The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1898-05-13

lustre as tender and aff9ctionate hus
band, prudent, cautious and indulgen
father, compassionate master and
a faithful friend"
Immediately after Mr. Wetmore's dis
mission there was much division OF
counsel and action in the society. Some
were indisposed to take any further
action as separate society, and such as
lived On the western border nearer to
Danbury were DESTROYS Of becoming re-
annexed to the Old society. April, 1885,
the question was put whether they
would seek to supply the pulpit, and &
ms iority voted in the negative. CON-
miGtee was appointed to confer with the
old society and learn on what terms
there could be arranged reunion Of the
two societies, the committee consisting
of Andrew Comstock, Thomas Taylor,
Esq, and Lieut. James Seelye. At an
adjourned meeting, this committee re-
ported the proposal 10 unite with the
first society, with the offer from the first
society that they should have the full
privileges of the society and for three
months in the year they might hire
preaching for themselves and for that
time pay nothing to Danbury. But the
Oppostio to this move had now rallied
and strengthened and majority voted
not to concur, but they contiD ued he
committee and kept the whole question
still opened. April % this vote of nom
concurrence was reconsidered and pass
ed in the affirmative and the meeting ad-
journed to the next day. The opposition
again rallied and at this adjourned meet
ing the vote was again recOnsidered and
negatived and further vote passed to
supply the pulpit for six mo4ths. In
October they voted to sustain their sup
ply by tax. To this there was 8
strong protest, consisting Of the follow
ing names, viz: Dea Stephen Trow-
bridge, Thomas Taylor, ESQ, Lieut.
John Benedict. Lieut. Joseph Benedict,
Capt Thomas Stair, Samuel Taylor, E; q =,
DR. Peter Hayes, Lieut. Matthew Starr
and Eliakim Starr. In the following
May number memoralized the General
Assembly, asking to be set off to the old
society, but they were opposed and pre-
vented. At length this movement for
reunion and then for secession was
given up and general acqulescence in
the desirableness of continuing distinc let
society followed, and in December they
voted to put new roofs upon the meeting
house. Subsequently Mr. Eliakim Starr
obtained the assent of the society to his
joining at Danbury, where he was ap-
pointed afterward deacon, and continued
in that connection to his death.
Rev Joseph Peck, a member of an ad-
joining Pre- sbytery in New York state,
had been employed for six months, and
on March u, 1876, he was engaged to
preach for year from the first of May
next, and q tax was laid for his Salary
He was at success sive periods employed
by vote as stated supply during three
or four years, and seems to have given
general satisfaction as such supply,
though the society were not disposed to
call him to permanent settlement. He
died, and was buried in this place May
10, 1891, aged 81 years. There are re-
corded seven persons as admitted to half
covenant by Mr. Peck.
In April, 1890, Samuel Sturges, 8
young licentiate from the town Of Fair
field, was invited to preach four Sab
baths on probation, and direct call to
him to settle in the Gospel ministry here
was made out August 4, 1870. For some
reason the call was declined, but his
preaching seems to have been blessed
with the
FIRST REVIVAL OF RELIGION WHICH
THIS CHURCH HAD ENJOYED.
Within few month there were "a ad
missions to the church in full commun-
ion. Lieutenant James Seelye, and
EbeneZer Silliman, were chosen deacons
October 80, 1870.
The revived state of religious feeling
had induced disposition to exclude fur
ther admissions on the plan of the half
way covenant. at O. church meeting
with Rev Mr. Lsngon, of Danbury, for
moderator, July, 1871, it was voted that
no persons shall have any privilege in
this church, unless The be a .member in
full and complete standing. Also voted,
That those who have already owned the
covenant, and do not come to the sacra-
menC of the Supper, this church lock
upon as members in complete standing,
under their watch and care, and liable to
discipline. Voted, nevertheless, That
such as have already or shall in future
enter into covenant, and plead doubt and
fear, about coming to the Supper, in
them for the present, that they may get
further light concerning their duty. A
new form of confession of faith and, cove
nant, was also adopted.
The parish had now beensdestitute of q
settled pastor for about seven years, aud
a strong desire began to be manifested
for permanent ministry. Rev John
Bly,, q young licenoiate from Lyme. was
employed as candidate, and preached
to their acceptance. A call was ex end
ed TO him to settle, September 6, which
he accepted November 8, and was or
dained November 81, 1891.
The Consolation were -:
Rev Jzrahiah Wetmore, Mr. Abraham Brins.
maed, North Stratford.
Rev Nathaniel Bartlett, Mr. Lemuel San
ford, Reading.
Rev Elisha Rexford, Mr. Diodate silliman,
New Stratford, Monroel.
Rev David Ely, Capt John hudson, Ripton.
(Hunting toni.
Rev stephen w. stebbins Dea isaiah Bron-
SON. Strathelds now bridgeport
Rev Timothy Langdon, Dea Joseph Cook
Danbury.
Rev David Higgins, Dea Seth Ely. Newaelc.
(Brookneld).
Dea Ephraim Hubbell, New Fairfield,