{"1": {"fulltext": "F44\\n.P67P7", "height": "3638", "width": "2097", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0001.jp2"}, "2": {"fulltext": "^c? ^0^\\n.0", "height": "3497", "width": "2003", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0002.jp2"}, "3": {"fulltext": "c^ oVC^S^ ^ov^\\n^0\\nM (y\\nx^--^\\n^1^^N^ ^^^^\u00c2\u00a3Y^V ^\u00c2\u00b0-^^^V^ ^Y^^^O^\\nA o.\\nP r.\\nV\\n^O.\\n\u00e2\u0096\u00a0f^ S ./-v-\\n-v.\\n0^\\ns i.\\n^.p. ^S\\n-Jf^/X^IK^A\\n\u00e2\u0080\u00a2n-0^\\n0^ -o^.-,^ A\\no h\\n^\u00c2\u00b0u\\no\\nc\\n^o-r-^ :2^iMf .-^q\\no.", "height": "3497", "width": "2003", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0003.jp2"}, "4": {"fulltext": "", "height": "3477", "width": "1889", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0004.jp2"}, "5": {"fulltext": "", "height": "3482", "width": "1853", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0005.jp2"}, "6": {"fulltext": "", "height": "3492", "width": "1972", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0006.jp2"}, "7": {"fulltext": "HISTORICAL ADDRESS\\nAND OTHER EXERCISES\\nON THE\\nONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY\\nOF THE\\nFIRST BAPTIST CHURCH,\\nOF PLAINFIHLD MERIDFN NEW HAMPSHIRE,\\nSEPTEMBER 6. 1892.\\nLKHANdN. N M.\\ni;SS OF A. li. FKKKMAN.\\nli. Q2.", "height": "3441", "width": "1947", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0007.jp2"}, "8": {"fulltext": "oi\\n^vVo xcQ of the dburd].-!^\\nWhekkas: In the preparation of this Centennial Address, our\\nbeloved Pastor has exceeded our highest expectations, therefore\\nResolved: That we express our appreciation of his faithful,\\nefficient, efforts in the ministry of the Word and all other departments\\nof the pastorate.\\nStehhen D. Stone,\\nConverse Cole, ^^^^^^^ons.\\nWilliam C. True, i\\nConverse Cole, [-Church Committee.\\nAsa Walker,", "height": "3487", "width": "1941", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0008.jp2"}, "9": {"fulltext": "The Exercises.\\nTuesday, September 6, 1892, was an interesting^ occa-\\nsion to the Baptist Church in Meriden, being the looth\\nanniversary of its organization. The church was tastily\\ndecorated with flowers, and above the pulpit at the right\\nand left respectively appeared the inscriptions 1792,\\n1892, in evergreens. The program, under the direction\\nof the pastor, was as follows:\\nI. ANTHEM. I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me.\\nChoir.\\nINVOCATION.\u00e2\u0080\u0094 Lord s Prayer, Rkv. G. C. Trow.\\nADDRESS OF WELCOME. Mr. Wm. C. True.\\nRESPONSE. Rev. O. C. Sargent.\\nANTHEM. The Earth is the Lord s. Choir.\\nSCRIPTURE READING. Rev. J. F. Fielding.\\nPRAYER. Rev. N. F. Tilden.\\nANTHEM. Sing and Rejoice, O Zion. Choir.\\nHISTORICAL ADDRESS.\\nRev O. Wilson Kimh.vll.\\nADDRESS.\\nThe primary object of histor\\\\- is to accurately narrate\\nthe acts and experiences or man. Therefore the historic\\nsubject is man. This paper will deal with the events of a\\ncentury in which Christian men and women were con-\\ncerned. It is a partial biographical sketch of a branch of\\nthe Church of the Holy Christ. It hints at the successive\\nactivities and fortunes of a God-fearing few. There is\\nnever space for history, or time for its perusal, which does\\nnot include God and His dealings with the children of\\nmen especially those in the federal compact of heart\\nthrough Jesus Christ.\\nThis church had its birth of organization at the house\\nof one fames Kimball, on the 6th day of September, 1792.\\nIn what section, the meagre records make no mention. It\\nis not improbable that the event took place in what is\\npresently known as the True neighborhood.\\nSubsequent inquiries have led to the unquestioned\\nconclusion that the said James Kimball owned and occu-\\npied the premises now known as the Parker Cole place", "height": "3487", "width": "1941", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0009.jp2"}, "10": {"fulltext": "4 A)uni crsaiy h..xcrciscs.\\nthe childhood home of the present senior deacon, Con-\\nverse Cole. Standing amid the ruins, recently, a peculiar\\nreverential awe crept over us, and we withdrew with addi-\\ntional convictions that it was none other than the identi-\\ncal spot where the compact was formed.\\nThe council, convened on that occasion, consisted of\\nElders Jedediah Hebbard and John Drue, with lay breth-\\nren from the Baptist Church of Hartford, Vt. After ear-\\nnest prayer for divine guidance. Elder Drue was chosen\\nmoderator and Elder Hebbard scribe. The compendium\\nof faith and practice held by those wishing to become a\\nchurch was found to be in accord with that of the church-\\nes to which the several brethren belonged. They were,\\ntherefore, duly formed and subsequently received into the\\nfellowship of sister churches.\\nDropping the thread of religious thought, we note a\\nfew of the events and achievements of the secular world.\\nTwo years prior to 1792, the District of Columbia was\\nfixed as the future seat of the United States government.\\nEight years later the capital was fully established at\\nWashington. New Hampshire joined the Union three\\n3 ears previous to the establishment of this Christian body.\\nIn 1790 the population of Flainfield did not exceed 1000.\\nThe federal constitution, that wonderful document,\\nthe only alternative against cu il war, was five years old.\\n(ien. George Washington, its promoter and the first pres-\\nident of the Union, was serving the fourth year of his first\\nterm. About this time the first coach to carry the British\\nmails left London for Bristol. In France, St. Motngolfier\\nraised the first balloon. A little later and Robert Fulton\\nconstructs the first steamboat, and operates it upon the\\nwaters of the Hudson. A few years pass and the first\\ntrain of steam cars rolls out of Baltimore for Elliot s\\nMills Then came the first telegraph in America by Prof.\\nMorse.