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F 104 T4 74
MANUAL
OF THE
Congregational Church
THOMPSON, CONN.
1730-1901. 1
WORCESTER, MASS. PRESS OF CHARLES HAMILTON. 311 MAIN STREET. 1901.
1
T4
112/19
In Exchange Amer. Ant. Soc. 25 JI 190
CONTENTS.
I. Outlines of History ..
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II. Present Organization.
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III. Roll of Membership.
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.
.
This Manual of The First Church of Christ in Thompson, planned and partly executed by Rev. Andrew Dunning, has been delayed in many ways. Although not carrying out in detail all that was desired by those who have wrought upon it. it is hoped it will be welcome to all members of the Church, present and absent, and lead them to prize more highly the inheritance they have received from the fathers.
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCII.
ness ; & then with an entire reliance on ye all-sufficient grace of God & merit of X for ye pardon of all our sins & accept- ance of our persons & services do now with ye utmost grati- tude in ye presence of God & his holy angels as well as his servants here present ; lay hold on his covenant & choose the things that please him.
1. We declare our serious belief of ye Xian religion as contained in ye Sacred Scriptures, heartily purposing to con- form ourselves to ye rules of ye Holy Institutions all ye days of our lives.
2. We give up ourselves to ye Lord Jehovah, Father, Son & Holy Ghost, & do now in ye most solemn manner avouch him to be our Creator, Redeemer & Leader, & desire to receive him as our Portion, forever; we give up ourselves to ye blessed Jesus & would be united to him as the head of his people in ye New Covenant & rely on him as our Prophet, Priest & King to conduct us to eternal Glory.
3. We confess our indispensable obligations to glorify God in all ye conduct of a godly, righteous and sober life, & very particularly in ye duties of Christian fellowship, & do thereupon depend on ye gracious assistance of God for ye faithful performance of the duties thus incumbent on us. We covenant & engage to give up ourselves to one another in ye Lord & to walk together in ye faith & order of ye Gospel so far as we now have or shall have ye same dis- covered to us ; conscienciously attending ye worship of God in his house ; in our own houses and closets ; ye Sacraments of ye New Testament; ye discipline of ye Church & all his holy ordinances, in communion with one another; carefully avoiding sinful stumbling blocks & contentions as becoming a people bound up together in ye bundle of life, exercising due Government over our families & giving them a civil & religious education that they may be ye Lords.
4. We also promise (by ye help of Divine Grace) to
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
promote ye spiritual good of all yt are or hereafter shall become members of this church. We engage in the name of ye Lord Jesus Christ to receive all such persons into full communion as are Orthodox in ye Faith, free from scandal in yr lives ; able to examine ymselves in presence of ye Lord's Body, & also to rest satisfied with such admittance of adult persons as is performed by ye Pastor's examination of yr knowledge & experience of ye principles & practices of religion reported by him to ye brethren & propounding you to ye church & on ye day of yr admission calling for ye consent of ye brethren yrunto.
5. We covenant likewise (by Divine assistance) to obey him yt is our pastor by voluntary election, or those yt may hereafter be sett over us in ye Lord as such watch over our Souls ; whom we shall always account worthy of a Gospel maintenance ; as also to adhere to a pious & able ministry in this church; laboring in a way of joynt concurrence with him or you, to his or yr consciensious discretion ; exerting the ministerial authority committed to you to recover & uphold ye rigorous & impartial administration of Discipline among us.
And all this we desire to do, repairing to ye blood of ye Everlasting Covenant for ye pardon of our manifold mis- carriages & beseeching ye Great Shepard of ve Sheep to prepare & strengthen us for every good work to do his will, working in us all that is well pleasing in his sight.
MINISTERS.
MARSTON CABOT, born at Salem, Mass., 1704; graduated at Harvard University, 1724; ordained at Thompson Parish, Feb. 25, 1730. An able and acceptable pastor, highly es- teemed for learning and sound judgment. Though suffering
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severely from ill health he faithfully pursued his calling as the only minister of a large and sparsely settled parish. He was stricken with apoplexy in his pulpit and died April 8, 1756.
NOADIAH RUSSELL, born at Middletown, Conn., Jan. 24, 1730; graduated at Yale College, 1750; ordained at Thomp- son, Nov. 9, 1757. The worthy son of ministerial ancestry, he enjoyed a long and useful pastorate. Courteous manners and serenity of temper greatly endeared him to his people. His preaching was plain and serious. He was conservative in opinion and strict in attention to discipline in church and order in society. He was stricken with apoplexy while on a journey and died, Oct. 27, 1795.
