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 52
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496
HISTORY OF
CHAP. XXV.
Book II. no application, and against whose opinion they were act- ing. Yet the ordination council voted that the church had proceeded regularly.
It was very extraordinary also, that the ordination coun- cil should object against the jurisdiction of the consocia- tion, because it was called de novo, when it was proved by the aged ministers, that this had been the universal prac- tice when a new case happened, and they themselves were witnesses to it, and could not produce a single instance to the contrary. Further, that they should vote the matters of complaint were before them, and proceed to judge upon them, when the aggrieved had exhibited no complaint to them ; had not been cited before, nor called, nor allowed to produce a single evidence, nor speak a word before them, in support of their complaint and grievances. They acquitted the accused delinquent upon his own declaration and statements, and judged the whole affair upon an en- tirely ex-parte hearing. This right the ordaining coun- cil pretended to claim by virtue of the ecclesiastical con- stitution of the colony, when, in fact, neither the articles of agreement, nor the articles of discipline, know of any such council ; and when the articles of discipline express- ly confine the hearing of all matters of scandal to a coun- cil of the consociation.
In these extraordinary measures they persisted, and when the united council convened, on the 31st of October, they would not answer before, nor submit to them. The council met and formed in a regular manner, and was the most numerous and respectable ever convened before in the colony, consisting of the most learned and pious di- vines in the counties of Hartford and New-Haven, and of deacons and justices of the peace, the principal men in the respective churches in the two counties. The Rev. Mr. Russell, of Middletown, was chosen moderator of the con- sociation from the county of Hartford; a gentleman of great respectability, for knowledge, experience, modera- tion, and for pacific measures, on all occasions. When the two consociations had formed, united, and opened with prayer, the committee of the church in Wallingford ap- peared before them, and denied the regularity and jurisdic- tion of the council thus united. They pleaded,
1. " The convention, that called themselves the conso- ciation of New-Haven county, was no regular consociation; consequently could not, according to the constitution, invite another consociation to join them ; nor could another join them.
2. " The ministers and messengers present, from Hart-
497
CONNECTICUT,
CHAP. XXV.
ford county, were not called together according to the con- Book II. stitution ; for the moderator of the last consociation of the southern district of Hartford county, is not empowered by 1758. the platform, to call another consociation, excepting witli- in his own circuit. The moderator might, with proper ad- vice, have called for a consociation in some place within the circuit thereof ; which consociation, if they saw cause, might vote to come to Wallingford, and sit with the New- Haven consociation, if there was one. But Mr. Russell did not call the council within their circuit ; but issued out his letters missive to the ministers and churches, directing them to meet at Wallingford.
3. " Two consociations could not, according to the con- stitution, be united, except there be some difficult case, to be referred to them to judge and determine. But the Wal- lingford case was finished, before the resolution of the pas- tors and messengers of the churches of New-Haven coun- ty, to call in another consociation."
The consociation from the county of Hartford, judged that the consociation of New-Haven, called at Wallingford, was a regular consociation, and consequently had a right to invite another consociation to unite with them.
With respect to Mr. Russell's not having power to call the consociation of the southern district of the county of Hartford to meet at Wallingford, it was judged that, as the seventh article in the constitution made ample provision, and gave special directions for the calling in of a neigh- boring consociation, it, in that case, extended the bounds of their action beyond the limits of their own particular district, and empowered them to act within the limits of the consociation which called them ; and that it must be, that the moderator had a right to call the consociation to the place where they were desired to meet; and that the calling of the consociation of the southern district of Hart- ford county, to meet at Wallingford, was regular. The adjournment of one consociation into the limits of another, they observed, had not the least countenance by the con- stitution ; and that it did not appear so reasonable, as to call it immediately to the place of action. They were fur- ther of opinion, that the making matters of mere form, in cases where there were no fixed rules essential to the be- ing and acting of an ecclesiastical body, was inconsistent with reason. The council was fully of the opinion, that the Wallingford case was not finished before assistance was called for, and that it was one of such magnitude, as. required the calling of the united council.
Objections were made to several gentlemen of the con-
N 3
498
HISTORY OF
CHAP. XXV.
Book II. sociation, but one only was excused from acting, with the council, who had a father in the minor party. All other 1758. objections having been considered and overruled, the coun -. cil was prepared to hear the complaints.
