Putnam patriot., 1915-10-08
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
Given BY Rev. F. D. Sargent at Second
Congregational Church
Twenty.Ffih Anniversary OF Passionate

the passionate OF Rev, h. u. sargent OF
the Congregational church, we're
brought 70 close last Thursday eve
ming at the church. Frank W. Barber
presided at the services. l., O. VIII
liams was at the organ and the choir
sang during the evening.
The responsive reading was led by
Rev. ]. *. Moore of Thompson. The
sermon was by Rev Asher Anderson.
pastor of the Calvinistic church, Fitch
burg Mass. Rev. c. II. Barber. of the
Westtield Congregational church OF
nanielson. and Rev Harry A. Beadle.
of the Pomfret CONGREGATIONAL church.
administered the Sacrament Rev.
Mr. Sargent pronounced the benedic-
ton.
The first part of Mr. Sargent's his
torical address, delivered on Septem-
Der 26. was published in The Observer
last week The remainder Of it fol-
lows,
These persons served as deacons:
Amherst Robinson, Hobart c, Cut
Ter, Charles ~ Fem Edward N.
Tourtelotte, William H. Ward r w.
Perry. William J, Stone, Jesse Il. pav-
enports June 80, 1871. the tenure OF
office Of deacon was changed from life
TO four years term, so that while for
thirty years. few men held that Of
fee. from that time the number has
percepuhly increased The following
list includes the deaeons since 80:
Myron Kinney. c. n. Fem. J. r.. Day.
export. ". W. Foster +. NJ. Wheaton.
T. z. Botham. r. N Harris, Chauncey
Morse, 4. w. Bowen, Marshall Ken
Won, G. c. Brown, George Coekell, II.
NJ. Corbin. +. w. Seward, G. 4. Child.
G. D. Sharpe. r. H. Clark, S. A. Wing.
A. NJ Clark. George Harrington and
]. G. Johnson. Some of the above have
served the church more than one term
The same uncertainty prevails in con-
nection with the other officers. espec-
tally the Superintendents of the Bible
school While we do not know the
exact date of the organization OF tho
Sunday School yet We are convinced
that the public study of the Word an
tedated the formal organization OF
the church. Presumably the work or
this department of church life was
carried on In much the same manner
as now Without doubt, comparative
ly speaking. a larger interest was
taken In the work than today. Not in
many years have We been able 10 at
tain such an average attendance as ~
recorded In the 70's and the eontiipu-
tians Of the school for henevolence
and general expenses were relatively
larger than now >
During the later years. however.
greater stress has been laid upon bug
mess like methods, both In the study
OF the Bible and the administration OF
the school. Within a few years the
graded system of lessons has been In
troduced, organized classes have been
formed and delegates have been sent
to summer schools and conferences at
Mortified and elsewhere. The school
is gradually becoming the center OF
the various plans for reaching and
training our young people and engag-
ing the cooperation OF all, Mention
ought to be made in connection with
our Bible School of the faithful labors
| Of Mrs. Hiram Brown, who, for twenty
| years had charge of the infant depart
ment and whose training had much to
| do with the building up of the higher
| departments. The church Is fortunate
| in having as Mrs. Browns successor
| so faithful and competent leader as
| Mrs. f. M. Warner.
|
| to have served as superintendents;
DR.. ID. b. Plimpton. Il. f. Whitmore,
| w II. Ward, Carl b. Johnson. G. w.
| Phillips, Chester e. Child, Dr. w. ".
Sharpe, l.. IA. Warner, S. H. Seward.
| L. NJ. Wheaton. Eric II. Johnson,
| George e. Shaw
| The first clerk of the church was
| Mr.. Il. b. Huntington. In all proba-
billty his successor was Mr.. Nathan
| Williams In 1858 we find the name
OF d. b. Plimpton as clerk. We con-
clude that he must have served both
the church and society as scribe.
since his name appears after the doc
uments OF each organization. Report
SAYS that Henry Bennett followed DIR.
| Pllmpton he In turn being succeeded
by Or. William II. Sharpe. who held
the office until 1897. The clerks from
that time have been John Davenport,
w. II. Longden, f. w. Seward. F. Il.
Clark, G. b. Champlin and +. j. Dan
iels.
Music
Never In the history of the church
has there been any lack Of musical
feryor or paucity OF musical ability.
DIR. Plimpton seemed to have gener-
al charge OF the singing In the early
part of the history OF the church. al
though the first formally elected Choir
lister was Mr.. Lewis Williams, who
held that office for twenty-five years.
It would be invldious to make eompar-
isons, especially along musical lines.
since the years of our church life are
so few that the memory OF many OF
our members goes back to the times
when these leaders In song did their
work There Is little doubt, however.
that the foundation OF the musical
ability that has always characterized
the services OF this church Is to be
found IN the perseyering, painstaking
and faithful effort Of its first ehorister.
Like other men OF genius he was al
ways alert. and seldom failed 10 keep
III touch with the musical features OF
the service and all that pertained to
that department OF church life. Oc-
/ easionaiiy, however. even the most
Matchfui may be taken unawareg. 1t
/ is said that upon a certain occasion
al which his friends had planned a
/ surprise. Mr.. Williams refused to be
coaxed 10 the platform. because he
| supposed that some Of his humorous
| friends were about TO give him re-
| turned compliment for one OF hts many
| pleasantries Imagine his chagriu
| when, instead OF tin tea set. which
he was expecting the chairman Of the
meeting presented him with beauti-
full silver service. We have no record
of the remarks he made upon that oc-
casion. MIR. Williams continued %
| .~-..<z H. oS..sr.h a. rhoriafar until hin