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Gc 974.602 N4 1neg 1870-71 1851389
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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F
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01177 5696
.
4484
MANUAL
OF THE
ist FIRST CHURCH IN NEW HAVEN.
FOR THE YEAR
1870. +1871
THE NEWBERRY LIE CHI. 4
1851389
HISTORICAL NOTICE.
THE First Church of Christ in New Haven is coeval with the town. On the 15th of April (Old Style) 1638, the first settlers of the town, having just landed at the place which they had chosen for their home, assembled for public worship under the guidance of their chosen minister ; and from that time onward. they continued to worship God as a Christian assembly.
For about fourteen months, the ecclesiastical and civil affairs of the community were conducted under a provisional arrangement or " plantation covenant." On the 4th of June (O. S.), 1639, after much deliberation and prayer concerning the forms in which a permanent organization should be instituted, " all the free plant- ers" agreed in the choice of twelve men who were to select from among themselves seven ; and to those seven was committed the trust of instituting, in conformity with the word of God, first the ecclesiastical order, and afterwards the civil organization and government of their commonwealth. Theophilus Eaton, John Da- venport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilberr. Thomas Fugill, John Punderson, and Jeremiah Dixon, having been selected for that trust, were the original members of the Church.
It has been received by tradition, though no authentic record of the date remains, that the organization of the Church was com- pleted on the 21st of August (O. S.) in the same year. Dr. Cotton Mather, in his Magnalia (published 1700), says of this Church and the First Church in Milford, that they were both gathered at New Haven, and were "gathered in two days, one following upon the other, and with this one singular circumstance, that a mnighty barn was the place wherein the duties of that solemnity were performed. The records of the Milford Church sty, " The Church of Christ, at Milford was first gathered at New Haven upon August 22, 1639."
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This Church was, at its institution, and is now, Congregational in its government. It acknowledges the obligations and responsi- bilities of the communion of Churches, and is in special fellowship with the Congregational Churches of New England commonly known as " Orthodox."
PASTORS AND TEACHERS.
Rev. JOHN DAVENPORT, B.D., was installed pastor in 1639; re- signed his charge in 1667, having been in the service of the church 28 years; he died pastor of the first church in Boston, March 11th, 1670, aged 73 .*
Rev. WILLIAM HOOKE was installed teacher in 1644; relin- quished his charge in 1656, having served 12 years; he died in England, March 21st, 1678, aged 77.
Rev. NICHOLAS STREET was installed teacher Nov. 26th, 1659; and died April 22d, 1674, having served 14 yrs.t
Rev. JAMES PIERPONT was ordained July 2d, 1684: and died Nov. 14th, 1714, in the 5th year of his age, having served 30 yrs. Rev. JOSEPH NOYES was ordained July 4th, 1716; and died June 14th, 1761, at the age of 73. having served nearly 45 yrs.
Rev. CHAUNCEY WHITTELSEY was ordained co-pastor with Mr. Noyes, March 1st, 1758, and died July 24th, 1787, at the age of 70, having served 29 yrs.
Rev. JAMES DANA, D.D., was installed April 29th, 1789; was dismissed Nov. 1805, having served 16} yrs .; he died Aug. 18th, 1812, aged 77.
* Rev. SAMUEL EATON Was assistant to Mr. Davenport in preaching, before the formal organization of the Church ; but he was never in office as pastor or teacher. He returned to England in 1640. He died at Denton, in Lancashire, Jan. 9th, 1665, aged 68.
+ After the removal of Mr. Davenport in 1667, Mr. Street was the only minister in the Church, and from that time the offices of pastor and teacher were united.
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Rev. MOSES STUART was ordained March 5th, 1806; was dis- missed Jan. 9th, 1810, having served 3 yrs. and 10 mos .; he died Jan. 4th, 1852, aged 72.
Rev. NATHANIEL WILLIAM TAYLOR, D.D., was ordained April -th, 1812, was dismissed Dec. 1822, having served 10 yrs. and 8 uos. ; he died March 10th, 1858, aged 72.
