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The Morrell Diary
Fragment of a diary of Rev. Alexander H. Morrell,
covering the period May 17th 1882 to July 6th 1882
Part 1
Transcribed by Jeffrey Brooke-Stewart, May 2007
Sometime in 2002, Sharon Travona was working a recycling event at the local dump of her town in Georgetown, Maine. A customer, Mr. McGary, came by and deposited a collection of materials for
recycling. Sharon noticed it included an old notebook, which she placed to one side. Sharon later realized that it was the fragment of an original diary, and concluded that it was the work of a Rev. A. H.
Morrell and that it was written during the period of May to July 1882, while he was the pastor of the Free Will Baptist Church in Chepachet Rhode Island. Sharon gave the book to Lynne Jones, President
of the Georgetown Historical Society. Sometime later, Lynne was doing some research on the Internet and quite by chance she came across the name of Kathryn Steere in Chepachet, and
remembering the diary, she kindly sent it to Kathryn at the Chepachet church. So we are in debt to Mr. McGary, to Sharon Travona, to Lynne Jones - and to the Internet! I transcribed the diary over the
winter of 2006-7.
First, some background regarding Rev. Morrell. For this introduction, I quote freely from an obituary, written on January 16th 1886 by Rev. Dr. N.C. Brackett in Harpers Ferry, W. Virginia. N. C. Brackett
was a colleague of Morrell in the Free Baptist Home Mission field.
Alexander Hatch Morrell was born on October 10, 1818 in the town of North Berwick, Me. His parents were Josiah and Sarah Morrell. Although of the 'Society of Friends' religious background, at some
point in time, the family apparently became Free Will Baptists and Alexander was baptized at the age of eighteen years, in the Free Will Baptist church in Litchfield Plains, Me.
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Engraving of Alexander H. Morrell. Courtesy of Dawne Raines Burke, Author of An American Phoenix: A History of Storer College from Slavery to Desegregation, 1865-1955.
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From an early age, Morrell sensed a call to the preaching ministry. This was not an easy step to take since the family was lacking in funds, and he was of limited education. Also he lacked confidence
in his own abilities. Consequently, he entered into the business world -- first as colporteur in Kentucky; later as a shoe manufacturer and merchant, and finally in a prosperous dry goods firm.
In 1845, Morrell married Eliza Seavy of Georgetown Maine. And there we find a link with where the diary was found. I am still researching why the diary came to be there, but perhaps after the death of
Rev. Morrell, Eliza returned to an old family home for a stay, and took her late husband's materials and documents with her to Georgetown.
Mrs. Morrell has been described as a model minister's wife, and Brackett credits Morrell's success in the ministry partially to Eliza's tact and keen perception. They had two sons and a daughter. One
son was named Francis. H. Morrell. I have been unable to trace the name of the second son, but the daughter was named Eliza, after her mother. Throughout the diary, Mrs. Morrell is affectionately
referred to either as Lizzie, or as Mrs. M. The daughter, who resided with her parents in 1882, is known as either Lide or Lyde - curiously, Morrell uses both spellings. When Mrs. Morrell died in 1904, in
her obituary, the daughter was being referred to as Lizzie.
Lyde was born in1857, so she was about 25 in the diary period of 1882. Lyde subsequently married a Mr. Edward Davis in 1884. They had a son, Harlow, who married and in 1908 had a daughter,
Elizabeth Davis - none other than the Hollywood actress Bette Davis! So Chepachet went to Hollywood in 50 years!
During the year 1850, Morrell made the decision to follow his call into the ministry and on February 1851 he accepted a call from the Phillips, Me., Union church. The arrangement was that he would
preach there on half the Sundays in each month and be free to preach elsewhere on the other half. He soon became affiliated with the Free Baptist churches of Maine and for ten years served the Free
Baptists in North Franklin, Me. In 1861, he moved first to West Waterville to serve the Free Baptist church there, and then, in 1863, to Bath.
In 1867, a new calling presented itself when the Free Will Baptist Home Mission Board asked Morrell to take up a mission in the Virginia Valley. In the obituary, Brackett writes; "He heard the
Macedonian cry from God's oppressed ones, and sacrificing home and home influences, he entered cheerfully and with the enthusiasm of youth upon which proved to be his crowning life-work..."
