationalists such
as Deacon Kinney, Deacon Hannum and his hopeful Harum, Dr. Brad-
ford and others, and he had learned to fellowship with these men. He
was here during the four dark years of the war which tried men’s souls.
Dr. Holbrook was pastor of the Congregational church. He preached
long, strong sermons. “They ought to have been longer and stronger
than mine,” said Mr. Brigham, “for he had twice my salary.” He re-
ferred also very warmly to his fellowship with Dr. W. A. Robinson, for
twenty-one years pastor of the church. He said the only difference be-
tween them was, that while he^had crossed the waters of the River Jor-
don, Brother Robinson stood shivering on the brink. In comparing the
Presbyterian and Congregational churches, he said he thought perhaps
they had more ice cream in the Presbyterian church, but more socia-
bility and fellowship in the Congregational. People who have twenty-
five or thirty years of life to live now, he thought had more good things
to look forward to and hope for, than had ever been experienced be-
fore. In closing, he made a very touching and beautiful reference to
his age and his near approach to the limit of life, and his joy in antici-
pating the Christly fellowship upon which he anticipated entering in
that other and better world.
Mrs. Amelia Stone Quinton.
Mrs. Quinton, of Philadelphia, who passed her early days in Ho-
mer, was present and was called upon to speak concerning the “Women
of Homer.” She paid a graceful tribute to them, referring to Dorothy
Hoar as that “heroic character” who brought about the organization of
the Homer Congregational church. She said that she had noticed even
to-day that the women of Homer bring about things. She spoke feel-
ingly of memories of sainted women whose names were carven on the
marble on the hillside, and gave reminiscences of the women who first
spoke here in meeting, much to the horror of the good Presbyterian fath-
ers. In closing her remarks she made an eloquent plea for one united
church of God, where each could worship Him in accordance with the
dictates of his own conscience and with whatever forms as to bap-
tism and other ordinances, they preferred.
Rev. F. G. Webster.
Rev. F. G. Webster, of the Summer Hill Congregational church,
was next called upon to speak upon the “Outlook From the Heights.”
He referred to the views of Homer from the surrounding hills, and com-
pared these views to views of the material and spiritual history of the
Homer church from metaphorical heights.
Miss Sarah S. Pomeroy sang at this time very sweetly a soprano
solo, “Ave Maria,” which was much enjoyed.
Dea. Coleman Hitchcock.
Dea. Coleman Hitchcock was called upon for an original poem. He
also gave reminiscences of Rev. John Keep, third pastor of the church.
Dea. Hitchcock’s remarks were bright and witty, showing that age has
not blotted out his youthful spirit and love of fun. The poem follows:CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
53
We have been privileged to search
The records of this Christian church,
And read the names of saintly men,
Whom we recall as three-score-ten,
Whose lips and lives so well express
The holy gospel they professed.
Men of unwavering faith and prayer,
Who for the right could do or dare,
Whose fear of man or aught beside,
Could ne’er from duty turn asifie.
Their wish—to know if God approved,
Then onward fearlessly they moved.
Often they met with one accord
And sought the blessing of the Lord;
As oft’ they met for praise or prayer,
They found the God of Bethel there,
And cried “We cannot let thee go
Until a blessing thou bestow.”
They never doubted when they prayed,
Although the answer was delayed;
But frequent at the time and place
He answered from His throne of Grace.
Here where our present church convenes,
We’ve witnessed Pentecostal scenes.
And many sought and found the Lord,
To live with Him in sweet accord;
And later joined the church above:
Here came to know that God is love.
May we not feel their presence here,
Whose memory is ever dear?
We cannot see through tear-dimmed eyes
Our loved ones who have won the prize.
Perhaps with clearer vision, they
Look, down upon us here to-day;
Upon the church they loved so well,
When here with us they used to dwell,
And prompting us to faith and love,
Then wing their way to scenes above.
The pastors who have served this flock,
Have been of good New England stock,
Save one, who came from o’er the sea,
To make this land his “Ain Countrie. ”
The land of Chalmers, Burns and Scott,
Whose orthodoxy none can doubt.
And all have made a record true,
To whom we pay the tribute due.
Of grave divines, both good and true,
The church has furnished not a few;
Children of our church and school,
Who early learned the golden rule.
Who ever thought these boys would be
Grave Doctors of Divinity?
But one esteemed, beloved by all,
Of late he heard the Master call,
Folded his hands upon his breast.
Kind friends have laid him down to rest;
Nor should we mourn in sorrow more,
For him whose heart had gone before.54
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Wooster, O., September 30, 1901.
Dear Brother Hitchcock--Your kind invitation, together with
your pastor’s, to attend and take part in the celebration of the one hun-
dredth anniversary of the formation of your church, is received and very
sincerely appreciated. I remember most gratefully the seventy-fifth an-
niversary, in which I took part, and should be much pleased to attend
the one hundredth.
The seventieth anniversary of my own reception into the full com-
munion of that church was passed on the first Sabbath in May last, and
is always memorable to me. Nor do I ever forget my indebtedness to
that church and to Homer Academy for an important part of my educa-
tion. In every practicable way I love to testify to that great kindness,
and manifest my sincere gratitude for it.
Within one month of my 81st birthday, although in good vigor for
that age, it is hardly prudent for me to undertake such a journey; and
although I am comfortably provided for financially, I need to be more
careful of expenditure than is consistent with unnecessary travel.
If I were there on that auspicious occasion, there is little which I
could say appropriately, besides what I said twenty-five years ago. I
suggest, therefore, if the program should not be too full without it, that
you might read that, as you and I were boys together.
At any rate, do me the favor to express my grateful memory of all
my Homer experience, and my best wishes for the continued blessing of
God upon that dear church and community. Most fraternally,
Henry A. Nelson.
Rev. W. A. Robinson, D. D., for nearly 21 years (1871-1891) pastor of
the church, next gave interesting reminiscences of a 21 years’ pastorate.
Reminiscences of a Pastorate of Twenty-one Years.
By Rev. William A. Robinson, D. D.
No easy task has been assigned me by this theme. To try to com-
press my reminiscences of the men and women and events that crowd my
recollection as I look back to the period of my pastorate, covering as it
did, more than one-fifth of the history of this church, and bring what I
say into the limits of an after dinner speech, is a difficult thing to do.
I am glad to be with you at this Centennial, and to enjoy the feast of
good things so lavishly provided by the program of these most interest-
ing services. I will not trust myself to speak at length of the men and
women with whom I was associated here in my pastorate. Many of
them have entered upon their reward above, and my heart is full of ten-
der memories as I think of them. But I wish to refer particularly to
four important things which stand out prominently in my retrospect upon
the years of my long pastorate with this church. One of these, concerns
the work, which, by the consideration and support of this loyal people,
I was enabled to do for the academy and schools of this community.
Only second in importance to the work of founding and fostering the
academy at the first, was the importance of preserving it from the finan-
cial and educational collapse, which threatened it at the time when my
pastorate began. An earnest effort had just been made to secure an en-
dowment sufficient to place the institution upon an assured basis. But
that effort had signally failed. In God’s providence, your pastor by
years of experience as a teacher, a superintendent of schools, and for
three years a member of the State Board of Education of Vermont, was
familiar with the working of union and graded schools. He proposed
and helped to establish such a system here. The schools of the village
were consolidated, the academy adopted as the high school, and the
maintenance of a system of schools of the best rank, was thereby en-
sured. Then for nineteen years as president of the Board of Education,CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
55
your pastor did what he could to develop and hold to the best standards,
the work so inaugurated. For this community, this church, and the
thousands of youth receiving the benefit of this excellent school for these
years, or who shall receive it in time to come, this was a work of ines-
timable worth.
The second thing to which I here refer as one cause of my gratitude
to God for the privilege of having had my labors joined with those of this
church, is the record of benevolence for those eventful years. Despite
the fact that there was a gradual diminution of the financial ability of
this congregation, there was no falling off, but a gratifying increase in
their gifts of benevolence. Each decade of years of my pastorate shows
an aggregate of gifts of the living of over $17,000, or more than $1,700
per year. In this period also, the largest legacies to missions are re-
corded. This is indeed a most creditable record, but far easier to sum
up in the retrospect than to secure when the years were passing.
A third thing accomplished, whose importance deserves especial men-
tion, was the planning, erecting, and paying for the commodious and
elegant chapel and parlors now occupied as apart of the church edifice.
A verbal promise of the money needful for this important addition to the
outfit for our Sunday school and the social work of this congregation,
was made to your pastor by Miss Mary Keep. But her sudden and la-
mented death prevented the fulfillment of her intention in this regard.
The needful action by the religious society had already been taken, and
plans made in the rough by your pastor, had been put in shape by the
generous kindness of a Syracuse architect. It seemed almost an im-
practicable task to raise at that time the money requisite, but by heroic
endeavor and noble giving, it was accomplished and brought to all de-
partments of our work an impulse and help, which is best appreciated
by those who remember previous conditions.
