USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > A record and documentary history of Simsbury > Part 23
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"Voted to give him £.45. for his first years salary, and Fifty pounds for his second years salary, £.55 for his third years salary; and Sixty pounds for his fourth years salary; and then sixty pounds a year for his annual standing salary", "during his continuance in the work of the miniftry in this Society", to be paid annually. "Also voted to give unto the Said Mr Roots anually Twenty five Cord of Good Sound fire wood, to be Cut Eight feet Long, or Shorter, and brought and Laid by his House, or place of abode in said Society, Con- venient for his use, anually during his continuance in the work of the ministry in this Society". It was further stipulated and covenanted with Mr. Roots "that provided he shall be difmifsed, and it shall appear it was through his Default, he shall pay back to this Society Such proportion as shall be agreed upon by Said Committee with Said M' Roots". It is interesting to observe with what special care and cautiousness the fathers contracted with their ministers in the matter of settlement; and with what exactness their business affairs were transacted, - and how obsequiously they deferred to the
278
Soc. Rec. B. 1. P. 48
counsels and advice of the Association, and neighboring ministers.
It was "Further voted that Dea. Michael Humphrey, and Dea. Jos. Case wait on ye Rd Afsociation or their Committee, for their advice further with Refpect to his Settlement in this Society, when he Shall pafs his Examination before ordination". It would seem that the "Committee of the As- sociation" met in Simsbury, with reference to these matters; as, in July, 1757, it was "Voted that this Society Continue their Call, proposals and offers to Mr Benajah Roots to in- courage him to Settle in the work of the miniftry in this Society, and that Captain Jonathan Pettibone, Dea. Jofeph Case, and Lt David Phelps be a Committee to prefer this vote to Revd Mefsrs Elnathan Whitman, Hezekiah Bifsell and Edward Dorr, who are now in this Society: - in this vote there were 48 in the affirmative, and Since the vote was paft, there is Come in afirmative 7. - Negative 5. - "
"The following Votes were past with this Condition viz: provided the above named Reverend Gentlemen do advise to the settling of Said Mr Roots in this Society.
"Voted that the ordination of Mr Roots in this Society Ib. be wednesday ye Ioth day of August next, the afsociation Committee and Mr Roots concurring hereto.
"Lt Jonathan Humphrey to Inform Mr Roots of this vote, and defire his anfwer; which was accordingly done, and said Mr Roots Returned his answer to this meeting in writing; that he accepted the Call of this Society whereupon Said Society made Choice of Sd Mr Roots for their minifter as aforesd."
The occasion of settling a minister and his ordination was an important event. The people of all the neighboring towns, as well as all the people of the town where the event was to take place, were expected to be in attendance. It was a gala day for the town. Great preparations were made. The following named persons were "Nominated" "to keep Houses of public entertainment" "upon the day of ordination", (and of course they were authorized to keep and sell liquors for the occasion,) "viz: Mr Gideon Mills, Mr Joseph Humphrey,
Ib. P. 49
1757.
P. 49
279
1757 Soc. Rec. B. 1. P. 49
Capt Jonathan Case, Lt John Case, Mr John Slater, Mr Jona- than Case Jun', Sergent Thomas Barber, Mr Azariah Willcocks, Mr Samuel Lawrence, Lt Jonathan Humphrey, Capt Jonathan Pettibone, Mr Elifha Cornish, Sergt Brewfter Higley Jun", Mr Jacob Case, Mr Charles Case, Mr Thomas Marvin, Mr Amos Phelps, Mr Thomas Cafe, Lt William Willcockfon, Mr Joseph Tuller".
But the Society did not act alone and independently. The Church took action in concurrence as follows: "July 18th. A.D. 1757.
"I. Voted that this Church Make Choice of Mr Benajah Roots for their Paftor to Settle in the work of the miniftry in this Church. II. Voted that Capt Jonathan Pettibone, Dea. Joseph Case, and John Case be a Committee to prefer the votes of this meeting to the Revd Mefsrs Elnathan Whitman, Edward Dorr and Hezekiah Bifsell and to defire of them, whether they have any thing further to direct this meeting in the present affair.
"III. Chofe Dea. Michael Humphrey, Dea. Joseph Case and Lievt William Willcockson & John Humphrey Esq. to be a Committee to Confer with Mr Benajah Roots with Respect to Sending for and Choofing an Ordination Council to Afsist in and to ordain the said Mr Roots provided the Reverend As- sociations Committee now Siting in this place, Shall advise to the Settling the Said Mr Roots.
