USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Greenwich > Commemorative discourse, delivered on the occasion of meeting for the last time in the old house of worship of the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich, Dec. 5, 1858 > Part 1
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Gc 974.602 G855& 1847473
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01151 4194
7742
A
COMMEMORATIVE DISCOURSE, .T
DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF MEETING FOR THE LAST TIME IN THE OLD HOUSE OF WORSHIP OF THE
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL_CIIURCII IN GREENWICII. 2nd.
DECEMBER 5th, 1858.
BY
JOEL H. LINSLEY, D.D., PASTOR OF THE CHURCH.
PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE SOCIETY.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
NEW-YORK : JOHN A. GRAY, PRINTER, STEREOTYPER, AND BINDER, CORNER OF FRANKFORT AND JACOB STREETS, FIRE-PROOF BUILDINGS.
- 1860.
1847473
DISCOURSE.
" WE have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple."-PSALM 48 : 9.
CALLED to-day, in the providence of God, to perform our last religious service in the house which our fathers built for us, and in which both they and we have passed so many happy Sabbaths, I have thought the event worthy of some fitting memorial. The passage just quoted seems suited to give a profitable direction to our meditations.
In the verge next preceding the text, the Psalmist says: " As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, the city of our God; God will establish it forever." The City of God here spoken of is Jerusalem-regarded not merely as a town, but as the seat of the Theocracy and the residence of the Lord of hosts. Now, as the literal Jerusalem was in the fullness of time to be overthrown and ut- terly destroyed, the "city of the Lord" must here represent the Church of God, the spiritual Jerusalem, of which the earthly Jerusalem was only a type. It is the city whose walls are salvation, and concerning which God has said that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." As we have heard in the promise, so have we seen in the accomplishment, and we are witnesses for God that he is true and faithful; or, if what has
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been learned is in the way of tradition, or of the history of God's dealings with his people in earlier days, it is equally true that " as we have thus heard, so have we also seen." Our fathers trusted in God, and he delivered them ; and we their children, so far as we have cherished their faith, have had equal occasion to proclaim the divine faithfulness. We have delightful evidence that Satan shall not triumph over the Church; God has established her forever, even to all generations. Now, the Psalmist adds in the text: We have pondered this, both the past and the present. "We have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple." I infer from this, that the church, or the house of God- for the Greek word from which church is derived war' rants its application to the building-is the appropriate place for thankfully recounting God's loving-kindnesses. Preeminently is it the place for calling to mind those which we have here, on this very spot, experienced ; and, my brethren, if we are ever to perform this duty, as pleasing as it is sacred, we must seize on the present opportunity. I doubt not that there are numbers here with whom this is a spiritual as well as a natural im- pulse; for all the members of this church now living have in this sacred place openly professed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You have here enjoyed precious privileges, and great personal mercies, and it falls in with all your best feelings gratefully to acknowledge them. You are ready to say: We remember and rejoice in thy kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
Yes, brethren, for this very purpose we have come up to-day to the courts of the Lord, the sanctuary, where two generations have, through all the Sabbaths of sixty years, resorted for religious instruction, prayer,
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and praise. The word here translated " I have thought," describes the act of meditation, with a view to compar- ing things - as one state with another. Hence, the special fitness of the text. for my present purpose. I wish to show forth the loving-kindness of God by this very method. For this end, I propose a brief review of historical facts-facts already familiar to some of you, but which are not so to all, and especially to the young of the congregation. The statements here made are, in part, the same which were given at the laying of the corner-stone of the new church edifice, a copy of which was deposited in it.
You are aware of the imperfection of our early records, both as a church and an ecclesiastical society. Tradi- tion reports that the Proprietors' records were destroyed during the confusion and violence of the Revolutionary War .* We should have been great gainers if our fathers had early introduced the present practice of semi-cen- tennial celebrations.
