Printed at Edmeston NY
Local Power Press Print
1893

     Traditional evidence collected by Rev. C. Ayer, says the Elder Comstock of Cooper's
Patent, came to Burlington Green in 1787, where he baptized a few, and gathered a small
church, but dying soon after, the church became extinct.
     In Burlington, November 27th, 1793 at a meeting of the Baptist brethren at the house of
Eben Leonard, after prayer proceeded, First to enquire what method we had best to take in 
order to promote religion among us. It was concluded that it was best to form into a body and 
watch over each other for good, until we could obtain letters of dismission from those 
churches to which we respectively belong and then form into a church state.
Second, appointed brother James Southwick to write the articles of Faith to be read at our 
next meeting.
     Appointed next meeting at brother Leonard's Dec 7th 1793. Meeting dismissed by prayer
James Southworth, Clerk - Burlington, Dec 7th, 1793

     At a meeting held at the house of brother Eben Leonard, according to appointment, the
following articles were read and approved:

 Articles of Faith 
First.--We believe in one only true and infinite God and that there are three persons in the 
God-Head: The Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost.
Second. --We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God,
and the only rule of faith and practice. 
Third. --We believe in the doctrine of election.
Fourth. --We believe in the doctrine of Original Sin.
Fifth. --We believe in man's impotency to recover himself from the fallen state he is in by 
nature by his own free will and ability.
Sixth. --We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God only by the imputed
righteousness of Christ.
Seventh. --We believe that God's elect shall be called converted, regenerated, and 
sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Eighth. --We believe that the saints shall persevere in grace and never fall finally away.
Ninth. --We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ and that
true believers are the subjects of these ordinances, and we believe that the subjects of these
ordinances, and we believe that the true mode of baptism is by immersion.
Tenth. --We believe that every person before they are received into the church ought to give a
reason of their hope- notwithstanding if any brother or sister is dissatisfied that church 
shall not receive them until the church examine into the matter and cause of the objection.
Eleventh. --We believe the brethren and sisters being in union ought to meet together to 
partake of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of the broken body of Christ.
Twelfth. --We believe it is the duty of Christians to observe the first day of the week as the
Sabbath and to avoid all servile labor on the Lord's Day.
Thirteenth. --We believe it is the duty of the brethren according to their ability to give of 
their substance for the support of the gospel and relief of the poor of the church and for the 
necessary use of the church.
Fourteenth. --We believe in the resurrection of the dead and a general judgment.
Fifteenth. --We believe the punishment of the wicked will be everlasting and the joys of the
righteous will be eternal.
Sixteenth. -- We believe that ministers have no right to the administration of the ordinances,
only such as are regulaly ordained by the church.
Seventeenth. --We believe that brother ought not to go to law with brother but that secular
controversies as well as all ecclesiastical matters be settled by the church.
Eighteenth. --We believe it is the privilege of every member of the church to speak of the 
glory of God. Thos who have no public gifts ought to speak by way of experience - but those 
who have public gifts such as preaching or expounding ought to first be approbated by the 
church before they are sent abroad in public. 
Nineteenth.  --We believe that if one brother or sister trespass against another the offended
brother or sister shall not tell it immediately to the church, but he or she shall first tell
the transgressor their fault as in Matt 18th, verses 15, 16 17 and if the transgressor refuse 
to hear thee and the brethren and the church the transgressor shall be as a heathen and a 
publican unto thee.
     But if the transgressor be public before the whole church the transgressor shall be
rebuked before the whole church, for it is a public sin. 
     But if a brother commit a sin abroad of any kind - the first brother or sister that shall 
hear thereof shall go unto him or her and shall hear thereof shall go unto him or her and shall
commence the labor as though it was a private thing, as before said, and if the transgressor
acknowledge their fault the confession shall be as great as the transgression, all of which 
ought to be done in charity in order to destroy sin and to reclaim the transgressor if 
possible.We believe that no brother or sister ought to commune with any other church 
except of one faith and order and that the church shall not commune with any other person or 
church except of the same faith and order, so as not to give an offense to any of the brethren.

