The Press., 1896-05-21
METHoD1sM AT CRYSTAL LAKE

The following letter to Rev. Otis E. Thayer, ,who is supplying the M. E. church at Crystal Lake, and who lives in and owns the old parsonage, was written to him six years ago by the corresponding secretary of the New England Methodist Historical Society, Rev. Ralph w. Allen, D. D.:
 Your notice of Square Pond Methodism in Zion's Herald of Nov. 5 interested me. In 1882 was stationed on Holland Circuit the third preacher on the circuit, my first appointment; and Square Pond was on the circuit, where 1 spent most of my time. The church there had been greatly reduced in numbers by a secession. The seceders occupied the church one-half of the time, supplied by MT. Webber. There was very bitter feeling between the societies. Many of the best families of the place were connected with our church-the Charters, Newells and Dim ocks. Of the latter there were four brothers-Nathaniel, William, Abner and Amasa-the last a local preacher and ordained deacon. Elisha Rink, local preacher, but for many years travelling preacher, resided there. With the hostile feeling there could but little be done for spiritual religion. Not very favorable state of things for young minister in which to commence his ministerial life But there were some excellent people there, true to God and Methodism.
 The old church was built in 1792, a unique structure, erected by Thomas Spencer, a local preacher of East Hartford, an eccentric genius, the house correspond ing somewhat, to his wild mental oddities. It must have been built, or commenced, in ! 1792, for Bishop Asbury says he visited there in 1794, and found the church in an unfinished state, as he left it two years before. The church in Holland was con- menced about the same time, for Con- l ference was held in it Aug. Il, 1793, then unfinished. I think the Pond church was a little ahead of it in time, and, if SO, it was the fourth Methodist church erected in New England; the two first were in western Connecticut, the third in Lynn.
 A parsonage was built at Square Pond about the same time-a small cottage 8 short distance from the church, q07tSch 3o0s l the first Methodist parsonage erected iq1 Neo0 l E7ogEGqld.. And the parsonage being there it became the headquarters of MethOdism for the circuit, which was one of the great circuits of early New England Methodism. What host of great, heroic itinerants
 
 them were Christopher Spry, Evan Rogers, Lawrence McCombs, Daniel Ostrander, Augustus Jocelyn, John Cove, Noble w. Thomas, John Tinkhan, Hollis Samp- son, Benjamin P. Hill, Joel Steele, Philip Munger, Elias Marble, Theophilus Smith, | Joel Winch, Wm. March, Solomon Win chester, Benjamin Sabin, and Leonard l Bennett.
 Ebenezer Blake lived there in 1919 and 20 and think he was about the last of the preachers who occupied it. The secession followed soon after, and, if mistake not, the seceders claimed the parsonage at any rate, it was not owned by our church in 1889. For about thirty years that parsonage did noble service. Bishop As bury spent many night there, and Bishop Whatcoat was there. Alas when the secession came the glory departed. I saw the end of the old church. On March g. 1883, preached in it, and few minutes after leaving it, it was on fire and soon entirely destroyed. Your present house of worship was erected in 1884, and was dedicated by B. Otheman, stationed in Springfield. Ezra Whitney was on the circuit, but l.. Pierce did not uuite with the Conference till 1885. If he was or that circuit in 1884, he must of been there as local preacher.
 was the presiding elder on the New London District for the years 1843-6, anc during those years the church at the Ponc had somewhat improved. Two Dimocks sons of Nathaniel and Abner, previously named Col. Dimock Gas he was called )anC Abner, Jr., both influential and enter prising, were a great blessing to the church.
 often think of Square Pond, where when but twenty years old, commenced my ministerial life. I shall never forget my first Sabbath there. 1 had entered ) the pulpit, well nigh in the top of the house, and was selecting my hymns, etc. when a loud voice from below rang through the house, ''It is time to begin r 1 did begin, but, if I'm any judge, it was a poor beginning and ending. But was encouraged by their friendly greetings and did my best for them. I am glad tc learn that the close of the first century the church is holding on. May the seconC century be more glorious than the first Success in your labors; may you gather for the heavenly garner many sheaves il , that old Methodistic field!