But that the fullest proof might be given of its earnest desire, if possible, to accommodate the difficulties at Wal- lingford, a committee was appointed to confer with Mr. Dana, and the parties, concerning a reconciliation. The committee reported the following proposal of the minori- ty, viz.
Proposal
nority.
" Whereas, the consociation of New-Haven county, and the consociation of Hartford county, south district, being of the mi- convened at Wallingford, to hear and determine certain difficulties in the first church and society in Wallingford ; and said consociation appointing a committee to reconcile the parties, we the subscribers, members of said church and society, and committee of the minor part, do offer at this time, to the church committee, and Mr. Dana, to have the consociation of the south district of Hartford county examine Mr. Dana's notes, referred to in the complaint ; and another sermon, preached the 8th day of October last; and also examine Mr. Dana, according to their method of examination, and if they find him sound in the faith of the gospel, (and also examine his moral conduct) and if they find him qualified for a gospel minister, we will consent to him, and receive him as our minister : but if he is not qual- ified as set forth above, then to have him dismissed.
JOHN HALL, 2d, STREET HALL,
ELIAKIM HALL, CALEB MERRIMAN,
DAN JOHNSON, DANIEL CLARK,
ABEL PECK, CALEB JOHNSON,
" Wallingford, Nov. 2, 1758. ISAAC JOHNSON."
Afterwards, they declared to Mr. Dana, and to the coun- cil, they were willing to concede, that what respected his moral character should not be regarded on trial. This proposal was rejected by Mr. Dana .* He refused to be examined by the consociation.
Before the council proceeded to any thing expressive of authority, friendly notice was given to Mr. Dana and the church, by Mr. Trumbull. But as this was not regarded, the council proceeded to cite Mr. Dana and the church to appear, and answer to the complaint. But they would not appear. The minor part conceived that they had received hard treatment from the majority, and as they would not consent to their proposal, they declined the reception of any proposals from the church, unless they would submit to the council.
* Mr. Eells' Narrative, p. 38, 39.
49,9
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As no mode of accominodation could be, at this time, Book II. conceded to, the council judged it expedient to appoint a committee of the elders and messengers, and to vest them 1758, with power to receive proposals from the parties, and to at- tempt, if possible, an amicable accommodation, and ad- journed until the last Tuesday of the then instant Novem- ber.
The council met on the 28th of November, according to adjournment. The council was now, generally, together. Some of the gentlemen of the council had received letters from men of character, relative to the controversy at Wal- lingford. It was the desire of a number of the council, who had seen those letters, that they might be read in council, as one from Mr. Ruggles to Mr. Trumbull had been, at the desire of some of the ordination council. They were read, while the names of the writers were concealed : this appeared to give offence to some of the gentlemen of the ordination council, and they soon after left the conso- ciation. All proposals of accommodation, made by the council, were rejected: neither Mr. Dana, nor the church, would treat with them as a consociation, but only as neigh- bours and private gentlemen,
The Rev. Mr. Russell manifested a great concern for the peace and union of the church and society in Walling- ford, and to effect an accommodation of the difficulties which had arisen there ; and urged some of the gentlemen of the ordination council to advise Mr. Dana, and use their influence with him, to comply with the proposal of-his ex- amination, as this, if he should approve himself to the coun- cil, would win a third part of the parish to be his friends, and would, at once, heal all their difficulties. At the same time, his refusal would fix them in their opposition. But those gentlemen, instead of advising him to submit to an examination, advised him to draw up a confession of faith, and present it to the council. He accordingly presented a confession, and it was read, agreeably to his desire; but as some words were of doubtful meaning, and Mr. Dana would not be questioned as to his meaning, the council did not receive it as satisfactory .* Mr. Russell, and the rest
* CONFESSION .- " I believe there is one only living and true GOD : That the scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of GOD : That the scriptures teach the doctrine of the Trinity. Accordingly, upon the au- thority of the scripture, I believe that the Father is GoD; that the Son, even JESUS CHRIST, is GOD; and that the HOLY GHOST is GOD ; and that these three are one : and that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. I believe that, by the apostacy of Adam, the whole world are become guilty before Gon, and that mankind is univer- sally corrupted and depraved. I believe that GoD, who is the sovereign Df the world, purposed, from everlasting, in his unerring wisdom and infinita
