January 21st 1891 At a meeting in Lecture room The following letters were presented & acted(?) upon(?). Bro. Wm. A. Noble of Silver Creek to Pastor asking for letter of dismission & commendation to the first Baptist Church of or in Silver Creek. On motion of Dr. F.B. Palmer seconded by E.J. Crissey Resolved that the request be granted. Sister Grace E. Lewis of Buffalo wrote also to Pastor, requesting dismission and a letter of commendation to the Washington Street Baptist Church in Buffalo. On motion of Dr. Palmer seconded by E.J. Crissey Resolved that the request be granted. Sister Martha A. Elliott who was received Oct. 1, 1870, from Geneva N.Y. and was a member here for several years, and as recorded on page 110 she was dismissed to Titusville Pa Dec 3rd, 1876 as the wife of Robert Elliott not Wm as on the Bradford Pa. letter which letter from the first Bap. Chh Bradford Pa. by Wm. H. Dennis Chh Clerk certifies to Mrs. Clara Elliott and commends her to the Baptist Church in Fredonia, N.Y. On motion of D.H. Morgan seconded by some one, (?) Resolved that Sister Elliott be received a member with us on the letter presented. (But the Chh knew nothing of the misnomers mentioned.) Reported to Chh Clerk January 23rd, 1891 by Dea. E.J. Crissey.
April 9th, 1891 Having become satisfied that I had been mistaken as to the identity of Mrs. Clara Elliott I wrote explaining to Bro. Wm. H. Dennis, the Clerk of 1st Baptist Church of Bradford Pa. A.Z.M.
Feb 19th, 1891
Clerk recd letter from Kate Knight Clk of Silver Creek Baptist Church, recently organized requesting our Pastor Rev. C.E. Smith and one other delegate to sit in council there on the 11th of March 1891 at 10 oclock A.M. and if judged right to recognize the brethren & sisters there as a regular Baptist Church in fellowship with us, and also, if found right, to ordain their chosen Pastor Mr. Arden B. Miller on same day. This letter was handed by Clerk to Pastor Smith, & he laid it before the Church at prayer meeting March 5th, 1891. On nominations seconded, it was Resolved, That Rev. Charles E. Smith and Rev. Francis B. Palmer be our delegates to the Council to be held at Silver Creek March 11th at 10 A.M. 1891. Clk made letter to Clk of the Council March 7, 1891 & handed to Pastor Mch 8th, 1891 at Church.
At the Covenant meeting of the Church held in the evening of April 3rd, 1891 in Lecture room. On motion of E.J. Crissey, after hearing her relation of Christian experience, seconded by D.S. Wright Resolved that Miss Millie Mayborn be received as a candidate for baptism, and when baptized, to membership in this Church. As reported by E.J. Crissey Asst Chh Clk
[Madisons handwritten note: A.Z.M. replied to Wm. H. Dennis as see bottom page 384 April 9th, 1891.]
101 Kennedy St.
Bradford, Pa Jan. 31, 1891
Dear Brother
In answer to yours with reference to Mrs. Elliot I would say that I think the only trouble is that you are mistaken as to her identity. The Mrs. Clara Elliot whom we dismissed to your fellowship was Baptized into our Church Jan. 20th, 1889. She was married here a few years previous to that time to a Mr. Logan(?) who died about a year ago since which she has become the wife of Wm Elliot. Martha A. Elliott must be another person.
Fraternally,
Clerk First Baptist Church
[The following is a printed notice.]
Fredonia Baptist Church.
Fellowship Day.
April 4th, 1891.
Roll-Call at 2:30. If we walk in the light we have fellowship one with another. I John 1:7. Give an account of thy stewardship. Luke 16:2,
Supper at 4:30. Jesus saith unto them: Come and dine. John 21:12.
At 5:30. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good-works. Hebrews 11:24.
Come or Write.