DANIEL Dow, born at Ashford, Conn., Feb. 19. 1772; graduated at Yale College, 1793; ordained at Thompson, April 20, 1796 ; received D. D. from Williams College, 1840. A keen reasoner, a natural orator; very effective in the pulpit. The hundredth anniversary of his settlement, ob- served April 26, 1896, brought out many interesting facts relating to his pastorate and connection with theological movements. He died suddenly, after conducting a funeral service, July 19, 1849.
ANDREW DUNNING, born at Brunswick, Me., July 11, 1815; graduated at Bowdoin College, 1837; ordained at Plainfield, Conn., May 24, 1842 ; installed at Thompson May 15, 1850. Dr. Dow's expressed approval of Mr. Dunning led to his call to preach as a candidate, and immediate, unanimous acceptance. Sound in judgment, impressive in public ministration, genial in personal intercourse, he was greatly beloved and revered. Died after severe illness, March 26, 1872.
JOSEPH C. BODWELL, born at Weymouth, England, 29th Feb., 1840; graduated at Dartmouth, 1863; ordained in
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Thompson, 3 March, 1872; installed 10 Dec., 1872; dis- missed 16 Sept., 1874. An impressive preacher ; strong in logic, terse and original in style. Has served acceptably in many fields.
JOHN A. HANNA, born at Rising Sun, Ind., 19 Feb., - 1848; graduated at S. W. U., Lebanon, Ohio, 1868; ordained at Woodstock, Conn., Oct., 1873; installed at Thompson, July 27, 1876. A ministry of fruit and profit to many. Simplicity of faith and whole-hearted consecra- tion made Mr. Hanna especially effective in evangelistic work. Dismissed 22 Oct .. 1879. After a brief pastorate in Humphrey Street Church, New Haven, died at Bristol. Vt., 30 July, 1880.
AARON C. ADAMS, born at Bangor, Me., 1815 ; graduated at Bowdoin College, 1836. Began service in Thompson Nov. 9, 1879; resigned from ill health May 2, 1886. An able and experienced pastor, whose praise is in many churches. With well-garnered stores for pulpit ministra- tions, Mr. Adams could indulge more freely in agreeable and profitable social intercourse.
MARCUS AMES, born at Marshfield, Mass., Feb. 26, 1828. Entered Williamstown College. Received appointment as missionary of the A. B. C. F. M. in 1853; ordained at Paterson, N. J., in 1854. Served with much acceptance as chaplain in various reformatory institutions. Entered upon service in Thompson Dec., 1886. In the following March he was prostrated by illness. Died at Pepperell, Mass .. Feb. 18, 1888.
GEORGE H. CUMMINGS, born at Newport, N. H., Nov. 26, 1858; graduated at Amherst College, 1880; graduated at Hartford Theological Seminary, 1886 ; ordained and installed in Thompson, May 24, 1888; dismissed May 31, 1900. Editor-in-chief for five years of . The Monthly Record,
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Devoted to the Interests of the Church." The Home De- partment of the Sunday School was initiated by Mr. Cummings.
The present pastor commenced his pastorate Jan. 1, 1901.
DEACONS OF THE THOMPSON CHURCH.
Names.
Term of Service.
BENJAMIN BIXBY, .
1730-1744.
JONATHAN EATON, .
1730-1748.
JONATHAN CLOUGH,
1742-1782.
WILLIAM LARNED, .
1742-1747.
JACOB DRESSER,
1746-1787.
SIMON LARNED,
1754-1807.
LUSHER GAY,
1754-1803.
THOMAS DIKE,
1785-1815.
JOSEPH GAY,
1802-1814.
AARON BIXBY;
1805-1841.
MOSES BIXBY,
1814-1835.
JOSIAH THAYER,
1830-1837.
CHARLES BROWN,
1830-1870.
DANIEL ALTON,
1837-1864.
ELIJAH CROSBY,
1864-1878.
CHARLES C. BROWN,
1870-1885.
MARCUS F. TOWNE,
1878-1891.
JOSIAH W. DIKE, .
.1885-
GEORGE S. CROSBY,
1892-
CLERKS.
