USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 21
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5 See Goodrich's History of Durham, p. 99.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
feeling anxious for improvement in sacred music, and the more intelli- gent became active in the matter. And the opposition offered did not deter the reformers from pressing their work. Some of the objections 1 to improvement were of this kind; one says, "I find it (the old way) raises my Affections much more than singing by a Rule." Another contended for the old way as "more solemn." Some in service would indicate displeasure at the innovation by various devices, such as stop- ping the ears, shrugging the shoulders, leaving the house,? &c.
At Farmington there was difficulty as early3 as 1725. The new method of singing had been adopted although not without opposition. It was indeed hard for the "untutored musical talent " to fall in with the improvements. Even if disposed to do about right, and avoid as far as possible all discords, the result could not be all that was desired. Confusion was sure to follow do as well as all might. Joseph Hawley 4 was fined five shillings, Feb. 19, 1725, " for breach of Sabbath " in that he had made "an unhappy discord in ye singing." Mr. Hawley in a memorial states his offense as follows, "Deacon hart ye Chorister one Sabbath day In setting ye psalm attempted to sing Bella tune-and your memorialist (Hawley) being used to ye old way as aforesd did not know bellum tune from pax tune and supposed ye deacon had aimed at Cambridge short tune and set it wrong whereupon your petitioner Raised his voice in the sd Short tune and ye people followed him except ye sd Smith & Stanley & ye few who sang allowed In Bella tune, & so there was an unhappy Discord as there has often bin since ye new singers set up &c."
The trouble in the church led Mr. Whitman to ask advice of the 5
1 Rev. Mr. Newcomb of New Haven, some years ago published an excellent article upon this question, which I have found suggestive and instructive.
2 See Dr. Porter's last Historical Discourse, p. 47. Also Colonial Records.
8 A case of withdrawal is referred to in Records of Hartford North Association, Oct. 6, 1728, where it is voted "disorderly " for a person to "stay " the Congregation when dismissed, " and it was further agreed that if ye same person should quickly after another sabbath stand up in ye house of God just before ye beginning of ye sabbath ex- greises of divine worship and demand of ye minister what he had done or what care he had taken to prevent ye disorder of singing, meaning Regular singing; and not meeting with an answer to his mind goes immediately out of ye assembly, withdraws commun- ion with y' church and assembly, and continues to do so, and that notwithstanding previous caution by his minister against such disorders; contemptuous and irreverant behavior and justly offensive and that a person so offending is bound to make penitent reflections on himself for such offenses, and that in case of obstinate refusal that ye church censures are to be dispensed to him."
4 Great-great grandfather of Gen. Joseph Hawley of Hartford, and father of Eben- ezer Hawley, one of the first Deacons of the Baptist church of this town.
5 Hartford North Asosc. Records. At a later meeting (June 6, 1727) this body passed a vote encouraging musical instruction.
25
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Association, Feb. 9, 1727, as " to what is to be done for peace sake among a people who have difference about the mode of singing in the Assembly." The advice given was this, " That it be not agreeable to the Custom of Community whether Civil or Ecclesiastical for the minor part to control the major, nor according to the Rule of order for the former to disturb the Latter. In the case above, however, we Judge it reasonable and convenient for the major to gratify the minor some- times especially in their own way of performing the service, when the Rule of singing is observed by them, which we can't but Judge to be most Decent and most agreeable to Scripture precept."
A month later the Farmington society voted to continue1 in " the former way of singing psalms," "that the controversy may be ended, &c."
The society in Southington, although young and small, contained many "excellent voices," and there was much interest felt in culti- vating these voices. We know nothing of the music in the church during the first few years, but the "good singing" of the people after 1740, was spoken of.2
In connection with the "revival troubles " of Mr. Curtiss, arose a difficulty-similar to that which fifteen years before had disturbed the Farmington society. But just how Mr. Curtiss became involved in it we do not know. The only document3 throwing light upon the matter. simply refers to it, and does not specify the ground the pastor took. It is reasonable to infer, however, from other facts already noticed at length, that those favoring the revivals may have added to their aggressive views,4 improvements in singing. At any rate there was a serious conflict of opinion between the pastor and many of the people.
