CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM BX6480.S24" 824"'™"'*" "'"^ *'*"mii'ini miii«ii*lt!i*ii ^''■®' Baptist Church o olin 3 1924 029 486 044 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029486044 'f/».f -..A. -' . - . '»-,"-i<^.>. CHLTliC'H. PAliSONAdE. Centennial -of the- FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH -of- ^5aratoga Springs, N. Y. October 8th to nth, 1893. Cozzens & Waterbury, Printers, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 1893. Rev. GEO. W. NICHOLSON, Pastor. Centennial Committee: Rev. G. W. Nicholson, J. Byington Smith, F. W. Waterbuey, Oscar A. Day, E. R. Waterbuey, W. H. GrEANGBE. Choir: Organist, Miss Oeie L. Baeeett. Quartette, Miss Chaelotte Waener, Miss Sarah K. Weed, Me. Feank E[. Smith, Me. Feank D. Jones. PREFACE. THE present volume was prepared under the di- rection of the centennial committee appointed by the Church in connection with their other duties, with the desire that the past might be known by the present, that the membership might secure a souvenir of the exercises connected with the ob- servance of the Centennial, and that the history might be preserved in permanent form. We send it forth with earnest prayer that it may prove an inspiration to the children, and childrens' children for all time to come. The committee hereby ex- press their hearty thanks to the speakers who have addressed us, the members of the choir who have furnished us at all our services with excellent and inspiring music, the ladies who have been diligent and self-sacrificing in their aid to us in various ways, the flower committee which has made the church to bloom like a garden, to our village press for the careful and elaborate reports of our proceed- ings, and to all who have contributed in any way to make our centennial observance the grand suc- cess which it has proved. COMMITTEE. Centennial Hymn. BY REV. J. BYING'l'ON SMITH, D. D. God of the hundred years, With all its hopes and fears. We give Thee praise, That Thou didst blessings send, And on oar way attend. Vouchsafe Thine aid to lend. Through all these days. A hundred years have sped. Through which Thy hand has led Unto this day. Thy throne we have addressed. Our sins to Thee confessed, Been by Thy presence blessed In all the way. We praise Thee with our voice. And in our hearts rejoice That Thou art king; We bless the Saviour's reign To cause of truth maintain. And soul life to regain. To ransomed bring. All times are in Thy hand, Events at Thy command. And Thou wilt guide 'Till centuries are o'er. And time is lost in yore, And we forevermore With Thee abide. TUNE— America. History of the Church. BY F. W. WATERBURY. THE event we meet to commemorate to-day is one far-reaching in its design and world-wide in its results, gathering cumulative force as the years have gone by, with new actors appearing on the stage And with constantly changing scenes, the influences commenced a century ago have been deepening and widening and extending to such a degree that we are amazed at the wonderful develop- ments which are still in progress and must con- tinue through the countless ages of Eternity, and we exclaim, what wonderful works the Lord hath wrought among the children of men. Although, one hundred years have gone and every one who participated in the exercises of that day have passed away, there are those still living, and with us, who knew some of those brave, hope- ful, and trusting pioneers in the service of the Lord and Master, who were willing to endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and their zeal in his service, their words of christian counsel and exhortation and the precious memory of their lives of consecration and self denial rest down up- on us like a heavenly benediction. Against their names we may well and truth- fully write the Saviour's own words, "Well done good and faithful servant," and also with John on the island of Patmos "Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them. " The little one has become more than a thous- and, and hundreds still remain. A very great company has gone one by one through some unseen way to join the multitude that no man can number before the great white throne; a host has gone forth to service in other portions of the vineyard; and, alas, we say it with JOHX A. VVATKHBrHY. Deacon. |si>()-4(;. C'linicli (']p|-k, 1s:',(i :•,;). S. S. Sinit., isi'C, 21); ls:!(i-:!s. 9 sadness, some who did seem to run well for a season went back to feed on the husks of worldliness and seek their happiness in the rounds of earthly pleas- ure and we fear not only to suffer present disap- pointment, but to perish in their sins. We think tenderly, to-day, of the many de- parted. Some were taken in their early youth, just as they were glancing wistfully towards wide fields of usefulness which they were anxious to enter, and where they hoped, through faith and self-sacrifice, to work out grand achievements for the Captain of their salvation, and gather large harvests for the heavenly garner, but their call was to higher spheres of service, like "The rose that climbs the garden wall, To bloom upon the other side." Others waited long, listening for the sound of the coming of the chariot wheels of their transla- tion, and as they went up into heaven their falling mantles were taken up by others, who, in the fore- most ranks of the fray, went forth saying, "Where is the Lord, God of our fathers," and battled long and well for the triumph of gospel truth. Precious 10 memories, something strong and sweet, something of which we may think in times of trial and afflic- tion ; the golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints, as they cast them before the Lamb, singing, "Thou are worthy for thou hast re- deemed us to God by Thy blood." Let us remem- ber the words of inspiration that come to us like an encouraging voice: "'Blessed is the man that en- dureth temptation for when he is tried he shall re- ceive the crown of life which the Lord hath prom- ised to them, that love Him. " The history of the First Baptist Church of Saratoga Springs reaches back to the early years of the settlement of the town. It was organized and recognized twenty-three years before any other church existed in the town, and although the house of worship was two and one-half miles away until 1823, a large number of its members resided in the village, and held religious services a part of the time in what was called the Bell School House, which stood on the first lot west of whei'e our present church edifice is located on Washington street. Before its organization and recognition as 11 a church, the Baptists in this vicinity were mem- bers of the present First Stillwater church, at Bemis Heights, which, according to Benedict's History of the Baptists, arose in 1762, became unusually large and prosperous, with branches in many directions, among which was one called Kayaderrosseras, which asked to be recognized as a separate body with sufficient privilege to be allowed to secure ministers to preach and administer the ordinan- ces and with the right to receive members with- out consulting the mother church. January 28, 1792, their request was granted with the fellowship of the church, and ten of its members living on the west side of Saratoga Lake were dismissed to form an independent church, which was the beginning of the First Baptist church of Saratoga Springs. By reference to the records of the First Still- water church I find that they had a list of members in different localities and this one numbered 22. Twenty of these became constituent members of this church and received recognition and fellowship as a regular Baptist church, by a council consisting of pastors and delegates invited from churches of 12 the same faith and order and which met Oct. 11, 1793. The First Stillwater and Second Milton churches were represented in the council, of which Elder Simeon Smith was moderator and Elder Lemuel Powers, clerk. One of the first items of business v\as to raise $2.00 to buy a church record book. At their first church conference, held Oct. 26, 1793, it was voted to hold their meetings for wor- ship one half of the time at Brother W. Barlow's and other half of the time at the school house near Timothy Shipman's and near where Joseph Rowley now lives, in the town of Malta, about four and one-half miles south ofthis village. Mr. Barlow was a member of the First Stillwater church, but if he ever united with this church no record of it is made. It is possible that he and two other of the members on the west side of the lake might have lived nearer Ballston Spa (then First Mil- ton) and united there, if they left the old church at all. The early history of the church was full of such hardship and discouragement as is only known in ISAAC PATRICK. Divicoii, is:; 1 :i4. 13 pioneer life; but the faithful band struggled on with untiring perseverance, not only to maintain their existence, but also to secure the service of ministers of the gospel to preach and administer the ordinances. And in return they saw their in- fluence widening, their members increasing, and year after year occupying a larger place, though they were constantly dismissing members to unite with other churches in different parts of the state and country. Scattered as the membership was over a large section of a then sparsely settled country, though it required much of the heroic spirit, their hungering and thirsting after righteous- ness impelled them "not to forsake the assembling of themselves together," and although without a settled pastor and without a house of worship, the Lord God of Hosts was with them, so that in 1800 they had increased to 51 members. March 1, 1794. — They voted to keep the Sab- bath meetings as usual at Bro. Barlow's and in the school house near Timothy Shipman's. April 4, 1795. — Agreed that on the third Sab- 1+ bath of this ijionth a collection be made to provide liquor to raise the Meeting House. May T, 1796.— Appointed Bro. Eliphaz Fish and Andrew Sprague trustees in behalf of the church to receive a lease of the Meeting House lot. December 3, 1796.— Voted that the meetings should be held at the house of Nathaniel Saxton until a door should be opened in a more convenient place. February 4, 1797.— Sent Bro. Eliphaz Fish and Briggs Sherman to inquire how it is betwixt Tim- othy Shipman and the Church, concerning the Meeting House. (It does not appear that Mr. Shipman was a member of the church, but perhaps Rachael Ship- man who was a member may have been his w^ife, as business meetings were sometimes held at his house.) March 4, 1797. — Bros. Fish and Sherman re- port that Mr. Shipman says the church need not trouble themselves about the Meeting House on his account, (does he mean that he wUl provide a place for worship, ) for on the same day they do agree to 15 turn out unanimously to work on the Meeting House the following Thursday. April 1, 1797. — Agreed to work April 7th at the Meeting House. Although there are these votes relating to a Meeting House, before the one near the Geysers was buUt, there is nothing to show that it ever material- ized, votes for liquor and labor to the contrary notwithstanding. It has been suggested that all this was prelimi- nary and preparatory work like the hewing of tim- ber and framing the building which was used later. Nathaniel H. Waterbury, who was born 1796, and united with the church in 1812, said before his death in 1888, that he never knew or heard of any house of worship until one, was built near the Geysers, and the records of the church make no mention of one farther than the records already quoted. But the records do show that for many years they had no church building, but held their meet- ings (see vote of 1793,) at Bro. Barlow's and the school house, (1794 renewing the vote — again in 16 1796 placing them at Nathaniel Saxton's until a more convenient place appears,) and not until March 19, 1808, were they removed from Deacon Saxton's and afterwards placed at the school house near Bro. Munger's. We are sorry they voted to procure liquor to raise the meeting house, but as there is no record that they ever did it, we hope better counsels prevailed and like many a church vote of later days, it was only a vote. Then after a period of eleven yeai-s, Oct. 20, 1804, they chose Bro. Hunger, Eddy Baker and Thos. Ostrander a committee to stake out the ground for the Meeting House. December 28, 1808. — Voted to build a house 28x38 feet, two stories high, with a gallery, and to begin work as soon as $500 should be subscribed. Appointed Bro. Salmon Hunger to superintend the work of building and Brethren Wallis, Bradley and Wait to be holden with Bro. Hunger for pay- ment. July 8, 1809. — Voted instead of getting incor- porated, to secure the title of the ground by taking an everlasting lease from Mr. Ellis. (ULBERT VVAlUN(i 17 The present trustees have nothing to show that the church ever had a deed for lease of that lot. August 10, 1822. — Rev. Francis Wayland, Breth- ren Green, William and John A. Waterbury and Harmon J. Betts, were appointed a committee to ex- amine the title of the old meeting house and lot and report at the next meeting. The records do not show any such report. There is no account of the completion or dedi- cation of this first house of worship. Its site is still identified by some fine old elm trees nearly op- posite the present residence of Mr. L. B. Stannard, and it was their place of worship until 1822, when they removed to the village and occupied a house on the site we now occupy. The Meeting House near the Geysers was sold, after the one here was built, and moved to a lot on which the U. S. hotel iiow stands and nearly opposite the junction of Division street and Woodlawn avenue, and was used in connection with the U. S. hotel for many years. September 16, 1820. — Business relating to the building of a house at the Springs was introduced. 