Page 188 - Cornelius Hedges Story

175 The Cornelius Hedges Story

Chapter 11
Religious Life

Judge Hedges’ Christian faith was a real and personal thing.
He had a deep concern for his spiritual condition, and would often
comment about it in his journal. On October 25, 1863, he wrote
“Tried to realize my true condition in the sight of God.” And on
November 8, 1863, he recorded “Resolved to live hereafter in the
fear of God.”525

He regularly attended week-day evening prayer meetings during
most of his lifetime, except between the years of 1864 and 1872.526
And he sincerely believed that one of the best methods of interpreting
the scripture was to put into practice in his life.527

Cornelius was raised Congregationalist, and the first church
in which he held a membership was at New Haven, Connecticut.
He belonged to that church during the time he was attending Yale
College. Next, he was a member of the Westfield, Massachusetts,
Congregationalist Church.528 Hedges maintained Congregational
sentiments in later life even though a member of the Presbyterian
Church. On November 14, 1883, he wrote in his journal,
“Congregational convention held today to start the new church.
Sorry not be able to attend.”529

After moving to Independence, Iowa, in 1856, Hedges attended
the Presbyterian Church. Upon returning to Connecticut to teach
in 1860, Hedges resumed his Congregationalist membership at
Southington. His church membership remained in Connecticut
until 1873, when Hedges transferred his membership to the Helena
Presbyterian Church.530

”An average mining camp and community do not usually
give the first attention to founding churches, like the Puritan
and Pilgrim Fathers. But we well remember the first Sunday
religious services were held in Helena. West Main street
was the scene, a pile of logs furnished seats for most of the
audience and Rev. McLaughlin stood on the ground floor.
Brother Wilcox led the singing, the services were not lengthy
and we are not sure that the contribution box was passed.