Had there been such a commemoration of the found- ing of this church, it would have occurred, as we believe, in 1755-about the middle of the ministry of Abraham Todd. Suppose that on this occasion he had preacned and published a discourse, giving a history of the town and of the first and second Congregational churches -. that is, the original Church, and this off shoot from it- how great the satisfaction we should all feel in this docu ment, and in the facts it would have saved from oblivion. Think of the value of his statement in regard to the condition of these churches during the long interval, now almost a blank, and especially during the " great
* The town was settled under the direction of twenty-seven Proprietors. The earliest book of church records, begun by Rev. .Stephen Munson, June 29, 1728, is still preserved.
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awakening," as it was called, of 1740. Of that wonderful religious movement he was an eye and ear-witness. He could then, fifteen years after its occurrence, have calmly reviewed its facts and justly estimated its results.
The first settlement of this town was, as nearly as can be ascertained, about 1650, ten years after its purchase from the Indians. So much, at least, is known that, as early as 1656, complaints were made to the government of the New-Haven Colony that Greenwich-which, though temporarily drawn away to the Dutch govern- ment at New-York, was originally purchased for New- Haven-was the theater of disorders demanding the intervention of the civil authority. Some years later, on the union of the New-Haven Colony with Connecti- cut, the latter extended its sway over the town-the good effects of which were immediately visible.
In 1665, Greenwich and Rye are mentioned as places in which no churches were organized, or pastors settled, and as enjoying only occasional preaching. The earliest records of this Ecclesiastical Society are blended with those of the town -- the town, according to the custom of those days, assuming all responsibility in relation to religious matters, building churches, settling pastors, and setting apart property for the support of the Gospel, and exercising complete control over ministers and con- gregations.
In March, 1682, the town, by their vote, directed that a number of home lots should be laid out at Horseneck," but at the same time forbid the occupants from seeking any organization, civil or religious, separate from the town. Twelve years later, 1694, the town voted to build a new meeting-house, 32 by 26, which vote, however,
* A name early used to describe this part of the town, concern- ing the origin of which there are various traditions.
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does not seem to have been carried into effect .* Nearly at the same time there began to be dissensions between the inhabitants on the two sides of the river about the maintenance of worship on this side. Twoy ears later, in 1696, Salmon Treat was called to settle in the town, with a provision for his preaching every third Sabbath at Horseneck-the first recognition of this place as entitled to preaching ; but he did not accept the call. Early in 1699, by vote of the town, a home lot was granted for a parsonage at Horseneck. The Rev. Joseph Morgan, the next minister, is believed to have come here in the autumn of 1696. He preached at first on both sides of the river, as it had been contemplated Mr. Treat should do; but it soon created dissatisfaction. The Proprietors of the town say by vote that "Mr. Morgan preaching part of the time at Horseneck is a damage to them, and takes away their religious privi- leges." + Mr. Morgan continued the minister of the town four years, till May, 1700. He then left the set- tlement east of the Mianus, and assigned as a reason the want of union among the people. He seems after that to have labored on this side of the river, as we find the inhabitants bestowing upon him, in January, 1705, some special privileges. On the 5th of March following, the town was by vote divided into two societies; and here we suppose that we find the true date of the founding of this church. After this Mr. Morgan continued its pastor, till he was dismissed, October, 1708, by vote of
* This is understood to be in the East Settlement, now called Old Greenwich ; and it may here be noted that in all early votes the town describes this settlement, then the seat of power.
t They add : "We think it convenient to give Mr. Morgan acquaintance that we would not have him preach at Horseneck, but continue in the town."
