Putnam patriot., 1909-03-12


from Windham Coautv--A Thompson Min
/ listers Desetioa TO Forelga Missions-rhe
/ Rev. MIR. Potter's Wark Among the Chero.
kees-The Story OF Catherine Brown.
The first missionary sent out from
Windham county, of whom We have
knowledge, was Willard Hubbard, OF
Pomfret, son of Benjamin and Rebec-
ca Hubbard. He found his field of la
Dor among the Mohegan Indians in the
vicinity of Norwich and New London,
aiding the residents in their persistent
+ efforts to Christianise and elevate their
aboriginal neighbors. He was allowed
a small salary by the English mission
airy society supplemented by the labor
of his own hands. From l564 To lT1I
he lahored faithfully in this field, teach
ing the children ard carrying forward
public worship until the approaching
revolutionary struggle compelled re-
linquishment
Pomfret gave also our second Wind
ham county missionary, Thomas Will
liams. known In later generations as
the venerable sFather Williams Tn
der the auspices of the Connecticut mis-
sienary society, formed in i7as, many
of our ministers were encouraged TO
| leave their own ilocks for short tours of
| service among the new countries, but
this Jealous young minister WAS or
dained In South killingiy meeting
house, In 1904, with special reference
ito laboring in the work OF the Gospel
ministry rs "A missionary In the new
settlements Of the United States of
| America DIR. Abel Flint, secretary
of the missionary society, opened the
service, which was carried through
with great soIemnity by DIR. Benedict
of Plainfield, and the most noted min
listers of the county.
Mr.. Williams spent some years in
this work, planting and strengthening
churches In the State of New York, but
his life work was mainly In New Eng
land In what might be called home
missionary service. He supplied many
churches, serving In short pastorates.
| His longest term of service was In the
vicinity of Providence where, as evan
gelist, he reports: "ileId no less than
2,200 preaching services from lsl0 10
1868. y His preaching was extremely
| practical and pungent, its efficiency
heightened by his admitted eecentriei.
ties. Ills knowledge and use of Scrip
ture were very remarkable. Father
| Williams died AT the home of his son
in Providence, al an advanced age.
Many printed sermons still bear Wit
ness To his remarkable ability and
adroitness.
| The formation of the American Board
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
ia 1910, awakened much interest in
this section. Reports of the calling and
ordaining the young missionaries, their
departure from Salem and subsequent
proceedings were most eagerly received
and discussed in every church circle
greatly guickening interest in 'evangel-
| ica and mission work at home. One
of the fist missionary organizations in
| Windbam county was that of Christian
women In kiilingly and Thompson,
who, on Jnly 10, 1916, held meeting
In South Neighborhood tnow In Put
nam, resulting in the formation of
| 'srhe United Female Tract Society of
Thompson and killingly, with the de-
sign of promoting the interests OF evan
gelical pieiy by the distribution Of
tracts and rendering all the assistance
in orr power TO other religious inssitu-
| TONS Al is annual meeting the So
ciety reported a membership f23, and
distribution Of about 1900 tracts.
This united society was superseded
by Bible and Tract Societies in the Sc
vefai towns, raising contributions for
home and foreign fields.
In 1895 Windham county Congrega-
tional church members were organized
az 'Gentlemen's and Ladies' Assoeia-
tions, auxiliary to the American Board
of Commissioners for Foreign Mis-
sions.n
This missionary enthusiasm was ac-
companied by very great and general
revival of religious interest, bringing
into the churches many earnest and
consecrated young men and women
ready TO devote their lives TO any form
of mission service. The Baptist denom-
nations were now taking an active
part i'm the great work.
That wonderful Providence by which
Judson and Rice had been led To consi-
der and adopt Baptist principles while
on their way TO the mission field had
led To the formation Of the Baptis Mis-
sionary Union, and an immediate as
sumption of denominational response
biiity In the worlds conversion. But
while many Joyfully welcomed the
summons others held back. II was so
new. so startling. This far oil India
and BHfmah were 80 unknown, 20 in
accessible. How could plain country
people know that their hard earned
money would ever reach sts place of
destination, or be Fightfuliy expended?
There was even talk OF forming a $50
ciety for the suppression Of missions"
bat there sas great Baptist minis
Ter up here ia Thompson who was mol
troubled with any such scfaples. He
bad read Of the Iaises= ~ carey and
Marshman and believed In the divine
command to preach the gospel 10 every