500
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Book II. of the council, were much affected with what they esteemed the obstinacy of Mr. Dana, and the church, that they would 1758. not comply with what they imagined the most reasonable terms of accommodation. The council, convinced that all attempts for an amicable accommodation, were in vain, came to the following result, viz :- " At an ecclesiastical council, consisting of the consociation of New-Haven coun- ty, called and convened according to the constitution, Oc- tober 31st, 1758, at the house of Charles Sperry, in Wal- lingford, first society ; to hear and determine certain arti- cles of complaint against the Rev. Mr. James Dana, and the first church in Wallingford, dated in said Wallingford, Sept. 25th, signed by Caleb Merriman, Esq. and others, members of said church, in regard to the principles of said Mr. Dana, and the proceedings of said church, in calling him to settle in the work of the gospel ministry among them, originally exhibited to the consociation of the county of New-Haven, which met on the 10th instant, at the house of Caleb Merriman, Esq. in said Wallingford ; and also to determine, in regard to the conduct of Mr. Da- na, in submitting to be ordained as pastor of the first church in Wallingford; and their promoting said ordina- tion, and receiving him as their pastor on the 12th instant, contrary to a resolve of the consociation of New-Haven county ; which difficulties, being great in their nature, and of general concern, were referred by said consociation to the decision of the present council :
" The council was opened with prayer :
" The Rev. Mr. Dana, and the first church in Walling- ford, having been regularly notified, appeared ; but denied the regularity and jurisdiction of the consociation of New- Haven county, convened at the house of Caleb Merriman, Esq. in Wallingford, on the 10th inst. and also of the pres- ent council. Their pleas against irregularity, having been
goodness, to call and save some of the apostate race of man : That he appointed his own Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, to undertake and ac- complish this great work : That for this end, he became man, and died upon the cross, a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of those that should be- lieve in him : That the condition of justification and acceptance with Gon, according to the gospel, is true faith in CHRIST, which will produce good works ; and that there are no works truly good, but what proceed from a principle of faith : That they who are brought into a state of favour with Gop, are, and must be born again, by the renewing and sanctifying influ- ences of the Spirit of GOD ; and that none of the TRULY ELECT will fall short of final salvation ; but that where Gon has begun a good work, he will carry it en to the day of CHRIST. I believe that the grace of Gon is free and sovereign in calling, justifying, and sanctifying any of the sinful children of men. I believe in the resurrection of the body, the general judgment, and a future state of eternal retribution." Mr. Todd's Narra- tive, p. 73.
1
501
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heard. and deliberately considered, were overruled. The Book II. council being desirous to use the most healing methods, then sent a committee to the Rev. Mr. Dana, and church, 1758. and aggrieved brethren, to endeavor some methods of re- conciliation. This proving ineffectual to reach the good end proposed, it was resolved, after having duly weighed the pleas made on each side, that this council has a right to hear and determine the complaints exhibited against the Rev. Mr. Dana, and the first church of Christ in Walling- ford, of which they were informed; but refusing to ap- pear, the council thought proper, anew, to cite Mr. Dana and the churches committee, to appear and answer the com- plaint against them. After this, Mr. Dana signified to us in writing, that he had denied our jurisdiction, and should make no farther appearance. Being still earnestly desir- ous of an accommodation, we appointed some Rev. elders and messengers, to treat with Mr. Dana, and the church and the aggrieved brethren separately, to heal their unhap- py difficulties, which proved ineffectual. The council ad- journed to the last Tuesday of November next, to meet at 11 o'clock, in the forenoon, at the house of Charles Sperry, in Wallingford first society. Nov. 28, the council met ac- cording to adjournment, and procceded to the following re- sult.
