On the afternoon of Jan. 2, 1900, at her home on Lake View Avenue, Sister Harriet A. Lyon passed peacefully away after a long illness which she endured with much patience and Christian fortitude. Aged 70 years.
Beginning Jan. 7, 1900 and continuing through two weeks Rev. W.P. Hellings, D.D. of Jamestown, N.Y. assisted our pastor in hold evangelistic services during which about [blank] were converted.
February 1, 1900, at the regular covenant meeting, the following persons related their experience and were accepted by the church as members of the church after baptism. Mary Cranston, Lena Johnson, Charles Chapman, Mabel Goat.
February 8, 1900. At the regular prayer meeting of the church, the following persons related their Christian experience and were received as candidates for baptism and church membership. Florence Gibbs, George Moran, Charles Moran.
At the above meeting a letter was read from Bro. Frank Moran asking for a letter of dismissal and recommendation to join the church of Everett, Washington. Granted. Also a request from Bro. Albert Smith & his wife Blanche Smith for letter to join the church at Conneaut, O. upon motion letters granted.
February 10, 1900. At the regular prayer meeting of the church, Miss Mary Maud Kimball related her Christian experience and was accepted as a candidate for baptism and church membership.
At the same meeting the Pastor explained the organization of the Anti Saloon League and that the Pastors were to choose two from their church either by selection or election as the church might decide. A motion was made and seconded that the Pastor select his workers, carried.
February 18, 1900. After the Sunday evening service the following persons were baptized Chas. Chapman, Chas. Moran, George Moran, Lena Johnson, Mabel Goat and Mary Maud Kimball.
After the morning sermon, Sunday Feb 25, 1900 our pastor Chas. E. Smith tendered his resignation a copy of which is appended to this page. At a meeting immediately after the service Mr. Tate chairman, action was postponed until the annual meeting March 6th.
[The following is the printed notice, presumably in the newspaper.]
Resignation of Rev. Dr. Smith.
Most of the congregation at the Baptist church Sunday morning, small on account of the storm, were surprised and pained to hear the pastor, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Smith, read his letter of resignation at the close of the morning service. He has been longer in service than any other pastor in the village, is a preacher of great power, a scholar of great breadth and rare literary ability, and a Christian of unwavering faith, and his friends take comfort in the hope that he will retain his residence in Fredonia. His letter of resignation follows:
Fredonia, N.Y., Feb. 25, 1900.
To the Fredonia Baptist Church:
Dear Brethren and Sisters It is now nearly three years since, at your urgent request, I withdrew my resignation of the pastorate. Your kind insistency has given me three years of happy service, in which I have enjoyed my work as pastor and preacher, almost more than ever before. But I now feel that it is time to renew that resignation, and to be equally insistent that the terms of my labors as your pastor shall cease by the last Sunday in March. This step is not taken without long consideration and prayer. I take it not on account of health, for I am well and strong, but from the conviction that it is right and best to lay off the cares of the pastorate, and occupy myself in less responsible, but perhaps quite as useful ways. I cannot end my official relation to you without expressing my great gratitude to God and to this church for the long, and on the whole, delightful period, during which we have been permitted to live and labor together. For more than fifteen years we have enjoyed a degree of harmonious cooperation which has been fruitful in blessing, and which will be pleasant and profitable to remember. My strongest desire is to be able, in severing this relation, to keep you all as my Christian friends and helpers, and you may be sure that, in the future, nothing which I can do for the welfare of this beloved church will remain undone. With the warmest wishes for the peace and prosperity of you all, I remain
Your Friend and Brother,
At the covenant meeting March 1, 1900 A letter was granted to bro. Alexander T. Morian to join the Baptist church at Roseberg, Oregon.
[This record is typewritten and signed.]