I shall quote largely the language found in the record that we may be taken back to those early
times. 
-----

Covenant.

We whose names are hereunto subscribed do freely and absolutely agree to the above articles,
and we do by these presents covenant to give ourselves up to God and to each other in the 
fear of the Lord and to watch over each other for good as witness our hands.
James Southworth
Eben Leonard
Jonathan Babcock
Wm. Hill
Henry Donehee
Benjamin Wing
This service closed by prayer.
James Southworth, acting as Clerk. 

     We thought best to give in the beginning of this church of the detail of its working that
we may see the difficulties they had to meet in its early history.

     December 21st at a meeting held at the house of brother Aaron Miller, after prayer chose
brother James Southworth as moderator, opened a door for any who are disposed to join with us.
Brother W. Goff, Sylvanus Southworth, sister Susannah Southworth and Mariam Coe gave a reason 
of their hope and were received into fellowship.
Brother James Southworth, Clerk


February 4th, 1794.
     Meeting held by appointment at the house of Brother Eben Leonards. After prayer
proceeded to renew covenant. Called a vote whether it was the mind of the brethren to send to
some churches of our order and inspect into our order and if found agreeable to gospel rule to
fellowship us as a church. It was agreed too, and voted to send to the Baptist church in
Cambridge, under the care of Elder Wm Waite, and to the church of Christ in Springfield under
the care of Elder Wm. Furman, also appointed brother James Southworth to be our messenger.
Dismissed by prayer.

January 13, 1794
     Meeting at brother Eben Leonard's. Door was opened for any who were disposed to join.
Martha Wallis gave a reason of her hope and was received into fellowship, likewise Sarah Wing
and Elizabeth Hill gave a reason of their hope and received to fellowship as to their 
experience, and will be received in full fellowship as soon as they are baptized.It will be 
observed that they are without a minister and laboring under unfavorable circumstances to 
promote spiritual growth and yet were receiving members into fellowship. Their covenant 
meetings were for mutual good, for prayer and watchfulness and also to faithful discipline in 
living up to their articles of Faith and Covenant.

March 28th 1794
     At a council convened at the house of Brother James Southworth, according to adjournment,
for the purpose of inspecting into the order and standing of this church. Members from the 
Springfield church, Elder Wm. Furman, Wm. Hill, John Bennett, Transient brethren,Paul Gardner, 
Joseph Vaughn, Martin Luther and Josiah Matterson. Elder Wm. Furman, moderator Wm. Hill, Clerk.

     The counsel requested our Articles of Faith which we exhibited and read and was
fellowshipped by the Counsel. The Counsel enquired into the standing of the church, and the
church manifesting the same, the Council fellowshipped us as a church of Christ in gospel 
order.
Meeting dismissed by prayer.

May 10th 1794
     Appointed delegates to sit with the 2d church of Burlington to inquire into their
proceedings and to give them fellowship as a church of Christ. James Southworth, Wm. Goff
and W. Hill were appointed as delegates to attend, the 16th day of May next, at the house of 
Paul Gardner. After due consideration concluded to send requests to sit in counsel to take into
consideration the propriety of ordaining Brother James Southworth to the work of the gospel
ministry.

     Letters of request were sent to the churches. The church at Yarmouth, Elder Nichols;
New Gallaway, Elder Finch; at Springfield, Edler Furman.

We see that about this time the various churches in Burlington were organized. 

May 16th, 1794
     Received a letter from the 3d church requesting to send delegates on the 19th instant, at
the house of Stephen Taylor to sit in counsel with others to examine into their order and 
standing and if found agreeable to fellowship them as a church of Christ. James Southworth and
Benjamin Wing were appointed delegates.
About every Covenant meeting some came forward to unite with the church and seemed to be
very active in all church work.

June 7th, 1794
     Davidly Buckly, Nathaniel Wallis and Agnes Wallis, were received as candidates for
baptism.
     Also appointed delegates to sit in counsel with others in Richfield to fellowship them as
a church of Christ. Wm. Hill and Nathaniel Walis were chosen as delegates.

