USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Middletown > A brief history of the First Church of Christ in Middletown, Connecticut for two centuries and a half, 1668-1918 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
The new minister was the clerk of the Church, as was the custom down to 1868. A record made by him June 10, six months after his ordination, is interesting: - " Being a lec- ture preparatory to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper the church agreed to the introduction of Dr. Watts version of the Psalms in our sing- ing." This was a step of progress in reference to an important part of public worship, one in which the pastor seems to have had a special interest. In 1764 Mr. Huntington married Miss Mary Gray, of Windham, and brought
52
A History of the
her to the parsonage, which was a commodious house in the lot now occupied by the home of President Shanklin. This fact gave the former name of Parsonage Street to that which is now termed College Street.
The zeal of the young minister concerning church music is revealed in a sermon delivered by him Sept. 26, 1771, "on Occasion of a Public Singing Meeting." Among other whole- some words the sermon contains these : - " Re- ligious Singing is a Duty of instituted Worship, & in order for the decent and edifying Per- formance of it, Persons must take Pains to learn & improve in the Art: & surely our Pains can nohow be better bestowed than learning & im- proving in that which belongs to the more immediate Service & Worship of God: besides Singing in itself is a very manly, ornamental & useful Accomplishment; & the Time spent in learning it, as Opportunity offers & Duty re- quires, is well & laudably spent." Such being the sentiments and teaching of the pastor, it is not surprising that the singing here in 1771 was admired by so distinguished a visitor as Presi- dent John Adams. He said of it,- " I heard the finest singing that I ever heard in my life: the front and side galleries were crowded with
53
First Church of Christ
rows of lads and lasses, who performed all their parts in the utmost perfection - a row of women all standing up and playing their parts with perfect skill and judgment, added a sweet- ness and sprightliness to the whole, which absolutely charmed me."
On the 13th of December, 1773, twenty-one members of the Church " all belonging to West- field, and being about to have a Pastor ordained over them, and to form into church state among themselves were dismissed from this church & recommended to be formed into a church state among themselves." The Church thus founded is now called the Third Church in Middletown, having a resident membership of one hundred and fifteen. It was really the sixth Congre- gational Church planted within the limits of the original Middletown.
The ministry of Enoch Huntington covered the period of the Revolution, but the Church records make no allusion to this momentous event. Not a few members of the Church were in the Continental Army, several ranking as high as Colonel. The pastor was in cordial sympathy with the struggle for freedom, as his published sentiments abundantly show. Like many other clergymen of his time he in-
54
A History of the
spired his people with a genuine patriotism which led them to offer themselves freely for their country's service.
He had been with the people during all the acts of aggression on the part of England, and had done much toward shaping public sentiment, thus preparing the citizens for the onset of arms. At a general Fast ordered by Congress and kept July 20, 1775, Mr. Huntington preached an eloquent sermon, in which he
uttered these words : " It is now a day of peculiar trial, and every good man and lover of his country, under the present aspects of divine providence, and the political and martial move- ments that have taken place, must feel a very sensible degree of affecting apprehension and concern, and the man ought to be pitied for his weakness, or shunned for his wickedness, 'whose bosom beats not in his country's cause '." Sentiments like these have a peculiar adaptation to the colossal European war of the second decade of the twentieth century. With a leader so able, so intelligent, and so patriotic, the Church could not be indifferent to the con- flict already opened at Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill.
After the passage of the Boston Port Bill
55
First Church of Christ
the citizens of Middletown assembled, to the number of more than five hundred, and pro- tested against its injustice, pledging themselves to resist it. Matthew Talcott and Titus Hos- mer of this Church were members of a com- mittee of three appointed at that time to collect intelligence and disseminate it among the people. Mr. Talcott was the son of Gov. Joseph Talcott of Wethersfield. He was a Colonel of the militia and was active during the war, often receiving appointments . from Gov. Trumbull and Gen. Washington.
He represented the town fourteen years in the General Assembly and was a judge in the County Court. His wife was Mary, the oldest daughter of the Rev. William Russel, the third pastor of this Church. He died in 1802, at the ripe age of 89 years.
