Covenant Meeting January 2nd 1875. Present Rev. L. Williams Jr., 7 Brn & 8 Sisters, during a snowstorm & wind. Reading & Prayer by Pastor & remarks. Remarks by Brn & Sisters. The subject of observing the week of prayer was discussed and decided to have meetings each evening. Visiting from house to house in the Church was also spoken of, and left to be again called up at the Communion tomorrow. Closed with prayer by Bro. D.G. Sweet.
January 3rd, 1875
At Communion Pastor stated in regard to Visitations, that Bro. J. Hamilton Jr., Bro. G.W. Lewis, D.G. Sweet, Sister Tate & some others would engage as they could devote the time in that way.
Jany 6th 1875 Rev. Chas. Thompson died at Dkk. A.Z.M. Clk
Sabbath A.M. Jany 31, 1875, on request of Pastor L. Williams Jr. members of Ch. tarried after benediction. He then presented written request of Sister Helen S. Wright for a letter of dismission and recommendation on which she could unite with the second Baptist Ch. in Lexington Ky. On Motion of A.Z. Madison, seconded, her request was granted.
From 1st week in Jany the three denominations, Baptist, Methodist & Presbn. together held Union services, alternating from house or church to church till about 1st Mch when Meths. formally withdrew, save that certain Members, personally, continued with Baptist & Presbyterians, till after the interesting S. Sch. Institute held in Presbn. Ch. (Payne Ch.) about 17 & 18 Mch and the formal closing of the Union Meetings occurred in Bap. Ch. Rev. McBenton leading, Sunday evening Mch 21st House well filled. (some 20 conversions the result, besides the reviving in Christian hearts no general attendance of the unconverted. A.Z.M.
Covenant Meeting Feby 6th 1875.
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr., 15 Brn 30 Srs. Opened by singing 13th Hymn. Pastor read 12th Romans & offered prayer & remarks. Remarks by Brn & Sisters followed, and much reference to the Series of Union meetings now in progress here.
At close Clk spoke of the Resignation of Deacons Pettit & Barrell now lying on the table; and of the request of Dec 5/74 for letters by Brn Edmund Barker & his son Perley N. Barker.
On Motion of Bro. Grant 2nd by D.G. Sweet Resolved that a letter of dismission & recommendation be granted to Bro. Perley N. Barker. (This after A.Z.M.s Mo. for both not (?) )
On Motion of Bro. A. Morian seconded by D.G. Sweet, Resolved that a Com. be appointed to investigate the matter of the separation, by mutual consent, of Bro. Edmund Barker & his wife Elisabeth W. Barker. On nominations, Resolved that Brn L.B. Grant & D. Barrell be such Com. to investigate and report to Ch. Regarding the resignation of Deacons, On Motion of H.A. Buck 2nd by L.B. Grant, that Whereas we regard the services of Brn. Deacons E.M. Pettit & D. Barrell too important to the Church for them to resign as Deacons for the present, Therefore Resolved that the Church cordially & respectfully requests them to withdraw their Resignations.
On Motion of L.B. Grant seconded, Resolved that Brn Geo. W. Lewis & D.G. Sweet be a committee to visit members of Ch. and collect funds for A. Bap. Misy Union.
Closed by prayer by Bro. Grant.
Covenant Meeting March 6th 1875
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr., 15 Bren & 40 Sisters. Opened by singing. Prayer & singing 1. v. Rock of Ages. Remarks by Pastor, followed by Brn & Sisters in turn More than usual revival feeling An interesting meeting.
Committee in regard to Bro. Edmund Barker by Bro. Grant stated not ready to report. Clk announced that he had sent letter to the son Perley N. Barker and notified his father that a Com. to investigate the matter had been appointed. The matter of resignations of Deacons Pettit & Barrell was spoken of. They declined to withdraw their resignations, each offering a few remarks. On Motion of L.B. Grant, Resolved That the three Deacons, including Dea. W. Crocker, be a Committee to present three new names for additional Deacons at next Covenant Meeting. Closed with prayer by Bro. David G. Sweet & the benediction.
Covenant Meeting April 3rd 1875.
