USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Norfolk > A brief history of the town of Norfolk [Conn.] from 1738 to 1844 collected from the public records of the town and other correct documents, with the dates accurately annexed. To which is added a description of the town, incidents, list of officers, and other interesting matter > Part 3
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the 9th of the next December, the above votes were re- scinded, and one passed very unanimously to defray the whole expense of building the meeting-house by sub- scription. The money subscribed, to be paid in three equal and annual instalments, beginning in one year from the above date. A new committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions. They very readily obtained the amount of $4437.75, and several gentlemen engaged to add to their subscription if necessary. The remainder of the expense was paid by a subsequent subscription. Michael F. Mills, Esq., was appointed an agent to con- tract for, and superintend the building and finishing of the house. The site for the house was established June 15th, 1812. Mr. David Hoadly was engaged as archi- tect; and the business commenced early in the spring of 1813. The business proceeded with great regularity and faithfulness. The house was completed in 1814, and was dedicated in August of the same year. Its cost was $6000. It was furnished with a good clock, by the liberality of the Rev. Thomas Robbins, a son of our first and beloved pastor. In 1822, an organ was pro- cured and set in the front gallery, where accommoda- tions were prepared to seat the choir of singers.
1811 .- October 28th, Mr. Robbins having preached to this people 50 years, prepared and preached a half cen- tury sermon, his text was Acts, 26th chapter, 22d and 23d verses. He remarked, in course of his sermon, that, since the church was first gathered in this town, 519 members had been added to it. He had baptized 1277 persons, the most of them were children of those who were in full communion, a few were adults. He had attended 760 burials, the average number for each year being about 15. He had joined 276 couple in marriage. (The num- ber joined by civil authority not known.) He had preached 6500 sermons, including those preached abroad. He also remarked that, at that time, there were but two persons living who belonged to this church when he was ordained-Mrs. Dorothy Case, of this town, and Major Noah Allen, of Tyringham. He said that, in the whole course of his ministry, there had been but two cases
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of distraint for ministerial taxes, and those two per- sons had turned to other denominations after their tax became due; a striking and convincing proof of the harmony and of the willingness of his people to give him support.
From the second year after his settlement, his salary was established at £70 annually, during life ; but, from 1779 to 1783, he generously relinquished £14 of his salary, annually, on account of the heavy taxes and pressing calls for pecuniary aid in prosecuting the revo- lutionary war. From that time to 1793 he received £70 per annum, when it was advanced to £90; and in 1806 it was set, by mutual agreement, at $300 during his ability to preach.
Mr. Robbins performed the duties of a chaplain in the army nearly through the year of 1776, for several regiments. In 1783, he was on a mission to the west for eight months; and, in 1794-5-6, he performed five several tours of missionary service in the destitute new settlements, in the northern parts of Vermont, and in the western and north-western parts of the state of New-York. He was absent from his people two or three times, for a few weeks each time, on account of ill health. When with his people-which was generally the case-he was very faithful and prompt in attending to every call for pastoral duty, and exhibited a very happy talent in his conversation on religious subjects, in his addresses to his people from the pulpit, and in all the performances of his sacred office. In addition to this, and in consequence of his peculiar talent for teaching, he prepared many young gentlemen for a collegiate education-residents of this town and from various and distant parts of the country.
From 1811, Mr. Robbins' health gradually declined, but he was able to preach some part of the time until the summer of 1813. He met with his people for the last time for public worship, on the Sabbath, a little before the old meeting-house was taken down; being unable to ascend the pulpit, he rose in his pew, and . closed the services of the day by a short but solemn
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address, and then, after a very appropriate and fervent prayer, retired from the congregation of his beloved people, to meet them no more, until he met them at the bar of God to render their account-a scene to which he had often referred them.
