The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-10-27

Milford. Conn. the only survivor of the first board Of trustees. His mother was l an active member also. as was his 1 brother Howard, who was in business on State street. At his death, caused by consumption at the early age Uf twen- 1 ty-four years. he left $1O0.00 to the 1 church Among the early members were Lucius AtWater, Daniel Trow- bridge, Charles Wharton, Samuel Nal ] lett. Anson Swift William o. Arm strong, Charles Plumb. Merrill Green wood and Rev. John s. Haugh, now superannuated preacher and living in Cheshire.
 Among the first lady members of the church were Sisters Atwater. Plumb, 1 Parmelee. Butler, Gilbert. Armstrong. and many more of precious memory. The first treasurer of the church was Daniel Trowbridge. The preachers in charge since the church was organized i were as follows: 1S52-3, Rev. J. E. Eearles. Rev. William c. Hoyt was appointed pastor, remaining l two years and doing faithful 1 service. At this time the par sonage was at 16S George street. In 1S56-7 Rev. William F. Collins was pas tor. After the enthusiasm of the new enterprise had in part subsided the growth of the church was much slower than at the beginning. About this time several of the leading members return ed to First church and in 1858 when ] Rev. c. B. Ford became pastor the membership had declined from 1S2 to tS7.
 1 By earnest work he more than won back the members and when he left in the spring of 1860 the church was in splendid condition, both spiritually and l financially. I quote from letter of Bro. Ford, written few years ago. In writing of his reception at George i street he says, "I was received very 1 cordially, and the treasurer gave me a check for $1OO, as payment of salary in advance. thing of which had hith- 1 erto no experience"
 Bro. Ford may have been the first pastor to be treated that way but we are glad to say he was not the last.
 The Thanksgiving services in con- nection with the several Methodist 1 churches of New Haven, were held on 1 Thursday morning. November "A, 1859, at the George Street M E. Church. The religious services were conducted by the Rev Mir. Collins of Kansas, Dr.
 Heman Bangs, P. E. of N. Y. F.. dis trict, Rev. L. L. Weed, pastor of First M E. Church, Rev. c. B. Ford, pastor of George Street. Rev. Morris Hill,
 Rev. MT Dingar and others. A goodly number from the various churches composed the audience. The sermon from which we make several quota tions in this paper was by Rev George w. Woodruff of St. John Street Church. From 1S60-1S61, Rev, Abraham s. Fran cis was pastor and was very popular.
 In 1882 Rev. Ichabod Simmons was appointed to this charge, remaining two years and accomplishing a grand work. Quoting from letter of Bro. Simmons, written not long before his death, we find the following in relation to his pastorate at George Street Church, Father Abraham's call for three hundred thousand more, re- verberated through the land, when t took charge of the church. I was a young man. untried in the delicate in- tricacies of city ministry. The city Twas alive with soldiery, several regi- ments being encamped in the suburbs. Among them were enrolled many from
 our church, foremost among whom
 were Captain Frank Lovejoy and Lieu tenant French of the 18th. both official workers in our Sunday school, as we'll as many other brave fellows, who went out from us to save their country. Bro. | Simmons speaks of some of the leading members of thee hurch. He says, q was greeted kindly by warm-hearted people. who sustained me magnificent ly. The great-hearted William o. Arm strong, who used to step modestly in- to the parsonage, and ask if there was anything wanting to make us comfort
 able, and Philando, his brother, who was always found ready for every good church work. There was also Philando
 Ferry, Lucius Atwater, David H. Hine, Margnus Manson and many others, with elect ladies not a few.
 At this time we find seven classes. The leaders were Bros Willis Plumb, Greenwood, Warren, Vaudeville w o.
 Armstrong, and one at City Point,
 Headers name not given). Bro. Arm
 strong's class met Sunday noon and
 was place of genuine power
 The church was enlarged about this time, twenty-five feet being added to the front. lecture room built and a
 new pipe organ purchased. Bros. W. O.. and Philando Armstrong were a committee with the pastor, and bore generous part in meeting the expenses. iThe day fixed for re-opening the church
 was January 2, 1863. All of the former
 pastors were present and all dined with
 Bro. P Armstrong.
 The morning was dark with a storm
 at hand. Services at the church conn.,
 menced at 2:30 D. m. P E. Heman
 Bangs read the hymn and offered pray
 CT. Sermon by Rev. J. E. Searles from
 text John 3, 16, God so loved the
 world, etc" The storm commenced at noon and ragged furiously with sleet and high winds. At D. m. a large audi
 ence gathered at the platform meeting,
 which was addressed by all the former
 pastors and leading laymen. The day was one of great interest and profit to
 all who attended.
 In 1864 Rev. J. k. Searles was re- turned to the church and remained three years, the time limit having been Heightened. His ministry was crowned with success.
 Rev. John Pegg was pastor during 1S67-6S. He was godly man and churches favored with his ministry