USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Shrewsbury > Church hand-book: for the Congregational Church in Shrewsbury, Mass. > Part 1
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M. L.
Gc 974.402 Sh85wi 1852020
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 4118
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CHURCH HAND-BOOK : ‹
FOR THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
IN
SHREWSBURY, MASS.
BY N. W. WILLIAMS,
PASTOR OF THE CHURCH.
-
BOSTON : PRESS OF DAMRELL AND MOORE, NO. 16 DEVONSHIRE ST. 1850.
- [Printed by order and at the expense of the Church.]
1852020
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
A grant of the town of Shrewsbury was made to certain inhabitants of Marlborough, in the year 1717. The original grant embraced a much larger tract of land than the present township includes. Portions have, from time to time, been set off from it, in the formation of other adjoining towns. Soon after the grant was made, Shrewsbury began to be settled, though it was not incorporated with the privileges of a town until the year 1727.
Among the earliest movements of the original set- tlers, was the erection of a house, dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. This was built, as nearly as can be ascertained, in the year 1721-2, and was situated a few rods northeast of the present Congrega- tional meeting house.
On the 4th of Dec., 1723, a church was organized,* consisting of sixteen persons, and Mr. Job Cushing was ordained as their minister.
* A copy of the original covenant, adopted by the church, with other interesting extracts from the church records, may be found in Ward's History of Shrewsbury.
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REV. JOB CUSHING was born in Hingham, Mass., July 19th, 1694. He graduated at Harvard Univer- sity in 1714, and was ordained over this church, on the day of its organization, 4th Dec., 1723. He continued worthily to hold the office of pastor here, until the day of his death ; which occurred very suddenly, Aug. 6th, 1760, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, and the thirty-seventh of his ministry. He sank to the earth while engaged in binding sheaves, and died in the field, near his own house, before any assistance could be rendered him. Further than these few, brief par- ticulars, the writer of this sketch is unable to obtain any information respecting the personal history, or character of the first minister of this town.
The quiet of Mr. Cushing's ministry was somewhat disturbed by a question, which arose about the year 1731, in respect to the principles of church govern- ment, relating particularly to the appointment of Ruling Elders. The matters connected with this question occasioned much discussion in the church, and led to a correspondence which was protracted through a period of ten years. It was at length, however, brought to an amicable termination.
One of the most important events in connection with the history of the church, during the ministry of Mr. Cushing, was the organization, from its members, of a new church, in what then became the North Parish of Shrewsbury, but is now the town of Boylston. This occurred Oct. 6th, 1743. Thirteen of the brethren were dismissed for this purpose ; and, in the following
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year, sixteen females, mostly belonging to the families of those brethren, were dismissed and recommended to the new church. Their removal arose from no feeling of disaffection towards this church,-but because of the increasing population in that part of the town, and the inconvenient distance at which many there lived from the meeting house in this parish. The church thus formed was the origin of the present Congregational Church in Boylston.
During Mr. Cushing's ministry, and before the set- tlement of his successor, there were admitted to this church, one hundred and ninety-seven persons, exclu- sive of the sixteen members embraced in the original organization. £ How many were still living and connect- ed with the church, at the time of Dr. Sumner's ordi- nation, cannot now be ascertained.
After the death of Mr. Cushing, the church were not willing to remain long without a pastor. On the 29th Oct., 1760, a day of fasting and prayer was observed, " to implore Almighty God to give them a pastor after his own heart, and in the meantime to keep his church and congregation in this place from all discord." On the 3d of February, 1761, the church voted to invite Mr. Joshua Paine, who had been for some time preach- ing for them, to settle with them in the ministry. This invitation he declined. The expectations of the church in this respect being disappointed, they were not able, immediately, to agree upon the choice of another candi- date for settlement. Near the close of the year 1761, however, Mr. Joseph Sumner was employed to preach
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for them, and on the 30th of March, 1762, the church voted, with the concurrence of the parish, to extend a call to him to become their pastor. His reply was in the affirmative,* and arrangements were accordingly made for the establishment of a union between him and this church, in the relation of pastor and people, which con- tinued most harmoniously, through a period of more than sixty years, until death severed the bond.
