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M. L*
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01783 2129
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CHURCH MANUAL.
THE
CONFESSION OF FAITH
AND
COVENANT
OF THE
FIRST
1st CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
(NORTH) WEYMOUTH, MASS,
FOUNDED 1623.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
BOSTON : PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 24 CONGRESS STREET. 1847.
1862813
1:
WEYMOUTH, MASS. NORTH CHURCH.
D 2844969 Church manual. The confession of faith and .96 covenant of the First Congregational church in Bos- . (North) Weymouth, Mass. Founded 1623. ton, Marvin, 1847. 20р.
"List of members": p.18-20.
SKEL7 CARD
.
4098 Recat
NL 34-434
BRIEF HISTORY
OF THE
FIRST CHURCH IN WEYMOUTH.
A PERMANENT settlement at Wessagussctt, afterwards called Weymouth, was made in August or September of the year 1623, by Capt. Robert Gorges, with a considera- ble company from England ; among whom was William Morrill, an Episcopal clergyman. Some of the company went to Virginia, some returned to England, and some remained. Mr. Morrill remained two years, at Weymouth and Plymouth, after which he returned to England.
The next year, or in 1624, came from Weymouth, in England, an additional number of settlers, " who," says Mr. Prince, " are another sort of people than the former. They have the Rev. Mr. Barnard, their first non-con- formist minister, who dies among them." He ministered to the people about eleven years. He is several times mentioned in the book of Records, and always by the name of Mr. Barnard, with no other appellation.
On the 6th of May, 1635, Joseph Hull, a minister from England, with twenty-one families, settled in Weymouth. In September following he took the freeman's oath. In 1638 he represented the town of Hingham in the General Court ; and on the 5th of May, 1639, preached a farewell discourse at Weymouth. He did not, however, preach in
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Weymouth much over a year ; for Thomas Jenner was there on the 12th of January or June, 1636, and in De- cember following took the freeman's oath. On the 9th of January, 1637, according to Hubbard and Winthrop, " divers of the ministers and elders went to Weymouth to reconcile the differences between the people and Mr. Jen- ner, whom they called there for their pastor, and had gocd success." In 1640, he represented Weymouth in the General Court, but left the place soon after this date. His name is often mentioned in the Records.
Robert Lenthal, whom the people had invited to be- come their minister, was in Weymouth previously to the 30th of January, 1638, a sufficient length of time to dis- seminate his new doctrines, make proselytes, and collect a strong party to oppose the new organization of the church, which took place on that day. Undoubtedly, Mather was right in saying he was there in 1637. Thus it may be considered an historical fact that Mr. Hull, Mr. Jenner, and Mr. Lenthal, were in Weymouth at the same time. It is said that Mr. Lenthial went to Newport in 1640; and after residing there for a time, returned to England.
He was succeeded in the ministry by Samuel Nacman, in whom all the people united ; and this put an end to the commotions and troubles of the five preceding years. He was born in Banbury, England, in 1600; was of Oxford University, and an able minister to seven different churches. In 1638 he came to New England, spent some time at Dorchester, and came to Weymouth in 1639, where he preached between four and five years ; after which he emigrated to Rehoboth, where he died, July 5th, 1663.
Thomas Thacher was born in Salisbury, England, May 1st, 1620 ; and succeeded Mr. Newman in the min-
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istry at Weymouth. He was ordained the 2d of January, 1644. He resided and preached in Weymouth about twenty years ; after which he removed to Boston, and was installed the first pastor of the Third Church, (Old South,) on the 16th of February, 1670. He is represent- ed to have been a very interesting preacher, beloved and respected by the people ; and was the first minister regu- larly ordained in Weymouth, all his predecessors having received ordination in England.
Sumuel Torrey had become the minister of the town instead of Mr. Thacher, in the year 1664. He was the eldest son of Capt. William Torrey ; was born in England, came over with his father in 1640, and was educated at Harvard College. He died the 21st of April, 1707, aged seventy-five years, and in the fifty-first of his ministry ; forty-three of which were in Weymouth. He was chosen by the General Court to preach three General Election Sermons, namely, May 27, 1674; May 16, 1683 ; May 29, 1695. On the death of President Rogers of Harvard College, in 1684, he was chosen to succeed him, but declined accepting the office. Mr. Prince and others represent Mr. Torrey as possessing all those mental, per- sonal and social qualifications which place a man at the head of his profession, and constitute him a great and leading character. Ilis people loved him, and cherished his memory.
The successor of Mr. Torrey was Peter Thacher, of Boston. He was ordained pastor of the church and peo- ple the same year Mr. Torrey died, 1707. His election on the part of the people was unanimous, and the pastoral relation promised much prosperity and happiness to both minister and people. This state of things continued till Mr. Thacher was invited to become colleague pastor with Rev. Mr. Webb, of the North Church in Boston.
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The harmony between minister and people soon be- came disturbed, and a dissolution of the pastoral re- lation ensued, after it had existed eleven and a half years.
Thomas Paine, of Barnstable, succeeded Mr. Thacher, and was ordained the 19th of August, 1719. In four years after his ordination the south part of the town was formed into a separate parish. In 1734, Mr. Paine was dismissed, at his own request, though greatly beloved by his people, and highly respected for his talents and learn- ing. He retired to Boston, with his family ; and after his death, he was buried with his children and people in Weymouth.
