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 7
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So runs the story of the First Church of Christ, briefly and imperfectly told, during its
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First Church of Christ
quarter millennium. Much more might be re- corded, hardly less interesting than the forego- ing narrative. But it has been the aim of the writer to select and set down prominent facts which may convey a correct idea of the life of the Church during its extended and luminous history. This plan has seemed wiser than to fill more pages with matters of less significance. The literature of the present time is so abun- dant, and not a little of it so valuable, that there is scant room for large volumes having hardly more than a local purport. People wish to acquire information quickly, and only such as has permanent worth.
The First Ecclesiastical Society has a record running alongside that of the Church for almost the entire existence of the latter. It has con- ducted the business affairs of the Church with exceptional wisdom and fidelity. Yet its career is so closely intertwined with that of the Church that the history of the one practically covers that of the other. The Church could not have been the honorable institution it has been by universal consent, had it not received the un- failing and sagacious support of the Society. However, so identical are the constituencies, and so similar the aims, of the two bodies, that the
144
A History of the
problem of their union is worthy of thoughtful consideration. This has been solved by their consolidation, in the case of many of our Churches.
Further, the life of the Sunday School for the century since it began its beneficent work has been closely related to that of the Church. Also, the various other organizations within the boundaries of the Church, drawing their life from it, have contributed largely to its pros- perity and influence. Yet a detailed account of these numerous societies does not fall within the scope of the present volume. Brief his- tories of many of these have been compiled on differing occasions, which may be found in the archives of the Church.
The Church has had three thousand three hundred and fifty-four members, if its early records are accurate, its present number being six hundred and fifteen. At least, fifty of these are no longer residents of Middletown. It is worthy of special note here, as appears on many of the foregoing pages, that not a few persons on the roll of this Church have been influential in the community. y. The first six Mayors of the city, with one exception, were from its fellow- ship, as well as many later ones. Six of the first
145
First Church of Christ
nine city clerks, and all its treasurers, down to 1847, were members of this Church. Two thirds of the town clerks have belonged to its goodly company, and a decided majority of the representatives in the legislature of the Com- monwealth. It has given judges to the County and the State. The national Congress has not been without representatives from its ranks, and the Cabinet of the President has been honored by the presence of one.
Two present members have been Governors of Connecticut, and one the Governor of Alaska. A former member is now the President of the United States, holding the office for the second term. Not less than fifteen have been, or now are, connected with the Faculty of Wesleyan University, while several have been on its Board of Trustees. The number who have been graduates of Colleges rises above two hundred in the last half century, while it was not insig- nificant in the centuries preceding. The early pastors of the Church, trained as they were, in the foremost institutions of the country, always fostered liberal education. Some of them, as we have seen, instructed youth in their own homes, as a preparation for higher training. A considerable number in the Church have been
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clergymen, physicians, attorneys, judges: sev- eral, Superintendents of our public schools, many, teachers therein and elsewhere, while others have taught in private schools of repute. The Church has furnished pastors of other churches, far and near, has sent missionaries to the frontiers of the land, as well as to foreign countries, has supplied professors to many Col- leges, and presidents to more than one. Several, nurtured under its fostering care, have found their way into the National Congress from other states. A child of this Church became the Chief Justice and Governor of Ohio.
Those who have attained honorable rank as men of business and manufacturers and culti- vators of the soil have been numerous.
Nevertheless, these exceptional members, re- markable as is their number and their character, have not been the chief factors in the life of this venerable Church. The principal cause of its abounding prosperity in the years and the cen- turies of its existence has been the stalwart fidelity of its rank and file in life, in labor, in beneficence, and in prayer. It is most inspiring to reflect upon the length of time this revered organization has sent forth its gracious influence into the region round about, as well as into re-
147
First Church of Christ
mote quarters of the globe. In a genuine sense it has regarded the world as its parish. Here the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which is for all mankind, has been unfolded, and here it has been translated in multitudes of noble human lives. For a century after the founding of the town this Church was one of the most potent forces in shaping its history. Nor did its benignant influence cease with the advancing years. It has fostered education, intelligent citizenship, and wise government. It has been the friend of the poor, the sick, and the afflicted. It has followed the ever receding frontier of our own land with its benefactions, and the wings of the wind have carried them to the outmost boundaries of the earth. Both hemispheres are its debtors. Its shining record is one for which we may be devoutly thankful to the divine Lord and Master of us all. Though kings and em- pires are passing away, there is abundant reason to implore the God of our fathers that He will preserve and enlarge this Church He has so signally blessed until its redeeming influence is no longer needed among men.
