r. J \ ^~v Eighty-Four Years A SERMON, By REV. F. B. DICKINSON, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Norwich, Conn. SfOvX iiimRnuEEMin ^t^^^CT^^™» 111 I fS^a- 8a£aw=tf^S ®ightjj-4JoM fcaw of §apti*st gfetont. A SERMON Preached at the Dedication of the W ft 1 \V BAPTIST CHURCH, NORWICH, CONN., FEBRUARY 13, 1884, II V THE PASTOR, REV. FENNER B, DICKINSON, TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF CHURCH OFFICERS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT. NORWICH : TRESS OF THE BULLETIN COMPANY.' This discourse was prepared during the press of extra meetings, wherein the strength of the Author was severely taxed. No pretensions at elegant diction or originality have been made. Fragments have been gathered from different sources ," and, as far as possible, the exact written and spoken words have been used. Hopes had been awakened that valuable information, gathered by my lamented brother, Rev. A. F. Spalding, could have been availaVjle ; at the last moment these hopes were blighted. My thanks are due his beloved companion for her as sistance in this direction. Ezra 5, 16 — "Theu came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the houso of God, which is in Jerusalem : and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished." That must have been a glad day to those Jewish captives when, because of the decree of King Cyrus, of Persia, they were allowed to return from Babylon to their loved and na tive country. Through a long period of captivity they had not been able to sing the songs of Zion, being in a strange land, but now, with joyous anticipations of the time when their feet should stand within the gates of Jerusalem, and they should go into the courts of the Lord's houso and pay their vows unto Him in the presence of all His people, they sing the songs of their deliverance. For this deliverance they had long sighed. Their prayers had been that God would comfort the desolate land, and make the barren fields fruitful, and once more place the sym bol of His presence between the golden cherubim. This decree of Cyrus, therefore, was a bright and cheering sign to those exiled Jews that God reigned ; that He that keepeth Israel neither slumbered or slept ; and that He had Eighty Four Years of Baptist History. not forgotten or_ forsaken His people. "Though He was high, yet had He respect unto the lowly of heart;" and the prayers of that lowly band, offered while in captivity, were heard ; and, with gratitude filling their hearts, they were preparing to enter their promised heritage, carrying with them their richest treasures wherewith to erect the Lord's earthly temple. Sheshbazzar, the man who was called of God to so notable a mission, was but the Persian name of Zerubbabel. Under his leadership the Israelites began their march towards lib erty ; and, through his zeal some two years afterward, they laid the foundation of the Lord's house at Jerusalem. Their work, however, caused great consternation among their adversaries. They first offered to join them, thinking they could get the chief share of the glory ; but, being refused, they accused them to the Persian government, and obtained an order therefrom which caused the work to cease all the days of Cyrus, even until ihe reign of Darius — a period of eighty-five years, that is, about the same length of time in tervened between the return of the Jews from captivity and the completion of the temple that has marked our eventful history. In other words, Sheshbazzar's grandchildren ac complished his work, as wo, to-day, are called to do the work of the fathers. After this long silence, Haggai and Zachariah were raised up to go and remonstrate against the indolence of the people, and when the excuse was made, " The time is not come, the Eighty- Four Years of Baptist Histoi\ time that the Lord's house should be built," they replied, " Is it time for you, 0 ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste ? Therefore, consider your ways." The result being the smouldering zeal of the people was fanned into a flame, and with fresh energy they renewed their efforts to build. All this once more excited the an tagonism of their Samaritan neighbors and the two govern ors on either side of the river sent a letter to the head of the Empire bearing the following address : "Unto Darius, the King, all peace." In this letter they state they have been into the " the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and their work goeth fast on and prospereth in their hands," and they represent that they desire to " know his pleasure concerning the matter, whether Cyrus ever issued a proclamation that ' the Lord God of heaven had charged him to build him an house at Jerusalem, and whether they should assist in the work' — and adding the statement of my text — ' Sheshbazzar laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem ; and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.' " YEARS IN BUILDTNG AND YET UNFINISHED. Of how many movements, and of how many enterprises is this true, and how many fitting illustrations from the nat ural and spiritual world could be given to show the unfin- Eighty- Four Years of Baptist History. islied state of every thing about us. But no illustration could be of greater force than the one before us — the Church of Christ : the First Baptist Church of Norwich, in partic ular. Eighty-four years of toil and earnest labor, with weary marches through discouragements and dangers — eighty-four years in building and yet not finished. Nevertheless we feel as the ancient people did, when they shouted and praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. " What, though the gates of hell withstood. Yet must this building rise ; T 'is thine own work, Almighty God, And woudrous in our eyes." Although Miss Caulkins, in her " History of Norwich," mentions meetings of a Baptist character as being held within the limits of the Town as early as 1770, when, it is more than probable sermons .were delivered by tliose Baptist divines, Isaac Backus and Thomas Baldwin, both natives of this Town ; yet it was not until during the year 1790, that a few Baptist believers began to hold regular meetings on the " West Side" of our City. At first, these meetings were held at the residences of Ephraim Story and Elijah Herrick, and, being held in the evening, were called by the Conservatives " night meetings," tending only to deeds of darkness. It seems Mr. Herrick was a blacksmith by trade, and once the deacon of a Congregational church, and afterwards Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. a