Connecticut western news., 1875-04-02

Norwalk, Fairfield, Stratford. Milford, Bedding, Danbury and Canaan. The first society organized was in the town of Strat- ford, on the 26th of July, l7s9. It was composed of three female members. The first Methodist Church built in the state was in the town of Weston, and was called Lees Chapel. The introduction of Method ism by Lee into Massachusetts, was also attended with difficulty. His first sermon was delivered from Q table under the old historic tree on Boston Common and after remaining in the city week vainly seeking some place where he might preach, on tho invitation of Benjamin Johnson, from Lynn, he visited that place, where, as he tells us. Che found people preps red by the Lord to embrace the pure doctrines of Jesus Christ" The fist society organized ir Massachusetts, was formed here at Lynn on the 2Oth of Feb, l79l, consisting of 30 members, and in June following church waR built there, which was the first Metho- dist Church built in Massachusetts. As early as l790 Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, Presiding Elder of the Hudson River District, set out with '' Black Harry" local preacher, as travelling companion to visit the eastern states. The following account is given of his journey: He entered Litchfield Co.,, and preached in Sharon on the goth of June l79o, to an audience of about one thousand gathered in 6 grove." He adds: "The Devil strove very hard to hinder the spread of the Gospel in this town; but blessed be God, many are under awakenings, and l think tho Kingdom of Satin win be greatly shaken" On the 23d of the same month he preached at Lischfield in the Episcopal Church, where he found large congrega- ton waiting for him, and on the 2sth, he preached at Hartford in the Court House, and from thence he travelled to Boston and Providence R. I. On his return the 24th of July he preached at Cornwall, Conn, and the next day rode to Canaan. He says the work here was very encouraging, classes had already been formed in this town, while here vt this time he appointed q meeting tt private house. The weather proved SO warm he concluded to preach in the open air. The day following he started a subscription for church, which was built he following year, and located a, what is now known as South Canaan. This was the first Methodist Church bull, in the town of Canaan. The subscription l came from persons not connected with any church. It was called the c. Free Church" " This church was repaired in lS40 by Dr. Miles Belden, who subscribed literally and took the general supervision of the work. Fer number of years 1t had been neglected and the original society scattered. Blu, the work of God revived again and the Methodists who held their lmeetings at the school houses, private houses, and else
 where, came back to the old church, which was rtdedicatcd by Rev Wm. Jewelt, P. E. on the Filth of Nov, lS4O. Here they continued to worship until 1855, when the present church at Falls Village was built, and the old church sold and male dwell
 ing house: Tue introduction of Methodisn
 into this section was not without some opposition. Garcttson says, on hi, return to Hartford. II preached to as il
 behaved an audience as have ever seen ir New England. Some of those present were called the gentry; but 50 i'll behaved wer, ttey was oblige to dismiss the meeting al
 an early hour, and declined afterwards tc preach there by candle light. At another
 town, (name not giYeu,) he was waite. on by the village square, accompanied by phalanx of grave townsmen, to discuss wnl him the doctrines of unconditional election and reproduction, the freedom of the will
 and final perseverance, which engaged hin until the midnight hour, when he says they retired, much shaken in their faith.
 | ITO be continued.l