History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 65

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506

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Mr. Cabot exercised the authority entrusted to him with becom- ing discretion, and while strictly enforcing the laws against intru- sive Separates and Baptists, tempered justice with mercy, allowing such to withdraw quietly from the church without attempting coercion. His relations with his own people were ever most cordial and harmonious, and although the currency was so fluc- tuating that it was sometimes very difficult to ascertain its real value, the "credit of the salary " was faithfully maintained according to contract. In 1751, £500 were found needful; in 1755, 6600 were required and £65 allowed for firewood. His

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domestic life was shadowed by the loss of several children in the successive epidemics so prevalent at that period. Eight hun- dred and thirty infants were baptized by Mr. Cabot in his twen- ty-six years ministry, but a star affixed to many names indicates their early removal. Whether, in addition to "throat ails " and malignant dysentery, lives may not have been shortened by bringing them into the fireless meeting house to be baptized even in the depth of winter, is an open question. One respect- ed brother of the church, Jacob Bixby, lost his wife and eight children within a short period.

The second pastor of Thompson's First church, Reverend Noadiah Russel, was born in Middletown, January 24th, 1730, graduated from Yale college in 1750, studied for the ministry probably with his father, one of the leading ministers in Con- necticut, received a call to settle in Pomfret, which, "very much if not altogether " on account of quarrels about building a meet- ing house, he felt constrained to decline. " June 7, 1757, preached the first Sabbath in Thompson; July 27 the society had a meet- ing, unanimously invited me to settle among them in the work of the ministry; Aug. 30 gave my answer in the affirmative, considering their unanimity, and consequently the prospect that there is of my being comfortable among them and serviceable to them; Oct. 5 was kept as a fast previous to the ordination; Nov. 9 was the day of my ordination; Rev. Mr. Putnam of Pom- fret made the first prayer; Rev. Mr. Gleason (Dudley) made the prayer before the charge; my brother of Windsor made the prayer after the charge; my father gave the charge; the Rev. Mr. Gleason gave the right hand of fellowship." That very important part of the exercises-the sermon -- omitted from the church record, was undoubtedly delivered by the father of the new minister, Reverend Noadiah Russel. Jacob Dresser, Simon Larned and Lusher Gay were then serving the church in the office of deacon.

Mr. Russel received from the society £165 settlement and £65 salary, with sufficiency of cord wood for his own use till he came "into family estate," and then thirty cords a year. "Family estate " was soon established by his marriage with Miss Esther Talcott of Middletown, and the purchase of the "Corbin House," on the brow of the hill, on the site now occupied by Mr. Chandler. His pastorate was eminently serene and peaceful, the well known " molasses story " illustrating

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

the regard in which he was held by his people. Attempting to remonstrate against the large proportion of molasses with which a worthy dame persisted in sweetening his tea, his hostess only answered with another brimming spoonful and the emphatic assertion, " clear molasses ain't too good for Mr. Russel," a saying everywhere accepted as expressing the popular sentiment that nothing could be too good for so good a minister. As a preacher he was sound and solid, but perhaps a trifle heavy and hardly considered equal to his predecessor. He was much beloved by his ministerial brethren, and his counsel and judgment held in high esteem. Doctor Whitney reports: "His mental powers were excellent. He thought and reasoned well, was careful and critical in examining things, capable of forming a good judgment, agreeable and edifying in conversation. His house and heart were open to friends and acquaintances, a lover of mankind, faithful in his friendships, ready to do good and to communicate, exemplary in relative duties." The young Wood- stock schoolmaster, Mr. Timothy Williams, in his contemporary diary, gives us the opportunity of attending service in the old meeting house and learning something of his preaching, viz .:

" Jan. 7, 1787, Weather very cold, walked to meeting and heard Mr. Russel preach very well, A. M. from John iv. 24, God a pure spirit; spent the intermission at Mr. Russel's; sat in Esq. Larned's pew P. M. with Major Simon Larned, and heard a fine, close New Year's sermon from Psalm xc. 9, 'Our years pass away as a tale that is told.' Mr. Russel observed seventeen persons had died last year, although it was remarkably healthy; exhorted us to inquire whether we were better prepared for death than when the last year began. If not we were vastly more unprepared, &c., much to the purpose. Jan. 14. Rode in slay to meeting house; heard Mr. Russel from Matt. xxv. 14, 15, on improvement of talents. If the unprofitable servant was so severely punished merely for neglecting his single talent, what would be the con- demnation of those who waste, squander and misimprove their many talents. Dined at Rev. Mr. Russel's with Major Simon Larned, and sat with him and lady in Mr. Russel's pew, P. M." Between the two Sundays the young schoolmaster spent one evening by invitation at the minister's with agreeable young company, "took tea and played at Alphabetical Induction, huz- zling the bag and shifting two corks."