1813 .- October 31st, Mr. Robbins died, aged 73. At the particular request of this afflicted people, the Rev. Dr. Lee, of Colebrook, met them and preached the funeral sermon. Text, 2d of Kings, 2d chapter, 12th verse. He rose in the desk and exclaimed, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof." These words, uttered with his usual pathos, with the remains of the good man lying before him, dressed for the tomb, were peculiarly af- fecting. In the course of his sermon he remarked, Mr. Robbins was truly a son of the Sabbath; he was born on the Sabbath ; he was new born, as he hoped, on the Sabbath, and he died on the Sabbath. He also mentioned the following anecdote, of a nature calcu- lated to bring into exercise all the sensibilities of filial affection. In reply to a remark, made by Dr. Lee to him a few years since, "How happy you are, Mr. Robbins, in your people ; so united, so attached to your person, and so attentive to your ministry." "O," said the good man, with the tear of parental affection glistening in his eyes, " the people of Norfolk are my children; I have buried their fathers, and brought them up from infancy."
In the course of Mr. Robbins' ministry, there were se- veral revivals of religion. The first season noticed was in 1767, 10 members were added to the church. In 1783-4, another occurred, 52 were added. In 1798 -9, 160 were added, and the whole number of com- municants at that time was 300. Few years, if any, had passed without some additions to the church. About the time of Mr. Emerson's ordination, viz., in 1815 -16, another revival occurred, 122 were added. The whole number of members at this time was 216. In 1827, 103 were added. The diminution of the number of communicants, from 1799 to 1816, was from deaths among the members, as a common cause ; but particu-
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larly dismissions and recommendations to other churches, in that peculiar time for emigration.
A custom was adopted and practised, nearly through the whole course of Mr. Robbins' ministry, which, to those who did not enter into the spirit of it, and perhaps to those of the present generation, might seem rather papistical, or as showing undue respect and reverence for the clergy; but, to the writer, it was a pleasing exhibition-it was this : the congregation being generally present, and seated, Mr. Robbins, punctual to the time, entered the house ; he took off his hat, walked up the broad aisle, bowing to the right and to the left, as if to say, Good morning, my dear people : the people on each side responded to the compliment, and rose as he passed along, as if answering, Good morning, our dear pastor. He then ascended the pulpit, hung up his hat, turned and bowed to those seated in the galleries, and to the choir of singers, as if to say, Good morning, my dear children, and you who aid me in the divine service ; they rose, as his eyes passed round upon them, without tumult, as if replying, Good morning, our dear father in Christ. This ceremony was performed in a graceful manner, particularly on the part of the pastor. This interchange of civility, giving it no more tender epithet, was indicative of the respect and unfeigned love of his people towards him as their spiritual instructor and guide.
The writer, and those readers still living who sat under his ministry, remember his manner in general, while officiating as a gospel minister; his manner, in the administration of the Lord's Supper, was peculiarly solemn and impressive. After arranging the sacramental furniture and the elements in due order, he addressed the members in a few words appropriate to the occasion ; he then invited the communicants to unite with him in prayer to the great Head of the church, for ITis bless- ing on the elements and on each guest. After the prayer was closed, he proceeded in the service by breaking the bread, saying to the communicants, " Thus, as you see this bread broken, was the body of Jesus bruised and
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broken for your sins." He then commenced a kind of audible soliloquy, very helpful in directing the medita- · tions of the communicants to proper subjects. The following words were generally repeated, or those of similar import :
" He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Hin the iniquities of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted ; yet He opened not Ilis mouth. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep be- fore her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth." He then, after suitable reflections, exhibited the bread to the view of the communicants, and then said, " Beloved brothers and sisters, this bread, now broken before you, taken from a common and ordinary use, is now consecrated, and, so much as is necessary, appropriated to this sacramental use and purpose, ex- hibits to you, symbolically, the broken body of our Lord Jesus, which was broken for the sins of the world. I do, therefore, as His minister, however unworthy, in- vite you all to partake of it, remembering that, as oft as you do this, you do shew forth the Lord's death until He come."
