USA > Connecticut > A complete history of Connecticut, civil and ecclesiastical, from the emigration of its first planters, from England, in the year 1630, to the year 1764; and to the close of the Indian wars > Part 51
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2. "The moderator was not empowered by any article of the platform, to call a consociation de novo, until the time of the former was expired.
3. "Several of the members of this convention, have not the essential qualifications of members of a consocia- tion ; particularly, Mr. Robbins was not a pastor of one of the consociated churches."
It was replied to these objections to this effect : That it never had been the custom of this consociation, to notify a church to send a messenger, when the consociation had been called to consider any matter relating to said church, or their pastor; and that universal practice had shown, that the article in the platform had never been understood in the sense of those who made the objection.t
With respect to the calling of the consociation de novo,
** Narratives of Mesers. Eells and Todd.
t It is believed, that there never has been an instance, since the forma- tion of the platform to this time, in this county, of sending a letter missive to a church or pastor, to sit in a consociation, in which a cause of their pwn was depending. This would be like notifying a criminal to sit 2s judge in the very court which was to try him.
437
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CHAP. XXV.
it was shewn, that this had been the universal practice, Book II. when a new case had occurred. This was testified by a number of the elderly ministers, who were members of the 1758. council; and that the calling of the council at Wallingford de novo, perfectly corresponded with their understanding of their adjournment without day, and to their universal prac- tice in all similar cases.
With respect to Mr. Robbins, it was alledged that he had been received as a member, both of the association and consociation ; that he was one of the committee of the association, and had before sat with the consociation. It was further observed, if any of the gentlemen to whom the letters were sent, had omitted the reading of them, it could by no means affcet the regularity or jurisdiction of the council.
The committee of the church and society further object- ed, that if the present convention was a regular consocia- tion, yet the case in question did not fall under their con- sideration, according to the constitution.
1. " The complainants were their own members, and have no right, by the constitution, to call a consociation, to sit in judgment upon them, and exercise jurisdiction over them."
2. " That as the matter of complaint against them, was only their proceeding in the choosing and calling a minis- ter, and what related to his ordination, it belonged to the ordination council, not to the consociation, to judge there- on."
3. " That if it should be granted, that an aggrieved member might bring the church to the bar, before the con- sociation, yet their members could not be aggrieved as yet ; for they had not settled a minister, and, therefore, they were not hurt yet."
To these objections, little was necessary to be said. The first objection was so evidently against the express provi- sion of the seventh article of discipline, that the simple words of it are a sufficient reply. This provides, " That any church in which any difficulty arises, which cannot be issued without considerable disquiet, may apply to the con- sociation, or that minister or member aggrieved with them, shall apply themselves to the council of the consociated churches of the circuit to which the said church belongs, who, if they see cause, shall thereupon convene, hear, and determine such cases of difficulty," &c. No words could be more express and determinate, as to the right which the aggrieved brethren had to make application to the conso- ciation for relief, and with respect to the duty of the consd.
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Book II. ciation to convene, and hear their grievance, and the obli- gations of the church to appear and answer to the com- 1758. plaint. Were not this the case, a church might exercise oppression over their minister, and the minor part of it, and they could have no relief. They might introduce Roman catholics, the most loose, profane and scandalous persons, into the church and into the ministry, to the great grief and distress of the most orthodox and pious people in it, and they could have no relief.
With respect to the second article, that the articles com- plained of were such as belonged to the decision of the ordination council, and not to the consociation, it was re- plied to this effect : That the articles of complaint were, that the church had not taken the steps prescribed in the constitution, in calling, and in proceeding to settle a gen- tleman, who does not hold to the doctrines of faith, and stands charged with heresy : that the consociated churches had received the doctrines of faith, as well as the articles of discipline, contained in the agreement made at Say- brook; and that the General Assembly had established the confession of faith, no less than the heads of agreement and articles of discipline : that the charge against the church was, their choosing such a person, and proceeding in such a manner, to obtain his ordination ; that this was the mat- ter to be submitted to trial ; and that the constitution knew of no council to try articles of complaint, but the consocia- tion. That the third article of discipline had confined the trial to the consociation, and, consequently, excluded the ordination council. The article provides, that "all cases of scandal that fall out within the circuit of any of the afore- said consociations, shall be brought to a council of the el- ders, and also messengers of the churches within said cir- cuit."
