| questions;
Rev. Robert
McCarter preached the sermon; Rev. William Blaingaw, the
charge to the
pastor and the Rev. Johnson,
the charge to the people. This pastorate was not productive of the same success as some of the earlier ones, partly due to the unsettled theological times and a lack of interest on the part of some of the people. The Church had come into such financial straits, that in 1852, it was resolved to ask the Board of Missions for a donation of $50.00, to aid in paying the pastor's salary. Then, too, the Session had lost many of its efficient members by death and was finally reduced to one elder, in 1865. On April 17, 1866, after twenty-five years of arduous labor against odds and under unfavorable circumstances, the Rev. Ralph Bull asked that the Pastoral relation be dissolved, which was done at Presbytery, September 12, 1866. The Church was in an enfeebled condition and struggling for an existence. The Rev. Ralph Bull during his pastorate, received 65, on profession and 43, by certificate. On April 1, 1867, Duncan C. Niven was given a all to the First Presbyterian Church. He came from the Presbytery of Connecticut. He was installed as pastor of the Church, on May 21, 1867. Rev. Henry A. Harlow, Moderator of Presbytery, presided and asked the Constitutional questions. Rev. Anthony A. Macoutry preached the sermon. Rev. Luther Littell gave the charge to the pastor and Rev. Henry A. Harlow, the charge to the people. Early in the pastorate of Rev. Niven, there being only one ruling Elder at the time, the following were elected to serve as ruling Elders: John F Dubois, John Rutan, George S. Sayer and Albert A. Seymour M. D. From the records, we learn that Rev. Niven was a good preacher and pastor, and painstaking in all the work of his office His pastorate extended over a period of eight years and six months, ending on October 1, 1875, when the pastoral relationship was dissolved, in order that he might accept a call to the Presbyterian Church at Marlborough, Presbytery of North River. During his pastorate, a revival was conducted, in the later part of the year 1868, under the leadership of Rev. O. Parker, an evangelist from the State of Michigan, ending early in April with excellent results. The whole number added to the Church under his ministry in this field was, 121; 87 on profession of faith, and 34 by certificate; 56 of these came in, through the medium of the revival. On September 21, 1869, the Congregation after the proper notice5 authorized the Trustees to change and repair the Church during the next summer. This was done in the pastorate of Rev. D. C. Niven, in the summer, between May, 1870, and May, 1871. During that time services were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Church was changed considerably and put in the form and style that prevailed, until the change made in 1898. |