USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > Manual of the First Church in New Haven, Conn. 1870 > Part 4
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of about $16.000. That church is not yet ten years old and the Society which is its organ has only completed its fourth year. The systematic distribution of books and tracts has been carried on in one of the towns in this State for eighteen years with marked success The advantages derived are reported to be the making useful the social power of the church; bringing children into the Sabbath school; the relief of the necessities of the poor; and it is found to be a very important aid in the work of home evangelization. One of the Epis- copal churches of this city has within itself an organization for some of these purposes, chartered by the legislature, which has now been in operation eighteen years, with very satisfactory results. These are given as instances and examples of what other churches accom- plish and seek to accomplish by union of effort.
The committee would especially call the attention of the church to the importance of the work at Newhallville. The small chapel which was erected there some time since is comfortably filled on the Sabbath, and the Sabbath School is moderately well attended. The experience of about three months work in the Summer and early Autumn of last rear showed that the field is a promising one, that the systematic visiting of the people of the neighborhood would much increase their interest in the church and in the school. There is now quite a settle- ment there, and the number of inhabitants is increasing. As some manufactories are in successful operation and others are contemplated, it seems to the committee that that part of the city must soon grow rapidly and largely, and that this mis-ion enterprize promises a favor- able result. We are already in possession of the ground, and the com- mittee earnestly recommend that the church should take this enter- prize under its care, in the hope and expectation that it will soon grow under our fostering aid to be a self sustaining church, needing a larger house of worship either on the present location or in the same vicinity.
In order that what may be done in any or all of the ways indicated shall be prosecuted with the most vigor, and that those who labor may have the encouragement which comes from the united counsels of co-laborers. the committee recommend that an association be formed in the church, of which the pastor shall be the head, to be mainly under the direction of the younger members of the church, for the purpose of carrying out such of the objects referred to as the mem- bers of the association shall decide to engage in; it being understood,
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
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however, that while the main direction will be with the younger por- tion, no member of the church should withhold his co-operation. The association should incur no debts, but provision should be made in advance for all its pecuniary needs. The organization need not be complex. Perhas no officers will be needed but a Secretary and Treas- urer. Let the whole association be divided up into committees charged with special fields of labor, and the work may at once begin. The chairmen of the respective committees, with the Secretary and the Treasurer, may constitute an executive committee to whom the whole management of the association may be entrusted. One committee might have charge of the work to be done in our congregation, the Sabbath school and Bible classes. A second of tract distribution and its kindred work. And still another of mission enterprises. These committees may be subdivided if it shall be found advantageous. Your committee suppose that $2000 can be judiciously and usefuily expended this year in such work, but when the proposed organization is effected and their work laid out in detail, the several committees should lay their plans and estimates before the church and receive contributions and pledges of money, that there may be no embarrass- ment from want of means or from indebtedness. Frequent reports should be made to the church of the progress of the work undert. ken. that the whole church shall be made acquainted with what is done and led to take an interest in it. As the object of the association will be to performn work auxiliary and supplementary to that of the pastor, we propose that it be called " The Pastor's Aid Society ( f the First Church." If it is formed and carried on with the simple desire of doing good, in the spirit of devotion to the service of Christ. it will be of great benefit to our church and to our city.
The report was accepted and an adjournment made to Monday evening Feb. 7, when it was understood that such an organization would be formed as would give practical effect to the report of the Committee.
At this adjourned meeting (Feb. 7,) some discussion was had which indicated a general conviction that the formation of an assu- ciation contemplated in the report of the committee, was desirable and important.
The Committee then reported the following Plan of Organiza- tion
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PLAN OF ORGANIZATION.
The objects of the Society shall be,
1. To increase the Sabbath School and Bible Classes from among the young people of the church and congregation, including those who only occasionally worship with us ; to provide the occasional worship- ers with permanent seats in the church, and to promote their acquaint- ance with the Pastor and the church members : also to form a band of teachers to take the places of those who may be temporarily ab- sent.
2. To visit the poor and neglected, carrying to them sympathy and aid. giving them tracts, and in other ways suplying them with suitable religious reading, leading them to the Sabbath School and the church, and in every way encouraging and aiding them to improve their material and spiritual welfare.
3. To carry out such plans as the church may from time to time form for establishing and maintaining mission Sabbath Schools, chapels and prayer meetings in destitute districts ; and to persuade the neglect- ors of divine worship to connect themselves with some religious con- gregation.