"It appears to this council, that the ordination of Mr. Dana was carried on contrary to the judgment and ex- press prohibition of a regular council of the consociated churches of New-Haven county, convened according to the ecclesiastical constitution of the churches in this colony ; and whilst a complaint against Mr. Dana, for heterodoxy in principles, lay regularly before said council ; and Mr. Dana had been guilty of scandalous contempt, in refusing to make answer thereunto, before said council : Therefore we judge, that the ordination of Mr. Dana was contrary to the word of God, and the ecclesiastical constitution of the churches in this colony : And said Mr. Dana, since such his ordination, having refused to answer to said articles of complaint before this united council, we judge him guilty of scandalous contempt, and that he cannot be acknowl- edged and received as a regular minister of Christ, or preacher of the gospel, by these churches ; and therefore, we judge, that the pastoral relation of the said Mr. Dana, to the first church in Wallingford, ought to be dissolved, and it is hereby dissolved ; and said Mr. Dana is hereby dismissed from said church. And whereas, the greater part of the first church in Wallingford have promoted the ordination of the said Mr. Dana and received him as their
502
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CHAP. XXV:
Book II. pastor under these circumstances ; and chose Samuel Hall, Esq. and others, a committee, with instructions to appear 1758. before this council and deny their jurisdiction ; and the said committee appeared before this council, and in the name of said church, denied their jurisdiction, and refused to submit to their determinations : With respect to Samu- el Hall, Esq. and the rest of said committee, they and all the other members of said church, who acted in choosing said committee, and giving the instructions aforesaid, in case they continue to adhere to the said Mr. Dana, until the third Tuesday of March next, shall be adjudged guilty of scandalous contempt, and the sentence of non-commun- ion declared against them. And further, unless the said Mr. Dana shall, between this present time and the third Tuesday of March next, submit himself to this council and their determinations, the sentence of non-communion shall be declared against him. Voted in council,
" Test. EDWARD EELLS, "WARHAM WILLIAMS, S council.
Scribes of the
" The council then adjourned until the third Tuesday of March next, then to meet at Wallingford, at the house of Charles Sperry : and if the moderator should judge it ex- pedient, he might call the council to meet at Wallingford, at any time, between the time of adjournment and the aforesaid third Tuesday in March next.
1759.
" The council met according to adjournment, at the house of Charles Sperry, in Wallingford first society, March 20th, 1759, and came to the following resolution :
" It being so ordered by divine providence, that this council is not so full as might be desired in affairs of so great importance, we think it expedient to defer the sen- tence of non-communion against Mr. Dana and Samuel Hall, Esq. and others, who have not complied with the de- termination of this council, unto our next meeting : And also, on account of some other important affairs to be trans- acted, to adjourn : and this council is hereby adjourned unto the first Tuesday in April next, at eleven o'clock forenoon, (but in case the public fast is on that week, to the second Tuesday of April, at eleven o'clock forenoon) at the house of Charles Sperry, in Wallingford first socie -. ty."
This council met, according to adjournment, at the house of Charles Sperry, in Wallingford, first society, April 3d, 1759, and proceeded as follows :
" Whereas, this united council have judged Mr. James Dana guilty of scandalous contempt, as expressed in our result; and have used proper measures, in order to bring
CHAP. XXV.
CONNECTICUT.
him to a sense of his sinful conduct, and exercised due Book II, patience, he continuing obstinate : we do therefore, ac- cording to that divine direction, 2 Thes. iii. 6, and ac- 1759. cording to the rules of our ecclesiastical constitution, de- clare him to be unworthy of the communion of churches ; and that henceforth we will not hold communion with him, in any acts of ecclesiastical discipline, or special ordinan- ces : and according to our ecclesiastical constitution, the churches are to approve this sentence, by withdrawing com- munion from him, which we advise, and expect according- ly."
" Voted in council.
" Whereas, the greater part of the first church of Christ in Wallingford, have promoted the ordination of Mr. James Dana, and received him as their pastor, contrary to the prohibition of the consociation of New-Haven county, while a charge of hetcrodoxy regularly lay against him, before said consociation ; and chose Samuel Hall, Esq. and others, a committee, with instructions to appear before this council, and in the name of said church, to deny their jurisdiction, and refuse to submit to their determination : and whereas, this council (as appears in our result, in the session, Nov. 23th, last) have judged, with respect to Sam- uel Hall, Esq. and the rest of said committee, and all the other members of said church, who acted in choosing the said committee, and giving the instructions aforesaid, that, in case they continue to adhere to the said Mr. Dana, and acknowledge him as their pastor, until the third Tuesday of March next, they shall be judged guilty of scandalous contempt, and the sentence of non-communion declared against them : And whereas, the above mentioned Samuel Hall, Esq. &c. have, notwithstanding, continued to adhere to the said Mr. James Dana, and acknowledged him as their pastor; we judge said Samuel Hall, Esq. and the rest of the committee, and all the members who acted in choosing said committee, and giving the instructions afore- said, guilty of scandalous contempt ; and proper measures having been taken to bring them to a sense of their sinful conduct, and due patience used, they still continuing obsti- nate : we do now, according to that divine direction, 2 Thessalonians, iii. 6, and the rules of our ecclesiastical con- stitution, declare them to be unworthy of the communion of churches ; and that, henceforth, we will not hold commun- ion with them, in any acts of ecclesiastical discipline, or special ordinances ; and according to the rules of our ec- clesiastical constitution, the churches are to approve this sentence, by withdrawing communion from them; which "we advise, and expect accordingly.