But the fourth thing I emphasize in my review of those busy, hard
working, and happy years, is the most precious of all. At almost every
communion season during the long period of my pastorate, we were per-
mitted to welcome new members to our fellowship, and two revivals of
gracious power were enjoyed, which greatly strengthened the church.
In the first, forty-six were at one time welcomed to our fellowship, and
sixty-nine that year. The second such season was one of the mightiest
movements of this kind ever experienced in this town. One hundred and
fifty-five were added to this church in a single year, next to the largest
number ever received in a twelve month. One hundred and thirty-one
of these new members, the largest number ever received here at onetime,
came on a single Sabbath into our fellowship,—ninety-five of whom re-
ceived that forenoon the ordinance of baptism. That was truly a "red
letter day” in the history of this church and in the experience of its pas-
tor. The total additions to the church during my pastorate, number five
hundred and nine, of whom the great majority came on confession of faith.
For my dear brother, the present pastor of this church, and his loyal
people, and for those who shall come after them in the years to come, I
pray that the choicest blessing of Him who led us forward in the years
so full of precious memories for me, ma}r abide continually; and when
the years and centuries of earthly history shall be past, may we with all
the glorified be permitted to recount together the evidences of the good
hand of God with us, in the celebration of love and joy and fellowship,
which shall be heavenly and eternal.
Mr. Kettle explained that it had been hoped that Dr. Munger could
be there this evening, to take part, but that he was ill with a severe
cold and was prevented from being present.
All then joined in singing the Doxology and Dr. Robinson pro-
nounced the benediction.
The following friends from out of town were known to be present at56
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
the anniversary services. It is possible we have not secured the names
of all who were present from a distance:
Rev. and Mrs. T. T. Munger, D. D., New Haven, Conn.; Mr. and
Mrs. E. T. Munger, Mrs. J. H. Munger, Montrose, Pa.; Rev. W. B.
Dada, Otisco, N. Y.; Mrs. Mary W. Jayne, Kelloggsville, N. Y.; Mrs.
Amelia Stone Quinton, Philadelphia, Pa.; Miss Katherine M. Cogge-
shall, Waterville, N. Y.; Hiram D. Cory, Miss Elizabeth P. Cory, Mc-
Grawville, N. Y. ; Henry E. Ranney, Mrs. Sarah Owen Hill, Mrs. Fan-
nie Batcheller Keese, A. D. Blodgett, Mrs. Lucy M. Collins, Mrs. Charles
W. Collins, Addison E. Buck, Edward D. Blodgett, Mrs. Edward D.
Blodgett, Bertha E. J. Blodgett, Rev. and Mrs. George W. Brigham,
Rev. Robert Yost, Calvin P. Walrad, Mrs. Calvin P. Walrad, Grace C.
Walrad, Anna Walrad, Miss Arsula Ives, Mrs. A. E. Buck, Cortland;
Rev. W. A. Robinson, D. D., Mrs. W. A. Robinson, Middletown, N.Y.;
E. J. Peck, L. L. D., Phelps, N. Y.; Rev. Ethan Curtis, Syracuse, N.
Y.; Rev. and Mrs. F. Gr. Webster, Summer Hill, N. Y.; Lucy B. Rice,
Petosky, Mich.; Ellen C. Reed, Ithaca, N. Y.; Rev. F. A. S. Storer,
Syracuse, N. Y.; A. H. Hollister, K. E. V. Hollister, Madison,^ WJs.;
J. C. Knowles, Miss Rose Green, New York, Mrs. B. A. Budington,
Leyden, Mass.	/REV. WILLIAM A. ROBINSON, D. D.,
Pastor of the Church from April 18, 1871, to February 1, 1892.A MANUAL OF THE
Congregational Church,
HOMER, NEW YORK.
Containing Historical Data, Catalogues of Officers and
Members, Summary of Yearly Additions to Membership,
Articles of Faith and Covenants, Compend of Rules, Etc.
Revised and Approved by Vote of the Church,
NOVEMBER 7, 1901.Historical Memoranda.
1791.	Settlement of Homer begun by Amos Todd and Joseph Beebe.
1792.	Family of Joseph Beebe moved here.
1793.	Religious work on the Sabbath instituted, there being at first but
six families to unite in its observance.
1794.	Homer organized as a town.
1795.	First log school house built; also used for public worship.
1796.	During this or following year, first sermon preached in town by
Rev. Asa Hillyer, D. D., of New Jersey.
1797.	Charter granted to a Presbyterian Society that afterwards merged
into “First Religious Society of the Town of Homer, N. Y. ”
798. Rev. Seth Williston spent some weeks here in evangelistic work,
and fifteen persons were hopefully converted.
1799. September 10th, “The First Religious Society of Homer” was or-
ganized, and incorporated November 25th. December 1st, com-
bined meeting house and school house, that was built at north-
east corner of the present village green, was dedicated.
1801.	October 12th, a Congregational Church of fourteen members or-
ganized by Rev. Hugh Wallace, of Solon. Church supplied for
several months by Mr. Ahial Jones, “a candidate preacher.”
1802.	December 10th, Mr. Nathan Darrow called to pastorate.
1803.	February 2nd, Mr. Darrow ordained and installed. April 21st,
Eliphalet Rice chosen first deacon.
1804.	“The Middle Association, ” with this Church among its constituent
members, organized at Nine-Mile Creek (Marcellus.)
1805.	The first church edifice erected on the site of the present sanctuary.
It was 72 feet in length by 50 in breadth, and would seat from
eight hundred to nine hundred persons. Previous to this time
six acres of land constituting the present “Green,” etc., had
been donated to the Society for public uses.
1806.	A marked revival was enjoyed by the Church.
1808.	Rev. Mr. Darrow resigned his pastorate, and was dismissed Oc-
tober 15th. April 8th, Cortland county organized.
1809.	July 26th, Mr. Elnathan Walker called to pastorate, and ordained
and installed by “The Middle Association,” October 24th.
1811. The above named association merged in the Presbytery of Cayuga
and Onondaga.
1812-13. A remarkable revival experienced in Homer, and 188 persons
added to church in 1813.
1816. Another special work of grace enjoyed, and 136 added to Church
this and the following year.
1819.	The Sabbath School organized. The Academy chartered.
1820.	A precious revival experienced, that began with the memorable
reconciliation of disaffected members to Rev. Mr. Walker. June
4th, the pastor died.
1821.	October 15th, a call given Rev. John Keep. November 7th, he was
installed pastor.
1822.	Slight repairs of meeting house, and stoves introduced.
1824.	Church edifice thoroughly refitted and rededicated November 23rd.
1825.	Presbyterian Church formed at Cortland, several members being
dismissed from this Church to unite in its formation.
1826.	The Church blessed with a revival and fifty-seven additions.
1827.	Present Baptist Church of Homer established.
1829. Town of Homer divided by Legislature and town of Cortland or-
ganized.CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
59
1831. First “protracted meeting” held. Six such seasons within three
years with large accessions to this Church. Episcopal Church
of Homer instituted.
1833,	Rev. John Keep was dismissed October 3d, at his own request.
The M. E. Church of Homer formed.
1834.	March 12th Rev. Dennis Platt, who was called to the pastorate the
20th of preceding December, was installed.
1838. A revival enjoyed and eighty-two added to Church.
1842.	Rev. Dennis Platt resigned his pastorate, and was dismissed April
7th. December 1st, Rev. Thomas K. Fessenden called to pas-
torate and installed early in the following year.
1843.	A precious revival enjoyed, and sixty-three added to the Church.
1844.	January 12th, the Chapel just erected was dedicated with appro-
priate services.
1850. A revival of considerable power enjoyed.
1853.	Rev. Mr. Fessenden, at his request, dismissed.
1854.	Pulpit supplied by Rev. Thomas Lounsbury, D. D. October 18th and
19th, formal opening of the Syracuse and Binghamton railroad.
1855.	March 6th, Rev. J. A. Priest invited to pastorate, and soon after
installed. A powerful revival and eighty-two added to the
Church.
1858. Pastoral relation with Rev. Mr. Priest dissolved in May, by rea-
son of his ill-health. September 7th, Rev. Albert Bigelow called
to the pastorate and a little later installed.
1863.	July 8th, the present commodious and elegant Church edifice was
dedicated; sermon by President Fisher, of Hamilton College.
October 1st, Rev. Albert Bigelow, having resigned his pastorate,
was dismissed.
1864.	February 23d, Rev. John C. Holbrook, D. D., called to pastorate.
1865.	July, Dr. Holbrook installed.
1868. A remarkable revival experienced; 148 added to the Church. July
9th, Church withdrew from Cortland Presbytery and united in
forming the Central Association of Congregational Ministers and
Churches. State Association met in Homer in October.
