USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Goshen > History of the town of Goshen, Connecticut, with genealogies and biographies based upon the records of Deacon Lewis Mills Norton, 1897 > Part 23
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It is not supposable that such an interest in Gospel promul- gation in distant lands should exist, and our own country be forgotten. The Connecticut Home Missionary Society had a large place in the hearts of the people and proportionate gifts flowed in that direction. I happen to know also that, for instance, my grandfather was in the habit of making remit- tances of money to preachers in the newer settlements, of whose urgent needs he heard though he had no personal ac- quaintance with them.
Nor is it supposable that a healthy condition of public morals should exist - such as may be expected where there is a faithful ministry and a wise home training - without an efficient public-spiritedness. That was well attested here by a comparatively enterprising interest in local education and in a devout and resolute patriotism. Two incidents in the
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family I have named will illustrate a sentiment and a sacri- fice, common at the time here in Goshen. During one of the more gloomy periods in the war of the Revolution, the aged widow of Gideon Thompson came before daybreak one cold morning, to the door of a praying member of the family, who was sufficiently awake to hear the knock. "Esther," cried the venerable old lady, " Esther, arise, and let us call upon the Lord!" A great burden lay on her heart, and help must be sought from the Lord God of Sabaoth. "I never heard," said the one at whose door she rapped - and it was said years after- wards - " I never heard such a prayer." It was the mighty utterance of a mighty need. In the French and Indian war Deacon Gideon Thompson's house was palisadoed as a place of retreat in case the tomahawk appeared. In the armies of the Revolution, there were men from this small town con- nected with various expeditions. Goshen was represented at Bunker Hill. A score and a half of her sons were in the assault upon Quebec. There were those who saw Burgoyne surrender his sword, and the whole army under him lay down their arms. When, in the memorable winter of 1778-79, word came how our soldiers were suffering at Valley Forge in Penn- sylvania, the town was moved. My grandmother at once gave all the blankets and bedquilts in the house, saying to the family, " We can make ourselves comfortable with wear- ing apparel till we make a new supply of bedding."
It was, and it is, at such homes, that just the virtues and habits required in good citizenship and good soldiers are cul- tivated. The regimen best suited to prepare for life beyond the grave and beyond the stars is best suited to qualify for the life that now is. The product of wise religious training in the family will be true men and true women, fitted for the Master's service in whatever part of the great vineyard he may place them. The family for the church, the church for the family, and all Christ's kingdom, is the Biblical theory.
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Whether a man is destined to opulence or indigence, whether to hold the plow or to hold a scepter, he needs one thing alike - parental training in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
I repeat what was announced at the outset, that it is no fancy sketch which has been attempted, nor an exceptional home here which has been pictured. The Baldwins, Beaches, Buells, Lymans, Nortons, Parmelees, Wadhamses and others have contributed, in equal proportion it may be presumed, to this composite photograph, which is only a type of Goshen's Christian household.
It might seem superfluous, perhaps would seem arrogant, for me to deal now in exhortations. I may be permitted, how- ever, to say that a long observation elsewhere suggests that Mount Ebal confronts Mount Gerizim; that curses are trans- mitted as well as blessings; that sour grapes in the parent's mouth set the children's teeth on edge. Just what the propor- tional influence of heredity, environment, and domestic regi- men may be, it is impossible to say. While the general laws remain fixed, an endless variation takes place. While not re- sponsible for inherited evil effects that have come upon us, we are responsible for the full employment of counteracting agencies. With a given field and given cultivation, as the seed, so the harvest. If a recipe for ruining children is wanted, it can be had: "Give full scope to whims and caprices; threaten often, and coax oftener; act on the plan of large in- dulgence generally; let random street education be the chief factor in forming habits; let money, unaccounted for, be freely used; let the Lord's Day be desecrated, and the Lord's people be jeered." Riding with a friend through the streets of Madras years ago, I noticed a lad of a filthy and peculiarly repulsive appearance. "That boy " (my companion remarked) " is de- voted to the Devil." It was literal truth, for he was the child of Devil worshipers in Southern India. Not less really are
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many children in our land similarly devoted. Externals may not reveal the awful fact, but character and habits do.