The first four pastors served in this office. Since 1872 it has been filled by Messrs. George Dike, Dr. Lowell Hol- brook, J. W. Dike, George V. Towne, Fred. D. Green, George S. Crosby, Adfer M. Towne and Arthur J. Wilkes.
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
MEETING HOUSES.
A house of worship was provided previous to church organization. The frame was raised Nov., 1728. in centre of Common, on land given to Society by Hezekiah Sabin. The house was enlarged in 1769; repaired and provided with steeple and bell in 1798. In 1817 this house was made over to the town and moved across the street, and new house built. northwest of previous site. The present church edifice was built in 1856, Mr. William H. Mason bearing a large share of the outlay.
The Ecclesiastical Society, organized 1718, has continued to lead in material and business affairs. In 1809, Dec. 27, it was voted, "To accept the property funded by a number of individuals and offered to the Society to defray Society charges." on terms specifically prescribed. Nearly one hundred persons contributed towards this Fund in sums ranging from five hundred to ten dollars. The Parsonage was built in. the summer of 1875, by individual subscrip- tions, with some aid from the Fund. A thorough repair and renovation of the church edifice is now in progress-the needful amount raised by individual subscriptions.
SERVICE OF SONG.
This has been satisfactorily carried forward by voluntary helpers. The first pipe organ was given by Mr. William H. Mason, in 1858. Its successor was purchased by subscrip- tion about 1865. A fine new organ for the renovated audi- ence room has been presented to the church by the family of the late J. W. Doane. 2
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Experimental schools were attempted in 1821 and 1825. Organization was effected in 1830-Dea. Josiah Thayer, superintendent. Among successors in office were Halsey Bixby, T. P. Green, Erastus Knight, Rev. Andrew Dun- ning, J. H. Tallman, Dr. Charles Hosford, Dea. Charles C. Brown, Marvin D. Elliott, Dea. J. W. Dike, F. D. Green, R. A. Dunning.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES.
A Union Society of Christian Endeavor was formed in this village May 13, 1887, which was succeeded in 1891 by a society in each church. Our present Y. P. S. C. E. was formed in 1894.
MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
The first contribution to the Missionary Society of Con- necticut was made in 1803. In 1816 the sisters of the church united with those of Killingly in a "Female Tract Society." "Ladies' and Gentlemen's Associations " for col- lecting money for Foreign Missions were formed in 1826. The first Home Missionary barrel was sent in 1847, and one or more have been sent every subsequent year. In 1850 this church joined with sister churches "The Windham County Benevolent Association." Societies for benevolent and social purposes have been faithfully maintained by the sisters of the church.
SECOND CHURCH COVENANT.
The original Covenant remained in force till September 4, 1818, when by vote of the church the following " Articles of Faith and Covenant" were adopted-" To be read to members admitted ":
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
ARTICLES OF FAITH.
You believe that there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and that these three are one God.
You believe that God alone hath an independent exist- ence; that he is possessed of all power, all knowledge, all goodness, being altogether just and holy in the exercise of his goodness, filling immensity with his presence, and in every respect infinitely perfect.
You believe that God is the Creator of all things, both visible and invisible, material and spiritual; that by his power all things are continued in existence, and that his providential care, as well as his knowledge, extends to all the works of his hands, whether it be to us present, past, or future.
You believe that all rational intelligences, whether angels or men, are under obligation to love God supremely, and to yield an undeviating obedience to his holy law.
You believe that God at first created mankind in right- eousness and true holiness ; but mankind having transgressed his law, have all lost the image of his holiness, are alienated in their affections, dead in trespasses and sins, and have thus forfeited all title to the favor of God and the enjoyment of true happiness.
You believe that God the Father, viewing mankind in this fallen state, of his own self-moved compassion entered into covenant with the Son, or eternal Word, to receive a human nature into union with himself, and to execute a work of redemption.
You believe that the Son of God, in human nature, appeared in our world; yielded a perfect obedience to the law of God; suffered all that God required of Him ; and at last, when crucified and slain by the hands of wicked men, rose from the dead, and ascended triumphantly to Heaven.
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
You believe that God extends his saving mercy to them, and to them only, who in the present life repent and believe the Gospel.
You believe that faith and repentance are wrought in the hearts of God's people, by his own Spirit and power.
You believe that wherever God begins the work of true repentance, he promises to perform the same, until the day of Jesus Christ ; so that of all such as are given to Christ in the covenant of redemption, and chosen in him, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, he will lose nothing ; but will save them with an everlasting salvation.