1870.	September, Dr. Holbrook dismissed at his request.
1871.	April 18th, Rev. William A. Robinson called to pastorate and in-
. stalled December. 13th. Monday evening meeting for young peo-
ple established.
1873. State Association met at Homer.
1875.	Church edifice renovated at an expense of over $1,200, also new
horse sheds built.
1876.	October 12th, the Church held a most interesting celebration of her
Seventy-fifth Anniversary.
1880. The Church edifice supplied with new furnaces. “Young Peo-
ple’s Society of Christian Service” organized.
1884.	Additional chandeliers hung in audience room, choir gallery
changed and other improvements made in church edifice.
1885.	A most interesting revival enjoyed and large accessions made to
the membership of the Church.
1889. Union protracted meetings held under the leadership of E. E. Da-
vidson, and 155 persons were added to the Church.
1891.	December 28th, Rev. William A. Robinson, D. D., dismissed at
his request.
1892.	November 20th, Rev. Eugene C. Olney, called to pastorate.
1894.	November 1st, Rev. Eugene C. Olney resigned his pastorate.
1895.	February 21st, Rev. Frederick A. S. Storer called to pastorate.
1896.	Repairs on Church.
1898. March 31st, Rev. Frederick A. S. Storer resigned his pastorate.
June 1st, Rev. William F. Kettle called to the pastorate.60
MANUAiL >QF THE
1899.	Property on North Main street known as the Murray house, bought
for a Parsonage and extensive improvements made. {Protracted
meetings held under the leadership of Charles Norton Hunt, the
Lawyer Evangelist. A good work done. October 8th, the
Church observed the One Hundredth Anniversary of the First
Religious Society of the Town of Homer. Portraits of former
pastors hung in the Chapei.
1900.	May 15th to 17th, State Association met at Homer, iftew system
of lighting church introduced, city water, etc.
1901.	October 6th to 8th, the Church observed the One Hundredth Anni-
versary of the Church Organization, Rev. Theodore T. Munger,
D. D., New Haven, Conn., preaching the historical sermon.
Report of Anniversary Services and Manual of Church pub-
lished.
This Manual was adopted by the Church at its regular meeting, No-
vember 7, 1901. All previous articles, rules or resolutions of the Church
inconsistent with those herein set forth, or not summed up in them, be-
ing rescinded and annulled by vote of the Church.
Pastors and Deacons.
PASTORS.
Nathan B. Darrow—Installed 1803. Dismissed 1808.
Elnathan Walker—Installed 1809. Died 1820.
John Keep—Installed 1821. Dismissed 1833.
Dfe'NN'i'S PLaTt—Installed 1834. Dismissed 1842.
ThoMAs K. Fessenden—Installed 1843. Dismissed 1853.
J. Addison Priest—Installed 1855. Dismissed 1858.
Albert Bigelow—Installed 1858. Dismissed 1863.
John C. Holbrook, D. D.—Installed 1865. Dismissed 1870.
William A. Robinson, D. D.—Installed 1871. Dismissed 1891.
Eugene C. Olney—Called 1892. Resigned 1894.
Fredrick A. S. 'Storer—Called 1895. Resigned 1898.
William F. Kettle—Called 1898.
DEACONS.
Eliphalet Rice—Chosen 1803. Died 1819.
Peter Hitchcock—Chosen 1804. Died 1828.
Noah Hitchcock—Chosen 1811. Died 1856.
Jacob Hoar—Chosen 1811. Died 1820.
Nathan Stone—Chosen 1821. Died 1851.
Jessie Ives—Chosen 1821. Died 1857.
Daniel Miller—Chosen 1821. Died 1845.
Samuel B. Woodworth—Chosen 1842. Dismissed 1852.
Simeon S. Bradford—Chosen 1842. Dismissed 1849.
Chester Chamberlain—Chosen 1847. Excused from serving.
Amos Nice—Chosen 1847. Dismissed 1857.
Samuel Sumner—Chosen 1849. Died 1862.
Loam mi Kinney—Chosen 1852. Died 1885.*
Manly Hobart—Chosen 1855. Died 1883.
Jacob M. Schermerhorn—Chosen 1858. Term expired 1870. f
Isaac Hawley—Chosen 1862. Dismissed 1871.
Enos Stimson—Chosen 1868. Dismissed 1873.
Ebenezer G., Ranney—Chosen 1868.
Paris Barber—Chosen 1868. . Term expired 1872. J
Sumner C. Webb—Chosen 1868. Term expired 1872*
Wesley Brown—Chosen 1870. Died 1886.
Charles N. Woodward—Chosen 1873. Term expired 1881.CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
61
Harlan P. Hull—Chosen 1873.
Isaac Hawley—Chosen 1881. Resigned 1885.
Coleman Hitchcock—Chosen 1882.
William B. Beach—Chosen 1883. Resigned 1893.*
B. W. Payne—Chosen 1885. ‘Died 1890.
John K. Miller—Chosen 1886.
Charles A. Skinner—Chosen 1890. Term expired 1896.
John W. Whitney—Chosen 1893.
Dewitt C. Carpenter—Chosen 1896.
* In 1882, Deacon Kinney was made deaeon ementUs for life.
*In 1893, Deacon Beach was made deacon emeritus,
f In 1868 the number of deacons was changed to eight and the term
of office made four years.
J: In 1872 the number of deacons was limited to six, with a term of
office of three years.
Summary of Admissions.
PREVIOUS TO THE SETTLEMENT OF A PASTOR.
1801--.................— 14 1802..........................
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. N. B. DARROW.
1803. ---................... 16 1806_____________________
1804.	______________________ 3 1807______________________
1805........................ 11 1808______________________
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. E. WALKER.
1809----.................... 2 1815______________________
1810________________________ 8 1816______________________
1811________________________ 21 1817-____________________
1812._______________________ 3 1818.......................
1813_..........-__________ 188 1819. .....................
1814........-----__________- 11 1820_____________________
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. J. KEEP.
1821.......— ............... 8 1828-______________________
1822....-___________________ 13 1829_____________________
1823-_______________________ 23 1830_____________________
1824	_________-_____________ 20 1831_____________________
1825	______________________   14	1832_____________________
1826	_______________________  56	1833____________________
1827	_______________________  17
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. D. PLATT.
1834 _______________________ 15 1839_________________—
1835	_______________________ 22 1840--.................
1836	______________________   39	1841____________________
1837	_______-.............. 21 1842_______________________
1838--- —-------____________  82
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. T. K. FESSENDEN.
1843 _______________________ 64 1849-——___________________
1844 __________________-____ 28 1850-- — --..........—.
1845	_______________________ 2 1851.......................
1846	_______________________ 14 1852______________________
1847--------------.........- 26 1853____________________
1848_______________________- 21
DURING THE SUPPLY OF REV. DR. LOUNSBURY.
5
27
26
10
6
57
89
13
7
68
12
4
20
92
97
140
18
36
13
40
20
35
28
25
13
15
1854.62
MANUAL OF THE
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. J. A. PRIEST.
1855._________________________ 82 1857....................
1856__________________________ 34 1858...______________...
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. A. BIGELOW.
1859	........................ 15 1862....................
1860 _________________________ 17 1863....................
1861 ......................... 14
13
58
6
13
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. DR. J. C. HOLBROOK.
1864	........................ 21 1868..........................
1865 _________________________ 47 1869............................
1866	________________________ 30 1870..........................
1867 ......................... 11
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. DR. WM. A. ROBINSON.
1871	........................ 6 1882...........................
1872	........................ 16 1883..........................
1873	........................ 18 1884..........................-
1874	........................ 9 1885___________________________
1875	........................— 22 1886...______________________
1876	........................ 11 1887..........................
1877	________________________ 23 1888__________________________
1878	________________________ 9 1889____________________-......
1879	........................ 12 1890__________________________
1880	........................ 12 1891............................
1881	........................- 15
148
10
8
15
16
9
69
18
24
25
155
8
17
1892
1893
1895
1896
1898
1899
DURING THE PASTORATE OE REV. E. C. OLNEY.
.................. 1 1894________________________ 9
................ 18
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. F. A. S. STORER.
......................  3	1897..-..................     S
......................  IS	1898.....................    10
DURING THE PASTORATE OF REV. WILLIAM F. KETTLE.
......................  10	1900......................    7
.....................    48	1901.......................  11
Total number admitted to the church, 2,851.
Officers and Members of the Church—Nov. 1, 1901.