Mr. Hosmer was in the General Assembly from 1773 to 1778, was speaker of the Lower House in 1777, and was instrumental in secur- ing the adoption of vigorous measures against Great Britain. In 1778 he was a member of the Continental Congress, and with Roger Sher- man, Samuel Huntington, Oliver Wolcott and Andrew Adams, he signed the Articles of Con- federation in behalf of this state. Noah
56
A History of the
Webster deemed him one of the foremost men this commonwealth ever produced, ranking at the side of Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth. He died in 1780, at the age of 44 years, in the prime of his noble manhood.
Just how many of his flock were actually under arms, it is not possible at this late day to determine. But as this was one of the prin- cipal towns in the state in 1776 and the years following, we may be sure that it contributed its full measure to give it the honorable record which it held during the Revolution.
Directly after the battle of Lexington, Cap- tain Return Jonathan Meigs led a company to the environs of Boston. Later he became a Colonel, also a Major General winning honor- able renown in many fields of service. Captain, afterwards Colonel Comfort Sage, reached Boston before Meigs, with a company of light horse. Colonels John Sumner and Jonathan Johnson, with many Captains, were on the roll of this venerable Church. Among the latter were Giles and John Meigs, and Jabez Ham- lin. General Samuel Holden Parsons, a familiar name here in the last century, planned the capture of Ticonderoga, and was one of the chief agents in its accomplishment. Nehemiah
57
First Church of Christ
Hubbard, a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of the town, was paymaster to a regiment which saw service near Lake Cham- plain. In this connection should be introduced the name of Chauncey Whittlesey, who in 1776 was on a committee "to procure and purchase such articles of refreshment and clothing " as the Governor and Council should direct. Also, that of Elijah Hubbard, who in 1777 was made " Commissary and Superintendent of the stores provided by the state for the Continental Troops, " and was more than thirty times elect- ed to the General Assembly. He was the first President of the Middletown Bank, founded in 1801.
The year 1791 was marked by an event of deep significance to the Church and the com- munity, the death of Col. Jabez Hamlin. He was one of the most eminent citizens by whom this town has been blessed. A Deacon in the Church for thirty years, he was one of its most esteemed and influential members. So high was the regard that his fellow citizens cherished for him, they sent him as a representative to the General Assembly forty-three times, and he was often the Speaker of the Lower House. He was Judge of Probate from the formation of
58
A History of the
this district in 1752 till 1789, and was Mayor of the city from its incorporation in 1784 until his death in 1791. His pastor paid him a noble tribute on the Sunday following his lamented death. Among other eloquent words he said,
"Long will the name of Colonel Hamlin be remem- bered and mentioned amongst us, as the most worthy, dear and respectable of Names. The Father of our city, society and Town is no more. By his removal from service, and from life, civil and ecclesiastical So- ciety have lost much of their strength and glory. A rare character! A good and precious name indeed ! An example, in the goodness of it, deserving universal re- gard and imitation! And if regarded and imitated, as it ought to be, would change the whole face of affairs in this wicked, troublesome world : and instead of doing hurt, dispose mankind to do good to one another all the days of their lives."
In 1799 occurred a memorable event in the life of the Church viz. the completion of its fourth house of worship, on Main Street. It caused sincere rejoicing in the hearts of the people to take leave of the unsightly, badly situated structure near the head of Church Street, and to enter the spacious, and for its time, elegant, edifice at the very heart of the city. At its dedication, Oct. 2, the pastor preached from Psalm 132:8. Near the close of his dis- course he spoke as follows: "Men and breth- ren, fathers and friends, parents and children,
FIRST CHURCH, DEDICATED 1799
58
59
First Church of Christ
our eyes this day see and our ears hear, what many of our fathers and brethren have desired to see and hear, but were not permitted, and what we have a long time desired to see and hear. What we have so long and so ardently prayed and hoped for, is now present in our enjoyment. Through the good hand of our God upon us, after several removals of the place of our public worship, and troubles and afflic- tions in past proceedings, our joyful eyes this day behold this commodious and decent edifice completed, a house and habitation for the stated worship and service of our Glorious God and Saviour. The aged and pious fathers of this people, yet living, feel a joy on the present occa- sion, hard to be expressed, which will solace the decline of their days and brighten the evening of their life."