18 October 28, 1820.— Voted that a Meeting House be built at Saratoga Springs as soon as means can be obtained, not calling on the church or society for anything more than a, free donation or offering Unanimous consent was given with the exception of Deacon Noah Roberts. John A. Waterbury and Harmon J. Betts were chosen a committee to pro- cure a site for said house, and make necessary ar- rangements for building. The site chosen and occupied was the gift of the heirs of Gideon Putnam, Esq. The following is an extract from the deed made April 19, 1821: "Whereas, The said Gideon Putnam, deceased, did sometime previous to his death, designate and allot certain lot of land hereinafter described, to and tor the use of any religious corporation which would first erect on the same, a house appropriate to the worship of Almighty Go?t,~ and. Whereas, The said Gideon Putnam died with- out having conveyed the same to any such religious corporation, and Whereas, He died witholit having made his 19 will, by reason whereof the said lot of land de- scended (to his heirs named,) and Whereas, The said parties (heirs named,) are desirous that the intentions of the said Gideon Putnam in this behalf should be carried into effect, and Whereas, The said parties (trustees of First Baptist church,) are willing to erect on the said lot of land above mentioned, a house to be appropri- ated to the worship of Almighty God, according to the rights and ceremonies of the Baptist church, now therefore" (formal transfer.) "Provided that the said parties (trustees) shall continue to have erected on the said lot a building appropriate to the worship of Almighty God, not less than fifty feet in length and thirty-eight feet in breadth. It is agreed, however, between the said parties that in case any building which may hereafter be so erected and appropriated, should be destroyed by fire or otherwise, that then a reason- able time shall be allowed the said (trustees) to re- build before the parties of the first part shall be lawfully authorized to re-enter on the said land." 20 The transfer was made to Zachariah Curtis, William "Waterbury and Harman Betts, trustees of the First Baptist church, and was executed by Isaac Taylor, Betsey Taylor, Benjamin K. Putnam, Eunice Putnam, Lewis Putnam, Eockwell Putnam, Joel Clement, Aurelia Clement, Ferdinand Andrews, Nancy Andrews, Washington Putnam, Lovin B. Putnam, Phila Putnam, Doanda Putnam. The deed was recorded November ly, 184-T, book 77, page 259, etc. Of the Putnam family who are still residents in our locality are: Judge John R. Putnam, Lorin B. Putnam, Mervin G. Putnam, Mrs. Caroline C. Olmstead, Mrs. Florence A. McOmber. The house was two stories with a gallery on three sides, and cost about $2,500. The same bell now in use hung in its steeple and called the people to worship. It did not have gas or electric lights, but was illuminated by about a dozen tallow dips provided by the good sisters from their own candle boxes, and who even then were a practical Ladies Aid Society, bringing them when they came to the evening service, which was appointed at early can- %*■ . /|i m f Mf >v ^ ^ ^^ u -■X-v-, ^ .^■1 %i ^[^p^ •»*-„» w ^p .-- NATHANIEL H. VVATEUBURY Trustee, 1S4.V JT. n die lighting. It was a common occurrence to see some brother go around snufiing the candles in sermon time, and if too long neglected they were requested to perform the service. The singers' seats were in the north end of the gallery and were most- ly occupied by men and women in middle or ad- vanced life, and the air, bass, counter and tenor had their assigned places, which were understood and respected by all. Hymn books were not so nu- merous as now, and to be the owner of a notebook was quite rare, and sometimes the preiacher or a good brother would line a favorite hymn. They would repeat two lines of a verse, sing it, and then repeat the remaining two lines, so that all the people might join in praising the Lord. (And they sung all the verses.) The glory of the Lord often -filled this house, which was used without change until 1846, when it was remodeled and thoroughly repaired. The increase of members of the church and society was so rapid from this time on that in 1855 it was found necessary to build the present beautiful and com- modious house, which was dedicated August 10, 32 1856. It cost $18, 000 and was built under the super- vision of Hervey P. Hall, ISiathaniel H. Waterbury and ' Evander M. Browii. The people came with gladness, singing, "Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest; Thou and the ark of Thy strength. Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let Thy saints shout with joy." And the answer seemed to come back, "The Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath de- sired it for a habitation; this is My rest forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it; I will abun- dantly bless her provision; I wiU satisfy her poor with bread; I will also clothe her priests with sal- vation; and her saints shall shout aloud for joy." The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Luther F. Beecher, D. D., from Ezra V. 9, 11. "Then asked we those elders, who commanded you to build this house and to make up these walls ? And thus they returned as answer: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago." We give extracts from his sermon. "After an absence of many months you are permitted, to-day, for the first time, to enter this 23 place erected for the worship of God. It is, to you all, a day of great gladness. This is the third house of worship v/^hich this Church has erected within a half century. The first was about two miles from here and was far from being elegant or spacious, but its sides contained the germ of better things, and songs as pure, and prayers as acceptable as were ever breathed beneath temple dome, were there uttered. In the summer of 1821, under the ministry of Eev. Francis Wayland, they removed to this site and erected a most commodious, and for the time being, sufficiently large house of worship, on the spot where the present building now stands. For thirty- four years that structure stood, as the house and home of this people, till the period seemed to have come for us also, to arise and build. The voice of the Master was heard in the midst of our straitened assemblies saying, 'Enlarge the place of thy tent, and stretch forth the curtains of thy habitation; lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes, for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, 24 but with great mercies will I gather thee. ' Ac- cordingly on the 8th day of July of last year, the last service was held in the old house, and on the 15th day of August the corner stone of the new edifice was laid; and to-day you come with the an- swer of the prophet upon your lips, saying to all enquirers, 'we are the servants of the Grod of heaven and earth and build the house that was builded these many years ago.' We call upon you, there- fore, to consecrate this place, and set it apart from all secular, and devote it to all holy purposes." I need not speak at length of the great works of grace that have been wrought here, of the fre- quent and large ingatherings of those who here have had their spiritual birth. Precious revival seasons have been enjoyed when Grod has answered piuyer for those who were still unreconciled to Him, and anxious, sin-sick souls have been healed by the life-giving touch of the crucified One, coming heavy laden with guilt saying, "Here, Lord, I give myself to Thee, 'tis all that I can do," and going away with a song of triumph by redeeming grace and love. "The Lord shall count when he writeth up the PHIl.O R. WATERBURY. Clmirli t'lei'k, ]s;;!i-4o. s. S. Supt., ls4:')-44. 25 people that this and that man was born in her." He will come by and by to discern between the righteous and the wicked saying, "They shall be mine in that day when I make up my jew- els." Several times the house has been improved, altered and beautified until to-day we deem it one of the pleasantest meeting places in the village. December 30th, 1884, a very interesting service took place at the Geysers in connection with the dedication of the new Baptist Chapfel for the wor- ship of God, and the use of the Sunday School, gathered from among those living in the vicinity. The history of the Sunday School dates back to May 1st, 18Y0, when it was organized by a little band of seventeen persons, with Deacon Deman Vail as Superintendent, and who continued in of&ce until 1888. Deacon E. R. Waterbury became connected with the school in 1875. In 1888 he was chosen superintendent and continued in office until 1891. William H. Carragan was superintendent from 1891 until 1893. Charles S. Waring is the present superintendent. The dedication service of this chapel was con- 26 ducted by Pastor George A. Smith, assisted by Eev. J. Byington Smith, D. D., and Eev. Mr. Goodale of Cambridge, N. Y. The sermon of dedication by Pastor Smith was from 1st Kings, 8: 63, "So the King and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord." Eev. Mr. Goodale offered the dedicatory prayer, which was followed by sug- gestive remarks by Dr. Smith. At the close a col- lection was taken to aid in liquidating existing lia- bilities and for chapel use. Mrs. Emma J. Stannard kindly deeded the lot as her gift, on which to place the chapel, and con- venient sheds for teams and so forth, and her name will go down to coming generations as one who made a place for the building of this house of the Lord. The property is cared for by trustees, one of whom is chosen every year, and the buildings are kept in good repair. Too much credit cannot be given to the mem- bers of the Ladies Aid Society for their persistent efforts in raising money and for the sympathy and patronage of the community which was so liber- 27 ally bestowed. The school and religious services, conducted mostly by the pastor and members of the First Baptist church, are sustained by christians of different names, who dwell and labor together in unity, brotherly love and success. We copy from the report of William H. Carragan, secretary from the organization of the school to the time of the dedication of the chapel. "Like the pioneers of old we have left a track behind us. We have struggled through a forest of difficulty, leaving here and there patches of sun- shine; places where the rays of God's love have penetrated the darkness that surrounded us, have purified some hearts, sanctified some souls, made glorious some lives. Willing hands have never grown weary, hope has never grown despon- dent, hearts of faith have never lost courage and a,re here to-day to attest the fact, by this the little sanctuary so expectantly looked for; so eagerly worked for; attained at last after long years of waiting. Not without some pangs of regret do we leave forever the old school house across the way. It has heard the story of our triumph. It has 28 been the silent spectator of our joys, and will be the one spot around which will gather some of the sweetest memories born of the coming years. On the 1st day of May, 18Y0, nearly 15 years ago, seventeen persons gathered there to organize our school. Deacon Deman Vail was elected super- intendent, a position he has held ever since. Leonard Gotton was elected assistant superintendent, Alvin Hall, librarian, Emmett Carragan, secretary and treasurer. During the seven weeks following, the membership grew to 68, and at the end of the first year 104 members were enrolled with an average attendance of 46. The first year established a pre- cedent which the school has steadily followed. The years have been a series of triumphs, brok- en occasionally by adverse circumstances; but the growth of the school has been steady and sure, un- til to-day the roll shows a membership of 123, which' includes a greater portion of the inhabitants of the community. The amount received and ex- pended since our organization is about $850. Our library contains 345 volumes in good condition. Since 1870, forty-nine members of the school 29 have united with the First Baptist chiirch of Sara- toga, the first one being George Foster, who was baptized on the evening of New Years day 18T1. He was a teacher in the school for a time but after- wards went to England, entered Spurgeon's Col- lege and studied for the ministry. A few years ago, in conjunction with the Sab- bath School work, the ladies organized the Ladies Aid Society, its express aim and purpose being