USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > East Granby > Records of the Congregational Church in Turkey Hills, now the town of East Granby, Connecticut, 1776-1858 > Part 5
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9 One of the Parents being in Covenant may present their Children for baptism.
Signed
Whitfield Cowles Paft Elect
Richard Gay
Jonathan Higly
Sam1 Clark
Isaac Owen Jun
Committee !
Turkey hills June 17th 1794.
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June 18th 94.
A true copy test Whitfield Cowles Pastor.
[106] NOV 29, 1797
Held by legal Warning a Church meeting at Afahel Holcom's When the Church agreed that Covenanters had a right wlien ever the Spirit of God gave them light, Should by application to the Pastor, tho Should on Sacramental Lecture Day Signify it to the Church, desiring the intending Communicant to present. Thus partake of the Sacrament. And disolved.
Test Pastor.
Decebr Ist 1798. Church meeting
Held by legal warning in order to Chose a Deacon, and after voting unanimously that Covenanters had a right to vote for this Office, adjourned to the last monday in January 20℃k A. M.
Test Pastor.
Jany 28th 99
Agreable to adjournment, held a Church meeting, made no Choice of a Deacon, being very few Voters present, the meeting still stands adjourned to second Monday in March next 30℃k P. M. test Pastor.
March IIth 99
Agreable to Adjournment held a Church meeting & made Choice of Josiah Alford & Richard Gay as Deacons in the Church of J X in Turkey hills and difolved the meeting
Test Pastor.
NOV 17, 1801
Held by Legal warning a Church meeting in Order to Choose a Deacon, but Made no Choice and adjourned to Wednesday one fortnight, 2 Ok P. M.
Decr 2, 1801
Agreeable to Adjournment meet in church meeting and made Choice by universal voic of the Church Roswell Skinner as Dea- con. sª Skinner refusing, the Church prevailed on him to take their appointment into Consideration till the It Wednesday in April next, to which day sd Church meeting Stands ajourned 2 º P. M. Test, Pastor.
[107] April 2ª hour P. M. Ist Wednesday
The foregoing adjourned Meeting was held, & sd R. Skinner found still to object to his appointment Where upon sd Meeting was difsolved.
Test Pastor
April 28th 1805 A Church meeting was warned to be Attended on the following Saturday at Ist O CI P. M. for the purpose of Chosing a Deacon.
May 4th the Church Convened and Made Choice of Phinehas Stephens as their Deacon, who being present did in a becoming modesty accept the Office. And prayer was made appropriate and the Meeting Adjourned with out day.
Test W. C. Pastor.
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NOV 19th 1808 At a Church meeting warned as the Gofpel directs, for the purpose of Considering the doings of the North Consociation in Hartford County, in a formal attempt to take from sd Church their Pastor. Voted unanimously that the doings of sª Council afsembled to Consider, hear and determine the Complaint of Rofwell Skinner & others against the Rvd. Whitfield Cowles, were contrary to the word of God and there- fore null and void, for the following Reasons.
Ist The Church of Christ in Turkey hills had not a letter missive requesting her to take a seat in fd Council by her mef- senger which right was hers she not being a party.
2 Sª Council voting to difpense with the laws of Christ in the 18th Chapter of the Gofpel of Mathew did deny the first and second Steps therein written to be necefsary in reclaiming an offending Brother, which steps are by the great head miade nec- efsary, yea are the [108] true duty, And therefore fundamental to all holy and Christian discipline.
3rd Said Council did practically go on the ground of receiving an accusation against an Elder at the mouth of or before One witnefs in direct violation of Gods holy word.
4th Said Council altho' our beloved Pastor did turn to them saying I repent Brethren of all in which you shall find me guilty, did not forgive him as Christ Jesus demands.
5th Said Council did invade the right of the Church of Christ in Turky hills by taking their Pastor virtually from them, with- out their Confent and against their will formally exprefsed to fd Confociation, great was their violence trampling the unalienable rights of Christs Church beneath their feet.
6th Said Council demurring Judgment on Pastor Church and Society, was asked by said pastor to Show the Chapter, in Gods holy word, or the pafsage, leaf or page in Seabrook platform, Justifying such Judgment, but would not, while it was their duty to give reasons of their hope, that they had done right and Shew their warrant in the exercise of such power.