Section I. The Pastor shall be ex-officio President of the Society. There shall also be a Secretary and Treasurer. who shall be chosen by ballot. These officers, together with the chairmen of the several com- mittees hereafter provided for, shall constitute an Executive Com- mittee, who shall have the general direction of the aff. irs of the Society.
Section II. Committees shall be constituted for carrying out the sev- eral objects specified above. and such other similar objects as the Soci- ety may approve, to be composed of those who may volunteer their services, and choose the Committee to which they will unite them- seives.
Section III. Each Committee shall elect by ballot its own chair- man, who shall keep a record of the proceedings of this Committee, and make report to the church at such times as the church may direct. Each Committee shall make such regulations for its own action as experience in their work shall show to be promotive of their greatest efficiency.
The plan having been approved, the church meeting was ad- journed, and all were invited to remain who were disposed to join in the organization proposed. At this subsequent meeting the
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Pastor presided. Forty-three individuals gave their names as mem- bers of the proposed association. The form of organization pre- viously reported by the church committee was adopted without amendment, and thus was formed the " Pastor's Aid Society."
EDWARD H. TOWNSEND was elected Treasurer, and T. W. T. CURTISS, Secretary.
Additional names having been added to the membership of the Society, the meeting was adjourned.
Subsequently, the members of the Society were divided among the following Committees-
No. 1, W. L. BRADLEY, Chairman, for the increase of the Sabbath School and the promotion of Christian fellowship among the mem- bers of the church and congregation.
No. 2, ANSELM B. BROWN. Chairman, for tract distribution, and to improve the material and spiritual welfare of the poor and neg- lected.
No. 3, HENRY C. KINGSLEY, Chairman, on the maintenance of mission Sabbath Schools and prayer meetings in destitute districts.
The chairmen would be glad to receive the names of persons desiring to identify themselves with the work of the Society.
MANUAL
OF THE
FIRST CHURCH IN NEW HAVEN,
FOR THE YEAR
1871.
THE NEWBERRY LIBR: RY CHIC . O
This Manual is published annually in accordance with a vote of the First Church, passed at the Annual Meeting, January 8, 1863.
Persons detecting errors, will confer a favor by giving notice thereof to the Chairman of the Committee.
Copies of the Manual may be obtained from the same member of the Committee, or from the Sexton of the Church.
From the same source may be obtained a few copies of the Man- nal for 1868, containing Addresses delivered at the dedication of the Lebanon Chapel, and of the Manual for 1869, containing Ad- dresses delivered at the Installation of Rev. George L. Walker.
Copies of Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, of the first series of the Catalogue. are desired by the Committee.
-
WILLIAM L. BRADLEY, - Committee FRANKLIN S. BRADLEY, on the
JOHN C. RITTER, Catalogue.
2916
CONTENTS.
Page.
Historical Notice,
5
List of Pastors and Teachers from 1639 to 1870, 6
Deacons from 1638 to 1870, 7
Standing Committee from 1815 to 1870, 8
Profession of Faith, 9
Covenant, 10
Standing Rules, 11
The Church Library, 14
Hours of Public Worship, 15
15
Stated Contributions,
16
Admissions during year 1870,
18
Baptisms 66
20
Dismissions
66
20
Deaths
21
Officers of the Church, 22
Catalogue of Members, 23
General Summary, 38
APPENDICES.
Appendix A .- Report of Treasurer for 1869, 39
66 B .- Report of Contributions for 1869. 40
C .- Ladies' Home Missionary Society, 41
66 D .- Sunday School, 42
Conference and Prayer Meetings,
HISTORICAL NOTICE.
THE First Church of Christ in New Haven is coeval with the town. On the 15th of April (Old Style) 1638, the first settlers of the town, having just landed at the place which they had chosen for their home, assembled for public worship under the guidance of their chosen minister ; and from that time onward, they continued to worship God as a Christian assembly.
For about fourteen months, the ecclesiastical and civil affairs of the community were conducted under a provisional arrangement or "plantation covenant." On the 4th of June (O. S.), 1639, after much deliberation and prayer concerning the forms in which a permanent organization should be instituted, " all the free plant- ers" agreed in the choice of twelve men who were to select from among themselves seven ; and to those seven was committed the trust of instituting, in conformity with the word of God, first the ecclesiastical order, and afterwards the civil organization and government of their commonwealth. Theophilus Eaton. John Da- venport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson, and Jeremiah Dixon, having been selected for that trust, were the original members of the Church.