REV. WILLIAM F. KETTLE, PASTOR
Deacons—Ebenezer G. Ranney, chosen 1868; Harlan P. Hull, chosen
1873; Coleman Hitchcock, chosen 1882; JohnK. Miller, chosen 1886; John
W. Whitney, chosen 1893; Dewitt C. Carpenter, chosen 1896.
Members of the Standing Committee, with the Pastor and
Deacons—Geo. D. Daniels, Will E. Burdick, Fred A. Hammon,
Thurlow Blackman, Milton H. Fairbanks.
Clerk—Charles A. Skinner.
Treasurer—Merritt A. Proper.
Sunday School Superintendent—Harry E. Hull.
Assistant Sunday School Superintendent—Lewis Henry Tut-
hill, A. M.
Trustees of the First Religious Society of Homer, N. Y.—F.
E. Williams, P. C. Kingsbury, G. D. Daniels, J. H. Clark, W. H.
Jones, F. R. Thompson. Treasurer, P. C. Kingsbury.OMISSION.
Secretary of Benevolent Contributions,
HOMER H. JONES.REV. EUGENE C. OLNEY,
Pastor of the Church from November 20, 1892, to November 1, 1894.CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
65
Jennings, Mrs. Alfred S._____	01	Jones,	Walter H.............. 83
Jennings, Leon..............  01	Jones,	Mrs. Eva H., (W. H.)__	83
Jones, Amos E...............  59	Jones,	Homer H............... 89
Jones, Mrs. Harriet L., (A. E.) 47	Jones,	Helen M............... 96
Jones, Mrs. George L., (Frank) 85 Jones, Howard W......._..... 00
K
Keep, Abby F................   66
Keep, T. Dwight,-------------- 89
Keep, Mrs. Mary (T. D.)....... 89
Kelley, Mrs. John..__________	91
Kelley, Earnest H------------ 96
Kettle, Rev. W. F---------___	98
Kettle, Mrs. W. F._.......___	'	98
Kettle, Nellie S._.........   99
Kingsbury, Frances J.-------	85
Kingsbury, Porter C..........—	60
Kingsbury,Mrs. Cleora, (P.C.)	58
Knapp, Edward H. ____........ 91
Knapp, Mrs. Hattie, (E. H.)__ 91
Knapp, Mrs. Grace M.........  89
Knapp, Mrs. Helen C., (C. H.)_ 85
Kinney, Mrs. Eunice A., (Lo-
ammi----------------------  73
Kirk, William H.___......___ 85
Knickerbocker, Platt......... 86
Knickerbocker, Mrs. Nellie,
(Platt)................    86
Knickerbocker, Alice W...... 99
Kinney, May...............__' 99
Langdon,Mrs. Maud E., (W ake-
field)_____________________
Lansing, Ida--------------___
Landers, Carroll'____________
Larabee, Sadie E----
Larison, Howard J.___________
Larison, Mrs. Stella, (H. J.) _
Latimer, John B.	------
Latimer, Mrs. Carrie A., (J. B.)
Lawson, Mrs. Helen M. ,(C. E.)
Maxson, Byron_____________—
Maxson, Mrs. Charlotte M.,
(Byron);_________
Maxson, Mrs. Florence B. _ _ _ _ _
Maxson, Edith J. ________----
Me Alpine, C. A. _____.......
McDairmid, Hugh S........
McDiarmid, Mrs. Louise, (H.S,)
McDiarmid, Milo S.__________
McElheny, Randolph J.________
McElheny, Flora S., (R. J.)__
Mead, Mrs. Jane, (Charles).__
Merrill Augustus S......_____
Merrill, Mrs. Sarah P., (A.S.)
Newcomb, Frank T*. __________
Newcomb, Mrs. Elizabeth (F. T.)
Newcomb, Clara L._____
Newcomb, Fred T.___________
Newcomb, W. B.___________
Newcomb, Mrs. Jennie, (W. B.)
Newcomb, Ralph _...........
Olney, Rev. E. C._
Olney, Mrs. E. C.
Olney, Selah. T.
Lee, Mrs. Mabel, (E. P.)..... 89
87 Lewis, William C----------- -- 60
98	Lewis, Mrs. EmmaH., (W.C.)_ 55
96 Lines, Mrs. Della------------- 89
99	Livingston, Joseph M._______ _ _ _ 99
89 Lord, George W.------___------ 68
87 Lord, Mrs. Seraph, (G. W.) __ 68
98 Lord, Mary E.----------------- 87
98	Lord, Lula______________— __ 98
89 Lundteigan, Mrs. (Rose Ryan) 96
/vi
89 Merrill, Charles R. __________ 85
Merrill, Mrs. Alice D., (C. R.)	82
75	Merrill, Fannie C. _ _ _ _ _ _ ______	89
99	Merrill, Lewis P-----______	89
99 Merrill, John S. ______....... _	89
85 Miles, Mrs. MaryH., (Herman) 75
89 Miller, John K.66
89 Miller, Mrs. Mary C., (J. K.)__ 77
89	Miller, Wilson..____________  82
93	Miller, Frank F._93
93	Miller, Mrs. Maude S., (F. F.) 93
76	Miller, Mary B............... 99
58	Miner, Mrs. L. A._.......... 01
58
N
73	Newton, Mrs. Katharyne	J.
73	99
89 Ney, Mrs. Mary, (Almon T.) _ 68
89	Ney, Mary E.................. 88
89	Ney, Fannie ___............   89
89	Noble, Mrs. James............. 86
99
O
94	Oliver, Charles Henry......___ 99
94 Oliver, Mrs. Blanche A. (C. H.) 99
9966
MANUAL OF THE
Paddock, Mrs. CoraE., (L. S.)
Parker, Mrs. Mercy H.___-----
Peek, Mrs. Martha, (Louis) _-
Peck, Mrs. Marion H. (J. I.)__
Phelps, Warren...............
Phillips, Ellen F............
Pierce, Mrs. Melissa, (Hoel) _-
Pierce, Mary Lena ...........
Pierce, Mrs. Harriet (Pembroke)
Pierce, Frances E...........
Pickett, Joseph.............
Pickett, Mrs. Ellen (Joseph) __
Pomeroy, Mrs. Elvena S......
Pomeroy, Charles S..........
Ranney, EbenezerG...........
R:anney, Mrs. Carrie B. (E.G.)
Rice, R. Will is ton .......
Rice, Lloyd F................
Rice, Mrs. Clara J. (Franklin)
Rice,Mrs.Winifred S.(Dr.P.J.)
Rice, Alice L................
Sanborn, Helen L............
Schermerhorn, Mrs. Lottie S.
(Andrew)................-_
Scott, Anna------------------
Selover, Mrs. Mary F. (G. U.)
Sessions, Mrs. Fannie H......_
Seward, Mrs. Sophia__________
Seward, Ora W................
Share, George H--------------
Share, Mrs. Ada T. (G. H.)___
Shattuck, D. F...............
Shearer, Fred R. ______......
Shearer, Reuben C............
Shearer, Mrs. Mary (R. C.)___
Shearer, Mrs. A. A. (Wm.)____
Sharp, William...............
Sharp, Mrs. Sarah (Wm.)______
Shepard, Mrs. Lizzie (J. F.)___
Sherman, Mrs. Caroline (Ca-
leb) _______________________
Sherman, Darius E...........
Sherman, Mrs. D. E..........
Skinner, C. A.______-.......
Skinner, Mrs. Alice, (C. A.)
Skinner, Hobart C. ..........
Smith, Giles C._____________
Smith, Mrs. Eunice R., (G, C.)
Smith Philo F................
Smith, Mrs. Elizabeth, (P. F.)
Tanner, Charles A..........
Tanner, Mrs. MaryH., (C. A.)
Taylor, William H..........
Taylor, Mrs. Sarah (W. H.)__
Tidd, Samuel E.___.........
