It will be perceived that this Association embraces the oldest churches, and is emphatically the stronghold of Sabbatarianism. Most of them also have originated from ordinary causes. Those of Piscataway and Shiloh have each produced a branch. Three of those in Rhode Island originated from a remarkable revival, which progressed in 1837, under the ministrations of Elder John Green, in which sinners were converted to God by hundreds. All the older churches have been the seats of stated pastors; consequently they escaped, at least in former times, all the evils to be apprehended from frequent changes. These pastors, also, however deficient they might appear in the graces of elegant diction, were distinguished for sound reasoning and plain sense. Their zeal was tempered with moderation; their piety with rationality. If not very scrupulous as to method and language, they were correct in their views, and orthodox in their principles. The themes of their discourses were the doctrines of the Gospel, and the nature of experimental religion, which they explained in a manner adapted to the capacities of their hearers. That much of this old-fashioned system is being done away with, is evident to the most casual observation. This profitable mode of preaching has been exchanged for one disposed to harp on opinions and debatable points. But, although a deep explication of mysterious subjects may look more wise, and excite, for the moment, more interest than to travel on in the old track, the tampering with matters beyond knowledge, to the neglect of plain but edifying subjects, will be attended by a general dearth of religious feeling.
SECTION V.
CENTRAL ASSOCIATION.
This body embraces all those large and respectable churches which are situated in the State of New York, east of the small lakes. Most of this great body of our denomination have been collected here within half a century. About ninety years ago, we first find traces of Sabbatarian sentiments in this extensive country. Since that period the dissemination of this scriptural truth has been slow but sure. Churches have one after another been constituted, which, taken as a whole, have occupied an important position, not only as to location, but likewise as to the tone of feeling which they have given to the efforts and enterprises of the denomination in benevolent and educational pursuits. They were among the earliest promoters of Domestic Missions in the then destitute regions of their own and the Southwestern States. By their unwearied and active exertions, amid all the discouragements incident to poverty, limited means, and untoward circumstances, evangelists were sent out to disseminate the truth in those then destitute places, where, for many years past, flourishing churches and powerful auxiliaries have existed. They seem also to have first become interested in the subject of Sabbath schools, conference meetings, and monthly concerts for prayer. Their anniversaries are held at different places in their long range of territory, and so commodious and expeditious is the modern mode of travelling, that although the churches are spread along a distance of two or three hundred miles, yet the labour of attending them is but small, and more than repaid by witnessing the varied and beautiful scenery along the route. The very flourishing institution denominated the De Ruyter Institute, is located within the limits of this Association. It is situated, as its name imports, in the pleasant village of De Ruyter, on the southwestern part of the county of Madison. It was projected in 1835, and went into operation in 1837. The building is of stone, ninety-four feet front, and sixty-four in width, including the depth of the wings projecting backwards. It contains a chapel, a room for philosophic lectures, one for the library and society for natural history, six recitation rooms, and fifty-six students' rooms.
There is both a male and female department in the institution; and the faculty, by their ability and assiduity, have commended it to the good opinion of the public, among whom it has hitherto sustained a high reputation.
SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, BERLIN, NEW YORK.
This church, the oldest body in this Association, was organized in 1783, although many years previous, a number of Sabbath-keepers, principally members of the Sabbatarian churches in Rhode Island, had removed into these parts, being among the first settlers of the place. Of these, the large and respectable families of the Coons, Greenmans, Crandalls, Greens, and Randalls, were most distinguished for enterprise and intelligence. They occupied a very pleasant situation in the northeasterly parts of the State of New York, adjoining Massachusetts. The place was first called Little Hoosack, and the Sabbatarians resided in the towns of Berlin, Petersburg, and Stephentown, in which branch churches have since been established.
After the organization of the church, Rev. William Coon, from Hopkinton, became their first pastor. Elder Coon was a man of great natural ability, and was so pre-eminently blessed in his ministry, that nearly two hundred persons were added to the church in one year. He died in 1801. He was highly esteemed by Mr. Van Rensselaer, then deputy governor of the state, who bestowed upon him a valuable farm, and contributed liberally towards defraying the expenses of their new meeting-house.
Rev. Asa Coon, his nephew and successor, officiated in the ministry but a few months, when he was removed by death.
Rev. William Satterlee received ordination in 1805, in the thirty-seventh year of his age, and was immediately installed as pastor of the church, in which relation he still continues. Elder Satterlee has been emphatically a father in Israel. Thousands have walked in more brilliant paths, have risen to loftier stations, and acquired more extensive renown, but perhaps no one has been more really useful as a Christian minister. In his family, in the church, in the conference, he was equally amiable, equally attentive to the desires of others, and equally anxious to do good. While others pursued the phantom of popularity, Elder Satterlee remained content with the applause of his own conscience, and his brethren were so well aware of his ability and paternal character, that for many years he was unanimously chosen Moderator of the General Conference.
Under his ministry the church became another mother of churches, and nursery of ministers, besides producing several eminent characters.