It has been received by tradition, though no authentic record of the date remains, that the organization of the Church was com- pleted on the 21st of August (O. S.) in the same year. Dr. Cotton Mather, in his Magnalia (published 1700), says of this Church and the First Church in Milford, that they were both gathered at New Haven, and were "gathered in two days, one following upon the other, and with this one singular circumstance, that a mighty barn was the place wherein the duties of that solemnity were performed." The records of the Milford Church say, "The Church of Christ at Milford was first gathered at New Haven upon August 22, 1639."
2
6
This Church was, at its institution, and is now, Congregational in its government. It acknowledges the obligations and responsi- bilities of the communion of Churches, and is in special fellowship with the Congregational Churches of New England commonly known as " Orthodox."
PASTORS AND TEACHERS.
Rev. JOHN DAVENPORT, B.D., was installed pastor in 1639; re- signed his charge in 1667, having been in the service of the church 28 years ; he died pastor of the first church in Boston, March 11th, 1670, aged 73 .*
Rev. WILLIAM HOOKE was installed teacher in 1644; relin- quished his charge in 1656, having served 12 years; he died in England, March 21st, 1678, aged 77.
Rev. NICHOLAS STREET was installed teacher Nov. 26th, 1659; and died April 22d, 1674, having served 14 yrs.t
Rev. JAMES PIERPONT was ordained July 2d, 1684; and died Nov. 14th, 1714, in the 56th year of his age, having served 30 yrs.
Rev. JOSEPH NOYES was ordained July 4th, 1716; and died June 14th, 1761, at the age of 73, having served nearly 45 yrs.
Rev. CHAUNCEY WHITTELSEY was ordained co-pastor with Mr. Noyes, March 1st, 1758, and died July 24th, 1787, at the age of 70, having served 29 yrs.
Rev. JAMES DANA, D.D., was installed April 20th, 1789; was dismissed Nov. 1805, having served 16} yrs .; he died Aug. 18th. 1812, aged 77.
* Rev. SAMUEL EATON was assistant to Mr. Davenport in preaching, before the formal organization of the Church ; but he was never in office as pastor or teacher. He returned to England in 1640. He died at Denton, in Lancashire, Jan. 9th, 1665, aged 68.
t After the removal of Mr. Davenport in 1667, Mr. Street was the only minister in the Church, and from that time the offices of pastor and teacher were united.
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Rev. MOSES STUART was ordained March 5th, 1806; was dis- missed Jan. 9th, 1810, having served 3 yrs. and 10 mos .; he died Jan. 4th, 1852, aged 72.
Rev. NATHANIEL WILLIAM TAYLOR, D.D., was ordained April 8th, 1812, was dismissed Dec. 1822, having served 10 yrs. and 8 mos .; he died March 10th, 1858, aged 72.
Rev. LEONARD BACON, D.D., was installed March 9th, 1825; and after having served 41 years and 6 months, resigned the Pastoral office in this Church and Society, Sept. 9th, 1866: which resigna- tion was accepted, but he has not been formally dismissed by Council-
Rev. GEORGE LEON WALKER was installed Nov. 18th, 1868.
DEACONS.
Chosen.
Died.
MATTHEW GILBERT,
1639 (resigned 1658) 1680
ROBERT NEWMAN,
1639 (resigned 1644) unknown.
JOHN WAKEMAN,t
about 1644 (resigned 1656)
1661
RICHARD MILES.
1656
- 1667
HENRY LINDON,t
about 1659
1660
WILLIAM PECK,
1659
1694
ROGER ALLING,
1669
1674
JOHN CHIDSEY,
about 1675
1688
JOHN PUNDERSON,
1689
1730
ABRAHAM BRADLEY,
1696
-
1718
ISAAC DICKERMAN,
1727 (resigned 1754)}
1758
JOHN PUNDERSON,
1727
1742
SAMUEL BISHOP,
1730
1748
JOHN HITCHCOCK,
1742
1753
JONATHAN MANSFIELD,
1751
1785
JOHN MUNSON,
1752
-
- 1784
DANIEL LYMAN,
1754 (resigned 1758)}
1786
SAMUEL BISHOP,
1756 (resigned 1760)}
1779
+ Inferred from the records of the Town.
Was elected a Deacon the same year, in the White Haven Church, which by union with the Fair Haven Church, November 27, 1796, be- came the Church of the United Society.
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Chosen.
Died.
JOHN WHITING,
1756
1786
THOMAS HOWELL,
1771
1797
STEPHEN BALL,
1771
1799
SAMUEL DARLING,
1786
1842
JOHN HUBBARD,
1797 (resigned 1828)
1839?