With respect to the third objection, that the complain- ants were not yet aggrieved, because Mr. Dana was not settled, it was considered as merely trifling. The church had proceeded to call Mr. Dana, and had taken all previ- ous steps to introduce him into the ministry, as pastor of the church, against a large and respectable minority, which was calculated to make a great division and separation in the church and town; a man whom they considered as not. sound in the faith ; whose doctrines they believed, instead of being salutary, would be destructive to the souls of men. He was now their pastor elect, and the church and society had called a council to ordain him. The consociation judged, and they believed that all mankind would esteem these to be grievances indeed.
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CHAP. XXV.
After these objections had been made, the consociation BOOK II. were for some time by themselves, debating upon them. Here, among other things, what were said to be the doings 1758. of a consociation at Branford, in April, 1709, were intro- duced. This paper was a piece of antiquity, which had lain useless, and almost wholly unknown, for six and thir- ty years, when it was produced at Branford, in the case of Mr. Robbins : it was then new to almost every minister present. It was introduced at Branford, to prove that Mr. Robbins and his church were consociated, and amenable to the consociation ; but at Wallingford, thirteen years af- terwards, it was improved by the same men, to show that the church there, which had always been consociated, was not subject to consociational jurisdiction. The explana- tion of the articles of discipline contained in this ancient paper, had never been improved in the county of New-Ha- ven, but in the case of Mr. Robbins in 1745, and now in this at Wallingford, to prove directly the contrary to what it had been judged to prove at Branford. It never had been adopted as a rule of action, by the consociation of New-Haven county, nor by any other in the colony. Be- sides, the pretended explanation had never been referred to any of the churches, for their acceptance ; nor could any record or proper evidence be produced, that the church at Wallingford, or any other of the consociated churches, had received the platform, or constitution, with any such ex- planation as that paper contained. The consociation, therefore, considered the explanation pleaded for of no weight, and that it was inconsistent in gentlemen to use it for purposes so directly opposite to each other.
It was also insisted on, by the gentlemen of the ordina- tion council, that the words in the parenthesis, in the sev- enth article, "or that minister or that member aggrieved with them," was explained by the next article, where it was provided, that there is not the same liberty to an of- fending brother to "call the said council, before the church to which he belongs proceed to excommunication in the said case, unless with the consent of the church ;" and that no pastor, or aggrieved individual, or individuals, could call a council to arraign the pastor, or a majority of the church, before it, and that it was subversive of the liberties of the churches. The consociation had an entire- ly different view of the seventh and eighth articles. That the eighth was no explanation of the seventh; and that the case of the offending brother was entirely different and distinct from that of an aggrieved pastor or brother.
When the objections against the jurisdiction of the con-
M 3
490
1
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CHAP. XXV,
Book II. sociation had been fully debated, and maturely considered, the question was put, " whether this consociation have a 1758. right to hear and determine, in relation to the complaint ex- hibited against the proceedings of the first church in Wal- lingford, with regard to the calling of Mr. James Dana, to settle in the gospel ministry among them ?" and passed in the affirmative. Upon this, the gentlemen who were of the ordination council, who had, till this time, joined and acted with the consociation, withdrew themselves wholly from it, and entered into, and presented to the consocia- tion the following protest :
" To the Rev. Mr. Samuel Hall, and other elders and messengers of churches, of this county, convened at the- house of Caleb Merriman, Esq. in Wallingford, and acting. or pretending to act, as the consociation of this county.
" We the subscribers, do hereby declare our dissent from, and protest against, whatever resolves may be come into, or determined upon by you, for the following reasons :
1. "Because, by the ecclesiastical constitution of this colony, a consociation may subsist by adjournment, for a year : a new consociation was called, and met last May, and continued themselves by adjournment, and must be- therefore now in being; yet the present convention was called together as a new consociation.