Rev. LEONARD BACON, D.D., was installed March 9th, 1825; and after having served 41 years and 6 months, resigned the Pastoral ulice in this Church and Society, Sept. 9th, 1866; which resigna- tion was accepted, but he has not been formally dismissed by Coun- cil.
Rev. GEORGE LEON WALKER was installed Nov. 18th, 1868.
DEACONS.
Chosen.
Died
MATTHEW GILBERT,
1639 (resigned 1658)
1680
ROBERT NEWMAN,
1639 (resigned 1644) unknown
JOHN WAKEMAN,t
about 1644 (resigned 1656)
1661
RICHARD MILES,
1656
-
- 1667
HENRY LINDON,t
about 1659
1660
WILLIAM PECK,
1659
1694
ROGER ALLING,
1669
1674
JOHN CHIDSEY,
about 1675
1688
JOHN PUNDERSON,
1689
1730
ABRAHAM BRADLEY,
1696
-
1718
ISAAC DICKERMAN,
1727 (resigned 1754)}
1758
JOHN PUNDERSON,
17:27
1742
SAMUEL BISHOP,
1730
1748
JOHN HITCHCOCK,
1742
1753
JONATHAN MANSFIELD,
1751
1785
JOHN MUNSON,
1752
1784
DANIEL LYMAN,
1754 (resigned 1758)}
1786
SAMUEL BISHOP,
1756 (resigned 1760)}
1779
-
-
t Inferred from the records of the Town.
; Was elected a Deacon the same year, in the White Haven Church,
which by union with the Fair Haven Church, November 27, 1796, be- carne the Church of the United Society.
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Chosen.
Died
JOHN WHITING,
1756
1786
THOMAS HOWELL,
1771
1797
STEPHEN BALL,
1771
1799
SAMUEL DARLING,
1786
1842
JOHN HUBBARD,
1797 (resigned 1828)
1839?
STEPHEN TWINING,
1809
1832
NATHAN WHITING,
1819
1848
SCOVIL HINMAN,
1826
1860
SAMUEL J. HICHCOCK,
1833
1845
CHARLES BRYAN WHITTELSEY,
1833
1849
HENRY WHITE,
1833
LEWIS HOTCHKISS,
1845
1859
ALFRED WALKER,
1845
JOSEPH WOOD,
1848
1856
FRANCIS BRADLEY
1848 (resigned 1857)
EDWARD E. SALISBURY,
1849 (resigned 1862)
ALEXANDER C. TWINING,
1856
CHESTER S. LYMAN,
1857
CHARLES BARNES WHITTLESEY,
1857
CHAUNCEY GOODRICH,
1862
1868
LEONARD JACOB SANFORD,
1862
STANDING COMMITTEE.
At the institution of this Church, the office of Ruling Elder was considered a stated office, having duties distinct from those devoly- ing on the pastor and teacher. It was the chief work of the Ruling Elder, with the advice and aid of the other overseers of the Church, to prepare all matters of business for the hearing and action of the brotherhood. In the declensions and changes which followed the death of the first fathers of New England, this office was grad- ually disused.
In this Church, Robert Newman seems to have been ruling elder in 1644, and for some time afterwards. No person appears to have sustained the office after the removal of Mr. Davenport.
The regulations respecting the Standing Committee, assigning
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to that committee nearly the same duties which formerly devolved on the ruling elder, were adopted by the Church, Feb. 27, 1815. Since that time, these duties have been performed by the following persons.
Chosen.
Died.
STEPHEN TWINING,
1815
1832
TIMOTHY ATWATER,
1815
(resigned 1817)
1824
DYER WHITE,
1815
(resigned 1822)
1841
NATHAN WHITING,
1815
1848
JONATHAN KNIGHT,
1818
-
-
-
1864
SCOVIL HINMAN,
1822
(resigned 1830)
1860
DAVID BREED,
1830
(resigned 1833)
1859
SAMUEL J. HITCHCOCK,
1833
-
-
1845
HORACE PECK,
1833
(resigned 1840)
ELIHU SANFORD,
1840
1866
WOOSTER HOTCHKISS,
1840
-
-
-
1849
ALFRED WALKER,
1840
(resigned 1845)
JOSEPH WOOD,
1845
1856
THOMAS R. TROWBRIDGE,
1849
JAMES WINSHIP,
1849
- 1867
CHESTER S. LYMAN,
1860
CHAUNCEY GOODRICH,
1867
.