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr., 15 Brn & some 35 Srs.
Singing, reading scripture, Prayer & Remarks by Pastor. Remarks by Brn & Sisters.
William Chas. Dunn and Jay Crissey related experience and on Motions of L.B. Grant & E.M. Pettit each recd. as candidates for baptism and membership in Church.
Clerk read letter of Bro. Arthur P. Clow of North East Pa requesting letter to unite there, & on Motion of Clk it was granted. Clerk read letter of commendation and dismission from Geneva Ohio for Sr. Ada Sliter(?) to unite with us & then moved her reception, seconded & Received. Clerk then read similar letter from Cassadaga Bap. Ch. to Dea. Benj. Merrill. On Motion 2nd he was duly received. Clerk then read similar letter from the 1st Bap. Ch. of South Bend, Ind. to Brother Almond B. Hamilton & his wife Sister Sarah J. Hamilton & On Motion L.B.G. 2nd they were also received. Br. E.M. Pettit then spoke in regard to his & Br. D. Barrells resignations as Deacons and closed by recommending & nominating Brn. Saml. S. Crissey, Henry A. Buck & Jno. Hamilton Jr. as Candidates for the office of Deacon; respectively, On separate motions seconded in regular course, they were all, unanimously elected as Deacons of the Fredonia Baptist Church. On Motion of Bro. L.B. Grant, seconded, Resolved unanimously that it is the desire of the church that Brn. Eber M. Pettit & David Barrell continue and remain as Honorary Deacons of the Church though freed from the onerous and regular duties of the office. Carried up. On call for other business, if any by Pastor, the Clerk stated that there was a Committee to report, if ready, referring to the Comme. appointed to investigate the matter of Bro. Edmund Barker. Bro. L.B. Grant stated that the Committee was not ready to report, had done nothing. Clk urged that something ought to be done to have it settle & ended. On Motion of Bro. L.B. Grant, seconded, against the objects of Clerk, Resolved that A.Z. Madison be added as one of the committee above referred to. Closed with Doxology.
Sabbath April 4th 1875
Before communion, Hand of fellowship to four. After the Communion service, the Church remained and heard the relation of experience by Wilbur D. Boynton son of Sister C.F. Boynton. Statements in regard to him were made by Pastor, Sister Boynton & his S.S. Teacher, Sister Ely Davis. On Motion of Bro. L.B. Grant seconded, Resolved that Wilbur D. Boynton be received as a Candidate for baptism & membership in Church.
Sabbath Evening April 11, 1875, as the Closing service William Chas. Dunn, Jay Crissey & Wilbur Douglass Boynton were severally baptized by Pastor Rev. L. Williams Jr. as reported by L.B. Grant.
Covenant Meeting May 1, 1875.
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr., 8 Brn & 9 Srs. Prior to the opening of the Covt. Meeting some half hour, the Com. to investigate the matter of Bro. Edmund Barker had a consultation together with Pastor & Brn H.A. Buck & D.L. Shepard, in Church. After various remarks, on the suggestion of Bro. D. Barrell a Report to the Ch. was agreed upon, and written out by the Clerk. The Covenant Meeting was opened by Pastor by reading & Prayer and followed by remarks.
