New Britain herald., 1915-06-28

HI. A. CASTLE.
 the church had made a vigorous growth during it's first year, no pastor had been settled. As a possible choice the Rev. Dillon Williams had been considered but the efforts made to secure him were without success,
 $4OO a Year for Parson.
 On June 18th the society decided to employ Chauncey D. Cowles of Farmington for one year, to date from June 1st, but it was not until March 22 1841 that he was invited to settle over this parish at a salary of $400 per year. At this time the society changed it's title to "The Second Congregational society of Farming ton, to conform with the legal title of the church. and it was agreed, that the collections taken on the first Sun day of each alternate month, be- ginning with February, should be de- voted to benevolent objects as fol- lows.-
 The Seaman's friend society. Home Missions, The Sabbath school union, the Tract society, Foreign Missions, the Bible society,". and further, that the collection taken on the first Sun day in January in each year, should be devoted to paying the expense of communion and for incidentals.
 On April 3 the church concurred with the society in the call to MT. Cowles On June g he was duly ex- amined and on Thursday, June To- 1841 he was ordained and installed.
 During his pastorate here, the Rev. Mir. Cowles built and occupied the house. now the home of Deacon $. F.. Williams, and it is said that Mrs. Cowles was the happy possessor of the first piano owned in Plainville.
 Owing to i'll health MT. Cowles re- signed in 1S43, was dismissed and preached his farewell sermon, on April 16.
 The Rev William Wright was at once secured as supply and was ie- stalled pastor November 8, 18a3. Again Dr. Porter took part in the services and preached the sermon and the former pastor, MT. Cowles offered the openingf prayer.
 Feared End of World.
 The year 1s43 is made memorable in the annuals of this church. by 2 revival, resulting in the addition of twenty -one members and by reason of the activities of loyal Adventists. The preachers of that denomination who came here, had pointed out the fact, that February 15 would see the end of the world and accordingly, some of our towns people prepared their ascension robes, stopped work and awaited the general dissolution of Plainville and all things contain ed therein. Later in the same year, on August 13. Decon Stanley rec ords the fact that This has been such a Sabbath as have never be- ing and walking to and fro on ac- count of a Second Advent meeting held a mile west and a large num- ber of persons have been plunged in the Canal Basin"
 Tn 1s44, s150 was raised, on the basis of stock issue, fifteen shares at $10 each and the money used to pay for an addition to the meeting house whereby two more rows of seats were provided.
 With the opening of 1S49 the de- sire for larger and more attractive house of worship took form. The old building had served it's purpose for nine years and while still sound it could not we'll be further enlarged nor did it's design and interior ar rangement meet the requirements of it's design and interior arrangements meet the requirements of the growing church
 Tn the old original meeting house, the choir loft was at the rear and during the singing of the hymns the congregation arose and faced the singers. As the hymn was named, the chorister, Hiram Hills, announced the tune and page. While the read ing of the hymn progressed. some member of the choir would draw a green curtain, suspended on a wire in front, thus permitting only the heads and shoulders of the singers to show above it. With these pre- liminaries over,- the chorister would strike his tuning fork on the back of is pew, hold it to his ear and sound the key for each part.
 Captain Played Clarion,
 Tn letter written by the late Rev. Alonzo N. Lewis, we learn that Cap tain William Wheeler made music for those services on a Clarion an ancient instrument, relic of the Farmington church. This, with a bass viol and a melodian, Made joyful noise unto the Lord," while the choir joined in under the leader ship of MT. Hills
 The well-to-do members of the church now agreed to be helpful in securing new meeting house and on October 29th, 1S49, when offers of money were actually forthcoming the society met and decided that work