member of the Bozrah Baptist Church. Mr. Story was a member of the Separate Church in Ledyard, and his wife was the sister of Elder Zadoc Harrow. These few mem bers of the sect, "every where spoken against," were unable to sustain a minister, hence they seldom had preaching, and their meetings being conducted by one of their own number, consisted of prayer, singing, conference and exhortation. The record shows these meetings were of a profitable character, in contrast with the lifeless forms around them, and occasionally caused great rejoicing. Now and then they were favored with preaching from Elders Zadoc Darrow, of New London ; Jason Lee, of Lyme ; Crandall, of Stoning- ton ; and Nortiirup, of Rhode Island ; and as their con gregation increased, they sometimes held their meetings in the school-house, in the rope-walk ; and, in warm weather, they assembled in the grove for worship. In the year 1797, they were recognized as a branch of Elder William Northrup's Church, of Kingston, Rhode Island, and during this year, two or three times, they met in the rope-walk, and observed the Lord's Supper. Thus, in a manner quite analogous to the early Church, the First Baptist Church in the City of Norwich begins its history. Holding forth the word of life in the dwelling house, in the rope-walk, in the grove, at the river side ; and God's approval was upon them in their start on a journey of four score years and four. The written history of the Church is very meager ; very Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. little appears, and what is also to be deeply regretted by us, all the original members who could have given an interest ing chapter of the unwritten history of the past have gone over the flood, and their treasures of the Church annals are locked in the faithful bosom of the grave. Through these meager records we have gone, making such use of Denison's " Notes of the Baptists " as has seemed wise, and gathering items of interest from other sources, to be incentives to those of us who arc compelled to bear the burden and heat of day to be diligent in well doing, and assure tliose who come after us that the friends of the Church in the early days were not men who were easily dis couraged. They were the sons and daughters of a great King — a royal race ; a peculiar people ; with a living spirit dwelling within, and a living power sustaining them ; they saw " Him who is invisible," and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus' sake. Following their organization as a branch of Elder Nor- thrup's Church, their progress was necessarily slow, from the fact that the principles of soul liberty had not been dis seminated at that time in Connecticut as in Rhode Island, and they were frowned upon as dissenters, and oppressed with an adverse public opinion and prejudices. Their patient suffering for the cause of God, and their consistent Christian experience won for them friends ; and their ear nest, practical religious life was instrumental in leading some to righteousness. Among those early converts was Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. one who was destined to become their leader. This man was' Mr. John Sterry, a printer and book-hinder, who, soon after he was baptized, developed ability to teach the " way of life." He was a man of sound sense, and possessed a knowledge of men and books, which, coupled with his ardent piety, qualified him to stand before the people witli acceptance. He felt that he was called of God to the ministry. The brethren encouraged him in the exercise of his gilts, and appointed him to lead their meetings. The Lord was with him, and souls were saved. The first record upon the Church book reads as follows : "At a meeting of a number of the people of God, inhabitants of Norwich, with a number of their brethren from other towns, under the signature of Baptists, assembled in said Norwich, February, 1800: " 1. Meeting opened by prayer. The brethren then proceeded to make choice of Brother Samuel West as Moderator, and Brother John Sterry, Clerk. " 2. The brethren proceeded individually to open their minds respecting their situation, and their desire, if it should be found upon a further exami nation that there was a Church of Christ there, that they might be set apart ns'a body.'' The record of the first Council is equally interesting : " March 29th, 1800. — At a meeting of a Council of Churches, by delegation. Present — Brethren1 Zadoc Darrow, Christopher PAi.srER, Seth Terry, William Greek, Joseph Allin. " After hearing the brethren go through in their minds, and taking into oousideration their situation, it appeared evident that there was a Church of Christ there, and as such, gave them their fellowship, recommending to them, (agreeable to their minds) to obtain dismission from the several churches with which they were in particular relation, and to form themselves into a body." Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. A second Council met July 12th, 1800, and " After taking into consideration the testimony given, the Moderator, Elder Northrup, came forward and declared them now to be a body belong ing to Christ's millitant Church." Thereupon the Church, recognizing their independence, elected Mr. John Sterry as their minister, and Mr. Dewey Bromley as their Deacon The following October the Pastor elect, the Deacon, and Jacob Parker were appointed to prepare Articles of Faith, and a form of Church Covenant. Joseph West was elected Clerk, and the Church voted to ordain Brothers Sterry and Bromley, and a Council was called to advise with them and assist in the ordination services. At a meeting one week later, the following Articles of Faith and Covenant were adopted : articles of faith. I. of the scriptures. We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction ; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried. II. of the true god. That there is one, and only one, true and living God, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth ; inexpres sibly glorious in holiness ; worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love ¦ Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. n revealed under the personal and relative distinctions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; equal iu every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in tho great work of redemption. m. of the fall of max. That man was created in a state of holiness, under the law of his Maker ; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state ; in con sequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice : being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the Law of God, wholly given to the gratification of the world, of Satan, and of their own sin ful passions, and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defence or excuse. IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION. That the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the Mediato rial Offices of the Son of God, who look upou Him our nature yet without sin ; honored the law by His personal obedience, and made atonement for our sins by His death ; beiug risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour. V. OF JUSTIFICATION. That the great gospel blessing which Christ of His fullness, bestows on such as believe in Him is justification ; that justification consists in the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life, on principles of righteousness ; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through His own redemption and righteousness ; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION. That the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel, that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial and obedient faith ; 12 Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel, which rejection will submit him to an aggravated condemnation. VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION". That in order to be saved, we must be regenerated or born again ; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind ; and is effected iu a manner above our comprehension or calculation by the power of the Holy Spirit, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel, and that its proper evidence is found in the holy fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God. VIII. OF GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE. That election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He re generates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end ; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable ; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy ; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree ; that it is ascertained by its effects in all who believe the gospel; is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves, de mands and deserves our utmost diligence. IX. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS. That such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their per severing attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their wel fare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salva tion. X. HARMONY OF THE LAW AND GOSPEL. That the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government ; that it is holy, just, and good; and the inability which the Scrip- Eighty- Four Years of Baptist History. 13 tares ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin ; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Medi ator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is oue great end of the Gospel, and of the' means of grace conuocted with the establishment of the visible Church. XI. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH. That a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observiug the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word ; that its only proper officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. ¦ XII. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER. That Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its purifying power ; that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of a Church relation ; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the Church, by the use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ— preceded always by solemn self-examination. XIII. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. That the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations ; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public ; and by preparation for that rest that re maineth for the people of God. XIV. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. That civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; aud that magistrates are to be prayed for, con- 14 Eighty Four Years of Baptist History. scientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of tho kings of the earth.XV. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. That there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked : that such only as through faith are justified iu the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem ; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked and under the curse ; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death. XVI. OF THE WORLD TO COME. That the end of this world is approaching ; that at the Last Day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribu tion ; that a solemn separation will then take place ; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy ; and that thisjudgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness. CHURCH COVENANT. As we trust we have been brought by divine grace to receive the Lord Jesus Christ, and to give up ourselves to him, so we do now, relying upon his gracious aid, solemnly covenant with each other, and promise that we will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes the members of a Chrisllau Church; that we will exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require ; that we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others : that we will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and holy example, to win our kindred and acquaintances to the Saviour, to holiness and to eternal life ; that we will rejoice at each other's happiness, and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's Eighty Four Years of Baptist History. 