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Sixth Generation.
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a number of others, who felt the necessity of a reformation in the church, and formed a little society walking more according to the primitive simplicity of the gospel. About this time, Robert Sandeman, a zealous reformer of the abuses of Christianity, in some of its aspects, came from Scotland, and united himself with them. He was a son-in-law of Mr. Glass, who wrote several books upon the principles of reform, which were considered standard works by the Society here; hence they were called Glassites, or Sandemanians.
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"They continued to increase till 1798, when some questions arose respecting the propriety of Christians increasing in wealth, and the weekly observance of the Institution of the Lord's Supper; the former being permitted, and the latter omitted by them.
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"The investigation of these subjects resulted in another separation; Mr. White, with twelve others, again seceded, and formed another Society, who now felt that they were walking in all the commandments of the Lord.
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"But the spirit of reform was yet among them. A few became convinced that immersion only is Scriptural baptism, and doubted the propriety of bringing infants to that institution. This the remainder of the body strongly contended for.
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"In 1817, Levi Osborn and Uz. Wildman, with their wives, left the Society, to which they were very strongly attached; their love for the truth overbalanced every other consideration, and they took their stand alone. The same year, Levi Osborn, hearing of a society in [Greene Street] New York, calling themselves Disciples, and following the ancient practice of immersing believers upon a confession of their faith for the remission of sins, visited that church and was immersed by Henry Errett.
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"He then returned and administered the Institution to his wife, and to Uz. Wildman and his wife. They then commenced holding meetings at his residence, and attended the Apostles' Doctrine, the fellowship (or contribution), the breaking of the loaf, and the prayers every Lord's Day, as did the primitive disciples of Jesus Christ, as related by Luke; Acts, 2, 42.
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"Mr. Levi Osborn, either by special appointment, or by general suffrage, on account of the relation he held to the church, as its originator and spiritual father, officiated as an elder or oversee; sometimes in conjunction with others, until his death. He was highly esteemed in love, for his work's sake, and his increasing devotion to the truth, and the simple primitive Gospel and institutions of the New Testament."1
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| 864
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III. Sarah Osborn, b. at Danbury, Conn., about 1767; married, at Danbury, Ira Taylor, a hatter, son of Gilead and Jenny (Hopkins) Taylor, of Danbury, where he was born. They settled at Danbury, and there died (he, when about So years old; she, 24 Feb. 1816, aged 40 years), and were buried in the old Episcopal Cemetery, at the south end of the village, where her gravestone yet stands.
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2986
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1 M.S. Collections of the Disciples' Church, Danbury.
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