1868
CHARLES THOMPSON,
1867
HENRY C. KINGSLEY,
1868
LEONARD J. SANFORD,
1869
-
-
-
-
-
PROFESSION OF FAITH.
You believe, in ONE eternal, omnipresent God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, the creator and upholder of all things, infinitely and unchangeably powerful, wise and holy, whose pur- poses and providence extend to all events, and who exercises a righteous moral government over all his intelligent creatures, re- quiring them, under pain of his eternal displeasure, to love him supre:nely, and to love each other as themselves.
You believe, that man was origin illy upright; that our first pa- rents freely sinned and fell; and that all their descendants are sinners, and, till renewed by the grace and Spirit of God, are with. out holiness, and under the condemnation of God's law.
2°
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You believe, that God has had compassion on sinful men; that the Son of God, who is equal with the Father, having taken upon himself our nature, has, by his sufferings and death, made atone- ment for sin; that he arose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where he ever lives to make intercession for them that come unto God by him; that, through him, God offers forgiveness to all men; and, that every sinner, who turns to God, by repent- ance, with faith in his Son, is freely pardoned and will be saved.
You believe, that God has revealed all things necessary to salva- tion, in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which, being given by the inspiration of his Spirit, are an infallible rule of faith and practice : and that he sends the Holy Spirit to make the truth effectual, by whose influences all, who are chosen to eternal life, are renewed and sanctified in believing and obeying the gospel.
You believe, that it is the duty of Christ's disciples to associate themselves for worship and communion, for mutual watchfulness and improvement, for the administration of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and for the perpetuation and extension of his kingdoni among men; and that any association of believers for these pur- poses is a Christian Church.
You believe, that there will be a resurrection of all the dead; and that God will call all men to an account for all their actions, judging them in righteousness according to the gospel, condemning the disobedient and unbelieving to everlasting punishment, and ad- mitting the righteous into life eternal.
These things, in the presence of Almighty God, you solemnly profess to believe.
COVENANT.
THROUGH Christ strengthening you, without whom you can do nothing, you here, in the presence of God, angels, and this assem- bly, now profess that you do, and promise that henceforward you will, deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, wherein in times past you have walked; and you do now give up yourself, [or, your- selves,] soul and body, and all that you have, are, or shall be, unto
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God through Jesus Christ, to serve him forever, and to be his and at his disposal in all things. And you also give up yourself [or yourselves] unto the Lord Jesus Christ, to be his disciple, [or, dis- ciples,] to be taught and governed by him in all your relations, condition and conversation in this world, avouching him to be your Supreme teacher, your only priest and propitiation, your great king and lawgiver.
And you do further bind yourself, [or, yourselves,] in the strength of Christ, to walk with this Church in all his ordinances, and with the members thereof in all member-like love and submission. Thus you promise.
Then doth this Church likewise promise you, that through the help of Christ, without whom we also can do nothing, we will walk towards you in all helpfulness, brotherly love and watchfulness.
STANDING RULES.
I. Persons who have not made a public profession of religion by becoming members in full communion with some Christian Church, are to give satisfactory personal evidence of Christian character, before being received as members of this Church; and after hav- ing been publicly propounded two weeks, are to be received as members by a vote of the brethren, and by their profession of faith and solemn public assent to the covenant of the Church.
II. Any person bringing a dismissal and recommendation from a Christian Church, unless something is shown to invalidate his tes- timonials, may be admitted to membership in this Church, on the recommendation of the Standing Committee, without a public as- sent to the covenant, by a vote of the brethren. Testimonials in such cases are to be read to the Church, at least four weeks before the question is taken.