Ib. P. 50
"IV. Voted to Invite the Revd Mr. Elnathan Whitman, Revd Mr. Hez. Bifsell, Revd Mr Edward Dorr, Rev. Mr. Sam11 Tudor, Revd Mr Joseph Strong, Revd Mr Timothy Pit- kin, to come and Afsist in the Ordaining the Said Mr Benajah Roots in the work of the Gospel Miniftry in this Society; and also Voted, that the Said Mr Roots Shall Invite any Minister or Ministers, as he shall think proper to Join in an Ordaination Council, and that the aforenamed Church Com- mittee shall also send for them to join in said Ordaination. Also Voted that the aforefaid Church Committee appoint the Time of Said Ordaination, and of the preceding Fast, and who to preach on Said Fast Day, and to do any other Bufiness they Shall think proper previous to said Ordination".
280
In matters of the highest importance and in times of difficulty, our fathers recognized their dependence upon God and looked to Him for guidance, in manifestation of which they appointed and set apart days of Fasting, and of Thanks- giving, as the occasion indicated, and such days were faithfully observed.
It was "Also voted, that no Vote for the future, in this Church, Shall be esteemed a Vote, unless a Major part of the Voters then present, shall be active; and also that all the Votes that Shall be pafsed in this Chh for the future, shall be done & pafsed by Some Active Sign".
This rule of the Church has never been rescinded, but has often been neglected or forgotten - sometimes greatly to the detriment of the Church.
Mr. Roots was a man of rare ability and of sound doc- trine. It was not long before he was found to differ, on the Theological questions and doctrines, which were agitating the churches, from his brethren in the ministry, and from a con- siderable portion of his own parishioners. He differed from many of them on Baptism, - what it signifies and who were its proper subjects; the qualifications for admission to Church membership and other kindred matters, on all of which he was half a century in advance of the times. For several years harmony seems to have prevailed, though from the first, some individual members of his church could not assent to his teaching. At length the leaven of dissatisfaction began to work in the church. Mr. Roots was evidently a man of strong con- victions and unyielding in his opinions, Personal animosity arose against him. Some of his acts were offensive, so much so, that in November, 1768, at a meeting of the Society, a Com- mittee was appointed, "consisting of Capt John Case, Capt Jonathan Pettibone, and Capt Hezekiah Humphrey, John Owen, Mr Amos Phelps, Mr Azariah Willcocks, and Mr Elisha Cornish and Lievt Francis Barnard, to Treat with ye Revd Benajah Roots relative to his conduct in the Society the Year past".
What the "conduct" here referred to, and the nature of the difficulty between Mr. Roots and some members of the
1757.
Ib. P. 60
281
Society was, may be partially learned, or at least guessed at, from the following extract from the Church Records, of about that period, It is found in the Society Records.
Soc. Rec. B. 1. P. 50.
"At a metting of the Members of the first Church of Christ in Simsbury. Held at the meeting House in the first Society, in said Town, upon the 23ª day of August 1769, Warned by the Revd Benajah Roots Pastor of said Church, at the Special Request of Several of the Members of sd Church, to endeaver that the Difference Subfisting between sd Mr Roots and Capt Jonathan Pettibone, a Member of Said Church might be reconciled, and if not, to Try the minds of sd Church whether sd Captain Pettbone Should have Liberty to lay in his Complaint againft sd Mr Roots for his Defiring & Causing him to withdraw from ye Sacrament on ye 2d day of July last.
Ib. P. 50
"Said meeting was opened with Prayer. - after much Difcorse on the Subjects in Debate, said Complaint was Read, with an other complaint, wherein sd Capt Pettibone Charged Mr Roots with unchriftian Conduct, by his refufing to Certify that he, sd Pettibone was, by sd Chh, Chosen a Mefsenger to attend the Council Conveaned at Northington, at the intended Ordaination of Mr Rufus Hawley.
Ib. P. 50
"upon the Reading of Said Complaints, Sd Capt. Petti- bone moved & urged that, Seeing this Chh Could not Deter- mine said Causes, according to the Conftitution of this Colony the Minds of Sd Meeting Might be then tryed whether the Chh Did not confent he should Move & Carry Sd Complaints to ye next Con fociation to be conveaned at Salmon Brook, in October next, which Question Sd Mr Roots Refused to put to Vote & Said the meeting was Difsolved; and imediately left the Meeting House. The members of Said Meeting mostly Remaining in Sd Meeting House; - and by Desire, Hez. Humphrey Esq. put the Q: Whether Capt Pettibone Should have Liberty to prefer his aforesd Complaint which had been Red, to the hearing of the next Confociation to be conveaned at Salmon Brook in October next. - Voted in the Affirmative, and by Defire of said meeting, here recorded '.