At Close, on Call for business, the Clerk read the Report of Committee as above stated to wit:
The Committee appointed to investigate the matter of Bro. Edmund Barkers request for a letter of commendation and dismission for himself, Respectfully Report that we recommend to the church to direct the Church Clerk to write to Bro. Barker That we, as a Church, do not feel at liberty to grant him a letter of commendation & dismission, as a member in good and regular standing with us, he having separated from his wife in the manner he has, unless he is disposed to, and does satisfy this Church of his innocence in the matter. L.B.G., D.B. & A.Z.M. Com. On Motion of Bro. Buck, seconded, Resolved to accept and adopt the report of Come. Clerk read two letters from Bro. J. Hamilton Jr. declining the office of Deacon to which he was elected April 3rd 1875. On Motion of Bro. Buck seconded Resolved to accept Bro. Jno. Hamiltons declination as Deacon. Clerk stated the substance of a request in a letter to Bro. Williams Pastor, from Bro. Wm. N. Rowe, for a letter of commendation and dismission for himself to unite with the Bap. Ch. at Grand Rapids Mich. On Motion D.B. seconded the request was granted. Clerk then read a Circular to the Churches comprising Social Union of Western New York, by the Comee. Emerson Mills et al in regard to the Centennial Movement in the bounds of the Union, and the meeting with the Washington Street Baptist Church of Buffalo May 4th inst. On Motion of Bro. L.B. Grant seconded, Resolved that Rev. L. Williams Jr. and any brother or brethren of this Church who can attend the Meeting with the Washington Street Baptist Church in Buffalo, to be held May 4 inst. be appointed to represent this Church in the same. Pastor made explanatory remarks of the objects of the Centennial Movement. Prayer by Dea. W. Crocker, Closed. A.Z. Madison Clk
Prayer Meeting May 13, 1875. Clerk read letter of request from Brother Jesse Tate for a letter of dismission to unite with the Calvary Bap. Church of Davenport, Iowa. On Motion seconded, Resolved to grant his request.
(again rainy)
Covenant Meeting June 5, 1875.
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr., 6 Brn & 18 Srs. Pastor read 1. Pet.(?) 5th and offered prayer & then remarks. Remarks by Brn & Srs. Miss (Nellie) or Helen Amerette Pemberton, a daughter of Henry I. Pemberton, gave a relation of her religious experience, and on motion of Bro. L.B. Grant, Resolved that she be received a candidate for baptism & then Membership in the Church. Pastor introduced the Centennial Movement in our Baptist denomination which was discussed & explained to some extent. He also spoke of lay preaching & the propriety of licensing some in our Ch., for such work, and on his own responsibility named three that he thought adapted to such position, J. Hamilton Jr., S.S. Crissey & Geo. Tate. Miss Phebe Puella Osborn then related her past & present religious exercises and on Motion of Bro. Grant, she was also recd. as a Candidate for baptism and membership in ch.
Closed by prayer by Sister Morian.
Sabbath P.M. June 6th after the Communion service, Miss Emily E. Starr came forward to A.Z. Madisons slip, and related her religious exercises, heretofore, and now, giving an interesting and intelligent statement of her conversion to Christ, which was so announced by the Clerk as his view of it, and on his Motion she was duly received as a Candidate for baptism & Membership in the Church.
At Close A.M. service Res.(?) Mis(?) Stockton(?) solicited aid to build a Bap Ch at Council Bluffs Iowa & took collection.
Sabbath evening June 20th 1875.
At close of sermon by Pastor Rev. L. Williams Jr. he baptized Sisters Emily E. Starr, Phebe Puella Osborn and Helen A. Pemberton. The church nearly filled with respectful listeners to a plain practical discourse from 1. Cor. 2. 16: But we have the mind of Christ.
Covenant Meeting July 3rd 1875.
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr. Pastor, Rev. D. Bernard, (but silent.), 11 Brn & 31 Srs. Pastor read prayed & offered remarks, Brn & Sisters followed as usual in order. Bro. D. Barrell requested a letter of commendation & dismission for Sister Mary Briarton to unite with a Baptist Church in Buffalo N.Y. On Motion, Resolved to grant the request. Bro. Forrest W. Crissey late of Cleveland O. was present and spoke & presented a letter from 3rd Bap. Ch. Cleveland in due form on which he was received as a Member with us.
Clk spoke of the next session of the Association with us, and it was found that it commenced Augt. 31st. Some remarks as to the letter of welcome to be prepared by Clk and it was left that he should present such letter to Ch. next Cov. M. July 31st.
Pastor desires to visit his friends in Mass. & wishes a vacation to cover three Sabbaths, at most four. On Mo. Bro. D.G. Sweet Resolved to grant Pastors request. Pastor then stated it would be more difficult than usual to find supplies by regular Ministers, but there is material in the Ch. to read sermons, or to preach & commended that way(?) during his absence. Closed by prayer Bro. G.W. Lewis & Doxology.
A.Z.M. Clk
Covenant Meeting postponed by vote of Church July 25th to August 7th on account of the absence of Pastor on his vacation of 4 weeks to Massachusetts.