III. This Church holds it to be a solemn and important duty, to at- tend watchfully to the discipline which Christ has instituted in his Church.
IV. In all cases of private offenses, the rule, as given in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew's Gospel is to be strictly observed.
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V. In cases of public and notorious offenses, against the laws of religion and morality, the Church, as a body, may proceed to! call the offender to an account, by a committee appointed for that purpose.
VI. Every member of this Church shall be considered as under the watch, care, and discipline of this Church, until he shall have been regularly dismissed from his connection with it, by a vote of this Church.
VII. Baptism is to be administered to unbaptized adults on the profession of their faith in Christ; and it is the privilege of such parents as are in covenant with God and his Church, to dedicate their infant children to God in this ordinance.
VIII. Members of other Christian Churches, who are occasion- ally present in our assemblies for worship, are to be invited to com- mune with us in Christian ordinances. But when members of other Churches, residing in the town of New Haven or its immedi- ate vicinity, join with us statedly in public worship, they are expect- ed to enter into covenant with this Church, regularly, as members. And if for special reasons, any such person shall desire to com-| mune with this Church for a longer period than one year, without becoming in form a member of this Church, the request of such ! person for further communion may be presented to the Church through the pastor.
IX. Any member of this Church removing to another place, is expected to ask a dismission and recommendation to some Christian Church at the place of his or her residence, within one year after the time of his or her removal. Any such person neglecting to ask for a dismission and recommendation as aforesaid, may be called to account by the Church in such a manner as may be deemed ex- pedient. And if any such person, having been thus admonished, shall persevere in that neglect for another period of six months, without rendering satisfactory reasons for so doing, then this Church may, at its discretion, declare that such member hath broken his or her covenant with the church, and that the obligations of the Church to watch over that member, have ceased. 2 Thess., iii, 6.
X. There shall be a Treasurer appointed from among the Dea- cons of the Church, who shall have the care of all moneys raised
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for the use of the Church. He shall pay all demands upon the Church, authorized by them, and shall advance to the Deacons such sums as they shall require for the expenses of the communion table, or for the relief of poor members-and shall render his account to the Church, annually, of all his receipts and disbursements.
RESPECTING THE STANDING COMMITTEE.
XI. There shall be a Standing Committee of this Church, con- sisting of four or more members chosen by ballot, who, with the Pastor, shall have the powers and perform the duties specified in the following articles, viz :
1. It shall be the duty of this Committee to enquire into the per- sona! evidence of Christian character of all persons applying for membership in this Church, by a profession of their faith ; and to report the same to the Church. Also to report on all recommenda- tions from other Churches for membership in this Church.
2. It shall be the duty of this Committee to enquire after all pub- lic offenses in this Church which may come to their knowledge by complaint, or otherwise.
3. In all cases of private offense, when the preliminary measures prescribed in the 18th of Matthew's Gospel shall have been taken, complaint may be made to this Committee instead of the Church.
4. It shall be the duty of the Committee to ascertain the facts in each case which may come before them, and to make report to the Church, both of the facts and of the measures proper, in their opin- ion, to be taken in the case.
5. This Committee shall have power to summon before them all the members of this Church, accused of any offense, to examine thein, and to give them such brotherly counsel as may, in their judgment, tend to reclaim such offenders.
6. This Committee shall have power to call upon any of the brethren of the Church to aid them in the discharge of their duties.
7. This Committee shall meet statedly once a month, and of- tener, as cases may require.
But this Church declares, that in appointing the Committee afore- said, they do not discharge or lessen the obligations of the individ- ual members of this Church to watch over, admonish, and reprove one another.
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THE ANNUAL MEETING AND REPORTS.
XII. 1. On or about the first day of January, in each year, there shall be an annual meeting of the Church for the review of the preceding year.
