Ministers' Wives Deceased. Aug. 3. In Granby, Ms, Mrs. HARRIET A. 66 15. In Rosendale, Wis., MRS. SARAH E., wife of Rev. ISAAC N. CUNDALL. 20. In Lancaster, Ms., Mrs. ANN MARIA CROCKER, wife of Rev. AMOS E. LAWRENCE, aged 44 years. 27. In Gloucester, Ms., Mrs. MARY C. In Portland, Me., Mrs. MARIA, WILLIS- Sept. 9. In Cameron, Mo., Mrs. ELIZABETH, American Congregational Union. THE anxiously and hopefully looked for 17th of December, 1865 has come and gone. Its transactions are now history, not prophecy. The former, however, is not yet so revealed that it can be written out. So far as its items are known, they reveal the fact that the churches that observed the day according to the recommendation of the National Council, have as a whole, done fully their share of the great work proposed to be done. Full one-half of the - $200,000 — has been raised by one third of the churches which might be reasonably expected to give. Those reported, doubtless, embrace the larger portion of our abler churches. But there still remain quite SIXTEEN HUNDRED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES IN THE UNITED STATES, which certainly want a share in this great and pressing work, of whose doings, in this direction, the public is yet to be informed. That some of them intend to take collections is known, and that some have taken them already, but have not forwarded amount them, is quite probable. But it is more than feared that, for various reasons, not a few have made no arrangements even yet, to have any part or lot in this matter. Will such churches consider, that the sum proposed, large as it is, will not meet the wants of applicants already before the trustees of the Union, if anything like the amounts asked for and seemingly needed shall be granted? We cannot enter into the small but hopeful opening for our polity and principles at Richmond, Savannah, Mobile, New Orleans, Chattanooga, New Berne, Nashville, &c. &c., without large expenditures; and failing to enter in, we fail to do the great work expected of us by the National Council,-nay, we fail to do what the Master most plainly calls upon us, as a denomination, Now to do, and we fail to do what the present most urgent needs of our country hold us responsible for doing. Let it not be feared that so large a sum would be "wasted" if put into our hands. Every case is carefully scrutinized by personal observation. In all cases of large appropriation, a deed of the entire property will be taken and held in trust for a Congregational Church, until such time as is deemed safe to release it and such amounts shall be refunded as is deemed just. The large sum named is as sure to be wisely and economically invested, as the much larger amounts, which are intrusted to equally irresponsible Boards. No care or work will be spared to disburse these funds West, South, North, and East, in such a way as to bring the greatest relief and help to the greatest number of our needy churches. But the disaster and distress that will necessarily ensue upon a failure of securing this entire sum should be considered. Many a little church will be discouraged and be compelled to disband. Scores of true and loyal men in destitute communities, struggling against fearful opposition to truth and loyalty, will lose heart and abandon fondly cherished hopes of complete success by our timely and expected help. Only yesterday I received a letter from the agent of the American Home Missionary Society in Missouri, containing a remittance of eight dollars from a little Congregational band of Welshmen, in which he says, "I do hope you will raise the entire $200,000. Eighteen Congregational churches in this state alone, will want your help to build next summer." This estimate does not include Kansas City, nor Kansas proper, nor Minnesota, nor Iowa, nor Wisconsin, nor Michigan, to say nothing of Colorado, Nebraska, California, Utah, &c. Brethren, there is a GREAT WORK before us, ON us, and we cannot do it without your coöperation. Our financial year closes with the first day of May ensuing. Immediately thereafter our annual report will be issued, giving the name of every contributing church, and single contributions from individuals to this fund. We do not want to leave out a single church, large or small. The record will be important and interesting to the present and coming generations. Let the churches which have not arranged a contribution before May 1st, 1866, now consider whether it cannot be done. Pastors are kindly but urgently entreated to look after this matter, each in his own church. And there is surely many an individual who will wish to take liberally of this richly paying stock beyond what the Church may incline to do. Let such remit without delay, any amount his conscience and ability may suggest, and God will reward the cheerful, liberal giver. We have paid last bills since last reports, as follows: Edwards Congregational Church, Davenport, Iowa, $500-St. Paul's Congregational Church [colored), Flatbush, New York, $100- Congregational Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa, $300 - First Congregational Church, Dewitt, Iowa, $500- First Congregational Church, Blue Island, Illinois, $400- Congregational Church, Bloomfield, Wisconsin, $400- Congregational Church, Grand Ledge, Michigan, $250-Congregational Church, Rumford, Maine, $400- Congregational