The present generation would hardly endure the "lineing of the psalms," and then Sabbath after Sabbath have a half dozen tunes re- peated by drawling, discordant voices. The books at first were few, and it was customary for the minister (and sometimes the Deacon) to read line by line, or two lines at a time ; and then the singing fol- lowed. Some churches voted what tunes should be sung, and the number varied from six to twenty.
When Mr. Chapman was here, or about the time of his dismission, the church had become entirely subordinated to the society, and the latter controlled the music. It is said that some devout and conscien- tious members of the church refused to attend because of what they considered " worldly vanity " among the singers.
1 Dr. Porter's Discourse, p. 47. 8 Cook's diary.
2 A private diary in the Cook family.
4 It may have no significance but it is a fact that the prominent " singers " of the church down to the close of the century, were in the families opposed to Mr. Curtiss.
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IIISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
It is impossible to find out when they began to have "singing so- cieties," but they abounded in Mr. Chapman's day. Gradually the members of these societies controlled the music of the church, and this is said to have been the origin of choirs.1
Seventy-five years ago the choir of this church had a hundred members, and six choristers. Before this there had been a very large membership and from two to three choristers. But at a society meet- ing held March 10, 1801, the following persons were appointed: 1st chorister, James C. Carter; 2d, Martin Potter; 3d, Samuel Barnes; 4th, Chester Whittlesey; 5th, Jervis Root; 6th, Levi Smith.
About this time Mr. Whittlesey gave gratuitous instruction in vocal music to all in the town who desired it, and through his influence the choirs in both the Congregational and Episcopal churches became pro- ficient and quite celebrated. And he encouraged the use of instru- ments in the church, which was bitterly opposed by a large number.
During the last fifty years much attention has been given to music in the different churches. Charles Robinson, Selah Lewis, and others, after 1820, did much in organizing and drilling choirs and giving public concerts.
TEMPERANCE.
The first action taken in the town upon this question was by the pastor and members of this church. As in all New England towns there was here an extensive traffic and use of ardent spirits. There were several distilleries in the vicinity, and also several hotels and stores at which sales were made. And there were adulterations of liquors precisely as to-day. Many speak of the "pure" liquors of olden time. As to cider brandy, no doubt it was then always pure. But so-called foreign wines and brandies were by no means free from suspicion. I have in possession a receipt for adulteration, entitled " Directions for the Process in improving Spiritous Liquors, &c." It was found in connection with a License to sell, granted one hundred
1 " Hence the origin of choirs in this country. They grew out of circumstances. Those who had sung together, who thought and felt alike upon the great subject that had for years agitated almost every congregation in New England, would be very apt to seek each other on the Sabbath, and thus form a choir at once. Schools, too, had their influence in grouping the best singers, and uniting their influence and voices in the songs of the temple. And the very spirit of opposition to regular singing which had for many years existed, and which did exist for many years afterwards, being deeply scated in ignorance and prejudice, had its influence iu banding together those who had been so long or so virulently opposed. While there was much concerted ac- tion, there is no mention made of a regular choir, having separate seats, in any church for thirty or forty years; and they certainly did not become common until near the time of the American Revolution."-Hood's History of Music in New England, pp. 179-80.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
years ago. The document is certainly a century old, and may be older. Brandy, Gin, and Cordial could be made to order (and were), by using common whisky, and mingling "charcoal of soft woods," "roasted French prunes," "nitre," "rosin," and certain "oils," in suitable pro- portions. It cannot be doubted that most of the "imported " liquors used in the town were of domestic manufacture.
On all public occasions the amount of strong drink disposed of astonishes us as we think of it. At funerals and weddings, at Associa- tions and Councils, in social gatherings, at " raisings,"1 and at Sabba- day houses, the decanter was indispensable. Those still live who remember the rum and "mugs of flip " between services on the Sab- bath. The "best " was always reserved for the minister2 when he called. The bills3 run up at the stores were largely for strong drink.
Intemperance was the occasion of much discipline in the churches of the town. It was the means of ruining members of good families, and not a few estates were thus wasted. The evils were long seen and felt before any practical attempt was made to grapple with them.
