Church and Family History Research Assistance for Broome County, New York
CHURCHES:
WEST COLESVILLE (COLESVILLE)
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Little, Storrs (very incomplete list due to loss of records).
WINDSOR (WINDSOR)
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
BROOME (BROOME)
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
BINGHAMTON (1838)
The following letter gives an account of the circumstances leading to the establishment of the Old School Baptist Church at Binghamton. "Choconut, Pa., June 16, 1838. BROTHER BEEBE:- It is with much diffidence that I undertake to address you, and forward a communication for your valuable paper, inasmuch as I am unaquainted with your person; yet I have formed an acquaintance with you through the medium of the "Signs," which will long be remembered by me. And furthermore my spiritual acquaintance has been formed with, and fellowship extended to many dear brethren who have communicated to the comfort of the saints, through your columns. And by this communication I would wish to be known and fellowshiped, among the people of God, as one for whom Christ "prayed," "died," and "arose again," and "ascended on high," to make "intercession." And shall I tell you, my dear brother, that it was the influence of divine power, that stopped me in my wicked career and "led me in a way that I knew not." And can't you and all God's loved people rejoice, and join in praising the adorable goodness of that covenant keeping God, who in his eternal counsels, unchangeable mind, and unalterable purpose established the order of things, so that they cannot be moved; and will overrule all circumstances, even the enmity of the wicked, to bring about the salvation of his chosen ones. And thus I beheld the "goodness and severity of God; severity on them that fall, but goodness toward me, in that, he had called me and saved me, not according to my works, but according to his purpose and grace which was given me in Christ Jesus before the world began, and hath in these latter days made me to know the mysteries of his will, in disclosing to me the evils of the human effort system of religion; and who I trust has brought me off clear from LADY QUEEN and all the pretty things that hang to her trail. But I must not be too lengthy in introducing the mysterious providences of God in saving his people from the wrath of the DRAGON. You know, brother Beebe, that up North, somewhere in the State of New York, there is a creature lives, (we will not be particular in describing names and titles, we will let his works tell that story), that was once very small, but by being fed has grown great and has become formidable to the poor saints. Well, my brethren, I will now begin my story. I have recently been to a meeting composed of Old School Baptist ministers and brethren, wherein I trust the Lord raised up, by us, one of his poor saints, who had been crushed by this creation. To be a little more specific; we were called together at Binghamton, Broome County, New York, at the request of the grieved party; as a council to investigate certain charges preferred against Elder William Storrs (minister of said Binghamton Church). It appeared that the same Elder William Storrs had thrown his influence on the side of the Old School; and had preached against the new measure order, or effort system of means for helping God to carry on his work. Now, Brother Beebe, you see that this man was wasting their "MORTAR," and old "BABEL" was like to fall into disrepute; now what, but this man must not live. Now you know, brother, if he is put down for his faith it will only recommend him to the Old School Baptists, and then others will follow him, and so the popularity of the cause will decrease; but a stain must be stamped upon his character to stop his influence. And for this cause a council was called to manage the concern; in calling the council eleven churches were written to, but the affair was so managed that eight of the eleven did not receive their letters in time to attend. The others met on the 22nd of March last, eight in number, four from Headquarters, but it was objected to their sitting, on the ground that it was not a fair delegation, but the question was overruled by those from "up yonder" and the result of their deliberations was, he was condemned, and deposed, (and afterwards excluded by the church) on eight charges of a moral cast, for things which transpired previous to the church's offering him a good letter on condition that he would leave the place; and six of the eight charges, Brother Beebe, if true, all that could be made of them would prove him to be like you and me, imperfect creatures; the other two would have been something, if they had been proved; but they were not proven to that body. And further the said Elder Storrs would have disengaged himself from all the charges had he been permitted, but shocking to tell; the most unheard of decision ever recorded on the pages of modern church history; he was denied the privilege of making his defence, on the ground that his was the negative side of the question, and it could not be proven.