One word to those present who are in the morning of their days. The wife of the pastor of this church in the earliest years of the present century was a granddaughter of Presi- dent Edwards. I commend to you, my young friends, two resolutions adopted by her eminent grandfather early in life:
" Resolved, Never to allow the least measure of fretting or uneasiness at my father or mother.
" Resolved, To suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye; and to be es- pecially careful of it with respect to any of our family."
Let me repeat - I have spoken only as a representative child of the church and son of Christian families. Any one of many living descendants from such homes one hundred years or four-score years ago, might tell substantially the same story. After an absence of sixty years, with only two or three intervening brief visits, I improve this public opportunity to obey a divine injunction, "For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and thy mother." Because of the vivid throng- ing memories of a home such as the Mohammedan and the Hindoo knew nothing of; such as would nowhere have existed but for the incarnation and atoning sacrifice of Immanuel, who was born into a family, was reared in the family, and who amidst the agonies of crucifixion spoke so thoughtfully, “ Be- hold thy son, Behold thy mother ! " I desire to give thanks to-day for having had my birth on this beloved spot of earth, where in the eighteen years of life spent here, I heard of no divorce and no gambling in the whole history of the town; where I never heard a profane oath, nor witnessed a case of intoxication; where a domestic pupilage, pure and serene, was enjoyed; where were uniform cheerfulness and frequent hilarity, without trifling or frivolity; where an education of delicacy and generosity, as opposed to all vulgarity and stingi-
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ness was steadily pursued; where recognized covenant mercies of the Lord God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, were the heritage most prized. The father seemed a representative of Our Father in Heaven; the mother - what shall be said of her ? - In her own person she was a whole Maternal Associa- tion; hers the most beautiful hands, the most persuasive voice, the most angelic smiles. Aye, the tenderest, sweetest, mightiest spot on this planet is a Christian mother's heart. The combined result of such parental influence is a profound rever- ence tempered by intense affection. Such a home was then, and is to-day, an Eden of the heart. Why is it that amidst palm groves and orangeries of the West Indies and East Indies an untraveled heart has been carried ? Why is it that no clover fields elsewhere yield such fragrance, no purling brooks such music ? Why to-day is the head uncovered in the pres- ence of venerable shade trees ? Why does the flagging-stone: receive a contribution of tears ? Because that Christian home was a charming relic of Paradise Lost, an earnest of Paradise Regained; because in that hallowed, Heaven-appointed en- closure, a blessed spell was woven that will last forever.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
GOSHEN PASTORS.
Pastors of the First Church.
Reverend Stephen Heaton, the first pastor of the Congrega- tional Church, was born in New Haven November 30, 1710. He was the oldest son of Theophilus and Sarah (Earl) Heaton, and grandson of James and Sarah (Street) Heaton. The family had been residents of New Haven, at the time of his birth, for more than forty years. He was graduated from Yale College in 1733; married to Mary Marsh - Goshen rec- ords read " Mrs. Mary " - May 27, 1741. She was born at Windsor, July 18, 1716. He first came to Goshen to preach as a " probationer " about January, 1740, and was ordained the " First Minister over the church and people here," at the dwelling-house of Captain John Beach, East Street, in No- vember, 1740. He was dismissed from his pastorate June 13, 1753. He died at Goshen December 29, 1788. His widow died here March 4, 1791.
Pursuant to an act of the Assembly the first minister had given him one fifty-third part of the township, so that he was a landholder from the first. His house was north of what is known as the Lyman Place, on Middle Street, and he was as- sisted in building it by the people of the town. He owned the land where the meeting-house stands and nearly all the land from his house, along what is now known as the " Center," as far north as the residence of Willard E. Gaylord.