[109] 7th Said Council did not regard the Constitution, be- tween fd pastor Church and Society which is altogather Congre- gational. One article of which is "that if any difficulty arise between Minister and people it shall be adjusted and fettled by a Mutual Council." Another Article is, "That in Case any member of the Church be agrieved and cannot receive redrefs in the Church, a mutual Council fhall be called from the afsociated Churches."
8th Said Council did not regard the manner of Settlement and Ordination of sd Pastor, which took place by a mutual call of Elders and delegates from any of the Churches of Christ, with- out refference to the North Confociation in Hartford County.
We the Church of Christ in Turky hills do therefore for the above reasons in the Name of our Divine Lord and Master with- draw our fellowship from and folemnly difsolve all connection
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with fª Confociation as an unchristian body, an Engine of Tyrrany and opprefsion "Come ye out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her plagues and Sins" She may no more invade our holy rights, Jesus Christ is our only head and the word of God our only rule of Christian faith and discipline.
Securly (?) and solemnly Done and unanimously voted by the Church of Christ in Turky hills this 19th day of NY 1808 Whitfield Cowles Moderator
[*] Sept 15th 1810
At a regular Church Meeting convened at the meeting house on this day, in consequence of public notice, given on the 2ª Inft. The Rev. John Taylor was chosen Moderator (pro-tempore). The meeting was then opened by prayer by the Moderator. After which a letter was read Directed to the Church by the Moderator of the North Consociation in the County of Hartford requesting the attendence of the Chh by their Deligate at the next meeting of Sª Confociation.
The Chin then proceeded to consider the doings of a former meeting respecting the difsolution of the connection between them and the said Consociation. After which the following vote passed unanimously-viz-Voted that the Connection between this Church and the North Consociation in the County of Hart- ford be, from this time forward reeftablished on the same prin- ciples on which it was at first formed, the votes of the Chh which have pafsed since the dismissal of the Rev. Whitfield Cowles to the Contrary notwithstanding.
Roswell Skinner was then Chosen Deligate to the next Con- sociation.
The Chh then proceed to make choice of a Standing Moderator, and Clerk, Deacon Asahel Holcomb was chosen Moderator & M" Appleton Robbins Clerk
[ ** ] The Chh then Voted to request the Rev. Whitfield Cowles to Deliver the Chh Records into the hands of the Clerk. John Taylor, Moderator.
Granby Turkey Hills August 10, 1811
At a regular Church meeting convend at the Meeting House on this day agreeable to publick notice given on the 28th July last. The Revnd John Taylor was chosen moderator Pro: tempore, The meeting was then opened by prayer by the Moderator. on the request of Mr Thomas Hawley he was restor'd to Church Communion & fellowship. the meeting then difsolvd
Test A Robbins, Church Clerk
[10] On Application of Mr Thomas Hawley in his own name and by desire of Several Individual members of the Church in Turkey Hills for advice respecting the Church Standing of their late pastor the Revd Whitefield Cowles. The Afsociation are of Opinion that a Minister dismnifsed from the pastoral relation ceases to be a member of the Church of Which he was the late
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pastor, And that a Minister while under the censure of the Con- sociation is disquallified for the priviliges of Church Communion.
Done in Afsociation at the House of the Revd Isaac Porter in Granby Feby 5th 1812
Aaron Church Moderatr test Nathaniel Gaylord Scribe
a true coppy of the Certificate
A. Robbins Church Clerk
[III] November 7th 1815
At a lawfull warned Meeting of the Presbyterian Church in Turkey hills holden at the Meeting house.
Revd Thomas Robbins presided.
Meeting opened by prayer by the Moderator.
Hervey Skinner chosen Clerk protemporary.
Voted that this Church present a call to M' Hervey Wilbur desiring him to take the pastoral Charge of the Church ingaging in case of his acceptance of the Call that we will endeavour to afford him our steady support and afsistance in the performance of the important duties of the Gospel Ministry.
Voted to choose a committee to present the above vote to M' Wilbur accompanying the minutes of the society Meeting of Nov. 3ª 1815 and to treat with him in concert with the Society's Com- mittee on the subject of Settlement for fª Committee chose
Samuel Woodruff Walter Thrall
Brethren of the Church.
