Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these, “it might have been.”
At this later day it would seem that the effort should have been carried forward; still, brethren who had heroically carried burdens for years can not well be blamed for waiting till harmony could be restored before entering into a new church enterprise, with its financial burdens.
As the result of the trial that followed, the church lost about a dozen members and some attendants, and a Primitive Methodist Church was formed, which after a little over a year disbanded. Trinity Church was not alone in such experience. In other places, the action here was followed by the formation of societies of like views, bearing various names, affiliated with the ‘Evangelical Association of New England.’ In what I have said of this movement there is no word of bitterness or aspersion of the motives or character of those who went out from us. It was an unhappy difference of opinion brought to conclusion, and had a depressing influence.
Our Quarterly Conference had, in voting to build, wisely limited commencement till five thousand dollars should be subscribed, and this was unsecured at the end of Brother Pomfret's third year. Seeing no hope thereof, he asked and received another appointment.
In 1893 Rev. William M. Cassidy came to our pastorate, this being his third charge. The society welcomed him and he became a favorite in the community.
Matters moved on well, save in the building enterprise, which, though not lost sight of, progressed but slowly, so slowly that some despaired of its accomplishment. But in March of 1896, the subscription limit being reached, plans were secured and work begun. On July 23, at 6 P. M., the corner-stone was laid, in the presence of two hundred and fifty people. This was taken from under the tower of the old house, the dates 1873-1896 cut in it by the contractor who originally furnished it, and was