Then follows a soul-stirring appeal to all to be loyal to " the principles and practices, which, supported by the Scriptures, have been trans- mitted to them from their pious forefathers, and which, by long experience, have been found to promote their Peace and prosperity."
That autumnal day, manifestly, was one of sincere rejoicing. But not many years there- after a cloud darkened the horizon of the
60
A History of the
Church. The beloved pastor, who for forty- seven years had instructed and guided and com- forted this people, was called to his rest.
Mr. Huntington was industrious, scholarly, cultivated, genial, and devout. In the early part of his ministry his voice is said to have been "musical " and " well modulated," his manner " easy and graceful." In his latter years his excellent voice failed him, so that he was obliged to whisper his sermons. Yet, such was the attachment of his flock to their shepherd, that they refused to deprive themselves of his ser- vices. His was one of those ideal pastorates of the olden time whose benediction long rested upon the town. His life of nearly threescore years and ten, after his preparation for the ministry, was entirely given to this Church. He was faithful in all things, even keeping the records of the Church with scrupulous care and neatness. He welcomed to its membership 360 persons, baptized 2,757 persons, and recorded nearly 1,700 deaths. In addition to his minis- terial labors, he gave his skillful instruction to many young men, among whom was Timothy Dwight, afterwards President of Yale College. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the College for twenty-eight years. At one
61
First Church of Christ
time he was desired for its presidency, but his health would not allow him to accept so re- sponsible a position.
Large portraits of Mr. Huntington and his estimable wife were presented to the Church a few years since by Deacon Albert R. Crittenden.
CHAPTER VII. THE MINISTRIES OF DAN HUNTINGTON AND CHAUNCEY ALLEN GOODRICH
1809-1817
The long and efficient ministry of Enoch Huntington was terminated by his death, June 12, 1809. On Sept. 20, of the same year, his successor, the Rev. Dan Huntington, was in- stalled. While not a relative of the former beloved pastor, the name which he bore was one dear to the people. This fact may have in- fluenced their choice, though they heard him preach for " some time," and were " satisfied with his ministerial qualifications." The spirit of the pastor-elect appears in a sentence of his reply to the invitation of the Church : - " Feel- ing my own insufficiency, Brethren, I ask your prayers for me, and your friendly cooperation in all well-meant, and well-directed endeavours to build up the interests of the Redeemer's King- dom among you."
The Council for the installation was com- posed of twelve clergymen and eleven laymen.
63
64
A History of the
Dr. Cyprian Strong, of Chatham, was the Moderator, and the Rev. Calvin Chapin, of Wethersfield, the Scribe. The examination of the candidate must have been quite rigid, since when it, following other formalities, was com- pleted, the Council adjourned to the next morn- ing for the remaining exercises. Dr. Joseph Lyman, of Hatfield, Mass., preached the ser- mon, and the Rev. Elijah Parsons, of East Had- dam, offered the installing prayer. The pastor- ate of Mr. Huntington continued for six years, and was fruitful in several respects.
On Jan. 13, 1813, action of importance was taken by the Church in regard to absent and delinquent members as follows :
" Voted, that we will endeavor to look up & reclaim such members of this Church as have now withdrawn themselves from our com- munion, & that Rev. D. Huntington, Hon. Asher Miller, Esq. Deacn Matthew T. Russell & Deacn Thomas Hubbard be a Committee for the purpose." Thus it appears that persons un- true to their most sacred pledges existed in the early years of the nineteenth century, as well as in the twentieth. On Feb. 10, of the same year, the above Committee "made report of what they had done - which was, that on the whole
65
First Church of Christ
prospects were favourable for recovering several: that others were hesitating as to their duty : & that a few appeared to have sunken into error & immorality."
April 16, of the same year, the Church met at the Court House, and, after discussion, voted " That it is expedient to introduce a new set of Articles, the old one, in our view, being deficient in several important points of faith." Directly after this action a Confession and Covenant were adopted, in which the wisdom and skill of the accomplished pastor are clearly seen. Vid. Appendix B. These were the basis on which persons were admitted to the Church for more than half a century. The present Form of Ad- mission, used since 1910, embodies the substance of the foregoing Covenant, while the articles of the Church's faith remain practically the same, though expressed in simpler language. Gen- erous liberty as to their full acceptance and understanding by candidates for admission is allowed.