The 'oppressed ones' included the freed slaves of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland, and Morrell's heart clearly went out to their plight - particularly upon the need for their education. Apart from 4
years in Chepachet, Rhode Island, he would now devote the rest of his life to this call. In this work he became closely associated with Storer College in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
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Rev. Morrell devoted a large part of his life to the cause of abolishing slavery and then helping the freed
slaves to get an education and a new start in life. Lest we forget, there was slavery in the North as well as in the South, even in Glocester. The Federal Census of 1790 lists but one slave
in the town — in the household of Elisha Brown. This is a copy of the instrument of emancipation for Pero (Poro?), the person whom we believe to have been the last slave held in the
Town of Glocester, RI, signed by Elisha Brown and ratified by the Glocester Town Council April 10, 1802, to take effect four years from that date, April 10, 1806. From the John P. Steere,
Sr., Documents Collection, courtesy of Clifford Brown.
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At this point, it will be useful to provide a little background to Storer College, since it was such an important part of Morrell's life, and is mentioned a number of times in the diary:
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In 1865 the Free Will Baptist Home Mission Society obtained the use of Lockwood House in Harpers Ferry West Virginia, and placed Rev.
Dr. N. C. Brackett there to lead the teaching of the children of freed former slaves. Over the coming years, this small undertaking developed into Storer College. The funding for this expansion came
from matching grants of $10,000 each from philanthropist John Storer, and the Free Will Baptist Home Mission Society. A condition of Storer was that the college would be open to all, regardless of
gender, religion and race. Storer became a respected teaching college, graduating many African-American teachers. The college closed in 1955, and today the National Park Service uses the campus as a
training center. www.nps.gov/archive/hafe/storer.htm is a good starting point for more information on the college.
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For more than a year, Morrell threw himself into this work. Let me again quote from Brackett; "Bro. Morrell began his work among the poor and oppressed. From Harpers Ferry to the surrounding towns
of West Virginia, across the Potomac in Maryland, up the valley to old Virginia, there were abundant multitudes to listen to the word of life. But the hard work and exposure, the varied difficulties of the
situation, were more than a match for him, and an attack of congestion of the lungs after a long walk from a night meeting so weakened him..." Morrell returned to Maine to recover his health and
remained there for two years.
In 1870, Morrell returned to Harpers Ferry and continued the missionary work. By this time, the Storer College campus was established as the local Home Mission base, and Morrell was teaching
Theology and Moral Philosophy at the school. The Morrell family became the first occupants of a house set aside as a residence. Such is the measure of the relationship of Alexander Morrell and Storer
College, that this house, which survives, is still known as Morrell House.1
Although suffering continually with ill health, Morrell continued the work until 1881, when he became so weak that the Home Mission Society decided he should take a break. The Chepachet Free Will
Baptist Church in Rhode Island was in need of pastoral service at that time, and that congregation called him as Pastor in April 1881. Morrell remained in Chepachet from 1881 to 1885, but maintained
contact with the Harpers Ferry mission throughout that period, offering support and counseling as needed.
Although Morrell did not recover his robust state of good health, (the diary fragment, covering just seven weeks, contains numerous references to his weakness) he was determined to take up the
Harpers Ferry mission work again. Of considerable importance to Morrell was the consolidation of the work of Storer College. Consequently, in the spring of 1885 he resigned from the Chepachet church
. Later that year, he was ready to re-join the mission and set out on the journey south. Mrs. Morrell went ahead, and on December 10th they met at the home of their son, F. H. Morrell in Irvington, N. J.
The following Sunday, in spite of cold wind and rain, and at the request of the pastor, Morrell preached at a local church – even offering to preach again that night. Brackett writes that:
"…Too feeble to venture out again, he wrote a few lines in his private diary, expressing gratitude for the comforts of his surroundings, sympathy with the sick and distressed, mentioning by name a
friend of his son's family, and retiring early to rest. The next morning, December 14, he wrote in his diary again and then a tender, sympathetic letter to me, informing me of some prospects of aid for the
school in the future, of which I was not to speak publicly, and closing with these words: "It is not agreeable to be broken up in our families as you and I have been so many times, but for how many less
weighty causes have families been called to scatter! It will be all right if we can but hear the Master say at the close, well done. All send love to thee and thine."
