Church and Family History Research Assistance for Oneida County, New York
CHURCHES:
EBENEZER (UTICA)
An article published in the Signs of the Times gives some early information about this church, to wit: "EBENEZER CHURCH, UTICA. We are pleased to learn that God has been graciously pleased to raise up this branch of this Kingdom, in the place where we might properly say, "Satan's seat is." The Letter of Bro. Salmon, another page of this number, gives us the cheering intelligence that the Lord has been mindful of this infant branch of his Zion, in making accessions to their number and to their gifts. The peculiar movements of the Church together with her helps, in the ordination of Brother Hill to the Pastoral office, may, and doubtless will be viewed as somewhat novel. We are not however prepared to say that this was not the primitive manner of setting apart to the work where unto the Holy Ghost has called them, such as were appointed to the Gospel Ministry. May those who are instructed of God on this subject, let their light so shine.
Ebenezer Church, at Utica. The death notice of Elder Thomas Hill gives the following information regarding his connection with this church: "August 9, 1874, a little after noon, Elder Thomas Hill died at his residence on West Street (in Utica). Mr. Hill came to this city from Buckinghamshire, England, some forty-five years ago, and soon after, with others, organized a church of the Old School Baptist faith, and erected a house of worship on Columbia Street. The edifice yet stands, though so humble and unpretentious compared with modern churches, a stranger would hardly recognize it. Mr. Hill was chosen pastor, or "Elder," as his congregation called him, and continued as such up to the time of his death, a period of over forty years. Two years ago Mr. Hill was stricken with paralysis, and a year after was confined to his bed. His congregation, however, engaged no other pastor, and held their meetings regularly at the church, and sometimes at his house. Several who joined the church at its organization are members still. Like his religion, Mr. Hill was a man of the old school. Though not educated for the ministry, he made it his life work. His preaching was plain and straightforward, but characterized by broad charity and deep tenderness. Though simple in diction, it was often eloquent, at all times effective. Personally, Mr. Hill was genial and cheerful, with a kind word for everybody, and ever with caresses for children, with whom he was a great favorite. He lived an exemplary life, practicing ever what he preached, and enforcing upon the hearts of all who knew him the double lesson of precept and example. After four score years of untiring usefulness, he has passed away, leaving the record of a life of earnest endeavor, kindly counsel, tender, yet convincing persuasion and christian manhood, that will long remain in the memories of the many who loved him, as an inspiration to follow his example." - "Utica Morning Herald."
Elder Martin Salmon visited and preached for them in 1834, and baptized a brother at his request. Elder Salmon submitted the following Address written by brethren in behalf of the church, dated at Utica, September 23, 1834: "We trust you will excuse the liberty we have taken to address you, as most of us are strangers in the flesh; yet we bless God that it is not so in the Spirit, for by virtue of that union which subsists between Christ and his bride, there is a kindred of soul and a kindred of spirit, which pervades the minds of every blood-bought child of heaven. We have frequently heard unpleasant reports circulated respecting yourself (Elder Gilbert Beebe), as having been condemned by the Grand Council for your immoral conduct. Thus we were caused to hang our harps on the willow, and mourn over your situation, because we had heard and understood you to be a lover and maintainer of Bible Truth; we cannot find language sufficient to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father, that he should bring forth such champions for truth as he has done, who appeared as it were hid behind the curtain of Popish superstition; that these should be summoned to sally forth clad in the armour of God, to sound an alarm in Zion, and to wrestle not only against flesh and blood, principalities and powers, but against the rulers of darkness in this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. In order to counteract the iniquity of that tribe who exalt their Idol Free Will, and are opposed to the riches of free and sovereign Grace, and have published a paper - The Signs of the Times. Dear Brother, it is through the medium of this paper that we have come to a knowledge of your situation; we most sincerely congratulate you on the bold stand you have taken against those who would compass sea and land to make proselytes. Had you gone with them, and upheld them in their views, and advocated their cause, not Christ's, continued to contribute largely to their funds, or the funds of the benevolent societies (falsely so called), suffered yourself with the Churches around you, to be taxed ten dollars on a thousand, and occasionally told a lie, if the cause of God required it, (as we find this iniquity is becoming fashionable with some of the Reverend gentlemen of our day), all would have been well; your Philanthropic and Benevolent soul would have been published from Dan to Beersheba, you would have been held up as a glorious example for others to follow. But the moment you oppose them in their inquisitorial proceedings, that moment you incur their displeasure; a Grand Council must be convened, you must be condemned and forever abandoned by them (a glorious abandonment, too.)