June 22d, 1794
     The first communion season was observe. The candidates previously received were
baptized by Elder Wm. Furman and communed with the church.

September 5th 1794
After sermon by Elder Warden, Samuel Meacham was baptized and received into fellowship.

January 3d, 1795
     James Southworth, Wm. Hill, Wm. Goff and Eben Leonard were appointed to meet in
conference with others at the house of Paul Gardner to consider the propriety of forming an
association. Four person were received by letter into the church.

Aug 15th, 1795
     A request was received from the church in Cooperstown to appoint delegates to sit in
counsel with others to examine into their order and standing and if thought best to fellowship
them as a gospel church under the care of Brother John Bostwick, Benjamin Wing and Jonathan
Babcock delegates.
     Delegates were also appointed to meet the church in Springfield, September 2d, to
consider the forming or not forming an association.
     Benjamin Wing was chosen Clerk in the place of Wm. Hill.
Jonathan Babcock and Benjamin Wing were chosen Deacons.
At the same time and place a request from the brethren of the Town of Otsego (Cooperstown) to
sit with them in the work of the Gospel Ministry. James Southworth, Ebenezer Leonerd and
Benjamin Wing were also appointed to go as delegates to the association meeting to be held at
the house of Paul Gardner, the seventh of Sept. next.
     We do not find a pastor settled over this church until 1801. Elder Jeremiah Irons was
then engaged to serve the church. Although brother James Southworth had been very prominent
as a leader among them with a desire on the part of the church that he should be ordained, 
elder Jeremiah Irons was engaged in the winter of 1801. Agreeing to build him a convenient log 
housein the Spring and to find him such provisions as the church think needful to make him
comfortable. In settling elder Jeremiah Irons, they obtained 20 acres of lease land for him and
agreed to clear off four acres yearly until the whole 20 acres are cleared if he should remain 
with them so long, and that an equality be made upon the church to pay for it. The next year 
the church met and voted to relinquish all former contracts of the land for his service in the 
ministry to occupy and dispose of as he sees fit, and the church to pay him $50 for the ensuing 
year for one half of the Sabbaths, one-fourth cash and the rest wheat, rye and corn.

No record is left on the church book of the building of the first meeting house about 2 miles
North east of this village. Meetings were held in private houses and in school houses, mostly 
at the house of brother Wm. Chappel not far from where the meeting house was built. This much
we learn that on July 21st, 1803, at a church meeting at the house of brother Wm. Chappel, it
was voted to hold their public meetings in brother Wm. Chappel's barn until the meeting house
will do to meet in, from which we conclude it was being built. Nov 17th 1803, the first mention
of a meeting at the meeting house of the First Baptist church in Burlington. 

     It is a noted fact that that same building is now standing and used for a barn.
I have learned by those who are now living that they have attended meeting there and that the
house was without steeple and painted yellow on the outside and went by the name of yellow
meeting house. That it was never finished on the inside and that the seats were boards or slabs
made in a rough manner and that there was no regular pulpit. During the ministry of Elder Irons
of about three years, twenty four were received into the church. The church was now two years
without a pastor, but in June 1805, extended a call to Elder Daniel Bolton in Woodstock to come
and improve with us in the ministry and to pay Elder Palmer $1.00 per day for every day he
improved in the ministry among us. 