Over the following days, neuralgia and partial paralysis developed and Morrell was unable to leave the house. To close this introduction, allow me to quote Brackett again:
" …Wife, sons and daughter with their companions were at his bedside and for four weary days it was only a question how long the powerful frame would hold to life. Dec. 24, at 10 in the evening, the
tender, manly spirit went to join the choir that so long ago sang "Peace on earth, good will to men."
For additional information concerning Morrell's life in Harpers Ferry, and the location of his grave, see the additional section "Alexander Morrell's Harpers Ferry."
And so we turn to the diary, covering the period May 17th 1882 to July 5th 1882. We need to keep in mind that this is a handwritten diary, recording Morrell's thoughts sometimes written in the early
hours and on other days, late in the evening. Spelling and grammar were not of prime importance to the writer -- he just wanted the day's key events and thoughts noted. Consequently the diary
contains terse comment, along with long sentences (sometimes very long!) without concern for grammar or spelling. I decided to make no attempt at changing anything. And so the following is a faithful
transcription. Where the spelling is in error I usually include the traditional 'sic' note to so indicate. Where the grammar might be confusing, I have added an explanation in italics -- but always with my
initials - JBS.
Of course Morrell used spelling that was in vogue at the time, including the use of the letter 'u' in words like colour. In some entries, he uses the opening words of the first sentence as a kind of sub
-heading. On some days he underscored these opening words, and on other days, not. Similarly, in some entries he indented the opening and other days, not. This may not look very elegant, but I have
simply transcribed it as presented. Morrell also underscored words for apparent emphasis with no pattern. When writing a name, Morrell occasionally left a space as though intending to insert the full
name at a later time - for example Mr. _____ Johnson. I have transcribed it as such.
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The Chepachet Meeting House about the time of Rev. Morrell's pastorate. Note that the basement ell had not yet
been constructed. Courtesy, Glocester Heritage Society.
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In Chepachet in 1882, there was the Free Will Baptist Church on the west side of Chepachet and a Congregational church on the east side, and they remain today. In the diary, Morrell frequently
mentions either "the other church" or "the cong'l church" and he is then referring to the Congregational church. The Free Will church met (and continues to do so today) in the Chepachet Meeting House.
The Meeting House was built in 1821 and the Free Will Church first gathered in 1822.
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Chepachet Congregational Church (now Chepachet Union church), late 19th century. It would have looked this way
in Rev. Morrell's time. Courtesy of Edna Kent.
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I am indebted to Dr. C. W. Brown and Edna Kent who have identified many of the people and places mentioned in the diary. I also wish to thank Dr. Dawne Raines Burke, Marilyn Brownell, Mary Cahill,
James Mancuso and Nancy Hatcher for their help in bringing this project to fruition.
Finally, I have occasionally dropped in a local explanation of events or locations -- again always in italics and with my initials, or as an endnote.
Diary of Alexander Hatch Morrell - May 17th 1882 - July 6th 1882
May 17 (Wed) 1882 The Easterly winds still prevail after coming from that quarter for some
seven days; and today noon the tokens are prophetic of rain again quite soon. The atmosphere
continues cool, so that a winter dress is not uncomfortably warm.
This PM the "Ladies Circle" met with Mrs. Seth Mowry2 — some 27 present — much
singing and pleasant conversation — Rev Geo E. Hopkins3 took supper with us.
At the gathering, for the first time the new rule in regard to supper was adopted, viz; the
several parties in attendance took along with them their provisions — make a sort of Pic-Nic of
the occasion. Amongst the advantage's of the new order of things the following are assessed, 1.
So much less expense to entertain the 'circle' that some families will feel at liberty to visit it who
hardly feel at liberty to do so, under the old rule. 2. Much less labour for one family than before.
