Early Religious life in My Home Town
Smyrna, Chenango Co., NY
Leland L. Ferris
Norwich Sun, January 12, 1934
Part 2
"My first recollections of the Congregational church are well over 60 years ago. The pulpit was between the front doors and a gallery on three sides. I thought it was a great treat to sit in the gallery with my older brother. I remember the old pine pews with panel doors at the entrance, painted white with a red moulding at the top. I can remember getting down and crawling though under the seat to the next pew, but cannot remember what happened next. As a very small boy I stood in the vestibule of the belfry and watched the workmen lay the floor in the auditorium. Only a few years ago the old pulpit and desk might have been seen in the belfry room of the old church. At this time of remodeling the church was enlarged with an alcove for the choir, new windows and ceiling built on elliptic form, making it an ideal room for singing and speaking The first minister I can remember was Elder Keeler, who wore 'side whiskers' and drove among his parishioners with a white faced horse and a two-seated surrey. Another minister, Henry Grant, who had been a missionary, told of going down the Joppa road, infested with robbers, and looking down into a cave, a hole in the ground, covered with a big flat stone, their home. He also told us of Mount Aarat. These stories were readily absorbed by the youngster, 10 or more years of age. The old town clock in the steeple was a mystery to the small boy, and it is a shame its 'time' is no more.
"As to the revivals, they were held nearly every year and as union meetings. They usually commenced with the week of prayer and continued for some time, according to the interest shown. The outstanding revival, which built up and strengthened the churches more than any other, was in the winter of 1877. This was led by Rev. A.B. Earl and started in the Baptist church, of which he had been pastor years before. It soon spread as a union effect, to all the churches in town, but in fact it was mostly held in the Congregational church, that having the greatest seating capacity. This church soon overflowed with worshipers, and one night a large overflow meeting was held in the Methodist church. Not only young people but men and women from 30 to 60 years of age were converted to a life of service for the Master. The Congregational church, at this time, was at the zenith of its prosperity, having 175 members and giving large sums for missionary work. In these years each church was particular in receiving new members. They were questioned as to prayer and experience in becoming Christians. Up to this time the Congregational church had prayer meeting each Saturday afternoon. The Saturday before communion Sunday each applicant was expected to be there for examination by the deacons and pastor. These were earnest, spiritual times and could not help but build up a community of earnest, church going people. The annual donation was looked upon as a great event, for cake was plentiful with red wintergreen berries in the frosting, and each boy was supposed to have candy hearts with love mottoes on them for the girl sitting beside him at the table.
On, yes, and there was the union Sunday school picnic, where we went with the Marshal band and four-horse teams, a marshal on horseback with a red sash to show his official position. Everyone would meet at the church and load into the big wagons for Cole's woods or John Knowles'. Once we joined the North Norwich schools and went to the land of Whac-Nan-Nan-Cal, an eight or ten mile trip in picnic wagons. Lots of fun--what, no autos?--why, the man who invented the auto was not born then. Henry Ford is only 62 years old [in 1934].
"As to the music of long ago, there are few small towns blessed with so many people who were natural musicians and were so helpful in building up a class of music that has lasted throughout the years and will continue to show in the coming generations. Deacon Levi Collins and family and the Dixon family are in the memory of the older people of today. Deacon Collins, by his singing school, taught us the rudiments of music, and many of us to this day use the same methods taught then. For nearly 50 years all denominations were brought together in his school of song, and no one was to blame but himself who did not learn the principles of do, re, mi.
To be Continued
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