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APPENDIX A.
The Profession of the Faith and order of the Gospell made by those that first entered into Covenant (on the 4th of the 9th month 1668) with approbation and concurrence of ye Hon- ored messengers of the churches then present, sent to us from their respective churches.
We believe with our Hearts and confess with our mouths,
1. That there is one and but one true and living God, the Alone Creatour, Preserver and Govenour of all things. Deut. 4:16, Jer. 10:40, Isa. 28:1, Col. 16:9, Num. II :22, Psal. 28.
2. That there are three Distinct Equally Glorious persons of that one Godhead, God the Father, God the Sone, God the Holy Ghost, which are each of them true and very God and yet all of them but one and the self same God, most wise, Holy, Just, mercifull, mighty and true: that worketh all things 'after the counsell of his owne will. Jer. 5:7, I Tim. I:17, Deut. 4:9.
3. That Jesus Christ is true God and true man in one person the onely and all sufficient Saviour of falen man, that by his Redemption recovereth the elect out of that lost estate they are in by Nature to a state of favour and life forever.
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4. That eternall Life and Happiness and the way to it through Jesus Christ is fully revealed by the spirit of God in the Holy Scriptures, or written word of God contained in the Old and New Testament, which is the onely rule of faith and obedience.
5. The mysticall or invisible church is but one com- prehending all the faithful ones who are trusting in the covenant of Grace, beeing saveingly united through faith to Jesus Christ and his Redemption inwardly and savingly applyd to them by the Holy Spirit.
6. The mysticall church or company of visible Believers with their seed, confirmed in the covenant of the Gospel is the onely true visible and mysticall Church under the New Testament and to this when it Is organized (or furnished with those officers the Lord Jesus Christ appointed in his house) all the keys of the kingdome of Heaven are committed, which they are to improve for theyre owne Advantage and his Honour.
7. In the Church Administration ye power of Guid- ance, Leading the flock in the name of Christ ye chiefe Governor is with those having power of Judgement or consent with the Brethren.
8. All members of orthodox churches beeing sound in ye faith and not skandalous in life presenting due Testimony thereof, those occasionally comeing from one church to another, may have theyre children Bap- tized in the church whither they come by virtue of communion of churches; but if they remove theire Habitation, they ought orderly to covenant and subject themselves to ye government of Christ where they settle their Abode and soe theyre children to bee bap- tized, it being the churches duty to receive such into communion therein or any other way of church con- nection soe far as theye bee regularly fitt for the same.
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First Church of Christ
THE COVENANT
(With ye names of such whoe have personally, explicitly and on their own acct publicly and sollemly owned it, at first. )
We doe in ye presence of God, the Holy Angells and this Assembly, take acknowledge and Avouch the one and onely true God, God the Father, Sone and Holy Ghost to bee our God, giving up ourselves and our children to him to be his people. Ingaging that we will walk with this God and one with another accord- ing to the rules of ye Gospell, Attending his Holy will made known to us in his word, that we will bee sub- ject to ye Government of Christ and observe all those lawes yt he hath established in his Kingdome, soe far as hitherto he hath or hereafter shall be pleased to reveale ye same unto us. And particularly yt we will maintaine and diligently attend all his ordinances; obeying them that are over us in the Lord ; that we will watch over one another and faithfully deale with and submitt to one another in case of offence according as ower Lord hath commanded. All this we promise lawfully to perform through the grace and strength of Christ.