\\nGlancing back to the old country, among the numer-\\nous inventions is that of the Frenchman Daguerre, by\\nwhich photographic likenesses of the human face were\\nproduced. The spread of the English language its\\ndevelopment among the nations of the globe in the last\\nhundred years is simply wonderful. You will allow me\\nto call it the gateway for the conquest of Christ s king-\\ndom. The recent Canterberry revision of the Holy Bible\\nwas a necessity of the time consequent upon the rapidly-\\nincreasing interest among students of the English scrip-\\ntures. Among the marvels of human achievement in the\\nhundred vcars are those with the forces of electricity.", "height": "3472", "width": "1921", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0010.jp2"}, "11": {"fulltext": "A/n/i-i ci saiy J :.\\\\c irises. 5\\nThe lights, the street cars, the tcle[)h()ne, and the thous-\\nand and one other appliances of this niii,dity, yet invisible\\nai^ent.\\nWhat wouhl our fathers have thouy;ht to hax e seen the\\nphonograph and listenetl to its touching utterance of the\\nwords and music of loving ones long since silent in death?\\nDoubtful indeed if Elder Jonathan Cram, the first preach-\\ner to this Church, could have maintained his mental equi-\\nlibrium had he suddenly come upon one riding the bicy-\\ncle. In July of this year a relay bic\\\\-cle run from Charles-\\ntown, Mass., to Portsmouth, N. II., with important navy\\n\\\\-ard documents, was made in four hours and ten minutes.\\nIt is a noteworthy fact that the center of population\\nin the United States has moved westward at the rate of\\nnearly fifty miles each decade of the centurw\\nDropping the thread of secular thought, we now re-\\nsume that of the religious. Vm a series of years the\\nchurch held its public meetings in private dwellings, sub-\\nsequentl\\\\- in the schoolhouses, later alternating between\\nthe two situated at East Plainfield and the Tiue district.\\nI do not deem it wise to recite, in this connection, the de-\\ntails of experience during those \\\\-ears of struggle. To\\nmention the eccentric acts of those days would be but to\\nmake you mirthful. Suffice it to say that the standard of\\ndiscipline was at a high altitude, and exceedingly exact-\\ning. There was much of the grace of love, but law looked\\nhead and shoulders higher, at times, to say the least. The\\nmain object of the church meeting seemed to be to con-\\nsider the conduct of certain members, to vote, to x isit,\\nreport, excommunicate, etc. Sometimes the ground of\\nthe grievance was unsoundness in the cardinal doctrines\\nof the special faith. There were a few along with them\\nin those days who could hardly digest all included in the\\ndoctrine of the trinit\\\\\\\\ election, foreordination, persever-\\nence of the sain ts, etc.\\nThe ]:)eo|)!e of prominence were the Blanchards,\\nthe Crams, the Hebbards, and the Kimballs. The\\nname of True appears early in the records, and, unlike\\nsome others, proves reliable. It was at a meeting hehl at\\nthe house of one Daniel True, Ma\\\\- 4th, 1795, that the\\nchurch voted to ordain Jonathan Cram to the\\nministr\\\\- of the gospel. Elder Cram was the first to exer-\\ncise the pastoral care, and to minister regularl)- to this\\nchurch. That he was a worthy man, none will question,\\nbut his goodness is not proxeii l)\\\\- his jiractice of preaching\\nsci-nions four hours in length. The low, narrow seats\\nin the school-houses must have se\\\\ erel\\\\- tested the faith", "height": "3487", "width": "1941", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0011.jp2"}, "12": {"fulltext": "6 Anniversary Exercises.\\nof the attendants who sat, without rising, during the pro-\\ntracted service. The house he occupied was situated on\\nthe hill overlooking the valley south, near the present\\nresidence of brother Wm. C. True, on land now owned\\nby Mr. John Hammond F rench. The old cellar, partially\\nfilled with the accumulating debris and growth of bushes,\\nis the only relic.\\nFrequent inxitations came from the Congregational\\nsociety to unite interests, and worship God with them.\\nThe kindness of the Congregationalists was heartily ap-\\npreciated, but for reasons better known to the Baptists,\\nconsolidation seemed not advisable. In 1799, by special\\nrequest of the church in Lebanon, this church sent its El-\\nder and several delegates to examine and aid in the ordi-\\nnation of one Laban Hall to the ministry of Christ. The\\nscr\\\\ icc was appointed to take place at the residence of\\none Pelatiah Hush. Requests for councils concerning\\ngrievances between the two churches in Grafton were\\nquite frequent. Re\\\\ ivals, or special seasons of religious\\nrenewing, were not numerous among the churches at this\\ntime.\\nIn the \\\\ear 1800 Uriah Smith, a member of this\\nchurch, a candidate for ordination as an evangelist, was\\nexamined by council convened at the house of Benjamin\\nTrue, and pronounced Not ripe enough in doctrinal\\nknowledge. Doctrinal soundness seemed essential in\\nthe estimate of our ancestors. To talk glibly, even if\\nnothing is taught substantially, seems an immense ability\\nin the opinions of not a fevv of today. Reject undeserv-\\ning applicants, and an increase of ministerial efficiency\\nwould follow.\\nThe records indicate that in the year 1803 the Bap-\\ntists worshipped with the Congregationalists; that at a\\ncertain conference meeting deacons Kimball and True\\nwere chosen a committee to confer with the Congrega-\\ntional society with reference to securing Elder Kendrick,\\nof Cornish for a given .Sunda\\\\ Subsequentl) the said\\nElder Kendrick preached freciuentl) for this church, in\\nschool-houses and other places. On June 5th, 1812, the\\nnames of Reuben and Hannah True were added to the\\nlist of church membership. The records are not replete\\nwith interesting items between the last named date and\\n1820. P^vidently there were not a few dark da}s during\\nthose years.