ter's
pastorate. The Universalists had organized a Sunday School picnic, and
the children had gathered at the church in goodly numbers. The sidewalk
was thronged. A procession was formed, headed by the ice cream cans,
together with sundry huge baskets, all appetizingly displayed. Just as
the procession was about to move down the hill to embark for Three-Mile
Point, a small-sized Universalist, stirred by generous impulse, hailed
young Dick, a small-sized Presbyterian, who stood on the opposite side
of the street gazing with assumed stoicism on the fascinating pageant.

"Hello, Dick! Come up to our picnic. We're going to have ice cream and
cake and pies, and lots of good things."

To this cordial invitation Dick, thrusting his clenched fists deep into
his pockets, responded at the top of his voice:

"No, sir-ee! I believe in a hell!"[70]

As early as the beginning of the nineteenth century the Baptists were
accustomed to immerse their converts with appropriate services near
Council Rock. They organized on January 21, 1834, with the Rev. Lewis
Raymond as pastor. Their church building was erected during the next
year.

[Illustration: CHRIST CHURCH]

The Roman Catholic congregation was organized in September, 1847, with
the Rev. Father Kilbride as pastor. Their first church was built in
1851, at the corner of Elm and Susquehanna streets. The present St.
Mary's Church, the "Church of Our Lady of the Lake," was built in 1867.

Toward the middle of the century the three most conspicuous steeples in
the village scene were those of Christ Church, the Presbyterian, and
the Baptist. From the shape of their towers, which have since been
modified, they were known as the "Casters," and distinguished as salt,
pepper, and mustard respectively.[71]

The land for the Presbyterian church as well as for Christ Church was
given by Judge Cooper. Within Christ churchyard he reserved a space,
including his daughter's grave, as a family burial plot, where he
himself was buried in 1809, cut down in the full vigor of his fifty-five
years. While leaving a political meeting in Albany, as he was descending
the steps of the old state capitol, after a session abounding in stormy
debate, Judge Cooper was struck on the head with a walking stick by a
political opponent, and died as a result of the blow.

Judge Cooper was originally a Quaker, but that he afterward found
himself out of sympathy with the Society of Friends is shown in a formal
doc