We are no Prophets nor are we sons of Prophets, yet we have greatly mistaken the signs if the craft of their new-fangled system is not in danger, for it is by this craft that they get their wealth. Remember the words of Jesus, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake; rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so persecuted they the Baptists which were before you." We admire the undaunted courage of your publishing Committee, and the exposure they have made; we bless God that you have so many sympathizing brethren in the old school; we also rejoice in your prosperity in Zion, that God is refreshing you with his heavenly dews, that your ministry is blessed to some of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and that without the aid of protracted meetings with their Anxious Benches, Uc.
Shun not, dear Brother, to declare the counsel of God, however much you may be despised; may Christ and him crucified be the sum and substance of your preaching; may the holy Spirit guide your mind into all truth, and lead you into the mystery of his will, that you may unfold it to his sheep and lambs, that they may be built up in the faith of God's elect, is our sincere prayer.
We must give you a brief account of ourselves. We are but few, as several families who worshiped with us have, by the providence of God, been called elsewhere. We have continued our meetings for a number of years, with a determination by the help of God, to steer clear of Anti-Christ, let him oppose in what shape he please. We have occasionally had an Old School Minister to break unto us the bread of life, but this very seldom, on account as we suppose, of our circumstances not being generally known; we conduct our meetings by reading, singing, praying, and conference; and we can truly say, although God in wisdom has seen fit to deprive us of a stated Ministry, yet our souls have been often refreshed with his divine presence. Dear Brother, you are respectfully invited to come and spend one Lord's Day with us, for several reasons; we have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but we wish to see you face to face, and become personally acquainted with you. We have a beloved Brother who wishes to be baptized, and there is no one here that he can conscientiously go into the water with. We are aware of the difficulty of our Old School brethren in procuring a substitute during the absence on Lord's Day; should it occur in your case, that you cannot meet with us on that day, we hope you will come and spend a few days in the week; and as the brother who wishes to be baptized is about leaving this place soon, it is requisite you should be here in two or three weeks if possible.
As the most of us are poor in the things of this world, yet we will cheerfully contribute to the utmost of our power to defray your expenses, and will also cheerfully welcome you in our homes. An answer by return of Mail, will oblige yours in the bonds of the everlasting gospel. Signed in behalf of the Brethren. WILLIAM TOWERS, JAMES STONE, WILLIAM JARRETT. Elder Martin Salmon.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Brimson, Brothers, Clover, Farnham, Hill, Jarrett, Stone, Timan, Towers (very incomplete list due to loss of records).
VIENNA
Vienna Church, at Vienna. Elder Jairus P. Smith and wife Elizabeth were members of this church. No other names available at present due to loss of records.
WESTMORELAND (WESTMORELAND)
The following letter gives some insight into the history of the church at Westmoreland, viz., "Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y., Dec. 31, 1842. DEAR BROTHER BEEBE:- I have delayed to write to you for some time, from various reasons; and my object in writing now is to inform you and the dear brethren, through the Signs, what the Lord has been and still is doing for his dear church in this place. This church dissolved her connection with the great body of popular Baptists, (by refusing to sanction their innovations upon the faith and order of the gospel) in 1836, and we were then told that there was not another people on earth that believed as we did, and truly we did not know that there was. The doctrine we believed then, and which we still believe, was that men are by nature dead in trespasses and sins, and that nothing but the almighty power of the sovereign God can raise a soul from that state of moral death. We also believed and contended that God had elected in Christ their Head, a definite number of the human family, before the foundation of the world, and that form them Christ had died, and pledged himself to present them, and them only, before the throne of his glory without spot or blemish, holy and without blame before him in love. Because we held and published this doctrine, we were denounced as Universalists, Antinomians, Fatalists, and nearly everything but good. It was confidently predicted that when Bicknell and this church should die, their doctrine should die with them, and that there would never be any more revivals of religion amonst us. Well, Brother Beebe, sometimes in our dark moments we thought as Elijah did, "They have digged down thine altars, and we are left alone, and our life is also sought;" but still the word of the Lord was like fire shut up in our bones, and we felt sometimes great assurance