Isaac Owen Jr
Voted to adjourn to the first Monday of December 1815 to time immediately following the society Meeting which stands adjourned to fd day as may be found on record. Concluded by prayer.
Hervey Skinner Clerk protem
A true Copy
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk
December 4th 1815 Adjourned Church Meeting opened Isaac Owen Jr Chosen Moderator. Meeting adjourned to the third monday of December Instant time immediately following the Society Meeting on fª day.
Hervey Skinner Clerk
A true Copy
Joel Clark Church Clerk
[112] Dec. 18th. Meeting opened by the Moderator.
Received and read Ist Communication from M' Wilbur Voted to acceed to the stipulations therein contained if he shall settle as our Pastor which remains on file to be Seen. Voted take further measures relative to calling and settling M' Wilbur. Voted to adjourn to thursday present week time after Society Meeting of fª day
A true Copy
Hervey Skinner Clerk protem
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk
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December 21st Church Meeting holden by adjournment. Opened by the Moderator.
Voted unanimously to give Mr. Hervey Wilbur a second Call to settle in the Ministry with this Church and people. Voted to give the sum of three Hundred dollars as a Compensation for his services annully and to agree to the stipulations proposed by hin in his first Communication.
In consequence of Mr Appleton Robbins wishing and Making it Manifest to the Church that he was desirus to be excused from the duty of Clerk of the Church Voted to excuse M' Appleton Robbins from that Office Voted to Choose Joel Clark as a Stand- ing Clerk for the Church.
Voted to adjourn to the first thursday of January 1816 two Oclock P. M. Hervey Skinner Clerk protem A true Copy
Test Joel Clark Clerk
January 4th 1816. Meeting holden by adjournment Opened by the Clerk.
Voted to disolve this Meeting
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk
[113] At a Church Meeting Regularly warned and holden at the Centre School House Turkey hills February 28th 1816. Meeting opened by prayer. Meeting adjourned until Monday evening next.
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk
At a Church Meeting Holden by adjournment at the Centre school house March 4th 1816.
Meeting opened by the Clerk.
Dr Silas Meacham Chosen Moderator. Voted that Dec. Hervey Skinner should disclose to the church the object of this Meeting.
Accordingly he presented a Complaint to the Church against Sister Deborah Thrall in the words following
Brethren of the Church before you I lay a charge against our sister Deborah Thrall of her disorderly walk in the following particulars (Viz)
Ist That she has frequently played at Cards
2ª That she has for a considerable time absented herself from publick worship on the Sabbath.
3rd That she has avoided the Company of Members the Church when She was requested to meet and converse with them.
At all which allegations she exhibits no apparent evidence of penitence or reformation.
the Church prodeeded to examine the evidence in support of the above Charges.
Voted that the above Artickles of the above Charge are Sever- ally prooved to the Satisfaction of the Church.
Voted that the Church take up the labour commenced by Dea. Hervey Skinuer with the above named Sister
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Voted to Choose a Committee to labour with our Sister Deborah Thrall
Dea. Hervey Skinner -
Silas Meacham Samuel Woodruff
Chosen a Committee for the above purpose
Meeting adjourned two weeks at this place
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk
[114] At a Church meeting Holden by adjournment at the Centre school house Turkey hills March 18th 1816.
Meeting opened by prayer from the Moderator
The Committee appointed to labour with Sister Deborah Thrall were called to make their report
And agreeable to the request they presented the following re- port.
Brethren Your Committee whom You appointed to converse and as far as in them lay to reclaim our Sister Deborah Thrall from her Disorderly walk and Conversation beg leave to Report that they on wednesday 13th of March Instant waited on said Sister Deborah and after con- versing with her for Some time shewing her the Brotherly love which they bore her the desire of the Church that she should live and conduct as a true disciple of Christ, the danger she was apparently in while she continued in her present situation and concluding with exhortations and admonitions suited to her case All of which being done with the best ability of your Committee she manifested no sign of penitence for her past Anti-Christian conduct or Gave any evidence that she entended to refrain from vicious pursuits in future. Among many Questions which were asked her were the following Do You have a nearnefs of accefs to the throne of Grace at present? Answer No. Do You live entirely without prayer? Answer Yes. Have You relinquished the hope which you once manifested to have that you had been renewed in hart by the Holy Spirit? She answered in the affirmative. What caused you to manifest so much concern for Your Soul during the late awakening in this place? Answer Because others did. Do You wish to Continue a Member of the Church to which You belong? Answer No.