\\nOn Sept. 20th, of the }ear 1820, several of the breth-\\nren and sisters, namely, J. Cram, Willis Kimball, Moses-\\nTrue, Levi Cram, Richard Evans, Anna Cram, Betsey", "height": "3497", "width": "2003", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0012.jp2"}, "13": {"fulltext": "Aiii/ivirsaiy /ixcrciscs. j\\nCram, and Charlotte Kimball met for the purpose of rc-\\nconsccration and pra}-er for the descent of the Spirit.\\nIn 1 82 1 the church voted to take steps toward the\\nformation of a Baptist Society, and to circulate a sub-\\nscription paper for the purpose of securing funds for the\\nsupport of preaching according to Baptist belief. Reu-\\nben True, Richard I^vans, and George Avery were ap-\\npointed agents to solicit said funds. About this time one\\njuicier Coburn made a visit to these brethren of like pre-\\ncious faith and was invited to preach. He remained with\\nthe church, doing most of the preaching, for a term of\\nnearly five }-ears, during which time several imptjrtant ad-\\nditions were made. It is presumed that Rider Coburn\\nwas earnest and of average abilit\\\\\\nDuring the \\\\-ears from 26 to 30 l^^lder Kcndrick of\\nCornish was the principal preacher. I^21der Kendrick was\\na man of magnificent ph\\\\ siqut well proportioned, and\\nof commanding presence. He was not classically culti-\\nvated, but possessed mental abilities of no mean order.\\nReligiously he was sound in the faith and brave to a fault,\\nof eccentric habits, yet conscientious. The records gi\\\\ e\\nnothing definite concerning church progress during these\\nyears of intermittent pastoral service.\\nIn February, 1832, the committee requested Clement\\nHough to communicate with his brother. Rev. Joseph\\nHough, of Bozrah, Conn., with reference to his settlement\\nas pastor of the church. Mr. Hough came, and after five\\nweek s trial was unanimously elected to the pastorate.\\nAbout this time one Elder John Peacock appears among\\nthe passing pictures. Having no special connection with\\nthe church, I can spare but this brief mention. In the year\\n1829 an important meeting was held at East Plainfield,\\nnear the residence of Dr. Martin, on which occasion steps\\nwere t d en toward the erection of a church edifice. The\\nconstitution adopted specified the dimensions as fifty b\\\\\\nforty feet, one story high, with steeple and belfr} The\\nplans were successfulh executed, and the completed\\nhouse dedicated to the worship of God in Ma\\\\-, 1832, the\\nRe\\\\-. Oren Tracy preaching the dedicatory sermon, from\\nthe scripture found in Gen. 28: 17. This is none other\\nbut the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.\\nOf the impressiveness of the service there arc but brief\\nhints. It is taken for granted, however, that intense en-\\nthusiasam centered in the occasion No doubt the burden\\nof building had pressed heavil}- on the few, and common\\ncomforts had been sacrificed that the house of hoi) wor-\\nshij) might be provided. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\y the first church building", "height": "3487", "width": "1941", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0013.jp2"}, "14": {"fulltext": "8 A/uiii crsai V Rxciriscs.\\nwas located in the east part of the town we do not know,\\nbut presume in the interests of the south Lebanon breth-\\nren.\\nThe house being dedicated, a series of revival scrx iccs\\nbegan under the supervision of pastor Hough, assisted\\nby brethren from the adjacent churches. The church\\nwas revived and souls were saved. Among the important\\nadditions was that of Samuel Winkley of precious memo-\\nry, a man of sterling qualities who subsequently became\\ndeacon. Deacon VVinkley seemed a born leader. With\\nconsecrated abilities he was enabled to aid in all the\\nvaried interests of the body of which he was proud to be\\na part. About this time meetings were frequently held\\nat the Plain to accomodate those resident in that part of\\nthe town. The pastorate of Elder Hough closed earl\\\\- in\\nthe year of 1834. He was evidently a good leader and of\\naverage preaching abilities. For nearly a year the church\\nwas pastorless, then the Rev. J. E. Strong of Gilford was\\ncalled. The work under pastor Strong seemed to open\\nauspiciousl) In January or February of this year a pro-\\ntracted meeting resulted in the conversion of thirt}-or more\\nwhose ages ranged from 13 to 32 years. These accessions\\ngreatly encouraged the brethren; the church took a new\\nlease of life. In the year 1835 they reported a member-\\nship of 57, with contributions to benevolent objects\\namounting to Si I 5.22. Such magnificent offerings, con-\\nsidering the number, are proof positive of the genuine-\\nness of the work of grace just closed. Pastor Strong re-\\nmained about a year and closed his labors. Again the\\nchurch was destitute of a visible head. They continued\\nthus for about three years, when Elder Gibbon Williams\\nwas chosen to the pastorate.\\nAbout this time the question of change of location\\nbegan to be discussed. The result was the calling of a\\nspecial meeting which convened at the residence of T. J.\\nHarris at East Plainfield, March 26th, 1836, on which oc-\\ncasion it was decided to dispose of or remove the house\\nto a more central or advantageous site. Sale was made\\nwith parties of East Plainfiekl and a new location made\\nat Meriden. The present grounds were purchased of Dr.\\nP^lias Frost. The condescension of Dr. Frost to part with\\nthis portion of his beautiful grounds was the result of his\\nclose, friendly relations with Maj. Reuben True. The\\ndoctor s pew remains the propertx of his descendants and\\nis still occupied by his daughter Mary and friends.\\nThe house, built of brick, with dimension of 40 by 55\\nfeet, with symmetrical steeple, was speedily completed;", "height": "3492", "width": "1956", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0014.jp2"}, "15": {"fulltext": "Anniversary Exercises. 