3. More equal distribution of the cost of labour. All seemed pleased who were present today
and the number was larger than usual. It will, furthermore become a test of the interest of some
who would never entertain the Circle but who were quite able to do so. Such always found a
supper for themselves but were never willing to provide anything for themselves or others. If
now they attend, it will be encumbent [sic] upon them to take some food along, or appear
decidedly mean as doubtless they really are. They shall have no cloak for their meanness now.
In these points I do not refer to any of our church members. [Clearly the 'new order of things' was a success, as the procedure continues to be followed in 2007! JBS]
Night approaches
The cold winds from the N.East are still fresh and the condensing clouds promise us additional
rain. The prospect is that much of the planting of seeds thus far accomplished, will prove a
failure - rotting in the earth must be inevitable. But He who orders all things "doeth all things
well" thus dese [does JBS] the revealed character of God, instruct us, and then our hearts most
cheerfully and thankfully reply.
In attempting to unfold certain texts this PM, for pulpit use, my mind has been unusually
fruitful in thought and rich experience.
One passage is found in Rom.10: 9 -11 inclusive. The other Rom. 10: 4. "For Christ is
the end of the Law" and now have outlines, made this PM, that I can fill up at my convenience
of reflection. They are texts I never used, a wonder I have not!
Thursday 18th. Frid 19th Still cold and raining!
May, Sat 20th 1882. Milder, still raining! Thus, with the exception of one day - cold, rainy
weather has been upon us eleven or twelve days! All write in pronouncing 'spell of weather'
remarkable! The greater proportion of gardens in all this community remain without seeding, or
even plowing, as yet. I shall wait patiently to see if the planting of my own garden has been in
vain. The prophets tell us that, "the seeds are rotted."
Sab. May 21, 82 A mild sunny day — a good Sabbath School and full congregation at preaching
— not as to say our usual congregation. Text, "Be ready to every good work" Titus 3:1.
I enjoyed special freedom, and a good spirit seemed to preside over us all day. At 5PM, the
meeting was attended by upwards of 70 persons. Mr. Walter A Reed4 leading singer in the
other church and several others of his choir came and made it additionally interesting. One half
hour spent in music; nearly an hour of mixed services followed with life and spiritual power.
Bro. Weaver was speaking of his "readiness" to do various duties. He even
specified, and I added "draw your pocket book also," and with promptness, he sent back the
answer with emphasis, "yes draw your pocketbook and give the dollar whenever duty calls for
it." A cheerful smile passed over the entire meeting and added not a little to the good feeling of
the occasion.
Thus did the impression fix itself upon the people that the religion of the Bible inspires
friends with the spirit of liberality.
At 7 1/2 PM I met with the Cong'l friends at praise meeting, and at 8 listened to sermon
by its pastor, Mr. Johnson5 — the second on the same topic, from [space, as though
AHM planned to insert later. JBS]
Tonight he endeavered [sic] to impress us with the evils that pass over to the children of
ungodly parents as the consequence of "bad examples" such as anger, profanity, disregard of
God's Book, of the Sabbath and the Christian religion. The picture was well painted and I felt
that I was profited as a listener. Old truths from other lips, not infrequently come to us with
wisdom and force and impressiveness.
It seemed to me, before he closed, that could I speak for 15 minutes following him, I would
gladly improve the occasion to strike an additional blow or two, send home the truth to the
hearts of the hearers. Mr. West6 led the singing remaining in front of the congregation and Mrs.
Valentine7 presided at the organ at the left of the pulpit. But coming home, I felt that the day
had been one of the most interesting and profitable to my mind of any for many months past.
Two funerals were announced today, one on Mond at 11 1/2 AM of a Mrs. [Space. Perhaps
AHM had forgotten the name and planned to fill in the name later. JBS] formerly Eddy of
Burrilville, and the other Miss Dorcas Paine, late of the hospital for the insane in Providence.
The former to be held at the Cong'l House, the latter at the Free Baptist Church.
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Chepachet Congregational Church, interior. This organ was donated to the church by Edwin Valentine and his
wife, both of whom played the instrument. See Diary entry, May 21. Courtesy of Clifford Brown.