Church, Patten, Maine, $500 - Congregational Church, Keeler, Michigan, $300 - Congregational Church, Lawrence, Michigan. $500 - Congregational Church, Presque Isle, Maine, $350 Congregational Church, Prairie City, Illinois, $500-Congregational Church, Lewis, Iowa, $500-Congregational Church, Cache Creek, California, $400- Congregational Church, Paxton, Illinois, $500-Welsh Congregational Church, Jamesville, New York, $150-Congregational Church, Grand Rapids, Wisc. (Loan) $400 — Congregational Church, Grand Island, New York, $400 — Congregational Church, Somerset, Ms., $450 - Congegational Church, Princeton, Wisconsin, $100. Total $7,900. ISAAC P. LANGWORTHY, Corresponding Secretary. BOSTON, 23 Chauncy St., Room No. 10. American Congregational Association. WE did confidently hope that in this issue, and at the beginning of this new year, we should be able to announce to our readers, the pleasing fact that a "Home" for Congregationalism had at last been provided; or, at least, the means mainly secured speedily to provide one. But such is not our privilege. With the best that the Rev. Mr. Marvin has been able to do, but a little more than thirty-five thousand dollars have been pledged, and this upon the condition that fifty thousand shall be secured. Vigorous efforts have been made in Boston, and no inconsiderable canvassing in neighboring cities and larger towns of the Commonwealth. Other and pressing calls seem to have preoccupied the available ground to a very large extent, and it is difficult to foresee a time, from present indications, when the coast will be clear. The simple fact in the case is this:- Our good and giving people do not APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OBJECT. Could they for a few days take my position, and see what we have in our, but begun, library, pertaining to our early history, doctrines, and polity, and work as well, indeed, that which is so difficult to obtain, and yet of such priceless value and could not be replaced if destroyed, and yet exposed in an un-fire-proof building; if they could see what we HAVE NOT got and cannot get without a secure place in which to keep it, and much of it we cannot get without money to pay for it with, and yet this is fast going beyond our reach; if they could see how many come now to seek supplies from our limited resources, valuing much and using what they find, and wondering why we have not what they expect to find,- coming from the far West and from the far East, not in large numbers, but for large purposes; let these things be seen and felt, as I am obliged to see and feel them, by our noble, princely givers of Boston, of Massachusetts, they would begin at once to vie with each other which ALONE, should endow the Asssociation, making it his pet heir. He would see here a want second to no other in all Christendom for a permanent investment, to furnish by one royal gift, perpetual sources and streams of unvarying good. These precious books will never teach heresy. They will never" deny the Lord that bought" and sanctified their authors, And they will attract to themselves the thousands of other books, sermons, minutes, treatises, &c., &c., which are scattered here and there, now useless, then making a part of a great whole, always completing, though never complete; always useful, but always increasing its own usefulness. But the importance of this object is greatly enhanced by the "Home" quality it has in itself, as well as by the “Library" provisions. As now we go forth to “nationalize" our polity, more than ever do we deeply want a center, or rather a rallying point, a starting place, a place of reference; a place where the fathers may be consulted, and the brethren may be seen; a place to which ministers and Christian men may resort when they visit the birthplace of our polity and principles and feel themselves at HOME; a place where may be found what shall teach and ALL that shall teach what we believe is the New Testament church-polity so nearly as that book teaches any. Let Boston men, Massachusetts men, New England men, anywhere, whose eyes may fall upon these lines, which give but hints, consider if here is not such an opportunity for any one of them, or any number of them to bless themselves and bless posterity as may never be again offered them. He will be long remembered who shall bring the topmost stone of such a structure to its place, and that the more tenderly and enduringly the sooner it is done. We add slowly to our shelves valuable books, and are gathering still of valuable pamphlets. We have ample room for either, and no kinds or sorts come amiss; we have not room here to specify particular wants, but in general we say, send us all you do not wish to keep; burn or send to the "grinders" nothing that is perfect in itself-send it as below, at my expense. ISAAC P. LANGWORTHY. 