Voted that Br Walter Thrall be requested to write a letter of admonition to Send to our Sister Deborah Thrall
Meeting adjourned one week.
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk.
[115] At a Church Meeting Holden by adjournment at the Center school House Turkey Hills March 25th 1816.
Meeting opened by prayer.
Meeting adjourned until the fifth day of April next at the Meeting House at 4 Oclock P. M.
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk.
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At Church Meeting Holden by adjournment at the Meeting House Turkey Hills April 5th 1816.
Meeting opened by the Moderator
B" Walter Thrall requested to read the letter prepared for to admonish our Sister Deborah Thrall.
Accordingly he read as follows
Profefsor of Christianity.
Sister Deborah Thrall
We would assure You that we sin- cerely lament the occation of this addrefs. Yet it becomes the duty of the Church (of which you are a member) in the exercise of that watchfulnefs which we have most sollemly to Maintain over each other, to continue their labour with you in consequence of your disorderly walk, which has been represented to the Church and accepted to be substantially correct in the following particulars Viz.
That you have frequently played at Cards.
That You have for a considerable time absented Yourself from publick worship on the Sabbath.
That you have avoided the Company of Members of the Church when requested to meet and Converse with them
And that you have frequented the Company of Non profefsors.
And finally in Conversation with Brethren of the Church you acknowledge to have relinquished the hope which you once man- ifested of being renewed in hart by the Holy Spirit And that you live entirely without prayer, and have no desire to continue a Member of the Church to which you now belong, and for all these things no evidence of penitence or reformation has been given.
Beloved these things ought not so to be. It becometh us therefore as Brethren, as the profefsed Deciples of [116] Christ, in meeknefs, Brotherly love and Charity, and with a deep sence of our responsibility to the great Head of the Church, to admon- ish, rebuke, and Exhort with all long suffering and patience, if haply these means by the blefsing of Him who careth for us may be made effectual to Your reformation, the renewal of the temper of your mind, and the final sanctification of Your Immortal Spirrit, O Deborah, with what language shall we addrefs You, we who have witnefsed Your proffeson and in days past Your apparent zeal for Christ, we who desire to seek the glory of Christ's Church and to feel deeply interested in Your Eternal well being, we must obey the apostle and rebuke the Younger women as Sisters with all privity, and knowing that in many things we offend all-we would desire to humble ourselves as in the Sight of God, and pray that in this communication of love the Holy Spirit may endite our exprefsions, that God thro us may speak powerfully and effectually to Your hart give You u11- feigned repentance for sin, faith in tlie Saviour and a disposition
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to new obedience, we would earnestly entreat you to reflect seri- ously and prayerfully on the nature and consequences of Your Conduct, and how awfully fatal if persifted in. How does Your Conduct compare with the Injunctions of the blefsed Gospel, that those who name the name of Christ must be carefull to part from all iniquity ? How does it compare with the will of him who saith, Be ye holy as I am holy? Or How does it compare with those Sollemn Covenant Obligations You are under and which are recorded in Heaven as an eternal memorial of Your adoption into the family of Christ, or as a memorial of Your delusion or Hypoc- racy. Have You seriously reflected that you must one day appear before the Judgmentseat of Christ and answer to Your Injured Saviour? Have your carnal Joys while at the gaming Table never been interrupted with this Sollemn thought. Thy vows are upon me O God. And while afsociating with Companions in vice has not this command disturbed You. Come out from among them and be ye Seperated Saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive You and will be a father unto You and Ye [117] Shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord allmighty. While you avoid the society of Christians and delight not in their conversation. Can You have peace ? do not reflections of this kind Allarm You I have profefsed to love the Lord my God Yet have not that Spirrit in exercise which causes those who love and fear Him to speak often one to an- other. I have profefsed to love the Saviour and to become his follower. Yet I fear am destitute of that love to the Brethren which is the distinguishing Characteristic of his Diciples. And while you unnecifsarily neglect the public Worship of God on his holy Sabbath. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Forsake not the afsembling yourselves together as the manner of some is. From one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me Saith the Lord, and ye shall keep my Sab- baths and reverence my sanctuary. I am the Lord. That con- stant neglect of prayer which You confefs is Your Case, is an Idea weighty and Solemn, it must almost deprive you from Sharing in that Christian Charity which is the bond of perfect- nefs, and it stands in violation of the Commands of that God who alone answereth Prayer. He commands to pray always, pray without ceasing, lift up your Heart with Your hands unto God in the heavens. Blefs ye the Lord, praying in the holy Ghost giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your confefsion that you have given up Your hope of being born of the Spirit and the will of God and that you desire no longer to remain a Member of this Church, may charitably be considered in a degree as involuntary and as arising from a conscioufnefs of the incon- sistincy of your conduct compared with Your profefsion Yet as one who has profefsed to become spirritually enlightened and to