9\\nand on Jan. 1st, 1839, it was dedicated to the worship\\nof the one true and living God. A few names come into\\nprominence as important factors in the erection of the\\npresent edifice. Reuben True appears the principal agent\\nin the enterprise, then his brother Osgood, Clement\\nI lough, Captain Moses Eaton, and others. Capt. ICaton\\nwas the father of our venerable brother Orvill T. Eaton\\nand sister Mary Daniels. The latter a \\\\alued accession\\nto the Church of Lebanon. Capt. V\\\\. will be remembered for\\nhis unselfish activities in all departments of church life,\\nespecially for his untiring efforts in the erection of the\\npresent edifice. These brethren seemed to feel the ne-\\ncessity of Christ s cause ami acted accordingly. They\\ngave liberally of their time and means. Those less able\\nto aid were doubtless appreciative of the generosity of\\nthese brethren.\\nRev. Gibbon Williams, the pastor, preached the ser-\\nmon of dedication. Rev. Ira Pearsons and Rev. Reuben\\nSayer assisted in the dex otional exercises. John D. Eord\\nof Cornish was musical director. For a time prior to the\\ncompletion of this house, the church services were held\\nill a small hall in the parsonage. Again the True bro-\\nthers are the benefactors. They purchase and present to\\nthe church the parsonage property consisting of comfort-\\nable house, out buildings and 16 acres of land. Elder\\nWilliams was an earnest, able man with intensely progres-\\nsive ideas. About the middle of March of that year he\\ncommenced a series of revival services, assisted by\\npreaching brethren from different parts of the state. Dur-\\ning that season of grace forty-seven souls were converted\\nand added to the church. Other accessions followed until\\n1 84 1, when the membership was one hundred and nineteen.\\nIll this connection, we meet for the first time in the history\\nthe name of Rev. Samuel W. Miles, of Newport, South\\nWales. He becomes a member of the church at this time.\\nA year later and the name of Elder Williams disappears\\nfrom the records, and the Rev. Mr. Miles is called to the\\npastorate. In March of the same year Re\\\\-. Daniel V.\\nRichardson unites with the church.\\nDuring the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Miles, which\\nextended o\\\\er a period of nearly 20 \\\\ears, no church\\nrecords were kept. The events of those \\\\-ears, however\\nimportant to the writer of this paper, are chronicled only\\non the tablet of human memory. The church speaks in\\nfragmentar) utterances from the lips of her living par-\\nticipants of those days. Rev. Mr. Miles was not a native\\nAmerican, in what i)art of tlu principaJitx- of old Wales", "height": "3487", "width": "1941", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0015.jp2"}, "16": {"fulltext": "10 Amiivcrsary Exercises.\\nhe first saw light, none of his Meriden parishioners were\\never privileged to know. The impulse to immigrate, the\\noccasion of his coming to this country, were not whispered\\ninto the ears of his most intimate friends. He was a\\nman of values he knew, and knew enough not to let others\\nknow all. He was not absolutely ascetic in habit, yet of\\nretiring disposition, he often sought seclusion. He was\\nunmarried until near the close of life when he wedded the\\nwidow of Converse Smith of Plainfield. That he was sin-\\ngular and sometimes severely denounced as erratic goes\\nwithout saying.\\nAs a scholar and theologian he had but few peers.\\nHis intellectual attainments were of an high order. He\\nhad the abilities of the critic and knew how to use them.\\nHis sermons were models in every sense, and if doctrinal,\\nthey were sound and certain in their effect. His spiritual\\nimpressions and experiences seemed to himself to.o secret\\nand sacred to be sent into common language. They\\nmust be voiced only from the pulpit which was his throne\\nof power. He was not one to rely upon applause; to ap-\\npreciate him you must stretch to your highest height.\\nWith this stalwart thinker and preacher as leader, with\\nhis characteristic want of social and spiritual nerve, it\\ndoes not suprise us that so few church accessions were\\nmade during those years. His pastorate, however, was\\nby no means a barren period. Several were received to\\nmembership and the church was instructed in the funda-\\nmentals of faith and doctrine. Under his oddities were\\nforces of character which left an impress time cannot efface.\\nAmong his last acts was that of committing all his written\\nthoughts to the flames. He also requested that no obitu-\\nary notice should be published, that his tombstone\\nshould bear no inscription beyond his name and date of\\ndeath. He fell on sleep in the parsonage home where\\nhe had long lived and for which he cherished sacred af-\\nfection. He died in the faith he so ably advocated.\\nIn i86i those members living in the \\\\iciiiity of the\\nPlain applied for letters of dismission that they might\\nform a church at that place. This request was granted\\nand the new church was recognized at the ne.xt associa-\\ntional gathering which took place at East Washington.\\nThus the fond mother was called to part with 30 or more\\nof her dutiful children. She rejoiced, however, that her\\nsons and daughters were to settle so near the home of\\ntheir childhood. Their edifice is modeled much after this,\\nand was built b\\\\ united efforts of Methodists, Universal-\\nists, and Baptists. Rev. Daniel Richardson was the", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0016.jp2"}, "17": {"fulltext": "b/i/ii irsiiry Jixiirisis. 1 1\\nnext pastor of this church; he was a resident of Hanover\\nbut his church membership had been with this body for\\nmany years. Although receivinu^ no formal call to the\\npastorate he continued his ministrations for nearl\\\\- 5 years.