History Moment

Bell story ding-dong the bells are gonna chime!!Good morning!!
 
I’m going to be talking about bells and in particular our bell this morning!

Webster’s dictionary describes a bell as a hollow, usually cup-shaped instrument, widening at the lip, which makes a ringing sound when struck.  [we all knew that]   it may be a very small bell (ring little bell), or weigh many tons!

Did you know the going cost today for a new bell is around $15 per pound, and typical bells weigh 1000 lbs.  The Latin word for bell is campana.    Campanology is the study of bells, bell making and bell ringing.  Campanile is the belfry or bell tower.  Our tower consists of a steeple (the pointy part) and the belfry, where the bell is hung.
 
For centuries, bells, and more importantly tower bells have played a prominent role in the history of the world and many small communities.  Farm house bells called farmers in from the field for meals or emergencies, and bells on fire trucks have rung out alarms.  Tower bells called us to worship and prayer, to celebrate life and liberty, to celebrate the ending of war, to mark new beginnings (such as weddings) and to toll in sad remembrances.  They are priceless heirlooms, a lifetime investment which deserve our attention and care.  They call us to honor our past and to set the tone for our future, and sometimes to bring order and inspiration to life, even today.
 
The word bell or bells can be found in many songs, and one that comes to mind is Eliza Doolittle's father in my fair lady.  Perhaps you remember it and will join me in singing a little of it, even if i don’t remember it all.  [congregation sings along – “I'm getting married in the mornin’, ding-dong the bells are gonna chime. ]   you know, I'm not sure he really wanted to get to the church on time!
 
On December 25th  in 1863, during the civil war., Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the words to the Christmas carol, “i heard the bells on Christmas day”.   Some of the verses express his deep anguish over his 17 year old son’s near fatal wounds in a Virginia battle.  The poet feels like dropping his head in despair, but then he hears the Christmas bells, and their triumphant pealing reminded him that “god is not dead, nor doth he sleep.”   I’d like to quickly read verses 3 & 4. Vs. 3 – and in despair i bowed my head: “there is no peace on earth,” i said, “for hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men.” Vs. 4 – then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “god is not dead, nor doth he sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men.”           
 
Our original church was built around 1832 and for $1,800.  A lot of money in those days.  It was across the street from this building and down about 4-5 houses going south.  In 1856, when we outgrew that building, it was sold to the catholic church, who worshipped in it on main street, until they moved it across lots to their present location on Whig street—it burned later on, and was replaced by a new one.  Before the Catholics took possession of our old church, the Methodist building committee decided it was time to move the bell.
 
Articles found in the Trumansburg “free press and sentinel” newspaper tell the following story: “i well remember, when in 1857, about the time of the [building] of the present Methodist church, the bell was removed from the (now) St. James to be hung in the (then) new brick Methodist church.  The bell was lowered from the belfry from the outside of the church, and when started on its way to the earth, the ropes broke and [it] fell with a clang as if protesting against being disturbed.  It struck the front platform crashing through the steps to the ground.  The bell still does excellent service and there is none better or whose sound is more welcome.”
 
That was written Nov. 30, 1895.  On Dec. 7th of the same year, the newspaper received the following rebuttal. “editor free press and sentinel:  dear sir; i noticed in your last issue an account of the transfer of the bell in the m.e. Church, from the old church, which is not correct, and as i had a hand in moving the bell i propose to give you the truth of the matter.  On or about the first of December, 1856, the building committee of the new church, namely, j.h. Jerome, Luther Mosher and Russell Atwater, came to me and asked what i would charge to send the bell down and send it up to the new one, i told them five dollars, and they said they could do it cheaper themselves.  I told them to go ahead and they did.  They worked nearly all day, with Smith Durling and one of his boys to help them.  About 4 p.m., they had the bell hanging out of one of the belfry windows when a hook broke and the bell went to the ground, but not doing any harm.  The  committee then came to me and told me to take that bell over to the new church and hoist it up (where it is today) and i could have the five dollars.  My brother and Luther Dockstader helped me.  We took it across the road on a stone boat and in just one hour we had it where it now hangs.  When i got the old bell up and my gear all moved, they wanted me to hang it, but i did not see it in that way, and after some quibbling i got my five dollars.  So much for the old bell, and here’s hoping she may ring many a sinner to repentance.            Most respectfully yours, J.E. Hall”  that was a nice transaction, for Mr. Hall, as he did half the job for the same amount of money he would have gotten for the whole job. 

Our bell is at least 175 years old, and maybe older.  Its nostalgic musical voice connects generations across time, and may it always be so.  I’ve heard that  we may be reinstating the tradition of ringing the bell to call us to worship before church starts, and not as we leave.   I think that our church bell may be the only one that is still heard in this village.  It’d be great if there were more.  God bless this church and all the saints that came before, that kept the faith and our bell ringing.
 
Thanks & stay tuned, there is more to follow......... If you have any information regarding the history of our church (pictures - notes - anecdotes) please contact us.