We give some account of his ministry in the chapter con- taining the history of the church and need make no further reference to that. After his dismission he continued to supply
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the pulpit on occasions when it otherwise would have been vacant. He also preached occasionally in adjoining towns, and for nearly a year in Torrington. He held several of the town offices and was twice representative to the Legislature. He is described by one who knew him as " a harmless, inof- fensive, good sort of a man, but having little energy." He wore the ministerial wig in the pulpit and had a habit in his public prayers of bending his body forward very low and then rising again more suddenly. His wife was an intelligent, sub- stantial, excellent woman, and was a great help to him. They had but one child, who inherited the very considerable estate he left, and who was the wife of Doctor Elisha Sill.
Mr. Heaton and his wife were buried in the old South Middle Street graveyard.
The following is the inscription upon the stone at the head of his grave, so worn at the present time as to be inde- cipherable.
" In memory of the Rev. Stephen Heaton, V.D.M. pri- mus de Goshen who was born at New Haven 30th Novr. 1710, ordained Novr. 1740, departed this life the 29th of Decr. 1778. AE. 79. In his character appeared Friendship Socia- bility Kindness and Charity Benevolence Virtue and Religion. Pallida Mors aequo pulsat Pede pauperum Tabernas Regum- que Turres."
Rev. Abel Newell, son of Nathaniel and Esther (Hart) Newell, was born at Farmington August 15, 1730. He was educated at Yale College and graduated from that institution in 1751. He was ordained and installed pastor of the church August 25, 1755. He married Abigail, the daughter of Cap- tain John Smith, the first merchant in Goshen, and had a family of eight children. His salary was to be paid in money, but the amount was to be governed by the price of provisions, and the fluctuations were so great during the Revolutionary War that misunderstandings arose and it was thought that he 20
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was too grasping, and his resignation was called for, which re- sulted in the termination of the relations January 30, 1781 .*
He is reported as having been a good farmer and brought up his sons as farmers. He was a inan of considerable talent and stood well among his ministerial brethren for his penetra- tion and judgment. An attempt was made to impeach his or- thodoxy before the Consociation, and the sermons complained of were brought in and read, and received the approval of all the clergy. His house was on Middle Street, as formerly laid out, a little south of the road to the west, leading to Dog Pond.
During his residence he purchased considerable land, which he improved, until, some time after his dismission, he disposed of his estate and removed to Charlotte, Vermont, where he and his sons engaged in farming, and where he died at the residence of Elisha, his youngest son.
The Rev. Josiah Sherman was recommended to the church by the Rev. Dr. Bellamy of Bethlehem, and, in the month of June, 1781, he was invited to become the pastor, which he ac- cepted and removed his family here, although the final terms were not arranged until June, 1782. The terms of the settle-
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ment will be found in the history of the church. During the early part of his ministry he was very acceptable to the people, and had large congregations. In the winter and spring of 1783.84 there was unusual religious interest among the people, and several were hopefully brought into the kingdom of the Redeemer, and among those received to the church were some who were long its most faithful supporters.
An alienation was caused, in the first instance, by his preaching Arminian doctrines. He preached a sermon en- titled " God in no Sense the Author of Sin," and Doctor Bel- lamy made a question about it. Mr. Sherman convened the church and persuaded a majority to vote themselves out of the Consociation. The feeling against him was aggravated by the manner in which he treated those who went to talk with him. The breach widened, leading parishioners withdrew and worshiped in adjoining towns, and for this were excom- municated. All accounts agree that there was a mingling of conceit and obstinacy in his character which made it anything but pleasant for those who differed from him. He was not unconscious of his mental superiority to those to whom he ministered, and said of one of the most substantial and best educated of his parishioners that " He has not doctrinal knowl- edge enough to be regenerated."
He was a brother of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was a man of fine natural ability, well educated, dignified, courteous, and af- fable. His personal appearance as he entered the meeting- house, in his large white wig, bowing to individuals of the congregation on either side of the broad aisle, was imposing and winning.
But, with all these desirable qualities, he could not bear opposition, and, in 1788, the town voted that they desired him " to lay down the work of the ministry in this town," which he did March 1, 1789.
