South Congregational Church history and catalogue, 1852–1865 · scan page 35

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MINISTRY    OF    DR.  STILES.  27
roots  of  bitterness  over  which  we  have  mourned,  are  dead  ;
and  with  God's  help,  I  pray  they  may  never  be  seen  again.
*  *  *  Now,  l)lessed  with  spiritual  comforts, — blessed  in  my
*  basket  and  store,' — with  numerous  friends  to  give  me  en-
couragement, I  step  into  the  new  year  with  a  thankful
heart,  and  a  firm  reliance  on  Christ,  that  he  will  perfect  in
His  own  time  and  way,  the  good  work  begun  November  23,
1852."
"New  Haven,  Nov.  23,  1863.
"  The  return  of  this  hour  is  to  me  a  comforting  one.  It
reminds  me  of  the  dreadful  pit  from  which  I  was  digged  just
eleven  years  ago.  It  seems  but  a  dream, — a  new  life,  and
one  that  gives  me  good  cheer  as  I  look  forward.  I  feel  that
with  all  my  short-comings  and  failings  I  can  look  back  to
the  testimony  that  was  mine  eleven  years  ago,  and  onward
I  go  with  new  hopes  and  renewed  exertions.  O  what  shall
I  render  unto  God  for  all  His  mercies  to  me  in  the  space
of  eleven  years  !  What  changes — what  blessings — what
love  1"
»  New  Haven,  Nov.  23,  1864.
"  This  anniversary  hour  brings  to  my  mind  circumstances
that  occurred  just  twelve  years  ago  ;  and  they  are  before
me  now  as  vividly  as  at  that  moment.  Eut  it  is  twelve
years  (and  they  seem  but  a  few  days)  since  the  light  of
God's  forgiveness  and  love  shone  so  brightly  in  my  heart.
The  years  have  been  short,  but  eventful ;  full  of  changes,
intermixed  with  prosperity  and  adversity  ;  and  yet  through
them  all  to  this  present  hour,  not  one  doubt  in  the  religion
of  Jesus  and  the  work  of  His  good  Spirit  in  man's  heart,
(and  by  God's  grace  I  can  say  in  my  own,)  has  ever  crossed
my  mind.  The  testimony  then  given  me  by  those  influences,
was  just  what  my  dark,  wicked  heart  needed,  to  stay  it  in
its  new  life.  0  the  goodness  of  God  in  leading  me  to  re-
pentance, that  I  might  see  my  obligations,  my  flagrant  sins,
and  a  way  of  escape  from  a  just  retribution. — This  anni-
versary never  conies,  in  its  welcome  round,  without  thoughts
of  that  man  of  God,  our  mutual  friend.  Dr.  Stiles.  Though
almost  a  stranger  to  me,  yet  knowing  the  value  of  a  soiil
better  than  T  did.  he  seemed  to  nie  almost  as  an  angel  of

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Silent Grounds Collective, Church Burial & Death Records, CH-P004-0035. South Congregational Church history and catalogue, 1852–1865, printed page not verified, PDF page 35. Hallock, Gerard, 1800-1866; digitized copy contributed by University of California Libraries https://archive.org/details/historyofsouthco00hall/page/n37/mode/1up Accessed September 8, 2026.

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