the acquiring of funds for the erection of the chapel. Four hundred dollars were raised for that purpose, and to them may be attributed the success of the enterprise. Many of those who in the past have labored with us, have gone to other localities, probably there to again perform the same errands of love; while some, whose hands performed cheer- fully, the duties assigned them, have laid aside their toils for rest. The lot is 50x200 feet. The chapel was planned and constructed under the direction of Deacon Deman Vail, chairman, George H. Patrick, John C. Eamsdale, H. A. Eoblee, S. C. Ames, Eugene Wis- wall and John B. Hall. It is now complete and its 30 birth opens a new era of hoped for prosperity and success," The school enjoyed a precious revival during the early spring of this year, when about twenty- five persons acknowledged Christ as their Saviour. PARSONAGE. About the year 1833 a parsonage was built on the lot adjoining the church, which stood until Jan- uary 1886, when it was destroyed by fire. The present beautiful and convenient edifice, erected in 1892, is the generous gift of Mrs. Angehne P. Hall, and was presented to the church as a memorial to her deceased husband, Hervey P. Hall, who died May 4, 1887, having for many years been connected with the church, and one of the directors in some of its most important financial transactions, and a liberal contributor to its support. PASTORS. From 1793 to 18(tO the church had no settled pastor, but was supplied by different ministers. Elders Rogers, Craw and Powers being most fre- ANdELTXE P. EDWARDS HALL. 31 quently mentioned as preaching and administering the ordinances. BEV. ELISHA. P. LANG WORTHY, the first pastor, was ordained to the work of the ministry, Dec. 18, 1800. He held the pastorate with some intervals until Jan. 9, 1819. His home was at Ballston Spa, and he often came on foot to meet with and preach to his people. It is said of him that in the cold winter months he came through the drifted snow to fill his appointments and before entering the pulpit would go around and shake hands with every person in the house. Sometimes he preached without removing his overcoat and mittens. In those days they had no stoves and so did not see fire from the time they left home till their return. Some of us can remember when they used to sing, "Christians if your hearts be warm, snow and ice can do no harm." A cold lunch was in order on those wintery Sabbaths and was eaten between the A. M. and P. M. sermons, which at times held the attention of the congregation from one to two and a half hours. During his ministry 32 of about 18 yeare the church increased 150 by bap- tism and 58 by letter and otherwise, a large num- ber, considering the population at that time. The amount of salary paid is not recorded, but in one instance, March 5, 1808, the church offered him $20 to preach one-half of the time for a year, which he accepted and was satisfied. He died at Ballston Spa, Dec. 10, 1827, but retained his membership here until his death. REV. FRANCIS WAYLAND, SR., the second pastor, was called to serve the church January 9, 1819, and remained untO. January 19. 1823. Important changes took place dur- ing his ministry. The new house was built here and the meetings changed to it. His salary was $200 a year. His home was at the corner of Broad- way and Washington street, where the Grand Union hotel now stands, and where he resided un- til his death, April 9, 1849. He was born in Eng- land, June 15, 1772. He is remembered as a man of marked and decided religious convictions and ex- periences and who wanted every member of the FRANCIS A¥AYLAN1). I'astur. isl'.t 1':'. 33 church to be able to give a reason for their hope, and to hve a christian life. He baptized 24 and 30 were added by letter and otherwise during his pas- torate. After resigning the pastorate, even in ad- vancing years, he was ever ready to do any chris- tian service. He ministered gratutiously to feeble churches and otherwise gave them his aid and en- couragement. He was intelligent, dignified and cordial in all his relations with others so that he shared the respect and confidence of his fellow men. In the church, and out of it, he was regarded as a wise counsellor and trustworthy friend, and his fatherly benediction was considered a rich boon to the community. The crown of old age sat gracefully upon his brow, and he would have Kved to noble purpose had it only been to be the honored sire of Eev. -Francis Wayland, D. D., so long the president of Brown university, and a pillar of strength to the Baptist denomination, and who was a member of this church and licensed by it as a preacher of the gospel. 34 REV. JOHN LAMB, the third pastor, was called April 12, 1823, at a salary of $260 a year, and continued as such until March 26, 1825. His home was at Waterford where his family remained. His last sickness was here, and his death (the date of which is unknown as he was not a member,) occurred at the home of Ben- jamin Hall, father of Mrs. C. L. Williams. About 36 were added during his- pastorate. REV. DAVID R. MACKELPRESH, the fourth pastor, was " called Nov. 13, 1825, and after seven months the relation was dissolved. After this the church was supplied by Elders Hubbell, Moore and others until Sept. 13, 1828, when the church asked Elder Lee to preach as stated supply until they could secure a pastor, and were to give him $12 for three months. REV. JOSHUA FLETCHER, D. D. Dec. 27, 1828, the church voted to give Joshua Fletcher, a student at Hamilton, .$4S to preach four months. He accepted the call to the pastorate of the church, Jan. 24, 1829, graduating from Hamil- 35 ton in June following, and became the fifth pastor. He was ordained Sept. 10, 1829. He resigned Nov. 28, 1845, but remained until 1847. He was thus with the church in all about 19 years. He baptized 224 and received by letter and otherwise 186, total 410. Of those baptized only 10 are with us now. He died in Wallingford, Vermont, May 8, 1882, and was buried in our beautiful Greenridge cemetery where so many rest who were added to the church during his pastorate. This was one of the longest and among the most fruitful pastorates of any in the early history of our village. He was said to be a. man of fine pulpit powers, and of sterling personal and religious character. His influence was felt and his counsels valued in his own and other churches. He was abundant in labors and" identified with the various christian enterprises of the denomination so that he was recognized* as one of its leaders in this section of our state. In his relations to others, individuals or churches, he was pleasant and help- ful, and sought to do good as he had opportunity. His hope was as buoyant as his faith was strong. He said: "I came to Saratoga on horseback with a 36 pack in my hand, and all of my worldly goods were in that pack, and I left with five child- ren." It was the best part of his life which was devoted to this church, so that it was fitting that he should be buried here in the place' he chose for himself years previously. REV. ARNOLD KINGSBURY, the sixth pastor, was settled in 1847 and remained until 1849, but the date of his call and resignation are not recorded. He was an earnest and effective preacher and much spiritual good was derived from his ministry. He died at Fredonia, N. Y., June 8, 1893, aged 81 years. REV. AUSTIN H. STOWELL, the seventh pastor, commenced his labors in the winter of 1850, and remained until May 15, 1855. He was faithful and earnest, both as a preacher and pastor and his pastorate was fruitful in quite large ingatherings into the church. An extract from a letter from his daughter. Miss Harriet A. Stowell of Chicago, will not be out of place here. "I can recall many things connected with my father's pas- I OS HIT A FLETCKKi;. Pastor. |s2'.i-4:.. 37 torate in Saratoga, the overflowing congregations, attending his sermons to young people, the frequent baptisms in the open air, the raising by the ladies of the church, headed by my mother, of $1,000 or $2,000, to liquidate the debt upon the old white wooden house of worship, and many other things come to mind. This old house and the adjoining parsonage, ■ home of our childhood, are full of pleasant memories, chiefly of those who are gone. My father, you perhaps know, passed away in per- fect faith and peace June 10, 1889, my mother, Oct. 27, 1S88. They, with so many of the old members, have fought the good fight and finished the course. " He baptized 188, received by letter and otherwise 103; total 291. REV. EUTHER F. BEECHER, D. D., the eighth pastor, was called Sept. 19, 1855, and began his labors in 1856 and resigned Dec. 19, 1859. During this and the former pastorate the church made a marked advance in numbers and financial means, and erected the present house of worship. Dr. Beecher baptized 80, and 57 were received by 38 letter and otherwise, total 137. He is still living at Brookline, Mass. REV. A. W. SAWYER, the ninth pastor, was called Feb. 18, 1861, and re- signed Jan. 11, 1864. He was a scholarly, saintly man, pure in heart, in speech and life, and beloved the most by those who knew him best. His present home is at Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where he has long been the honored and successful president of Acadia College. REV. L. M. WOODRUFF, D. D., the tenth pastor, came to us in April, 1864, as a supply, and was called to the pastorate Sept. 19, 1864. He accepted the call in January, 1865. He excelled as a preacher and as a leader in the prayer meetings. He was also greatly interested in Sun- day School and gave time and help in the teachers' meetings. He was a man of strong sympathies and always ready to comfort the sorrowing in the hour of trial. He baptized quite a number of con- verts during the years of 1864 and 1865, although no general revival. In the autumn of 1865, a lady 39 from Philadelphia called at his study and asked what could be done for the spiritual good of Sara- toga. An earnest conversation, followed by prayer, convinced him that she enjoyed a fullness of the Spirit to which he was a stranger and led him to earnest seeking for the gift. At her suggestion a letter was addressed to the Fulton Street prayer meeting. New York, asking prayers for Saratoga signed by all of the village pastors. Later a union prayer meeting was commenced, and continued some months, when so much interest was manifest- ed in the several churches that each began sepa- rate meetings and for many weeks God was greatly glorified in bringing hundreds to the love and ser- vice of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this revival he was most ably assisted by Eev. A. J. Frost, D. D., now of California, then a student at Hamilton. Mr. Woodruff's heart and hands were filled with loving service and he had the blessed privilege of baptising nearly 200 in the spring and summer fol- lowing, this proving to be by far the greatest in- gathering the church had ever enjoyed. Another revival season was enjoyed in 1869, the Congrega- 40 tional church uniting with us, and inviting Rev. A. B. Earl to assist. About 20 were received by bap- tism. During his pastorate the church paid off all its debts, which for many years had been a heavy burden to carry, and a hindrance to its work. He baptized 242 and 106 were added to the church by letter and otherwise. He resigned May 1, 1870, after six years of service, to accept a call at Detroit, Mich. ' He is still living at Saginaw, Mich. The church obtained supplies until Dec. 12, 1870, when REV. WILLIAM CHEETHAM, the eleventh pastor, was called. He resigned Oct. 8, 1871. His present place of residence is Brock- ville, Canada. After his resignation the church was supplied for a time by Edwin H. Bronson, now deceased, and Eev. Samuel H. Green, D. D., at present pastor of the Calvary Church, Washington, D. C. At the time both were students at Hamil- ton. The church was greatly quickened under their preaching and the result was a gracious re- vival during which about 50 were added to the church. ALTSTIN H. STOWELL, I'astoi-, isno-ns. 41 REV. EBER ARTHUR WOODS, D. D., the twelfth pastor, was called July 7, 1872, and closed his relation January 9, 1876. During his pastorate the Eegent Street chapel was built, and March 2, 1876, the church granted letters to 65 members, at their request, to form the Regent Street or Second Baptist church. Rev. Mr. Woods is now pastor at Williamsport, Penn. REV. GEO. A. SMITH, the thirteenth pastor was called May 28, 1876. He graduated from the Theological Seminary at Hamilton, in class of 1876, and was ordained by a council convened July 29, 1876. During his min- istry of about ten years the church was largely in- creased in numbers, 270 being added by baptism and 102 by letter and otherwise. The church in- debtedness was all canceled. His resignation took effect September 1, 1886, and he now resides at Providence, R. I. REV. GEO. B. POSTER, PH. D., the fourteenth pa^stor, was called January 16, 1887, and remained until July 25, 1891, when he resigned, 42 and closed his pastorate September 1, to pursue a course of study in G-ermany preparatory to enter- ing upon a professorship in McMaster University, Canada. Under