2. A Committee of three shall be appointed at each annual meet- ing, whose duty it shall be to prepare for the next annual meeting an accurate list of the members of the Church, with the place of residence of each member. It shall also be the duty of this Com- mittee to report to the Church, at the same meeting, the names of such members as are permanently absent from the town of New Haven, including all who shall have been, at that time, absent for more than six months. The same Committee shall furthermore re- port the names of such members of other churches as shall have been at that time, for six months or longer, stated communicants in this Church. The same committee shall report the names of such as shall have ceased to be members during the preceding year. whether by death, dismission, or excommunication ; and also the names of such as have been ulded by profession or by letter.
3. There shall be appointed, at each annual meeting, a commit- tee whose duty it shall be to report. at the next annual meeting, on the state of religion in the Church, and on what it has done, or at- tempted, for the cause of the gospel during the year.
THE CHURCH LIBRARY.
A LIBRARY of religious books for the gratuitous use of all persons statedly attending public worship with the First Church, is kept at the chapel of the church, and is opened just before the forenoou service, every Lord's day ; also after the Conference Meeting on Tuesday evening and on Friday afternoon, between four and five o'clock. The number of volumes is now 1237, and additions of recent and valuable books are made as often as funds permit. Any worshiper in the congregation may obtain a copy of the Library catalogue and rules, by applying to the Librarian.
The Library Committee, which is appointed by the Church annu ally, are for the present year. the Pastor, Deacon Lyman, Mr. Henry
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D. White, and Mr. Henry C. Kingsley. Donations of books and of money for the Library may be made to them.
The Sabbath School Library, for the special use of the children, is distinct from the Church Library.
HOURS OF PUBLIC WORSHIP.
MORNING SERVICE .- At a quarter past ten o'clock, throughout the year.
AFTERNOON SERVICE .- Throughout the year, at three o'clock.
On the first Sunday in January, March, May, July, September, and November, the afternoon service is replaced by the Lord's Sup- per; and when the united evening service is appointed at the Cen- ter Church, the afternoon exercises are omitted.
EVENING SERVICES .- In the four months of shortest days (viz : November, December, January, February), half-past six o'clock, In the four months of longest days (viz : May, June, July, August), half-past seven o'clock. Through the remainder of the year, seven o'clock.
The hours designated, are the hours for the ringing of the bells.
CONFERENCE AND PRAYER MEETINGS.
THE Lord's Supper is celebrated on the first Lord's day in every second month, (viz : January, March, May, July, September and November), taking the place of the afternoon service. A lecture, preparatory, is preached on the preceding Friday, in the evening.
A meeting for Prayer and Conference, conducted by the Pastor, is held every Tuesday evening ; on the first Tuesday of the month, the exercises have especial reference to "the conversion of the world."
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A half-hour prayer meeting is held every Sunday, in the Chapel Lecture Room, at the close of the afternoon service. This meet- ing is conducted by the young men, but all, young and old, are invited to be present.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
1. A contribution for the treasury of the Church, to be dispensed by the Deacons, is connected with every celebration of the Lord's Supper.
2. In the winter, three or four monthly contributions are re- ceived in the congregation, according to a regulation of the Eccle- siastical Society ; and the avails are distributed by the Society's committee, among the poor of the congregation.
3. Monthly contributions for public objects, are arranged as follows, viz :
January-The Sabbath School.
February-The fund for aiding disabled Ministers and needy Widows and Orphans of Ministers.
March-The Church Library. Also a subscription is ordinarily made during the month of March, by members of the congregation, in behalf of Colleges and Theological Seminaries at the West.
April-To purchase Bibles for distribution, and to aid the Amer- ican Bible Society in its foreign work.
May-American Home Missions.
June-American Misionary Association.
July-American and Foreign Christian Union.
August-Seamen's Friend Society.
September-City Mission.
October-Education Society.
November-Foreign Missions.
December-The Congregational Union.
EXPLANATIONS.
c Signifies that the person was received by certificate from an- other Church.
The name printed in Italie, following the Christian name of a female, was her maiden name.
A name in a parenthesis ( ) following the name of a female, is, or was, the Christian name of the husband. The letter w, preceding the husband's name, is to be read widow.
Names of such as have been ordained to the work of the minis- try, are printed in SMALL CAPITALS.