REV. JOSEPH SUMNER, D. D., was born in Pomfret, Ct., Jan. 30th, 1740. He graduated at Yale College in 1759, and was ordained as pastor over this church, on Wednesday, the 23d of June, 1762. He married Lucy Williams of Pomfret, in 1763. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him,
* The following copy of Mr. Sumner's reply, furnished from the original by the kindness of Thomas W. Ward, Esq., is here inserted as an interesting relic of former days.
" Dearly Beloved,-Having taken into serious and deliberate consid- eration ye Invitation, or Call I had from you, ( by ye hand of your Committee,) to settle with you in ye work of ye Gospel ministry ; after Invoking the Divine Direction in this important affair, it appears to be my duty to accept of your Call, and to Answer you in ye Affirmative : trusting yt through ye Grace of God bestowed upon me, I am in some measure sensible of my unworthyness and unfitness for so great an undertaking ; yet considering yt God who calls to this work, can En- able to fulfill it, as he has most graciously Promised in his word.
" I do yrfore give up myself to yt work and your service in it, Ex- pecting such an Honorable treatment and support from you, as is due to A minister of ye Gospel ; and Requesting your Prayers to ye God of all Grace, that I may be found faithful to yt trust, which God and yourselves are Reposing in me. So I Rest, yours to serve in ye Lord. "JOSEPH SUMNER.
" Shrewsbury, April ye 19, 1762.
** To the first Church and Congregation in Shrewsbury."
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by Harvard University, in 1814, and about the same time, he received a like distinction from Columbia Col- lege, S. C. Dr. Sumner enjoyed a long and peaceful ministry, undisturbed by any spirit of contention. He continued in the faithful discharge of his official duties, with the assistance of a colleague, until very near the close of life. He survived two of those associated with him as colleagues in the pastoral office, and saw another ordained to the same station, before his own earthly career was terminated. He died on the 9th of De- cember, 1824, in the eighty-fifth year of his age, and the sixty-third of his ministry, esteemed, beloved and lamented by all who had enjoyed his acquaintance, or the benefit of his example and instructions. In ac- cordance with his own desire, expressed several years before his death, the Rev. Dr. Bancroft of Worcester preached his funeral sermon from Gen. xxv, 8 ; and on that occasion, paid a just tribute to the worth of the venerable man, who had here so long sustained the office and work of the gospel ministry.
During the pastorate of Dr. Sumner, the church and society continued steadily to increase in strength and prosperity. This was very manifest from the improv- ing condition of their external circumstances. At the time of Dr. Sumner's settlement, the church were still worshiping in the house built by the original proprie- tors of the town. For several years previous, an at- tempt had been made to secure a vote of the parish for the building of a new house, which had only resulted in an appropriation for repairs upon the old one, which
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seems to have fallen into quite a dilapidated state. It was not until Oct., 1.764, that a vote was passed for the erection of a new meeting house. Subsequent to this, there was much delay in the business, occasioned by a want of agreement in the parish, as to the location of the house. At length a site was determined upon, four or five rods south of where the meeting house now stands, and now enclosed as a part of the Common. The new house was raised on the 13th of May, 1766. In anticipation of " the raising," the parish " voted to send to Boston for a barrel of rum," an auxiliary, which in these days would scarcely be considered nec- essary or desirable on such an occasion. The old meet- ing house was soon after taken down to aid in the completion of the new, which was probably finished some time in the latter part of the year 1767, as, in De- cember of that year, a choice of pews, in the new house, was made by the members of the parish. " In 1807, a belfry, with a steeple, was built at the west end of the. meeting house, and in 1808, a bell placed therein, both at the expense of certain individuals of the town."