June 25th, 1803
     Church voted to give Elder Bolton a call to preach to them one year, compensation
$80.00, one half in money and one half in produce. One thing is to be especially noted, that 
this church were faithful in maintaining discipline and looking after those who did not fulfill 
their covenant obligations. Receiving and dismissing members and labor of correction was 
constant and those around and labored to support the church and its meetings under unfavorable
circumstances. 
     We find that candidates for baptism in the meantime were baptized by elder Stephen
Taylor. An earnest effort was now made to obtain the services of Brother Daniel Bolton. Teams
were provided to move him and family to the place. His support to be made out on the principle
of equality, each member bringing in an estimate of their own property consenting to be taxed,
left to the committee chooses by the church to assess. During a part of his ministry the church
passed through severe trial in controversies upon the doctrine of Election resulting in the
excommunication of quite a number of the leading members of the church, holding that Election
followed regeneration and did not precede it. Elder Daniel Bolton served the church for about
two years, closing Oct 18th 1810.
     In April 1810, Elder Wm. Burch commenced Labor among them. Under his labors there
were many gathered in by baptism, fifteen in the month of May and nine in the month of June--
in the month of July three,--in the month of August seven. After one year's service they called
him to serve another year, agreeing to give $70.00, one-fourth money, the rest provision.

April 4th 1814
     Elder Wm. Burch asked and receive a letter from the church to join some other church
where Providence should cast his lot. This may be said to be four years of prosperity.
     Daniel Nickerson clerk continuously for 15 years. Remarkably faithful and accurate in
the records of the church matters as reported from Covenant meetings
     From 1814 to 1819 we find a continued series of conflicts and trial within and without.
No minister, a struggle to maintain worship and discipline. 

September 23, 1819
      a regular Covenant meeting those present took it into serious consideration and voted to
dissolve their church organization. On the 30th.  inst a special meeting was called at the 
house of Brother Leonard. Prayer by Elder Wm. Burch, Elder Stephen Taylor, Moderator, Daniel
Nickerson, Clerk.
     Through the advise of these and others that by all means they keep up their church travel
in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. Then although without preaching kept up 
regular covenant meetings. Then they recalled Elder Burch to preach to them once a month and 
pay him for each time $1.50 coming from West Burlington  to preach. 

July 10, 1823
     Voted to call a counsel of ordination for Brother John Hill's. He continuing to serve, on
the following January they voted to sustain him for the year to come. This was concluded and
the church without a pastor. Occasional baptisms by Elder Wm. Burch, Elder Gregory, Stephen
Hutchens, and Jacob Knapp.
     Among those baptized was Brother Nathaniel Bolton at this time.
Much of incidental history is passed over till June 2, 1832 when Origin Church and sisters, 
Sarah and Nancy Church united by letter. On the same day Harriet Nickerson and Aboline Lincoln
were baptized by Elder Hutchess.
     By information given by Mr. Calvin Reed we learn that at the house now occupied by
Brother L.D. Bolton a meeting was held in the season of 1832 when Elder Stephen Hutchens
preached and baptized 9 in the creek near the house - Stephen Hales children, We. Hale, Eliza
Hale, S.K. Hale, Ira Babcock, Harriet Babcock and Sally Babcock. He baptized also at the foot
of Briar Hill, Harriet M. Reed, Asel Babcock and Rebecca Babcock. 

September 1832
     Brother Jacob Grants came with a letter from Madison Baptist Church with a license to
preach the Gospel. On the same day Roxy Bolton was baptized by Elder Gregory.

March 1834
     Arrangements were made with Elder Adams to preach for them one fourth of the time for
$75. At this time we have the names of Deacon Bolton and Deacon Russell Babcock.
     Brother William Church was baptized by Elder R.T. Smith in Aug 1836.
In the winter of  36 and  37 being without a minister, secured the labor of Elder Cutler and 
R.T. Smith, each one-half of the time.

August 1837
     Brother Lorenzo Bolton told his experience and was baptized by Elder R.T. Smith. In
October following, Lorinda Atwell was baptized by the same minister.

July 6th, 1839
     At a Covenant meeting held south of the Green in the school house, Deacon H.A. Smith
presented his letter of recommend from the Baptist church in Cooperstown, requesting to unite
with us. 
     The church unanimously and cheerfully voted to receive him. Elisha Nickerson acting
clerk, continuing from May 1830, until July 1842, 13 years, when death called him home. 