Nathaniell Collins
Thomas Allen
Thomas Wetmer Senior
John Hall Senior
Samuell Stockin Senior
William Harriss
John Savage Senior
Robbert Warner
Andrew Warner Senior
George Hubbard Senior
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First Church of Christ
APPENDIX B. ARTICLES OF FAITH
Adopted April 16, 1813
You believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one, & but one true and living God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, who is a Spirit, eternal and unchangeable, in his being and attributes, infinite in power, knowledge, presence, wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness and truth; that he is the wise Creator of all things; the bountiful Preserver; and the righteous Benefactor of all his creatures; working all things after the counsel of his own will.
You believe that God created man upright; that our parents freely sinned and fell; and all mankind in a state of nature are dead in trespasses & sins, and are justly exposed to all the miseries of this life, and the pains of hell forever.
You believe that the only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who is very God and very man; that taking upon him our nature he suffered and died on the cross: that he arose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, where he ever liveth making intercession for us: that he alone has made an atone- ment for sin, & that without an interest in his atone- ment, there is no salvation.
You believe that without a change of heart, wrought in the unregenerate, by the divine agency of the Holy Spirit, who is very God, no one can be an heir of
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eternal life: that justification, adoption, sanctification, & perseverance, all flow from the free and sovereign grace of God.
You believe that eternal life, & the way to it thro Jesus Christ, are fully revealed by the Spirit of God, in the Holy Scriptures, or the written word of God, contained in the Old & New Testament which is the only rule of faith and practice: and that the Lord's Supper and Baptism are sacraments of the New Testa- ment.
You believe that there will be a general resurrection of the righteous and wicked: and a general judgment, at which all the righteous shall be admitted to ever- lasting happiness and all the wicked sentenced to misery without end.
Thus in the presence of Almighty God, you solemnly profess and believe.
COVENANT
You do now, in the presence of God, the holy angels and this assembly: and as you hope, with sincerity of soul, dedicate yourself to God in Christ, humbly con- fessing and repenting of your sins.
You solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your God: the Lord Jesus Christ your Redeemer: and the eternal Spirit your Sanctifier,- engaging that by the strength of divine grace, you will walk with this Church in all Christian fellowship and charity: and in due attendance upon all the institutions of Christ.
Thus in the presence of God, you solemnly covenant and promise.
Then doth this Church likewise promise you, that in the strength of divine grace, we will walk toward you in all Christian charity and watchfulness.
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FORM OF ADMISSION
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 confession by the Holy Spirit, and that you feel its sacred gladness. While you assume weighty responsibilities to-day, you also enter upon privileges which are most precious.
Having given to the Church evidence of your re- pentance toward God, and of your faith in His Divine Son, you now publicly confess the same. You affirm, likewise, your agreement with us in accepting the es- sential doctrines of our Christian faith, as set forth in our Confession and summarized 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 ascended into heaven, where He ever liveth to make intercession for us; and that from thence He shall come to judge the world.
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 sacraments, baptism, and the Lord's Supper; the com- munion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resur- rection 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.
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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 en- gage 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.
We, therefore, members of this Church, do cordially welcome 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 sym- pathy, our counsel and our prayers, in all 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.
Adopted in 1880.
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First Church of Christ
The summary of the Creed being the same as in the previous formula, the following has been in use since 1910.
FORM OF RECEPTION TO MEMBERSHIP
Dearly Beloved: Our blessed Lord uttered this cheering promise: "Every one who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven."
You are now here in the presence of God and of His people that you may publicly acknowledge Jesus Christ. We trust you have been led to this confession by the Holy Spirit, and that you feel its sacred glad- ness. With true sorrow for your sins, and with humble confidence in the love of God, you desire to enter into communion with His Church.
You who were baptized in childhood do now grate- fully accept that baptism, while you confirm the cove- nant which was then made for you.
You accept Jesus as your Lord and Redeemer, solemnly declaring your purpose to be His disciples, and to do the will of God as revealed through Him. in uniting yourselves to this Church, you promise to seek its purity, its growth, and its peace, to share its worship and its labors, to help to maintain and in- crease its power in the community, and to do all that you are able to advance the kingdom of God in the world.
