The Newtown bee., 1904-09-09
WHITE HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH.
REV A. A. BICKFORD GIVES ITEMS GOV
 BRING EARLY HISTORY.

From the record book of the White Hills Baptist church we learn that in February, 1888, there were about IT members of the Baptist church in WeS- ton who resided in Huntington, and that their church, in response to their request, granted them authority to or ganize as 8 branch. They were required to report their statistics annually to the home church at Weston, but they were given the privilege to act with much independence in maintaining local worship and work. Seventeen men and women thus organized as the church on the third of March.
 The year 1887 just preceding these
 winter months was very trying time
 for the whole country. It was then
 that financial storm, which had been
 several years gathering, burst with
 terrible fury. A paragraph in Barnes
 history thus describes this period:
 ssThe banks contracted their circula-
 tion. Business men could not pay their debts. Failures were every day occurrences, and the losses in New York City alone during the months of
 March and April exceeded s100, ,0OO, 900. Property of all kinds declined in val. ue. Eight of the states failed wholly or in part. Even the United States government could not pay it's debts. Consternation Q seized upon all classes Confidence was destroyed and trade
 stood still"
 There were yet other troubles. Not long before a terrible fire has devasta
 ted a large part of the business sec tion of New York City. There wal danger of serious trouble with Eng land growing out of the Canada rebel lion. When we recall the condition o the country, the perplexity and ex
 citement, the widespread despond ency, and when we remember that Il
 was mtdwinter and the country road!
 were covered with snow and ice ane cold winds were sweeping White Hills
 we must think that it was 8 resolut'
 and faithful company who were plan
 ming then to assume the task Of organ
 izino a church and building meeting
 house on those heights.
 AS we said, there were IT of them On the next day after the organization seven were added to them by baptism > A month later IA more were baptized E and by autumn their number ha increased to 38. Ferris Drew wa ], chosen the first deacon and Wrigh > Drew was the church clerk. Of tn 38 members II were Drews, six wer n8mcO bc8IOSl0y anu IF nuUUcAA.
 tI On the l4th day of January, 1S4a 3 the house of worship having been II 3 gently finished, was dedicated with al ) propriate public exercises, the sermo ] being preached by Rev James J. Woo sey of Philadelphia. We do not lear Il at what hour this service was hels 8 but at o'clock on the same day.. a Q ecclesiastical council was convened a the house of Ferris Drew (the hous e recently occupied by Mrs Ambler nea d ly opposite the White Hills meetin # house) to consider the matter of o s ganizing and recognizing this brand l. of Weston church as an independer It body. Public recognition services fe e flowed. Rev Addison Parker Of: Da " bury preached the sermon. 9th 5. parts were taken by pastors ot churc l. es in Bridgeport, Stamford, Newtow ia Weston and Bedding. As we recs 1t the severe weather of recent winter 7s we would perhaps hesitate before ca IS ing people to come from so many q "a 50 distant places to the top of Upl h. White Hills in January. But doul Be less that winter day was full of jubi