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Chapter XIII.

A NEW PASTOR.

They come, they go,

What matters where?
The work goes on,

If God is there.-J. E. H.

PRIL 1st., 1882 came, a very cold day, and it

was my 27th birthday. Bro. W. A. Layton,

had now been on the Smithtown charge for over two years, and his time for leaving us had arrived and on Sunday, April 2nd, he preached his farewell sermon. I had been in company with him so much and so long, that to me he had become like a brother, as my associations with him had been extremely pleasant, as well as profitable, and it was with deep regrets that I bid him goodbye. His new charge was at Mattituck, L. I., about forty miles from Smithtown. Needless to say that I visited him there, later in the year.

After Mr. Layton moved from our town, we were without a pastor until May 7th. Then a young man who was also a student from Drew Seminary was sent us. His name was Jay A. Churchill, and he was about the age of Mr. Layton. He was at Drew, during part of each week, usually coming to Smithtown Friday afternoons and would visit his church members as well as others on Saturday, and

would preach in the three churches on Sunday, as was the custom and would return to Drew Monday mornings. I did not at this time, have the oppor-. tunity of being with Mr. Churchill as much as with Mr. Layton, so did not get acquainted with him as quickly. Later however, we became very fast friends and were together a great deal. Like myself, he too, was unmarried, so we associated a great deal with the young people, and we had croquet parties, and picnics during the warm weather. Mr. Churchill proved to be a thorough Christian and made many friends. His life had not always been pleasant, and he told me some of his discouragements in connection with his ministery. He was of a nervous temperament, and needed kind advice which he gratefully accepted. He persevered and kept pushing ahead and in time largely overcame his discouragements.

During the Spring Uncle Benja and I worked at our trades, doing some carpenter work for Mr. Henry Mills, at North Side. I also put up a small building for a young man named Lester Smith, at Willow Pond, a place a few miles from our home, and later I made a visit to New York City. I called on one of my former school friends, Eugene F. Mills, and took dinner with him, as well as with his two sisters who were present, Ida and Sadie. During my stay in New York I went fishing at the Fishing Banks, went by steamer. I caught a number of bass. I also spent sometime at Astoria with the Platt's before returning to Smithtown.

On my return I found plenty of carpenter work, as well as other work to do, much of the time. I had a fine croquet outfit and many were the little gatherings at my home to play croquet, and we all enjoyed those little parties. We sometimes met at other places too, to play croquet. I mention the tollowing as those homes we most often met at. Mr. Norman Smith's, Mrs. Benjamin Tyler's, Mr. Frank Mills. These three places seemed to be the most popular, and there were young people, and nearly all interested in the church. We certainly enjoyed ourselves.

During the summer we had our annual Sunday School picnic. This was looked forward to with considerable interest, especially by the young folks, and was greatly enjoyed by both old and young. The picnics were often held near the Lond Island sound. Sometimes we were taken there by wagons and sometimes we were taken down the Nissequogue River in a very large flat bottomed boat, called a SCOW. The scow was the most popular way of conveyance, as we were then all together. The big boat would carry more than 100 people. A big dinner would be served, and fishing and bathing enjoyed, staying until late in the afternoon. Then when foodtide would set in, we would sail back up the Nissequogue again to the place from which we started in the morning, usually near the Landing bridge. We would be tired of course, but we had enjoyed a "happy day." The scows, which were used principally for carting freight up and down the

river, are things of the past; and now the automobiles or motor boats usually convey the picnic parties, which are still given.

Early in June of this year, Henry McCarthy whom I had known many years before at Mr. Ketcham's, as the reader will remember, visited me at our home. He was about thirty years old at this time and was in very poor health. After his return to New York, where he had been living for some years, I received a letter from him, in which he told me of how many cigars he had smoked in one day. It was a large number and for a man in poor health, it was unreasonable, saying the least. I have the letter yet. I saw Henry but once after this I think, when I met him in New York. It was not very long after that, I received a letter from a stranger telling me of his death. This was sad news to me, as he evidently had lived a fast life. Let us remember that "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life." Poor Henry had sowed "wild oats" and his stay on earth was short.

On July 7th., instead of July 4th., at night, at our home we had a celebration. A number of my friends were present, fireworks were displayed, and we had an enjoyable time.

Mr. Churchill was a frequent visitor at our home, and during the close of the school season at Drew, much of his time was spent in our town and he had more time to be with the people. I saw him often and was in his company on various occasions, and it was my pleasure at one time to spend a day

and night with him at Drew, where I met a number of his schoolmates, and also attended prayer meeting during my short stay there.

I recall no very important events at this time, connected with our church. Mr. Churchill had occupied the old parsonage part of the time, but being unmarried was absent more or less. He had completed his studies at Drew, as I recall, and consequently had more time for calling on those belonging to his charge. My dear mother, as well as brothers. and sisters, were all still living.

As I refer to my old diary, I find that Oct. 13th., I went to the Branch and on my way back stopped at the home of Mr. Frank Mills, where there was a company of young folks gathered to play croquet. There were present Ida Mills, Fannie Tyler, Addie Tyler, Irene Tyler, Edward Tyler, Benjamin Tyler, Jr., J. E. Petty, F. D. Hawkins, Adelia Jayne, Eunice Hawkins, Annie Hawkins and Eveline Darling. After we were through playing croquet we all went to my home, and there had tea. Our party did not break up until about midnight when we separated after a very pleasant time. This little party mentioned, gathered in my home nearly forty years ago. We were all young then, but what now? Some are living, but not all. In the Landing cemetery you may see one or more graves, and on the marble headstones you may read the names of those who have passed away. One lives in a far away state, another in one of the Eastern states, two are widows; all that are living are on the western side