Connecticut western news., 1875-04-09
History of Meth hOdisnl.
IN THE OLD CANAAN CIRCUIT.

History of MethOdfsm
 IN THE OLD CANAAN CIRCUIT. 'l
 [By J. H. L.]
 IContinuedl
 In l79l the Litchfisld circuit was formed which included all of North Western Conn.,, and part of Eastern New York. Rev. Samuel Wigton and Henry Christie were the preachers under Thomas Norrsll, Presiding Elder. At thls time the principal preaching places were town halls, school houses, private houses, barns and groves. The members in society were few, (only 66 reported on Litchfield circuiU and scattered over large section of country. At the same time there were in nearly every town large and flourishms Congregational supported by tax levied on the towns. In the town of Canaan . Congrsga- tionAl Church had been established 50 years before the first Methodist Church was built The preachers usually travelled on horse back, and were accustomed to preach two or three times on Sabbath, and nearly every week day evening. They were from two to six weeks in making the circuit of their appointments. The appearance of preacher was usually the occaslon of gather ing all in the neighborhood at some convenient place to hear a sermon, when ever class could be organized leader was appointed, and in the interval of the preachers visit, social meetings were h"ld weekly. Those members who gave evidence of "Gitts anc graces" We're licensed as exhorters, or local preae hers, and employed in conducting the meetings in the absence of the travelling preacher. These meetings were often attended hy gracious revivsls. The Methodists were frequently denounc- ed by the established church as " Heretics" and the preachers as "Iutinerating peddlsrs of false doctrines" These circumstances rendered the building of Methodist Churches exceedingly difficult. In view of which the preaching places were usually school houses or private residences. Thelfollowing were at different times preaching places on this circuit, at Nath .niel Church's or (Fathsr Church, as he was caIled) His house stood on the west side of the river in the town of Salisbury, now owned by John R. Ward. This was a preaching place for a number of years. Dr. Miles Belden was baptised and received into society in the kitchen of Father Church's house.
 In 1915 Rev. Thomas Thorp preached also in tue loft of Canfield's Mill.a Falls Village. This year gracious revival spread among Ill denominations ln town. Children held prayer meetings in school, and number prOfessed conversion. A company of young people called one evening at MT. Bradley's house in South Canaan, to hear him sing-before leaving he proposed to have prayers. A number of the company were awakened under his prayer, and they remained all night seeking religion. The next evening they met at Mr. Landon's and such was the interest manifest they sen, out for someone to come in and pray fol them. Thirteen persons professed religion that night.
 Another preaching place was a room ir the old Carding Mill, which stood on the east side of the river above the falls, opposite of Amesville also at the school house on Canaan Mountain, 8 society wal maintained there for a number of years at Mrs. J. Baldwin's house in Canaan Stree, Dist No. 5, now owned by MT. Ives-At MT. Asel North's house near Canaan Valley, ol ''Crofut Corners" as formerly called. Rev. Benjamin Abbott came there at one time tc preach, dressed in a well worn coat and took his place at the hrssids just before time of sermon, unnotleed by those who came in, and listened to tho talk of those present, waiting for tho preacher. and when the time came for service arose and announced his text, preached sermon or Backbiting." at Benjamin Benedict'l house in Canaan Valley, now owned and occupied by William Sarilam. This wal the principel preaching place for severa years Lorenzo Dow called there one Saturday afternoon and inquired if they wished boy to preach for them the next day. Was told 6 local preacher had ar appointment there in the afternoon, Bul if he would remain they would like to heal him preach in the evening, which he did. His text was John 6,9. "There is 6 led hero which hath five barley loavss, and two small fshes." Those who heard the sermon were very much surprised when they learned the boy preacher was the eccentric Lorenzo Dow. Another preaching place wal e: the house of Thsophilus Fenn, which stood just north of the Moore fa1mon the road from North Canaan depot to Ashley Falls He is mentioned as . man of very ex. emplaryc christian character He died in lS30 As early as 1872 when Nathen Tubbs occupi ed the old mill house which stood on the sas side of the bridge at Ashley Falls, there was occasional preaching there. and regular weekly social meetings; then in Sheffield at the house of Lewis Benedict which stood near the present R. R. crossing at the south end of Sheffield Street. The first clssi organized here contained five members one of whom at the time was Q member oi the Congregational Church atshefield, Rev. James Bradford Pastor. He called on thii member and inquired if she had joined only on probation for six months. She replied, ''No, have joined for life.' Then said he, II must read you out oi church" which he afterwards did. When asked if he could not give her letter ot dismissal replied ''yes. but 1t would be making teo low bow to the Methodists.' ? On the west side of the Housatonic River, in what Is known as Wctaug district, at the house of Samuel Blodget, now owned by Jacob Decker, there was occasional preach ing. A short distance north of this place