Connecticut western news., 1875-04-16
History of Methodism.
IN THE OLD CANAAN CIRCUIT,
 By J. H. L.l
50 MOTE IT BE.
[Continued,l

Lorenzo Dow at one time preached in the old church. His text was Acts 35 ''Take heed to yourselves, what ye intend to do as touching these men," His sermon was addressed to those who opposed Metho- dism. He cautioned them 10, 1st, take heed to themselves, 2d, to the doctrines they received, 3d, to the manner of their life." When speaking of doctrines under the 2d division of his sermon, he said "when a'person is first converted they are Arminians in doctrine believing that Christ died for all but how comes it that some afterwards believe that Christ died only for part" "I I will tell you" said he. "Most of you are like nest of young birds, who with open mouths are ready to take any thing offered, fruit, flies, bugs or worms, it makes no difference. You choke and swallow.shit or miss, amen down with it.
 In 1924 Wheeler Smith who at that time was local preacher, taught school at Nor folk, and while there commenced holding meetings in the schOol-house. He was assisted by John w. Mead, who was also 8 local preacher. and several of the brethren from Canaan. The result of these meet ings was the organization of class of 13 members. A few years after church was built there, which continued to be occupied until within few years. The society has been broken up by removals and with drawals, and the church is now kept as a sort of theatre for all travelling or local entertainments.
 In 1888 Rev. Julius Fields and J. B. Wakely were appointed to this circuit. Rev. Wakeley writes me:-''The Salisbury circuit. Gas it was then called) was 80 miles around, and included the following preach places; Canaan, East Sheffield. Cor Demm- ings Corners.) Sheffield, Egremont, Mount Riga and Washington, Hillsdale, Taghkanic Johnson, Culvers, Pine Plains, North East, Sharon, Salisbury, South Canaan, Canaan Mountain, Canaan Street and Norfolk"
 Rev. Fields resided at North East, Rev. Wakely resided at Canaan Valley. It was the first year of his ministry and the incl dents are not without interest. He says that at one place he preached in a ballroom, had a fiddler's box for his pulpit. Here 8 revival of great power spread, resulting in the organization and building of the church at Copake. At Salisbury they gave the young preacher (Wake]ey) new suit of clothes, as his looked little seedy. At ChapinYille Quakeress heard him preach, and when asked how she liked the young preacher replied, ''Very well but think he had best have term at Jerusalem till his beard had grown. This year churches were dedicated on the circuit, one at North east, one at Chapinville, and one at Egre- mont. In 1884 that grand old circuit, large enough for conference, was divided, and several chs rges formed. Thls part of the circuit was called Canaan, though not in the form of circuit, it was more like fish pole, all long and no wide. Wakeley says Ut was so narrow the preacher had to be careful in turning around or he would get off his circuit" It included at thls time, Tyrringham, Hartsville, Hadsell District, East Sheffield, Canaan Valley, Norfolk and North Goshen. In 1886 J. B. Wakley and Aaron Rogers were the preachers. This year an appointment was made at Ashley Falls, service was held in the old red school-house and in pleasant weather in a pine grove just north of the school-house, where temporary seats and preachers stand were erected. J. B. Wakley organiz-