Connecticut western news., 1877-08-31

hand, and by the mention of certain names, Rwakens pleasant memories of the ''long ago."
 Among our most cherished memories, are the pleasant and profitable hours spent in the company of Rev. Albert Nash and Rev. A. Fl. Ferguson, cherished and never to be forgotten friends.
 Other names are familiar; that of the Pre- siding Elder, Deloss Lull. We never heard him preach but once. That was in hls ear ly ministry, when on the Egremont or Hillsdale circuit. as it was called, if we mistake not; the place, Mt. Washington. We went with our elder brother, Erastus B., to hear the new preacher. The house was we'll filled, and after singing, the preacher said, "Let us pray" We closed our eyer, expecting to hear the prayer; pretty soon we heard again, ''Let us pray" Startled, we looked up just in time to hear, "There will be no praying here until you all kneel down." There was sudden kneeling just then. It used to be the fashion in Metho dist meetings for all to kneel, and we are 90 much of an old-fashioned Methodist that we wish 1t was the fashion still.
 Rev. Thomas Lodge, we knew once. We met him first at the house of James Bunce, in Falls Village, where he was holding se- ries of meetings. The eldest daughter of Mr. B. was dark eyed, very beautiful, and full of mischief. The Rev. Bro. had talked to her about seeking her Savior; she only answered in monYsylables. Presently she passed out and returned with 6 hand full of wood. and, after depositing it in the box, passed behind Bro. Lodges chair. and pausing second, while her eyes sparkled with fun, held her hands, with open palms, close to his head. It was Winter; and Bro. Lodge can infer and apply.
 But we wish to speak word of earlier "reminiscences. We remember MT. Sco- field, Presiding Elder. The first time we ever saw hlm was at Hillsdale at camp meeting, held about mile and half north of the depot, if we rightly remember. Not much Is remembered of that meeting There was good deal of noise and rewdy- ism outside of the camp. for many lewd fellows of the baser sort gathered at such places. To our boyish mind, however, the services were very solemn. What impress ed us most was the praying of "Uncle France Brazee." He was constantly pray ing, from one tent to another, from one praying circle to another, until he was so hosrse he could not speak loud.
 Tie camp meeting in Canaan in 1924 is remembered, and the incident about the Key. MT. Miller, and the preachers. Cook and Hubbard were colleagues on the Salisbu- " circuit; their names occur in your re- marks about the Canaan Mountain camp meeting in 1924. Phineas Cook had a voice like trumpet. We remember of hearing him say in 8 sermon on Mt. Riga, preaching in 8 grove, "Take care, am go- ing to give some of you 8 back-handed blow." There were some Presbyterians present, and the back-handed blow con- cerned the author of evil, for he added soon after, "God never made devil"
 Rev Wm. Hubbard is not remembered, but Key. Billy Hibbard-"Uncle Billy Hib- bard as some called him-has and ever will have place in our memory. Billy Hib- bard was a remarkable man. Keen witted, logical, and combatiYe. woe to the man who crossed swords with him. We heard in early life an anecdote which is peculiar ly illustrative of his powers. In his early ministry. on his way to conference, he stopped over Sunday in place where a Methodist minister had never been. Many wished to hear him preach, and he consent cd if the minister and ruling elders of the Congregational church were willing. The ruling elders were willing, and the minister consented on one condition; that was, that he should select the text aud give it to MT. Hubbard when he wished to use it, assign ing as . reason that Methodist ministers ptetended to preach extempore, and he did not believe any man could do 80. MT. Hubbard replied, 'It is pretty hard condi- ton, but by the grace of God 1 will try" After the preliminary services, when MT. Hubbard rose to read his text, the pastor handed him piece of paper containing the following: Numbers, XXI 21.-And Balaam saddled the ass." MT. Hubbard commenced, dwelling in his preliminary on Balaam, who loved the wages of unright- eousness. II Peter. II: 15. eve should have said before, that this incident occurred In Connecticut previous to 1918, when ev. cry man was taxed to support the Gospel Church and State being united.) After dwelling for some time on this trait of Ba- iaam's character, he divided his subject, making three heads. 1st. The Congrega tional clergy were Balaam. 2d. The sad dle was the tax. Sd. The people was the ass, for paying the unrighteous tax.
 Well do we remember the camp meeting in 1880, about one and half or two mile. east of the Deming stand in Canaan. was then that the first deep religious i'm pression was made upon the writer's mind We thought at that time we were convert ed, but we did not for long years live as { Christian; however the impression then re ceived never wholly left us. We remem- Der, as if 1t were only yesterday, the ear nest prayers of the Rev. Mir. Pierce, ss he MT. Henry Belcher, Augustus Jewell, Mat thew and Samuel Smith, and Justus White head, knelt and prayed for me. All goot men and true; all in heaven now, but one Justus Whitehead. Peter P. Sanford, th Presiding Elder, preached the closing ser mon. from Psalm VIII 3, 4.-"When
 consider the work, etc. We remember i better. because number of gentlemen standing near pronounced it ''wonderfu piece of logic," and no doubt 1t was.
 Such camp meetings have passed away Whether tbe present plan IS more conduciv