The ministry of Dr. Sumner was one of such uniform tranquillity, that the records of the church during that period afford little of interest for readers of the present day. A few extracts from them, however, may not be found undeserving of notice.
Jan. 30th, 1771 .- " Voted, That those may not be admitted to the privilege of baptism for their children, concerning whom it is evident that they do not practice praying in their families. This vote was unanimous."
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April 10th, 1771 .- " Voted, That no persons that are members of any other churches, that have, or may dwell among us six months, may expect to enjoy com- munion with us, in special ordinances, unless they re- move their relation, or produce a certificate of their regular standing from under the hand of the pastor of the church where they respectively belong, within the time aforesaid."
May 19th, 1783 .- " Voted to discontinue the prac- tice of requiring relations of candidates for church mem- bership at the time of admission."
" Feb. 2d, 1791 .- " Voted to begin to sing Dr. Watts's version of the Psalms, with his Hymns, the first Sabbath in March next, provided there be no objections lodged with the pastor from the congregation before that time."
Oct. 12th, 1795. - " Voted, That the following words be prefixed to the Covenant :- Conscious of our offences, and asking forgiveness of God, of this church and all whom we have offended ;' and that this shall supercede the necessity of reading public confessions for crimes committed by persons before they came into covenant with the church."
April 9th, 1820 .- " Whereas, the Church of Christ, in Shrewsbury, have been in the practice of admitting some to the privilege of baptism that did not come to the other sacrament, but finding that in some instances, a wrong use is made of such indulgence, it has of late years been going out of use, we are willing it should be wholly laid aside. But we shall continue to
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keep our covenant engagements with those who have been admitted upon that covenant, and to consider them as under the watch and care of this church." This was the end in this church of what was called the " half-way covenant."
During the ministry of Dr. Sumner, the rite of bap- tism was administered to one thousand, two hundred and fifty-one individuals of his society, and three hun- dred and sixty-seven persons were admitted to the church.
In consequence of the increasing infirmities of age, Dr. Sumner had for some time felt the need of assist- ance in the discharge of his pastoral duties; and in compliance with his request, the church took the sub- ject into consideration, and on the 18th of January, 1820, voted unanimously to invite Mr. Samuel B. In- gersoll to settle with them as colleague pastor. With this vote the parish concurred, and a call was present- ed to Mr. Ingersoll, to which he gave an affirmative answer.
REV. SAMUEL BRIDGE INGERSOLL was born at Sa- lem, Mass., Oct. 13th, 1785. The early part of his life he spent at sea. Though religiously educated by pious parents, he was for many years entirely uncon- cerned in regard to his spiritual interests. He was brought to reflection by a narrow escape from death in the perils of shipwreck. He became truly pious, and soon after commenced a preparation for the work of the gospel ministry. He graduated at Yale College, in 1817, and was ordained colleague pastor of this church
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with Dr. Sumner, on the 14th of June, 1820. He died, at Beverly, on the 14th of the following November, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. The following brief notice in relation to him, is found in the church records, in the handwriting of Dr. Sumner :- " The Rev. S. B. Ingersoll preached to this people, of which he had become colleague pastor, the next Sabbath after his ordination, but was never able to preach afterwards. He remained here about four weeks, then went to Bev- erly,-there languished and died of a painful disorder, Nov. 14th, 1820." Mr. Ingersoll was regarded as a man of superior talent and ability, and as giving prom- ise of great usefulness in the ministry. His sudden removal from the midst of this church and people was felt to be a heavy affliction.
Their venerable pastor being thus by the hand of death so soon deprived of his associate, the church were called again to the duty of providing him a colleague, At a church meeting, held June 25th, 1821, by a unanimous vote they made choice of Rev. Edwards Whipple. To this vote the parish gave their consent, and an invitation was extended to Mr. Whipple to become the coadjutor of Dr. Sumner, which he ac- cepted.