July 28th, 1839
     At a meeting in the school house South of the Green a counsel was called for the purpose
of setting apart Brother H. A. Smith to the work of Gospel ministry. The following churches
responded, 2d Burlington, North Burlington, Edmeston, New Lisbon, Hartwick, Cooperstown,
Exeter and Richfield.

August 15th, 1839
     The counsel convened at the Congregational meeting house, Burlington Green, for
ordination service. Sermon by Brother L. Raymond, ordaining prayer by Brother G. Bridge,
laying on hands by brothers Taylor and Burch. Brother D. Cutler gave the charge. Brother E.
Spafford gave the hand of fellowship, Brother L. Wright addressed the church and Brother
Casler offered the concluding prayer.
     Meetings had been held in the school house below and above the village for some time,
drifting away from the old house on the hill. 
     It seems strange that an important event as building this church in the village should not
have been recorded, but I have learned from other sources, and men now living, that it was 
ears and the church enjoyed great
spiritual prosperity, the fruits of which continue until this day.
     A call was extended to Brother J.A. Pittman and an ordination Counsel convened and he
was ordained April 27, 1842. This was a short pastorate of 7 months. 
About this time Brother Lorenzo Bolton was encouraged to improve his talent and publicly
supply the desk for the time being.
     At the time of the death of Brother E. Nickerson, Brother We. Church was chosen clerk.
Now for a time without a pastor until August 1845, when Brother John H. Palmer became pastor
remaining about a year.
     Death and removal and other disintegrating causes reduced the church roll at this date to
about 35.
     From  46 to  52 John Miller, pastor. Then S.A. Douglas was called to the pastorate and it
was agreed to give him $200 and a house to live in. At this time Brother A.S. Bolton was chosen
Deacon. Sister Emeline Park presented a letter from the church in Cassville and was received
into fellowship.
     Counsel convened in the Baptist meeting house Jan 5th 1853, and proceeded to the
ordination of Brother S.A. Douglas, sermon, Elder J. Smith. In December the same year he left
the field. Baptized 7 and received 2 by letter.

March 1854
     Brother Samuel Seymour and wife united by letter. On May 6th, following, we are
introduced to Elder R.S. Dean whose labors were much blessed to the church during a short
pastorate. It was his privilege to baptize among others, N. Dorr Bolton, Richard E. Bolton and
George H. Scriber
Brother A. Newton was elected Deacon and Brother Henry Steelman was ordained by a counsel
and the usual order of service January 11th, 1855.

     My own personal acquaintance commences in the fall of 1857. Invited by Deacon
Newton when living and laboring at Burlington Flats, I commenced to come over to supply the
church at 2 o'clock and continue to come during the Winter and the next Summer. A faithful
little band were always in attendance. Deacon Albert Bolton at the head of the choir which was
always at their post.
     The Bolton family were household words and the men who now stand in the front rank to
bear the burdens and gain the blessing were then boys or young men who early learned to love
the house of God. Some good was accomplished in building up the church.