Covenant Meeting Aug 7th, 1875
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr. returned, 11 Brn & 25 Srs.
Opened with Singing, reading 2 Cor. 5: Prayer & Remarks by Pastor, followed by remarks of Brn & Sisters in turn. At close of remarks in Covt. M. opened as a business meeting. Bro. S.S. Crissey suggested the appointment of a Committee on Entertainment for the session of the Chautauqua Bap. Asso. to meet with us 31st Augt. inst. before the reading of the ch. letter to the Association and before Brn & Sisters should any of them leave. This course was pursued. Some explanatory remarks were made by Pastor, Clerk & other brethren. On Motion of Bro. L.B. Grant, Resolved that Brethren S.S. Crissey, D.L. Shepard, and then Bro. L.B. Grant was nominated by S.S.C. These three be the Committee on Entertainment of Association, carried. Then, On Mon. Bro. S.S. Crissey, Resolved that the Chairman (Pastor) Nominate five Sisters to act with & be a part of the Committee above. Pastor named Sisters R.E. Morian, L.K. Lathrop, S.E. Shepard, A. Lewis and C.L. Barber who were duly added to the Commee. Bro. Grant suggested to these sisters to agree whether dinners Wednesday and Thursday should be prepared in the ch. or at the houses of members. Sister Lathrop & some others then suggested cleaning the Church above and below. After various remarks it was agreed to submit to the Committee on Entertainment, in whole, the manner and time for Cleaning the house.
On nominations made & seconded, Resolved that Rev. Lester Williams Jr., Rev. W.H. Husted, Deacons E.M. Pettit & D. Barrell and Brethren A.Z. Madison, A. Morian, Geo. Tate, D.G. Sweet, S.S. Crissey and Eugene Wright be our delegates to sit with the Association. On Motion, Resolved that the Ch. Treasurer furnish of Ch. funds for the printing of Minutes, $6.00. On the suggestion of Clerk, as so many had left, the reading of the letter was deferred to tomorrow at Communion. Bro. Crissey offered prayer to Close.
Sabbath August 8th, 1875, after the Communion service, Clerk read the letter prepared by him, (having some blanks to be fitted,) from the Church to the Chautauqua Bap. Association to sit with us Augt 31st, 1875*, giving explanations and inviting corrections if needed. On Motion of L.B. Grant, Resolved that the Church adopt the letter, as recd by the Clerk, (subject to the necessary additions & corrections,) as our epistle to the Chaut. Bap. Association.
About 24 Augt. Recd. letter from East Charleston without date or signature, supposed from Bro. Edmund Barker explaining about his separation from his wife &c.
Augt. 31st, Sept 1. & 2nd 1875, the Chautauqua Baptist Association met with Fredonia Baptist Church. Present Dr. Strong of Rochester and spoke on Ministerial Education Tuesday evening. Also Missionaries from Swatow(?) China Dr. Ashmore & wife and from Ningpo(?) China, Dr. E.C. Lord all of whom spoke of their Missions on Wednesday evening, interestingly. The session was fully attended & all business amicably attended to the provisions full and satisfactory, and closed at noon Thursday with a brief and good conference, conducted or led by Rev. John Trowbridge of Cassadaga.
Covenant Meeting September 4, 1875
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr. Pastor, Rev. E.C. Lord Missy to Ningpo, 8 Brn & 21 Srs. Opened with Singing. Reading Scripture & Prayer by Pastor, Remarks by Pastor followed by Brn & Srs. Closing with Dr. Lord. Br. Williams requested members of Executive Com. to remain after dismission, and spoke of the Centennial movement, and as to appointing some solicitors. Br. Grant in reply thought that payments to the dollar pr Member had better for the present be made to Pastor. This being conceded, several did pay to Rev. L. Williams Jr. then & there. After which, Closed with prayer by Bro. E.C. Lord.
Covenant Meeting Oct. 2nd, 1875. Rainy.