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the town, whether with or without any other formalities does not appear .*
It has been thought that the dismission of Mr. Mor- gan was the last action of the town in ecclesiastical affairs. There were, however, votes of the town in 1709 and 1711 for providing a parsonage for the West Society ; and also a vote in 1713, assigning a location for their church, which was near the site we now occupy. Three years later, December, 1716, we find the town holding a meeting in the new house, which shows that the build- ing is erected, and so far advanced toward completion as to be occupied. It also indicates that the center of population was changing from the east to the west side of the river. We ascertain then, with tolerable certainty, the following facts : That on the 5th of March, 1705, the two congregations became distinct by mutual agree- ment. Of course, we must presume that this church was at that time regularly organized, with Joseph Mor- gan for its acting pastor. Its first house of worship was built by the town eleven years afterwards, in 1716. Its erection was voted through a series of years, from 1694 to 1713; the building itself, however, meanwhile made no progress. It would be difficult to say at what time
* The event here mentioned took place one hundred and fifty years since -- a period so far remote as to render it not improper to intro- . duce an amusing incident suited to illustrate those early times. We find on the records of the town a very significant vote. In January, 1705, the inhabitants in the West Settlement had granted Mr. Mor- gan, to aid in his support, a tide-mill-now owned by Mr. S. Davis. Three years after this, Ebenezer Mead, Joshua Knapp, and Caleb Knapp were sent to him as a committee, "to see if he would cease tending his mill in person, and provide a miller, so that he might attend to the people ;" and if he would not, the process for relief was to be of a summary character : " The committee were to con- sider the pulpit vacant, and at once proceed to provide another minister."
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its foundations were actually laid; probably, however, it was soon after the vote of 1713, which fixed its site between the dwellings of Joseph Close and Ephraim Palmer. That house stood from 1716 to January 7, 1799, a period of eighty-two years. During the latter part of this time it was in a very dilapidated state. At length the house we are now in was covered, and by the re- moval of the seats from the old house to the new, was prepared so as to be occupied. It was dedicated Jan- uary 7, 1799, by the then pastor, Isaac Lewis, Sen. His discourse on that occasion was founded on Genesis 28 : 17 : " And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place. This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." * Every thing shows that the old building had become unsightly and uncom- fortable, and that it had been used to the last moment. Hence the hurry of the removal. The building was finished three years afterwards; the funds for that purpose being raised by tax. The first renting of the pews t was December, 1802. The rental amounted to about $100. The whole cost of the church is thought to have been not far from $6000-a heavier tax upon the property of the congregation than $50,000 would be now.
There are some here to-day that remember that first meeting-house of 1716. There are others who would give a good deal to see a correct drawing of it .; But
* The preacher's stand on that occasion was a joiner's bench, with the front of the old pulpit placed before him. The day was stormy, and the congregation is thought to have numbered only about one hundred.
t The pews joined upon the walls. The slips were free for many years.
# The building stood in front of the western part of the new stone church-was a little the longest east and west-had square
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whatever it was, in shape or architecture, I dare say that the men and women who built it gave as liberally and bore their burdens as cheerfully as we do-making fair allowance for their circumstances. I said I would like to get a sight of that early edifice, but I should be still more gratified if I might be permitted to look in upon the first congregation that used to assemble in it for worship. I would gladly listen to the preaching of that day, to their prayers, and to the songs of Zion which they were wont to sing. That house as to size, architecture, cost, and finish, doubtless contrasted strong- ly with this ; so also, and perhaps still more, as to numbers, dress, and general style and appearance, did the congregation of worshippers. Some of the early settlers in this State were by no means in narrow cir- cumstances. They were well to do in the world; but it was otherwise with the great body of the people. It .. was so here, and especially in respect to money. The dress and equipage of the people was much less expen- sive than ours." Moreover, around the church of 1716,
pews all around the sides, and two on each side of the middle aisle. The stairs leading to the gallery were in the front corners of the house. There was a door in front, and one on each side, according to the fashion of those days; it was without turret or belfry, and had no paint to boast of, save that the pulpit was of a bluish color, and it did not lack the sounding-board, that indispensable aid granted to the favored preachers of that early day.
* On this point, it is stated that, in the winter, it was not uncom- mon to see in the sanctuary the checkered woolen shirt and the bandana handkerchief around the neck. In the summer, numbers of the men came without coats, or freely threw them off, if the weather was oppressive.