his ministry many were added to the church and there was a deepening and quicken- ing in the divine Kfe. No one could know Geo. B. Foster intimately without feeling the warmth, the kindliness and the friendliness of his rare, rich spiritual nature. His friendships were sweet, close and loyal, ennobling and enriching other lives. He was richly imbued with the Christ spirit, with in- dependent manliness, a keen sense of honor and an unusual combination of rare excellencies. His departure from among us made many feel that Saratoga was poorer and Toronto richer because of their acquisition. He loved to preach the gospel and to live the gospel which he preached. REV. GEO. W. NICHOLSON, the fifteenth and present pastor, was palled October 4th, 1891, and entered on his work December 1st following. He is a sound man mentally, morally and spiritually, and in many respects is adapted to 43 fill a pastorate that has for its congregation a peo- ple that feel the influencing touch of the complex summer population that is attendant at a watering place like Saratoga. He is aggressive in his work and fearless in proclaiming the truth, and while it may be too soon to attempt the measurement of his success in this field, we may say that if there is mutual co-operation between pastor and people in consecrated spirit and effort, souls will be won and, victories gained for Grod, the influence of which will rest as a blessing upon this church and com- munity. REV. J. BYINGTON SMITH, D. D. I would not omit to mention in this connection the presence among us of Eev. J. Byington Smith, D. D., who has been a member with us since July 18, 1883. Because of ill health he was obliged to resign pastoral work and coming here he at once identifled himself with the church and its best interests, and we have always found him ready to respond cheerfully and promptly to calls of duty and service, not hesitating to take a place in the 44 front rank where hard work was to be done. He has been a wise counsellor and has won a place in many hearts and his words of encouragement have been an inspiration in times both of prosperity and adversity. The church has licensed the following members to preach the gospel : Andrew Sprague, July 4, 1795. Francis Wayland, Jr., December 11, 1819. Pastor, and afterwards president of Brown Univer- sity, K. I. • Lemuel Covell, December 28, 1833. Left the ministry on account of ill health and died in New York, Jan. 23, 1885. Levi Parmly, December 28, 1838. Still living, at Woodstock, 111. Ebenezer Jewett, November 4, 1859. Charles H. Moscrip, September 16, 1870. Now pastor at Eockford, 111. Norman M. Waterbury, August 21, 1878. Mis- sionary to Madras, India, where he died November 11, 1886. George E. Burdick, September 13, 1882. K. ARTHlTil WOODS. J'astor, is,-' ii; 45 Eichard B. Mallery, March 14, 1890. Now pas- tor at Westfield, N. Y. The case of Andrew Sprague, first licentiate, seems to have been a very peculiar one, which, after almost 100 years, awakens our sympathy for the trials of their patience and steadfastness. June 16, 1795, he came forward at the request of the church and gave a relation of his christian experi- ence and his "lead of mind" into the preaching of the gospel, and he gave a ' 'comfortable satisfaction to the church." July 14, 1795, voted that Bro. Sprague have' a letter of license to preach the gospel when and wherever the Lord shall call. July 2, 1796, at the call of the church, a council met to ordain Bro. Sprague. Fifteen persons were present, five churches sent delegates. After hav- ing examined him respecting the work of grace in his heart, his call to the work of the ministry and knowledge of the doctrines of the christian religion, the council retired and after mature deliberation agreed to the following result and advice. Satisfied with relation of work of grace in his 46 heart, but respecting his call to the ministry and knowledge of the system of divinity we are not so fully satisfied and do not deem it expedient to pro- ceed to ordination at this time. We advise the church to continue the improvement of his gift, and that he apply himself closely to the study of God's word. He seemed to have many ins and outs. United Oct. 11, 1793. Excluded Dec. 2, 1797. Restored April 7, 1804. Excluded Feb. 13, 1813. Restored May 9, 1819. Excluded Oct. 4, 1821. And it is presumed he was not again a member. The matter of discipline was, in those days, a subject that received constant attention and we find that if a brother or sister became wayward, absented themselves from the appointments of the church, or failed to contribute their proportion for its maintenance, they were very soon visited by a com- mittee and asked to appear at the next meeting and show cause for such neglect. Notice a few reasons: Feb. 7, 1795. Proceeded to know of Brother Windover his disposition to make retraction for loud speaking in the highway in anger to Brother Bennett. He manifested sorrow therefor and prom- 47 ised to make public acknowledgment. September 5 and December 5, 1795, committee reported that Brothers Frenqh and Bennett propose to travel on with the church and fill their seats more constantly. January 3, 1801, voted that if any brother stay away from any of the church meetings it shall be considered his duty to render a sufficient reason thei-efor at our next church meeting. But if a brother neglect two meetings, then it may be con- sidered lawful for the church to appoint a commit- tee to visit him and learn the cause of his neglect. Also, that if at any time any brother go into com- pany and join with them in shooting geese, turkeys and the like, or any kind of gaming, and drinking strong liquor and get drunk and quarrel and want to fight, that then it shall be the duty of the church to cite him to his duty. Jan. 5, 1805. Voted that non-attendance at meeting should be deemed a crime for which a brother should be dealt with. Jan. 20, 1816. A committee reported that a certain brother had nothing against the church but was lame and had no decent clothes to wear, but as he 48 had some cloth weaving to make him some, they decided to wait and see what effect the new clothes would have. Persons were considered members after baptism whether they received the hand of fellowship or not. , And it is so now. It was customary before proceeding with the church or covenant meeting to inquire if they were in fellowship; if not, sometimes parties retired for reconciliation while the rest spent the time in pray- ing for the Holy Spirit to help them. When candi- dates were to be received for membership every one present was asked if they were satisfied, if not the case was left for future action. It used to be told of a good German sister, who did not understand English perfectly, on being asked if she was satis- fied, replied that she could say with others, who had said they were measurably so, that she, too, was miserably satisfied. As early as 1811 they began to baptize in North- umberland and quite a number of members lived in that town and in Wilton. In 1817 letters were granted to form a church in Wilton, but there is no record of the date or of HKRVEV W HAl.L Trustee. ls:,1 PS. Cliiir(-l) Clerk, isU --!-',). Tnistt-e, ls4:'>-4',). 57 allowed the expression, get the Sunday school car in running order. But nevertheless progress was made. Every effort gave new strength. The Sun- day school element began to develop and in 1840 it had increased in numbers to about 75 and an average attendance of 50. From 1840 to 1850 more and marked improve- ment was made, more attention was given to the library, suitable books were easily obtained, new ones and better and more adapted to the purpose began to be published and greatly multiplied during this period; the foundation for a library was laid and about 200 volumes were collected. The school had increased in number to probably 150, with an average attendance of 75. Funds raised for the school increased from $5 per year to $25 or more. From 1850 to 1860 greater and more lasting im- provements were made. Most of the fathers and mothers who originated the school and labored through its early history, were now disabled, or had gone to their reward. Their places were filled by teachers educated in the Sunday school, and well prepared to push the good work to a higher state 58 of perfection. During this period the library re- ceived great additions, not only in number of vol- umes but also of improved and increased literary value. Old and used books gave place to new and more inviting ones, and Sunday school papers were distributed to the scholars. The very first paper distributed had the words and music of the hymn, "There is a happy land far, far away," and F. W. Waterbury and Miss Adeline Hendrick were called to the front to sing and teach it to the school. A primary class was organized as a separate depart- ment. Greater efforts were now made to gather in the children of the poor and those not attending any other school. The ladies benevolent society was organized, whose object was to clothe and pro- vide for the destitute. The numbers increased to over 200 with an average attendance of 100 or more. Especially since 1860 the good work has made un- interupted progress, "Excelsior" being it's motto. During 1866 the year when so many were ad- ded to our church a very large number of them were from the Sunday school, many of whom are, or have been, among our most faithful and efficient 59 workers. At the close of 1866 the school numbered 353 scholars and teachers, average attendance, 194 and new scholars during the year, 97. Since 1S66 the school has made uninterrupted progress and large numbers of the pupils have been added to the church. April 2, 1893 they celebrated their seventy- third anniversary and by the report of the secretary, I find the following statistics for the year ending March 31, 1893: Officers 14, teachers 29, scholars 375. The treasurer's report showed cash received including balance March 31, 1892, $685.55 and a balance in treasury of $50.29. The following have been superintendents of the school: Harmon J. Betts, John A. Waterbury, William A. Langworthy, Warren A. Smith, Phineas Fletcher, Amariah H. Fitch, Eev. Heman H. Haff, Samuel B. Terwilliger, Philo E. Waterbury, Isaac D. Sweat, Eev. Joshua Fletcher, Thomas Stevens, John Marston, E. Milton Brown, John T. Carr, William E. Waterbury, G-eorge M. Crippen, Frank M. Hewitt. Besides the home school, and one at the Gey- 60 sers already mentioned in connection with the chapel there, the church has at different periods sustained schools at Saratoga Lake where for some years William S. Gilbert was superintendent; at Eowland's Mills with such workers as Charles S. Smith, David Holland, O. H. Cromwell and M. M. Farrington; at Splinterville with 0. A. Day for superintendent assisted by G. L. Waring and others; and at Wilton brick church with J. F. Con- key as superintendent and others to assist him. KDVVIN N. BROWN. Dfjicoii. ls:,-|- (',,. Chiiicli Cln-k. ls:,l c, 61 Church Societies. LADIES AID SOCIETY. THIS Society was organized in 1861. It was known in those early days as the Ladies Benevolent Society and had for its object the cloth- ing of poor children connected with the Sunday school. Miss A. E. Wayland was the first president and th^ membership numbered 16. These women divided the town into districts, seeking out and ex- amining into all cases of destitution, and collecting from the church members money and clothing for their relief. All funds were raised by subscription and no record was made of the amount, only such reports as these, "the ladies responded liberally;" "a large quantity of clothing and other articles given out, etc." In 1866 we find the first record of 62 the money raised for the year, $31.00, which was expended in clothing for the poor. In 1873 the funds received exceeded the amount needed for benevolent purposes and the society began helping the trustees in rebmlding and refitting the parson- age. In 1885 the adoption of a. new constitution gave fresh impetus to the work of the society and the membership was largely increased. At the same time the Sunday school assumed the responsi- bility of caring for destitute chrildren, and the so- ciety turned its attention to church furnishing in many needful ways. The society is at present in a very prosperous condition. The meetings are well attended, and the amount of money raised last year, $1,038.20, exceeds that of any previous yeaf. The total amount of money raised so far as recorded for the thirty-two years ot its history is $5,087.33, more than half of which has been raised within the last five years. THE woman's foreign MISSIONARY SOCIETY. This society dates from as early as 1852. The meetings were held monthly at the parsonage with 63 Mrs. A. H. StowellandwithMiss A. E. Wayland.and from 1858 to 1879 in the parlors of Miss Wayland, Mrs. F. W. Waterbury, Mrs. A. R. Barrett, Mrs. B. M. Whealey, Mrs. E. M. Brown, Mrs. L. H. Simons and Mrs. E. F. Milligan. Much of the in- terest and efficiency of the society was due to Miss A. E. Wayland, who was the president, and to whom more than to any other the society owes its existence. The meetings were largely devotional with occasional missionary correspondence, especi- ally after 1860 with Rev. and Mrs. Bixby, mission- aries to the Burmese Shans. At first the average at- tendance was about eight. Funds collected were sent to the Missionary Union, and after 1861 through the Union, for the support of Bible readers of the Shan and Telegue missions, until 1876, when they were transferred to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Records are obtainable only from October, 1879. The meetings were now held .with Mrs. Geerge A. Smith at the parsonage, or at the residence of Miss Wayland, who still presided and also acted both as secretary and treasurer, and the character of the meetings somewhat u changed. Miss Wayland read interesting, original papers and members of the society took a prominent part. At this time there were 33 contributors and 16 copies of the Helping Hand were taken. The female membership of the church was 2S8. Jan. 4, 1881 the first union meeting was held with the society of the Regent Street church, and such meet- ings have been held from time to time since, with profit. In September, 1881, special interest was awakened in connection with the appointment of Rev. Norman M. Waterbury of our church to the mission field. October -l, this autumn, Mrs. Wil- liam Perry presented a log cabin quilt of her own make for the Missionary Children's Home. March 7, 1882, meetings were transferred to the church and from letters frequently received from Brother Waterbury and his wife from India, the interest became quite general. In April there was a more formal organization with Mrs. G-eorge A. Smith, president; Miss Mary F. Waterbury, secretary and Miss A. E. Wayland, treasurer. Fifty dollars was contributed this year, and the record shows forty present at one meeting. On this occasion a com- MISS A. E. WAYLAND. 