Early Religious lIfe in Smyrna, NY - Part 3

Early Religious Life in My Hometown

Smyrna, Chenango County, New York

Leland L. Ferris

Norwich Sun, January 12, 1934

Part 3

"For many years the choir of the Congregational church under his [Levi Collins] leadership, could hold its place with many of the large churches in much larger towns.  'The Old Folks' Concert,' given by the choir in 1877, was a great success, raising over $300 to defray expenses of remodeling the church.  Some of the old books are in my possession, as are many other old song books, held only as sacred relics.  Two of the old songs are in my memory, 'The Old Easter Anthem' and the 'Valley of the Chenango.'  I have the latter song intact with music.  The words are in G.A Munson's 'Early Years in Smyrna,' but not the music.  Has anyone else a copy?  I do not know of any other.

"Who can remember the old colored meeting house of the Quakers or Friends, as they call themselves now?  This church, about 26 by 50 feet, was finished inside and out without paint, varnish or stain, excepting the window sash and doors, which were painted.  Large panel doors let down between the two sections of the room so that the brothers and sisters were separated during the business session.  On the north side a platform, raised two steps, was three or four feet wide, and on this the old men sat, also any of the women who were preachers.

"The services were held every first and fifth day at 11 a.m. for one hour, and 60 years ago one saw a goodly number of drab, broad brimmed hats and Quaker bonnets.  No matter the rush of work, the fifth day was a day for prayer and meditation at 11 o'clock.  Among the older men and women were some very gifted in prayer and speech and I have sat on the old wooden, straight back seats for a whole hour to hear only a short prayer or exhortation. Then the older men would shake hands at their benediction.  This method of worship was continued until Amos Kenworthy, from the yearly meeting in Ohio, a consecrated preacher and evangelist, came here to hold meetings.

"He dropped a bomb among them, saying 'Awake, dry bones,' and for the first time in the history of the church a hymn was sung.  Some of the older members objected and left the room, but besides Amos Kenworthy the Holy Spirit was there and the whole style of the meeting was changed.  prayers were offered, testimonies given and songs sung, everybody taking part as the services progressed nightly.  A few years later the old church was consigned to its fate, and the society built in Smyrna village a neat, up-to-date church.  The society prospered, and later it was considered best to build at Upperville upon a lot deeded to the yearly meeting by the trustees of the Congregational church of Smyrna. The lot was purchased with money raised by Herbert M. Dixon, who for 42 years held Sunday school in the schoolhouse at Upperville.  It was the plan to build a chapel there on the lot, but as the Friends decided to change their place of worship to this location, it was thought best to turn the work over to them.  It was deeded to them with the understanding that a church service should be conducted there for 25 years, the property to be free and thereafter to occupy the same.

To be continued