Tidd, Mrs. Emma S. (S. E.)_
89 Pomeroy, Julius S. __....85
85 Pomeroy, Sarah S. ............. 89
68 Porter, Mrs. Lydia............ 99
83	Porter, Lewis H.............. 99
93 Potter, B. C.___............_ 89
75 Potter, Mrs. Kate (B. C.)..... 87
75 Potter, Carroll W.............. >01
89 Pratt, Mrs. Charlotte W,, (Clin-
89	ton)_________________________  55
89 Price, Palmer R. _..........85
66 Proper, O. F...........—...... 89
78	Proper, Mrs. Jane, (O. F.)____ 85
79	Proper, Merritt	A____________ 99
85
R
66	Riggs, Mrs. Adelaide________ 68
96	Rindge, Mrs. Clara S.......... 68
73 Richardson, Mrs. Lena F. (C.
78	W. C.)_____.................. 88
89 Robinson, Anna G._____________  93
80	Rosecrans, Mrs. Jennie S..... 85
99 Rugg, Mrs. Alma Davis---------- 01
S'
99 Smith, Albert L.______________ 89
Smith, Albert R. --__________ 89
73 Smith, Mrs. Albert R___________ 89
87 Smith, W. J. _________________ 99
89 Smith, Mrs. W. J. —............ 99
76	Smith, Earl C. ______________  99
78 Smith, Carl G.................. 00
89 Smith, Mrs. Maud A. (C. G.)_ 00
85 Star in, Mrs. Josephine A., (J.H.) 89
85 Stebbins, Mrs. Olivia, (Joseph) 32
96	Stebbins, Mary S.............  65
93 Stebbins, Jennie______________  72
73 Stebbins, Mrs. Susan (Aldana) 89
75 Stedman, Mrs. C., ,(Albert) --- 73
57 Stedman, Irving L.............. 89
89 Steel, Andrew ................  97
89 Stevens, Mrs. Mida B., (C. H.) 91
97	Stephenson, Wade______________ 86
Stewart, Edwin	F. __________ 85
38 Stewart, Mrs. Josephine, (E.F. ) 85
98	Stone, Mrs. Emily, (V. T.) ___ 61
98	Stone, Mrs. Mary, (Josiah)___ 59
84	Stone, Mrs. Maria (Alphonso) 68
68 Stone, Mrs. Emma H., (Chas.) 68
99	Stone, Florence E...........___ 89
62 Stone, Bertha M.______________  89
56 Stone, Mrs. Flora (Dr. D. H.)_ 89
67	Stone, Myrtle________________  98
67 Summers, Mrs. Charlotte Tuttle 99
T
89	Thompson, Mrs. Fannie M.
88	(F. R.)....................    89
88 Thompson, Mrs. Eliza...........	94
88 Topping, Eva..................  99
90	Tuthill, Mrs. Mary S., (L. H.) 84
65 Turner, Myron W---------------- 89CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
67
XT
VanHoesen, A. Mills....... 89 VanHoesen,|Mrs. Mary S. (A.S.) 81
VanHoesen, Mrs. Harriet (A. M.) 73
w
Wakefield, Wm...............  85
Wakefield, Mrs. Lovilla A.,
(Wm.)...................... 85
Wakefield, Guy E. .......— 89
Waters, Mrs. M. W.___________ 01
Watson, Mrs. A. H., (C. A.)_. 65
Watson, Joseph B.____________ 89
Watson, Mrs. Ellen, (J. B.)__ 89
Webb, Dr. S. C_______________ 67
Webb, Albertus............... 89
Wells, Mrs. Mary H., (Gilker-
son)_..................— 89
Westcott, Mrs. Julia A., (Nel-
son).....................     85
Whitney, Dr. John W. ........ 93
Whitney, Mrs. Lucy B., (J. W.) 93
Whitney, Mrs. John_________ 94
Whitney, Maude M........... 94
Wildman, Mrs. Lucy, (Olney) 94
Williams, F. Eugene________ 79
Williams, Mrs. Kate S., (F.E.) 73
Williams, Elisha A......... 89
Wilson, Robert------------  89
Winnegar, Mrs. Persis, (A.F.) 52
Woodward, Day E____________ 58
Woodward,Mrs. Melissa(D.E.) 72
Woodward, Harry S._________ 99
Woy, Mrs. Sarah Devoe______	89
Woodruff, Mrs. IdaW., (J. D.) 85
Wright, Mrs. Caroline W., (Wm. 57
Wright, Ella May, (Kibbe,
Myron) ...................  93Constitution, Rules, Etc.
Article I.—Name.
This Church is designated and known as The Congregational
Church of Homer, N. Y.
Article II.—Ecclesiastical Relations, Etc.
This Church is, and always has been, essentially Congregational
in its organization, consequently all legislative and judicial power in-
volved in Church government belongs to the members of the Church in
their collective capacity, subject only to such modifications by advice or
counsel as shall be voluntarily submitted to by the Church, and required
by a cordial and helpful fellowship with other churches of like faith and
polity.
Seeking to maintain kindly relations with all neighboring evangel-
ical churches, our particular ecclesiastical connection is with those hold-
ing the Congregational belief and order.
A constituent member of the old “Middle Association'* organized in
1804, this Church became connected in 1811 with Presbytery on the
“Plan of Union,’’ but in 1868 it withdrew from Presbyterial connection
and united in forming “The Central Association,” with which body
ecclesiastical relations are still maintained.
The traveling expenses of the Pastor and Delegates when attending
the meetings of associations, counsels or other bodies to which they may
be sent by the Church, will be defrayed from the Church treasury, upon
application to the Treasurer of the Church.
Article III.—Belief, Etc.
At a regular meeting of the Church, held November 7, 1901, in adopt-
ing the present manual, it was voted to rescind all previously adopted
or published “Articles of Faith,” and to adopt and publish as a state-
ment of doctrine with which it is in substantial agreement, that submit-
ted to the churches in 1883 by the commission authorized by the National
Council, and contained in the following twelve articles:
1.	We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven
and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who is of one substance
with the Father, by whom all things were made;
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who is sent
from the Father and Son, and who, together with the Father and Son,
is worshipped and glorified.
2.	We believe that the Providence of God, by which he executes His
eternal purposes in the government of the world, is in and over all events;
yet so that the freedom and responsibility of man are not impaired, and
sin is the act of the creature alone.
3.	We believe that man was made in the image of God, that he might
know, love and obey God, and enjoy Him forever; that our first parents
by disobedience fell under the righteous condemnation of God; and that
all men are so alienated from God that there is no salvation from the guilt
and power of sin except through God’s redeeming grace.
4.	We believe that God would have all men return to him; that to
this end He Has made Himself known, not only through the works of
nature, the course of His Providence* and the consciences of men, but
also through supernatural revelations made especially to a chosen peo-
ple, and, above all, when the fullness of the time was come, through
Jesus Christ His Son.CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
69
5.	We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments
are the records of God’s revelations of Himself in the work of redemp-
tion; that they were written by men under the special guidance of the
Holy Spirit; that they are able to make wise unto salvation; and that
they constitute the authoritative standard by which religious teaching
and human conduct are to be regulated and judged.
6.	We believe that the love of God to sinful men has found its high-
est expression in the redemptive work of His Son; who became man,
uniting His divine nature with our human nature in one person; who
was tempted like other men, yet without sin; who, by His humiliation,
His holy obedience, His sufferings, His death on the cross, and His res-
urrection, became a perfect Redeemer; whose sacrifice of Himself for the
sins of the world declares the righteousness of God, and is the sole and
sufficient ground of forgiveness and of reconciliation with Him.
7.	We believe that Jesus Christ, after He had risen from the dead,
ascended into Heaven, where, as the one Mediator between God and man,
He carries forward His work of saving men; that He sends the Holy
Spirit to convict them of sin, and to lead them to repentance and faith;
and that those who through renewing grace turn to righteousness, and
trust in Jesus Christ as their Redeemer, receive for His sake the forgive-
ness of their sins, and are made the children of God.
8.	We believe that those who are thus regenerated and justified, grow
in sanctified character through fellowship with Christ, the indwelling
of the Holy spirit, and obedience to the truth; that a holy life is the fruit
and evidence of saving faith; and that the believers’ hope of continuance
in such a life is in the preserving grace of God.
9.	We believe that Jesus Christ came to establish among men the
kingdom of God, the reign of truth and love, righteousness and peace;
that to Jesus Christ, the Head of this kingdom, Christians are directly
responsible in faith and conduct; and that to Him all have immediate
access without mediatorial or priestly intervention.
10.	We believe that the Church of Christ, invisible and spiritual,
comprises all true believers, whose duty it is to associate themselves in
churches, for the maintenance of worship, for the promotion of spiritual
growth and fellowship, and for the conversion of men; thatthese churches,
under the guidance of the Holy Scriptures and in fellowship with one
another may determine —each for itself—their organization, statements
of belief, and forms of worship; may appoint and set apart their own
ministers, and should co-operate in the work which Christ has com-
mitted to them for the furtherance of the gospel throughout the world.
11.	We believe in the observance of the Lord’s Day as a day of holy
rest and worship; in the ministry of the Word; and in the two Sacra-
ments, which Christ has appointed for His Church: Baptism, to be ad-
ministered to believers and their children, as the sign of cleansing from
sin, of union to Christ, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit; and the
Lord’s Supper as a symbol of his atoning death, a seal of its efficacy,
and a means whereby He confirms and strengthens the spiritual union
and communion of believers with Himself.
12.	We believe in the ultimate prevalence of the kingdom of Christ
over all the earth; in the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ; in the resurrection of the dead; and in a final
judgment, the issues of which are everlasting punishment and everlast-
ing life.
Note.