After the bread was distributed, he took the flagon, and, filling a cup with wine. exhibited it, saying, "Christ also took the cup and gave thanks, saying, 'This is the New Testament in my blood, which was shed for you, for the remission of sins.' Let us imitate His ex- ample, and give thanks at the remembrance of His mercies." After giving thanks, he invited the communi- cants all to partake of the wine, which represented His blood, shed to wash away sin. Use it in a believing and thankful remembrance of Christ crucified, and in love and charity to one another. After the distribution of the wine, he said, "Supper being ended, our Saviour and His disciples sang a hymn. Let us imitate their ex- ample and sing." He then gave the blessing, which was
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generally expressed in the following words, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Hitherto, both town and ecclesiastical society busi- ness has been conducted by the whole town in a corpo- rate capacity. For this reason, the history of both has been connected and brought down together ; and the compiler takes the liberty still to pursue the same plan.
In 1814, February 28th, an ecclesiastical society was organized, and the appropriate funds and business were transferred to it from the town, and it has since been conducted separately.
1815, May 22d, the society gave a unanimous vote, to call Mr. Ralph Emerson to settle over them as their gospel minister, he having preached to us a suitable time on probation. June 10th, Mr. Emerson accepted the call, and the stipend offered him, and was ordained the 12th day of the same month. The society continu- ed well satisfied with the result, and their estimation of the man increased during his parochial services with them.
In 1817, a meeting of the society having assembled pursuant to a notice given, a proposition was laid be- fore them to establish an ecclesiastical society fund. After an animated discussion of the subject, a constitu- tion, already drawn, was presented and read, and delibe- rated upon for a short time, and adopted. It was ex- pressly stipulated, that it shall accumulate until it amounts to the sum of $6666.67, the interest is then to be used annually, to pay the salary of a congregational or presbyterian minister who may settle over this society. It continued gradually to accumulate, until 1824, when it was increased by a donation of $833.31, from Joseph Battell, Esq., with this condition, that when
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the fund became full, $50 of the interest of said fund shall be appropriated for the improvement of church or sacred music. It continued to accumulate, and no inter- est used, until 1815, when it amounted to $10,118.25.
In 1818, Augustus Pettibone and Joseph Battell, Esqs. were appointed delegates to the convention for forming the constitution of this state.
In 1819, a conference-room was built, in connection with the centre school-house. cost $1000 for the whole building, furnished with a large stove, and occupied oc- casionally for a school of higher order.
In 1822, a library company was formed. Incorporated in March, 1821. The number of volumes first pur- chased was 142, considerable additions have been annually made to the number since. The inhabitants of the town have enjoyed many advantages for acquiring general information. A variety of newspapers, designed to give the news of the day, religious, literary, political and amusing. Several of the best periodical works have been taken and read with avidity and profit.
In 1826, a society was formed and organized, for the promotion and practice of sacred music, which has since been greatly improved, and accompanied by an organ.