In regard to the pecuniary ability of the congregation, we have a significant fact touching a period of its history somewhat latter. At the close of the Revolution, the Society owed £30 lawful money. It was believed that the amount in money was not in the Society
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which, if now standing, would be one hundred and forty-two years old, instead of an array of some forty covered carriages for the comfort of as many families going to and returning from the house of God, and cost- ing much more than the church itself did, you would not have seen a solitary one; but, instead, you might have found a goodly number of saddled and pillioned horses, and probably in extreme weather or bad travel- ing, a few vehicles drawn by the faithful ox. I have never seen any very new region of our country, East or West, where this mode of conveyance was not occasion- ally resorted to to reach the sanctuary. Then, again, instead of the crowded house we are accustomed to see every pleasant Sabbath, you would have found in a smaller and plainer audience-room a moderate congre- gation; and at this season of the year, colder in those days than now, and without any arrangements for warm- ing, I suspect you would have seen not only a thin but a shivering congregation.
Who preached the Gospel to the people at the time referred to-1716-if known at all, is known only by tradition. There is no record either of the town or of the church to establish that point. It is quite certain that there was no settled pastor from 1708 till 1717. From the latter year to 1726 it would seem from indi -. rect evidence that the Rev. Richard Sackett was acting pastor of this society. How the pulpit was supplied, or whether regularly supplied at all, through that long interval of nine years, from the dismission of Mr. Morgan
and could not be raised. In this exigency a public-spirited me- chanic chartered a sloop, loaded it with his manufactures, and by trading on both sides of the Sound easterly, raised the money and paid off the debt. At that time it is said Bridgeport contained but three houses.
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to the introduction of Mr. Sackett, does not appear. The Rev. Nathaniel Bowers became the minister of the first church, as successor of Mr. Morgan, and continued there till 1710-two years after Mr. Morgan vacated this church-and after his dismission that church ap- pears to have been left without a pastor through a series of years. It was hard to obtain ministers at that period. New settlements demanding the Gospel were multiplying more rapidly than preachers, though both Harvard and Yale Colleges were beginning to train up a few well-educated and evangelical men. Moreover, in those times of struggle with poverty, it was as diffi- cult to support ministers as it was to secure their labors ; for feeble congregations had no such Home Missionary aids as our destitute settlements can now command.
Rev. Stephen Munson was the next pastor ; he was installed June 29, 1728. There is no record of the . number or the names of the members of the church at his settlement. He continued the pastor about five years- the last record made by him being in December, 1733. During his ministry the church records show that twenty-nine members were added to the church in full communion.
Rev. Mr. Munson was succeeded by Rev. Abraham Todd, whose ministry began in 1733-4 and closed in 1773, embracing about forty years-the longest minis- try the church has ever enjoyed.