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Mr. Russel was a man of great punctuality, conservative in his views, "very strict in his attention to the order of society." His temperament inclined him to great moderation, and during the revolution his sympathies were with the mother country, and his accustomed prayer for " King George and all the members of the Royal Family," was made a part of the Sabbath service as long as it was in any way suitable. Yet by his great prudence he maintained this difficult position without giving offense. His prudence was also manifested during the Dodge episode, when that audacious young reprobate offered to preach in his pulpit. The Woodstock minister, by declining such overture, brought upon himself a troublesome lawsuit, heavy costs, and a scathing castigation from Judge Swift. "How different," says the judge, "the conduct of Reverend Mr. Russel," who himself attended the service and assisted in the public worship, thereby endearing himself to his parishioners and all good men, and in- stead of producing mischievous consequences was productive of peace and harmony. Thus quietly amid troublous times the years glided away and Mr. Russel was considering the necessity of employing a colleague, when, like his predecessor, he was suddenly removed. A newspaper reports-" Died at Mendon, Mass., Tuesday, October 17, 1795, Rev. Noadiah Russel, of Thompson, Conn. On the Thursday preceding, Mr. Russel, his wife and son entered upon a journey from their house to Boston, proceeded leisurely, arrived at the Rev. Mr. Alexander's on the following Monday. Towards evening sat down at table for re- freshment. Then Mr. Russel was suddenly seized with apo- plexy, and continued with little or no sense or motion till about eleven the next evening, when he expired. The remains were brought back to Thompson for interment on Friday, on which very mournful occasion a sermon was delivered by Rev. Josiah Whitney, of Brooklyn, from Heb. vii. 23."

The number of children baptized during Mr. Russel's ministry was 926. Additions to the church had been less frequent during this period, " a great spiritual dearth" prevailing during the revolutionary war and through the remainder of the century. Five hundred and five members had been admitted into the church between 1730 and. 1795. Deacons Thomas Dike and Joseph Gay had entered upon service.

After a brief interval Mr. Daniel Dow, of Ashford, received a call to the vacant pastorate. After graduation from Yale Col-

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

lege in 1793, he had pursued theological studies under Rever- ends Doctor Goodrich, of Durham, and Enoch Pond, of Ashford, supporting himself meanwhile by teaching psalmody, and was licensed to preach, by the Windham County Association, May, 1795. He had but just passed his twenty-third birthday, and was very small of stature, so that when he first appeared in Thompson as a candidate he was taken for a boy who had come for the doctor, and quite amazed the family when he made known that he purposed to supply the pulpit. His ability and promise were quickly recognized, and he received a satisfactory call, although his orthodoxy was not quite up to the requisite standard, he having "fallen into some mistakes and inconsis- tencies, in consequence of having read many erroneous books." It was a time of great doctrinal ferment. High Calvinism was in vogue, and the ministers composing the majority of the Wind- ham Association were keenly alert to any taint of unsoundness. The examination of the candidate was held in Esquire Dresser's tavern. A little girl peering into the room carried through life a vivid picture of the youthful divine standing in the center of the room, with his coat thrown off, and sweat raining down his face, like a farmer's in a July hay-field, parrying the thrusts of his ministerial inquisitors. Whatever his sentiments, he held his own triumphantly, and was successfully ordained and in- stalled, April 20th, 1796-" a day of much rejoicing and mutual congratulation. The people loved their young minister and he loved the people." "To be further qualified for the office of a bishop," he had previously become " the husband of one wife," the daughter of Deacon Jesse Bolles, of Woodstock.