STEPHEN TWINING,
1809
1832
NATHAN WHITING,
1819
1848
Scovin, HINMAN,
1826
1860
SAMUEL J. HITCHCOCK,
1833
1845
CHARLES BRYAN WHITTELSEY,
1833
1849
HENRY WHITE,
1833
LEWIS HOTCHKISS,
1845
1859
ALFRED WALKER,
1845
JOSEPH WOOD,
1848
1856
FRANCIS BRADLEY,
1848 (resigned 1857)
EDWARD E. SALISBURY,
1849 (resigned 1862)
ALEXANDER C. TWINING,
1856
-
CHESTER S. LYMAN,
1857
CHARLES BARNES WHITTLESKY,
1857
CHAUNCEY GOODRICH,
181.2
1868
LEONARD JACOB SANFORD,
1862
STANDING COMMITTEE.
At the institution of this Church. the office of Ruling Elder was considered a stated office, having duties distinct from those devolv- ing on the pastor and teacher. It was the chief work of the Ruling Elder, with the advice and aid of the other overseers of the Church, to prepare all matters of business for the hearing and action of the brotherhood. In the declensions and changes which followed the death of the first fathers of New England, this office was grad- ually disused.
In this Church, Robert Newman seems to have been ruling elder in 1644, and for some time afterwards. No person appears to have sustained the office after the removal of Mr. Davenport.
The regulations respecting the Standing Committee, assigning
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to that committee nearly the saine duties which formerly devolved on the ruling elder, were adopted by the Church, Feb. 27, 1815. Since that time, these duties have been performed by the following persons.
Chosen.
Died.
STEPHEN TWINING,
1815
1832
TIMOTHY ATWATER,
1815
(resigned 1817)
1824
DYER WHITE,
1815
(resigned 1822) 1841
NATHAN WHITING,
1815
1848
JONATHAN KNIGHT,
1818
-
-
1864
SCOVIL HINMAN,
1822
(resigned 1830)
1860
DAVID BREED,
1830
(resigned 1833)
1859
SAMUEL J. HITCHCOCK,
1833
-
-
1845
HORACE PECK,
1833
(resigned 1840)
ELIHU SANFORD,
1840
1866
WOOSTER HOTCHKISS,
1840
-
-
-
1849
ALFRED WALKER,
1840
(resigned 1845)
JOSEPH WOOD,
1845
1856
THOMAS R. TROWBRIDGE,
1849
JAMES WINSHIP,
1849
1867
CHESTER S. LYMAN,
1860
CHAUNCEY GOODRICH,
1867
1868
CHARLES THOMPSON,
1867
HENRY C. KINGSLEY,
1868
LEONARD J. SANFORD,
1869
-
-
PROFESSION OF FAITH.
You believe, in ONE eternal, omnipresent God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, the creator and upholder of all things, infinitely and unchangeably powerful, wise and holy, whose pur- poses and providence extend to all events, and who exercises a righteous moral government over all his intelligent creatures, re- quiring them, under pain of his eternal displeasure, to love himn supremely, and to love each other as themselves.
You believe, that man was originally upright; that our first pa- rents freely sinned and fell; and that all their descendants are
2*
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sinners, and, till renewed by the grace and Spirit of God, are with- out holiness, and under the condemnation of God's law.
You believe, that God has had compassion on sinful men ; that the Son of God, who is equal with the Father, having taken upon himself our nature, has, by his sufferings and death, made atone- ment for sin; that he arose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where he ever lives to make intercession for them that come unto God by him; that, through him, God offers forgiveness to all men; and, that every sinner, who turns to God, by repent- ance, with faith in his Son, is freely pardoned and will be saved.
You believe, that God has revealed all things necessary to salva- tion, in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which. being given by the inspiration of his Spirit, are an infallible rule of faith and practice : and that he sends the Holy Spirit to make the truth effectual, by whose influences all, who are chosen to eternal life, are renewed and sanctified in believing and obeying the gospel.
You believe, that it is the duty of Christ's disciples to associate themselves for worship and communion, for mutual watchfulness and improvement, for the administration of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and for the perpetuation and extension of his kingdom among men : and that any association of believers for these pur- poses is a Christian Church.
You believe, that there will be a resurrection of all the dead : and that God will call all men to an account for all their actions. judging them in righteousness according to the gospel, condemning the disobedient and unbelieving to everlasting punishment, and ad- mitting the righteous into life eternal.