We, therefore, members of this Church, do cordially welcome you to our fellowship. Renewing our own vows of allegiance to our adorable Master, we promise that, by His gracious help, we will walk with you in Christian love, aiding you with our sympathy, our counsel, and our prayers, in all holy living, that when
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the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye may receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
"Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and forevermore, Amen."
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APPENDIX C.
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH Deacons
(The names of the Pastors, with facts con- cerning them, appear in the foregoing pages. Hence they are not repeated here.)
Names
Dates
Years
THOMAS ALLEN,*
1670- -
-
SAMUEL STOCKING,
1670- -
-
JOHN HALL, JR.,*
1670-1694
24
DANIEL MARKHAM,
1690- -
-
WILLIAM SUMNER,
1695-1706
II
OBADIAH ALLEN,*
1704- -
JOSEPH ROCKWELL,
1704-1742
38
BORIAH WETMORE,
1713- -
-
SOLOMON ATKINS,
1735-1748
13
JOHN HUBBARD,*
1743-1753
10
JONATHAN ALLEN,"
1743-1783 40
WILLIAM ROCKWELL,*
1749-1765
I6
JABEZ HAMLIN,*
1754-1791
37
JOSEPH CLARK,*
1765-1778
13
JOHN E. HUBBARD,"
1765-1782
17
CHAUNCEY WHITTELSEY,*
1778-1812
34
JACOB WETMORE,*
1782-1825
43
OLIVER WETMORE,*
1784-1798
14
TIMOTHY BOARDMAN,*
1784-1792
8
MATTHEW T. RUSSELL,
1798-1828
30
THOMAS HUBBARD,*
1812-1828 I6
JOSEPH BOARDMAN,
1813-1846
33
SAMUEL EELLS, 2d,
1813-1840
27
HENRY S. WARD,*
1828-1844
I6
RICHARD RAND,*
1828-1844
16
CYPRIAN GALPIN,*
1840-1852
12
JOHN B. WOODFORD,*
1844-1846
2
EVAN DAVIS,* ·
1844-1869
25
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Names
Dates
Years
JOHN H. SUMNER,
1846-1870
24
ROBERT P. RAND,*
1850-1857
7
SELAH GOODRICH,
1850-1888
38
HENRY E. SAWYER,
1869-1878
9
CHARLES A. BOARDMAN,
1870-1907
37
RALPH J. MINER,
1873-1874
I
EDWIN P. AUGUR,
1875-1877
2
LUCIUS R. HAZEN,*
1877-1912
35
FREDERIC L. GLEASON,*
I879-1884
5
ALBERT R. CRITTENDEN,
1884-
THOMAS GILBERT,
1884-
WALTER P. BRADLEY,
1892-1914
EDWARD A. WILCOX,
1907-
JAMES H. BUNCE
1913-
CHARLES BRAINARD,
1913-
After serving two years Mr. Augur left the city for a time.
Having returned to Middletown, be began a second term of service in 1907, and he still holds the office. Hence in 1918 he had been a Deacon in this Church for thirteen years.
CLERKS AND TREASURERS
(In the early years the pastors acted as clerks of the Church, and they seem to have been its treasurers, as well.)
Henry E. Sawyer,
I868-1878
Horace F. Boardman
1879-1880
Warren J. Breckenridge
1881-1883
Robert H. Stothart
I884-1886
Lafayette F. Denio
1887-1892
Daniel T. Haines .
1893-1908
(Mr. Haines was clerk, only, and his term was the longest on record.)
Edward A. Wilcox 1909-1919 (clerk, only.)
Edwin P. Augur 1893-1919 (treasurer, only.)
INDEX
Adams, Pres. John 52
American Missionary Association 10I
Augur, E. P. 160
Bacon, Leonard 37, 40
Barnum, H. N. I22
Barrows, E. P. 96
Bethany Chapel 105
Boardman, Chas. A.
128, 160
Boardman, H. F.
120, 160
Boardman, Mrs. H. F. 114, 127, 132
Bradford, Wm.