The singing for public worship, in the early times in this place, was conducted in the following manner : after the clergyman had given out the psalm and read it, the senior deacon began by reading the first line, which was sung, and then the next line was read and sung, and so on through the psalm. The leaders needed little more than strength of voice to recommend them to the notice of those who united with them, and of the congregation generally. A gamut, with a few concise rules, and a small number of psalm tunes were annexed, this being their only source of instruction in the science of sacred music. The singers were mostly composed of the middle-aged class, and were seated with their families and seat-mates in the lower part of the house. In this scattered situation they waited for the leader to com- mence. He must give the tune, the pitch and the im- petus. When he had sung a few notes, the tune and
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the sound was caught by the attentive ears of the per- formers, and Old Hundred, or some of its respected cotemporaries was alternately sung devoutly, and, “ in lofty strains and cadence sweet," it arose from the scattered performers, who each, except the leaders, de- pended on others for time and movement, but were in- dependent as to emphasis and diction. From a full heart flowed the sincere tribute of sacred and grateful praise. And, though a critic might say there was a jar in the pronunciation of the words used, and not the most perfect harmony in the melody, yet, so far as they were devoutly uttered, they were accepted as they entered in- to the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
This method appears to have been in use until 1774, when we find the choristers were annually appointed in regular town meetings. A choir was collected and scat- ed in the front seats of the galleries. The town con- tinued to superintend the singing until 1790, the last notice on record of the appointment of choristers by the town. The first appropriation to aid the choir, was $12 in 1798. In 1805, $60 was given by vote. In 1807, $60 more. Sums were sometimes expended for that purpose, at the discretion of the selectmen. At other times, sums were raised by subscription, and teachers hired from abroad. This choir has generally been am- bitious to excel in that important and pleasant part of divine worship. They have almost uniformly borne the palm, when set in competition with the neighboring choirs, and it is believed, few exceed this at the present time. They have, as before noticed, in reversion, an annual sum of $50, as an income to encourage them in their present exertions.
In the spring of 1828, Mr. Emerson received a communication from the trustees of the Hudson Col- lege, Ohio, stating the proposed designation of him to the presidency of that institution. The trustees, at a subsequent meeting, not having received a timely an- swer to their communication, proceeded to elect Mr. Emerson as their president. He was soon informed of the appointment, and on the Sabbath, June 1st, he gave
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the necessary information to his congreation, and stated in a few words his feelings on the subject, and also the need and propriety of visiting the institution, before deciding in his own mind as to his duty in the case. Having engaged a supply for his pulpit during his ab- sence, he, with Mrs. Emerson, commenced their journey June 3d. During his absence the public mind was con- siderably agitated on the subject, and his people in par- ticular waited with great anxiety for his return, and to know the result of his visit. After an absence of seve- ral weeks he returned home, July 17th, and was very cordially welcomed by his parishioners.
Sunday, July 20th, he addressed his congregation from the following text-Isaiah, 59th chapter, latter clause of the 19th verse : " When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." In the course of his remarks, he gave a description of the moral state of the country through which he had passed ; wishing at the same time by no means to be understood as characterizing the whole pop- ulation. He should enumerate some of the most promi- nent crimes chargeable on a portion of the inhabitants ; such as intemperance, sabbath-breaking, infidelity, lying for gain, etc., an exhibition, showing that the enemy was indeed coming into that part like a flood, and instigating the inhabitants to the practice of the most flagrant crimes that our depraved nature is prone to exhibit. He then turned from the disgusting picture, and proclaimed to his audience that the Lord was evidently setting up a standard against the adversary-a delightful contrast; after mentioning several particulars which went to show the movements of the mighty conquerer, he said he considered the institution in question, if well-established and judiciously conducted, would be a powerful means for suppressing the prominent vices of that widely-ex- tended population, and a standard against the arch- enemy. Ile thought the institution ought to be patron- ized. IIe then concluded his discourse, by strongly ur- ging it as the duty of every individual and congregated church, in these highly-favoured settlements, to exert
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themselves by every means in their power, to aid in the attempt to enlighten and reform that scattered people, many of whom were emigrants from this part of the country and endeared to us by the bonds of natural affection and consanguinity. At the close of the meet- ing, a church-meeting was warned, for the purpose of discussing and acting on the subject of his accepting the appointment of the said institution, and his dismis- sion from the pastoral care and engagements to this church and people.
July 23d, the church-meeting was held pursuant to the warning given, and the subject of Mr. Emerson's appointment was fully elucidated and discussed :- first, by reading the correspondence between the trustees of the college and Mr. Emerson, showing their urgent call and unanimous election ; the state of their funds; the present satisfaction expressed by the community in general, respecting the location of the college, etc. These, with numerous minor considerations, which had an immediate bearing on the concerns of the institution, together with the consideration of the moral state of the people residing in that section of our country, as ex- hibited on the preceding Sabbath, were presented, as affording weighty arguments in favor of his dismission and acceptance of the appointment alluded to.