15 burdens and sorrows; that we will not bring forward to the Church a com plaint against any member for any personal trespass against us, until we have taken the first and second steps pointed out by Christ in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, and that all private offenses which can be privately set tled, we will never make public; that we will live circumspectly in the world, '• denying ungodliness and worldly lusts," setting a worthy example, and re membering, that as we have been voluntarily buried by Baptism, and have been raised up from the emblematical grace, so there is on us a special obligation henceforth to lead a new and holy life ; that we will strive together for the support of a faithful Evangelical Ministry among us; that according to our ability and opportunities we will, as faithful servants of the Lord, do good to all men, especially in helping to extend the Gospel in its purity and power to the whole human family ; and that through life, amidst evil report and good report, we will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the glory of Him who hath called us out darkness into his marvellous light. An ordaining Council met December 24th, and was " opened by prayer to Almighty God to inspire all hearts with singleness of mind to act in these important matters, to witness in what the Lord doeth. Elder Reuben Palmer and brethren, Elder Burrows and brethren, Elder Samuel Northrop and Elder Samuel West and brethren " were members of the Council. "The minds of the Council being taken, and a full fellow ship with the Church expressed, and Brother Sterry hav ing been examined, it was voted to hold the services in the Second Congregational Church the following morning, Rev. Walter King, Pastor of said Church, having given a most cordial invitation to that effect." 1 6 Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. The record gives the following order of services : 1. Prayer, by Rev. Reuben Palmer. 2. Sermon, by ReV. Silas Burrows, from Acts 20 : 28: "Take heed therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath pur chased with his own blood." 3. Prayer of Ordination, by Rev. Samuel West. 4. Charge, by Rev. Reuben Palmer. 5. Hand of Felloviship, by Rev. Samuel Nothrup. Being recognized as a New Testament Church, surround ed by discouragements and jealousies, without the aid of public favor or worldly wealth, they felt the need of Christ ian fellowship ; hence in June, 1801, the Church sent a letter and messengers to the Groton Union Conference, which held its session in Westerly. They were received to membership and maintained their connection with the Conference till 1817, when that body was dissolved and they, with other churches, formed the New London Association. Through the courtesy of Deacon William H. Potter, of Mystic, we hold the original letter sent to the Conference in 1802, wherein they report a membership of fifty-four, and make note of spiritual progress. That letter was a true representation of their condition, as the private houses, and even the rope-walk, had become too strait for them, and they felt the necessity of a meeting house. A Mr. Hall, before his death, had given them a lot situated on High Street for the joint purpose of building Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. 17 thereon a meeting house and a school house. Before the close of 1802 they raised, covered, and partiy floored a house. Their funds failing, the work stayed, and yet they worshiped in the unfinished edifice. God was with them, and souls were added to Zion. In October, 1803, Deacon Bromley was appointed Clerk. During this year a petition was sent to the Legislature for a lottery grant by which they were to raise funds, as other churches had, to finish their meeting house. This petition was refused because ; first, the Baptists did not endorse the existing ecclesiastical laws ; second, the Baptists were not known in law as a denomination ; third, the Pastor of this Church was the co-editor of a Republican paper. And here let it be noted, that no lottery proceeds have ever been ap plied toward the maintenance of this Church. Their petition having failed, they resolved to raise funds by a permanent sale of the seats. A committee was appointed accordingly, and the house finished in 1807. In this same year Deacon Dewey Bromley, " a good man, full of faith and the Holy Ghost," died. The offices then made vacant were filled by the appointment of Joshua Pendleton as Deacon, and Ben> jamin Ames as Clerk. The following extract from a letter written by Deacon Bromley, but a short time before his death, to a brother who had been dealt with because of his habit lL of drinking spir ituous liquors to excess," will show his sterling Christian character. 3 1 8 Eighty Four Years of Baptist History- " Finding the charge against you proved, and all attempts to reclaim you from this evil having failed, the Church voted to withdraw the hand of fellow ship from you ; and this is to inform you of this solemn and affecting trans action, that yon may govern yourself accordingly. And now we beseech you, in the most tender and affectionate manner, to consider your deplorable situ ation and reflect that you have wounded the precious cause of the Redeemer by your disorder!}- conduct, and have given the enemies of the Lord occasion to speak reproachfully of that holy name by which you were called. You are shut out of the privileges of Christ's Kingdom here, and exposed to the enemy of your soul, aud in danger of sinking into careless security from which you may not awake until you are called to the bar of God to give an account of your conduct. We pity you from our hearts, and shall pray that the Lord in His infinite mercy may bring you to repeutance. Having, as we believe, done our duty as a Church, we leave you in the hands of the Lord, hoping He will bless our doings to you lest you perish, as it were, from the pearly gates of heaven. " Signed by order and in behalf of the Baptist Church in Norwich. " Attest, Dewey Bromley, Church Clerk." (A true copy.) After the death of Deacon Bromley the Church toiled on, maintaining a strict discipline, which brought them oc casional additions, until the summer of 1811, when they were blessed with quite an extensive revival, and thirty were added to them by baptism. In August, 1811, Dewey Bromley, son of their lamented Deacon, and Solomon Story were elected Deacons. During the same year, Mr. Eleazer Hatch, not a mem ber of any Church, but a friend of the Baptists, died, and left the whole of his property, after his widow's decease, with the exception of a legacy of $500, to this Church, with Eighty -Four Years of Baptist History. 