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have tasted the good word of life, if you continue in the neglect of known duty and in violation of Gods holy commands. You must give up your hope, and Your Brethren in Obedience to Christ's Commands must be constrained to consider of you as an Heatlien Man and a Publican. [118] And that too under a view of that Sollemn and Momentoes Declaration of the great head of the Church to his Disciples that whatsoever Ye bind on Earth Shall be bound in Heaven. It will then remain for God and Your own conscience to apply the following declarations of his holy word. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world thro the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again entangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the Beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousnefs than after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. The Just shall live by faith but if any draw back my Soul shall have no pleasure in Him. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaneth no more sacrifice for Sins but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and firey indignation which shall devour the adversaries. It would be desireable here to adopt the language of the Apostle, and say, Beloved we are persuaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation tho we thus speak. You have the promise of Salvation if you will con- tinue faithful to the end, the Blefsed Saviour he that holdeth the Starrs in his right hand Saith, He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of life I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out, and I will write upon him my new name. We would exhort you to endure as a faithfull Sol- dier of Christ. When in darknefs you must remember that it is sin that hides the Saviour's face. Yet if we confefs our sins he is faithful and Just to forgive nis our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnefs. Tho You may have Crusified the Son of God afresh and put him to open Shame. Tho you may have brought [119] reproach upon his cause and strengthened the
enemy. Yet God is merciful and we have an advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the righteous. Tho you have wandered and Backsliden. Tho you may have abused the holy One of God the redeemer of souls. Yet self abhorance for sin, attend to the language of his mercy. Then saith the Lord I remember thee, the kindnefs of thy Youth. The love of thine espousals. Turn O Backsliding Children Saith the Lord for I am married unto You, and I will bring You to Zion. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works. Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to You. Be afflicted and Mourn and weep. Humble yourself in the Sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up. This is the language of Devine mercy thro a Redeemer. Be entreated, be encouraged then to
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return by sincere repentance. Go before your God on the bended knees of Your Soul, and in true humility say. Father I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy Child. and be afsured his mercy will be swift to meet you tho a great way off. The Church pray for you, we long for you in the Lord. And O that the blefsed Saviour who looked a denying Peter into repentance may turn and look upon you in mercy. That You may weep bitterly for sin, and humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for You. Be sober be vigilant Because your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour, whom resist, stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflic- tions are accomplished in Your Brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace who hath called us unto his eternal Glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while make You perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
[120] Voted that the letter presented by Br Thrall is consid- ered as proper and useful. Voted that the Clerk be instructed to present Sister Deborah Thrall with a copy of Said letter. Voted to Choose a Committee to converse and labour further with sister Thrall. Dea. Phinehas Stephens ( Chosen a Roswell Skinner Committee for
Isaac Owen Jr the above purpose
Meeting adjourned until the first Wednesday in June next at this place at 5 Oclock P. M.
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk
May 21st 1816.
At a lawfull warned Meeting of the Presbyterian Church in Turkey Hills holden at the Meeting House
Deacon Phinehas Stephens Chosen Moderator
Meeting opened by prayer from the Moderator
Voted unanimously that this Church present a call to the Rev. Eber L. Clark desiring him to take the pastoral Charge of the Church. Engaging in case of his acceptance of the Call that we will endeavour to afford him our steady support and afsistance in the performance of the important duties of the Gospel Ministry. Justice R. Stephens) Chosen a Committee to present the above Walter Thrall Vote to the Rev. Eber L. Clark and to treat with him on the Subject of Settlement in Concert with Societyes Committee.
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