On the other side, was mentioned, as an opposing ar- gument, the situation of this church in relation to those in its vicinity ; the attachment of this people to their pastor ; the unsettled condition of most of the neigh- bor ng churches and congregations at the time; the present need of the standard of the gospel being firmly fixed and defended in this place. These, with many other considerations, were strongly urged against re- leasing Mr. Emerson from his pastoral charge. The ar- guments on both sides being freely and sufficiently pre- sented, a motion was made and seconded, to unite with their pastor in submitting the subject to the decision of the north consociation of Litchfield county. The votes were taken by yeas and nays, which stood as follows : nays, 58; yeas, 6.
August 30th, Mr. Storrs, professor of theology in
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Hudson college, arrived with the intention, if possible, to obtain Mr. Emerson. After eight days' deliberation, a meeting was warned to act on the subject. September 15th, the society met, pursuant to the warning given. The meeting was organized ; a prayer for divine direc- tion offered. Mr. Storrs being present, it was proposed and voted to give Mr. Storrs, as an agent from the cor- poration, full liberty to communicate needed information, the particular request of the trustees, and to remark freely on the subject to any extent he should judge expe- dient in the course of the investigations. The liberty was politely accepted, and faithfully improved. After a free, lengthy, and interesting discussion of the subject under consideration, Mr. Emerson having previously ex- pressed a wish to submit the matter, unreservedly, to the decision of his church and society, he now said, he should cheerfully acquiesce in the result of their deliber- ations ; yet, as they declined taking the responsibility on themselves, he would now ask the church and society in their corporate capacity, to unite with him in submitting the business to the decision of the consociation, which was soon to convene. The minds of the members of this meeting were then taken by veas and nays, which counted as follows : navs, 95; yeas, 18; and the meet- ing was dissolved. Here the matter rested for a short time, and the agitated state of the public mind had, in a measure, subsided. Mr. Emerson continued cheerfully and faithfully to perform his pastoral duties; the calm, however, was of short duration.
October 18th, 1829, Mr. Emerson communicated to the congregation the anticipated official information, at the close of divine service, respecting his appoint- ment to the station of Brown professor of ecclesiastical history and lecturer on pastoral theology in the theo- logical seminary at Andover, and his acceptance of the appointment, provided his pastoral connection with this church and society should be regularly dissolved ; de- claring at the same time, that his personal attachment to this people remained undiminished. A church and society-meeting was warned.
October 22d, the society met, pursuant to a warn-
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ing given, and being organized, Mr. Emerson again read the communication and a proposition respecting his call, and other documents relating to the case in question. The meeting then proceeded to act on the subject. A motion was offered to try the minds of the meeting, by yeas and nays, whether they would concur with Mr. Emerson, in referring the question under con- sideration to the decision of a select council, or the consociation. After due deliberation, the votes were taken and counted : yeas, 11 ; nays, 70. Mr. Emerson then notified the people present, that he felt it his duty (however painful the circumstances in which he was placed) to refer the question to the consociation, which were expected soon to meet. Upon this declaration, the society proceeded to appoint a committee of three to represent and act for the society at the expected meeting of the consociation.
Immediately after the society-meeting was closed, the church-meeting was organized; a prayer was offered for direction, the necessary preliminaries were gone through, and the documents relating to the subject pre- sented, so far as was requisite. Mr. Emerson expressed his peculiar and undiminished attachment to the church; but at the same time declared his willingness to accept the appointment, should such a measure be thought con- ducive to the general interest of Christ's kingdom. He then expressed his intention to refer the subject to the decision of the consociation ; the church then pro- ceeded to appoint a committee of three, to act in the case before the consociation. The vote not to concur, taken previous to Mr. Emerson's declaration of his intention, stood about the same, as to proportion, as did that of the society.
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