Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-02-05
Q North Haven subscribers were:

These copies have become widely scattered
and 1t Is not even surmised how many are in
existence to day.
OF DR.. Trumbull's church and congrega-
Silica ministry with whom he formed q life
long relationship; Joseph Plerpont, o grad
uate of Yale, class of 1851. Mr.. Pierpont
was five years the senior In age and eight In
graduation of Mr.. Trumbull. II is believed
he was the only college bred native resident
in the church at this time, and perhaps the
only one In the parish, unless 1t was DR..
100; with the latter, however, Mr.. Trum-
bull had nothing In common; on the con-
trary, as these papers progress, IL will appear,
held something OF antagonism.
But in Mr.. Pierpont Mr.. Trumbull found
an educated man, a loyal citizen, a jealous
church official, warm hearted Christian,
and though their ways diverged at last
Joseph Pierpont was the son of Lieutenant
Joseph Pierpont and grandson of the Rev.
James Pierpont of New Haven. He was
born in this parish 1870. His birth, inherit
tance and education made him Congrega-
tionalist. It is not known when he united
with Mrs. Stiles church, but he was elected
clerk of the First Ecclesiastical society in
1907, serving continuously as such twenty
years, or until TIT. Mr.. Pierpont rendered
his resignation as clerk In 1773 and Jonathan
Dayton was chosen to succeed him, but for
some reason never served. Probably Mr.
Pierpont was induced to recall his decision
for he was annually chosen four years furth-
or and were then succeeded by Philip Dag
gett.
It was at this time-1773-Mr. Pierpont
withdrew from the old faith of his fathers
(as praoticed at least in America) and united
with the Church of England. curious fea-
ture Is connected with this transfer. COM
parison of the records of the First and Sec
ond societies reveals him as acting In q dual
capacity.
II will be noted Mr.. Pierpont handed In
his resignation to the First society in 1773.
In that same year he was chosen to be az
sistant clerk in the Second society. Not
withstanding this, as has been shown, he
was annually chosen clerk four years in sue.
cession by the First society and acted as
such for the records are Enthusiastically bis
penmanship. Also during these same four
years he was annually appointed assistant
clerk by the Second society and served them
a. we'll. Thus is presented the rare instance
is there parallel2-of the same official
serving four years in succession as clerk of
both a Congregational and Episcopal body.
NOtsThe term Episcopal I. used here male
to the Revolutionary war.
Rumor has ever been busy with the causes
which led to this action of Mr.. Pierpont.
BY some 1t has been held the revolution
was the turning point, and that his sympa-
thies were with the old mother country.
Such an opinion has no foundation whatever
from the fact that at least two years before
this outbreak his course was decided upon.
Again, 1t is alleged 1t was q harsh and cen-
serious spirit which the honored divine held
against the Church of England which even
tualiy separated them. but they must be in
deed poor readers of history, and particularly
poor students of Trumbull, who find In the
man or his writings any invsctive sufficient
to warrant such belief.
The true cause lay deeper than the surface.
With Mr.. Piespont 1t was q matter of con-
science and belief, In the light of tradition,
and very clear light 1t is. too, the answer
may be read. Giles Pierpont, ST., was
brother OF Joseph In question. 1t was
transmitted by him to his son Giles, and by
the latter to his daughter, that Joseph longed
for return of the old forms of worship %
enjoyed by his ancestors in England. Nor
was this unaccountable. There will yet be
more complete recognition of laws of heredity
than are at present conceded and men will
isolated cases, generations apart, of morality
or immortality faring up with abnoJ NAL
brlllisncy, than for the sudden appearance
of rivers here and there which have flowed
for miles hidden underground.
A glance at tho old English Pierpont lines,
with their starred array Of barons, kni ehts,
lords, dukes and earls, shows the strain of
blood that came to America, and leaves II tile
room to wonder at Its manifestations in 10.
seph's veins.
The tradition further relates that this do.
oision was by no means hasty one. Days,
weeks, months-yes, years, We are told, the
discussion went on In DR.. Trumbull's study
between Mr.. Plerpont and himself over their
theological beliefs, each arguing with all the
intensity OF which he was capable, but alas
In parallel lines that could never meet. There
was much heat ct times, hasty words. tenn
porary excitement, but no lasting rancor. no
unjust reviling, no bitterness marked the
Both were deadly in earnest
and each knew himself to be in the right
The truth ID neither were wrong, for their
were such that one could not
practice the Others belief and still be true to
himself and his maker.
80 they churohwise separated. No 40
though In their social relations. Each enter
Eainsd for the other the most profound re-
gard, and the recital of their attachment
ence:
"Aft<r uniting with 81. Johns church.
whenever any member OF Mr.. Joseph Pier
'outs family was sick he ives accustomed 10