23 Chauncy Street, Boston, Mass. SAMUEL WILLIAM SOUTHMAYD DUTTON, Son of Rev. Aaron and Dorcas (Southmayd) Dutton, was born in the town of Guilford, Ct., March 14th, 1814. He was the second son and fourth child in a family of eight children. He received his name from his maternal uncle, - his mother's only brother,― Samuel William Southmayd, a lawyer by profession. His ancestry on both sides, so far back as we have traced it, has been distinguished for piety and substantial intelligence; and especially for attachment to the simple faith and order of Puritan worship. His great-grandfather, Thomas Dutton, had ten children, two of whom died in early life. The others were all members of churches, and four of them filled the office of deacon. He lived to the advanced age of ninetythree. One of his sons was Deacon Thomas Dutton of Watertown, Ct., who died in the year 1806, at the age of seventy profession of his faith in Christ and joined the college church in 1802. He was settled in the ministry at Guilford, Ct., December 10th, 1806. His marriage occurred during the same year. His ministry in this place continued until 1842, nearly thirty-six years, when he was dismissed. He died in the city of New Haven in 1849. His wife, Dorcas Southmayd, was the daughter of Samuel Southmayd, of Watertown, Ct. She was of a family of eight children, seven daughters and one son. She died in 1841, the year before her husband's dismission. We shall not attempt to trace back farther the line of maternal ancestry, lest these details should become burdensome. Suffice it to say, that there is on this side the same evidence of piety, intelligence, and worth, as on the other. Almost all the members of both families, for several generations, who have lived to years of understanding, have been communicants in Congregational churches. The town of Guilford is one of the ancient towns of Connecticut. In the year 1639, one year after the settlement at New Haven, a colony from Kent and Sussex, in England, established itself at this place. The head of this colony was Rev. Henry Whit field, a minister of wealth, and intellectual distinction. The stone house built by him on his arrival (and which was in some sense a fort, as well as a house, being fortified and arranged to repel the attacks of the Indians), is still standing, and is an object of great curiosity to visitors. The town lies on the southern shore of the State, fifteen miles east from New Haven; with a level, sunny, and open aspect, in that part bordering upon Long Island Sound, but rising on the north into rough hills and wild scenery. It is the place where Dr. Lyman Beecher, though a native of New Haven, spent the early years of his life, on the farm of his uncle, Job Berton, and in the "Autobiography and Correspondence," the spot is thus described: "The town of Guilford was laid out, like that of New Haven, around a central square, on which were placed the church and its surrounding home for the dead. The settlers at first clustered around this center, but soon their farms extended on every side. . . The country around consists of rocky hills and valleys, gradually rising to where Old Bluff Head lifts its wooded summit four hundred feet, and then descends precipitous and bare, to a beautiful lake embowered in thick woods. From these heights descend the clear troutbrooks, now tinkling and glancing up from deep ravines by the road, and then dancing over white pebbles along the country paths, lined with billows of rosy laurel." The colony that established itself upon this spot, in the year 1639, was one of great intelligence and dignity of character, possessing also an unusual share of wealth, so that it was able from the first to build its institutions upon a large and substantial basis. The style of life which these founders introduced, the policy which they set in motion continued through many generations. There was an evident respectability about the old town. There was a tenacity in holding on to the ancient customs. People did not need to look away to other places to find the forms and fashions of life, how they should traffic and build, or how they should think and act. They took these things as they seemed good unto themselves, and as a kind of natural outgrowth from the seeds planted in the past. There was consequently a large individuality, — a native originality of character, sometimes developing itself in unattractive forms, but helping continually to give strength and characteristic features to society. Fitz Greene Halleck, a native of Guilford, doubtless had in his mind's eye the men and women, among whom his early life was passed, when he wrote his poem, "Connecticut: ”— "Tis a rough land of earth and stone and tree, Where breathes no castled lord or cabined slave; Where thoughts, and tongues, and hands, are bold and free, And friends will find a welcome, foes a grave; And where none kneel save when to Heaven they pray, Nor even then, unless in their own way. "They love their land because it is their own, And scorn to give aught other reason why; Would shake hands with a king upon his throne, And think it kindness to his majesty ; A stubborn race, fearing and flattering none, Such are they nurtured, such they live and die. "View them near At home, where all their worth and pride is placed; Within the last seventy-five years, a kind of blight has come over many of the old towns of New England. They have lost not a little of their early dignity and respectability. These ancient municipalities, planted among the hills, -organized around a church of the living God, which was their center and heart, the nurseries of culture, of freedom, of piety, have many of them gradually declined before the changing civilization of these modern days. "The gods of the valleys" are prevailing over the gods of the hills." Business and population locate them 66 |