"John Owen Clerk".
282
Evidently there was a bitter grudge against Mr. Roots entertained by a small number of individuals in the Society. In consequence of this personal ill feeling, strong efforts were made to allay it, and measures were taken by the church and Society to bring about a reconciliation between them. These efforts resulted, after long resistance on the part of Mr. Roots, in the call of a mutual Council, in 1770, "to hear and give their sentiments upon sundry exceptions which cer- tain members of his Church had to make to some of Mr. Roots" 'tpoints of doctrine", and also to some instances of his conduct "relative to Church Disfipline".
No formal charges were made, but the matters of differ- ence between Mr. Roots and these individual members of the church were laid before the council, for its opinion and ad- vice. The "Result" of this Council, and a "Letter from Mr. Roots to a Friend", were published shortly afterwards, in the same year. From the latter it appears that "these ex- ceptions were made only by two men". These two men had minuted down sentences from his discourses, which had been delivered years before. "Some of them eight, nine and ten years old". And Mr. Roots says: "It ought further to be ob- served, that the passages said to be taken down from my discourses, as exceptional, were only detached sentences, or parts of sentences; which, standing thus alone and uncon- nected might appear quite otherwise, than they did in their connection as delivered." These exceptions, sixteen in num- ber, were laid before the Council, and examined, seriatim, and an opinion given upon each. They referred mostly to theological questions, which the Council could not settle and which are matters of controversy, even at the present day. Some of these exceptions were the following:
"Baptism does no good to the infant". The Council remark upon this as follows: "We look upon this to be an assertion which the Scriptures will by no means warrant or justify". "What tolerable reason can be given, why God hath appointed that children should be baptized, if it is of no advantage to them? - it might as well be deferred till they are grown. Moreover, who can tell but that baptism, which is designed
283
Ib. P. 62
Ecclesiastical Rec., probably not in Soc. Rec.
to signify the washing away of sins, is, in some instances at least, effectual to this purpose, even to infants?" In reply and explanation, Mr. Roots says: "The two propositions which were the subject of the discourse containing the passage ob- jected to, were these, viz: - First, 'That water Baptism is not regeneration". - and secondly, 'That water Baptism finally will be of no service to the Subject without spiritual Baptism, or the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.'" These teachings of Mr. Roots interfered with the then prevalent opinions and practice in regard to persons "owning the covenant" and unit- ing with the church, on the "Half-way covenant", for the sake of having their children baptized. The want of space forbids the insertion of the opinions and criticism of the Council on all the "exceptions" laid before them. One more must suffice. "The IIth Specification was 'The plowing of the wicked is Sin'. '12. That natural men hate God, for what he is in his moral character' ". Mr. Roots, in defense says, "These expressions I own, - nor do I think they are stronger than those the apostle uses on the subject. Rom. 8.7. 'The carnal mind is enmity against God.' ". He quotes Jonathan Edwards, in a long extract from a sermon, in which he says, "A natural man is averse to communion with God". - and again, - "There is in every natural man a seed of malice against God", etc.
In these sentiments of Mr. Edwards, Mr. Roots fully con- curs which he contrasts with the deliverance of the Council.
The Council say. - "We dont think that all unregenerate men have such a hatred towards God, because 'tis almost if not altogether inconsistent with all desires of the Divine favour and with all endeavours after it; or of reconciliation unto God". "A man can no more desire comunion with another whom at the same time he perfectly hates, in the sense above, than he can serve God and Mammon".
These extracts indicate in some degree the character of the preaching and preachers of those times.
1770.
The result of the Council, though not expressly ap- proving, did not strongly censure Mr. Roots for his doc- trines, "and", says the latter, "as to the exceptions to some
284
instances of my conduct relative to Church discipline, no fault is expressly found by the Council only with respect to my dismissing the Church meeting, which they are pleased to say they think was hastily and imprudently done". The Council, however, did not provide for a dissolution of the Pastoral relation, but on the contrary resolved, "that they hoped that one and all will study the things that make for peace and mutual edification."