Meeting of the Fredonia Baptist Church in the Lecture Room immediately following the annual business meeting of the Fredonia Baptist Society March 6, 1900. Meeting called to order with H.P. Perrin, Chairman. Report of Committee to consider the resignation of the Pastor was read as follows: The Committee appointed by the Church on March 4th to consider the resignation of the Pastor and to recommend what action should be taken by the Church, desire to report that we are satisfied from the form of the resignation and from a personal interview that his decision is final and we therefore recommend that his resignation be accepted in accordance with his request. Fredonia, March 6, 1900. G.J. Dikeman, F.B. Palmer, Horace P. Perrin, Committee.
On motion report was received and resignation of the Pastor accepted in accordance with report. Motion made and carried that we observe Fellowship Day as usual the Saturday before the first Sunday in April. Motion made and carried that a committee of three be appointed to make arrangements for the services of that day. Motion made and carried that the Secretary of the Sunday School, the Church Clerk and Mr. C.S. Slaght be made such committee. The following resolutions were read and on motion approved:
WHEREAS, the Reverend Charles E. Smith has been the Pastor of the Baptist Church in the Village of Fredonia, N.Y., for more than fifteen years last past, and has at all times so conducted himself as to gain and retain the love, esteem and confidence of not only the entire congregation but also of the Entire village and
WHEREAS, In order to be released from the arduous duties of the said pastorate and in order also to devote his energies to other and less trying pursuits under the guidance of our Common Father, our beloved Pastor under date of Feb. 25th, 1900, tendered his resignation to take effect on the last Sunday of March inst., and
WHEREAS, There now exists the most fraternal feeling between the entire congregation and our beloved pastor,
BE IT RESOLVED, That it is with the deepest sorrow that we receive this letter of resignation, and further
BE IT RESOLVED, That trusting his labors may be as fruitful in the future as in the past, and that he may have many years to enjoy the rest he has so fully earned, and wishing him a God-speed, we, in deference to his insistent wishes, accept his resignation as offered, and it is further
RESOLVED, That a copy of these resolutions be engrossed and presented to our beloved pastor,
Dated this 6th day of March, 1900.
Motion made and carried that Brothers Perrin, Palmer and Fargo be a committee on pulpit supply. On motion adjourned.
At the regular prayer meeting of the church on March 8, 1900 A letter was received from the first Baptist Church of Evans, N.Y. dismissing Mr. F.E. Allen and his wife Sophy Allen and recommending them to us. On motion they were accepted as members of our church.
C.L. Goulding church clerk pro tem
March 25, 1900 the last Sunday of Dr. C.E. Smiths pastorate. In A.M. the pastor preached to a large audience from Phil. 4:8. The pastor was suffering from a hard cold but he preached an excellent sermon.
C.L. Goulding church clk pro tem
Covenant Meeting March 29, 1900
Present Rev. G.O. King in chair. There was a good attendance and meeting was enjoyed by those present. A letter of dismissal and recommendation to join any other church of like faith was granted to sister Nancy C. Noble.