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr. Pastor, 9 Brn & 23 Srs. Opened by singing, prayer, reading & remarks by Pastor, and then by remarks of Brn & Sisters. Pastor spoke of what he did 4 Mos. ago the licensing Brn. Jno. Hamilton Jr., Saml. S. Crissey, and Geo. Tate to preach the Gospel of Christ. Many remarks by Pastor & brn Crocker, Buck, Grant, Madison, Lewis & D.G. Sweet & Sr. Morian. On Motion of Clerk, Resolved to defer action until next Covenant Meeting.
Br. Alexr. Morian made a Statement of the organization of a Society for investment in Point Chautauqua near DeWittville. 40 acres for a summer resort. [Note to the side reads: 70 as 300 $21000, 40 as 200 8000] No action on it. Pastor spoke again of the Centennial fund. It moved slow. He thought Solicitors should be appointed before Cong. Bro. G.W. Lewis offered prayer to Close.
Prayer & conference Meeting Thursday evening October 14th 1875, a quite fair attendance and a desire manifest for increased spirituality and a general revival of religion. At close of services, Pastor Williams stated that Bro. Benjamin S. Dunn & Sister Eliza A. Dunn his wife, who had both spoken in the meeting, were desirous to unite with this church by baptism. That Bro. Dunn professed religion about five years ago & united with the Methodist Church but now saw differently as to the rite of baptism; and that Sister Dunn had not before made any profession. After some inquiries, mainly by Clerk, On his Motion, seconded, Resolved that Brother Benjamin S. Dunn be received as a Candidate for baptism, & when baptized, to membership in the Fredonia Baptist Church. On Motion of A.Z. Madison, also seconded, Resolved that Sister Eliza A. Dunn be received as a Candidate for baptism & Membership in same named. Meeting closed with singing Doxology.
Sunday Oct. 17th, 1875. Rev. J.S. Barlow preached in Bap Ch an excellent discourse on Ps. 8:4th first clause, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? A different view of Man from ordinary. Greater than the Terrestrial heavens the Moon, stars &c a little lower than the Angels &c. Thursday eveg. Oct 20/75 An excellent Temperance lecture by Miss Frances E. Willard.
Sunday evening Oct. 24th/75, Bro. Benjn. S. Dunn & his wife, Sister Eliza A. Dunn were both baptized by Pastor L. Williams Jr.
Covenant Meeting Novr. 6, 1875
Present Rev. L. Williams Jr., 11 Brn & 27 Srs. Meeting in Ch. Parlor as the Main room was being cleaned after the last evenings supper for the benefit of the new pipe organ contracted for.
The services were about in the customary order, and a deeper feeling for the cause of Christ than ordinary, manifest. After remarks by Brethren and Sisters, on call, Clerk explained as to recent doings of Executive Committee regarding Bro. Edmund Barker & his wifes separation, and then read a letter or statement which the Exe. Committee recommended the Ch to adopt, and to direct the Ch. Clerk to write and forward to Bro. E. Barker. On Motion of Br. Grant seconded by Br. Buck, Resolved to adopt the report of Ex. Committee. After this, Clk read what he had written further than the action of Ex. Com. in order to complete a dismission of Bro. Barker from this Ch. Much discussion or talk followed by both brethren & sisters, and Motions were made and seconded by both, & again withdrawn, showing considerable diversity of opinion, when at last Bro. G.W. Lewis moved & Bro. Grant seconded, thus: Resolved that the Clerk be instructed to inform Bro. Barker, that after thorough investigation by a Committee appointed for that purpose, That the Church cannot feel satisfied that he is entitled to receive a letter of dismission and recommendation until he shall satisfy the Church of his innocence of wrong, which, if he fails to so do, necessary steps for Christian labor with him, (as a wrong doer,) must be taken. [Note to the side reads: Rescinded Nov 11/75]
This resolution passed without dissent none voting in negative, and it may now be seen that we are just as far along with the matter as we were May 1, 1875, as see the report adopted May 1, 1875 on 82nd page. Prayer by Bro. Lewis to close.
As some members were not satisfied with the result of Ch. meeting Nov. 6th 1875 a Notice was given at the Communion by Pastor that there would be another Ch. Meeting after the Close of prayer meeting Thursday evening Nov 11, 1875 to further consider the same matter in regard to request of Bro. E. Barker.