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Monday May 22nd 82. Mrs. Keach [Presumably this is the former Eddy lady.
JBS] was buried from the Cong'l Ch. Rev Johnson preached a good sermon from the text "For
we know that if this earthly house"
[On this page AHM has pasted a page from The Evening Bulletin with an article
concerning Israel's Passover, and one concerning the Sunday After Ascension, this
written by Rev. W. R. Huntingdon of Worcester Mass, and this article was most likely of
main interest to AHM. JBS]
Tuesday May 23rd 82 Raining AM. I preached the burial sermon for Miss Dorcas Paine. No
relatives present except a brother Mr James Paine. [AHM wrote Mrs James Paine, but there
is no doubt that it was a brother, so the 's' is presumed to be a slip of the pen. But see the
following entry! JBS] Her age 70 nearly. Died at Butler Hospital Prov. the insane. She had
much of the time for 12 years been in this state of mind.
Text, "Thy Word is a lamp to my feet." Ps 119:105. Stood below the pulpit8 and
enjoyed great freedom — went to the grave — and dined by invitation with the brother and
bearers at Taft's Tavern.9 Mr Paine gave me 4 silver half dollars, $2.00 for my services, twenty
five present. Mr P resides some 4 miles west of us and is "well to do."
[There now follows another entry for May 23rd, that expands and differs from the
previous entry concerning Mr. Paine's name. JBS]
Tuesday May 23rd 82 About house — except to preach the funeral sermon of Miss Dorcas
Paine in FB House at Chepachet and dine with the only relative present — at Taft's Hotel. Miss
Paine was in her 70th year— died at Insane Hospital, Providence, RI. She had been deranged
more or less for twelve years. Her Brother Dennis Paine,10 was only relative at the funeral.
Wed May 24 82. Yesterday the RI Association of Free Will Baptists met in the Greenwich
church house of worship Prov. Rev Geo E. Hopkins of Chepachet, Rev S. A. Baker of Foster
and Rev Mrs. L Fenner of N Sterling Conn. are there as I learn from the Daily Bulletin of
Providence.11
Yesterday the weather was mild and clear and improved the opportunity to plant corn
and Peas in our Garden.
Today it has rained again gently, from, some 10 o clock AM to 5 PM. The amount of
cloudy and wet weather this spring is remarkable.
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Greenwich Street Baptist Church, Providence, RI, where Rev. Hopkins, Rev. Baker, and Rev. Fenner attended the
meeting of the Rhode Island Association of Free Baptists May 23, 1882. See Diary entries for May 24 and June 2. From the Free Baptist Cyclopaedia, p.570.
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Thursday and Friday — the 25th and 26th. Spent about the house chiefly — visiting our sick Bro
O'Brien meanwhile — found him suffering very much, in body but very well composed in mind.
Prayer meeting Thursday night, very good — nine present, weather bad. A Mr Bowen drops in
once in a while at such times; but makes no pretensions to piety. His call is one of interest.
Sat PM May 27th 82 One of our most pleasant spring days for the season. The sky is cloudless
this PM and still the breeze from the westward is rather chilly.
At 6 o clock PM Mr Thomas Steere12 called for me and I rode with him to his house in
N.Situate [AHM refers to Situate rather than Scituate many times in this diary. JBS] where
I tarried for the night. Clouds seemed prophet of rain from the south east. I found Mr and Mrs
S — very pleasant at their home. They have recently taken the "Westcott Farm" to cultivate or
share, the owner furnishing it with such tools etc.
Bro S — took home with him four small pigs today. These animals are worth from 3 to 5
dollars apiece, from 5 to 6 weeks old. He has between two and three hundred chickens, rather
hens — how many young chicks, I cannot say. This is Bro S style.
Names of the family
Thomas W Steere age 29 years May 24th 1882
Wife — Sarah M Steere13 age 29 years April 27th 1882
Children; Ellen A Steere14 " 3 " " 11th "
Waldo E Steere15 " 1 " " 4th "
The children are particularly interesting.
