generations, but Civil Liberty, instead of being perished with it, now disencumbered of the body of its death, makes freer progress every year, and wider conquests. There may be those now, who will tremble at any attack on the figment of Ecclesiastical Social Compact; fearing lest, if that theory should be overthrown, the foundations of freedom in the church would be destroyed, and the best thoughts and hopes of the founders of Christ's church in New England perish together, The fear betokens no worthy confidence in the truth of the principles of church liberty. The truth cannot suffer by its riddance of such an incubus of falsehood. Long after men shall have learned to think of the "Platform " of Dr. Emmons, as they now think of the "Contrat Social" of Rosseau, the principles of church liberty, better administered and understood thin now, will still be found leading the advance of the gospel and of Christian civilization. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, WEST HAVEN, CT. WEST HAVEN is a remarkably pleasant village, lying on the western shore of New Haven harbor, at a distance of about three miles from the city-of which it may be considered as a suburb. Formerly its quiet was rarely disturbed by the hammer of the builder, or by other tokens of enterprise; but within the last few years, and especia ly within the last five or six years, it has shown evidences of material improvement; a new and more direct avenue with New Haven, contributing not a little to that end. It now boasts a handsome Female Seminary, under the wise and efficient management of Mrs. S. E. Atwater, a good Boys' School, (founded by Mr. R. Q. Brown, but now conducted by Mr. B. A. Treat,) a fine summer resort for lovers of sea air-the Savin Rock House - two churches, Congregational and Episcopal, a Buckle Factory, and a number of new and inviting residences not luxurious, but tasteful and comportable. The Congregational church was built after designs by S. M. Stone, Esq., architect, of New Haven, during the years 1859-60, and was dedicated July 12, 1860, Rev. R. S. Storrs, Jr., D.D., of Brooklyn, preaching the dedicatory sermon. There have been three houses of worship here. The first, a very substantial, but rather rude structure, was erected (it is supposed) in the year 1719, and continued to be used until the year 1852, when it was removed, to make room for a new one, erected that year, chiefly through the instrumentality of Rev. Edward Wright, then pastor of the church. He did not, however, live to see its completion, having by overwork, brought on a fever, which terminated his valuable life, October 23, 1852. This was a small, but neat edifice, costing about $4,000. It was dedicated June 8, 1853; dedicatory sermon by Rev. R. S. Storrs, D.D., of Braintree, Ms., a descendant of one of the former pastors of this church (Rev. Noah Williston,) and in his boyhood a resident here. It was destroyed by fire, August 29, 1859, doubtless the work of an incendiary. The present edifice was commenced immediately thereafter. Like its predecessor, it stands on the westerly side of the fine public green, which occupies the center of the village, is built of wood, and completed at a cost (including furnishings) of about $10,000. The length of the main edifice, exclusive of tower, is seventy-two feet, width, forty-six feet, height of tower, one hundred and forty-five feet. The seat room is arranged in two blocks of pews, with a broad aisle dividing them, and a narrower aisle passing around them, adjacent to the outer wall. The number of pews, is seventy-eight, affording seat-room for about four hundred persons. The galleries will seat about two hundred more. Attached to the rear of the main edifice is a Lecture-room-as shown in the en ceases to be felt after a little familiarity with the sight, and is really of no weight, while the advantages are many and obvious. The materials for a history of this church, ecclesiastically considered, are remarkably scanty. The early records of the church, if any existed, must have perished during an invasion of the place by the British, July 5, 1779, at which time its pastor, Rev. Noah Williston, was captured, after breaking his leg in an attempt to escape. Even for a considerable period subsequent to this date-down to the settlement of Rev. Mr. Stebbins, in 1815-there are no records extant, and only a bare outline of events during the pastorate of Mr. Stebbins. The church is supposed to have been formed, by colonization from the first church in New Haven, about the year 1715, and the Ecclesiastical Society is known to have been formed two years after, 1719. The following is a list of the pastors who have ministered here. SAMUEL JOHNSON,... TIMOTHY ALLEN, . NOAH WILLISTON, formed. He was for a time President of New York College, and was esteemed 66 a great scholar, a superior divine, and an exemplary Christian." He died at Stratford, January, 1772, aged 75 years. Mr. Arnold also returned to this country, after receiving Episcopal ordination in England, and labored in West Haven and other adjacent places to establish churches of the Episcopal order. These defections had the effect of considerably weakening the church, as also of inspiring a wholesome fear in reference to the possible future of the pastors it might receive. For many years afterward, in the settlement of a pastor, it was expressly stipulated that should he turn Episcopalian, "the settlement" should revert to the Society. Reference has been made to Rev. Noah Williston. He is described as a godly man, a zealous and fervent preacher, and a faithful pastor. His two sons, Seth and Payson, became ministers of the .......Settled 1720 gospel. One of his two daughters was married to Rev. R. S. Storrs of Longmeadow, Ms., (father of the present Dr. Storrs, of Braintree,) and the other to Rev. Ebenezer Kingsbury. Dis. Oct., 1722 .....Set. 1725 Dis. June, 1758 STEPHEN W. STEBBINS,......Set. June, 1815 EDWARD WRIGHT,.....Settled as Colleague, Mr. Stebbins is remembered by many of the present generation, as a remarkably faultless character-wise, faithful, and beloved by all his people. He was a true Christian gentleman, and a devoted pastor. Mr. Wright was settled as colleague to Mr. Stebbins, but was soon called to follow him to the grave. Though his pastorate was brief-continued but little over nine years, he wrought a good work and left behind him a fragrant memory. His frank, genial manners, his loving spirit, his untiring labors, his faithful and wise ministrations of gospel truth, caused him to be loved as few pastors are loved by their people. One of the fruits of his labor here is the Female Seminary, over which his widow still presides. The present membership of the church is 163, of whom 104 are females. REMINISCENCES OF FORTY YEARS AGO. BY REV. DANIEL G. SPRAGUE, SOUTH ORANGE, N. J. IN 1822 the writer, while a member of the Theological Seminary at Andover, received a commission from the Connecticut