2. "Because one of the churches under the constitu- tion, in this county, was not notified to attend the conso- ciation by their delegates.
3. " Because you have voted, or resolved by a prerog- ative act, that Mr. Robbins, of Branford, may sit and act as a member of the consociation, who, with his church, have voted out the constitution, and refused to be regulated by it ; and accordingly did not lead his church to choose any delegate.
4." Because the special matters which, by complaint, lie before you, relating to the first church and society in Wallingford, and Mr. James Dana, are so brought, that, were you a regular consociation, they could not be taken cognizance of by you, consistent with the essential rights of congregational churches, and the plain directions of the constitution : and the resolve you have already come into thereupon; (if reduced to a precedent) will effectually de- prive the churches of their right to choose their own pas- tors, and to exercise church discipline."*
The consociation sent a copy of their determination, that they had a right to hear the complaint which lay before them. After this, both councils were adjourned until eight o'clock the next morning.
¥ Mr. Todd's Narrative, p. 40 ..
491
CHAP. XXV. CONNECTICUT.
The consociation met the next morning, according to Book II. adjournment, and came to the following resolve, viz. "Resolved by this consociation, that it shall be esteemed, 1758. and it is hereby judged disorderly, for any of the members of this consociation, or any other persons, to proceed to, or be assisting in the ordination of Mr. James Dana, to the gospel ministry, in the first church and society of Walling- ford, while the matter is depending before this consociation. And also, it is judged disorderly for the church in Walling- ford to proceed in receiving Mr. Dana for their pastor, by ordination ; and for him to accept thereof, until the com- plaint against Mr Dana, and the proceedings of said church, cognizable by this consociation, have been heard and de- termined. Therefore, this consociation earnestly beseech and desire the church to study the things which make for peace ; and all our members not to be assisting in the or- dination of Mr. Dana, and Mr. Dana not to accept thereof, till the matter is fully weighed and considered by this con- sociation, and full satisfaction given in the matters lying before this body. Voted. Test.
" WARHAM WILLIAMS, Scribe."
The consociation, at the same time, sent a resolve which they had previously passed, relative to the case of Mr. Da- na, which was in the following words, viz :
" At a meeting, &c.
" This consociation having duly weighed and considered the reasons offered by Mr. James Dana, why he is not bound, &c. resolved, that this consociation have cogni- zance of the matter, and a right over all who present them- selves as preachers and candidates for the ministry, in any of the consociated churches of this county ; so far at least, as to forbid, where there is occasion, any such candidates or preachers, to preach in any of the consociated church- es, or be ordained in and over them, until such candidates or preachers give full satisfaction to this consociation, to such matters of complaint as are regularly brought against them, before this body. Above voted and resolved. Test. " WARHAM WILLIAMS, Scribe .* "To Mr. James Dana."
In the morning, before they went to the meeting house for a public hearing, the ordination council made a propo- sal for the dissolution of both councils, each leaving their advice to all parties, to study the things which make for peace. The consociation declined an acceptance of this proposal, and insisted that they could not put the case out of their hands, and leave it in the power of the church to
* Mr. Todd's Narrative, p. 50, 51.
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CHAP. XXV.
Book II. call another ordination council, and settle Mr. Dana, be- fore the consociation could come together again. At the 1758. same time, they were very desirous that both councils should adjourn, and have further time for consideration. For this purpose, the Rev. Mr. Merrick and others, were appointed a committee, to treat with the ordination coun- cil, and they expostulated with them, in as tender and moving a manner as possible, that the matter might be de- ferred for some time ; that the heat which then appeared might, in some measure, subside ; and they gave them as- surance, that the consociation would adjourn for a consid- erable time, if they would consent to a similar adjourn- ment. They urged that there was great danger of their breaking all in pieces, and of great and lasting divisions, if any thing was done suddenly." But the ordination coun- cil could not be persuaded to postpone the affair.
