This church was organized in 1830, and Ephraim Curtiss became its pastor. Elder Curtiss was a man of distinguished merit and great promise. His talents and services were of inestimable value to this infant community; but the Great Head of the church was pleased, for wise but unseen purposes, to remove him from earth while yet in the noon of his days. His decease, combined with other causes, has contributed to keep this church in a backward state. For a long time their harps were hung upon the willows, and although they remained inflexible in their attachment to the great distinctive principles of the denomination, and supported sabbatical ordinances in a regular manner, they have been blessed with few additions to their numbers.
Rev. Joshua Clarke, their present pastor, was installed in 1847.
SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, PRESTON, CHENANGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
This church dates back to a very early period. In 1804, Davis Rogers, who had been ordained in 1784, with several members of the Waterford (Connecticut) Church, emigrated to this place, where they organized a church, which, under his ministry, continued for a long time in a flourishing condition. In 1818, it was admitted into the Conference, at which period David Davis was associated with Elder Rogers in the ministry. The death of Elder Rogers, which, as I am informed, occurred about 1832, left this weak and sickly community in peculiarly trying and painful circumstances, and the members became scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Subsequently they were gathered and the church reorganized by Elder Benedict Wescott, of Waterford, in 1834. This worthy and useful man then assumed the spiritual charge of the scattered flock, in which relation he continued until 1842.
Rev. Varnum Hull, his successor, was ordained in 1843, and continued to serve this church for four or five years.
Rev. Joshua Clarke, the present incumbent, is connected both with this and the Sabbatarian community at Otselic.
SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, RICHLAND, OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
This infant community was gathered and organized in 1845. Though few in number, they give promise of great efficiency.
Rev. Elias Burdick is their pastor.