In August, 1813, the Church took action of deep significance. It was voted "That this Church do not consider those, who have owned the Baptismal Covenant, or who have made a profession of the christian religion, without
66
A History of the
coming to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, as in any sense, members of this Church." Thus, the old " Half-Way Covenant," concern- ing whose value there has been much difference of opinion, was abandoned here, as it was, earlier or later, by all churches which had adopted it.
May 12, 1814, Mr. Huntington preached the " Election Sermon " in Hartford, for which service conspicuous clergymen were wont to be chosen. It was doubtless his " splendid popu- larity as a preacher " that gave him this honor. His address to the legislators aptly illustrates his opinion's. Some of its sentences run as fol- lows:
" Men and brethren, bear with me, while I freely plead before you, the cause of vital godliness. I am always ready to testify my regard to what is commonly called morality. It is entitled to commen- dation. It has its reward. But, there is not a single consideration, in favour of morality, as a qualification for office, which is not as much more in favour of undissembled piety, as the motives for action, drawn from eternity, outweigh those of time. Indeed, nothing but piety gives proper security for morality. Nothing but piety in rulers gives proper security for fidelity to the interests of human society; much less to those of the church."
Mr. Huntington was the first minister dis- missed from the oversight of this Church. For
67
First Church of Christ
nearly one hundred and fifty years its pastors died in office. It is probable that change in his theological views was the main reason for Mr. Huntington's withdrawal. He had received I17 persons to the fellowship of the Church, or 19 for each year of his labors.
Dan Huntington was born in Lebanon, Conn., Oct. II, 1774, and was graduated from Yale College in 1794, before he had reached the age of twenty. He was a tutor at Williams Col- lege two years, and at Yale two years. He studied theology under President Dwight. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Litchfield, Conn., in 1798, when he was only twenty-four. Thence he came to Mid- dletown, as we have seen, in 1809. ' After leav- ing this city in 1816, he passed the remainder of his days in Hadley, Mass., not again assum- ing the duties of a pastor: He died Oct. 31, 1864.
Mr. Huntington was an excellent scholar and an eloquent preacher. Several of his sermons found their way into print, from one of which an effective quotation has already been made. He was a man of amiable disposition, of native good sense, and of rare strength of Christian character. He was remembered with warm af-
68
A History of the
fection by many who knew him here. Not a few of the shining virtues of his son, Fred D. Huntington, D.D., the late Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, seem to have been derived from his father.
After the retirement of Mr. Huntington " distressing apprehensions were entertained " relative to the future of the Church. By the good providence of God, however, these fears were soon allayed. The attention of the people was directed toward Mr. Chauncey Allen Good- rich, whose father, the Rev. Samuel Goodrich, was a popular pastor in Berlin, Conn. He con- sented to preach here, and so completely won the hearts of all who heard him that he received a unanimous call to become their pastor. So urgent was the invitation that a special letter of considerable length was sent to the " Beloved Pastor Elect," assuring him that " there was not a solitary vote against the call, nor one person who felt indifferent as to the issue of our appli- cation." After the statement of essential facts the letter continues thus :- "We beg you to consider the danger to which an unfavourable decision on the subject of our request would sub- ject us. An extensive field of usefulness is here open to you. The Lord we trust has begun a
69
First Church of Christ
good work in the hearts of some, and hath he not much people in this place? May we not hope he is about to build up our Zion and that he has design'd you as the honor'd instrument ?" Such a call, fortified by so strong an appeal, the young candidate could not resist. After pon- dering the matter for a month, Mr. Goodrich gave an affirmative answer to the Church and Society. Distrustful of his age and qualifica- tions, he said to them: - " I feel, however, a consoling assurance that if all my time and efforts are devoted to your service, you will ac- cept the endeavour for the performance."
The Council for the ordination of Mr. Good- rich met at the house of Dea. Joseph Boardman July 23, 1816, being composed of thirteen min- isters and twelve laymen. Among the former were David D. Field, of Haddam, and Nathaniel W. Taylor, of New Haven.