REV. EDWARDS WHIPPLE was born in Westborough, Mass., Nov. 1778. He graduated at Williams College, in the year 1801, and studied theology with Dr. Em- mons, of Franklin. He was first ordained over the church in Charlton, Mass., January 25th, 1804. " He there continued," to use the language of one of his
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parishioners,* " a sound, able, faithful evangelical min- ister,-as much beloved and respected by his church and society as any man ought to be,-until February, 1821, when he was dismissed at his own request, and I might add, against the wishes of all his people. He had made a similar request about six years before, but a wise council, as we thought, refused to grant it." Mr .. Whipple was installed over this church, as the colleague of Dr. Sumner, on Thursday, Sept. 20th, 1821. But his continuance with this people was but for a brief period. In one short year those who had witnessed the exercises of his installation, were called to be the sad spectators of his funeral solemnities. He died on the 17th of Sept., 1822, in the forty-fourth year of his age. Under that date Dr. Sumner has left upon the church records the following entry : " This day, after a short sickness of seven days, of a putrid fever, the Rev. E. Whipple departed this life, much lamented." Thus, by a most afflictive and mysterious providence, were the expectations of this people again blasted. The Rev. Dr. Nelson, of Leicester, for many years the intimate friend of Mr. Whipple, preached his funeral discourse from the words, " What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." (John xiii, 7.) In that sermon, with tender and affectionate interest, he has commemorated the many virtues of his departed brother.
* Gen. Salem Towne, of Charlton. Rev. Dr. Fiske, of New Brain- tree bears this testimony in respect to Mr. Whipple : " He was a man of pleasing manners, a sound theologian, and a very acceptable preach- er to almost all who ever heard him."
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But, though thus deprived of their pastor, this people were not forsaken of the great Head of the church. During the sickness of Mr. Whipple, there were indica- tions of increasing religious interest, which encouraged him in the hope that clouds of mercy were gathering over the field, which for a little he had been permitted to cultivate. Immediately after his death the blessing began to descend. An extensive and interesting revi- val prevailed, in which twenty or thirty persons became, as they believed, first savingly acquainted with the truth, who subsequently were added to the church.
On the 11th of August, 1823, this church were for the third time summoned to the choice of one who should share the burdens of their venerated pastor, still lingering among them. They were most harmonious in the election of Mr. George Allen, and their choice met with the full approval of the parish.
REV. GEORGE ALLEN was born in Worcester, Mass., Feb. 1st, 1792. He graduated at Yale College in 1813; studied theology at East Hartford, Conn., and Schenectady, N. Y., with Rev. Andrew Yates, D. D., and was licensed to preach the gospel by the Hartford North Association, in January, 1818. Subsequent to that period, until the year 1822, he was employed in preaching at Waterloo, Seneca Co., N. Y., and at Aurora, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in each place declining a settlement, to which he was unanimously invited. Re- turning to his native State, he was ordained over this church, as colleague with Dr. Sumner, Nov. 19th, 1823. For more than sixteen years he discharged the
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duties of a pastor here, and received his dismission June 18th, 1840. In October of the same year, he re- ceived the appointment of Chaplain to the State Hos- pital in Worcester, the duties of which station he still continues to discharge.
The death of Dr. Sumner occurred in little more than a year after the settlement of Mr. Allen.
This church and people, during Mr. Allen's ministry, were favored with two seasons of special religious interest, in which many became the hopeful subjects of divine grace, and made a public profession of their faith in Christ. The date of these revivals can be determined by reference to the list of the members of the church.
The meeting house, erected soon after the settlement of Dr. Sumner, still occupied its original position and had undergone but slight alterations, during the long period of his ministry. At length, owing to the increas- ing numbers in the congregation, it was deemed desirable by the parish, that some change should be made in the house, for their greater convenience. Immediate measures were taken to effect that object; and in the summer of 1834, the house was removed to its present location, entirely remodeled and thoroughly repaired, assuming the form which it still retains.
By the dismission of Mr. Allen, this church were again left destitute of a pastor. At a meeting of the church, held April 26th, 1841, they voted unanimously to invite Mr. James Averill to settle with them in the
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ministry of the gospel .* With this the parish cordially concurred, and, to the invitation given, Mr. Averill responded in the affirmative.