\\nRev. Richardson was a stron^i^ man, scholarly, and\\nreligiously wise and sound. Under his faithful leadership\\nseveral important additions were made. He was a man\\nof cultured qualities whose memor\\\\ is precious to all\\nwhose privilege it was to know him. He passed to his\\nheavenly reward from his home in Hanover.\\nHe was succeeded by the Rev. S. L. Elliot of Clare-\\nmont. Rev. Elliot served the church for a brief period\\nnot exceeding one year. Subsequenth the church called\\nthe Rev. Charles H. Green. Mr. Green was a man of\\nbroad sympathies, of saintl\\\\ bearing, a good minister of\\nJesus Christ. The church at that time was somewhat\\nreduced; its membership did not exceed 32, but in\\nunion there is strength. No inharmonious elements were\\npresent in the body. Bro. Green led them to grand\\nachievements in the kingdom; there was no special out-\\npouring of the spirit, but there was a steady ingathering\\nof souls.\\nThe pastorate of this choice man lasted but about one\\nyear, when he succumbed to consumptive tendencies\\nand was no more, for God had taken him. He, too, died\\nin the hush of the pastoral home. in the ebb of the\\nenergies, as the spirit took its upward flight, these words\\nfell from his trembling lips: He whom I have recom-\\nmended as the sinner s hope is now mine. The church\\nwas stricken with grief well-nigh insupportable. The\\ncloud passed, the church arose from its knees, brushed\\naway its tears, and resolutely renewed the conflict for the\\nkingdom. In the autumn of 62 the membership was\\nagain reduced. .Se\\\\ eral of the best, namely, the Houghs,\\nwere dismissed to aid in tiie formation of a church in\\nLebanon. Members of this excellent family remain unto\\nthis day, however, to perpetuate the honored name in the\\nbody of the fathers, to sacrifice common interests, to co-\\noperate in every department of church work. The inter-\\nmingling of Trues and Houghs has developed ideal\\nChristian character. The tender twig transi:)lanted to\\nthat field has grown to sizeable and healthful pro[)ortions\\nunder the care and culture of its God-fearing husband-\\nmen. The mother church felt keenh her loss both finan-\\nciall\\\\- and religiously; but, confiding in her God, she re-\\nnewed her endeavors to meet the increasing demand.\\nTo succeed the Re\\\\-. Mr. Green, the church recalled", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0017.jp2"}, "18": {"fulltext": "12 Anni^ tTsary Exercises.\\nthe Rev. S. L. P^lliott, whose pastorate continued about\\ntwo years, during which time several additions were made.\\nHis next settlement was in Vermont, where he died a few\\nmonths later, aged forty-eight years. Mr. E. was a man\\nof strong convictions He was graduated at the New\\nHampton Theological Seminar}- the ahna mater of the\\nRev. D. C. Eddy, D. D., the Rev. Amos Web.ster, D. D.,\\nand many others of note in the Baptist ministry.\\nAfter an interim of a few months, during which the\\nchurch relied upon supplies, the Re\\\\ Stephen G. Abbott\\nwas unanimously elected to the pastorate. Important im-\\nprovements were made during Mr. Abbott s term of\\nservice, which covered a period of five years. The pipe\\norgan now in use was purchased and put in its place at a\\ncost of near $1000; also the commodious vestry, which is\\nan indispensable adjunct for work and worship. Pastor\\nAbbott was a genial Christian gentleman, popular with all\\nclasses. His literary attainments were above the average.\\nHis sermons were finished productions; his theology of\\nthe apostolic type. In the latter part of the fourth year\\nof his pastorate a goodly number were added to the\\nchurch. Those years of refreshing from the presence of\\nthe Lord will not soon be forgotten Brother Abbott has\\nsince retired from postoral care, but not from the holy\\ncalling of the preacher. He resides at Keene; and while\\nengaged in literar\\\\ pursuits, supplies pulpits as Providence\\nopens the way.\\nThe next to succeed in the ofi^ice of pastor was the\\nRev. Horace G. Hubbard, now pastor of the Baptist\\nchurch at Campton Village. Mr. Hubbard remained five\\nears, resigning in April, 76. Pastor Hubbard proved\\nhimself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Not\\nso swift as some, but he got there in good condition. P^ar-\\n1\\\\ in his pastorate the Lord let the droppings of his grace\\nfall on pastor and people. The general awakening re-\\nsulted in the calling of evangelist Whittier to the pastor s\\nassistance. The glorious work continued uninterrupt-\\ned for weeks. Manv souls came into the kingdom through\\nthe saving grace of the Christ. lluis another restful\\noasis in the interesting history of the dear old churcii.\\nThe next in the line of leaders was the Rev. Albert\\nIleald. Brother Heald served the church with excellent\\nacceptance for about five years. Nothing special is not-\\ned. A steady progress is evident. Mr. Heald may not\\nhave had the scholastic advantages of some of his prede-\\ncessors, but he must rank with the class of judicious,\\npainstaking pastors. Always open to the converse of his", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0018.jp2"}, "19": {"fulltext": "A/ii/i: irsan /t.ir/r/srs. i\\nconstituents, bavino- an interest in the welfare of all, he\\ncould but be popular. Durint^ those years baptisms were\\nfretjuent; but dismissions were common. Members were\\nchanging residences, and requesting letters to unite with\\nsister churches. Brother Heald removed to P\\\\ lcii\\\\illc,\\nt., where he is still a beloved jDastor.\\nTo succeed in the office, the church called the Rev.