These things, in the presence of Almighty God, you solemnly profess to believe.
COVENANT.
THROUGH Christ strengthening you, without whom you can do nothing, you here, in the presence of God, angels, and this assem- bly, now profess that you do, and promise that henceforward you will, deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, wherein in times past you have walked ; and you do now give up yourself, [or, your-
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selves,] soul and body, and all that you have, are, or shall be, unto God through Jesus Christ, to serve himn forever, and to be his and at his disposal in all things. And you also give up yourself [or yourselves] unto the Lord Jesus Christ, to be his disciple, [or, dis- ciples,] to be taught and governed by him in all your relations, . condition and conversation in this world, avouching him to be your Supreme teacher, your only priest and propitiation, your great king and lawgiver.
And you do further bind yourself, [or, yourselves,] in the strength of Christ, to walk with this Church in all his ordinances, and with the members thereof' in all member-like love and submission. Thus you promise.
Then doth this Church likewise promise you, that through the help of Christ, without whom we also can do nothing, we will walk towards you in all helpfulness, brotherly love and watchfulness.
STANDING RULES.
I. Persons who have not made a public profession of religion by becoming members in full communion with some Christian Church are to give satisfactory personal evidence of Christian character before being received as members of this Church ; and after hav- ing been publicly propounded two weeks, are to be received as members by a vote of the brethren, and by their profession of faith and solemn public assent to the covenant of the Church.
II. Any person bringing a dismissal and recommendation from a Christian Church, unless something is shown to invalidate his tes- timonials, may be admitted to membership in this Church, on the recommendation of the Standing Committee, without a public as- sent to the covenant, by a vote of the brethren. Testimonials in such cases are to be read to the Church, at least four weeks before the question is taken.
III. This Church holds it to be a solemn and important duty, to at- tend watchfully to the discipline which Christ has instituted in his Church.
IV. In all cases of private offenses, the rule, as given in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew's Gospel is to be strictly observed.
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V. In cases of public and notorious offenses, against the laws of religion and morality, the Church, as a body, may proceed to call the offender to an account, by a committee appointed for that purpose.
VI. Every member of this Church shall be considered as under the watch, care, and discipline of this Church, until he shall have been regularly dismissed from his connection with it, by a vote o! this Church.
VII. Baptism is to be administered to unbaptized adults on the profession of their faith in Christ; and it is the privilege of such parents as are in covenant with God and his Church, to dedicate their infant children to God in this ordinance.
VIII. Members of other Christian Churches, who are occasion- ally present in our assemblies for worship, are to be invited to com- mune with us in Christian ordinances. But when members of other Churches, residing in the town of New Haven or its immedi- ate vicinity, join with us statedly in public worship, they are expect- ed to enter into covenant with this Church, regularly, as members. And if for special reasons, any such person shall desire to com- mune with this Church for a longer period than one year, without becoming in form a member of this Church, the request of such person for further communion may be presented to the Church through the pastor.
IX. Any member of this Church removing to another place, is expected to ask a dis mission an I recommendation to some Christian Church at the place at his or her residence, within one year after the time of his or her removal. Any such person neglecting to ask for a dismission and recommendation as aforesaid, may be called to account by the Church in such a manner as may be deemed ex- pedient. And if any such person, having been thus admonished, shall persevere in that neglect for another period of six months, without rendering satisfactory reasons for so doing, then this Church may, at its discretion, declare that such member hath broken his or her covenant with the church, and that the obligations of the Church to watch over that member, have ceased. 2 Thess., iii, 6.
X. There shall be a Treasurer appointed from among the Dea- cons of the Church, who shall have the care of all moneys raised
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for the use of the Church. He shall pay all demands upon the Church, authorized by them, and shall advance to the Deacons such sums as they shall require for the expenses of the communion table, or for the relief of poor members-and shall render his account to the Church, annually, of all his receipts and disbursements.
RESPECTING THE STANDING COMMITTEE.
XI. There shall be a Standing Committee of this Church, con- sisting of four or more members chosen by ballot, who, with the Pastor, shall have the powers and perform the duties specified in the following articles, viz :
1. It shall be the duty of this Committee to enquire into the per- sonal evidence of Christian character of all persons applying for membership in this Church, by a profession of their faith ; and to report the same to the Church. Also to report on all recommenda- tions from other Churches for membership in this Church.
2. It shall be the duty of this Committee to enquire after all pub- lic offenses in this Church which may come to their knowledge by complaint, or otherwise.
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