I cannot in one letter tell all the circumstances connected with this affair, but suffice it to say that "the love of money is the root of all evil," if they kept Elder Storrs they must be deprived of a sum of money from the New York State Convention and Baptist Board of Missions for the support of ministers. And this is the creature that has been fed with money until it threw out its Tens, and Fifties, and Hundreds of dollars to buy ministers, and churches; and whoever is too honest to sell themselves for filthy lucre, it is not sufficient to brand them with heresy but their characters must be blackened. But to return, I said eight sat in the council, two would not consent to the verdict; six made their returns and unanimously agreed. Two of the six afterwards repented; he thus stood convicted by four from the Missionary Board, and was excluded by the church on Saturday the 4th inst. So stood the business when we met at the Presbyterian meeting house in Binghamton (the Baptist house being denied us) on the 6th inst. at 10 o'clock a.m. The Minutes of the meeting I will give below.
A council convened at Binghamton, New York, June 6th, 1838, by the request of certain brethren; to examine into certain charges preferred against Elder William Storrs, by the Binghamton church, who was condemned on said charges by a council called by that church. The following ministers and brethren took their seats. From Jackson church, Arnold Balch, Lawrence Manzer, Samuel Chamberlain, Licentiates, Calvin Morse; Westmoreland church, Elder James Bicknell; West Turin church, Elder Martin Salmon; Providence church, Elder William House; Colesville church, Elder Abijah Worden; Warren church, Elder Jirech Bryan; Broome church, Elder Daniel Robinson; Greenfield church, Deacon James Wilk; Windsor church, Deacon Daniel Brownson and Jonathan Park. 1st. Chose Elder Daniel Robinson, Moderator. 2nd. Elder Jirech Bryan, Clerk; Calvin Morse, Assistant Clerk. Prayer by Elder Salmon. The cause of calling the council was then stated by the Moderator. Prayer by Elder House. 3rd. Adjourned for one hour. Council met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by Elder Bicknell. 4th. Chose a committee to call on the Clerk of the Binghamton church for the records of their proceedings with Elder Storrs, and result of the former council. 5th. Brethren, Deacon Wilk, Elders Bicknell and House were appointed said committee. The committee returned with the records, they being laid before the council, examined the proceedings of the former council in which they condemned Elder Storrs.6th. Adjourned to meet at eight o'clock, tomorrow morning. Prayer by Elder Bryan.
June 7th, met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by Elder House. After investigating the charges preferred against Elder Storrs and deliberating thereon, together with the result of the former council, we come to the following conclusions. 1st. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this council, that the difficulty with Elder Storrs, originated in jealousy, inasmuch as sufficient testimony has been presented, that a foreign influence has been asserted even by those from whom better things might have been expected. 2nd. It is the opinion of this council that the peace of the church in Binghamton has been disturbed by designing men whose influence has produced an unhappy state in said church. 3rd. It is the opinion of this council that if the former council who condemned Elder Storrs had been in possession of the testimony presented to this council they would have come to a very different result. 4th. It is the opinion of this council that Elder Storrs has sustained himself from the charges preferred against him. Therefore, Resolved, That in view of this council, Elder Storrs be exonerated from all charges preferred against him by the Binghamton Church, as laid before the first council which presided against him; and furthermore that in view of this council, nothing has appeared that can even shade his moral character. 7th. Minutes read and approved. 8th. Resolved, that the proceedings of this council be published in the public prints. Elder Daniel Robinson, Mod. Jirech Bryan, Clerk, Calvin Morse, Assistant Clerk. An appropriate discourse was then delivered by Elder Salmon, at the close of which sixteen of the Binghamton Church presented themselves in covenant with their articles of faith, and Elder Salmon in behalf of the council, gave them the right hand of fellowship. Yours in the best bonds of Friendship, JIRECH BRYAN.
Elder Daniel Robinson later became a member of this church. Elder D. Marvin Vail was also a member here.
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