The first action taken in the matter of temperance was about the year 1825. At this time Mr. Ogden had preached upon the subject and very warmly espoused the cause. It was some years before the people were ripe for any definite and vigorous efforts in this direction. Among the first who were practically interested in the work were Deacon Theodosius Clark and Stephen Walkley. So far as I can learn the first Temperance pledge was circulated about 1827-8, when the first public meetings were held. I am quite certain that no pledge was circulated before 1825. The position first taken by temperance men was not that of total abstinence, but against an intemperate use of ardent spirits. It is said that Mr. Ogden preached no more powerful sermons, nor more effective, than when he occupied this position. A large number were led to review their habits and the perils of the practice of moderate drinking; and many began to aban- don the use of strong drink altogether. But in two or three years a
1 Tradition says that several barrels were used at the raising and building of the second meeting house, and no small quantity at that of the third.
2 One of the present members of the church was a boy when Mr. Ogden made his first visits among the people. Coming to his father's house brandy was given the minister, but the family was content with rum or flip. He said he then felt that he " would like to be a minister so as to have the best drinks."
3 The following stand against familiar names :
£ s. d.
" to one gill of bitters, 00 6
to one nip of punch, 0 1 1 to one glass of Brandy, 0 0 to half nip of sling, 0 0 4"
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
step forward was taken, and the principle of total abstinence was adopted. Meetings were held in the several school districts, and addresses made by Mr. Ogden, Deacon Clark, and Stephen Walkley. The first Temperance organization of which I have documentary knowledge, is one in the year 1831, and the pledge is " That we will abstain from the use of distilled spirits except as a medicine in case of bodily infirmity; that we will not allow the use of them in our fami- lies; nor provide them for the entertainment of our friends, or for persons in our employment; and that in all suitable ways we will dis- countenance the use of them in the community." Of about two hund- red and eighty names affixed to this pledge Mr. Ogden's stands first. Some did not sign it who never touched strong drink, but had reasons of their own for refusing. Intemperance received its greatest blow and check in the years 1825-35. The moderation, but decision and consistency, of those then engaged in the movement, won for the cause a wide and substantial sympathy. The members of the church had taken hold of the evil, and dealt with it as a practical question. But then, there were quite a large number in the Congregational church and society opposed to anything more than a mild expression, and they resisted every public effort for the suppression of intemperance, that savored of much zeal. The question frequently came up in church meetings, but for the sake of harmony in all purely church matters it was deemed expedient by Mr. Ogden and others, to deal with the evil in the way of shaping and establishing a correct public sentiment. Hence the meetings that were held in the school districts.
But the church could not perpetually banish the question from its counsels. At several meetings before 1835 it had been agitated, but there was such a division of opinion as to the measures that should be adopted, that no votes were taken. The opposition to active temper- ance effort came chiefly from the old members of the church, who were slow to adopt either new views or new methods. It was out of respect to their judgment and feelings that decisive church action was not taken earlier. An extract from the minutes of a church meeting held Oct. 4, 1835, will illustrate this. A majority was really in favor of the first resolution, but " respect for age " led to its rejection:
"The following resolution was submitted by Brother Philo Barnes at a former meeting and assigned to be discussed at this: Resolved, That it is the opinion of this church that the using, the manufacturing, and the trafficking in ardent spirits as a drink after so much light has shone upon the subject, is an immorality and productive of great evil, and ought to be immediately abandoned.
" After a full and free discussion in a spirit of love, it was
" Voted, That it be indefinitely postponed."
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
" Brother Lowrey1 submitted the following as a substitute, which was passed: Resolved, That we hereby express our cordial approbation of the efforts of societies for the promotion of Temperance, that we rejoice in their influence, and that we extend to such societies our heartfelt wishes and prayers for their increased success."
Gradually, as light dawned upon the question, the church became more united in sentiment, so that the following was passed Jan. 18, 1838:
" Resolved, That we adopt it as a principle that no one be considered by us as a proper candidate for admission to this church who is in the habit of using distilled liquors."