\\nB. F. l.awrence, who entered upon the work in Jul\\\\of the\\nsame year. Brother Lawrence was a man of good minis-\\nterial methods, well educated, and of dignified deport-\\nment. He won pojDular esteem, not by his flattery, but by\\nhis well-guarded Christian manhood. Besides the w orl^ of\\nthe immediate parish, he preached, baptised, and did pas-\\ntoral service in sections adjoining, especially in the Wood-\\nard district. There several were saved and brought into\\nthe fellowship of the church. The interior of the edifice\\nwas remodeled, and other improvements made, during\\nthis important pastorate. It was with great reluctance\\nthat the church parted with this devoted leader. He was\\ncalled to .Maine, where he still resides. At the close of\\nhis pastorate the church numbered 6o members.\\nThe churcli was again in a shepherdless condition. Af-\\nter casting about, the e.N:ecutive committee decided upon\\nthe Rev. VV^m. P. Bartlett of Campton Village. He was\\ncalled, and in January commenced his labors as pastor.\\nHis serx ice covered a period of two years and four\\nmonths, during which several conversions took place, and\\nsome worth} additions were made. Mr. Bartlett has\\nmore than the average pulpit abilitw His sermonic\\nmethods are biblical; he sometimes enforces gospel truth\\nin a masterly manner. He is well educated, and able to\\noccupy influential positions. His sincerity of intention\\ncan be questioned b\\\\- none. He removed to \\\\^ermont,\\nthence to O.xford, Mass., where is still acti\\\\c in the jjas-\\nt orate.\\nVnv se\\\\cral months the church was supplied with\\npreaching b\\\\ the Rev. (ieo. C. Trow, of Plainfield Plain,\\nand others, until August, 89, when the Rev. O. Wilson\\nKimball of Cottage City, Mass., was unanimously invited\\nto enter the line of sacred succession. During the three\\nvears of the present pastorate the old church has enjoyed\\nman\\\\ heavenly seasons. The word of the Infinite, under\\nthe inspiration of his Spirit, has passed out and into\\nhearts, piercing even to the dividing assunder, discerning\\nto the wounded one the healing of the holy Christ. Some\\nheads of households, who had not seen the interior of\\nGod s sanctuary for years, have been recovered, restored.", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0019.jp2"}, "20": {"fulltext": "14 A inn vcrsary Exercises\\nand made meet for the Master s use. They deHght in\\nthe sanctifying service of the sanctuary, and endeavor to\\nwalk blameless in the presence of the Priest and King of\\nus all. Heaven hears our grateful acknowledgements.\\nGod knows we try to appreciate the wonderful dealings\\nof his grace. Among those received by baptism are two\\nworthy students preparing for the work of the ministry.\\nChester G. Savage, the first licentiate, is pursuing theo-\\nlogical studies at Newton Seminary. Thomas Phillips\\nEvans, a devoted student at Kimball Union Academy, a\\nvery promising young preacher, came mto the fold by\\nbaptism, also M. D. and Jay Brown, brothers, from the\\nstate of New York, all careful, conscientious young men.\\nIn all, twenty-five have been received by the ordinance of\\nbaptism. The work has been progressive characterized\\nby no undue excitement.\\nThe parsonage buildings have undergone important\\nrepairs. The additions of a comniodious piazza and the\\nnew coat of paint over all have greatly beautified the his-\\ntoric home. The house of worship has also received a\\nnew garment; having had the soiled suit put out of sight,\\nshe stands forth clothed in the clean white. An aid soci-\\nety among the ladies has been organized under the direc-\\ntion of the pastor s wife. Through the timely efforts of\\nthis society other improvements may be expected. The\\nwisest and best concede that the church was never more\\nprosperous. The congregations are large and attentive;\\nthe Sunday-school united, interesting, and full of hope.\\nThe church has a well-invested fund amounting to\\n$1300. The largest individual donor was Miss Mary\\nTrue. The original agents of the fund were the brothers\\nReuben and Osgood True. Other names appear, such as\\nSamuel Winkley, Hurbank, Eaton, Ch.cUis, Daniels, Sid-\\nney True, Jesse Spaulding, Mrs. Daniels, Lucy Andrews.\\nAmong the number of members who ha\\\\ e entered the\\nministry we mention Benj. O. True, who graduated from\\nDartmouth College and Rochester heological Seminary,\\nwas for several years pastor of large and influential\\nchurches, and is now Professor of Church History in the\\nlater-named institution of sacred learning. In connection\\nwith Dr. True we appropriately mention the name of\\nSamuel Winkley Cole, son of Dea. and Mrs. Cole, who\\nwas converted early in life, and at once assumed the du-\\nties of organist. He is now a resident of Boston, a teach-\\ner of music, also the efficient organist of the Clarendon\\nStreet Baptist Church. His annual visits are refreshing\\nto pastor and people.", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0020.jp2"}, "21": {"fulltext": "l/n/i-i iisory /t.xcn/sis. I 5\\nThe church has always cared kindly for its [)astors,\\n|)a\\\\in the salar\\\\ as at^rced, and often much better. It\\nhas, at all times, endeavored to be at peace with all. It\\nhas, however, held unswervingly to the spirit of apostolic\\nteaching. There ha\\\\ e been fourteen pastors and seven\\ndeacons. Stephen D. Stone and Converse Cole still act\\nin the latter office. For the extended term of 2y years\\nDea. Stone wrote accurately and eloquently the records of\\nthe dealings of God with this church. It has been the\\nprivilege of the writer of this paper to peruse those rec-\\nords; and how often the tear has stolen down the cheek,\\nand the pen trembled, as we traced the tender thoughts\\nthat flowed through his pen! He has written his own\\nblessed epitaph. Dea. Cole s voice, yea, his very soul,\\nhas become a part of the body. These men have taken\\nthe mantle of the Trues, the Eatons, the Winkleys, and\\nothers who preceded in the holy office and work. Many\\nothers, descendants of the stalwart fathers and mothers,\\nshould be mentioned, but space is not permitted.