65 munion service was exhibited, which elicited much interest as a present from the Waterbury family to the little church in Madras. The removal of Miss Wayland to Washington, D. C, in November, 1882, was a severe loss to the society, for her earnest prayers, her wise counsel, her valuable contribu- tions of missionary information, and her activity and perseverance in the interest of missions, were of too great importance to be easily given up. The following from Mrs. M. H. Bixby, now of Provi- dence, E. I., is a most worthy tribute: "Our cor- respondence with Miss Wayland began with our missionary work in the year 1861. I regret exceed- ingly that we have none of her letters in hand now. I remember well the sweet spirit of christian sym- pathy they always bore; and the deep interest they manifested in the work Christ has left his followers to do. She rejoiced to have a share in the begin- ning of the work in the missions to the Shans, both by prayers and contributions. Her letters were always a source of comfort and help, and inspira: tion. ^Her brother. Dr. Wayland, president of Br&wn University, wrote my husband frequent. 66 wise, fatherly letters, which were very helpful in laying out the work and gathering the churches. We remember them both with reverence and affec- tion. " Through the loss of such a member and the disability of the president, Mrs. Smith, to discharge the duties of her office, many were discouraged and the meetings were discontinued for some time. The second election of officers took place in March, 1884. Mrs. G. A. Smith, whose health had been restored, was again chosen president, which office she most faithfully and ably filled. All of the former active members and some who had not felt much responsibility came to her support. The coming also of Miss S. E. Williams, was of ines- timable value, bringing as she did missionary zeal, which proved an inspiration to all. New interest was awakened, and there has been ever since a steady growth in members and contributions. The first union meeting of the different societies con- nected with the church, was held April 22, 1886. Mrs. Smith presiding. In December of this year an unexpected sorrow came in the death of Eev. Norman M. Waterbury, 67 in whose person and work the society had become deeply interested. After the removal of Mrs. Smith to another field of labor, Mrs. Charles A. Eockwell was chosen president, and has rendered valuable service. Through her earnest and devoted efforts much has been accomplished, including the crowning effort of the society in raising the amount required for the centennial fund, doubling the con- tributions of the previous year, $113 being the sum realized. In justice to the wives of former pastors, and to Mrs. Nicholson, we would testify that while not holding official relations (with the exception of Mrs. Smith, ) they have always been in hearty sympathy with the work of the society, rendering valuable service whenever possible, and will ever be lovingly and gratefully remembered. Of the early workers to whom we owe a debt of gratitude, only a few remain, but they are still faithful, and through the long and able service of the senior members, Mrs. A. R. Barrett and Miss Kate Pike, the society is specially blessed. Marked advancement has been made during 68 the past eight years, in the active part taken by most of the members and in securing a broader intel- ligence in mission matters, including interesting, original papers by Mrs. A. E. Barrett, Mrs. J. By- ington Smith, Mrs. C. A. Eockwell, Mrs. B. H. Travers,Miss S. E. Williams, Miss Orie L. Barrett and Miss Mary Dewey. The outgrowth of the centen- nial effort is a spirit of consecration hitherto un- known. Teas given in connection with several an- nual meetings have been a social success. The pres- ent membership is 64. The receipts from 1876 to 1893 have been $2,059, all of which has been given to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. The following are those who have served as officers of the society, the last named being the present officers: Presidents, Miss A. E. Wayland, Mrs. George A. Smith, Mrs. Charles A. Eockwell; vice presidents, Mrs. C. A. Eockwell, Mrs. A. E. Barrett, Mrs. D. K. Wilson, Mrs. W. H. Granger; secretaries. Miss A. E. Wayland, Miss Mary F. Waterbury, Mrs. Lansing, Mrs. C. A. Eockwell, Mrs. A. L. Blair, Mrs. Lucy Eockwell, Mrs. B. H. Travers, Mrs. 0. A. Day; treasurers. Miss A. E. 69 Wayland, Mrs. 0. A. Day, Mrs. E. E. Waterbury, Mrs. J. H. Eugg. And last but not least those who have served as collectors are Miss A. E. Wayland, Mrs. A. E. Barrett, Mrs. L. Simmons, Mrs. B. M. Whealey, Mrs. D. K. Wilson, Mrs. Henry Smith, Miss Kate Pike, Mrs. E. E. Waterbury, Mrs. C. S. Smith, Miss Libbie Waterbury, Mrs. W. Eddy, Mrs. W. H. Miller, Mrs. David Eouse, Mrs. H. A. Eoblee, Mrs. W. H. Granger, Mrs. 0. Cromwell, Mrs. J. H. Eugg, Mrs. Farrington. THE YOUNG WOMEN'S MISSION CIRCLE. May 23,- 1880 while the Baptist anniversaries were here in session, the young women of the church were requested to remain after Sunday school when they were addressed by Mrs. Quinton, who then and there organized a Home Mission Cir- cle of twenty-one members. The number was in- creased to sixty-seven before the close of the year. Monthly meetings were held which were devoted to missionary intelligence. The first year the receipts amounted to $306.44:. Special interest was taken in Eebecca Jumper, In- 70 dian interpreter for Miss Laura Elder, whose salary ($144) was assumed by the circle; which also sent two barrels of goods valued at $60.00 to mission- aries in South Carolina. Miss Cordelia A. Deuel the first president, to whom much of the usefulness of the circle is due, resigned Sept. 26, 1882, to accept a position in Wayland Seminary, Washington, D. C. Her place was most ably filled by Miss Mary F. Water- bury, until October, 1887, when about to make her home in Rochester, she was obliged to resign. Such difficulty was found in securing a president, that the question of disbanding was considered, but finally, Miss Orie L. Barrett the present incumbent was induced to accept the office. August -i, 1883 the name and constitution of the circle was changed to include foreign as well as home work, thus mak- ing the circle complete. Jan. 5, 1882 a committee was appointed to prepare a cook book. One thous- and copies of the Home Favorite were published and having found a ready sale at fifty cents each, it was decided Dec. 5, 1884, to get out a second edition the name being changed to Saratoga Favorite, and Yl 2,000 copies were published and sold. Oct. 4, 1890 another edition of 2,000 copies was published only 1,000 of which have yet been bound. The circle has at various times specially interested itself in Miss Watson, missionary at Salt Lake City, in some of the students of Wayland Seminary, in the work of Mr. and Mrs. Norman M. Waterbury at Madras, in Miss Hattie Finney of Rangoon, and is at present corresponding with Miss Ella R. Church at Japan. The circle has had a steady growth, and the meetings have been well sustained. There are at present 68 active and 26 honorary members. The membership fee, $1.00 for each year may be given to either Home or Foreign Missions. Teas given in the winter in connection with the meetings have added to the social element. The receipts from June, 1880 to April, 1893 have been $3,854.74. Of. this amount $1,897.75 has been given to Home Mis- sions, $773.21 to Foreign Missions and $1,032.81 ex- pended for cook books which have brought in $1,530.55. Over $600 worth of goods and basted work has been sent to missionaries in the South and West. 72 LIGHT BEARERS. In June 1883 a desire to form a mission band entered the hearts of a class of girls in the Sunday school, which desire was met by a corresponding wish of a dear friend, (Miss Sallie E. Williams,) who knew the value of children's work in the churches. From the joining of these necessary factors an enthusiastic Mission Band was organized. They adopted the name of Light Bearers, and be- gan to support a Telugu boy in Madras, whom they are now helping to preach the Master's word among his native brethren. During the ten years they have raised $657.10, an average of $65.71 per year. Monthly meetings are held when mission work in foreign lands is studied. They hope by renewed efforts, to make the centennial year of the church the crowning year of the band. Y. p. s. c. E. This society was organized July 12, 1887, at the residence of the pastor, Rev. George B. Foster, with thirty-five members. The first prayer meeting was held the Sunday evening following, July 17. 73 Forty took part in the meeting, led by the pas- tor. The society has kept up a varying existence since organization. At present it has enrolled 53 active, 2 associate and 12 honorary members. The presidents have been: Beebe E. Barrett, Eobert C. Fonda, Charles E. Bobbins, Frank E. Sherman, George M. Crippen, Melvin M. Farrington, Mrs. John H. Williams, Miss Lena Hoyt, Jerome Bene- dict and A. F. Wolf. Cash receipts to present time, $7T.98. king's daughters society. This society w^as organized April 2, 1892. Name, Lend a Hand Circle. Membership .10. Mot- to, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths," Prov. 3, 6. The object of this society is to visit the sick and assist the poor. The meetings are held the second Tuesday in each month with the president, Mrs. Geo. W. Nicholson. 74 In Conclusion. THOUGH we may have come far short of our full obligations, we cannot but be thankful for the good which has been wrought. God has won- drously led and graciously blest us. The large number of 1,415 persons have been baptized into fel- lowship of the church; 873 added by letter; 40 by experience; 44 restored, making a total of 2,372, of whom 523 are members with us to-day. These con- stitute our forces for a new advance. The church has not been without efficient leaders and conse- crated and self-sacrificing members, but probably was never better equipped with men, and especi- ally women, or with resources, than those with which it enters upon the second century of its career. 75 Owing to the wise and judicious management and persevering efforts of our trustees and the lib- erahty of our members, we enter the new century with our valuable church property more complete and attractive than ever before, and every indebt- edness of every kind fully paid. The hand of the Ladies Aid Society is recognized in valuable aid to the trustees, in fitting and adorning the church edi- fice and parsonage, and in many other good works they have shown their exquisite taste and skill, as well as their self-sacrificing devotion to the inter- ests of the church, and never have they had more ready minds or willing hands to execute than now. Other societies have identified the church with mis- sions at home and abroad, so that by them the new century is to find us more in accord with mission work than we have been hitherto. Our Sunday School shows no disposition to re- tire from the front ranks, but to be a growing fac- tor in efificient church work. Our organized young people's movements give good promise for the fu- ture of forces being utilized which in the past have largely been unused. The new century swings 76 opeu to us with hope, and promise, and cheer. We will go through its gates with thanksgiving, and with the humble prayer that we may be able to en- rich it with our coming. The church is the only real thing which links us to the future and heaven. The church was before us and will be after us. This is above personal and selfish interests, of which the coming century will not care or take note, but it will care for the church. Your best in- terests which survive will be those built into it. May the past be but the earnest prophecy of what we are to be for time to come. FRANCIS W. WATEEBURY. Deacon, isns-Tt!. Church Clerk, lS4i'-l-l-. 