But the controversy was not settled. In November, 1770, the Society held a meeting, "to fee if some means can be used to heal the Divifions Subfisting between Some Members of this Society and ye Revd Mr Roots, relative to Some Points of Doctrine which he holds, contrary to ye Opinion of the late Council, in this place"; - "21y, if unsuccessful in this, to see whether the Society will take some method to carry thefe Matters and lay them before the Revd Confociation for their Determination on these Points of Doctrine"; - "and Thirdly If the Sd parties cannot come to a proper agreement respect- ing these points of Doctrine" to consider the question whether "Sd Society will further to Improve him for a Preacher"; - and the Society adjourned to consider these particulars. At the adjourned meeting in December, a Committee was ap- pointed, "to take into Confideration Some things that have been Controverted in this Society relating to Church Difa- pline; And also relating to Some Points of Doctrine, and to Examine and See how far we are agreed among ourSelves rela- tive to Doctrine and Practice and to Draw up in writing Such Articles as said Committee shall be agreed in, and lay them before this Society at some future Time." The Committee chosen for this purpose were, "John Owen, Dea. Joseph Case, Dea. William Willcocks, Capt Jonathan Pettibone, Hezekiah Humphrey Esqr., Capt John Case, Sergt Amos Willcocks Esqr, Abel Pettibone, Lt Sam11 Lawrence, Mr Amos Phelps, Enfn Brewfter Higley, Capt Jonathan Humphrey, Sergt Elifha Cornifh, Mr Jonathan Noble & Enfr Elifha Phelps."
Soc. Rec. B. 1. P. 62
1770.
P. 62
Here was a Committee of fifteen of the solid, strong- minded and most intelligent citizens of the town, appointed
285
1771.
Sec. Rec. B. 1. P. 63
and selected by their fellow citizens, to agree and report upon the important matters committed to them.
At the present day it would be interesting, not to say ludicrous, to see an Ecclesiastical Society holding a meet- ing for the purpose of framing and adopting a religious and theological Platform of Principles, or articles of belief, on which to place not only themselves, but also the Church and Pastor; and "also of preparing articles relating to Church government and discipline". But this was done in 1770 by the First Ecclesiastcal Society of Simsbury. A meeting of the Society was held according to adjournment, - "and some Articles Relating to Church Government, and Difapline; and also Some articles relating to Some Points of Christian Doc- trine, Drawn up in writing by the Committee Chosen the Last meeting" being now read. "Then it was proposed whether the Articles relating to Church Government & Discipline, which was then Read, were agreeable to the Minds of this Society". Voted in the affirmative. "Then it was proposed whether the Articles then Read Relating to Some Points of Christian Doctrine are agreeble to the Minds of this Society". "Voted in the affirmative". Having thus laid down a Plat- form on which they could stand, the Society undertook the task of placing the minister upon it. But in this they were not successful. They "voted to Chufe a Committee to Treat with the Revd Mr Benajah Roots and lay before him the aforemen- tioned Articles Relating to Church Government and Difapline and Christian Doctrine and to request of him to give said Com- mittee his opinion or Answer relating to Each Article, that they may lay sd Answer before the Society; and also to request of Sd Mr Roots to warn a Church Meeting, that Said Articles may be laid before ye Church, to See if the Church will concur in Said Articles: and John Owen, Jonathan Pettibone Esqr, Mr Amos Willcocks, Capt John Case, Capt Jonathan Hum- phrey, Mr Elifha Cornish, Enfr Abel Pettibone, Mr Jonathan Noble, Capt Charles Case, Lt Francis Barnard & Dea. William Willcocks are chosen a Committee for the purpose aforesaid". The meeting then adjourned to the first Tuesday of February at noon, at which time, "after reading the report of the Com-
286
mittee last mentioned, a Letter from the Revd Benajah Roots was introduced and Read. It was then propofed and put to Vote. whether Said Letter was Satisfacoty to the Society Relative to his Practice and Doctrine, which was carried in ye Negative".
It was "Then voted to Chufe a Committee to apply to the Revd North Confociation of the County of Hartford, and to Request their advice and Judgment, relating to the con- troverfies Subfisting between some members of Said Society and ye Revd Benajah Roots with respect to his Doctrine and Practice", and said Committee was instructed to "request" of Mr. Roots "to join" in said application. The meeting then "adjourned to the 2ª Monday of June next", at which time the Committee reported that Mr. Roots "refused to comply with the Societies Request".
1771.
P. 63
The Committee were then directed to apply to the Revd Consociation for advice; and further, to request Mr. Roots to join with the Society "in preferring the Matters of Difficulty & controverfy Subsisting between the Members of this Society and him, ye Sd Mr Roots, to the Revd Consociation, for them to hear & determine the same".