The Church at the same time voted that hereafter the Standing Com-
mittee submit to those desiring to unite with the Church, a copy of the
above Confession of Faith for their acceptance in substance, and that
in presenting to the Church the names of candidates for membership,
they report on said acceptance, also that in receiving members into the
Church, the reading of the Confession of Faith be omitted and that only
the Covenant of the Church be used.70
MANUAL OF THE
The Standing Committee will also submit to those who have, been
baptized in infancy the following:
You acknowledge as valid,the ordinance of baptism administered to
you in infancy, by which your parents gave you up in solemn consecra-
tion to God, and you profess all the truths, and as far as you are con-
cerned, assume all the obligations set forth and undertaken thereat, and
by your own act you solemnly confirm the dedication of yourself to the
service of the Triune God.
Covenant.
Those who unite with the Chureh on profession of their faith will
assent to the following:
Sensible that all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him
with whom we have to do, and that it is a solemn transaction to enter into
covenant with God, yet encouraged by His mercy, and influenced by His
authority as exhibited in the gospel, you do, as you sincerely hope, give
up yourself to Him through Jesus Christ.
You humbly ask of God the forgiveness of your sins, through the
atoning sacrifice of His son, and accept of Him with all your heart as
He is offered to sinners in the gospel.
You choose the Lord for the everlasting portion of your soul, and en-
gage by grace to walk before Him in obedience to His commandments all
the days of your life.
In dependence on Divine aid you will forsake your sins, renounce
the vanities of the world, deny all ungodliness, and demean yourself
towards God and man as becometh a follower of Christ.
And while God’s providence shall continue you among us, you cov-
enant and promise that you will walk in communion with this Church,
submit to its discipline, seek its prosperity, bear your due proportion of
the expense of its ordinances, and be religiously concerned in all things
to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.
With reliance upon divine aid that in all this you may be faithful,
do you thus solemnly covenant?
Baptism will here be administered to those who have not already
received it.
Those who unite by certificate from other churches will assent to
the following covenant:
You do now enter into solemn covenant with this Church. You here
renew those engagements by which you first publicly dedicated yourself
to the service of God and united yourself to his visible people, and you
covenant, in particular, to walk in fellowship with this Church, to watch
over its members, and to submit to discipline as here administered, to
sustain its meetings, to bear your due proportion of the expense of its
ordinances, and in all things to study its peace, purity and prosperity,
and the glory of the most high God.
The members of the Chureh will rise and remain standing while
the following is read:
We then, the members of this Church, cordially receive you to our
communion, and recognize you as a member, entitled to all the privileges
of the Church of Christ; and we promise on our part faithfully to dis-
charge towards you the duties which devolve on us as brethren and
sisters in the Lord. May God give us grace to be faithful in this our
covenant through Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine
upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up his countenance
upon you and give you peace.
Now unto Him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present
us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the
only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and powers
both now and for ever. Amen.CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
71
The Church at the same time approved the following as a form suit-
able to be used in the baptism of children:
The child being brought forward, while the choir render a suit-
able ehant or hymn, the minister shall address the parents or guar-
dians, saying:
In presenting this child for consecration to God and His service, you
signify your faith in the Christian religion, of which baptism is an or-
dinance, and your desire that he should enjoy the benefits of early con-
secration to God, and of special prayer on his behalf by this Church and
congregation; that, if spared to adult years, he may early know and fol-
low the will of God; may live and die a Christian; and may finally at-
tain to everlasting life in Heaven.
But in order to this, it will be your duty to teach him early the fear
of the Lord; to watch over his education; to direct his youthful mind to
the Holy Scriptures, and his feet to the sanctuary; to restrain him from evil
associates and habits; and, as much as in you lieth, to bring him up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Will you endeavor so to do by the help of God?
Hear the words of the gospel;
They brought young children to Christ that He should touch them;
and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus
saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them: Suffer the little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom
of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom
of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them
up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.—Mark 10:
3-16.
Then the minister, either taking the child into his arms or leav-
ing it with the parents, as he may deem best, shall say:
Name this child.
Then repeating the name given and sprinkling the forhead of
the child with water, he shall say:
I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us pray.
After brief prayer, he shall say:
The Church will rise.
Then shall he Say:
We, the members of this Church, solemnly promise to watch over
this child in the Lord, to follow it with our prayers, to try to aid these
parents in the mighty obligations resting upon them, and to count this
little one with the other baptized children of the Church, a special trust
in the household of Christ. And may He who, when on earth, took little
children in His arms and blessed them, bless this child continually; and
may the God of all grace, faithful always to His covenant, keep us all
unto everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then while the choir render a suitable chant or hymn, the par-
ents with the child shall withdraw or resume their seats.
Article IV—Membership.
All persons may become members of this Church who sincerely name
the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Master, and are heartily
purposed to live to His honor and for the extension of His kingdom, and
who accept, or can work in harmony with, the faith and policy of this
Church.
Those wishing to unite with this Church on confession of faith shall
be examined before the Standing Committee of the Church, and if ap-
proved by them shall be recommended to the Church for membership,72
MANUAL OF THE
and when received by vote of the Church, shall be entitled publicly to
enter duly into covenant with the Church.
Those coming' by letter or certificate from sister Churches may, by
vote of the Church, be received in due form to membership. But when
in the judgment of the Pastor or others of the Church, there may be any
question about the sufficiency of their credentials, or concerning' their
Christian character, or regarding the wisdom of receiving them as mem-
bers, the case shall be presented to the Standing Committee, who shall
recommend to the Church such action as shall appear to them wise and
proper.
All members of this Church have in the administration of its affairs,
equal rights, privileges and prerogatives; they are all entitled to vote in
the election of officers, and upon. all questions properly brought before
it, and they share a mutual and personal responsibility in the mainte-
nance of its institutions and ordinances, in the honor of its name, and in
the efficiency of its Christian service.
Any member of unimpeachable Standing in the Church, who for rea-
sons good and satisfactory to him, may desire to withdraw from its fel-
lowship, may present his request and reasons for the same to the Stand-
ing Committee of the Church, and if after due consideration of the mat-
ter by them, and due effort on their part to change his desire, he still
urges his request, the Church may, upon their recommendation, vote him
a release from their watch and care and direct their clerk, with a suit-
able minute of their vote, to transfer his name from the list of active
members to the list headed “Watch Withdrawn. ” But if at any. subse-
quent time he shall see the unwisdom of his course and desire to be re-
instated in the fellowship of the Church, he may with such explanation
atid-statement as shall be satisfactory to the Standing Committee, upon
their motion, and by vote of the Church be restored to regular standing
in the Church.
Any member in good standing in this Church may at any time ask
and receive, by vote of the Church, a letter of dismission to any evangel-
ical Church to which he may desire, with proper reasons, to transfer
his relations.
Any member removing his residence beyond the limits of this parish
for a time exceeding one year, will be expected, if practicable, to take
a letter to some evangelical church, where he resides. If this seems un-
advisable he is expected to keep the Church informed of his welfare at
least once a year; and if not complying with this duty, may have his
name, by vote of the Church, transferred to the list headed “Watch
Withdrawn. ”	• r
Any member not fulfilling his covenant obligations to the Church, or
walking disorderly, or being alleged guilty of conduct inconsistent with
his Christian profession, if in the judgment of the Standing Committee
the peace and purity and, good name of the Church may best be secured
without the formality or publicity of a formal trial of his case, may,
upon his written or declared consent, and by vote of the Church, be ex^
eluded from the fellowship of the Church. The way for his restoration
to the Church shall* be the same as for an excommunicated member, viz.:
By such evidence of repentance and renewed Christian decision as shall
be satisfactory to the Church and shall induce them by vote to restore
him to their communion.
Any member of this Church who may feel seriously aggrieved or in-
jured by another member of the Church, is in duty bound to seek an ami-
cable adjustment and settlement of his grievance according to the method
prescribed by our Lord in Matthew 18th chapter. And until he has
fully and in proper spirit complied with this duty, he is guilty of a disci-
plinable offense if he spreads abroad the matter or talks in a censorious
way to others concerning the person with whom he feels aggrieved.
Any person outside of the Church may present to the Pastor or
Standing Committee, a complaint against any member of the Church ifREV. FREDERICK A. S. STORER,
Pastor of the Church from February 21, 1895, to March 31, 1898.REV. WILLIAM F. KETTLE,
The Present Pastor, began his labors June 1, 1898.
73
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
he is prepared to substantiate the same, or if he thinks that in the name
of common fame his charges should be investigated. If in the judgment
of the Standing Committee the complaint brought is of sufficient import-
ance, pr of such a nature as to require their attention or that of the
Church, they shall proceed to deal with the member so charged accord-
ing to the rules of the Church touching offences in other ways brought
to their notice.
Any member accused either by private complaint or as the result of
the watch-care of the Standing Committee, or by common fame, of disci-
plinable offenses, shall, if due effort on the part of said committee to
reach and win him to repentance and to suitable action, has failed of
its effect, be reported by them to the Church, together with such charges
and specifications and designation of witnesses as the case requires.