19 the conditions : " that a fund be made of his estate, perma nent, and to be fixed aud secured as to abide forever, the interest, rents and profits of said fund to be applied for the purpose of supporting a settled Baptist minister in and over the Church in West Chelsea. " If said fund be otherwise applied in said Society, they shall lose all benefit to be thereafter derived from this will." It is stated that Mr. Hatch gave his reasons for making this bequest, as follows : first, " the Baptists held to Repub lican principles ;" second, " Elder Sterry prayed without a prayer book." In September, 1812, Deacons Pendleton and Story re signed their offices, and Stephen Benjamin was chosen to fill the place of Deacon Story. In November, 1813, Thomas Potter was chosen Clerk. Elder Sterry was voted a salary of $120.00 per annum. About this time a sister was disciplined, " because she had given occasion to the enemies of God to speak reproacli fully of the cause of truth by wearing a bosom pin, said to be a present from a certain married man, to the great grief of his wife ;" while another was dealt with " for uttering certain false and scandalous expressions injurious to the character of their esteemed Elder, John Sterry." In September, 1816, Isaac Story was elected Deacon, and they report to the Conference thirteen additions, with a total membership of 117. The following year John Sterry, Jr., was chosen to fill Eighty Four Years of Baptist History. the office of Clerk, and Elder Sterry wrote the circular let. ter to the Conference, his subject being: "One Faith." He showed that it was '¦ one in its nature ;" " one in its ob ject;" and " one in its effects." He closed the letter as follows : " Dear brethren, we now exhort you, above all, to take the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. In the exercise of faith, you can, like Moses when on Nebo's summit, view the promised land. Winged with faith you can soar aloft to the abodes of blessedness, aud enjoy a rich antepast of that felicity which is reserved in heaven for you. Without faith you can not please God. 0, then, pray for an increase of it, and you will eventually receive its end, ' even the salvation of your souls.' Amen." In 1817 the Church united with the New London Baptist Association, and sent a letter " To the Convention of Elders and brethren from the several baptized churches, to meet at Waterford, October 21st," wherein they state that " from the time of the constitution of the Church to the present, there have been added nearly 200 persons. For about two years past they have been blessed with a continual but grad ual increase of numbers,. Almost every communion season has manifested some further displays of sovereign grace in the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom." Taking advantage of their prosperity, they increased the Pastor's salary to 1150, and voted him " liberty to preach at the Church in Preston City once a month." The Baptist doctrine of religious liberty had now won favor with the people ; so much so that Judge Lanman, of this City, before going to the convention called to meet at Eighty- Four Years of Baptist History. 2 1 Hartford, in 1818, to draft a new constitution in place of the old charter and its blue laws, inquired of Deacon Dewey Bromley of this Church: " What do the Baptists want in the new constitution ?" He replied : " We want to have religion stand alone on its own divine basis where God has placed it, and we want all religious denominations to have secured to them equal rights and privileges." July 6, 1819, Brother Thomas Potter was licensed to preach — " the Church having observed in him a gift of pub lic improvement." A profitable season of revival was en joyed by the Church near the close of this year, and fifteen persons were baptized. In October, 1820, Isaac Bromley was chosen Church Clerk. Elder Sterry was elected Moderator of the Asso ciation " which met at Hampton, County of Windham," October 16, 1821, and preached the annual sermon. The year 1822 brought clouds of darkness to the Church. A self-appointed Committee wrote to the Pastor, and sug gested the propriety of his resignation, urging the consid eration of his age, and the wish of a part of the Church for a more youthful and modern preacher. Misunderstandings followed ; the Church became divided, and wounds were made which required years to heal. All this saddened the heart of the Man of God, who, with great self-denial and constancy, had led the flock for more than twenty years, and in November of the next year " he fell on sleep." Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. Concerning this sad event, the following is recorded : " Elder John Sterry, the first Pastor of this Church, departed this life November 5, 1823, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. Funeral discourse by Rev. William Palmer, from Matthew 25 : 21 : " His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things ; I will make thee ruler over mauy things ; enter thou into the )oy of thy Lord." During Elder Sterry's ministry, he received into the Church 177 by baptism, and ten by letter. That the trials he was compelled to pass through the last two years of his life were deplored, the following vote, taken January 6, 1824, will prove : " Voted, That all the acts and doiugs of the Church, since the evening of October 1, 1822, be and are hereby rescinded and sealed up among the files of the Clerk, at the disposal only of the Churcli." After the death of the first Pastor, the Church was with out a leader for nearly six months. Meetings were held as usual, however, and delinquent members labored with. The following extract from a letter to an offending brother, will give a fair sample of their work, and show that the Clerk, Isaac Bromley, was of the lineal descent of Dewey Bromley. " How shocking and awful to see brethren, who are to dwell together in unity, possessing the most malicious enmity and hatred toward each other- Have you seriously considered the subject? How heinous your conduct is Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. in the sight of a Holy God, who cannot look upon sin with the least allow ance ; have you considered that by your conduct, the enemy has occasion to speak reproachfully of the dear cause of Christ; the people of God are caused to mourn, and sinners stumble over your imperfections. One thing, dear brother, is certain, you are making work for sorrowful repentance, and Oh, may the condescending love of God lead you to it before it shall be too late to find forgiviness." In writing to another brother who seemed to be a profess or, whose religion consisted in talk, he said : "Such as you should remember, — 1 That no big words of ready talkers, No dry doctrine will suffice ; Broken hearts and upright walkers, These are dear in Jesus' eyes.' " March, 1824, Rev. William Palmer, of the Church in Colchester, was called to serve this Church. He accepted this call and entered upon his duties April 1st, with a salary of $220. Mr. Palmer, being a " Prince in Zion," a man of culture and true piety, it naturally followed that frequent additions were made to the Church, and in 1829 a gracious work of grace was enjoyed. In their letter to the Association for this year, they note that : " The revival has become general throughout the