P. 64
Again the meeting was adjourned to the 2d Monday of August. The meeting being opened, the Committee reported that Mr. Roots still refused to submit the matters of con- troversy to the Consociation. "The Society voted that the former Committee, viz: Jonathan Pettibone, John Owens Esq and Mr Amos Willcocks, should prefer the Complaint that is already Exhibitted to the Moderator of the last Confociation of ye County of Hartford against ye Reverend Benajah Roots, and to lay the Same before the Said Confociation, and re- quest their Determination on the articles of sd Complaint". The meeting then adjourned to October, to hear the report of the Committee, at which time, after hearing the report of the Committee, "It then was voted to defire the Society's Prudential Committee to give out Legal warning, to all the Inhabitants of this Society, allowed by Law to Vote in So- ciety Meetings, that they meet together at the Meeting House in Said Society on the Third monday of November next, to
1771.
P. 64
287
1771.
try the Minds of said Meeting, whether they will take any fur- ther Meafures, to heal the Differences Subfisting between the Members of this Society and the Reverend Mr Benajah Roots; or to have the Ministerial Union between the Said Mr Roots and this society Difsolved." In the meantime the Consociation "was convened at Simsbury, to hear and deter- mine upon the complaint, which had been laid before them, charging Mr. Roots with holding and publishing sundry un- sound, dangerous, and heretical doctrines, and some instances of conduct contrary to the scriptures".
The Consociation did not sustain the charges which re- lated to his character and conduct as a Pastor, "but they think that in some instances, he hath delivered unsound doctrine, but not of that importance necessary to occasion a Separation between minister and people. And they think if both pastor and people will exercise candor, charity and be- coming prudence, they may yet live comfortably together."
But the exercise of these Christian virtues was probably suspended on both sides; the desired result was not realized.
Again meetings were held for the purpose of agreeing upon terms of his dismission. At a meeting of the Society in Novem- ber, "it was proposed to Chufe a Committee to Treat with the Revd Mr. Roots on Terms of his Difmission from the work of ye Ministry among us." This proportion was carried by a vote of 58 in the Negative & 39 in the affirmative". To this record of the vote is appended by the Clerk, - show- ing perhaps his bias, - the following "N.B. - Several in the Negative have but small lifts, - and Some not legal voters".
1772
Ib. P. 65
Another meeting was called "by special request of Several Principal Inhabitants in February, 1772, when it was pro- posed to chuse a Committee to apply and treat with the Reverend Roots upon Some Terms of agreement for his Dis- mifsion from the work of the miniftry among us, and to Re- queft of him to Join with Sª Society in applying to the Reverend Moderator of the laft north Consociation of the County of Hartford, & to requeft of him to Send his Letters-Mifsive, to call together sd north Confociation, that Said Society and sd Mr Roots may have opportunity to lay the matters of
288
Soc. Rec. B. 1. P. 65
Controversy and difficulty yet Subfifting between the mem- bers of Said Society and Said Mr Roots before them", "and if they shall Judge best, To Difmifs the Said Mr Roots from the work of the Ministry among us". Voted in the "Affirmative."
In March, the Society held another meeting, when, "It was proposed to vote" "whether the Society will now proceed to take Some Measures to procure a Difmifsion of the Revd Benajah Roots from the work of the Ministry in this Society. Voted in the Affirmative. N.B. There were 41 in the affirmative & II in ye Negative".
Then it was voted "That the Society will agree with the Reverend Mr Roots to Chufe a Mutual Ecclefiaftical Council. That fhall have full power from the Society and ye Said Mr Roots, in the first place to Difsolve the union of Minister & People", etc. "Then Secondly, to take into their Confidera- tion all matters" that the parties "shall lay before them, relat- ing to Damages, viz: If upon a full hearing of the Parties, it shall appear the Society have wronged Mr Roots, on Account of their Conduct to him, the Said Council fhall fay So, and award how much Damages he ought to have, and the Society will pay it. But if it fhall appear Mr Roots has been to blame, and not anfwered the Societies Reafonable Expectation, at the Time of his Settlement, The Council shall Say So, and award such Damages to the Society as they fhall judge Just and Reasonable; and he the Said Mr. Roots shall pay it: and mutual Obligations shall be given, to abide such an award of Such Council."
It seldom occurs, that the question of Damages for Mal- practice in the pulpit is raised, but here the principle seems to be fully recognized.
A Committee was appointed "to prefer the foregoing votes of the Society to M' Roots, and Request of him a Con- currence in the Same." To this very reasonable proposition Mr. Roots returned a negative answer, but accompanied by pro- posals of his own, respecting damages, etc., "which the Society rejected by a large majority".
Then it was voted that a "Committee be now appointed", to act as agents of the Society, with full powers, "to En-
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