-
504
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CHAP. XXV.
BOOK II. " And while we declare those members who adhere to Mr. Dana, and are now under sentence of non-commun- 1759. ion, to have fallen off from our ecclesiastical constitution : we acknowledge the remaining members as the consoci- ated church in the first society in Wallingford, and are de- termined to treat them accordingly.
" Voted in council.
" This council do appoint the Rev. Messrs. Jonathan Merrick, John Trumbull, Mark Leavenworth, and Benja- min Woodbridge, messengers ; deacons Ithiel Russell, Jonathan Guernsey, Mr. Stephen Hopkins, and deacon Theophilus Baldwin, a committee of this council, to stand in that capacity for the space of four months from this date, to whom any, or all the members of the first church in Wallingford, now under the sentence of non-communion, may apply ; and upon their manifesting repentance, they are empowered, in the name of this council, to take off the sentence they are under, and restore them to the privileges of the consociated churches : and if any member shall ne- glect to apply to the committee aforesaid, within four months, they may afterwards apply (if they desire it) to the moderator of the consociation of New-Haven county, to call the consociation of said county, for the purpose afore- said."
A complaint being exhibited to this council, dated March 22, 1759, by several members of the first church of Christ in Wallingford, against the Rev. Messrs. Joseph Noyes, Isaac Stiles, Theophilus Hall, Samuel Whittelsey, Jona- than Todd and Chauncey Whittelsey, elders, and Robert 'Treat, Nathaniel Ruggles, Thomas Darling and Ezekiel Royce, messengers, and members of the consociation of New-Haven county, for breaking off from said consocia- tion, and aiding and assisting in the ordination of Mr. James Dana, &c. ; the persons complained of were properly notified. Several of them appeared personally, and others, by letters, denying our jurisdiction, &c. The council not thinking it proper to act upon the abovesaid complaint, the complainers withdrew it. This council having already, in our result, condemned the ordination of Mr. Dana, as contrary to the word of God, and the ecclesi- astical constitution of the churches in this colony, have therein condemned the ordination council, or those who were active therein : We think it our duty more explicitly to declare our judgment relating to them, which is, that they have so violated the good rules of our ecclesiastical constitution, that they ought to be treated as disorderly persons, and not fit to sit in any of our ecclesiastical coun-
CHAP. XXV.
CONNECTICUT.
505
cils, until they shall clear up their conduct, to the satisfac- Book IT. tion of the consociation of New-Haven county, for their disorderly breaking off from them, and aiding and assisting 1759. in Mr. Dana's ordination. And we advise the moderator of said consociation, to call the consociation, upon applica- tion made to him by said gentlemen."
Voted in council.
Test. EDWARD EELLS, Scribes of the
WARHAM WILLIAMS, S council.
Though this council was composed of some of the most Dispute re- respectable gentlemen of the clergy and churches in the lative to the trans- colony, for literature, age, and candour; and though they actions at took great pains to compromise the difficulties at Walling- Walling- ford, and appeared to act with coolness and patience, yet ford. their doings were cried out against by the gentlemen of the ordination council, and others who engaged in their cause, as unconstitutional and tyrannical, depriving the churches of their most essential rights. Many hard and severe things were said of them. The Rev. Mr. Todd, who was one of the ordination council, wrote a narrative of the transactions at Wallingford, even before the united council had finished their result. The Rev. Mr. Hart, of Saybrook, wrote against it immediately. He wrote in a high and positive strain, condemning the council, and insisting that their do- ings were wholly unconstitutional, and inconsistent with. the essential rights of the churches.
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