Missionary Society to labor as their Missionary in the West. The phraseology of the commission was in these words, "to labor in the United States west of the Alleghany Mountains." Another classmate in the Seminary received the same appointment. We were to travel in company until we reached our far distant field. This was understood to be the then new states of Illinois and Missouri, if we were able to reach that then almost unknown and unexplored country. The parting scene with home, friends, and many sympathizing Christians, was truly affecting. A future meeting in this world was by most considered highly improbable. At this time Rail-roads and Steamboats were among the things unknown. The first steamboat seen by the writer was slowly puffing up the Ohio River, and was gazed at with profound wonder and astonishment. In western New York, and in all the region further west the roads were scarcely passable except on horseback. Accordingly this long journey was undertaken in this way, with portmanteau well stuffed with durable clothes, a library consisting of a small reference Bible, Brown's Miniature Concordance, and Watts' Psalms and Hymns. Two hundred miles a week was found to be the common distance traveled; and in the year, more than five thousand miles were in this way traveled. In passing Rochester, N. Y., the dawn of its future greatness was just perceptible. Some fine houses had indeed been erected, but the half burned logs were lying in abundance on the sides of the streets, and the stone abutments were partly prepared for carrying the canal across the Genesee River. While making inquiries at the tavern, a gentleman asked us to step to the outside door, and pointing to a little distance, asked if we noticed such a building, and said, "that was the first frame building erected in this village, and by my son, now eleven years since." In Buffalo the people were at this time beginning to be cheerful after their long sadness, that their city had been burned by the British in the war of 1812, and because they said the consequence would be, that their streets would be better, and more regularly laid out, and a better style of buildings erected, though the indications as yet but very feebly appeared. Erie, Pa., was but a very small and scattered village, where an ecclesiastical committee awaited us, very desirous that one of us should remain and preach for them. But mutually we were bound for the far West. Leaving this place at three o'clock in the afternoon, we expected to reach a settlement eight miles farther on, and there pass the night. We were very carefully and specifically directed respecting our way in the different roads and pathways; but darkness overtook us, and we found ourselves almost pathless in the midst of thick hemlock, and deep washed gutters, rendered visible only by the flashes of lightning, and within sound of the waves dashing upon the rocky shore of Lake Erie. After hours of bewilderment, we discover- • ed a glimmering light, and with confidence affirmed, that if we should find human beings, we would pass the night with them. Coming to the diminutive log shanty, while one held the horses, the other knocked at the door, which a frightful looking negro opened, and said no one but himself lived there, and we could have no accommodation. Though warned by him against getting into a dangerous slough we had passed, we were told that by going back about one mile and then changing our direction, we should find a house where we might stay. Before morning this was found, and regardless of our remonstrances, we were made the occupants of the only thing in the house bearing the resemblance of a bed. But our reception was apparently most cordial, and we ourselves truly grateful. Onward from this, it was found necessary much of the way to travel in the water upon the Lake shore as preferable to keeping on the pretended road. Entering the State of Ohio at the Northeast corner, we proceeded to travel the state diagonally, expecting to go to Cincinnati, and then across the States of Indiana and Illinois to St. Louis. After reaching Chillicothe it was found that in consequence of heavy fall rains which had occurred, and the fact that most of the streams and rivers were without bridges, it would be impossible to execute this purpose. We therefore crossed the Ohio River at Maysville, and proceeded down into Kentucky through Lexington, and from thence to Louisville. Here we found their minister, the memorable Smith, who was companion in the southwest with Samuel J. Mills, was sick, and who insisted on our passing a few days, and preaching for him on the Sabbath. From this, amidst perils, exposures and hardships, we descended on the south side of the Ohio, fording and swimming rivers, and streams, recently become celebrated as connected with the bloody scenes of our civil warfare. Opposite Shawneetown, we recrossed the Ohio, and from here proceeded in a northwest direction toward St. Louis. This region of country was then very thinly inhabited, and for two weeks we subsisted on coarse corn bread, ground by hand-mills, and called hoe-cakes from the instrument against which they were placed before the fire to be baked. Our meat was such as could be found wild and shot in the woods, and our tea and coffee were such as could be produced from the native herbs, plants and roots. Upon arriving at St. Louis, we were happy to find the pioneer Giddings, the brother of the renowned member of Congress, to whom we were directed, and from whom we were to obtain information respecting our future field of labor. This venerable missionary was at this time engaged in teaching a school, and preaching on the Sabbath in his own hired schoolroom. There was then no church except the Catholic, and the place was but an insignificant village, inhabited principally by Spanish Creoles and Canadian French, and a few renegade Yankees. From this center-point of our operations we now separated, and diverged in opposite directions, my companion going North and myself South, to Kaskaskia, Ill., and Southern Missouri, where fearful and bloody battles have lately been fought, and where the lamented and brave Gen. Lyon was sacrificed. Kaskaskia was even then an old place, and in the Catholic Church was heard a bell which was taken a prisoner in the old French war. There were but few families which seemed to have any definite ideas of even ordinary civilization, much less of Christianity. In the neighborhood were living the remnant of the Kaskaskia tribe of Indians, most of whom were professed Catholics, and but little, if in any respects, inferior to the white population. At St. Germanius I was told by an intelligent physician (though he wished his remark not to be there repeated) that he was personally a witness to the burning in that village, by the priest's order, of three hundred Bibles, which had been given away by Samuel J. Mills and Smith, with the approbation of a former priest. |