If then the case be one not covered by the foregoing provisions of these
rules, the church may appoint a committee to issue citations to the ac-
cused to appear for trial before the Church, or, with his consent, before
a committee designated by the Church, at a time named by the Church,
Which shall be at least ten days distant from the serving of said cita-
tion. The committee appointed to issue the citation shall also attend to
the proper presentation of the case against the accused, at the time of
the trial, and together with the citation, shall furnish the accused with
a full copy of the charges, specifications and names of witnesses. If
the person accused shall neglect or refuse to attend the trial at the time
designated by the Church, the same committee, unless otherwise ordered,
by the Church, shall at once issue a second citation, answerable at a
time named by the Church, at least one week later. If he disregards
the second citation, he may be judged “in contempt,” and such sentence
be at once passed upon him by the Church as they shall see fit to impose.
The Censures that may be visited upon offenders, in the discretion
of the Church, may be admonition, private or public, and in the way the
Church determines; suspension from the ordinances of the church and
from all right to vote or hold office in the church for a term not exceed-
ing six months; exclusion from fellowship, without public notice, when
the offender consents to this without trial, (see above); or excommunica-
tion from fellowship with public notice of the same from the pulpit on a
subsequent Sabbath.
In any trial before the Church the accused shall not he allowed to
employ professional counsel, but may call to his aid any member of the
Church, who in that case shall not vote upon the issues involved, or with
consent of the Church may invite any suitable member of a sister church
to assist him in his defence. No charge or specification shall be deemed
sustained which is not substantiated by at least two credible witnesses.
Those giving testimony before the Church shall first rise and assent
to the following affirmation: “You solemnly promise, in the presence of
the omniscient and heart-searching God, that you will declare the truthj
and nothing but the truth, according to; the best of your knowledge, in
the matter in which you are now called to witness. ”
Only those members of the Church who have been present through-
out the trial shall be entitled to vote upon the issues presented, but any
member present when censure is imposed upon an offender, shall have full
right to vote in determining what such censure or sentence shall be.
Article V.—Officers;
The officers of this Church shall be a. Pastor, six Deacons in active
service, (besides such as from length of service or from other reasons
shall be held by vote of the Church as Deacons emeritus), a Standing Com-
mittee, consisting of the Pastor, active Deacons and five other members
of the Church annually, elected to this service, a Clerk,a Treasurer, a. Sec-
retary of Benevolent Contributions, a Sunday School Superintendent, and an As-
sistant Sunday School Superintendent,74
MANUAL OF THE
Article VI.—Officers, How Chosen, Etc.
In calling- a Pastor, nomination shall be made in writing-by a mem-
ber or a committee previously appointed for that purpose, and shall be
presented to a meeting- of the Church regularly called by notice from the
pulpit the preceding Sabbath.
Election shall be by ballot, and but one candidate shall be voted
upon at a time; two-thirds of the members present must vote fof said
candidate if he is recommended to the Religious Society as the choice
of the Church for Pastor. It has been the usage of this Church, when
a Pastor has beep duly selected by the Church and approved by the So-
ciety, to call a council of sister churches to review their proceedings,
and if approved, formally to install him to said office.
The dissolution of the pastoral relation, according to the same usage,
properly requires the submission of the resignation of the Pastor, or of
the action of the Church looking to the termination of said relation, to a
mutual council properly called for that purpose.
The Deacons shall be regularly chosen by ballot at the annual meet-
ing of the Church. Their term of office shall be three years, two of their
number being elected each year. If a vacancy occurs it may be filled at
any regular meeting of the-Church, notice having been given at a pre-
vious meeting or from the pulpit the preceding Sabbath.
The Jive members of the Standing Committee, annually chosen by the
Church, and the Clerk, Treasurer and Secretary of Benevolent Contributions,
shall be elected in such manner as the Church may prefer at the annual
meeting of the church. The Sunday School Superintendent and Assistant Su-
perintendent shall be nominated by the Sunday School. Any vacancy oc-
curring may be filled at any regular meeting of the Church, notice of such
election being given at a previous meeting or on the preceding Sabbath.
Article VII.—Duties of Officers.
The Pastor shall become a member of this Church, shall have direc-
tion of public worship, preach the word, administer the ordinances, take
the spiritual oversight of the congregation, and serve ex-officio as moder-
ator of the Church and of the Standing Committee.
The Deacons shall assist the Pastor in the administration of the ordi-
nances, and as his advisers and helpers in the oversight of the flock and
in the spiritual and benevolent ministries of the Church; they shall
gather the weekly offerings in the sanctuary and serve ex-officio as mem-
bers of the Standing Committee.
The duties of this Committee are:
1.	To watch over the conduct of the members of the Church, prepare
cases of discipline so far as to see that the previous steps are taken,
perform the work assigned them in foregoing rules and regulations, and
report to the Church all matters brought to their notice which require
the special attention or action of the Church.
2.	To superintend the financial affairs of the Church, make appro-
priations for incidental expenses and the relief of the poor, (not exceed-
ing five dollars for any object) and recommend to the Church such larger
appropriations as they may deem expedient.
3.	To examine candidates for admission to the Church upon confes-
sion of faith, consider the sufficiency of the letters, or certificates of those
who desire to unite by letter, when presented to them, and recommend
to the Church such persons as they approve for admission.
4.	To prepare annually a list of objects to receive the benevolent con-
tributions of the Church, arrange the order and the method for such con-
tributions, and submit the same to the Church for its approval at the an-
nual meeting.
The Clerk shall take responsible charge of the records and valuable
documents of the Church. He shall keep faithful and full records of the
action of the Church, and submit the same to the annual meeting; also
full and accurate lists of the members of the Church, of all additionsCONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
75
and removals, of all infant baptisms, and such other facts as are valu-
able for the information and use of the Church.
The Treasurer shall take charge of all funds or moneys of the Church,
subject to the supervision of the Standing Committee, provide for the ex-
penses of the Communion Table and for the authorized traveling fees of
Pastor or delegates of the Church, and pay such sums for the aid of the
poor or for other objects as he may be directed by the Standing Com-
mittee or the Church. He shall submit to the Church at its annual meet-
ing, full account of moneys received and disbursed, with vouchers for the
same, to be audited by a special committee designated by the Pastor at
or before said meeting.
The Secretary of Benevolent Contributions shall carry out the system for
such collections adopted by the Church, pay over as soon as practicable
all moneys received to the objects for which they are designated, do what
he can to promote a general and noble spirit of benevolence in the parish,
keep faithful account of all contributions received and forwarded, and
submit such account to the annual meeting of the Church, to be duly
audited by a committee appointed by the Pastor at or before said meet-
ing.
The Sunday School Superintendent and Assistant shall have charge of the
Sunday School and shall make an annual report to the Church.
Article VIII—Meetings, Etc.
The annual meeting of the Church shall be held in December of each
year, at the call of the Standing Committee. The review of the work of
the previous year and plans for the work of the coming year presented
by the report of the Pastor and other officers shall then be considered.
Officers shall be elected as herein provided, and all business proper
for such a meeting shall be transacted.
A weekly meeting of the Church for prayer and conference shall be
held each Thursday, except when the preparatory lecture comes the
same week, when, in the discretion of the Pastor, it may be omitted.
Necessary business pertaining to the welfare of the Church may be at-
tended to in connection with any Thursday meeting. A vote upon the
reception of candidates for membership may be taken at any Thursday
meeting or at the Preparatory Lecture.
The Standing Committee shall meet ordinarily each month immedi-
ately after the Thursday meeting, upon such Thursday as the Pastor
may designate, notice of the meeting being given the previous Sabbath.
Special meetings of the committee may be called by similar notice at
any time when needed. Three members of the committee may call a
meeting at any suitable time and place by giving personal notice to the
other members of the committee or by public notice the previous Sabbath.
Article IX.—Order and Rules of Business Meetings.
The ordinary and established rules and usages of deliberative bodies
shall be observed in all the business meetings and transactions of the
Church, so far as they are applicable to the workings of a religious
organization, and in harmony with the love and liberty of Christian fel-
lowship.
Article X.—Aim and Standard of the Faith, Practice and Dis-
pline of the Church.
In the interpretation of the moral and religious obligations recog-
nized as binding upon the members of this Church, emphasis will be
put upon those that affect most essentially the welfare and cultivation
of Christian character and upon the spirit of fidelity and loyalty to
Christ with which the members seek to do all things that most honor
Him and best edify His Church. The authorative standard of Christian
conduct, we hold to be the Bible, read with a prayerful and loving ap-76
MANUAL OF THE*
plication of its ideas and principles, and in the spirit that discerns
Christ as indeed the Head over all things unto His Church*
Article XI.—Amendments.
The foregoing articles, rules, etc., may1 be amended by a two-thirds
vote of those present at any regular Church meeting, notice of the pro-
posed change having been given in writing at a previous regular meeting.Members of the Church
NAMES.
