Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/626

CHAPTER XXXII NEW BARRINGTON "The Great Awakening" — Religious Declension — Unhappy State of Society — Conservative Elements — The Barrington Mutual Improve- ment Association — Forest Chapel — Forest Chapel Cemetery Cor- poration — Nathaniel F. Potter — The Nai-ragansett Brick Company — Benjamin B. Viall— Mrs. B. B. Viall — Miss Lydia B. Smith — Miss Elizabeth J. Smith — Miss Eliza C Smith — Mrs. Judith R. (Bowen) Smith — Lewis B. Smith — The Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad — Allen C. Mathewson — John C. Burrington — George R. Kinnicutt — Allen Brown — Henry Staples — Rev. Fran- cis Horton — Other Associate Workers — Increase in Population — Increase in Wealth. THE story of the Congregational Church of Barrington revealed the fact that the town was visited by what was styled "The Great Awakening," just prior to 1820. It is of interest to note that this "Awakening " prevailed in many parts of New England and aroused the religious senti- ments of the people to a high pitch. Large additions were made to the church in Barrington, and for a time the influ- ence of the revival was promotive of religious and social progress, in the church and town. A reaction took place in a few years, however, and the tide of religious feeling ebbed to a low point. Some of those who had joined the church became disaffected and others were disciplined for gross misconduct. Troubles also arose as to the control and management of the parsonage, as to the ministers, and also as to the ownership and occupation of the meeting-house. Affairs reached such an extreme pass, that the meeting- house doors were locked against the entrance of the minister and congregation on the Sabbath, an officer standing at the door, to prevent entrance " by force and arms." Still further, the windows of the parsonage were broken at night