Fifty years later Doctor Dow thus detailed his early experiences, and the aspect of the times: "The church I found to be in a very cold, back-slidden state ; very few of them willing to converse up- on experimental religion, or ready to give a reason of the hope that was in them, if they had any religion at all. The congregation seemingly intent upon nothing but vanity and folly. My flock scattered over the whole town, an area of about eight miles square. Various denominations of Christian people contending with each other about the shells and husks of religion, while they appeared to pay little or no attention to the substance. In- temperance greatly prevailing, and moderate drinkers, as they were called, drinking most immoderately. Errorists of every kind running to and fro, and many having itching ears running

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after them. Some openly avowing their infidelity ; while others were proclaiming good news and glad tidings; by which they meant that impenitent sinners, drunkards and all were sure to go to Heaven. My people were all very friendly to me. They filled the old meeting house well, heard what I said to them with as much satisfaction as they would listen to a song, but there was the end of it. Nor was it in my power to awaken them. I preached what I thought good sermons, great sermons, sermons full of excellent speech and moral suasion, sermons good enough to convert anybody, and yet they had no more effect in awaken- ing and converting sinners than a pop-gun discharged against an impenetrable rock. But in all this the Lord taught me an important lesson. I was brought to see that nothing short of the power of God can either awaken or convert a sinner. From that time I preached the doctrine of grace more plainly. I expurgated my system of divinity of all Arminian notions, and my language of such phrases as were capable of miscon- struction and determined to preach all the doctrines of grace if I possibly could, as plainly as Christ and his Apostles preached them. Soon I began to perceive a very different effect. The Lord did what the preacher could not do and from that time to this we have had repeated occasion to say : 'What hath God wrought?' "*

Material prosperity kept pace with spiritual. The ancient house of worship was once more renovated and crowned with steeple and bell by private enterprise. A great crowd of people assembled to witness the hanging of this most welcome bell, June 2d, 1798. A clock was also procured and inserted, and twenty dollars a year allowed for ringing bell and taking care of clock. Two dollars yearly were also paid "to sweep the house once in two months and clear off the cobwebs." The so- ciety committee was directed " to procure and hang " a conduc- tor to said steeple. Mr. Dow was always much interested in church psalmody and a singing school was now opened and four new choristers appointed. Although so prosperous in the main, money was still so scarce that it was found difficult to raise the three hundred dollar salary promised the minister and measures were set on foot for establishing a fund, the interest thereof to be for the support of the Gospel. This was successfully accom- plished in 1809-the sum of $5,000 being raised by many sub- scribers.

*Semi-centennial preached by Doctor Dow, April 22d, 1846.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

In 1815, the meeting house was so damaged by the memora- ble "September Gale " that its renovation was deemed impracti- cable. Thaddeus and George Larned, Elijah Crosby, Zadoc Hutchins, Isaac Davis, John Nichols, Noadiah Russel, David Town, Daniel Dwight, John Brown, Roger and Joseph Elliott, and James Bates, were appointed a committee for building a new meeting house. A Building Association was formed, sub- scribers agreeing to build a house, not expending over $6,000. A native architect, afterward very celebrated, Mr. Ithiel Town, furnished the plan; Elias Carter served as master builder ; Harvey Dresser, of Charlton, executed the handsome painting under the lofty pulpit, so artfully simulating a stairway partly veiled with crimson drapery that children were always wonder- ing that Mr. Dow did not make use of it. The dedication of the new house, September 4th, 1817, was one of Thompson's especial gala days-the singing under the direction of a veteran leader, Mr. Charles Sharpe, surpassing anything before attempted. The choir met at the gate of the parsonage and marched in proces- sion in pairs, led by the chorister and first soprano, to the meet- ing house, singing all the way, but so timing march and song that as they crossed the threshold, "Enter his gates with songs of joy " was on their lips. They also sang "Old Hundred," " Marlborough," and lastly, "Denmark," with astonishing force -" the ro-ho-ho-ho-ling years" being so drawn out and intensi- fied as " not only to astonish the waking multitude but would have aroused the Seven Sleepers." The new meeting house, with its heavy galleries and elaborate pulpit, was greatly ad- mired, although wholly destitute of any accommodations for Sabbath school or conference meetings. Mr. Dow was at this date one of the most popular and eloquent ministers of the county. The singing of the choir was exceptionally fine, and the impressive figures of the venerable deacons, Aaron and Moses Bixby, seated beneath the pulpit, added to the effect of the whole service. Children supposed that their names were ex officio, and that all deacons were called Moses and Aaron.