Several of the ordination council, when they perceived how matters were going, separated from them. The Rev. Mr. Fowler, colleague with Mr. Ruggles of Guilford, and Esq. Sacket of North-Haven, Mr. Stiles' messenger, sepa- rated from them immediately, as soon as they perceived they were about to form themselves into a council, distinct and separate from the consociation. Mr. Ruggles also, though he was prevailed upon to sign the protest, yet he was so affected with the affair, that he withdrew from them in the morning, and did not assist in the examination or ordination of Mr. Dana.
The gentlemen of the ordination council having sepa- rated themselves from the consociation, after some con- sultation upon the affair on which they had been convened, at Wallingford, put the question, "Whether this council hath a right to proceed upon matters relative to the ordina- tion of Mr. James Dana, to the pastoral office in the first society in Wallingford, and over the church in said socie- ty ?" and the vote passed in the affirmative.
Upon the desire of the committee of the church and of Mr. Dana, the ordaining council adjourned to the meet- ing house, with a view to give the committee an opportu- nity to publish their proceedings in calling Mr. Dana, and that he might also have an opportunity publicly to mani- fest his orthodoxy.
After this public hearing in the meeting house, the or- dination council returned to madam Whittelsey's, the place of their meeting. The following question was then put, " Whether the church and society have proceeded regu- larly in their application unto, and call of the said Mr.
* Mr. Eelle' Narrative, p. 36.
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CHAP. XXV. CONNECTICUT. 493
Dana, to the pastoral office among and over them ?" Vo- Book II. ted in the affirmative. The question was also put, " Whether Mr. Dana hath vindicated himself, with respect 1758. to the charges and allegations against him, to the satisfac- tion of this council ?" Voted in the affirmative.
The ordination council then proceeded to an examina. tion of the candidate, and after examination, the council voted their satisfaction, with respect to Mr. Dana's knowl- edge, orthodoxy, and ministerial qualifications. Mr. Da- na, at the same time, declared his willingness to settle and take the care and charge of the first church in Wallingford, under the ecclesiastical constitution of this colony.
The consociation, before the ordination council had de- termined to ordain Mr. Dana, certified them, that there were ninety-five in opposition to Mr. Dana's ordination. They represented that they possessed half the rateable es- tate in the society .* The moderator intimated to the or- dination council, that he considered this as a strong ob- jection to the ordination of Mr. Dana. Some of the oppo- sition were men of principal character in the town, and were possessed of the greatest estates in it.
The ordination council, notwithstanding the prohibition and earnest entreaties of the consociation, proceeded to the important question, " Whether the council will pro- ceed to the ordination of the said Mr. James Dana, to the work of the gospel ministry, in said first church and socie- ty in Wallingford ?" Voted in the affirmative. The Rev. Mr. Todd, one of the council, says, " We looked upon it, that we were called of God to ordain Mr. Dana."t
· The council accordingly proceeded, in these peculiar Ordina- circumstances, to ordain Mr. Dana at Wallingford.
tion of Mr. Dana,
In consequence of this extraordinary transaction, in op- Oct. 12, position to, and in face of the consociation, this body came 1758. to the following resolve, viz :
A complaint being exhibited to this consociation, against the proceedings of the first church in Wallingford, in call- ing Mr. James Dana, of Cambridge, to settle in the work of the gospel ministry with them, as being contrary to the rules of agreement, as set forth in the Saybrook platform ; and the charges against Mr. Dana, in regard to his princi- ples in religion, by Caleb Merriman, Esq. a member of said church, and sundry others : and said first church in Wallingford and Mr. Dana, being regularly cited to ap- pear before the said consociation, to answer respectively to the complaints against them : appeared accordingly,
* Mr. Eells' Narrative, p. 10, 11 and 33.