77 General Program. ^SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8. 10:30 A. M. — Organ Prelude, "Triumphal March," Dudley Buck Doxology. Invocation, Rev. L. M. Woodruff, D. D. Hymn 223 "Come Thou Almighty King.'' Responsive Reading, Psalms 100 and loi, Pastor. Gloria Patri. Scripture Lesson, I Kings, 8th chapter. Pastor. Anthem — "Te Deum," (short) Op. 45, No. 3, Dudley Buck Prayer, Rev. E. T. Hiscox. ' Choir chant the Lord's Prayer. Offertory Solo— "Fear Not Ye, O Israel'' Dudley Buck Miss Charlotte Warner. Hymn 753, "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken." Centennial Sermon by Rev. George B. Foster, Ph. D., McMaster University, Toronto, Canada, (former pastor.) Prayer, Pastor G. W. Nicholson. Anthem — "Hark, Hark, My Soul" (by request) H. R. Shelley Hymn 329, "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name.'' Benediction, Pastor. Postlude — "Processional March," E. Guiraud' AFTERNOON. 2:30. — Sunday School Service. Singing — "Onward Christian Soldiers,'' School. 78 Scripture Reading, Prov. 4. Pastor. Prayer. Rev. George B. Foster, Ph. D. Singing, "Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling," School, Address. George M. Crippen, Superintendent. Solo, "Thou Art Near,'' Gracie Hall. Address. W. E. Phelps, Assistant Superintendent M. E. School. Duet, "Beacon Lights," Lillian and Lulu Foote. Address. C. L. Haskins, Superintendent Congregational School. Singing, "He Leadeth Me," School. Address. John A. Schwarte, SuperintendentSecond Presby- terian School. Singing, "I Love to Hear the'Story," School. Address. C. S. Lester, Superintendent First Presbyterian School. Solo, "There is a Green Hill Far Away," Ella Cromwell Cherry. Address. Col. D. F. Ritchie, Superintendent of the Regent Street Baptist School. Address. Pastor G. W. Nicholson, for the Geyser School. Singing, "Praise Him," School. Benediction. Rev. J. Byington Smith, D. D. 7:30— Organ Prelude, "Marche Pontificale," J. Lemmetis Invocation. Rev. B. Hawley, D. D. Hymn 31, "Come We Who Love the Lord." Responsive Reading. Psalm gi. Pastor. Gloria Patri. Scripture Lesson. I Corinthians, 3d chapter. Rev. A. Bur- dick. Anthem, "Forever With the Lord," Ch. Gounod ^ 79 Prayer. Rev. J. Byington Smith, D. D. Choir chant Ihe Lord's Prayer. Offertory Solo — "Come Unto Me," Wm. Coenen Frank H. Smith. Sermon by Rev. L. M. Woodruff, D. D., of Saginaw, Mich., (former pastor.) Prayer. Pastor. Hymn 134, "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.' Benediction. Rev. George B. Foster, Ph. D. Organ Postlude — From "Die Meistersinger," .^/c.iara' Wagner MONDAY, OCTOBER 9. ■■ AFTERNOON. 2:30 to 3:00 — Devotional Services, led by Rev. Geo. B. Foster. Ph.D. Organ Prelude — "Andante in C" E. Silas Hymn 236, "Joy to the World, the Lord is Come." 3:00— Welcome Address by the pastor. Rev. G. W. Nicholson. Letters from former pastors, friends and members. Responsive and Congratulatory Addresses by former pastors Rev. L. M. Woodruff, D. D., Rev. Geo. B. Foster, Ph. D. Anthem — "Gloria in Excelsis" B flat Op. 31, No. i Dudley Buck Addresses — Rev. B. Hawfley, D. D., M. E. Church. Col. D. F. Ritchie, Regent Street Baptist Church Village Pastors : Rev. Wm. Durant, First Presbyterian Church. Rev. E. T. Hiscox, Regent Street Baptist Church. Hymn 964, "O God, Our Help in Ages Past." Organ Postlude — "Fuga, G Minor" - J. S. Bach 80 "Our Young People." Sunday School and Christian Endeavor Society. 7:30.— Organ Prelude -"Festive March in D" . H. Smart Anthem— "Lift Up Your Heads" John L. Hopkins, Mus. Doc. Prayer — Rev. R. D. Andrewrs, Greenfield Centre. Scripture Reading. Psalms 119. Pastor. Singing — "I Think, When I Hear the Sweet Story," Miss Cora Neher's Class. Violin Solo— Selection from Millard. W. S. Crawford. Introductory Address— "Our School." Geo. M. Crippen, Superintendent. Duett— "In The Wildwood" Miss Alice Humeston and Miss Louise Williams. "Christian Endeavor as Related to Church Development," C. E. Robbins. "Mission of the Sunday School," Frank M. Hewitt, Assistant Superintendent. Solo — "Lost Chord" - - Arthur StilUvan Miss Charlotte Warner. Address. Rev. J. F. Elder, D. D., Albany, N. Y. Male Quartette — "Hear Us, Lord" - - Barnby H. F. Cary, F. D. Jones, F. H. Smith, W. H. Bortell. Benediction. • Rev. L. M. Woodruff, D. D. Organ Postlude— "Fanfare" ' ' J- Lemmens 81 TUESDAY. OCTOBER lo. women's afternoon. 2:30— Devotional Exercises Led by Mrs. A. R. Barrett. 3:00 — Organ Prelude — "March in B flat" E. Silas Hymn 616, "Oh Could I Speak the Matchless Worth." ''Praise waiteth'for Thee, O God in Zion, and unto Thee shall the vow be performed." Gloria Patri. RESPONSIVE CENTENNIAL PRAISE SERVICE. (Compiled by Okie L. Barrett.) Ye observe days, and months^ and tirnes, and years , — Gal. 4:10. Therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations.— Exodus 12:17. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. — Ecc 3: i. A time to keep silence and a time to speak, — Ecc. 3: 7. Days should speak and ^nultitude 0/ years should teach wisdom.. — Job 32: 7- With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. — Job 12: 12, Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheiveth knowl- edge. — Psalms 19: 2. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these ? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.— Ecc. 7: 10. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly in crease. For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and Prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: {For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing because our days on earth are a shadow:^ Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter zvo7'ds out of their heart ? — Job 8: 7, 8, g ro. Ask now of the days that are past; which were before thee.— Deut. 4:32. Rentem.ber the days of old, consider the years of many generations; ask thy father and he ivill shew thee; thy elders and they will tell thee. — Deut. 32: 7. I have considered the days of old; the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night; I commune with mine own heart; and my spirit made diligent search.— Plalms 77: 5, 6. / remember the days of old; I -ntediiate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. — Psalms 143; 5. O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known. — Hab. 3: 2. 82 So teach us to number our days^ that zve may apply our hearts unto luisdoni. — Psalms go: 12. For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand.— Psalms 84: 10. But, beloved^ be not ignorant 0/ this one thi7ig^ that one day is "with the Lord as a thousand years ^ and a thotcsand years as one day. —II Peter 3: 8. Are thy days as the days of man ? Are thy years as man's days ?— Job 10: 5. Behold God is greats and ive know him not^ neither can the number 0/ His years be searched out. — Job 36: 16. For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. — Psalms 90: 4. O Thou who canst not slumber, Whose light grows never pale, Teach us aright to number Our years before they fail ! On us Thy mercy lighten, On us thy goodness rest, And let Thy spirit brighten The hearts Thyself hast blest ! The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be /bre7>er.—Psa\ms 37: 18. If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. — Job 36: ii. The fear of the Lord tendetk to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied: he shall not be visited with evil. — Prov. ig; 23. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.— Prov. 3: 2. As the days of a tree are the days of my people^ and mine elect shall long enjoy the -work of their hands. — Is 55; 22, For by Me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.— Prov. g: 11. The fear of the Lord />rolongeth days: but the days of the -wicked shall be shortened.— Vrov . 10: 27. Add ye year to year. — Is. 29: i Being confident of this very things that He .which hath begun a good •work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.— I Phil. 1: 6, And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.— Is. 46: 4. For this God is our God for ever and eve?: He will be our guide eveit unto death. — Psalms 47: 14. The God of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.— Psalms 46: 7. Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed, For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid; m strengthen thee, help thee, and cau^se thee to stand. Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand. 83 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened and heard it^ and a book of retneinbrance was ivritten before Hiw for tkem that feared the Lord^ and that thought upon his naii^e. — Mai. 3: 16. And in the end of years they shall join themselves together.— Daniel 11:6. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdo*n^ and talk of Thy power. Psalms 145; II. To make known unto the sons of men His mighty acts, and the g-lorious majesty of Thy kingdom,— Psalms 145: 12. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad — Psalms 126: 3. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name — I Chron. 29: 13. / ivill mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord^ according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on mj,— Is. 63: 7. Thou hast granted me long life and favour, and Thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.— Job 10: 12. Thou crownest the year ivith thy goodness. — Psalms 65: it. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. — Psalms 23: 6. The Lord is jny rock, and my fortress^ and my deliverer\ the God of my rock; in Him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation my high toTver, and my refuge, my saviour. — II Sam. 22: 2 3. My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.— Psalms 7: 10, The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusteth in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth\ and ivith my song will I praise Him. — Psalms 28: 7. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup; Thou maintainest my lot.— Psalms 16: 5. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the ivatchtnen walketh but in vain. — Psalms 117: I. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with Thee, Thou hast appointed his bounds that he can not pass. —Job 14: 5. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually. Let the Lord be magnified, luhich hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. — Psalms 35: 27. For he is our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of his hand.— Psalms 95: 7. A nd the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this f/ov.— Deut. 6: 24. That'thou mayest Jove the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days.— Deut. 30: 20 The Lord hath been mindful of us; he ivill bless mj.— Psalms 16: 12. The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.— Psalms 115: 15. S4 Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make knoivn kis deeds ajnong the people. Sing unto Hint, sing psaltns unto Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works. — I Chron. i6: 8, 9. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. — I Chron. 16:29. / will praise the Lord with my ivhole heart, in the assetnbly of the up- right, and in the congregation. O jnagni/y the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together. — Psalms 116: i and 34: 3. We will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore — Psalms 115: 18. For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. — Romans 11:36. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus through all ages, world without end. Amen. — Eph. 3: 20, 21. Prayer. Pastor. Duo, . Rubenstein Miss Charlotte Warner and Miss Sarah K. Weed. Paper — History of Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, Mrs. O. a. Day. Solo— "Send Out Thy Light" Collett Miss Charlotte Warner. Poem— "Opportunities" M. T. Littell Mrs. J. H. Williams. Trio— "Lift Thine Eyes" . Oratorio of Elijah Miss Warner, Miss Waring, Miss Weed. Paper — Woman in the Church Mrs. G. W. Nicholson. Hymn 566, "Love Divine, All Love Excelling." Organ Postlude— "March Pontificale" Ch. Gounod 85 7:30. — Organ Prelude, G. Merkel Op. 145, No. 4. Anthem — "But the Lord is Mindful of His Ovin," Mendelsso/in Scriptures, Romans 12th chapter. Rev. L. M. Woodruff, D. D. Prayer. Rev. E. E. Manning, Corinth. Hymn 563, "How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord." Addresses — (a) "Relation of the Church to the Association." Rev. R. D. Andrews of Greenfield Centre. (li) "Church Societies," Rev. F. p. Stoddard of Amsterdamr. Solo — "O Lotd, Correct Me,'' Handel Miss Charlotte Warner. Centennial Poem. Rev. J. Byington Smith, D. D., of Saratoga Springs. Address — "Young People, or the Church of the Future." Rev. E. T. Hiscox of Saratoga Springs. Address — "Elements of Church Perpetuity." Rev. W. T. Dorward, Ballston Spa. Hymn 823. "Blest Be the Tie That Binds." Benediction. Rev. J. Byington Smith, D. D. Organ Postlude — J. C. L. Rinck, Op. 4, No. 15. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11. afternoon. 2:30. — Organ Prelude -' Offertoire in E Flat," E. Batiste Praise Service, led by the Pastor. Anthem— "The Lord is My Strength," .S. E. Taylor Prayer. Rev. J. Byington Smith, D D. Solo— "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," Ch. Gounod Frank H. Smith. 3:00. — History of the Church, by F. W. Waterbury. Esq. Centennial Hymn, by J. Byington Smith, 86 Prayer. Pastor. Closing Hymn — God be with you 'till we meet again, By His counsels guide, uphold you. With His sheep securely fold you, God be with you 'till we meet again. Chorus: — 'Till we meet, 'Till we meet, etc. God be with you 'till we meet again, Keep love's banner floating o'er you. Smile death's threat'ning wave before you, God be with you 'till we meet again. Chorus: — 'Till we meet, 'till we meet, etc. Benediction. Pastor. Organ Postlude - Thos. Stern EVENING. Reception under the auspices of the Ladies' Aid Society to the present and former members of the church and congregation. Sunday Services. (iKoiJdh: B. FoSTEi;. I'astoi', Iss7-l)|. .S9 Centennial Sermon. BY REV. GEORGE B. FOSTER, PH. D. STANDING as we do to-day upon the summit of the old century, it is ours to look forward and to look backward to the rising and to the setting sun. It were a pity not to do both. To have some historic reminder that God has not been without his witnesses in all nations; to have our confidence deepened that the Lord has been the dwelling place of his pilgrim people in all generations; to be re- assured through the experiences of another century that the Head of the church is a living Head; to be prompted once again to humility and gratitude and faithfulness as we of to-day remember that we have been sent to reap that whereon we bestowed no labor — other men labored and we have entered into their labors — surely the occasion which calls 90 US together will not be in vain, if we shall gather some such lessons as these out of the century that is gone. But inasmuch as your thoughts will be turned to the past by sermon and speech and poem and history, I have chosen for my task to dwell rather upon the duty of the hour. I shall have something to say of a spirit which, as never before, perhaps, should be distinguished from its base counterfeit, and carried with us into the untrodden years. This spirit of which I am to speak^the spirit of tolerance — has been fundamentally char- acteristic of Baptists historically, rather than im- mersion. Which the Greek church practices, or ' 'close communion, " with reference to which there is no point apart from the question of baptism. In a word I should like to have you think of the tolerance of Jesus as revealed in one of the shortest of the stories of the gospels, Luke 9: 49, 50: "And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name; and we for- bade him, because he foUoweth not with us. And Jesus said unto him. Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us." • 91 I shall cling to the narrative pretty closely at first and then study its message at the close. John had met someone somewhere sometime, nobody knows who or where or when, doing a work called casting out devils, the precise nature of which, nobody knows either. But we do feel that we know the spirit of John and the teaching of his great Master. John met someone — perhaps on the missionary tour when Jesus sent them out two by two themselves to cast out devils — who seems to have had power to deal with diseases and demons in much the same way in which he had seen the Master himself deal; and jealous for the honor of the Master, distressed also that another should share a prerogative which the disciples had arrogated to themselves, seeing that he did not keep company with them who kept company with Christ, he stepped up to the nameless one and said: "You have no recognized association with them who have been appointed to this task; you must not do this; we forbid you." The evangelists have not thought best to cull many such stories as this from the full life of our 92 Lord, even if there were many to cull. This is unique. Still it is truly the christian spirit, a spirit which breaks forth in many places throughout the Bible. By way of emphasis and explanation I will associate for a moment three other words with this. You remember to have read in the only book of Num- bers, the eleventh chapter of that book, how Joshua with a touch of intolerant zeal said to Moses: "there are two men here, Eldad and Medad, who are irregular prophets. Forbid them," — just what John did. And you remember the noble reply of Moses: "Art thou jealous for my sake? Would God all the Lord's servants were prophets, that He would put His spirit upon them." The stretch of the centuries is between the two events, that and this, but it is the same spirit that breathes through both of them. Turn now far over the other way and in the first chapter of Philippians, the fifteenth verse, see what Paul says: "Some preach Christ of envy and strife; some of good will: the one of taction, the other of love. What then ? • Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." The transcendent worth of the gospel ! To these two words, why should we not a,dd what Gamaliel in the fifth chapter of the Acts says to the hotheaded Jewish persecutors of the early church ? "If this work or this counsel be of men it will come to naught, but if it be of Grod, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found to fight even against God : therefore refrain from these men and let them alone." Not that Gamaliel was indifferent to what he looked upon as the new error that had sprung up in that stronghold of Jewish tradition and or- thodoxy; but he knew that reason and holy living and toleration, not persecution and iniquity and the privation of their liberties, were the alone means for the eradication of error; he believed that what was not vital with the life of God would wither away in course of time; he knew that nothing could succeed which God disowned and that noth- ing could fail which God approved. ' 'Therefore re- frain from these men and let them alone." How- ever it is not all these incidents but simply of the text of which we are to think specially to-day. The very loyalty of the disciples which was good was leading them into narrowness and bigotry which was bad, and which Jesus rebuked in the answer that he made to his servant John. Indeed some things had been said and done already which made John fear that he had not done right — till at last he must speak that honest con- fession which is good for the soul into the ears of the Master. What was it that had transpired since John gave his ban which stirred his memory and his conscience and made him feel that he had done the lone toiler an injustice ? Well, take your har- mony of the gospels and see how interesting the story is. Soon the transfiguration followed, which seems to have turned John's head a little, it seemed to speak louder than words that this was the Great King and that the new kingdom was about to be, into which all the Master's servants were to be gathered and crowned with honors. Subsequently he could not brook anything that was not due court to this King, would call down fire from heaven on the villages that did not feel towards Him as he did, when Jesus as good as told him that 95 heaven didn't keep the kind of fire that iie wanted at all, that his spirit was wrong. Soon he was scheming for first places in this new .kingdom. That was John's mood in those days. But Jesus — how different it was with Jesus ! He came from that mount of transfiguration, the excellent glory scarcely extinguished from off his countenance, and began to heal the poor lunatic boy at the moun- tain's foot. And the disciples began to cry — you can feel the pain of their cry to this day — "why could not we cast him out?" Ah, maybe that sug- gested to John the wrong and foolishness of for- bidding that toiler up among the hills from doing a work which- the desciples themselves sometimes failed to do. "Why should we hold him back from a, help which he can give men when at times we cannot. May he not be an ally and not an enemy ?" Then on account of the strife and angry words and something alas ! even of the Judas-spirit among the disciples, Jesus began to hold Himself aloof from the crowd. He drew the disciples away from the crowd, close to Himself, close to His heart. He showed them who He was — the Father's child seek- ing the lost children — He brought them into an at- mosphere and sunshine which would give some ripeness to the unripe fruit of their immature un- cbastened spirits. He sought to bring some new culture into their poor lives. So he began to speak to them of covetousness, malignity, hypocrisy — these were the things he could not tolerate. He spoke of the inherently unforgivable sins of im- placability and unforgiveness. He spoke to them of humility — "that stoop of the soul which in bending upraises it too" — Oh, He spoke of the joy of service, of the cup of cold water, of the duty of patience with the springtime bud of faith, of the doom down to the doom of hell upon the offen- ders of the little ones, of the duty of receiving little ones in His Name ! And just in this connec- nection John "answered and said" — answered, note that. Jesus addressed no question to him, had said nothing about the event. But that old scene came up fresh as of yesterday before John's mind; it seemed to be an illustration of what was so dis- pleasing to the Master; so he interrupted to inter- ject his confession, — "Master, speaking about youi Name and the duty of receiving little ones in your Name, we saw one casting out devils in your Name; and we forbade him because he folio weth not with us. Did we do right, Lord ?" Several persons were concerned in this incident. First of all we may think of the poor man from whom the devil was being cast out. There is but little suggestion of him here but surely he is the one most interested in all that occurred. Some afflicted creature, mind full of gloom and frenzy, body tortur- ed with pain, wandering here and there through the land seeking rest and finding none-some poor, afflict- ed creature feeling perhaps that his affliction was due to his sins, knowing that the folks back at home were sitting in the shadows reading in each others faces the thoughts that they did not quite dare speak out in words; such an one was in the point of being healed when John stepped up to the healer and said, "you must not do this." Ah, to that poor sufferer that must have seemed a cruel thing ! Then we may think of the healer. He was not a sorcerer, not a magician, else Jesus had not spoken so approvingly. And he was not an arch-heretic, 98 but a lone disciple. He had some spiritual associa- tion with Jesus, some reassuring recognition from Him. Thus it goes without saying he was not with the broad enemy. In the great day of judgment there shall be those who say, ' 'Lord, Lord, have we not cast out devils in thy name ?" and he shall say, ' 'I never knew you. " But this man does not belong to that class, for Jesus approved of him here and will not disown him there. Neither was he with the Pharisees, albeit when Jesus, being ac- cused of casting out devils by Beelzebub, answered, "by whom do your disciples cast out devils ?" Even if the Pharisees shared in this strange power — I do not say that they did — but if they did, still this man is not to be numbered with them. The Phari- sees would not enter into the kingdom of heaven nor suffer them that were entering to go in. No ! but they laid heavy burdens on men's shoulders. From their spirit human hearts, sore and sad with the load of life, shrank as some little flowers fold up their petals when the chill of life comes on apace. But this man was a lover of men and would heal the hurt of the mind, cure their sicknesses and 99 their sores. Still he was not with the bulk of the disciples. May we speculate a little as to the rea- son why? May he have known of their thouglft of personal preferment, first places in the new king- dom, ambition for honor rather than devotion to service — this was the talk among the disciples. He saw men in pain and want and ' misery and sin, and said ' 'they can have the honors, I will do the work." May not this have been the reason why he held himself aloof ? Or if it be not that, may he not have been one of those men who cannot work very well with others. You know there are such men, good men who can do much good if you do not try to tie them down to your plans, — stars that dwell apart. It may be that this unknown caster-out of devils was such an one, — a star that did not dwell in constellations with his brother stars but wandered off on solitary orbits filling the lone- ly places with his shining and his song, if so be even the song of a morning star ushering in a bet- ter day ! Anyhow, for whatever reason he was not within the company of the twelve, he had associat- ed himself with his great Master