City. The work, be ginning at ' The Falls,' has continued, and we can truly say, we never saw it on this fashion ; our Pastor being in feeble health, and unable to attend all the calls by night and by day, Brother L. Kneeland assisted for a few weeks. Forty-five have been baptized, aud sixteen added by letter, making 24 Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. a total membership of one hundred and fifty-three. We are hoping the time will soon come when our brethren individually, and our sister Churches, will come to the conclusion that, as it respects ardent spirits, they will say: ' Touch not, taste not, handle not ' the deadly poison. "Isaac Bromley, Clerk." Iii the next year thirty-two baptisms are reported. The meeting house not being large enough to accommodate the regular congregation, the old house was removed, a few additional feet of land on the south side of the lot secured, and a new edifice was dedicated in July, 18?3. This same year they report a " Sunday School consisting of ninety-three children, and 414 volumes ; female Mis sionary Society, Bible Class, and Temperance Society." Soon after the new house was dedicated, " a doubt appeared as to the title of the lot on which the house stood." A committee was appointed to " obtain a good title," and " secure a mortgage loan of $1,500 to complete the payment for the meeting house." All this caused a number of the brethren to send in "certificates of withdrawal," which re sulted in the calling of an Advisory Council, the resignation of Elder Palmer, and the restoration of peace and har mony. A committee was also appointed to " see that every thing was expressed on the records as it should be, relative to their late unhappy difficulties." In their letter to the Association this year, they represent themselves as " wading through trials and difficulties." Elder Palmer's resignation taking effect in March, 1834, Eighty-Four Years of Baptist Histoiy. 25 the pulpit was supplied by different ministers until July, when Rev. Samuel S. Mallery became Pastor. The first year of Mr. Mallery's earnest labor resulted in seventeen being added to the Church by baptism, and thirty by letter. " It was voted to make the apprizal of pews $700, and reserve pew No. 54 for the Pastor of the Church " It was also " voted to hold the communion on the first Lord's day of each month," and " that $3 be appropriated from the funds of the Church to defray the expense of fuel and lights for meetings at the Falls." During the second year Rev. John Blain, of blessed memory, assisted the Pastor, and they report statistics as follows: " Added by baptism, thirty-nine; by letter, thirty- five ; total number of members, 305." Brother George Byrne was chosen Clerk in January, 1835. The parish was divided into five sections where meetings were to be held monthly. At a meeting held May 5th, 1835, the following was unan imously passed : "Resolved, That we will hold no church fellowship with persons who man ufacture, sell or use ardent spirits, except for medical purposes." February, 1836, Zimri L. Smith was chosen Clerk, and a " memorial of certain brethren and sisters praying to be dis missed from this Church, for the purpose of being consti tuted into a Church by themselves," was rejected. 4 26 Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. The following April Brother Henry Bromley was licensed to preach. Mr. Mallery's pastorate closed in July, 1836, he having served the Church about two years, baptizing seventy-three persons. In August, 1836, Rev. Josiah M. Graves became Pastor, with a salary of #500, with the understanding that one-fifth was to be given back to the Church. Mr. Graves closed his pastorate January 1, 1838, with no apparent spiritual results. In April, 1838, Rev. Russel Jennings accepted the call of the Church, and became their fifth Pastor. His ministry was blessed, souls were saved, the Church built up in holy faith, and meetings were held in the " regions beyond." In January, 1839, Isaac Bromley was chosen Clerk for the second time. During this year about a hundred persons were dropped from the roll, leaving a membership of 216. Although Mr. Jennings closed his labors in April, 1840, the fact that he has since given the Church $1,100 shows that his interest continues. He is still living at his home in Deep River, having been privileged to give thousands of dollars to his Master's cause. For a number of years the section of the City east of the present location had been building rapidly. Friends of oth er denominations had located about the old Baptist camping ground of forty years, and it now became evident that a change of location, or a new Church must be made to meet Eighty- Four Years of Baptist History. 27 the demand of the City. The old house of worship being built upon a hill, instead of proving that precious hymn true", "The hill of Zion yields A thousand sacred sweets." proved an excuse to many for their absence from the house of God, and their 11011 identity with the Baptist interest, the result of all this was the Church lacked support and became very weak. Rev. M. G. Clark labored with them three months, begin ning April 1,1810, and though stiongly urged to become their Pastor, declined, because of their unfavorable location, and because he coincided with a majority of the Baptists in the City that the time had come for Zion to enlarge her borders. At a Church meeting Wednesday evening, August 26th, the following preamble and resolution was presented. " Inasmuch as we are now destitute of a Pastor, and no provision is be ing made to provide one, and " Whereas, We have hitherto been unable to raise enough from the sale of our slips to meet our current expenses within from $150 to $200 annually, in consequence principally, (as we believe) of our disadvantageous location, we do therefore " Resolve, That we cordially approve of the proposition of a number of our brethren, together with members of sister Churches living within our limits, to constitute and establish a second Church in a more central part of the City." 28 Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. After discussion, this resolution was carried by a majority vote, and then reconsidered, and a " general notice given to all the members, male and female, to attend " a meeting September 1st, when the resolution offered at the previous meeting was carried by a two-thirds vote. At a prayer meeting September 10th, " the brethren pres ent unanimously requested that a meeting be called, to be held Monday evening, September 14th, to attend to the call of sundry members for letters of