After some years of unsuccessful experiment, a Sabbath school was established in 1825, Deacon Josiah Thayer superintendent. Deacon Thayer, with Deacons Charles Brown and Daniel Alton, were in service many years. The pastorate of Mr. Dow, pro- longed for more than fifty years, was marked by many striking events and changes, but the early love and admiration of his

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

people remained unchanged. A man of deep convictions, great ability and many striking qualities, he impressed himself very deeply upon the minds of two generations. A keen controversi- alist, perfectly sure that he was in the right, his early relations with other denominations were not harmonious. When invited to speak upon the platform at the first Methodist camp meeting, he repaid the courtesy by denouncing, in most straightforward terms, their whole method of procedure. Young people, timidly questioning the validity of their baptismal sprinkling in infancy, were treated to a sermon upon vain jangling and the keen query, "Have not some of you been jangling about your bap- tism ?"

The pertinency of his texts was very remarkable, and his peculiar and emphatic mode of announcement and reitera- tion gave them more power. He used no notes ; discourse and illustration were wholly based upon scripture, which he had at tongue's end from Genesis to Revelation. Wrongdoers in his own congregation found little mercy. When, after keen, in- cisive glance, he announced for text-" How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity ?"-those who had attended dance or merry-making during the week knew very well what was coming. Meeting one Monday a young lawyer of his congrega- tion, he remarked that he had missed him from his place in church the preceding afternoon. "Yes," said the young man, "I was invited to attend the dedication of an Universalist hall up north ; had a great time there-a band of music from South- bridge, a Universalist minister offered prayer, and I preached the sermon." " No doubt the Devil was very much pleased with the whole performance," was the instant reply.

Softening with advancing years, Mr. Dow relaxed from earlier denominational exclusiveness, and enjoyed much pleasant fra- ternal intercourse with Baptist and Methodist ministers. His long experience and intimate acquaintance with family histo- ries made him exceedingly effective and impressive upon funeral occasions, which he regarded as special means of grace. He delighted to preach upon the fulfillment of prophesy and the restoration of the Jews, but opposed the Millerite delusion so effectually in a series of sermons that not one of his congrega- tion embraced this belief. In 1840 a doctor's degree was con- ferred upon him by Williams College. In April, 1836, he preached an appropriate discourse upon the words, "Forty

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years I have led you in the wilderness." Ten years later peo- ple gathered from far and near to commemorate the fiftieth an- niversary of his settlement and listen to most beautiful and touching reminiscences from the ever-beloved pastor. Original hymns by his son, J. E. Dow, of Washington, and Mrs. Anna S. Larned, added to the interest of the occasion. Doctor Dow con- tinued to preach with unabated animation and power for more than three years, till suddenly stricken down from heart failure, on the eve of July 19th, 1849, after his return from officiating at a funeral. An immense congregation attended his funeral the following Sabbath. The sermon was preached by his min- isterial brother and friend, Reverend Roswell Whitmore, of Killingly. His aged widow survived till 1853. The first three pastorates of the Congregational church had thus covered a pe- riod of one hundred and nineteen years.

Deprived so suddenly of their lifetime leader, the church, like sheep without a shepherd, did not know which way to turn, but a chance word left by Doctor Dow led to the immediate choice of his successor, the first and only candidate, Reverend Andrew Dunning, of Brunswick, Maine; born July 11th, 1815; graduate of Bowdoin; ordained at Plainfield, Conn., May 24th, 1842; dis- missed January 26th, 1847; installed over the Congregational church of Thompson May 15th, 1850; died in charge, like his predecessors, March 26th, 1872, an honored member of a re- markable ministerial succession. Lovely in person and charac- ter, eminently prudent, peace-loving, sound in judgment, able in discourse, the pastoral work of Mr. Dunning fully justified the spontaneous choice of his people. Although the withdrawal of population to the valleys was now telling heavily upon the hill churches, and many valued members were thus removed from Thompson, the church maintained a good record through- out Mr. Dunning's ministry. In 1856 it took possession of a new and elegant house of worship, opposite the former house, Mr. William H. Mason bearing a large share of the cost of construc- tion. Dedication services were observed with the usual enthu- siasm, Mr. Dunning presiding with grace and dignity, and preaching an appropriate and impressive sermon. A suitable organ was soon after placed in the church, through the instru- mentality of the ladies of the congregation.