that the Lord had reserved to himself seven thousand that had not bowed to Baal. We have experienced many severe struggles during the last six years, but the Lord was on our right hand that we should not be moved. And while the enemy has poured out floods of error all around us, the Lord has poured forth streams of consolation into our hearts, and for the six years which terminated last April he has been gradually adding to our number. Recently the Lord has blessed his church and people in this place beyond our expectation, and to the astonishment of our enemies. At our conference meeting on the evening of the second Lord's-day in October last, two distressed and sin-burdened individuals arose, with tears streaming down their cheeks, and confessed that they were great sinners, and desired to know if there was mercy in store for them. They were directed to Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and in a few days were enabled to rejoice in the Lord. The two referred to are the sons of Mr. Whiffin, who emigrated from England last spring; he, his three sons, one son-in-law, two daughters andone daughter-in-law have been baptized on profession of their faith, and also two of my own sons. Likewise a man and wife from the Presbyterians, and one from the Dutch Reformed. Sixteen in all have been baptized, and two have united with us who have recently left Babylon, and others also appear to be breaking loose from Babylon. My brother, we have enjoyed a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; our meetings are still very interesting, and from the present appearance we are encouraged to hope that others will soon come forward to declare what the Lord has done for them, and to take their cross and follow him. This gracious work commenced without any human effort, and has progressed by the power of the Holy Ghost. At some of our evening meetings over forty have testified of the goodness of the Lord. Nothing of an enthusiastic nature has appeared in a single instance; all has been harmonious, and all that have been born into the kingdom talk like men and women of full age. May the Lord of the harvest continue to bless us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Never in my life have I felt more of the power of divine grace than of late, nor have I ever felt more of my pollution and nothingness than during the same exercise. May the Lord give us the spirit of prayer, that we may not be exalted above measure. Brother Beebe, we have a meeting appointed to be held here on the last Thursday and Friday in January, and many of the brethren with myself are very anxious that you should attend it. Please inform me immediately whether you can attend. I remain your brother in bonds of love, JAMES BICKNELL."
The obituary of Elder James Bicknell gives information regarding this church, of which he was the pastor for many years, as follows: "Elder James Bicknell departed this life and bid adieu to all sublunary scenes and entered, as we humbly hope and trust, into that rest which is prepared for God's elect. He died January 24, 1884, aged 88 years, 3 months, and 3 days. He went as a shock of corn fully ripe in its season, and in the full assurance of the Christian's faith. About the last words he uttered were, "God and glory are here, and I am going into the arms of my Savior." Those who were so happy and favored as to be present, declared it to be a thrilling scene, as the aged saint passed from earth. Such words came from his mouth as mortals do not often have the blessed privilege of hearing. His face immediately put on a remarkably peaceful expression, entirely unlike the one it had worn for two or three days, a peculiarly haggard and distressed appearance. He was truly a chimney-corner preacher, for he possessed a remarkably happy faculty of turning the conversation into a religious channel at all times and under all circumstances. He was baptized in the year 1818, on the 31st of May, in the fellowship of the Second Westmoreland Baptist Church, and on the 4th of April, 1833, was ordained and installed as pastor of a branch of the said Second Westmoreland Church, in the town of Rome, to whom he preached about two years, and then the Second Westmoreland Church divided, and the Old School portion built a meeting house in the northern part of the town of Westmoreland, and called Elder Bicknell to be their pastor, to whom he preached unremittingly for about forty-eight years. His labors were very much blessed, and the church increased in numbers, and such union and harmony were maintained as is seldom seen in a church for so long a time. The Lord seemed to bless the Elder's labors in a very marked degree for thirty years or more, and then the great divider got among us, and split us in pieces again. For ten or twelve years the church has been dwindling away, and there are but few of us left, and without a pastor to lead us. We feel like sheep without a shepherd; but the Lord's will be done with us, be it what it may. - D. C. BESSE.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Besse, Bicknell, Smith, Vitchfield (very incomplete list due to loss of records).
TRENTON
Go Back to the Primitive Baptist Library Page
Go Back to the Family History Assistance Page
Copyright c. 2001-2018. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