Fellowship Meeting and Roll call April 4th, 1891. at 2 Oclock P.M. Rev. Chas. E. Smith Chn Present and called the people who had come in & taken the seats near the doors, to come forward. Opened with singing by the choir. Prayer by Pastor. Sung 62nd Hymn and again, there was a more urgent call for people to come up forward, which brought some. Pastor, read in 1st Saml. 7th Chapter, and then offered remarks. Sung Hymn 849. Come thou fount of every blessing. E. Jay Willard read for Roll Call the 287 present members of the Church, very well for his first time, but in too low a voice. Pastor then read letters from Mrs. Nancy M. McClanathan, Miss Hortense Huntley, now Mrs. Crosby, of Garnaville Iowa, Miss Emily Daily, Mrs. Hannah Roberts, Miss Olive Cook of Flint Mich. and Mrs. Harriet A. DeWitt, also a letter from Mr. Thomas Elgar (in Philadelphia Penn.) all developing a good spirit. Brother Elgars closing with a desire to come here at time of meeting of the next Chautauqua Baptist Association, and have ordination here, if deemed worthy. Pastor invited any who had not of late been in Covenant meetings, to speak, and seven embraced the opportunity. Sister Beulah J. Noble had prepared obituary notices of Sisters Martha D.D. Manton, Effie A. Hutchinson, and Mrs. Dr. A. Wheelock, and these were read by Miss Dorah R. Barker & returned to her. (Mrs. Noble)
A.Z. Madison Clerk Reported the sums collected the last year, for benevolence, but committed two errors by omitting the sum of $32.93 collected for the Bap. Ministers Home at West Farms, New York City, (as the letter & recpt were laid away in Desk where he did not see them, and also his Recpt to Ely Davis $9.02 for the Am. Baptist Missionary Union. Correct amt. of Collections in last year $362.56. He also reported the state of the Poor fund in his hands receipts $73.58. Disbursements $38.27, leaving a balance in his hands of $35.31. After which, he told those present when and how he was elected as Clerk, and later, Treasurer, of this Church, about 43 years, & two months ago, on the 26th of February 1848. In this connection he resigned his offices of Clerk and Treasurer of this Church, at the same time commending Brother Edward J. Crissey the Assistant Chh Clerk as his successor. Dr. F.B. Palmer moved, & it was seconded, and Resolved, That we accept the resignations and that our act be sent to the Examiner for publication as see preamble & Resolutions herewith. On motion of Dr. F.B. Palmer seconded, Resolved That Bro. Edward J. Crissey be elected Clerk and Treasurer of the Church. Preamble and Resolutions, passed by the Church at this time, on motion of Dr. F.B. Palmer seconded:
Whereas, Brother A.Z. Madison has served this Church as its Clerk and Treasurer with preeminent fidelity and prudence during a period of forty three years, and now feels compelled to resign, in consequence of advancing age, (4 months & 13 days short of 88)
Therefore Resolved,
1st That we record with gratitude to God, for giving him to us, and sparing his life so many years, our hearty appreciation of Bro. Madisons important services an expression of our sincere hope, that he may be spared to us as a member of the Church, yet many years, and our earnest prayer, that his latter days may be crowned with even richer blessings than the days gone by.
Resolved 2nd. That we accept the resignations yielding only to seeming necessity.
Resolved 3rd. That this action be spread on the minutes of the Church, and sent to the Examiner for publication.
Professor F.S. Lyon Superintendent of the Sab. Sch Reported the state, and benevolence, of the Sunday School. (Benevolence fair, but not recorded.) Then as to three schools. He had known schools where not 10 percent of the families had family prayer. That made hard work for teachers. He made good, & sensible remarks. Mrs. Sarah McA. Kimbel, made an encouraging report of the Clotho Society. No report of the Christian Endeavor Soy. The Mission Band meeting at Mrs. Edmonds, Reported interestingly by Miss Hattie Blood. They have a contribution at each meeting. Miss Anna Lull, Reported a Missionary Soy in her S.S. Class. Could hear but little of this. Pastor Smith offered closing remarks. Sung the 100th Hymn, to close. Then most of congregation adjourned to the Lecture room & Church Parlors, to a well prepared supper. At 5.30 P.M. Trustees held a letting of Slips.
About April 16th, 1891 Rev. C.E. Smith & wife left home for Washington D.C. &c.
Sunday April 19th/91 Prof. F.S. Lyon on invitation of Dea. H.P. Perrin conducted religious service very acceptably reading a printed sermon on the text. Come and see where the Lord lay. The fault was in speaking too low, not as loud as ordinary for him.
[Archivists note: End of A.Z. Madisons entries in the Church Record.]
At covenant meeting of church held on Friday evening May 1/91 Homer Ellis related his Christian experience, & on motion by D.S. Wright seconded by E.J. Crissey was received as candidate for baptism & membership into the church.