Smitten with fatal disease while yet in the prime of manhood, and not attaining "unto the days of the years of the life " of his

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fathers in the ministry, Mr. Dunning was permitted in a very special manner "to glorify God " in the heroic fortitude with which he bore his sufferings, and in his dying testimony to the faith which had supported him. His long illness "was a perfect triumph of grace." His funeral sermon was preached by one of his own spiritual children, Reverend Joseph P. Bixby. The in- scription on the tablet in the Congregational church edifice de- lineates most truthfully the characteristics of this beloved min- ister: "Servant of the Lord . gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient . . . thoroughly furnished unto all good work."

Four pastors in one hundred and forty-two years was Thomp- son's excellent record in 1872. Five since that date show its ability to keep up with the times. Reverend Joseph Bodwell was installed as pastor December 16th, 1872; dismissed in the autumn of 1874. Reverend John A. Hanna was installed July, 1876; dismissed October, 1879. Reverend Aaron C. Adams served as acting pastor from December, 1879, to May, 1887. Rev- erend Marcus Ames entered upon service as acting pastor De- cember 1st, 1887, but in three months was stricken down with illness and died during the year. Reverend George H. Cum- mings was ordained and installed May 24th, 1888. In these later pastorates the church has faithfully maintained its original pledge "to adhere to a pious and able ministry," each minister having his special excellences and devoted adherents. Since the resignation of Deacon Charles Brown, who served more than forty years, the office has been filled by Deacons Elijah Crosby, Charles Brown, Marcus F. Town, Josiah W. Dike-all descended from early members of the church. The present chorister, Mr. Andrew Mills, has been a member of the choir more than half a century. Messrs. James O. Mills, Charles Baldwin, B. F. Hutch- ins and Jerome F. Crosby have also served as choristers. It is a remarkable fact, illustrating the lamented dying out and emigration of native New England families, that of the twenty- eight original members of the First Thompson church, only one, Henry Green, is represented by name on the present roll of membership. Two or three are still represented in the female line. Descendants of Samuel Converse, Israel Joslin and Ivory Upham are now numerous in different parts of the town.

The first Baptist church in Windham county was formed in Thompson parish in 1750. Jeremiah Barstow, of Sturbridge; ap- pears as the first Baptist exhorter, suffering a month's impris-

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onment in Windham jail for presuming to preach without permission from constituted authority. "Gone to ye Baptists " is the mournful record of good Mr. Cabot against the names of those who yielded to his enticements. Refusing to pay rates for the standing society, they were "strained upon " by collectors, and suffered various trials, until embodied as a "Six Principle Baptist Church," with Elder Wightman Jacobs for their pastor, and united in association with other churches in the vicinity. Its existence was, however, short and troub- led, and it became extinct upon the removal of its pastor and leading members to Royalston, Vermont, in 1769. Finding themselves exposed anew to taxation for support of the stand- ing order, and being fully in harmony with Baptist sentiments, a Baptist society was formed November 17th, 1772, some sev- enty-five subscribers expressing their regard for the Baptist constitution and way of worship, their willingness to be help- ful in building a house for public worship and in settling a minister, according to their ability, "not believing that there ought to be any compulsion in such cases, or carnal sword used." Mr. John Martin, of Rehoboth, was chosen to preach to them on trial, who preached through the winter in private houses in the vicinity of the present Brandy hill.

After pleasant meetings in June to tell of their experience of God's grace in their souls, James Dike was appointed to write a petition, and Ebenezer Green to carry it to the mother church in Leicester, Mass., asking leave to embody as a distinct church. September 9th, 1773, these petitioners, viz., Widow Deborah Torrey, Mary Green, Elizabeth Atwell, Sarah White, Widow Deb- orah Davis, Lydia Hall, Hannah Jones, James Dike, Ebenezer Green, Jonathan Munyan, Levi White, Thaddeus Allen, John White, together with John Martin, John Atwell, John Pratt, James Coats and Levisa Martin "firstly gave ourselves to the Lord and to each other and signed a written covenant," and thus became embodied. On the same day Mr. Martin was called to become the minister of the church, the society concurring with- out "one vote to the contrary." James Dike and Ebenezer Green were elected deacons. Ordination services were held No- vember 3d, 1773, under a large apple tree near the Jacobs Tav- ern. Elder Ledoyt of Woodstock began the public service with prayer. A sermon suitable to the occasion was preached from Phil. i. 18, by Elder Isaac Backus, Elder Green of Charlton gave

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 65

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: New York, Preston Number of Pages: 1506

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506