Mark, now, God's providential kindness to this com- munity in multiplying their numbers and increasing their strength. The early settlers, few in numbers, came chiefly from the more easterly portions of the State ; but those who began the settlement of this part of the town were, at no distant period, able to say almost, in the words of Jacob, " We passed over this
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Jordan "-this Mianus-" with our staff, and we have be- come two bands." The increase of our population, compared with other more central points, has not, it is true in later years, been rapid ; yet it has been steady- particularly for the last ten years-and this, too, in the absence of all effort to attract it. With such efforts as have been made in many other places, it might easily have been doubled. As the population has increased, so also has this congregation. You have sent off to other churches more members than you have received from others ; and at one time, 1827, you dismissed twenty-seven to form the church at North-Greenwich ; yet you were not sensibly weakened. "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth." Their places were soon supplied. There had been accessions from the world in 1823 ; and in 1828 another ingathering was realized, which more than repaired all losses by death and dis- mission. Thus the church not only continued strong, but increased in strength : and there never has been, it is believed, at any former period of your history, so- many persons among us who desire church sittings, as at the present time. Certainly there were never so many who are in need of them. Old Greenwich was the mother settlement and church; but through the arrangements of Providence, the daughter has not only secured a position in advance of the mother, but of all immediately contiguous religious communities. You do not claim that this is through your wisdom or enter- prise. It is God's hand and counsel. So also in respect to resources. Probably the first house of worship that was here dedicated to God, 1716, sixty-six years after the first settlement of the town, cost only some fifteen hundred dollars ; but, as already intimated, I doubt not that in accomplishing the work of church erection then,
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the burdens bore heavier upon the givers than the bur- dens of our present effort, costly as it is, do upon the same class now. At that early period' more persons than now had to give till they felt it; and so it was when this house was built, although then there had been a greater increase in pecuniary means than the advanced outlay-greater than the augmented demand on those means, by the increased cost of the new struc- ture. So Solomon's temple cost a thousand-fold more than the tabernacle ; but the latter was built in the wilderness by a company, not unlike our Pilgrim Fa- thers, of poor refugees from oppression ; the former -- the glorious temple on Mount Zion-by a great, prosper- ous, and well-established people. In both cases God re- quired liberality. But the change in Israel's resources was scarcely greater during the long interval-about fifteen hundred years-between those two enterprises, than the lapse of less than a century and a half has made in the resources of this community. We can not fully realize this change. It outruns all our calcula- tions and every just conception. There are private dwellings in this congregation, built and paid for by the owners, without embarrassment and without serious in- terference with invested funds-which the whole parish, if taxed to raise for a church in 1716, would have felt to be an oppressive burden. I know this by what I have seen of the efforts of religious societies in similar settlements both East and West-efforts to build houses of worship much less expensive than the private dwell- ings of which I speak. Some of the congregations to which I allude, were neither very weak in numbers or in resources-save in money. I have known such con- gregations attempt to build a house costing one thousand dollars ; and when they had done their utmost, there
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were some two hundred dollars that must be cash, and it could not be raised-nothing would buy it. The work must stop, or the money must be begged from older settlements. But, brethren, I am reminded that in respect to religious societies, numbers and wealth, though they have their place and their value, are not after all the chief elements of moral power. That power lies in the character of the people, of the mem- bers of the association. The church is ordinarily first formed, and becomes the nucleus and centre of the or- ganization, in fact its living principle. This is so in all prosperous religious societies. If you would study the history and success of the one, you must study them through the facts of the other.
In our day it is fashionable with a certain class of so- called liberal writers and speakers to make light of the Church, as well of the ministry, as a moral power ; yet I challenge such to show me a solitary instance in this land where an ecclesiastical society has continued per- manently to flourish, either without a church or when the church connected with it has been suffered to lan- guish. I have known a few cases where orthodox churches have, from some cause, run completely down and died out ; but in no case has stated public worship long survived the catastrophe. If there is any excep- tion, it is when the parish has had invested funds with which preaching has been sustained, with little or no tax upon the worshipers. Your prosperity and strength as a religious society, then, has chiefly turned on God's great and distinguishing mercy to this church. Of its history, previous to the close of our Revolutionary War, we have, as already intimated, very meager de- tails. During the long ministry of Rev. Abraham Todd, embracing the great revival of 1740, no church records, or next to none, now appear. There is no re-
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. cord of any admissions to the church, or baptisms, save a solitary one .* Doubtless there were admissions dur- ing that revival ; but we know that many of the minis- ters of Connecticut were either doubtful of the work and stood aloof, or were openly opposed. And at New- Haven, and in this direction from New-Haven, the op- position was the most general and decided. Probably the pastor here stood in doubt, and did not take strong hold of the work ; and if so, no great results could have been realized. In respect to this people, we learn from tradition some of the evils and disorders that the excite- ment engendered; of the benefits, greater or less, which it produced, we find no memorial. That the church did not gain strength as some churches did, is certain.t
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