The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-07-29
HISTORY OF
SIA1SBURY, CRANKY AND CANTON,
ConaecacW, from the gear 1912 to 1916 Il
BY Moan y. PHELPS.
nv t,octS continual
Extracts cOntInucu.)

(EXtractS cOntinucd.)
At the October session, 1929, a number o
petitions were presented to the Assembly
some in favor Of, and the others against {
confirmation of the doings Of the last com
mittec. But it does not appear that any no
ticG was taken Of these memorials.
Another town meeting was held in March
$780, when it was voted to continue to main
tain public worship, at the old meeting house
and to request Mr.. Woodbridge to continue
with them and oniciate as formerly. 1t was
also resolved to take the advice OF the AsSo
citation of Ministers, in relation to their diff
culties, and in view of them, whether or not
| Mr.. Woodbridge ought to continue in th(
work Of the ministry.
The Association met at Simsbury on the
31st of March, and having heard the contend
! ING parties and used their influence to bring
about a reconciliation, but finding that moth
inc could be gained, they came to the con.
cluson that "undcr the present divided cir
cumstances" of the town, the Rev. MIR. Wood
bridge was "under no obligation to continue
his ministry. either at the old meeting house
or in any other separate part Of the town"
The controversy, at no time distinguished
for its mildness, assumed now an aspect dan
gerous to the welfare of the community. 1t
was deep rooted and wide spread. Even the
church became infected. So warmly and
generally had its members entered into the
quarrel, that the Association felt compelled
to decide, that the members Of this church
were so destitute "of good and christian
frame of spirit, as to be unfit for communion
at the Lords table.
The north society, also, procured timber to
4 al, DriJ
laid a tax, as before stated, to detray the eX-
penso of erecting the building. But, as the
collector had received his appointment from
the committee appointed by the Genera, As
sembly, his authority was questioned, and the
people refused to pay their taxes
At the next session Of the Assembly, May,
1880, a large number of petitions were pre-
sented, in reference to this contested subject.
Among them was one signed by the Rev. L.
Edwards, and five other distinguished clergy
men, in which they state, that " the sorrcowtul
state of Simsbury is such, that the strctest
bonds of charity oblige us, and all christians
that come to the knowledge of it, to compass
sionate them The legislature did not di-
rectly grant the prayer of any Of these .petl-
tons but it appointed another committee,
consisting of Gov. Talcott, Nathaniel Stan
ley ana OZlaS Iltkln, IIsqrS', W llocC ''lE
inhabitants Of Simsbury, in a legally warned
town meeting, in order that the said meeting
might conSlderand agree amongst themselves
at what place, or places, and IN what man
ncr to build for themselves meeting house,
or meeting houses, for the worship of God as
they, or the greater part of them, by their
votes shall, in such meeting, agree, conclude,
and determine :" at which meeting the COM
mittec were desired to be present and en-
deavor to persuade The people of said town to
surceaso their contentious, and join, as broth
rem lovingly to 90 on with this good work.
And lis honor is desired to report to this As
sembly, in October next in what manner
they have succeeded in this affair; and ifthe
of said town shall not agree, by
their greater vote, to the building one or
more meeting houses, then to report to the
Assembly, if it be best in their opinion, that