Sunday morning May 10, the Pastor presented an aspect from the Columbian Sunday Association asking that, in view of the eminent danger threatening our Sabbath, arising from the effort being made to open the Worlds Fair of 1893, upon the Sabbath day. He presents the matter to his congregation and asks for an expression by a rising vote, and that the result be recorded upon one of the petitions enclosed, & forwarded with the other selection of legal votes only, to the Worlds Fair Commissioners of this state. The pastor called for an expression & the audience unanimously voted against the Sunday opening.
Request for letter of dismission & commendation received from Mrs. Mercy E. Sweet, of Indianapolis, Ind., & presented by pastor at regular prayer meeting Thursday evening May 28/91. On motion E.J. Crissey seconded by D.H. Morgan, letter was granted. Request from the Leon church that we send delegates to sit in council with them June 3d 1891 at the ordination of their pastor, Frank B.L. Putnam was presented by pastor, at same time & place, and on motion by D.H. Morgan, seconded by Mrs. Morian Resolved that we send Pastor & such others, for delegates, as the ch. clk. might be able to find, who could attend.
Sunday evening May 31st. Mr. Homer Ellis & Miss Millie Mayborn were baptized by the Pastor Rev. C.E. Smith & the following Sunday morning at the communion service, were extended the Hand of Fellowship. Also the hand of fellowship given to Mrs. Clara Elliott & Mrs. Jessica Allnatt.
At the regular covenant meeting held July 3d/91 on motion by E.J. Crissey, seconded, letters of dismission & recommendation were granted to Miss Hattie R. Holcomb, Miss Carrie E. Holcomb and Miss Hattie Johnson, to unite with the Ripley Baptist Church.
At the regular prayer meeting held Aug. 1891 the matter of choosing delegates to the Chaut. Baptist Asson to convene at Forestville Aug. [blank] was taken up & the following were chosen: Our pastor Rev. C.E. Smith, Bro. Alex Morian & wife, Bro. F.B. Palmer & wife, Dea. F.S. Lyon & wife, Rev. A. Kingsbury & wife. The Asson was appointed to meet with the church at Dunkirk, but as their pastor Rev. Keyes had left them but a short time before, & they felt their inability to entertain the Asson it was therefore appointed to convene with the Forestville church. The assessment for this churchs share in printing minutes, viz. $4.00 was later on sent to G.F. Woodbury Clerk of Asson through Bro. Stoddard of Busti. Advanced $2.00 of this amount.
At the regular covenant meeting of the church Oct. 2nd evening, a letter from the Cherry Creek church, recommending Mrs. Fannie Guest to our Christian Fellowship & watch care was presented & upon motion of Bro. D.S. Wright was accepted unanimously. Upon request of Mrs. Electa Blowers a letter of dismission & recommendation to the church in Clyde, was duly granted.
Rev. Thos. Elgar preached very acceptably to the church Sabbath morning & evening Nov. 15th 1891 and in the evening a collection was taken for him amounting to Fifteen & 30/100 Dollars.
At the regular covenant meeting Dec. 3d 1891 a letter of dismission & recommendation was granted to Bro. Peter A. Wingblad to unite with the Baptist Church at Westfield, N.Y. Motion by Prof. Lyon, seconded by Dea. Morgan. Also, Wales M. Martin, Mrs. Hattie H. Martin, & W. Allen Martin, were received by letter from the Jamestown Baptist Church. Motion by D.S. Wright second by E.J. Crissey.
Dec. 29th, 1891 was appointed by the church & S.S, at the Christmas entertainment, as the time set for giving to the poor & needy, especially to those of our own church & congregation, & the people were requested to bring in such as they had, that would be useful to those that were needy. The result was not so satisfactory as was anticipated, on account of the rainy weather prevailing all that day & evening, but a considerable was brought in, such as, potatoes, apples, beets, turnips, squashes, sugar, &c &c. Some money, in all, Seven & 68/100 Dollars was donated & divided between four or five families. The receiving & distributing committee, were, deacons Perrin, Morgan & E.J. Crissey. The intent of this move was to help the needy & educate the children in giving.
Rev. Thomas Elgar was invited by our pastor, (after consultation with & advice of the deacons,) to preach upon the first Sabbath evening of the new year Jan. 3rd 1892. and remain with us through the week of Prayer. in hope that his earnest plea & manner might arouse the church to new activity, & interest sincere in behalf of their souls salvation. Bro. Elgar preached every evening, earnestly. The attendance was very good, but not as large as was anticipated. A good spirit pervaded the meeting, but not sufficient to warrant continuing Bro. Elgars labors further. Thus closed the meetings of the week, & none to follow the next week except the regular meeting.