The Press., 1896-12-31
lContinued from last week.l
 HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF sTAF- FORD SPRINGS.
BY REV. J. I. BARTHOLOMEW.

BY REV. J. I. BARTHOLOMEW.
 In 1929 H. s. Ramsdell, Horace MOul- ton and Paul Townsend were appointed preachers on Holland circuit. Brother MOulton informed the class at West Stafford that they could have preaching on the Sabbath if a suitable place could be obtained,-a privilege they had never en- joyed. Accordingly the old unoccupied Universalist church in that part of the town was secured, by lease, for three years. This enterprise was sanctioned by very gracious revival of religion.
 Up to this time Methodist preaching had been limited to the north and north west part of Stafford. We cannot learn that a single sermon had been preached in invitation of the late Josiah Edson, Broth CT Moulton held meeting in an old red school-hOuse, which then stood a little south of the present residence of Farley Converse (this is at the present intersec- tion of Converse avenue and West-Main street), and left an appointment for Broth CT Townsend.
 Exceedingly vexed' describes the state of Brother Townsend's mind when he learned of this arrangement; such was the unenviable notOriety of the place. But, impelled by regard for the chief minis ters to whom he was committed for charge nd nd I11fxy %O submit to their goodly judgment, he went to the appointment. God gave him a message, and prepared the hearts of the people to receive it. At this first meeting large number rose for prayers, who con- tinued to seek pardon till they found peace in believing. Others joined the number, until there was a complete change in the moral aspect of the place. A class of about 40 members, most of whom were converted, was formed at the residence of Brother Daniel Fosket, who was the first leader. By this revival and it's fruits the center of Methodist influence was removed from West Stafford hill to this vicinity l The following spring the class at the north west was detached from Square Pond, and united with the younger but more enter prising sister class here, and constituted a distinct society,""
 ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY.
 It soon became evident that a place of worship would be needed Accordingly, in January, 1882, Rev. H. s. Ramsdell, then for second time preacher in charge of the Holland circuit, called meeting in the old red school-house to form an Ec- clesiastical Society. There were present, besides Mir. Ramsdell, Solva Converse, Farley Converse, Samuel Strickland, Eli Howe, David EdsOn, Henry Gay and David Fosket
 A constitution was adopted, of which the following articles have permanent in terest:
 "Article 3.-It shall be the object of this society to erect house for public worship which shall be free for the preach CTS of the Methodist Episcopal church to occupy at all times when they may wish to occupy or preach in the ssbme.
 Article 6.-The society shall at their annual meeting appoint committee who shall be authorized to admit preachers oi other Christian denominations to preach in the house when the MethOdists do not wish to occupy it.
 Article 7.-The preachers of other Chris tian denominations shall have the privi- lege of preaching in the aforesaid house, provided they apply to the society com mittee for the same, and the Methodists do not wish to occupy it at the same time.
 Article 10.-All persons subscribing the sum of Five Dollars to aid in erecting the aforesaid house shall have the privilege o1 membership in the society. and all who own slip in the aforesaid house or may be received by majority of the votes of the society,""
 An ecclesiastical society, some of whose members are not members or the church is not contemplated in organized Meth. odism, and such societies have seldom, ii ever, existed outside of New England Ir this region, however, the custom with which the people had always been famil far, and in some of the states the civi law, required such organization. Later, as Methodism became strong enough to pro- vide her own public sentiment, and as the civil laws, originally framed to accommo date the form of church government ther prevalent, were modified so ss to allow al the denominations to govern themselves and handle their property by methods 1T harmony with their own ideas of churcE government, these ecclesiastical societies in many cases went out of existence That was true of the society formed here in 1882; but it's work until 1866 was o vast importance.
 This society concerned itself, as showr by the constitution, solely with financia matters At the first meeting, after the organization was effected, it was voted te build house of worship, provided thesum of one thousand dollars could be raised At subsequent meeting, the required subscription having been obtained, Solve