Bainbridge Union School & Academy Commencement
June 1895
Invitations have been issued by the class of '95 for the commencement exercises of Bainbridge union school and academy to take place at the first Baptist church Wednesday evening, June 19, 1895, at 8 o'clock. there are five graduates this year. Following are the names of the graduates and their subjects, and the balance of the evening's program:
Nathan Truman..................................."The Poet Shelley"
Flora M. Winston..............................."Beauty in Nature and Art"
Albert C. Wilcox................................"Mathematics"
Julia J. Ashley...................................."Points of View"
A. Winfred Ashley............................."Life Preservers"
Address: Hon. D.E. Ainsworth
Presentation of Diplomas: Prof. F.W. Crumb
Brief Sketch of the Life of Rev. F.E. Benjamin
Pastor of the 2d Baptist Church of Bainbridge, N.Y.
and the 1st Baptist Church of Coventry, N.Y.
1895
He was born in Hunter, N.Y., Sept. 18, 1863, in which town he resided until quite a lad. He was a very active and enthusiastic boy, and seemed religiously inclined. At the age of five years he would call his brothers and sisters together, and in childish language he addressed them upon the subject of religion, exhorting them to be good, and when he arrived at the age of seven he made it a practice to pray in stores and in many dwellings, for which services he used to receive candles, sweet cakes, and sometimes money. At one time as he stood beside a neighbor's pen in which they kept a pig, he was heard to pray: "Oh, Lord, make this pig grow." It is quite evident he was born a preacher which fact his life for several years past demonstrates. When about ten years of age his father, F.G. Benjamin, who was a business man carrying on the wagon business, sold out his business and removed to Phoenicia, where he carried on the wagon business for two years, and then accepted the superintendency of Hiram Whitney's chair manufactory where he remained for a number of years. Frank was a natural singer, though the boy was invited to take his place among the singers in the choir of the M.E. church which he accepted, and for a time lifted his voice with others in songs of praise and worship; but owing to the bad surroundings, he was led into fast company and became quite wild, and shortly after left off singing in the choir and organized a male glee club. They used to meet at different places and sing and have their fun. When about 20 years of age he was married, and two years later he was awakened by the Holy Spirit, and was impressed to leave his work and go to his home for prayer. He dropped his work and rushed away towards his home, and on the way as he went he says that he heard a voice from Heaven calling unto him, "Preach my Gospel." He rushed on and came into the house, sat down by the table very much excited. His wife observed that there was something wrong with him. She inquired: "What's the mater, Frank?" At first he told her that nothing was troubling him, but his wife knew better. She insisted on knowing what the trouble was. He could contain himself no longer, and in broken words and with tears streaming from his eyes he replied, "I must pray," and upon bended knee his first prayer was offered in his own home; but for many weeks he seemed to be under deep concern of mind. One day he felt impressed to climb the mountain which towered high above the hill on which his house was built, to pray. He obeyed his spiritual instructor, climbed the rocky steep, and on that mountain he found the Lord who heard the voice from Heaven saying, Thy sins are all forgiven thee, go in peace. He then began his work; was chosen as Supt. of the Elm Shade Sabbath School, and at home he began to tell the story of the cross with success. Many expressed themselves as being anxious to lead Christian lives. The fire which had been kindled in his bosom in boyhood began to burn and show itself. He held successful meetings in several adjoining localities through the summer and winter, and on the 23d of January, 1886, the same winter he united with the 1st Baptist church at Margaretville, Del. Co., N.Y., and the same day received a license from the church to exercise his gifts by preaching the gospel. The spring following he removed to Thomaston, Conn., and there did home missionary work independent of church or organization. He joined the 1st Baptist church of Bantam by letter. He founded a mission in the town of Thomaston, Conn., furnishing it himself, and with the help of an English organist carried on the work in which his soul delighted; at the same time he earned bread for his family with his own hands, with but little help from others. In November, 1890, he received a call from the 1st Baptist church of Margaretville, N.Y., to be their pastor, which he accepted and entered upon his pastoral work in December, 1890. He served the church for two years. On the 11th day of November, 1891, he was ordained at Margaretville and passed examination to the satisfaction of the council. He founded the Mountain Novelty Works in Margaretville, which business he managed, and for a time was general salesman. The business grew under his supervision, and furnished work for twenty-five workmen, but fire destroyed the machine building, and by it he sustained a great loss. He said that he saw the hand of God in the calamity and resolved to give his whole time and attention to the Lord's work. He helped to institute the Union Free School at Margaretville which is an ornament to the village, and having closed his labors with the church at Margaretville he turned his business matters over to his partner, Mr. A.F. Bouton, of Roxbury. He was then prepared to accept the first call which might come from any Baptist church. He received a call from the 2d Baptist church of Bainbridge and the 1st Baptist Church of Coventry, N.Y., which call he accepted, and the first Sabbath in October, 1893 he commenced his labor in his new fields. Under his administration the churches have flourished and a number have been added by baptism and still there are more to follow. He is a powerful preacher and very original as his sermons indicate. His friends are numerous, his life speaks louder than his words; a man self-made, coming up through all matter of discouragements deserves the honor, sympathy, respect and the best wishes of all men.
Dated. Feb. 20, 1895
Rev. Benjamin Resigns
Rev. F.E. Benjamin, pastor of the Baptist church of West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] and the First Baptist church of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], tendered his resignation on Sunday, Aug. 4th, to take effect Oct. 1st, at which date he will close his labors with the church at West Bainbridge, but will probably continue with the church at Coventry, and in connection will do evangelistic work through the fall and winter months. He came to the field in October, 1893, and since that date he has traveled about three thousand miles in his work, made about 400 pastoral calls and visits, preached about three hundred sermons, baptized twenty-one candidates, and this season has helped to do three hayings, beside cultivating nine acres of land.
Emory Aylesworth's Remarkable Horse
About 1890
A remarkable horse for its age is the property of Emory Aylesworth on his farm in West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]. It is twenty-six years old and is in splendid condition being as lively as a young colt. This horse was folded in the field while Mr. Aylesworth was ploughing and at the outbreak of the civil war Mr. Aylesworth refused an offer of $300 for the colt, then two years old. The horse has continued to serve its owner for the long period of years and is still able and sound, showing no feebleness on account of advanced years.
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