The Press., 1909-06-23


 Orcutt, Grace Wakefield. Joanna Con- verse. Marian Alden, Patience Bloss. Mary Bloss Seven males and four teen females.
 K Two weeks later the church "Ohose Samuel Bloss, Jr. to publiokly inn prove his gift at present with us. :" Also "Voted to license Bro. Saml. Bloss, Jr., to improve his gift wherev- er door is opened.
 S On January 1 1910, 1t was Voted Shat we esteem it a privilege for Bro. ssanl. Bloss, Jr., to continue with ns and become our elder" He was ordained the following April, so that #now we find a church with a settled
 sstor.
 The question of salary early arose, Tor on December z, 1910. it was ' Voted to give Bro. saml. Bloss. Jr i. s2O0 yearly to compensate him for his public labors among us, to be raised by voluntary subscription; if there be not so much subscribed, then he is at liberty to be absent so much of the time as will be proportional to the deficiencies, '' and this method Twas to continue as long as satisfactory to both parties, when three months notice was to be given aud the agree Ement should terminate.
 August 25, 1914, it was 'Voted |Ihat the church give Elder Bloss a letter of dismissal from the pastoral feare of this church, and a reoom- mendation to any other people where God in His promise may call him, when requested. '' However. it is probable that Elder BIoss continued to fill the pastoral office until Sep tember. 1915. The records are not complete on this point.
 | November 1, 1877, 1t was ''Voted to give Bro. Benj M. Hill, licenti- ate of the Thompson church. 8 call to come and live with us and become our minister. His reply was "That he has no objection to complying with our request if he and his family can be supported, and would be ready to come about the first of Nay E Under date of August 8, ISIS. this nnusual record is found: "Heard a letter from the church in Thompson, stating they had voted to set apart Bro. Benj. M. Hill to the work of the ministry, and requesting us if it should be privilege to us to have the ordination take place in Stafford to inform them what time would be most convenient, etc., etc. ! The council and ordination oo- fgarred the fourth Wednesday of Sep tember and Elder Cans of Providence preached the sermon. Elder Hill was ordained as a minister at-l large rather than as pastor of church. As to his salary, we find the following under date of March 23, 1819: ''Voted, that we furnish Bro. Hill with the sum of $25O for his support for the year ensuing" Elder Hill closed his labors here in March, 1891, having accepted the pastorate of the First Baptist church of New Haven. His subsequent labors were as pastor of the Baptist church in Troy, N. Y., and for twenty two years secretary of the American Baptist Home Mis- sionary society.
 The minutes of the Connecticut Baptist convention for 1881 gives the following obituary sketch: :-
 "Benj. M. Hill, D. D. Died being old and full of days. He came tC his grave in full age like as a shook of corn cometh in in his season. In his early years he was actively and successfully engaged in the Master 's cause at period when our Baptist zion had fewer workers than now. Possessed of more than ordinary ability, he served churches in this and other states with fidelity and zeal. The churches of New Haven cherish his memory with feelings of gratitude for the wise foundation work that he did in that city. As an earnest mem ber of this convention in former years. and especially as the secretary of the American Baptist Home Missionary society, he YVES closely identified with the canse of home evangeliza- tion. .''
 During Elder Hills pastorate il was voted that two members of the church Ezekiel Skinner and Ebenezel Thresher, should improve their giftl where the Lord shall lead them, ' and on Elder Hills retirement it was voted to request Bro. Skinner who was at that time 8 practioing physi- clan of the town to continue with us and be our minister. '' Dr. Skinner remained, however. little more than a year, for in 1922 he was dismissed to join the First Baptist church in Ashford. Dr. Skinner's sen, Rush, who had been 8 member of this church, later became missionary in Liberia. but dying in youth, was succeeded by his father. who also served for time as governor of Liberia. There are those in our town today who recall with sacred memory this former pastor of this and other churches as man of God.
 In April, l323, Elder Samuel Bioss returned to Stafford and again served as pastor. closing his labora in 1925
 From 1925 to March. 1927, there was no settled pastor. but on the latter date Elder John M Hunt began his labors on this field, devoting one-half his time here.
 After Elder Hunts departure in 1881 the pulpit was supplied by Elder Leonard Gage. formerly 2 mem
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