The following was passed Feb. 11, 1833:
" It was taken as the sense of the meeting, though not by formal vote. that hereafter pure wine be procured for the Lord's table."
Oct. 1, 1837. a committee was appointed by the church to report on cases of delinquency among the members, and the result of a careful and full investigation was given in a long report made to the church Aug. 12. 1838, from which I make the following extract:
" But the great sin of our church and the source of almost all the delinquences which have claimed the attention of the committee is the traffic in and the use of ardent spirits as a beverage. It is a sin which calls for humiliation and mourning in the church. * And here the committee would recommend and earnestly entreat any indi- vidual of this church to whom its welfare is dear, and the cause of the Redeemer is precious, to discountenance by every means in his power the use of ardent spirits as a beverage, that this scandal and immorality may be done away, and that we may be no longer liable to the reproaches of the world for suffering this loathsome and abom- inable sin."
This report was followed by effective discipline.
February 7, 1841, the following resolution was passed, but two dis- senting:
" Whereas ardent spirits are the cause of the temporal and eternal ruin of individuals, of wretchedness of families, the great source of crime and corruption of public morals, and productive of scandalous vices and impurity in the church, therefore
Resolved, That in the opinion of this church, the manufacturing of, and the trafficking in, ardent spirits after so much light has been shed
1 The difficulty in the first resolution was in the word "immorality," which some of the older people understood as classing manufacturing and a moderate use with vices and crimes, such as stealing, lying, &c. Mr. Lowrey drew his substitute so that the meeting should not appear to oppose temperance work. And this was heartily voted for by many opposing the first resolution.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
on the subject (except for medicine and the arts), is an immorality, and ought immediately to be abandoned."
About this time the question was introduced into the church in con- nection with the wine used at the Lord's Supper. Among the Dea- cons there had been for some time a division of opinion. At one of the church meetings the subject came up and called out strong re- marks on both sides. Without any direct vote as to any change, wine was provided that was claimed to be entirely unfermented. It was purchased at Wallingford of the manufacturer, but many suspected its genuineness, and doubted the propriety of using anything that was not really wine. Some in the church maintained that raisin-water was to be preferred before fermented wine. Others contended for the pure, fermented juice of the grape. For two or three communion seasons the substitute for fermented wine was used, when a memorial was drawn up and signed, asking for a return to ordinary wine. In such a controversy no doubt1 extreme ground was taken on both sides. But the wisdom and moderation of the pastor interposed and the diffi- culty was settled. One of the Deacons for a time refused to partake of the cup, but with strange inconsistency passed it to others.
DISTRIBUTION OF TRACTS.
The first attempt at this work of which there is a record, appears in a vote of the church, January 15, 1832, which is as follows :
" At a meeting of the church held this day, the following preamble . and resolutions were unanimously adopted.
Whereas the monthly distribution of tracts has been found to be an efficient method of doing good ; and whereas the church consider themselves as pledged to their Master and to each other to spread the knowledge and influence of religion to the utmost of their ability.
Resolved, that a committee of nine be appointed, one in each school district, (and more if it be thought expedient,) whose duty it shall be to distribute one tract every month to every family in this town, will- ing to receive it.
Resolved further, that the deacons provide two boxes which shall be put in some convenient place in the house of God, and into which every one can cast what money he pleases. The amount contributed shall be paid once a month by the deacons to the committee aforesaid, to be expended in tracts.
Resolved further, that the tracts shall be the publications of the American Tract Society.
1 A member of another church in real honesty of heart proposed that cider brandy be used. "I don't see why it can't be (he said), and for my part I like it a great deal better."
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Voted, that Chauncey Buck, Artemas J. Gridley, Carlos Curtis, Chester Copps, Perry Langdon, Bennet Andrus, Rensalaer Carter, George Hart, and Chittenden Byington, be the said committee."
The following action was taken Jan. 15, 1837.
" Voted, to appoint a committee of four persons whose duty it shall be to select proper persons to distribute the tracts which may be pur- chased by the church. The following persons were appointed ; Dea- con Oliver Lewis, Isaac Burrit, Dr. J. S. Barnes, Timothy Higgins.