You believe that, however the people of God, in this life, are sanctified in part, yet they have need of still further sanctification ; and that, as they are God's penitent people, they will earnestly desire a perfect deliverance from sin, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body.
You believe that, as it is appointed unto all men once to die, so there will hereafter be a resurrection of all the dead, both saints and sinners.
You believe that God will not only raise the dead, but will also judge the world; that he will distinguish mankind strictly, according to the character which shall be here formed in a state of probation ; that he will receive his peo- ple to a kingdom of perfect holiness, happiness, and glory ; and that he will as truly inflict upon all his enemies, who live and die impenitent, an endless punishment with the devil and his angels.
You believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments, so called, to have been written by inspiration of God ; and that they contain a perfect rule of faith and practice.
You believe the Sabbath to be a divine institution ; that baptism (to be administered to believers and their house- holds) and also the Lord's Supper, are special ordinances of
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.
Christ's house ; and that Gospel discipline is an indispensa- ble duty to be observed by the Church of Christ.
Thus you Believe.
COVENANT.
You have acknowledged that God, whose name alone is Jehovah, to be the only living and true God; you do now, accordingly, give up yourself to Him as your Father in Heaven. to love, honor, and obey him, in all things.
You have acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, and the only Savior of guilty returning sin- ners ; you do now, accordingly, give up yourself to Him, as your Redeemer, to deliver you from sin and from the wrath to come.
You have acknowledged the Holy Ghost to be the sole applier of the work of man's redemption, the author of all gracious exercises in the hearts of men ; you do now, accord- ingly, give up yourself to Him, as your Sanctifier, Guide, and Comforter.
You acknowledge us to be a visible Church of Christ; and do. accordingly, give up yourself to us, in the Lord, promising by divine assistance to waik together with us, in love and all dutiful obedience, and conscientiously attend the ordinances of the Gospel among us.
Thus you promise.
[The Church rising.]
We do then declare you to be a member of the same visi- ble Church with ourselves ; and do now solemnly covenant and engage, that we will look on you as such, and endeavor to treat you with all the care, circumspection. and watch- fulness, which your relation to us does now demand ; and this we do, earnestly imploring Almighty God that both you and we may obtain mercy to be faithful in His Covenant, and be filled with that holiness which becomes God's house forever. Amen. *2
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MANUAL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
PRESENT ORGANIZATION.
At the annual meeting, May 4, 1894, the subjoined Form of Admission was approved and accepted.
FORM OF ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP.
DEARLY BELOVED :- Our blessed Lord has left us this cheering promise : "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven."
You are now here in the presence of God and of many witnesses to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ. We trust you have been led to this profession by the Holy Spirit, and that you feel its sacred gladness. While you assume weighty responsibilities today, you also enter upon privileges which are most precious.
Having given to the Church evidence of your repentance toward God, and of your faith in His Divine Son, you now publicly confess the same. You affirm, likewise, your agree- ment with us in accepting the essential doctrines of our Christian faith, as set forth in our Confession, and summa- rized as follows :
We believe in God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
We believe in the common sinfulness and ruin of our race.
We believe that Jesus died for our sins; that He arose again from the dead; that He ascended into heaven, where He ever liveth to make intercession for us; and that from thence He shall come to judge the world.
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We believe that the Holy Spirit renews the soul, and dwells therein for its furtherance in purity and in peace.
We believe in the Church, the body of Christ; its sacra- ments, baptism, and the Lord's Supper; the communion of saints ; the forgiveness of sins : the resurrection of the dead, and the life everlasting.
We accept these truths on the testimony of the Holy Scriptures, which we receive as the word of God.
Thus you believe.
[The answer should be audible, " I do."]
( Baptism is here administered to those who have not received it. To others the Minister says : )
You who were baptized in childhood do now gratefully accept that baptism, while you confirm the covenant which was then made for you.
(Those to be received by letter rise, and, all asseut to the following :)
COVENANT.
Thus confessing, you receive the Lord Jehovah as your God, the Lord Jesus Christ as your Redeemer, and the Eternal Spirit as your Sanctifier. You solemnly promise that by the strength of divine grace, you will walk with this Church in all Christian fellowship and in due attendance upon its ordinances. You engage in all your public and private life, by precept and example, to seek to honor God. You pledge to Him the affection of your hearts and the service of your lives.