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So we come to the termination of the work of three pastors with this church, of whom a wit of the times remarked: " The first minister in Goshen was a very good sort of a man, but he hadn't any head. The second had a head, but he hadn't got any tongue. The third was all tongue."
Rev. Asahel Hooker was born at Bethlehem, Conn., An- gust 29, 1762. He was the son of Asahel and Anne Hooker, and a lineal descendant of the fifth generation from the Rev. Thomas Hooker, of Puritan celebrity, the first minister of Hartford. From his earliest years he was distinguished for his gentleness, prudence, and fondness for books. Though his parents, owing to doubts which they had in respect to their own piety, did not make a profession of religion till they were somewhat advanced in life, yet they were serious and ex- emplary persons, and trained up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. In addition to the good influence which was exerted upon him at home, he had the privilege, until he was fourteen years of age, of sitting under the minis- try of Dr. Bellamy, who was particularly distinguished for his attentions to the youth of his congregation. About the year 1776, the family removed from Bethlehem to Farming- ton. Up to this period and for several years after, young Hooker was a constant laborer upon his father's farm, and his purpose was to devote his life to agricultural pursuits.
At the age of twenty he became deeply anxious in respect to his salvation; and, after a season of great spiritual dis- tress, was brought, as he believed, to a cordial assent to the terms of the Gospel. Shortly after this, he was baptized and admitted to the communion of the church in Farmington, by the Rev. Timothy Pitkin. And now he began to meditate the purpose of devoting his life to the Christian ministry. Though his father was unable to furnish him the requisite means for prosecuting a college course, yet, in reliance on his own efforts, on the benevolence of some of his friends, and
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above all, on the help of a gracious Providence, he resolved to undertake it; and in due time he had the pleasure to see his favorite object accomplished. Having fitted for college under the instruction, as is believed, of the Rev. Mr. Pitkin, he became a member of Yale College, where he graduated in 1789. During his college course, " he was distinguished for a consistent and harmonious intellectual development, for a uniformly amiable and discreet behaviour, and for an inflexi- ble adherence to his convictions of duty."
After leaving college he pursued his theological studies under the direction of his friend and benefactor, the Rev. Wil- liam Robinson of Southington. Having received license to preach, he occupied, for a short time, several vacant pulpits, and was called to the pastorate of the church in Stonington, which he declined. The church in Goshen was in a very dis- tracted state. Public worship at times was suspended for weeks. Some of the people went to Norfolk, some to Tor- rington, where Mr. Lemuel Haynes, a colored man, supplied the pulpit. Mr. Hooker came to Goshen, and although the idea of the people uniting upon any candidate seemed hopeless. no sooner had he commenced his work there than the effect of his gentle and conciliatory spirit began to be felt, and soon he received a unanimous call to become their pastor. He ac- cepted the invitation, and was ordained in September, 1791. Under his discreet ministration of the Gospel, Goshen soon became one of the strongest and most harmonious ecclesiasti- cal societies.
In June, 1792, Mr. Hooker was married to Phebe, daugh- ter of Timothy Edwards of Stockbridge, and granddaughter of the first President Edwards. Mrs. Hooker, who was dis- tinguished for her high intellectual, moral, and Christian qualities, survived her husband many years, and, after his death, was married to Samuel Farrar, Esq., of Andover, Mass. She died January 22, 1848, aged seventy-nine.
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In the fall of 1794, and again in the winter of 1795, Mr. Hooker went as a missionary to the northwestern part of Ver- mont, where he labored for some months with great fidelity and acceptance.
During several of the earlier years of his ministry, his labors in his own congregation seemed to be attended with no marked effect, other than was manifest in the general har- mony and good feeling that prevailed among them. But in 1799, an extensive revival of religion took place, and about eighty persons were added to the church. In 1807 there was another season of unusual religious interest, which was fol- lowed by a like happy result. During this period Mr. Hooker's zeal led him to labor far beyond what his strength would justify; and it soon became manifest that he was wearing out prematurely the energies of his constitution.