commendation and dismis sion to unite with a sister Church ; also to the call of a sister Church to send a delegation to sit with them in Council." September 21st, a letter from the second Church, request ing them to send a delegation to sit with them in Council was read, and the following brethren were chosen : D. Brom ley, M. Thompson, I. Bromley, E. W. Beckwith, J. R. Thayer, Lyman Adams, and Amos Bennett. The Central Church was formed September 15, 1840, and publicly recognized seven days later, by a Council composed of delegates from this and neighboring Churches, with Rev. M. G. Clark as Pastor. October 6th it was voted, " that we give to the Sabbath School connected with the Central Church, the use of our Sabbath School library, until we shall call for it." The Church was now in a very low state. The most of their active members had united with the newly formed Central Church, which worshiped in the Town Hall, and was in a most prosperous condition. Eighty- Four Years of Baptist History. 29 The meeting house was sold at auction to cancel a debt of $1,500. Only occasional meetings were held, and the few that re mained by the mother Church were sad and disheartened. Twice within the same month they met to consider the following resolution : " Whereas, The discipline of the Church has been long neglected, and many things difficult to settle have occurred, therefore " Resolved, That we dissolve our Church connection." A motion to pass this resolution was tried, and lost, and yet the end seemed near, as Brethren D. and I. Bromley were " authorized to take charge of the communion furni ture, bibles, psalm books, and records of the Church ;" and it was voted " to relinquish all claims to the stoves aud stove-pipes, lamps, chairs, tables, etc., in the meeting house, to the Society's Committee, to be disposed of by them to the best advantage toward the payment of the Society's debt." Their extremity was God's opportunity. The loving and loyal labors of the Central Church, so graciously rewarded, provoked the old Church to good works. The scales of prejudice dropped from the eyes of some who had unpleasant feelings on account of the formation of the new Church, and their former beloved Pastor, Rev. William Palmer, was recalled to the pastorate. The bibles, hymn books, baptizing robe, cushions, pulpit carpet, communion furniture, and Sunday School books were returned, and in 30 Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. the spring of 1841 they set up housekeeping for God in their own hired house. At first the congregations were small, but New Testament discipline was considerately applied, and after two years they report to the Association a " membership of twenty males and forty females," and say : ¦' Our present condition is much more encouraging than it was some months past, and though few and feeble, we are at peace among ourselves. Faith has taken the place of fearfulness, and despondency has yielded to hope." In the autumn of 1843, Rev. Jabez Swan came to assist the Pastor. He, with Rev. B. Cook and D. D. Lyon contin ued meetings about four weeks. Some fifty expressed hope in Christ, and thirty-five were baptized. The Church was wonderfully revived spiritually, but finan cially remained weak, for at the beginning of the year 1844 they " voted to hire Elder Palmer, for the avails of the pews from February 1844 to April 1845." This closed his pastorate, although ho retained his residence near the Church militant, until his removal to the Church triumph ant, which occurred December 25, 1853, at the age of sixty- eight, During his pastorate of thirteen years, he baptized 200 persons, was Clerk of the Association for twenty-five years, preached the annual sermon three times and wrote the circular letter four times. He was a judicious and kind Pastor, always praying and laboring for the " peace and prosperity of Zion." Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. 31 Elder Palmer's pastorate closing in April, 1845, the pul pit was acceptably supplied by a student and licentiate, George W. Pendleton, until May, when, at Mr. Pendleton's solicitation, Martin H. Rising, who was pursuing his stud ies at Suffield, having previously fitted himself for the prac tice of medicine, but now preparing himself for the min istry, spent his vacation with them. Mr. Rising fully in tended to return to Suffield after spending his vacation, but the interest awakened in the Church was so great, he was compelled to remain, or, to use his own words, he " did not dare to go back." Early in the fail, there were indications that the cloud of mercy, that a few praying ones had seen hanging over this Church, was about to break. Meetings were multiplied until the middle of October, when the Pastor elect became impressed that it was the duty of the Church to hold meet ings each evening for one week. The Church voted accord" ingly, and the meetings continued three weeks. Rev. D. D. Lyon was called to assist, and his faithful labors were blessed in the conversion of a number ; but, having sickness in his family, ho was obliged to leave his work ; and one evening, while the Church were praying to know the will of the Lord, they seemed lead to Rev. C. S. Weaver, of Vol- untown, and decided that Mr. Rising should visit him in the morning. During the night, Elder Weaver had a vis ion, and thought he saw a man coming toward his house, heard his steps as he came up the walk, the knock at the 32 Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. door, and the voice saying : " Come over and help us." When Mr. Rising appeared to him in the morning, he rec ognized his step, knock and voice as the same he had heard iu the night, and responded to the call, believing it to be the will of God. With strong faith and unwearied zeal, he labored for three weeks ; the interest deepened ; Christians were revived, and many became anxious. A young man, Perry Potter, who led the choir, and had taken a deep in terest in the Church, had planned for Elder Jabez Swan to preach once or twice, and, as if directed of God, he did so. Being strongly convinced that God was about to do a great work, he invited all Christians to unite, under the motto : " God and salvation," and assured them the meetings should be free for all lovers of Christ and the Gospel. His labors continued, and for three months, with meetings day and evening, with Christians of all denominations working together, there was not a jarring uote. Inquirers increased ; the house was crowded, and the power of the meetings seemed to reach throughout the whole City. Brethren and sisters from a distance came, and remained on the field for days. Deacon Breed's home, like many others, became public houses. Elder Curtis Keeney and Deacon Richard Harris acted as " Aaron's and Hur's " to pray, and back the pulpit preaching by personal labor. The tide of salva tion flowed on ; stout-hearted men were broken down and saved ; and Elder Swan alone baptized over one hundred souls. The baptizing often occurred in the night — some- Eighty- Four Years of Baptist History. 