"Voted, that the above Committee select the tracts for distribution.
" Voted, to appoint a Committee in each school district in Southing- ton, whose duty shall be to solicit funds either by subscription or con- tribution for the purpose of purchasing tracts for distribution in sd Southington the ensuing year.
The following persons were appointed on sd committee.
1st dis., John M. Hobart, 6th dist., Samuel Woodruff,
2d " Solomon Curtis, 7th " Charles Carter,
3d 4 Carlos Curtis, 8th Harvey Dunham,
4th " Timothy Higgins, 9th Chittenden Byington."
5th " Perry Langdon,
At a later period the church several times arranged to have the town visited by colporteurs, but I find on the records no distinctive church action with respect to personal visitation. Within a few years the work has been adopted by the several denominations as a union mat- ter, and with a good degree of success.
STOVES.
For more than a hundred years there was no fire in the meeting house. After Sabba-day houses were built they afforded the comfort wanting in the sanctuary.
When the present building was erected, the subject of "heating the church " was up for discussion, but singularly enough the chief opposi- tion to it came from the most intelligent people. At a meeting held January 3, 1831, it was voted "to furnish a stove and fuel for the basement room in the meeting house this winter." For seven years service was held during the winter in the basement. It was not until 1838 that stoves were put in the audience room of the church.
The furnaces were put in in 1850.
CARPETING THE CHURCH.
As with stoves and other conveniences, so with everything that looked to the beautifying of the building. The first cushion for the pulpit was a " vanity " that many objected to. and the carpeting of the pulpit that soon followed was equally offensive. But when it was
201
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
proposed to carpet the aisles of the church there was a great spiritual revulsion. This was in 1830, and some live who remember the " holy horror "1 with which those opposed first walked over carpets to their seats.
1 A woman of unquestioned piety, but of questionable judgment, exclaimed on entering the church, " The glory of the Lord has departed, and the glory of airth come in."
26
CHAPTER XV.
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN SOUTHINGTON, (PLANTSVILLE.)
BY REV. WILLIAM R. EASTMAN, PASTOR.
IN the month of November, 1865, there were five hundred and twenty living members of the Southington Church, the largest number that ever belonged to it at one time. Sixty-one had been added within the year. In that same month, sixty-three members made their request to be dismissed in order to establish a Church at Plantsville.
As early as the year 1856, the Congregationalists at Plantsville had begun to talk about a separate church. In many respects the commu- nity was distinct from that at Southington, having their own shops, Post-Office, and Railroad Station. The valuable water privileges, estab- lished at that point by nature, gave assurance that it must continue to be an important business center.
The distance from Southington is about a mile and a half, and the number of families who would not or could not go so far to church with any regularity was increasing every year with the growth of the population. But the action taken in 1865 toward forming a new church met no little opposition.
There was, on the part of most of the Plantsville people, a deeply rooted feeling of affection for the old church, which appeared in new strength as soon as it was seriously proposed to sever their relations to it.
There was also a natural hesitation in committing themselves to a new enterprise, in view of its uncertainties and its burdens; for it was not to be carried through without a generous expenditure of money as well as a sacrifice of feeling. On the other hand, the entire influence of those in the mother Church who did not reside in Plantsville or in the south part of the town, was against the proposed undertaking as being at least premature. Indeed, there were not wanting those who considered the formation of a new church to be an act of hostility against the old church and its ministry. And in the face of these opposing influences it was no easy matter to act.
Among the feelings that finally prevailed there were doubtless some
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HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
that were unworthy. There is no church, which has, for many years, been the only one of its denomination in a town, in which there do not exist more or less differences and dissatisfactions, reasonable and unrea- sonable; and the Southington Church was not an exception in this respect. There was discontent doubtless on the part of some, and it may not have been wholly without cause; for to many of these, their discontent was most conscientious and serious; and this had an effect to loosen the ties that bound them to their early home. But the new church was not founded upon discontent. Had there been no other reason for action, nay, had not other reasons been most weighty and pronounced, the church would not have been formed to this day. It was not begotten of theological or partisan conflict.
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