Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-08-23

amongst us in the Ministry" The chair
nan of this joint deputation was DR..
Joseph Foote, a warm and lifelong friend
If DR.. Trumbull. This committee set at
work and in the following spring 1819-
he Rev. David D. Field preached on trial.
At the next society meeting they voted
they were pleased with him as Preacher
he should continue four Sabbaths more.
For some reason Mr. Field was not en-
gagged. His successor was a Mr.. Clark.
and of him the society said: "Voted unan-
mously that we are satisfied with Mr..
Clarks Preaching and that the committee
be instructed to hire him to preach on pro-
baton for Settlement, eight Sabbaths
more"
Notwithstanding these strong express
sions.of favor Mr. Clark was not retained
In the meantime DR.. Trumbu1 died-Feb.
I'd, 1920.
REV WILLIAM j. BoARDMAN.
The Rev. w. J. Boardman next came for
ward as candidate. He was Massachu-
setts man. In June 1920, special soci-
ETY. meeting was held whereat it was de-
clared unanimous. "That we are satisfied
with the Rev. Mr.. w. J. Boardman' 8
preaching, and that we will unite with the
Church if they are disposed to give him
call to settle with us in the Gospel Min
istry." The latter body saw fit to concur
and "call'' was extended to him in July,
1920. The following is the text of Mr..
Boardman's reply:
NORTH HAVEN, Aug. Z, 1920.
Gentlemen committeeman respect to
the call which I have received through you
from the church and society to settle with
them in the gospel ministry, I have delib
Grated, consulted my friend, asked the ad-
vice of my fathers in the ministry and
have endeavored to seek direction from the
great head of the church. The result of
the whole is, considering the unamimity
which prevails, a strong conviction that it
is not only call of theirs, but a call of
providence and that to refuse compli-
ance with their wishes would be to run
away from duty,I am not disposed to COM
plain of the offer which they have made
for compensation of my services. l
hope that with the common blessing of
heaven it will prove sufficient for my sup
port. I therefore consent to settle with
them in the gospel ministry upon the con-
ditions which they have proposed, that
they give me 5000 annually SO long as
shall serve as their minister. Suffer me
to express wish that the fund should go
into operation; think it would lead to
render the connection between minister
and people more permanent. Begging
your prayers that we may all be directed
in the path of duty, / subscribe myself
with respect, Your Humble Servant,
william j. BoARDMAN.
To Deacon Joshua Barnes, John Barnes,
Joel Ray, Eli Bracket, Jacob Bassett,
esq.,, Joseph Foot.
Mr.. Boardman was ordained ''the Sd
s,~C o,~%a,,o1>a, 1000 HE al
airy was fixed at six hundred dollars per
year He remained with his people eight
years, and at his request in 1928 the socie-
ty voted to assent to his resignation, but
no steps were taken towards his dismis-
sion. 1t is evident his people aid not wish
such course, for ut a special meeting in
May, 1880, they voted, ''It is our wish to
have Rev. w. J. Boardman continue with
us and supply the pulpit, and that the
committee be authorized to confer with
him and act agreeable to his wishes"
The matter was postponed until 1888,
when he was formally dismissed ON Octo-
Der 30 In 1885 he was installed pastor of
the Congregational church in Northford,
Conn, and died in 1S49.
Of his passionate it may be said that dur
ing it's continuance here the church're
ceived its largest accession of members.
LII dll IueF6 were SCO dutulSSlOuS, oil VI
which but six went in on profession of
their faith. In the year 1881 159 were adj
mitted to it's membership, number never
since equaled
Apropos of this great revival-1831-
the writer is permitted to quote concern
ing it from letter written by Daniel Pier
pont, esq.,, to his daughter in June of that
year Mr.. Pierpont was an Episcopalian:
1--WE have the greatest excitement in
North Haven that has happened within
my memory The forepart of winter it
was chiefly confined to the subject of
temperance, out of which las many sup
pose) grew a religious awakening which
Increased rapidly through the winter and
spring. Mr.. Boardman, with the assist
ance of number of young Presbyterian
in various parts of the town. Just before
electors meeting I made inquiry, but
could not learn that any would attend.
Prayer meetings, conference meetings,
anxious meetings, temperance meetings
and happy meetings of converts seem to
occupy their whole mind; no thoughts
upon politics could be spared. / had my
doubts whether q sufficient number would
get together to do the necessary business
with decency, but when the day arrived
the 4th of April-the electors came to-
gether from all quarters, but there was
not enough SO we made about twenty new
ones, and after feryent prayer offered uI
by one of the young divines,
they were all prepared to bring
in their ballots for represent.
alive. On counting there appeared
to be greater number of votes than even
was given by the freemen of North Haven
at any one time before, and all the votes
except one were for two persons, viz. John
Todd and Isaac Stiles. Stiles had a hand
some majority.
On April IL the four days meetings, as
they are termed, commenced and continued
through the week. The ablest ministers
from New Haven and elsewhere oficiated.
Prayer meetings were held at O'Clock
every morning and conferences every even
ing in every district in town, and all the
houses were crowded.
The Doth of May there were taken into
the Presbyterian church in our town, as
understand, one hundred and twenty-five
persons from the age of eleven and up to
sixty and seventy. Since that the horses
and wagons have had little more rest.
At this time some are happy, some are
crazy, some in despair, and some are care
less as ever. The same kind Of excitement
and flour days meetings" have gone
through most Of the towns around us, and
/ must say from my own observation that
they have been carried on with the great
est propriety of anything of the kind