33 times after midnight — and, it is said, " the administrator's voice could be heard for miles around." On one Lord's day, Elder Swan says he baptized three different times. It was Communion day with the Church. A lady was received into the Church who was opposed by her husband, but this step broke the opposition and sent him home crying for mercy. The Elder was sent for ; he point ed the man to Christ, prayed with him till God redeemed his soul. He arose forthwith, and with two others, was baptized. One night, after the meeting at the Church had closed, and Elder Swan had gone to the genial home of Joseph Tyler, whose memory, with that of his family, will always be dear to this Church, all present bowed around the altar for evening devotions. One followed the other in prayer, till morning came before the meeting broke up, and Brother Swan testified " that they drank of a spring before morning, pretty high up on the hill of God." One object prayed for that night was, that God would block the river near by so that the water wheels might stop, and allow the help to come out and seek the Lord. God answered prayer, and many were liberated from their work and sought the Lord. Elder Swan adds that, " some of the seasons of prayer, in the sanctuary were very much like the Episcopal service, all praying at once. There was much prayer and much noise ; yet out of it came hundreds of converts," many uniting with the different evangelical churches in the City and surrounding country. S 34 Eighty- Four Years of Baptist History. During this work the Church voted to ordain Mr. Ris ing as soon as convenient. Accordingly, a Council was called March 3, 1846, and he was ordained the following day. Elder C. Willett preached the sermon from the text, " As my Father hath sent me, even so I send you." John 20 : 21. At the same time, Benjamin F. Breed, Daniel F. Beebe, and Joseph Carroll, were ordained as Deacons. Having increased in strength, the Church voted, September 5, 1846, " to purchase the meeting house, and sixteen feet of land on the north and south side." Brethren M. H. Rising, D. D. Lyon, Perry Potter, and Stephen Williams were ap pointed to circulate a subscription paper for that purpose. The paper was headed as follows : ••This may certify, that whereas the First Baptist Church in Norwich have no house to worship God in of their own, therefore we, the subscribers, agree to pay the sum annexed to our'names, to purchase the house in which they now meet for worship ; to have and to hold the same to them for the worship of God forever." With incessant toil the amount needed, $1,500, was pro cured from two hundred and sixty persons. The owner, Father Kellyhan, a devoted and Godly Methodist, re-deed ed the property to the Church, giving them a liberal contri bution, and declaring that he " bid the house off and held it for the purpose of letting the Baptists have it, as he wanted them to live to keep the precious ordinance of im mersion in the world, as other denominations regard the mode of baptism non-essential." Eighty- Four Years of Baptist History. 35 After the " great revival," the congregation gradually increased, and the brethren were more and more united, and they report to the Association " a gain of two hundred members, one hundred and forty-eight of which were added by baptism." November 21st, the Church voted " it was a hindrance to the Christian professiou, as well as forbidden by the spirit of the gospel, for members of evangelical churches to attend theatres." October 10, 1847, the Church gave H. B. Whittington " a regular license authorizing him to improve his gifts in the gospel ministry." January 3, 1848, D. W. Perkins was chosen Clerk, and this year the Church was again blessed with revival influences, and twenty-six were added by bap tism. In March, 1849, Mr. Rising closed his successful pastor ate, having served the Church with great zeal nearly four years. During this time one hundred and seventy-four per sons were baptized, and two hundred and forty-six added to the membership ; and although he had two short pastorates after his labors closed here, his incessant work brought on weaknesses that prostrated him for more than twenty years. Rev. James M. Coley succeeded Mr. Rising. He became Pastor in May, 1849, and continued his labors three years. During this time the letters to the Association make " affec tive and appropriate mention of the death of the beloved wife of their Pastor ;" " Of the payment of their debt of over 7,6 Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. $1,000, and a general state of prosperity under the efficient labors of their Pastor. In January, 1850, Brother W. H. Congdon was chosen Clerk. In October, 1852, Rev. Alfred H. Taylor commenced his pastorate, which continued but one year. At this time the Church reports : " We are in a low and divided state ; our hopes of being revived and united have not been realized." P»ev. J. W. Holman, D. D., was called to the pastorate December 17, 1853, and began his labors January 1, 1854, remaining with the Church one year and six months. During his ministry the Church en joyed a " refreshing from the presence of the Lord." Fifty were baptized, and the membership increased to one hundred and twelve. Dr. Holman was a vigorous preacher, strong in the presentation of doctrine, and most beloved by those who knew him best. He died in Providence, R. I., May 16, 1873, leaving four sons, Sulivan, William, George and John, to " tell the story of Jesus and His love," that he had loved so long. Brother A. T. Davis was chosen Clerk January 1, 1855. Rev. C. S. Weaver entered upon his labors as Pastor, Octo ber 1, 1855, and the Associational letter of this year says: " We are fitting up for another voyage into the great sea of Salvation, hoping soon to return ladened with souls bound for the highlands of Heaven." The next year they report : — " As to the voyage spoken of in our last letter; it has been mostly a year of fitting up, and as to the result of our labors, we are satisfied that the Eighty-Four Years of Baptist History. 37 timbers of the old ship are sound, and she rests on