" The Council proceeded to a careful exam- ination of the Pastor Elect as to his acquaint- ance with Christian doctrines and his ability to defend them : his views of practical religion : his motives for proposing to become a minister of the Gospel, together with his knowledge of practical and experimental religion and his assent to the Constitution by which Congrega-
70
A History of the
tional Churches of Connecticut regulate them- selves." This was no slight ordeal for the young man, yet he passed it to the satisfaction of all. But the " religious solemnities of the occasion," naturally enough, did not take place till the following morning.
At a meeting of the Church Sept. 16, of this year, it was voted " To request the Deacons to examine into the state of indigent members of this church, and make report at the earliest con- venient period." Two months later it was voted "That the Church be informed on the next Communion that the wants of the poor claim a large contribution." These votes illustrate the solicitude which this Church has always felt in behalf of its needy members. It has spent many thousands of dollars for their relief.
The records show that the new pastor was faithful to his charge during the year and a half which he held it. In this brief space, inexperi- enced as he was, he united and consolidated the Church, while he received thirty-two persons to its fellowship. His pastorate continued till De- cember, 1817, when, much to the regret of the entire parish, he removed to New Haven, being called to the service of his Alma Mater.
Chauncey Allen Goodrich, D. D., was born
71
First Church of Christ
in New Haven, October 23, 1790, and was graduated at Yale College in 1810. His theo- logical studies were pursued under the oversight of President Dwight. After his happy and fruitful ministry here, he was Professor of Rhetoric in Yale College from 1817 to 1839: Professor of Pastoral Theology in Yale Semi- nary from 1839 to 1860. He died February 25, 1860, full of years and honors, deeply la- mented by all who were familiar with his ample scholastic attainments and his unfailing loyalty to high ideals of life. A beautiful window is placed in the Battell Chapel in New Haven to perpetuate his memory.
REV. JOHN R. CRANE. D. D.
73
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MINISTRIES OF JOHN RILEY CRANE AND JAMES BURNETT CRANE
1818-1856
In the early months of 1818 the pulpit of the Church was supplied by various preachers, upon none of whom could the people unite till August. In that month, " having full confidence in the ministerial qualifications of Mr. John R. Crane whom we have heard preach, and desirous of being under his care and oversight," the Church invited him to become their pastor. The Com- mittee appointed to convey this invitation to Mr. Crane in a personal note spoke of their " having been a long time destitute of the stated administration of the word & ordinances of God," and urged a prompt response to their call. However, in the interregnum of seven months a troublesome case of discipline was acted upon. Also, an act of incorporation was secured for the Church, enabling it to hold " Real and personal Estate."
73
74
A History of the
The first call extended to Mr. Crane in August, after he had preached here four Sab- baths, was declined, as it was by no means unanimous. The invitation was renewed in September and accepted. A Council was called for November 3d, consisting of nine clergymen and ten laymen. Its decision was unanimous to proceed with the ordination on November 4th. £ This date was exactly one hundred and fifty years from the founding of the Church. It is interesting to note that Dr. Chapin, of Rocky Hill, preached the sermon, and the late pastor, Mr. Goodrich, gave the right hand of fellowship.
It was about the time of the settlement of Mr. Crane that a Lecture Room on Center Street came into the possession of the Church. January 4, 1819, it was voted " That Mr. John Fisk and Samuel Southmayd be added to the committee with Bro. M. T. Russell to procure a deed of the Lecture Room and a lease of the Land on which it stands agreeable to the inten- tion of the subscribers who built it." This building was occupied by the Church until 1851, when land was leased for a new one on Broad Street.
On June third of the same year a committee
75
First Church of Christ
was appointed to " procure the printing of six hundred copies of the confession of faith and covenant of this church for the use of the mem- bers." A month later the Committee reported that eight hundred had been printed, thus mak- ing provision for expected growth in member- ship.
Two interesting votes were passed by the Church Feb. 15, 1821 ; first, " That a collection be taken upon the ensuing Sabbath evening at the Lecture Room in aid of the United Foreign Missionary Society to assist in fitting out a Mis- sion family to the Osage Indians." Second, " That the Treasurer of the church do procure a box and place it at the door of the Lecture Room on the monthly meetings for prayer, to receive the contributions of those who attend, that the same may be at the disposal of the church for missionary objects." Here was an illustration of the spirit which the Church has always manifested toward missions, whether at home or abroad. It has never been content to provide for its own necessities alone.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.