The Press., 1897-03-18
Continued from last weekly HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF sTAF- FORD SPRINGS. ....
Continued from last week.
BY REV. J. I. BARTHOLOMEW.

If the list of pastors is too extended to allow of any adequate reference to their individual work, much more is that true of the prominent laymen. Some names stand out so prominently in the annals of the church that we cannot well conclude this brief history without at least few personal references. First among these is Orrin HarwoOd, who took charge of the languishing class in 1918, became the head and center of the movement. and under whose leadership the work grew until in 1880, when the church was formed. Dur ing his entire life, of nearly full century, he continued an honored member and faithful supporter. In large sense Meth odism in Stafford must be counted his monument.
 By common consent SOlva and Farley Converse are considered the founders of the church in the village: and it's original location, about midway between the two houses, was considered very appropriate. In reference to them, Stafford Illustrated says: 'There is some difference of opin- ion as to the date which, and the person or persons by whom, woolen goods were first manufactured in the town; but there can be no doubt that the first masterful impulse given to the new industry was contributed by the brothers, Farley and Solva Converse. " Throughout their lives they both continued to be identified with the manufacturing anu other business in terests of the town, and were among it's wealthiest and most influential citizens Their financial support and personal infiu- ence had much to do with the founding of the church and with it's growth during the first half century of it's existence, while their children and grand children are among it's most useful members at present
 Eli Howe, one of the early members and one of the ''joiners" who built the first church, was a man of deep spirituality and great activity in all lines of church work. He was in very truth pillar in the church. In testimony and prayer and song he was power in all the social meet
 
 worker his influence was great. Of no other member in those early days do our older members speak in such enthusiastic praise.
 In this roll of honor must be included Ephraim Dimmick, at one time president of the Ecclesiastic Society, for many years steward and secretary of the quarterly conference: Henry Gay, Ebenezar Har- wood, Asa s. Jacobs, Aaron F. Greene, class leaders; James F. Brooks, Seymour Carpenter and Calvin w. Eaton, local preachers; L. H. Whiton, long a member of the board of stewards, secretary, for years, of the quarterly conference, and clerk and treasurer of the Ecclesiastical Society; Henry Thrall, president of the Ecclesiastical Society, and steward; Orrin Converse, the successor of l.. H. Whiton, both as secretary of the quarterly confer ence and as clerk of the society, for some years class leader, also a steward, and now president of the board of trustees, closely identified with all the interests of the church for nearly half a century, a large contributor to the new church build ing enterprise and to the support of the church; Julius Converse, not a member of the church, but liberal contributor to it's support and to the new church, several years member of the board of trustees, also secretary of the Sunday school; BW. Patten, steward, member of the building committee, and an active. vigorous and successful manager of the financial mat ters of the church; Francis A. Harwood, already mentioned as Sunday school super intendent, was also a member of the com mittee which had in charge the erection of the new church and a contributor toward the new church and it's support, especially diligent and efficient ill the financial inter ests of the church Robbins Patten, a large contributor towards the new church and it's support and to all the benevo- fences, long a member of the official board as steward and trustee, and in every de partment of work J. Wesley Dimock, for many years in charge of the music; Mar GUS Rowland, one of the liberal contrib utors toward the church and it's support i; D. B. Whiton, long an official member, superintendent of Sunday school Geo. s. Adams, steward and active supporter i; Luman Orcutt and Harvey Orcutt, of Or cuttville, official members and substantial supporters.