C.L. Goulding, church clerk pro tem
Fellowship Day 1900
Saturday March 31, 1900
Dr. F.B. Palmer called the meeting to order and acted as president of same. Hymn No. 849. Scripture reading Psalm 84 by Rev. G.O. King. Prayer by Rev. G.O. King. Music by choir. Roll of membership called 143 members of church answered to the Roll several by letter. Inquiry made for P.O. address of several members. Letter read from Hortense H. Crosby Letter accompanied with remittance of five dollars. Letter read from Bro. Rev. W.W. Barker, Waterville, N.Y. Telegram read from Sisters Anna Nourse and Mrs. L.L. Goddard Telegram stated that a letter had been written and was on the way hither. Letter from Sister Emma E. Paterson. Letter from Bro. L.S. Allnatt. Letter from sister Elizabeth Wilbur. Letter from Sister Lettie B. Wilbur, Brooklyn, N.Y. Sister Wilder made request for church letter to enable her to join Hanson Place Methodist Church. Motion made and carried that a letter of Christian character be granted to Sister Wilder. Letter read from Bro. E.E. Peake. Hymn no. 169. Obituary report by church clerk protem. 2 members have died during past year Sisters Eleanor Crissey and Harriett Lyon. Financial Report by Sister Ella I. Davis, Treasurer. Report of church benevolent contributions by church clerk pro tem. Remarks by Dr. Palmer suggested by reference to resignation of our Pastor Dr. C.E. Smith. Collection to pay expense of printing and mailing Pastors letter of invitation to Fellowship meeting. Hymn no. 914. Report of Sunday School attendance, finance &c by Carrie Daily, Secy. Report of Christian Endeavor also Junior Endeavor by Bro. Taylor. Report of Womens Foreign Mission Society read by Sister Ella I. Davis. Money collected all sent to Womens Foreign Mission Society Tremont Temple, Boston, Mass. Report in writing of the Ladies Aid Society by Sister Jennie Prescott including a financial report and also very pertinent and valuable remarks about the work of the past year. Report verbal of the work of the No License Campaign in the Town of Pomfret by Bro. G.O. King. Amount contributed for the expense of said campaign by this church was forty-nine dollars. Report in regard to Poor fund since July 6, 1899 by Bro. O.W. Fargo. Bro. Fargo is to call upon church clerk pro tem Goulding and they are together to look over the book as to the poor fund for the whole year. Dr. Palmer reported from Committee on Expressing Resolutions of Church on Resignation of Pastor Dr. C.E. Smith that same was suitably engrossed, framed and hung in Vestibule of Church. Hymn no. 779. After singing the meeting adjourned to church Parlors and partook of Fellowship Supper. No reported 310.
C.L. Goulding Church Clerk pro tem per George Cranston
Sunday April 1 Services conducted by Rev. Mr. Jamison of Rochester Theological Seminary (student) preached very acceptably to a large audience morning & evening. Morning theme The Chief Comer Storm, evening John III:3.
Sunday April 8. Services conducted by Bro. Rev. G.O. King who preached fine sermons to a fair audience.
Sunday April 15 Pulpit supplied by Rev. G.O. King, good sized audience.
Sunday April 22 pulpit supplied by Rev. Mr. Jamison. There was a large attendance both morning and evening.
Sunday April 29 pulpit supplied by Rev. Mr. Meader of Dunkirk.
Thursday evening May 3 at Covenant Meeting Dr. C.E. Smith was the leader. Good attendance.
Sunday May 6 & 13 the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Mr. Replis of Rochester N.Y. who preached eloquent sermons to large audiences.
Sunday May 20 Dr. C.E. Smith preached very acceptably in the morning.
Sunday May 27 and June 3 pulpit supplied by Dr. C.E. Smith.
At a special meeting of church and society in lecture room of church Tuesday Eve. May 22 for the considering the calling of a Pastor Bro. H.P. Perrin presided and Bro. Homer Ellis the society clerk acted as secretary. Moved by Dr. F.B. Palmer seconded by Bro. S.S. Crissey that there should be more delay and that when we adjourn it be subject to a call by pulpit supply committee. After much taking pro & con the motion was lost. Moved by Bro. O.W. Fargo that we extend a call to Rev. D.L. Jamison to become our pastor after extended remarks the informal ballot was 50 for 30 against. The second or formal ballot was 49 for 15 against many having retired from the room after the first ballot. On motion of Dea. F.S. Lyon the vote was declared unanimous when the meeting adjourned.
At the regular covenant meeting May 31 Sister Mary A.T. Lucas was received as a member of this church on presentation of a letter from the First Baptist Church of Rushford, N.Y.
Sunday June 10. Pulpit supplied by Rev. D.L. Jamison both morning and evening.
Sunday June 17 and 24. Pulpit supplied by Rev. M. McCutcheon of West Virginia.
At the regular covenant meeting June 28, Sisters Maude Johnson and Amanda Gustus related their Christian experience and were recd as candidates for baptism and afterward church membership.
