South Congregational Church history and catalogue, 1852–1865 · scan page 204

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194  MISCELLANEOUS.
1852,  having  been  requested  by  the  committee  of  the  South-
ern Aid  Society  to  devote  his  whole  time  to  the  interests  of
that  Society,  resigned  his  connection  witli  this  Church,  that
he  might  enter  upon  the  wider  spliere  of  usefulness  which
Providence  had  thus  opened  to  his  labors.  *  *  *  By
the  settlement  of  Rev.  Mr.  Noyes  as  Pastor  of  the  Church,
and  the  formation  of  an  Ecclesiastical  Society,  our  organi-
zation was  completed  according  to  the  usages  of  our  de-
nomination. It  was  hoped  that  under  such  auspices,  the
Church  and  Society  would  develop  what  native  strength
they  possessed,  and  more  rapidly  grow  to  the  fulness  and
stature  of  a  self-sustaining  body.  It  is  too  soon  now  to
speak  with  much  confidence  of  the  results  of  this  step.  The
anticipations  of  the  more  sanguine  have  not  perhaps  been
fully  realized ;  yet  it  is  believed  there  is  a  deeper  sense  of
responsibility  in  regard  to  the  maintenance  of  public  wor-
ship, and  a  readier  disposition  to  assume  the  duties  it  im-
poses, than  was  felt  before.
The  usual  meetings  for  public  and  social  worship  have
been  regularly  maintained.  The  attendance  on  Sabbath
Day  service  has  been  somewhat  increased.  The  Young
•  Men's  Prayer  Meeting,  held  after  the  afternoon  service  on
the  Sabbath,  has  been  changed  in  name,  and  in  the  charac-
ter of  its  attendance.  It  is  now  maintained  as  a  Young
Feople's  Prayer  Meeting,  and  the  attendance  of  both  sexes
is  invited.  The  Sabbath  School  and  Bible  Class  continue,
as  to  numbers  in  attendance,  very  much  as  they  were  a
year  ago.  The  average  attendance  is  83,  being  seven  less
than  was  reported  last  year.
At  the  last  annual  meeting  of  the  Church,  there  were
reported  180  members,  in  good  standing.  During  the  past
year,  28  have  been  admitted  by  profession,  and  14  by  letter.
Eleven  have  been  dismissed,  and  recommended  to  other
Churches,  leaving  the  net  gain  of  the  year  31,  and  making
the  present  total  211.
The  past  year  is  one  greatly  distinguished  in  the  history
of  the  Church  as  a  season  of  wide-spread  and  gracious
revival  of  religion.  Our  Church  has  shared  in  the  blessing.
Such  awakenings  produce  increased  attention  to  the  truth;
illuminate  darkened  understandings;   make  tender,  bard

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Silent Grounds Collective, Church Burial & Death Records, CH-P004-0204. South Congregational Church history and catalogue, 1852–1865, printed page not verified, PDF page 204. Hallock, Gerard, 1800-1866; digitized copy contributed by University of California Libraries https://archive.org/details/historyofsouthco00hall/page/n208/mode/1up Accessed September 8, 2026.

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