[Members of the Church rise. ]
We. therefore, members of this Church, do cordially wel- come you to our number.
Renewing our own vows of allegiance to our adorable Master. we promise that, by His gracious help, we will aid you with our sympathy, our counsel, and our prayers, in all .
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holy living, that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye may receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy ; to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
STANDING RULES.
BUSINESS MEETINGS.
1. The annual meeting of the Church shall be on the Friday next preceding the first Sabbath in May.
2. Business may be transacted at any of the regular meetings of the Church, or at a special meeting, of which notice shall be given from the pulpit on the preceding Sabbath.
3. All business meetings shall be opened by prayer.
4. The Pastor, er-officio, is Moderator, unless the Church otherwise direct.
5. All members in regular standing have the right to vote, excepting those who have received letters of dismission and have not returned them and those who have been habitually absent for a year from the ordinances of the Church.
OFFICERS.
1. The Clerk, to be elected annually, is to keep the Record of the meetings of the Church. He is to keep a Register of the members of the Church, with the date of their admission and their removal, and a Record of baptisms. He shall give letters of dismission, keep on file the papers of the Church and make an annual report.
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2. The Deacons shall be elected for a term of years corresponding to the number of Deacons. They are to prepare for, and assist in the administration of, the Lord's Supper, and to aid the Pastor in the spiritual care of the flock. In the Pastor's absence, or at his request, they are to have charge of the prayer and conference meetings. They are the Treasurers of the Church, and shall have the oversight of the poor members for visitation and relief.
3. The Standing Committee shall consist of the Pastor, the Deacons, and three other members of the Church to be chosen annually. They are to examine applicants for admission to the Church, and present to the Church the names of such as they approve. They are to act as a committee of inquiry and discipline, and at the annual meeting shall present a written report of the state of the Church.
4. All officers shall be elected by ballot. Vacancies in office may be filled at any business meeting of the Church.
MEMBERS.
1. Candidates for admission on confession shall stand propounded at least two weeks.
2. Persons uniting with this Church on confession shall publicly assent to the essential doctrines of the Confession of Faith and the Covenant as embodied in the Form of Admission. Persons joining by letter shall be received by vote of the Church and by publicly assenting to the Cove- nant.
3. Members of the Church removing from the place should, if practicable, take letters of dismission within one year of the time of such removal. Failure to take letters or to communicate with the Church at regular intervals, will render them liable to discipline. Members of sister churches
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worshipping with us are expected to unite by letter within one year from the time of coming among us.
DISCIPLINE.
1. The rule of discipline shall be the law of Christ as recorded in Matthew xviii. 15, 16 and 17.
2. Offences calling for discipline are : neglect of Church ordinances, breaking of Covenant vows, immoral conduct.
3. Censures may be private or public admonition, sus- pension from fellowship, withdrawal of watch and care, or excommunication.
APPOINTMENTS.
1. There shall be a meeting for prayer and conference on Friday of each week. The Friday meeting previous to Communion Sabbath shall be devoted to preparation for that ordinance.
2. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is to be admin- istered in the afternoon of the first Sabbath of January, March, May, July, September and November.
3. At each Communion season an offering shall be made for the payment of Church expenses.
AMENDMENTS.
1. These rules, including the Articles of Faith, may be altered at any annual meeting, notice of the proposed altera- tion having been publicly given on the Sabbath preceding the meeting, by a majority of the resident members, or by two-thirds of those present.
2. All rules heretofore adopted by this Church, which are inconsistent with these rules, are hereby repealed.
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STANDING APPOINTMENTS.
SUNDAY SERVICE.
Public worship is held at 11 A. M., 7 and 7:30 p. M. The Sunday School meets directly after the morning service. Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor meets before evening service. Children's Day is observed early in June.
Other services as noted in Standing Rules.
Woman's Missionary Society, devoted to Foreign and Home Missions, holds a meeting on the first Wednesday of every month.
Ladies' Aid Society has charge of preparing and sending out barrels of clothing, and of social entertainments for the benefit of Church and Society.
CHURCH OFFICERS.
PASTOR, NEWTON I. JJONES, D.D. DEACONS, JOSIAH W. DIKE, GEORGE S. CROSBY. CLERK, ARTHUR J. WILKES. COMMITTEE, M. D. ELLIOTT,
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