\\nA few items of general information and we close this\\npaper. Who can question the authority of Neander s\\nprophecy? The Baptists have a mighty mission. They\\nare to bring Christendom back to the primitive New Tes-\\ntament order. If they be true to themselves, true to their\\niMaster, they will be his honored instruments in securing\\nthe result. Bishop Smith of Kentucky speaks thus: God\\nin his providence has permitted the rise of the Baptists\\nfor the purpose of ultimately restoring the apo.stolic mode\\nof baptism. Said the late Dr. Wood of Andover, Mass.:\\nI have wished that our denomination [the Congregation-\\nal] was as free from erratic speculations, and as well\\ngrounded in the doctrines and experimental principles of\\nthe Puritans as the Baptists. It seems to me that they\\nare the Christians who are likely to maintain pure Chris-\\ntianity and to hold fast the form of sound words.\\nIf the Lord has ordained us to such transcendent\\nachievements, to be the leading factors in the world s re-\\ndemption if the eye of the nation looks thus upon us\\nwhat sort of people ought we to be in all holy conversa-\\ntion, in conscience, in deportment, in spiritual power?\\nShould we not cling more closely to biblical simplicity\\nand heart purity? Should we not defend the peculiar\\ntruths providentially entrusted to our care? Should we\\nnot so instruct our children that they may be ready at all\\ntimes to give an intelligent reason for cherishing the faith\\nof their fathers? Should we not be models of morality\\nand piety? Wh not our Christlikeness, our meekness,", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0021.jp2"}, "22": {"fulltext": "1 6 A)t)iivcr$ary Exercises.\\nour lov^e for each other, put to eternal silence the charge\\nof hyper sectarianism?\\nAt the beginning of this centur}- there were less than 500\\nBaptist churchesin thiscountry. The entire membershipdid\\nnot exceed 40.000. At the close of the century we have\\n35,890 churches with 3,269,806 members nearly one in\\nevery nineteen of the countrj s population. One hun-\\ndred years ago there was but one real foreign missionary\\nsociety; now there are nearly 300. The Baptist conven-\\ntion for missionary purposes, organized in 1S14, is now\\nthe Missionary Union, having lOOO preachers, 700 church-\\nes, with 85,000 members in heathen lands. The first mod-\\nern missionaries to heathen lands were Baptists Carey\\nand others. Joseph Hughes, the first to conceive the idea\\nof giving the bible to all nations, was a Baptist. The first\\ntranslations of the scripture into heathen tongues were\\nmade by Baptists. The first Christian churches in India,\\nBurmah, and China were Baptist churches.\\nBut we will not glory save in the cross of the cruci-\\nfied Christ. My beloved brethren, look at our history.\\nWhat hath God wrought! The growth of the Home Mis-\\nsionary department of the Baptist denomination is phe-\\nnominal. Organized in the ear 1832, objectively to dis-\\nseminate the gospel of the kingdom among Americans,\\nnow has its well-equipped agents in every state and terri-\\ntory, also in Canada and Mexico. It sends its self-deny-\\ning, able advocates to the frontiers, among the lawless, to\\npreach and teach the truths that enlighten, uplift, and\\nsave, to leaven the irreligious lump, and permanently\\nplant the ensign of the cross. These brave men and wo-\\nmen, fresh from college halls, stand in the rush of Euro-\\npean immigration to turn the tide toward God, loyalty,\\nand order. Its consecrated agents are active among In-\\ndians. Africans, Chinese, and Mexicans. Its schools, col-\\nleges, and theological seminaries thickl\\\\- dot the South\\nand West Last year the society sustained i 053 mission-\\naries, erected 121 churches, in 33 states and territories, or-\\nganized 115 churches, with 9,388 additions, baptising 4,-\\n3^5 converts; also 27 schools and other departments of\\ngospel work, time will not permit me to mention.\\nEvery local church rs a part of this body, and\\nannually contributes its share to defray the expense oi\\nthe (jod-commissioned work. If this church falls behind\\nin its gifts, it is not because of its want of benevolent dis-\\nposition, but because of its want of training in that partic-\\nular direction.\\nBeloved brethren, we have reason for profound grati-", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0022.jp2"}, "23": {"fulltext": "/liiiiifirsarv /ixciriscs. \\\\J\\ntude to God our l \\\\-ithcr and his Son Jesus Christ our Sav-\\niour, the I Iol\\\\- Spirit, the comfort and j^uide of the sa\\\\ ed.\\nfor the hrii^ht, l)lesscd record of the past of this people;\\nfor the ^U)rious fruits of devotion and heart consecration,\\nin the humble as well as in the honored and exalted life;\\nfor the \\\\0\\\\ ideals and prosperous conditions of the\\nchurches born of this stalwart, i;^orous stock; tor the\\nsuccession of stront^ and earnest ministers of the word\\npastors pure in heart and life. We fall on our knees, and\\nbreathe our prayer of thankss^ix ins^ for our God-fearing,\\nfaithful ancestry; for the fathers and mothers who stood\\nshoulder to shoulder beneath the biu-den in the heat of the\\nday; who withheld not; who swerved not in the often ar-\\nduous maintainance of the institutions of this church. We\\nwould, but, O, how feeble om- attempts to tell or tabulate\\nthe providencies of a centurx-!\\nMay we send into the o[)ening century contributions\\nof the best we possess\u00e2\u0080\u0094 God s gift of intelligence. Chris-\\ntian culture, and a purpose to build broader and better\\nfor those who shall succeed us. Let me touch you ten-\\nderly with the thought of one surviving saint whose eyes\\nsaw the first minister sister Hannah D. True, widow of\\nthe late Reuben True, and mother of Benjamin O. and\\nWilliam C. True, past 90 years of age, resides with the\\nlatter son. She wrought with her husband in the days of\\nchurch construction. Would you see the monument of\\nher devotion, look about you. We hold her tenderly but\\nclosely. May the setting sun send its shafts of glory and\\nthus gild her pale brow while she passes to the beautiful\\nbeyond. In the cross of Christ we glory, towering o er\\nthe wrecks of time. hoc sii^ io vinces.