Alvord, Mrs. Mary S., (H. S.)_
Andrews, Mrs. Cora (O. B.)
Arnold, Mary.............—
Arnold, Mrs. Lottie M.,(John).
Arnold, Carolyn E...........
JFK
DATE OF ADMISSION.
50	Atwater, J. Clayton.......... 75
88	Atwater,Mrs.EurettaL.,(J.C)_ 75
85	Andrews, Hiram C............. 99
81	Alvord, Hattie............... 01
89 Armstrong-,Mrs.AddieC.,(C.C.) 89
Babcock, Mrs. Sarah E. (G. W.)
Baker, Mrs. Mary A., (Newell) _
Baker, Edwin V...............
Baker, Martha J.,----------...
Barber, Harry J. ............
Barker, Merritt C............
Bates, Mrs. E. C. Alice (L. H.)
Bates, Mrs. Mary A., (Charles)
Bates, Hallie A..............
Beach, William B.............
Beach, Mrs. Mary H,,(Wm. B.)
Beach, Ida M. _______________
Bean, Wm. A..................
Bean, Mrs. Emma M., (Wm. A.)
Bean, Henry P.___------------
Bean, Mrs. Lenna, (H. P.)____
Bedell, Henry E............__
Bedell. Mrs. Mary E., (H. E.)_
Bedell, Blanche A............
Bennett, Mrs. Emma P., (A. H.)
Bennett, Lester P------------
Bennett, Frederick V. . _ _..
Bennett, Mrs. Sarie E., (F. V.)
Blackman, Thurlow............
Blackman, Mrs. Julia E., (Thur-
low)......................
Blackman, Harry H._..........
Carley, Mrs. Annette E.______
Carley, Mrs. Hortense J.
Carpenter, DeWitt C..........
Carpenter, Mrs. A. B., (D. C.)
Carpenter, Cora A...........
Carpenter, Mrs. Nellie (Cramp-
ton) ______________________
Chapman, Wm._________________
Chapman, Matilda.............
Chapman, Curtis C..........
Clark, James H...............
Clark, Mrs. Cornelia, (J. H.)_
Clark, Fannie M......... _ _.
Coggeshall, Fannie E.________
Coggeshall, Catherine M._____
Collins, Edward B............
96 Blaney, W. H. H. __........... 85
86	Blaney, Mrs. Della C., (W.H.H.) 96
91 Blaney, Louis P............... 89
99 Blashfield, Mrs Lura, (H. W.) 88
95	Borst, Agnes S............... 99
96	Bower, H...................   89
85 Bower, Mrs. Sarah (H.)........ 89
89 Bowen, Wm. E................   98
89 Bowen, Mrs. Wm. E............  98
60 Boyajean, John________________ 98
60 Boyajean, Mrs. John........... 98
72 Boyd, John D.................  81
53 Braman, Mrs. H. S............. 01
70 Brown, Mary Eliza............. 43
89 Brown,Mrs.CarolineD.,(Chas.) 75
89 Brown, Mrs. Della L........... 91
91 Brown, Merton................. 87
91 Brockway, Mrs. George A...... 89
99 Bunn, AbbieZ.................  68
67 Bunn, Ella.................... 85
85 Burdick, Will E..............  89
89 Burdick,Mrs.Carra A., (W. E.) 89
91 Burns, Mrs. Minnie (Burdick) _	81
93 Button, Mrs. Mary............. 94
Button, Ira................   00
93	Button, Bertha.._____________ 00
99
C
96 Collins, Mrs. Carrie (E. B.) ._ 89
94	Collins, Lewis M............  96
77 Collins, Charles E.___________ 96
77 Collins, Earl _______________  01
77 Colony, M. Elizabeth__________ 82
Cook, Lydia S._______________ 75
87	Corey, Mrs. Frances (D. B.) _ . _ 64
98	Cornell, Mrs. Sarah E. __.... 85
99	Coye, Mary J._______________  74
99 Crampton,Mrs.JennieB.,(S.H.) 68
85 Cr ampton, Elias R.___________ 68
85 Crampton, Mrs. Janette, (E.R.) 87
85 Crampton, Adelbert B. ........ 89
85 Crampton, Bessie._____________ 99
84 Crampton, Fred............... 99
89 Crofoot, Mrs. Octavine........ 8364
MANUAL OF THE
Daniels, George D____________
Daniels, Mrs. Ellen H. (G» D.)
Daniels, Annie B._	_____
Davis, Fred E________________
Davis, Mrs. Lula M. (F. E.)__
Dempsey, Allie M., (C. W.)___
Devoe, Modeste_______________
Eaton, Hattie....—__________
Ercanbrack, Mrs. Lillian G.__
Fairbanks, Charles__________
Fairbanks, Mrs. Amelia W.
(Charles) ________________
Fairbanks, Milton H_________
Fairbanks, Mrs. A. E. (Milton)
Fairbanks, Thomas C_______
Fairbanks, Mrs. Lucy A. (T. C.)
Fairbanks, Clarence_________
Fairbanks, Lena_____________
Fassett, C. Jeannette_______
Ferguson. Mrs, Adaline_______
Gage, Carl W.________- - - -__
Gallager, Mrs. Mary (F. C.)__
Gay* Mrs. Bert________________
Gilkerson, George S.__________
Goodell, Mrs. Lena M. (F.)____
Hall, John__________________
Hall, Mrs. Rachel (John)____
Hakes, Mrs. MaggieS. (Geo.) _
Haynes, Alice E--------_----
Hammond, Fred A_____________
Hammond, Mrs. Emma(Fred A.)
Hazard, Mrs. Alice J._______
Heberd, Mrs. Clara H. (L.H.)
Heberd, Marion A. ..........
Heberd, Jessie A...........
Heberd, J. Delos...........
Henry, Mrs, Charles_________
Henry, Estelle--------------
Hitchcock, Noah Dwight------
Hitchcock, Coleman__________
Hitchcock, Mrs. Susan (Cole-
man)______________________—
Hitchcock, Caroline _ _-----
Hitchcock, William F. ___...
Hitchcock, Mrs, Margaret L.
(W. F.)	.................
Hitchcock, Harold P. .......
Hitchcock, James P-------- ._
Hobart, Mrs. Hannah S. (D.C.)
Jamison, Mrs. Ethlyn May___
Jennings, Alfred; Si---------
85 Devoe, Carl W.............—	89
58 Devoe, Kitty> _ _. ----- r.— 89
81	Dixon j Mrs, Emma-......... 98
89	Dixon, Arthur N...........  99
89	Dickinson, Rev. F. W.______ 00
87	Dickinson, Mrs. F. W.------ 00
68,
EEL
89	Estes, Mrs. Orissa, (J; H.)___ 91
89
F
68	Ferguson, Mary------------  65
Fox, Eliza M._____________—	68
55	Fox, John.--^_____________  38
85	Fox, Mrs. (John)88
76 Foster, Mrs. Margaret J. (W. H;) 83
91 Frazier, Lena____________ —	99
68	Frair, Mrs. Mary_________   89
99 Fredericks, Carlie........-	81
99 Fredericks, Mrs.. Catherine,
99 (Roswell)-______________--_ 68
61
O
96	Goodell, Mrs. W aty J. (Erastus)	65
89	Green, Harriet E--------r.___	90
01 Green, Mrs. Frank H.	91
89	Green, Mabel E.---------_—	99
86	Green, Margaret S._______.___	99
Hj
89 Hobert, Mrs. Eliza (A. W.)___	89
88	Hovey, Mrs. Addie E. (H. H.) _	89
89	Hubbard; Mrs. Caroline (War-
96	ren)________________________ 56
89 Hull, Harlan P._______________ 55
89 Hull, Mrs. Frances U. (H. P.)_	58
99 Hull, Harry E.____________ 80
58 Hull, Mrs. Esther L. (H. E.) __ 88
82	Hull, Nancy E._______________ 76
89 Hull, Henry H.________________ 85
66 Hull, Mrs. Jeannette A. (H.H.)	81
85 Hunt, Mrs. Sarah.______........ 33
91 Hunt, Harriet A. __ _ ________ 85
83	Hunt, Charles J._____--------- 85
79 Hunt, Mrs. Clarissa B. (G. J.) 85
Hunt> Mrs. Addie_________________ 88
79 Hurlbut, Leslie L------------- 85
79 Hurlbut, Mrs. Mary Williams
79	(L. L.).......................   68
Hurlbut^ InaL.................... 87
79 Hurlbut, Arthur R.___________ 85
99 Hurlbut, Harold W.______________  89
62 Hurlbut, Charles T.______________ 68
52
J
97	Jones, Walter--________________  85
01 Jones, Mrs. Martha* (Walter)- 58