i Mr. Todd's Narrative, p. 50 to 54,
-
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Book II. but denied the jurisdiction of the council, which being overruled by the consociation, it was judged disorderly 1758. for any of the members of this consociation, or any other persons, to proceed to, or be assisting in the ordination of Mr. Dana, &c. Copies of the resolve of the said consocia- tion, in regard to overruling the pleas of the jurisdiction, &c. were sent, &c. who were notified that the consociation was open, and ready to hear their defence ; but they whol- ly refused to appear and plead. And likewise a copy of the resolve, relative to its being disorderly to proceed to the ordination, while, &c. was, by order of the consocia- tion, sent to the Rev. Joseph Noyes, moderator, &c. ; and sundry endeavors to find some measures of healing the great and unhappy differences in Wallingford first society, were used, but proved ineffectual. Notwithstanding, in di- rectopposition to the consociation, and before there was time. or opportunity to come to a final resolve or result in the af- fair, sundry members of the consociation, with other per- sons, proceeded to assist in the ordination of Mr. Dana, &c. ; the said church and Mr. Dana submitting thereto. In this distressed, disordered state of the church and socie- ty in said Wallingford, this consociation, desiring its peace and edification, and that gospel order, according to the constitution of these churches, may be maintained ; and considering that the consequences of this whole affair may be very important ; and that the honor of religion, and this communion of the churches in this county, are nearly con- cerned, would not be hasty and precipitate in coming to a a final determination in this affair ; but think best to ad- journ this consociation to the 31st day of this instant Oc- tober, &c. And whereas this case, as now circumstanced, seems great in the nature of it, and of general concern, this consociation being desirous that it might be issued with the greatest safety to the churches, think it best to be referred to a fuller council; and therefore desire the moderator of this consociation, in the name and behalf of the same, to apply to the consociation of the southern dis- trict of the county of Hartford, to convene at the time and place above mentioned; to join with this consociation in hearing and determining the case, with respect to Mr. Da- na and the first church in Wallingford, lying before this body, antecedent to the ordination, and their disorderly walking, in proceeding to the same, contrary to the resolve of this council. And the moderator is desired to cite the Rev. Mr. Dana, and the first church in Wallingford, to ap- pear before the said adjourned consociation, joined by the
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CHAP. XXV.
consociation above mentioned, at the time, &c. to answer Book II. to the things referred to, &c.
Test. WARHAM WILLIAMS, Scribe.
1758.
To exhibit these extraordinary transactions in a clear point of light, it ought to be stated, that by the agreement at Saybrook, Article XII. the whole business of examining candidates and recommending them to the work of the min- istry, had been committed to the pastors of the several counties ; and from the very commencement of the agree- ment, the associations examined all their candidates, and recommended them as persons qualified for preaching the gospel, antecedent to their preaching at all, and that when any vacant church was about to call a candidate for settle- ment over them, it was done by the previous advice and recommendation of the pastors of the county. This, in particular, had been the practice in the county of New- Haven, as is evident by the records of the association. . No association in the colony had been more rigid in this point, than they. They expressed their displeasure against the church and people at Salisbury, for calling an unex- ceptionable candidate, who had been examined and re- commended as a proper person for the ministry, and they excluded a number of the ministers of the association from associational communion, because they ordained him with- out their advice. They had been consulted by the church of Wallingford, before Mr. Dana preached to them. With respect to Mr. Dana, it does not appear that he had ever been examined or recommended as a candidate, by any as- sociation or body of ministers. It was not the general practice in Massachusetts to examine and recommend their candidates. Mr. Dana was, however, recommended by two ministers, in letters to the church at Wallingford, at the time of his ordination. The Rev. Mr. Appleton writes thus of him, " The superior gifts with which God hath en- dowed your pastor elect, attended with a sober life, &c. gives a good foundation to hope and trust, that he will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, and a great blessing to you and yours after you, if God shall spare his life." Mr. Tyler, of whose church he was a member, says, " By the grace of God he hath adorned the doctrine of God our Sav- jour, among us : we esteeming ourselves honored of God; that we can make you the present of a son of this church, to be over you in the Lord." This recommendation, front gentlemen at a great distance, without any intimation that they had ever examined him, was very different from the examination, recommendation, and advice of the associat- ed ministers of the county, to whom the church had made
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