April 1st, 1859
     Elder Geo. Evans commenced his labor with the church.
A serious event for the church was experienced in the sudden death of Nathaniel Bolton, Dec 3,
1859.
     Some of the present active members were baptized by elder George Evans.
He left this field in the spring of 1862. The church now about three years without a pastor 
whenin the Spring of  65 Rev G.E. Flint came among them and commenced labor and was somewhat
blesses. We find no more record until 1870, from which we judge that there were dark times.
In 1871, Rev Henry Steelman returned and became pastor, for about a year and a half, and
occupied as the first minister the brick parsonage. It is remarkable that no record of it was 
made upon the church book.
     This brick parsonage was made over to the Baptist church by will, the gift of Mrs. Henry
Sill, the whole corner lot now occupied by house, barn, church and sheds, in about the year
1870.
     During the year 1875 Rev J. Evans supplied this church in the afternoon from the church
in the Flats and in the spring of  76 moved into this parsonage and became settled as pastor 
but closed his labor in sept, 7 months. It was his privilege to baptize Brother Henry Pierce,
Br. Chas Fish and sister Hattie Bolton and to receive by letter to the church sister Sarah 
Seymour and sister Sarah J. Cady.
     I now step upon ground where I find but very little recorded upon the church book, and
as it is connected with my own pastorate, will depend upon my own and corresponding record.
In the same fall Deacon We. Ainslie and Brother N. Dorr Bolton came to Hartwick (where I was
living at the time) as a committee to engage me to come to Burlington to settle as pastor,
 I was in poor health. They said if you are able to preach all right, if not we will take care 
of you. I moved to Burlington Nov. 14 1876 feeling that I was made welcome by warm and earnest
hearts. At first I gave them Bible talks by being carried to the church and sitting in a chair.
 Thus continued through the winter and in the Spring had so far recovered that arrangements 
were made for a permanent pastorate. Deacon Bolton saying he did not like to hire from year to 
year. During several weeks of sickness at one time Brother Church came to my assistance and 
thus public service was kept up. An effort was made for my support to raise $250, the use of 
the parsonage and fire wood and a donation annually. A prayer-meeting was established that had 
not existed heretofore.
     The Sunday school was in good condition under the superintendence of Deacon We.
Ainslie. Soon Brother Danforth Bolton was reinstated as Superintendent which position he
sustained until the day of his death. The Sunday school was a live institution and continued
source of blessing to the church. 
     An increase of interest was manifest in all meetings but every time we met at the church
we felt the disgrace of condition of the meeting house. Things seemed to go about as they were
till the winter of  79 and  80.
     When Brother N. Dorr Bolton was at the parsonage talking about the prosperity of the
church, he said you write a subscription paper and I will see what can be done about repairing
the church and then put down $100. I said if that is the way you feel about it, it will go, 
thinking to repair it where it stood at a cost of $700. But the opinion prevailed that it 
should be moved upon the parsonage lot where it now stands. An old store on the lot was sold 
to make room, and the house was moved in the early Spring of 1880. The job was let to Mr. Homer 
Underwood of Edmeston, to move,  repair and finish.
     The first contract was without a basement but when it was placed upon the ground David
Fisk urged the benefit of putting under a basement and that he would raise the extra money.
     The masons suspended business, the money was raised, men gathered in mass to
excavate beneath and the wall was put up in its present form. 
     Through the courtesy of the U.P. Church we held our meetings there on the Sabbath
during the Summer in the afternoon. A deep religious interest was immediately manifest in our
prayer meetings at the parsonage Sunday evening. 
     Some coming, in the short Summer evenings, a distance of two miles, until the sitting
room was sometimes crowded to over-flowing, and more earnest prayers were seldom uttered.
There seemed to be a grand rally of both the temporal and spiritual interests of the church. 
While the steeple was being put up David Fisk urged also the importance of a bell to cost about 
$300, and said he would let us have $200 provided we would pay him interest while he lived and 
that it should be church property when is was done. It was agreed to raise another $100 and 
the bell was obtained. Through the efforts of N.D. Bolton and others a furnace was put in the 
basement at a cost of about $100.
     I told the building committee that I would not say one word about salary for one year if
they would go on with this work. This they nobly did, (however voluntary offerings were made
of about one half my usual salary,) The additional cost made of moving and more through repair
than at first anticipated run up the aggregate expense to about $1,600 including bell, all of 
which was manfully met. The carpet was repaired and refitted and the interior prepared by the 
Sisters for the day of Re-dedication which took place Oct 12th 1880. This was a glad day for 
many rejoicing hearts. Deacon Bolton would say sometimes while at work, "I am doing this for 
other when I am gone."
     In 1857 I found Deacon A.S. Bolton the leader of the choir. When I came again in 1876
he was yet the leader and continued so until nearly the time of his death. He raised up around
him a family of singers that seem to catch his spirit. I never saw greater harmony in any 
church choir.
     Following the repair of the church there was a great spiritual uplifting. The prayer
meetings in the vestibule were of great spiritual power, of a melting and tender spirit. We 
were glad to welcome Brother We. Church in these meetings ready to cooperate in all church work. 
On the 6th of March  81, Rev A. Reynolds came to assist the pastor in special meetings. These
meetings were held both day and evening and were continued until the 20th. This was a season
of rejoicing in the closing services of this meeting, when converts and returning backsliders 
were together to the number of 35 to give testimony of the blessing they had received.
     Rev. A. Reynolds returned the 15th of May, preached to a large congregation and then
baptized 18 willing converts in the solemn and joyful presence of God and a large gathering of
people.
Among the number baptized at that time were the following:
Mr. George Ackerman and Wife
Mrs. John Burritt
Mrs. Bliss
Mrs. Daniel Park
Miss Anna Wheeler
Miss M.J. Avery
Miss Lucy Joslin
James Bolton
Fred Bolton
Marion Winters
Daniel Byam and Wife
Mrs. Chas. Bolton
George R. Gorham
Willis Cady