23
Brown, Dr. John 122
Bunce, James H. 129
Bunce, Mrs. James H. I34
22
Bunyan, John
Address on 122
Cadman, Dr. S. Parkes 139
Carlson, Carl, preacher to Swedes IIO
Carrington, H. 85, 86
Chapin, Calvin 64, 74
Church, First, incorporated
73
225th Anniversary Celebrated
116
Clarke, D. W., gives Communion Service
129
Clarke, Miss Susan C.
IIO,
118
Clark, Walter E., Gov. of Alaska 130
Coffin, O. Vincent, Gov. of Conn. 118, 122
Coffin, Mrs. O. Vincent 135
Crittenden, A. R. 61, 160
Conference, General, Meetings of III
161
162
Index
Cummings, Geo. H. IIO, III
Daggett, O. E., supplies pulpit 104
Davis, E. F., ordained 105
Deacons, First 27
Deaconesses, First
124
Devotion, Ebenezer
49,
51
Dwight, Timothy 60
Dyer, Mrs. E. S. 100, 119
Education Fund 109
Edwards, Jonathan 43
Fast Day for Children 34
Ferguson, W. B. 127
Field, David D. 69
Fisher, Stanley R. 124
Fiske, John
123
Garfield, Pres. James A. 106
Goodrich, Dea. S. 85, 96, III
Guy, Geo. W. 10I
Haines, D. T. 160
Half Way Cov't 43, 66
Hall, John 9, 19
Hall, Wm. H. 142
Hamlin, Giles
26, 34
Hamlin, Jabez 56, 57, 109
Harvard College 18
Hazen, L. R. 134
Hodgdon, T. M. II2
Hope, A. H. 128
Horton, Douglas 136
Index 163
Hawes, Joel 81
Hosmer, Titus
55
Hubbard, Elijah
57
Hubbard, H. G.
114
Hubbard, Josiah M. 130
Hubbard, Nehemiah 57
Hubbard, Mrs. S. D. IIO
Hubbard, Walter B.
123, 127, 131
Hulbert, G. H.
127
Huntington, Mrs. Wolcott
100, II3
Kelley, Wm. V.
IIO
Kilbourn, S. Elizabeth 132
Ladd, Percy C.
I33
Lee, Wallace H.
107
Lotteries, opinion on 75
Mansfield, Gen. J. K. F. 88
Mather, Cotton 29
Mather, Thos. G. II4
Mansfield, Katharine M. M. 121, 13I
Meeting Houses
10, 28, 42, 58, 99
Meigs, Gen. Return J.
56
Moody, D. L.
102, 113
Parish House 136
Parsonage, Memorial 134
Parsons, Gen. S. H.
Pearne, W. U. 56
107, 124
Pentecost, Geo. F. 103, 126
Pierpont, Mary and Sarah 40 Pratt, Waldo S. 107
164
Index
Rand, Mrs. Geo. 108
Revolution, The
53, 56
Russell, Miss F. A. 119
Sabbath School 76, 144
Sage, Col. Comfort 56
Sawyer, H. E.
87, 96, 160
Saybrook Platform
36
Smith, Mrs. E. B. 100
Smith, S. G.
I27
Smith, Mrs. S. G. II6
Society, First Ecclesiastical
143
South Church
77
Stebbins, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. C.
103
Stow, Sam'1
II, 12, 33
Sumner, Col. John 46, 56
Tablet, Historical 13I
Talcott, Col. M. 55
Taylor, N. W. 69
Titcomb, Arthur
107, 112
Tracy, Miss Emily
100, 120
Tuck, Rev. J. W.
109
Upper Houses, Church at
28
Ward, Henry S. 86, 91 Watts, I., his Psalms
Weeks, Frank B. III, 129
Westfield, Third Church 53
Index 165
Whitefield, Geo. 44
Whittlesey, Chauncey 57 Williams, H. T. 116 Wilson, Woodrow, Pres.
125, 135
Winthrop, John, Gov. 23
Workman, C. H. 129
Yale College 36
ـدريه
بالمادة
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