\\n10. SOLO. One hundred years ago.\\nMiss IT ATT IK Davis.\\n11. POEM. Mks. Sakah Cheney Abbott.\\n(Read bv Hon. P.. H. Ciii:m;v. editor of the Granite State Free Press,\\nand L S. Con--ul to Matanzas, Cuba.\\nPOEM.\\nGod in liis wisdom early planned\\nAnd planted here with careful hand\\nA modest vine the records say\\nA hundred years a.^-o today.\\nHis people, then a scattered few,\\nTogether came with purpose true.\\nAll, prompted by his word and grace,\\nWith one accord were in one place.", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0023.jp2"}, "24": {"fulltext": "1 8 A/n/nuTSdiy f.xciriscs.\\nRegeneration, works and faith\\nAll pointed to baptismal death;\\nAn emblem of their Lord s own grave,\\nWhich he had tilled that he might save\\nAll who believe and from it rose,\\nictor o er death and all his foes;\\nThat, like him, they, mid toil and strife,\\nMight walk the new and better life.\\nThey took the scriptures for their rule\\nOf faith and practice, old, old school.\\nAn Elder, duly authorized,\\nGave his right hand and organized\\nThe Baptist Church of Meriden;\\nAnd all the people said amen,\\nAnd on their way rejoicing went.\\nTill God to them a shepherd sent\\nTo tend and fold this little flock\\nBeneath the shadow of the Rock,\\nIn pastures where sweet verdure grows,\\nBy waters clear, in soft repose.\\nThis new formed union, Christ the head,\\nWith his own hand and Spirit led;\\nThe word was quick; and o er the plain\\nFell showers of grace like summer rain.\\nTime s tide, rolled back one hundred years,\\nLays on the strand joys, griefs and fears.\\nThe many changes, ill or good.\\nWe cannot mention if we would.\\nYour early members, one and all,\\nHave signalled to the silent call;\\nA long procession, till today.\\nThe FathersI where, (])hl where are they?\\nThey all have left both plain and hill.\\nInstead of sires the children till\\nThis fruitful garden of the Lord\\nAnd scatter seed which is the word.\\nThe Pastors names we may not give;\\nNine have passed on, and six still live.\\nThe faithful Shepherd all doth hold.\\nAwake or sleeping, in one fold.\\nThis tender slip, of palest hue,\\nBy morning sun and evening dew,\\nIs now a plant with leaves and fruit;\\nGrand outcome of its soil and root.\\nMB 9 1", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0024.jp2"}, "25": {"fulltext": ".\\\\iini i ii sdiy /:.V( /r/S(S. 19\\nMany their names, but one we ll call,\\nWho is of atje and speaks for all\\nWith ton,tjue, and voice, and readv pen\\nAnd tirst was known as little Hen.\\nLike Sanuiel, wlien l)ul a child,\\nHe heard the voice of (iod and smiled.\\nTrue to the end, the child reply\\nMa\\\\- he repeat, Lord, Here :iin L\\nThe Hrst one hundred years are done.\\nAnother century is be,i,am;\\nVeterans and youthi now lift vour eyes,\\nA waitini., harvest round you lies!\\n12. REMINISCK\\\\XE.S of the Choir.\\nDea. Converse Cole.\\nn. POEM. Mrs. Sarah Cheney x^bbott.\\n(Read by A B. Chellis.)\\nWe remember the bov who fingered the keys\\nWhen our new pipe organ first wafted the breeze,\\nWell laden with music so pure, and so sweet.\\nWe thought with the angels our choir would compete.\\nThe soul of the leader was fired by the sound\\nWhich, with the full chorus, made these walls resound.\\nThe whole congregation with spirit and tongue\\nloin in the New Song which the angels ne er sung.\\nThen, here the young man made his graceful debut\\nOn the faithful old organ, then shining and new.\\nAnd the organist lives though the years a full score.\\nAnd is bound to press onward and on evermore.\\nThis thrifty young branch from the vine on our tire\\nIs reset at The Hub where now glows the Cole-fire.\\nSo that all who are warmed by its radiance feel\\nThev have found the main spoke in the much-water wheel.\\n14. BENEDICTION, by Rev. G. W. Gardner, D. D.\\nTHE EVENING EXERCISES\\nopened with an elaborate service of song, tinder the (H-\\nrection of the choir, led by Josiah Davis. Esq. An ap-\\npropriate jM-ayer was offered by Rev. F. A. Farren. pastor", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0025.jp2"}, "26": {"fulltext": "20 Anniversary Exercises.\\nof the church at New London, followed by an able ad-\\ndress by the Rev. Dr. Gardner on The supremacy of\\nscripture in Baptist belief. The choir rendered the im-\\npressive anthem, The Lord will comfort Zion.\\nAppropriate remarks were made by Reverends J. F.\\nFielden, Geo. C. Trow, Albert Heald, and O. C. Sargent.\\nMiss Mabel E. Howard, of Kimball Union Academy, read\\nletters from Reverends B. O. True, D. D., B. F. Lawrence,\\nH. S. Hubbard, and W. Porter Bartlett.\\nThe closing address was made by Rev. N. F. Tilden,\\nand was a bristling, appropriate summary. This was\\nfollowed by singing by the choir, Nearer my God to\\nThee, and benediction by Rev. Ur. Gardner.", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0026.jp2"}, "27": {"fulltext": "", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0027.jp2"}, "28": {"fulltext": "", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0028.jp2"}, "29": {"fulltext": "", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0029.jp2"}, "30": {"fulltext": ".o^\\\\\\n^o.\\n_^ g^%^)^^ v^\\n-n^\\n^S-V^\\\\ w o^^^\\\\\\nv^^ o V^\\n^v A. \\\\v Xf", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0030.jp2"}, "31": {"fulltext": "o V\\n^j(\\n^\u00c2\u00b0-U.,\\ny-\\n\\\\y^^:p-: -.^i^v ^-.--v^^ --^SPf^^\\n0\\n.:^S-..%.o^^\\nx^ C^,\\nDOBBS BROS.\\nLIBRARY eiNDING\\nIT. AUGUSTINE", "height": "3497", "width": "1946", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0031.jp2"}, "32": {"fulltext": "", "height": "3611", "width": "2123", "jp2-path": "historicaladdres00plai_0032.jp2"}}