and Teacher so 100 that His power was working through him. He was not indifferent to that Master, else Jesus had spoken His* other word, "He that is not for Me is against Me" — a statement that would apply to men who, belonging to the same denomination with ourselves, are yet sapping the foundations of the gospel by their unchristian living, while the text would ap- ply to brethren, while denominationally separate, who are yet fighting the same fight for Christ and humanity. Then there were the disciples. They were in perplexity. The situation was strange. Christ's spirit had called forth a power unknown to them. What were they to do with the sparks that fell from the central fire far beyond their circle '( Was it right to extinguish these ? It was a delicate question. Such men acquired a certain authority. Might they not use it to supplant us ? Might they not disseminate error ? And is not the ban the thing for errorists ? It was the beginning of that panicky faith which has persisted through all the slow discouraging centuries, that faith with its poor hold upon God, a faith which is afraid of a 101 free field and a fair fight between truth and right on the one hand and error and wrong on the other, lest the former be worsted, a faith which holds that error must be chained if truth shall win the day; it was not an utterance of that prof ounder faith which knows that ' 'truth crushed to earth shall rise again, th' eternal years of G-od are hers;" which is sure that "Right is right since God is God, And right the day will win; To doubt would be disloyalty, To falter would be sin." It was the question of the two kinds of faith, the panicky and the profound, which has marked two classes of believers ever since, and the disci- ples answered in the wrong way. Then back of all stood Jesus Himself, full of a broad exalted feeling in those days, conscious that the divine power which dwelt in Him in whom all fullness dwelt, could not be completely contained in any man, or any set of men, or any visible organization of men, any more than the little crevices up among the rocks can contain the great 102 ocean as the tide comes rolling in with the long roll of the sea; back of all stood Jesus who, with all the importance which He attaches to the churches, and it is very great, held then and holds now, that spiritual union with Himself takes precedence of social communion with His people; back of all stood Jesus, with a greater love of man than this unknown caster-out of devils had, who said he stood for the love of man, and with a greater love of truth than the disciples had who said that they stood for the love of truth and were afraid of coun- tenancing error; with His perfect love of truth and His perfect love of men, both loves gathered up and comprehended in a deeper diviner love to God, the source of truth and the Father of men; back of all stood Jesus Himself, looking upon the whole transaction and declaring at once without a mo- ment's hesitation, as if by immediate intuition: "John, you did wrong, it is not right that in a world where suffering and sorrow and sin so abound anybody should hinder anybody else from doing any good to anyone, no matter how imperfectly and irregularly he may be working; forbid him not, he 103 that is not against us is on our side; and it can not be that a man who does such works in My name will readily pass over to the ranks of those who speak evil of Me, who accuse Me of ca,sting out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. " I wonder what the result was. Were the dis- ciples disappointed? I want to think not. I do think not. They had the making of too great and noble men for Jihat. I can almost see the face of John — John who seems to have learned his lesson, who afterwards in his epistles had much to say of the love of truth but also of the love of men too, and yearned very tenderly over the little ones, — "my little children," he was wont to say, — lean almost see the face of John glowing with satisfac- tion and delight, as a new sense of release and freedom came into his soul. "Then I need not have rebuked that man. Then my Master will let me rejoice in every work that is being done in His name, no matter how imperfectly and irregularly it may be done. Then I may go through the world seeking out what men are doing of good and re- joicing in that good." Nay, I can imagine John 104 hastening away from that company, back into the fields of Gahlee, up among the hills, till he finds that lone toiler again; I can hear him as he begins to say: "Thank God, my friend, I was mistaken; I was wrong when I said you must not do that; go, find that poor sufferer again and do what I for- bade you doing; go, and I will go with you." And I can imagine that as they went over the dusty hills together, by and by John began to say : ' 'After all I think that we who have walked and talked with Jesus have had a chance to know some things which you do not know, but whidh it were well to know ; after all I think the whole work v/ould be bet- ter done if we all co-operated; it would be better for you, it would be better for us; the forces could be distributed better, energies better conserved and ex- pended; there would be less fault found; the Master would be better pleased. " And then — not till then but then — as John had the right to speak so the man had the heart to hear. Only along the line of common unselfish activity, could they talk over their creeds and see eye to eye. And what is the message ? 105 1. Know the pre-eminence of love in the chris- tian system — love which rewards the lonely toiler with whom it is well doing, with the blessed ' 'well done," love which outwearies the faithlessness and foolishness of many a group of its, professors then and now. Herein we find what distinguishes the christian religion from all others. Eace — religions utter more or less worthily man's aspiration for the living God; the christian religion utters God's lov- ing and lowly condescension to man. Because of its love is the christian religion characterized by universality. Jesus, the only cosmopolite, alone can live on all shores and under all suns. The re- ligions of Buddah, Confucius, Zoroaster, Mohammed — these are local and will yet be seen to be tempo- rary. Only perfect religion can be the final relig- ion. At the end of the ages will it be clear that the race-religions are but a long parenthesis in God's self -revelation to man. The reunion of God with man, the union of religion with morality, love to God showing itself in love to man — my friends, this is the truth of the religion of Jesus, and let it be the watchword of the new century ! Love is 106 the highest truth and duty of the new dispensation. If I have all faith even and understand all knowl- edge and have not love, I am nothing— nothing ! If I give my goods to feed the poor and be praised to the ends of the earth for it, nay, if I give my body to be burned and figure in church history for- ever as a martyr, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing — nothing — nothing ! l.ove seeketh not her own ! Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things ! So Paul sings^-who did sometimes sing — in his seraphic song in the thirteenth of Corinthians. But, oh, has that chapter yet entered into history ? Of whom shall it be said ? Shall love go wandering through the earth homeless, solitary as a bird's life on the ocean wave ? Ah me ! how often have na- tions, and churches even, been rent asunder for the sake of proclaiming some statement with regard to gifts which Paul says a man may have and in the absence of love be nothing — nothing. 2. But know, too, the need of the union of the reunion in the same soul of the love of truth and the love of men. The love of truth alone 107 grows cruel. It has no pity for man. It cries out, "what matter is human hfe tortured or killed for truth, crushed under the chariot wheels in which she rolls on into her kingdom ?" The stake-fires and the scaffolds belong to it, and our own century- has scarcely kept its skirt clear of that blood. On the other hand the love of man alone grows weak. It trims and travesties the truth to suit men's whims. "Do you want truth to be this ?" "Then it shall be," it cries to the lazy or faithless soul. The love of truth alone is cruel, the love of man alone is weak. Only when truth and man are both loved within the love of God, truth loved as God's utterance, man loved as God's child, only then can we live the life of the perfect saint here upon the earth. 3. Finally, value the test of results. He that is not against us is on our side. That is the true test. The tree is known by its fruits. The disciples of John went back to the prison and said, "yes, it is Jesus, because he is doing the work of Jesus. Blessings drop from his hands. The blind see. The lame walk. The dead rise up. The poor have the 108 gospel preached. It must be Jesus." Have you, has this church, has thi^ century made men better ''. That is the great question. Let us rejoice in the end, which is that the devil shall be cast out — the devil of hate, the devil of lust, the devil of pride, the devil of selfishness, the devil of uncharity, the devil of covetousness and hypocrisy, on whose en- trance into any fair garden of our Eden the flowers fade and the fruit withers. Let us rejoice in the end which is that the kingdom of Grod shall come in, the kingdom of love and peace and righteous- ness, of the beautiful and the fair. Let us know and never forget that sin and evil are not constit- uent elements of our human nature but miist be removed for man to be truly man. And, oh, let us work for their removal, and thus in doing that work we shall hasten the time — the glad day al- ready gilding the mountain tops with its golden morning glory — when in the possession of the same spirit, shall there be one body, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is through all and in us all; so working shall we soon answer the prayer of the sad and holy 109 Master, that as He and the Father are one, and He and His people are one, so we may be one in Him, that then — not till then but then — shall the world, this sinful sick world, know that "Thou hast sent Me." Amen. no Afternoon. SUNDAY SCHOOL SERVICES. ADDRESSES. GEORGE M. CEIPPEN, Superintendent, in a few appropriate remarks, welcomed the sup- erintendents of other schools, gave some words of hope and encouragement to the church and congre- gation, referred to the centennial of the Sunday school as twenty-seven years later than that of the church, expressed a hope to be here then, and intro- duced the other speakers. W. E. Phelps, assistant superintendent of the First M. E. School, the superintendent being out of town — Was glad to be present to congratulate the school — a rarety to find a Sunday school cele- brating a centennial. He spoke of the cordiality between the schools which made such a gathering GEORGE M. CRIPPEN, Ill possible; of the fellowship existing between the M. E. and Baptist schools, the M. E. by the courtesy of the Baptist, meeting in their church while the present M. E. house of worship was being built. Christ, he said, is the centre, the hub, the different schools are the spokes bound together by the divine spirit. By the Sunday school and Christian En- deavor societies the devil's work is being interrupt- ed. He wished us blessing and success for the cen- tury to come. Charles- L. Haskins, Superintendent of the Congregational school. — He spoke of his love for the Sunday school and its work. Most important jn the work was the teacher, and the aim of the consecrated teacher will be to bring the scholars to Christ. It was important that they should be brought into the church while young. He ex- pressed the hope tha't- they might be stimulated to-day to greater enthusiasm in bringing those con- nected with the school to Christ, and congratulated the school on what had already been wrought. John A. Schwarte, Superintendent of Second Presbyterian school. — It affords me pleasure to 112 be here and bring the congratulations of our school that you have reached old age, though not grown old for you have constantly renewed your youth. This school is one of the oldest and most successful in town. Especially necessary for a school is teach- ers regular and devoted. The question of how to keep our young people and especially our young men in the schools is one I would like to have solved, how to interest and to keep them. May your success in the future be as great and even greater than it has been in the past. Judge C. S. Lester, Superintendent First Pres- byterian School. — I like to show appreciation in any people who have any interest to increase religious knowledge. The First Presbyterian school was or- ganized near this place where we now are, and I remember the school and church from the days of Elder Wayland. The fountain of all purity in mor- ality and elevation in life is the Bible. We look to it for happiness in this life and hope for the life to come. Bibles are so plentiful we are apt to neglect it. The Bible is the most interesting story book. The story of Joseph, of Euth, of the raising of E. M. BROWN, S. S. Siipt.. ]s:M-(i4. Ti-usttv, ls:,4