Dr. C.E. Smith supplied the pulpit Sunday July 1 and preached an inspiring sermon from Gal. 5:1. After the sermon he officiated at the communion service and read a letter from the First Baptist Church of Cory Pa. dismissing Bro. George Britton for the purpose of joining with. He was unanimously received. Dr. Smith again supplied the pulpit in the evening preaching from Psalms 60:4. After the sermon he baptized Sisters Mary Cranston, Florence Gibbs, Maude Johnson and Amanda Gustus.
Rev. G.O. King supplied the pulpit on Sunday morning July 8th to 21. Our brother Newton K. Crissey entered into his heavenly rest on July 26 aged 27 years. He was taken sick and died at Fort Wayne, Ind. while traveling in the employ of Dr. M.M. Fenner.
At the prayer meeting Aug. 23, 1900. The church letter was read and delegates appointed to attend the Chaut. Bap. Association to be held at Frewsburg, N.Y.
Aug. 28, 29 & 30. Letter accepted. Delegates Brethren Dr. F.B. Palmer, Crissey and Goulding. Sisters Palmer, Huff, Shaw, Shepherd and Barker. Voted to take a special collection at close of morning service Aug. 26 for minutes. Miss E.I. Davis read letter in absence of Ch Clk.
Brother William Barker preached to good congregation Sunday morning August 19 and to union services Aug. 26th in evening. His classmate a Bro. Burton on the morning of the 26th.
At the regular covenant meeting of the Fredonia Baptist Church Thursday evening August 30, 1900; upon motion, the hand of fellowship was withdrawn from Albert Collis for ungentlemanly and unchristian like conduct.
Sunday September 8, 1900, the Rev. D.L. Jamison preached his first sermon as our pastor to a good sized audience. Text: 1 Cor. 12;27.
On Sunday Sept. 2nd, 1900 Sister Lydia Douglass passed away at the home of her parents East of the village after a relapse from Typhoid Fever. Aged 19 years. She was a devoted Christian and member of the C.E. Society.
Prayer meeting Sept. 27, a communication was received from the church at Ellery, N.Y. inviting us to send our pastor and one delegate to sit in council to advise as to the propriety of ordaining Bro. [blank] whom they have called to be their pastor. Moved and carried that we send our pastor and one delegate to this council. Moved that we appoint bro. Chas. L. Goulding as delegate: Carried. Moved that we appoint Bro. Alex. Morian as alternate delegate, Carried.
At Covenant Meeting Oct. 7 Sister Mary Lucas asked for a certificate of Christian character and dismissal to join the Fredonia Christian Ch.
By Pastor C.L. Goulding Ch Clk protem
At prayer meeting Oct. 11 letters were received from the church at Parkersburg, W. Va. Dismissing the Rev. D.L. and his wife Janet Jamison for the purpose of their uniting with us. Moved that they be accepted. Carried.
Willard Webster Died at his home on Webster Street, Oct. 30, 1900 aged 78 years, having been a member as long or nearly as long as any member. Always a conscientious and faithful Christian.
At the regular prayer meeting Nov. 8, 1900 a request was recd for a letter of dismission and recommendation for sister Caroline A. Bridge. On motion of Dr. Smith the letter was granted.
On Friday morning, Nov. 16, 1900, Sister Elizabeth Wilbur was burned to death in her home on the Lake Road at the advanced age of 84 years, having been a member of this church more than 60 years.
Died at his home on the Brigham Road on the evening of Nov. 23, Bro. David S. Wright Aged 76 years.
On Sunday Nov. 25, 1900 our Sister Hannah Tefft passed away at her home on Canadaway st. Aged 91 years 7 mos.
At the prayer meeting Thursday evening Dec. 13, 1900 A letter of dismissal was granted to Sister Louise Chapin to join the First Baptist Church of Cortland, N.Y. also to Sister Anna Lull to join same church.
At the same meeting Sister Roxana Vidal presented a letter from the First Baptist Church of Bradford, Pa., dismissing her to join with us. On motion of Rev. C.E. Smith she was unanimously accepted.
During the fall and early winter the regular services of the church well attended and apparently enjoyed.