and others were received afterwards as the fruits of this meeting. The uncounted blessing must
go down to the latest generation.
     Reference may be properly made here of this little church hidden in among the hills, that
she has been a nursery from which to transplant to other fields, the three sons of our 
venerable Brother Steelman, Brother Henry Steelman is doing grand work in Utah, Brother Albert 
in Rochester and Brother Newton Steelman in Mexico. Also Brother Sidney A Fisher is doing
efficient pastoral work in East Worcester, NY.
     Not only these but others of our number have been prepared to Christian work in other
places like so many streams of blessing, and the church triumphant is being filled up from the
church militant.
     Following this revival came a series of afflicting providences that were crushing in the
extreme.
     Sister Adalaide Bolton was suddenly called away in the midst of her usefulness. The
failing health of Deacon N. Dorr Bolton induced him to break away from all endearments of
home and church and try the climate of Florida for the return of health but was not able to 
return to us and left a cloud over the desolate home. Deacon A.S. Bolton was suddenly stricken 
down by the dreaded disease pneumonia, inflicting an irreparable loss. Soon our young Brother,
George R. Gorham died with the same disease and ere this wave had passed our beloved Brother
D.D. Bolton was called away by the same fell destroyer.
     Brother C.M. Fish chosen Deacon January 3, 1885. Bro A.P. Bolton chosen Deacon
December 10, 1885.
     Now we were an afflicted church struggling along for years beneath this mysterious
stroke. Other Brethren were brought forward to fill the places of those taken and with prayers
and tears to pursue the way. This pastorate closed March 3d, 1888, 11 « years. 
     In July Rev W.E. Howell pastor at Burlington Flats commenced to preach to the church
in the afternoon at 2 o'clock and continued about 2 years. Rev H.J. Roberts commenced to
preach Dec 1st, 1889, continued about one year, baptized one and received several by letter. 
Rev W.W. Onderdonk commenced his labors Dec 1st 1890, and closed his labor with them in April
1893. During this pastorate 3 were added by letter and 10 by baptism. It is a matter to be 
highly commended that there was formed a young people's society of Christian Endeavor which has
become a power for good as also the Sunday School under the efficient leadership of Deacon
C.M. Fish. Both of these blessed agencies were unknown to the church of 100 years ago. The last
official act of this church was to unite in a Counsel of Ordination at Burlington, Sept 1st 
1893, to set apart Brother C.H. Murch to the work of the gospel ministry under whose labors 
this church now have the privilege to unite and is the dividing line between two centuries to 
carry out the great commission with the precious promise "Lo I am with you always, even unto 
the end of theworld."
     During this period the church has had 22 pastors and the assistance of 10 or more
neighboring pastors and helpers such as Taylor, Cutler, Casler, Church, Gregory, Chamberlain,
Seymor, Furman, Hosmer, Bostwick, Raymond. Have received into the church membership over
400 members during this time. Struggled through poverty and difficulty, passed through seasons
of prosperity and have learned that through it all the hand of the Lord has been with them, being
owned and blessed of God that it is a church of Gods own planting and special care ever which
we now invoke the special blessing "Of the Great Head of the Church."

End