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CHRONOLOGICAL CATALOGUE.
ADMISSIONS TO MEMBERSHIP.
[ Continued from the Manual of 1869.]
1869.
Jan. 3. c. Anselm Byron Brown, from the Church in Yale College.
Feb. 7. c. Edward S. Scranton, from the first
c. A. Julia Washburn (Edward S.) Scranton, Madison. Ct.
Cong, Church.
c. J. Henry Root, from the Lawrence St. CongregationalChurch. Lawrence. Mass.
Rev. WILLIAM PATTON, D.D., from the Presbyterian Church, on his own testimony.
66 c. Sarah A. Judson ( w. Rev. David L.) Ogden. from the
31 Cong.
c. Julia E. Ogden, Church.
New
c. Abbie Ogden, Haven.
Feb. 28. Edward F. Dole. George Lum English.
Mar. 7. c. Robert A. Potter, { from the Congregational Church, Thomas-
66
c. James H. Potter, S ton, Conn.
c. Edward Stevens, from the Congregational Church, Cheshire, Ct.
:
c. Celestia Jerome (Edward) Stevens,
from the
c. Theodosia Davenport(w. Russell C.) Wheeler, Congre.
c. Elizabeth W. Davenport, Church.
New Haven.
66
c. Emily Hitchcock, from the Church in Amherst College.
c. Lydia Bolles (w. W. L.) Black, from the Chapel Street Con- gregational Church, New Haven.
c. Caroline Huggins, from the North Congregational Church, New Haven.
c. Hannah R. Cozzens (G. S.) Allen, from the Congregational Church of Weybridge, Vermont.
c. David E. Jones, from the Welsh Congregational Church at Oli. phant, Penn.
:
19
April 4. c. T. W. T. Curtis, from the First
c. Virginia H. Hubbard (T. W. T.) Curtis. Congregationa! Chu.ch, Hart- ford, Conn.
.6 c. Mary W. Curtis,
c. Eliza Blake (w. John F.) Seeley, from the Plymouth Congre- gational Church of Des Moines, Wisc.
c. Jennie F. Chandler, from the Pearl St. Congregational Church, Hartford, Conn.
c. John G. Lewis, from the Chapel Street
66 c. Jane A. Hart (John G.) Lewis, Congregational Church. New Haven.
S
« c. Jane G. Christie (J. Henry) Root,
May 2. Lucy Jane Phelps (John P.) Atwater.
66 Mary S. Bacon.
" Theodosia M. Wheeler.
Lucy E. Selden.
July 4. c. Agur Wheeler, from the College S :.
Congrega'n'l Church,
c. Aurelia V. Selden ( Agur) Wheeler, S New Haven.
c. Charles H. Dwinelle, from the First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, California.
¥ c. Bennet H. Sutliff, from the Congrega'l Church
c. Sarah -(B. H.) Sutliff, 5 of Thomaston. Conn.
.6
c. Mary Alling, from the North Church, New Haven.
66
c. I ewis Elliott, from the College Street Cong. Church, New Haven.
Sept. 5. c. Mary L. De Forest (w. John) Skinner,
c. Mary Skinner (w. John W.) Fitch,
c. Helen E. Marsh,
c. Caroline Mulford (Joseph) Parker,
from the 3d Congre- Rational Church, New Haven.
c. Lamira A. Parker,
c. Eliza T. Parker,
c. Harriet A. Scranton,
66 c. Susan Scranton (Chas. T.) Candee,
from the
..
c. Elizabeth A. Wilson (Henry N.) Whittlesey, tional Church, New Haven.
c. Maria Bemnies, from the College Street Congregational Church, New Haven.
c. Pamela Wheeler, from the Howe Street Congregational Church. New Haven.
c. J. D. Thompson, from the Plymouth Church, Milwaukee, Wisc.
66 66
: c. Henry N. Whittlesey, Chapel St.
Congrega-
20
Sept. 5. c. Philo R. Brown, from the 2d Congregational Church, Fair Ha- ven. Conn.
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