REV. JAMES AVERILL was born in Griswold, New London Co., Ct., May 29th, 1815. He graduated at Amherst College in the year 1837 ; and studied theology at the Theological Seminary in New Haven, leaving that institution in the year 1840. He was ordained as pastor of this church and congregation, June 22d, 1841, and continued here to labor until disabled by the failure of his health. In consequence of this, he made applica- tion for a dismission from his charge, with which request the church complied on Wednesday, 15th Nov., 1848.
During the ministry of Mr. Averill, this church and people were again visited, at two different seasons, with rich tokens of divine mercy, in the bestowment of quickening and converting grace. The hearts of the children of God were gladdened and refreshed; and many, as the fruits of those revivals, came forward from the world and openly avowed their attachment to the Saviour. May their names be found written in heaven !
At a meeting of the church in August, 1847, a committee, consisting of the pastor and deacons, was appointed to prepare a new draft of their Confession of Faith and Covenant, to be presented for the adoption of the church. In compliance with their appointment, at a meeting of the church, held October 1st, 1847,
* Previous to this, in Nov., 1840, a call had been given to Mr. AMos S. CHESEBROUGH, the acceptance of which he had declined.
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the committee reported the forms of Creed and Covenant, which are presented in this book. These, after proper consideration, were adopted as the Articles of Faith and Covenant of this church, in place of the original form approved by the church at its first organization.
On the 15th of January, 1849, the church voted, with the concurrence of the parish, to extend a call to Mr. N. W. Williams to become their pastor. To the invitation presented, in accordance with this vote, he gave an affirmative answer.
NATHAN WITTER WILLIAMS, the present pastor, was born in Providence, R. I., March 12th, 1816. He graduated at Yale College in the year 1842. He pursued a course of theological studies, in a private class, at Philadelphia, under the direction of Rev. Albert Barnes and other clergymen of that city. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia, during its session at Cedarville, Fair- field, Cumberland Co., N. J., Wednesday, April 15th, 1846. On Wednesday, the 28th of February, 1849, he was ordained as pastor over this church.
FORM OF ADMISSION.
ADDRESS.
In the presence of God and these witnesses, you now appear to make a declaration of your religious faith ;- to dedicate yourself to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to enter into covenant with this church.
By this act you publicly and solemnly profess to receive the Father, Son and Holy Ghost as your God; and bind yourself to walk henceforth in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, as becom- eth the friends of the Redeemer.
If you are sincere in your profession, and with humble reliance upon Divine strength and guidance, continue steadfast in the faith and in all holy obedience unto the end, Christ will be made unto you redemption, sanctification and eternal life.
You will now attend to our Confession of Faith.
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CONFESSION OF FAITH.
1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the sufficient and only perfect rule of faith and practice.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. For the proph- ecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Ye do err, not know- ing the scriptures. To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book ; and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 2 Tim. 3: 16. 2 Pet. 1: 21. 1 Cor. 2: 13. Gal. 1: 11, 12. Matt. 22: 29. Isa. 8 : 20. Gal. 1: 8. Rev. 22: 18, 19.
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2. We believe that there is only one true God, infinite, eternal and immutable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth ;- and that the mode of his existence is such as lays the foun- dation for his personal distinction as Father, Son and Holy Ghost,-that these three are in essence one and equal in every divine perfection.
Hear, O Israel ; the Lord our God is one Lord. I am the Lord, and there is none else; there is no God beside me. God is a spirit. Do not I fill heaven and earth ? saith the Lord. The eternal God is thy refuge. I am the Lord, I change not. And God said unto Moses, I am that I am. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. For wisdom and might are his. The Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. And the Lord passed by be- fore him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth. [For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given : and the government shall be upon his shoulder : and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. I and my Father are one. And Thomas answered. and said unto him, My Lord and my God. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; 1 sceptre of
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