Sab May 28th 82
Mrs S is not a Christian but appears sober minded. I gave her a tract saying that as she
could not go to hear a sermon on account of her children, I would give her a short one to read
at home. Topic "Behold I stand at the door and knock" It was only one page in length but my
earnest desire was that the Holy Spirit might apply it and lead her to let the Saviour into her
heart. On our returning from Ch, Mr Steere took his wife and children on the way with me, and
left them with Mr Steere's mother some 2 1/2 miles from Chepachet and having conveyed me to
Ch Ch [Chepachet church JBS] himself tarried and heard me at 1 1/4 PM.
Text in the AM at N. Situate "As ye have therefore received" Col 2:6. Text this PM at
C "For Christ is the end of the Law" Rom 10:4. I enjoyed special freedom today and at the 5
PM praise and prayer service — that was well attended. I felt an unusual devotion of heart and
the spirit of the meeting was excellent. Tom Mowry the first young man I baptized after coming
here, concerning whom of late some of us had felt special anxiety, and had taken pains to see
and encourage, was present and the first to speak after opening of the meeting. He had been,
until of late destitute of clothes suitable to appear in on the Sab. He talked well, and hopeful this
PM, and very much to the comfort of the church. And as the curtains of evening fell about us,
and I retired to my quiet corner alone, I realized a deeper satisfaction than usual from the
contemplation of the duties and privileges of the past day. I had strong faith that God would
water the seeds sown, and mature fruit in the time to come.
Sabbath Breakers Bold
For hours this PM gun shots were almost constantly heard, in the direction of a picnic grove
some 100yards to west of Chepachet Village! From the firing it led me to infer that parties
were practicing at targets. O, how [each JBS] sharp crack of those rifles (I suppose they [were
JBS]) pierced my heart with sorrow, and led me to ask if no remedy for the fearful desecration
of the Sab in this town can be found!
Monday May 29th 82 Today worked for J Olney making a cupboard.
Tue, May 30th 82 Continued to work for Mr. Olney16 untill [sic] 5 PM after which planted some 250 rills of cream colored beans.
Wed May 31. 82 By the kindness of Dea. S A Steere,17 I found a seat in his carriage to QM
held at East Killingly Conn — a pleasant drive - in season for prayer and business meeting this
AM. Bro Geo. W. Steere18 and wife accompanied by Mr Seth Mowry went, also Bro H
Steere19 and wife, hence 8 of us were there from C Church. [Who was the 8th person? Perhaps S. A. Steere's
wife. JBS]
Dea. I Winsor could not go from pressure of work upon him. [QM is the Quarterly Meeting
of the local chapter of the Free Will Baptist Home Mission Society. JBS]
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Free Will Baptist Church, Valley Road, East Killingly, Connecticut, built in 1851. The photograph is from
around 1900. It no longer stands. It was almost certainly here that the Quarterly Meeting mentioned in Diary entries May 31 - June 1 was held, this being the only Free Will Baptist Church in
East Killingly at that time. Rev. Morrell traveled to this meeting accompanied by (among others) Mr. and Mrs. George Wheeler Steere. This was not the first trip to Killingly by George and
Martha Sayles Steere: they were married there on April 8, 1855, probably in this church. Courtesy of the Killingly Historical and Genealogical Society.
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Business of Conference,
Transacted in the most harmonious manner. Ministers present, Young, Baker, Child, Griffith,
Green, Morrell.20 Preaching this AM by Rev S A Baker "But One thing is needful" applying it to
the want of spiritual power in the churches — the power of The Holy Ghost — a very able
sermon. Bro Baker is Master of his work as a speaker. He has re-considered his resignation of
the pastorate of the Foster Church, and is also to supply the Morning Star ch. Some features of
the course in his field look brighter and more hopeful. [There were a number of Baptist churches (and other denominations) that took the Morning Star name, from Rev. 22:16. There was, however, also
a Free Will Baptist publication by the name of "Morning Star" published in Dover NH and later in Boston MA from 1826 to 1911. It was very powerfully anti-slavery, and after the civil war, for integration -
subjects close to AHM. When the General Conference of the Free Will Baptists met in Greenville RI in 1837, they attempted to 'water down' the anti slavery position, but failed to do so. It is tempting to
think that perhaps Rev. Baker was going to contribute to the publication in 1882, but in the diary AHM clearly includes "ch" after "Morning Star". JBS]
Bro. Child is doing well at E Killingly Conn. I spoke at night (8PM) Text "As ye have therefore
reap" and I enjoyed freedom. I took this old topic that I might reach if possible both saint and
sinner in the full congregation. The music is ['was' JBS] excellent. Rev L B Young offered
prayer for me in the pulpit. Tarried the night at Mr. Angels — my home once before on a QM
occasion. Dea S. A. Steere and Geo W Steere and wife also tarried here — a delightful home.