In March, 1808, he preached at the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Pitkin in Milford; and afterwards rode to New Haven, and preached there the same evening. He lodged at the house of President Dwight; and when he retired to rest, made no complaint of any bodily indisposition. In the course of the night, however, he was attacked with a disease, which proved to be pleurisy, and from which he did not so far recover as to be able to return to his family in less than six weeks. And even then he was altogether too feeble to resume his labors, though the deep interest which he felt in the spiritual state of his people would not allow him to remain inactive; and, in consequence of his premature and excessive exertions, he soon found himself under the necessity of refraining from labor altogether. His health seemed to be temporarily improved by a journey to Ballston Springs, but his return to Goshen was followed by a relapse, in consequence of which he became satisfied that he must spend the approaching winter in a milder climate; Goshen, from its elevated situation, being peculiarly exposed to the wintry blasts. Accordingly, he did spend the
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winter of 1808-9, chiefly in the city of New York and in New Jersey, and his letters at this time show how deeply he lamented the separation from his beloved people.
On his return to Goshen in the spring, there was little to indicate any improvement in his health, but much to excite apprehension that he was sinking into a settled decline. He passed the summer in making short excursions, accompanied by his wife; and in the autumn he concluded, by the advice of physicians, to escape from the rigors of a northern climate, by spending the winter in South Carolina and Georgia. Ac- cordingly, after having taken a most affectionate leave of his beloved flock, he set out (Mrs. Hooker accompanying him) for Charleston. He was received there with the utmost hospi- tality and kindness, and immediately found a home in the family of the Rev. Dr. Keith. From Charleston he pro- ceeded to Savannah; and wherever he went, he found himself among friends, who accounted it a privilege to do all they could for his comfort. During his absence his people were supplied by a young minister, Mr. Harvey, with whom they were so well pleased that they were disposed to settle him as their pastor provided there should be no reasonable prospect of Mr. Hooker's being able to resume his labors, and they wrote to him to this effect. To this letter he replied, assuring them of his full conviction that he should not be able to con- tinue in his charge, and requesting, though with feelings of the deepest regret, that the arrangement should be made, at as early a period as might be convenient, for his dismission. Agreeably to this request, he was dismissed by the Association on the 12th of June, 1810. Not only his people, but his brethren in the ministry, with whom he had so long taken sweet counsel, parted from him with extreme reluctance, and there was many a faltering voice, when, as the Association were about to take their leave of him, they sung, by his request, " Blest be the tie that binds," etc.
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Soon after Mr. Hooker's resignation he supplied for a few Sabbaths the Brick church in New Haven, which had then be- come vacant by the removal of Mr. Stuart to Andover. He also received a call to settle over Christ Church Parish, near Charleston, S. C. The next winter he supplied, for several months, the Spring Street Presbyterian Church in New York. His health during this time was better than it had been in preceding years, but still was so delicate as to require the ut- most care and vigilance. In the summer of 1811, he traveled into Massachusetts, and preached at Andover, at this time with great acceptance, and there was a disposition on the part of many in that congregation (then vacant) to secure his services permanently, but he discouraged any movement to that effect on the ground that his health would not endure the severity of the climate.
In the autumn of 1811 he was invited to preach at Chelsea Parish, Norwich, Conn., from which the Rev. Walter King had then been recently dismissed, on account of a case of discipline which had occasioned a painful division in the church. Here his influence happily prevailed, as it had done before at Goshen, to heal the existing division and to restore the church to its wonted harmony. They soon gave him a call to become their pastor; and, having accepted it, he was installed on the 16th of January, 1812. The installation ser- mon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Nott of Franklin, and was published.
Mr. Hooker entered upon his new field of labor with more than his wonted zeal, with his health considerably improved, and with every prospect of a continued life of usefulness. His preaching became more remarkable than it had ever been before for directness and pungency, and the very last sermon that he preached - on the text, " Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only," - led one of his hearers to remark that " He preached as though he had not long to stay in our world."
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