Church Meeting after close of Prayer Meeting Thursday evening Novr. 11th, 1875.
Present Pastor as Chairman, and a goodly number of brethren & sisters. The meeting was opened with prayer by Bro. S.S. Crissey. Pastor as Chn. called on Clerk, who stated that Sister Elisabeth W. Barker had called at his office this morning, and desired him to say in her behalf to the Church, at this time, That when she separated from her husband Brother Edmund Barker, she thought that she was, under all the circumstances, doing right, and that she still thinks that she did right, - That she had always felt a strong attachment to the Fredonia Baptist Church since her union with it, and was grieved to leave it, but learning that the Church disapproved of her action in seeking a separation between herself and her husband, she requested that her name be dropped from the roll of members.
Clerk then read the Resolution of the Church in regard to Bro. Edmund Barker of May 1st, 1875, and also the Resolution of the Ch. of Nov. 6th, 1875 to show what progress had been made with the case of Bro. E. Barker in 6 Mos(?) and pronounced the two resolutions substantially the same or that we were in status quo. Clerk then read the letter recommended by the Executive Committee and adopted by the Church Nov. 6th, 1875, and after it, his proposed appendix including a dismission of Brother Barker from this Church, which was not in the recommendation of the Ex. Com. On Motion of Bro. Grant seconded Resolved to rescind the Resolution of Nov 6th. Brother H.A. Buck then moved the adoption of the Resolution recommended by the Executive Committee, together with the appendix above named to dismiss Bro. Barker; and this was seconded by some one. To this, Bro. Crissey moved an amendment, to omit part of the address, and only direct to any Sister Church of our faith also to modify the word insult, in appendix, by substituting embarrass, to which Clerk acceded, and the amendment was carried. Here, an interesting discussion arose on the Main question embraced in Bro. Bucks Motion, in which several offered remarks, Viz: Brn Tate, Lewis, Crissey, Grant, Rev. W.H. Husted, Sister Noble, Clerk & perhaps others. Finally On Motion of Bro. S.S. Crissey seconded by Bro. L.B. Grant, (after some explanation by Chairman) an amendment was submitted, to Bro. Bucks Motion, That after the words, The Fredonia Baptist Church, To any other Church of the same faith, all following, should be omitted or struck out, and the ordinary letter of Commendation and dismission of Brother Edmund Barker, should be substituted in lieu thereof. The same was carried without dissent. Then, recurring to the main question, on motion of Bro. Tate, seconded, it was unanimously Resolved that the Motion of Bro. Buck, as thus amended, be adopted, & that, Clerk forward such letter of Commendation & dismission to Bro. E. Barker. Some remarks were then being made in regard to the case of Sister Elizabeth W. Barker, when on Motion of Bro. S.S. Crissey to adjourn, which was seconded, it was Resolved to adjourn.
Letter sent to Bro. Barker Nov. 15/(?)
Covenant Meeting Decr. 14, 1875. Present Rev. L. Williams, Pastor & 9 Brn & 20 Srs. Opened and conducted as usual. After Brn & Sisters had spoken in turn Pastor made some closing remarks on our needs & the needs of our place. He then inquired if any business to be presented. Clerk did not recollect any. Bro. Grant then spoke of the request of Sister Elisabeth W. Barker to have her name dropped from the list of Members of the Church, and moved that Brethren E.M. Pettit & H.A. Buck be a Committee to investigate as to the request, and Report at the next Covenant Meeting. This was seconded by Bro. S.S. Crissey. Before the question was put, Clerk desired to present in Standing Resolution No 4 of the Church & explain in its origin & object, which(?) he proceeded to do. See Resolution Page 2. Bro. Grant withdrew his motion. On Motion of Bro. Crissey, seconded, Resolved to open a Church Meeting for business. Bro. Grant then renewed his motion as above recorded & Bro. Crissey seconded it. The same was carried without dissent and Brethren Pettit & Buck were duly appointed a Committee to investigate and Report to Ch. at next Covt. Meeting in regard to Sister E.W. Barkers request. Meeting Closed by prayer led by Bro. S.S. Crissey.