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The Morning Star Chapel, Foster, Rhode Island. It is mentioned in Diary entry on May 31. It no longer stands.
The photograph was probably taken during the 1920's. Courtesy of Clifford Brown.
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Thurs, June 1 82 The day was rainy untill [sic] some 3 O Clock PM. Hence with only
about 1 Doz persons present we omitted preaching — transacted ministers conference business
and QM business, held a prayer meeting — during which a part prayed and all spoke — took an
excellent dinner in the Ch and adj. At 7 1/2 PM and went to our homes.
Business items
in ministers council. Voted to hold the next conference not on Tuesday but on Thursday AM at
8 O clock with the design of getting more present. And also of presenting essays or sermons to
as many of the brothers and sisters and others as choose to listen, beginning at E. Kill, thus we
trust doing much more good than hearing ourselves alone.
Money for H. Miss. [Home Missions. JBS] in QM
The Chepachet ch was only one that sent in any — all being invited at the last QM by vote - to
send in something for this object. The sum by our ch was $3.68 and by vote the regular
treasurer of the QM was to act as treasurer of this new departure and the Ex. Com [this
probably means the Executive Committee of the association. JBS] of the meeting is to
order the disbursing of said funds, and both treasurer and Ex Corr are to report once a year, or
oftener if needed, and be subject to the action of the QM conference.
Thus we have made a beginning in this form of Christian service.21
Names of QM Ex Com.
Rev S B Young P.O. Address Foster RI
" S A Baker " " " "
" A. H. Morrell (Chepachet RI)
Isaac Paine " " Foster RI
Rev Weaver South Killingly Conn.22
On the way home we called conversed, sang and prayer [sic] with Sister Swift — sick woman.
Friday June 2nd Mrs. M and Lyde [Mrs. Morrell and daughter. JBS] visited at Bro
Pluissunds. Had Barkhest's team to take them there and return them at night. [Later AHM
refers to Parkhest's team. He clearly uses a 'B' and a 'P' with the two references, but
no doubt this is one and the same carrier. JBS]23
Called and found Rev. G H Hopkins suffering with another attack of chills and fever. He
attended the RI Association at Providence last week and while there the disease that had been
held in check for weeks past, returned upon.
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Rev. Jonathan McDuffie Brewster, whose passing is mentioned in the Diary entry for June 2. From the Free Baptist Cyclopaedia, p.70.
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Learned the sad news to night of the death of Rev J. M. Brewster24 pastor of Park St.
Free Baptist ch. of Providence.
The following is found in the Burrillville Gazette published in Pascoag Village in this State.
[Here AHM has pasted the obituary of Rev. Brewster. JBS]
Having for many years been personally acquainted with Rev Brewster and knowing something
of the value of his services of various kinds, to the church and the world, I not only feel sad at
the loss of a personal friend, but still worse in view of the loss the denomination and the world
sustains in his death. He leaves no children but an excellent wife, feeble in health but an active
efficient worker in Zion. She edits the "Missionary Helper" and is an active friend of all our
benevolent enterprises.
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The Park Street Baptist Church, Providence, RI, where Rev. Brewster was pastor. See Diary entry for June 2. From the Free Baptist Cyclopaedia, p.570.
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Sat June 3rd 82 Assisted Bro S Mowry, an hour in his garden this AM — and he in turn put the
slating on a Black Board for me.
This PM feeling depressed and unfit for study spent a part of the time in planting beans
with poles — in my garden, or rather on a piece of land next to ours, loaned to me by Mr. C.
Williams our nearest neighbour East of us.
Sab. June 4 1882 This morning rain came on and fell freely for an hour, after which the clouds
became broken and the sun beams fell upon us with unusual warmth. Sab. School fairly
attended but two of our teachers were too ill to be present. Viz; Miss Sarah Aldrich and Rev.
G .E. Hopkins.
A vote in regard to the hour on the next Sabbath for holding the S.S. Concert was
taken in favor of 7 1/2 PM. S.S. lesson today on the Transfiguration of Christ. Mrs. Lydia
Smith (a decided believer in the unconscious state of the dead) became unusually zealous in the
advocacy of her notions when it was insinuated that the presence of Moses and Elias with
Christ and the disciples on the mount was proof of the conscious state of the departed. I
deemed it better to pass quite soon to other points in the lesson to avoid a fruitless contention.
Mrs. S — is not a member of our ch but we regard her as a good woman, although her "E
Advent Vieus" render her, to quite an extent, a Hobby rider especially if she finds parties to
contend with. [by Hobby rider, I assume AHM is referring to a phrase along the lines of
'she rides her hobby horse' or her ' pet topic' JBS] Her father is not [now? JBS] regarded
as nigh unto death — He lies insensible to all about him. His mental powers have been failing for
more than a year past. His name is Slocum,25 an old resident of Chepachet.
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Receipt bearing the signature of Seth Mowry. Mr. Mowry is mentioned in Diary entries on May 29, June 3, and
June 6. From church files.
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Praise and Prayer Meeting
at 5PM quite fully attended — upwards of 80 present! Six parts were taken besides my own
remarks after 1/2 hour of singing from "Gospel Hymns" by the audience. The spirit of the meeting
was excellent. Bro Weaver especially seemed very happy. At the close, a brother expressed
himself as opposed to the time of day for the S.S. concert next Sab, and said that "some of the
boys" meaning young men expressed some disposition not to come at the time voted. I simply
replied "that if they could not agree in regard to the matter, I thought they better give it up and
have none." This brother is one of our best and most active, but his preference, he said, was on
account of his health being too poor to be out at night. I was struck with the inconsistency that
good people sometimes fall into from a desire to follow their preferences, for I had known that
same good man to be out at night on business the past spring when his health was much poorer
than it is just now! He however, said he was willing to go with the majority in all such cases; but
that hint of the want of harmony in the school as to the time was the feather that bent my camel's
back, at least so as to make it ache uncomfortably, for I had been conscious of grief over the
death of Rev. Bro Brewster concerning whose life and character I had read to the congregation,
adding brief remarks of my own. Also the case of the coming S.S concert and the experiment of
the coming of Capt Cyruss Sturdivant26 whose appoint. as an Evangelistic Temperance
Work[er JBS] I had announced for the 4th Sab in this month (June). One of the consequences
of my weak nerves was almost a sleepless night, and now at 4 O'clock in the morning I find
myself penning this [these JBS] perhaps altogether useless facts! One thing, if no one ever reads
them, they show to me how little I can bear easily, compared with former years when numerous
and far more complicated cares and burdens were upon me.
And now that the day is dawning and soon the "unwearied sun" will bless the earth with
rays of light and heat, so may I cast off the night of gloom and the depression of unwanted care
and go cheerfully about the duties of another day. I will trust in place of my fears, and hope for
success of which I have almost despaired. I am inclined to allow "little things" more seriously to
effect me for several reasons, doubt [no doubt? JBS] amongst which I find is the fact that so
great consequence do often come of them!
Monday June 5th 82 Town Meeting
Town Superintendent of school.
I was not at the meeting.
Visited Bro O Brien and found him very low in strength — I suggested that he dispose of his
personal property and use some of the proceeds for his comfort while he may continue, giving
him to understand that he must quite soon die.27 He agreed with me and desired that Brethren
Geo. W and S. A. Steere visit him (at my suggestion) advise with him in the matter. I hastened
to find Bro Geo W. Steere in the village and informed him of Br. O.B's desire, and he and his
Bro S.A. Steere visit him (O.B) to this PM.
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