William Smith, of Charlestown, was elected in 1734 to supply the place vacated by Mr. Paine, and was ordained to the pastoral office on the first day of December of that year. He soon became a favorite of his people. They loved and respected him highly ; especially the generation which grew up under his ministry. The following char- acter is taken from his grave-stone : " As a divine he was eminent ; as a preacher of the gospel, eloquent and devo- tional. In life he exhibited the virtues of the religion which he had taught. In death he felt its supports, and closed a long and useful life, with hopes full of immortal- ity." Mr. Smith was the father of Mrs. Adams, wife of the elder President Adams. He died in 1783, aged seventy-seven years, and in the forty-ninth year of his ministry at Weymouth.
Jacob Norton, of Abington, was the successor of Mr. Smith, and was ordained the 10th of October, 1787. The pastoral relation existed about thirty-seven years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. During the ministry of Mr. Norton, the west part of the town united with the east part of Braintree, forming a church and
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parish, known by the name of the " Union Church and Society of Weymouth and Braintree."
Josiah Bent, of Milton, succeeded Mr. Norton, and was ordained on the 13th of October, 1824; and dis- missed, at his own request, October 10, 1833. During the ministry of Mr. Bent, one hundred and thirty-four souls were added to the church. He died November 19, 1839, while pastor of the Village Church in Amherst, Massachusetts.
John C. Phillips, of Boston, followed Mr. Bent in the ministry at Weymouth, and was ordained over the First Church and Parish, December 18th, 1833. On the 13th of November, 1837, Mr. Phillips's pastoral relation to this church was dissolved by a mutual council, called at his request. He is now (1847) the pastor of a church in Methuen, Massachusetts.
Joshua Emery, Jr., of Andover, was Mr. Phillips's suc- cessor, and was installed pastor of the church and society, January 25, 1838.
There are now within the limits of Weymouth, includ- ing the Union Church of Weymouth and Braintree, four Orthodox Congregational churches, and two Methodist churches, which have good and convenient houses of worship, with full congregations, and abundant means for sustaining the ministry.
NOTE. The old Creed of the church was written on a blank leaf of the pulpit hymn book, as follows : " You believe in God as the only living and truc God; in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour of the world ; and in the Holy Ghost as the Enlightener, Sanctifier, and Guide of God's people. You believe also in the Holy Scriptures, as a Revelation from God; as such you embrace them, promising that you will make it your
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conscientious and persevering endeavor to regulate your conduct agreeably to their requirements.
" These things, as in the presence of God and these witnesses, you solemnly and religiously profess to believe, and promise by divine aid faithfully to perform."
ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES AND RULES. ADOPTED DECEMBER 3, 1846.
RIGHTS OF THE CHURCH .- This church is independ- ent so far as relates to its internal organization and regu- lation of its affairs. It is amenable to no other ecclesias- tical body, except by its own consent, or according to regular and established Congregational principles. With these exceptions, it controls the admission, discipline and removal of its members, according to its own understand- ing of the Word of God.
CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHURCHES .- This church will extend to other evangelical Congregational churches, and receive from them, the fellowship, advice and assist- ance, which the law of Christ requires. It will extend the usual rights of communion, and practice the usual transfer of members, according to its own conviction of duty. It holds itself bound to regard the decisions of mutual councils, and to seek the promotion of peace with all the churches of our Lord.
ADMISSION AND TRANSFER OF MEMBERS .- This church will examine all applicants for admission. It will grant dismission, for good cause, to its members in regular standing, on their application in writing, and recommend them to the fellowship of other sister churches ; all such applications to be referred to the church committee, and
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to be reported upon at the next succeeding meeting of the church. Members removing from the town are required to obtain their dismission within one year from the time of their removal, unless circumstances be such as to ren- der a union with any other church inexpedient; and in such case they are required to inform the church why they have not requested a removal of their connection.
It shall be the duty of the church committee to report to the church, at the annual meeting, the names of such members as shall have removed from town, the preceding year, with any other information they may possess in rela- tion to them, and which they may deem it important to communicate.
It is required that members of other churches, who may wish to commune with this church for more than one year, request a dismission from their respective churches and an admission to this church, unless they give satis- factory reason for delay to the church through the committee.
RIGHTS OF MEMBERS .- Every member has a right to church privileges unless forfeited by misconduct ; and when forfeited, he can be deprived of them only by regu- lar process. The presentation of complaints shall be first made to the church committee, who, upon sufficient cause, shall prefer charges before the whole church. In case the committee refuse so to do, the complainant, if he insist on his charges, may present his complaint to the church. When a member is accused, he shall be season- ably furnished with a copy of the complaint, and shall have a full hearing. While the trial is pending, the accused is expected to abstain from participating in the Lord's Supper.
DUTIES OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MEMBERS. - It is the duty of the members to attend such stated meetings
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as are appointed by vote of the church, unless providen- tially prevented ; and to pay their proportional tax, ac- cording to their annual assessment, towards supporting the ministry and defraying other expenses of the parish ; and no member can refuse so to do without subjecting his or her Christian character to just and reasonable suspicion.
Any member, having cause of complaint against an- other, should immediately seek to have it removed in a Christian manner; the direction given in Matthew xviii. being his guide, especially in cases of personal offence.
Any member wishing to withdraw from this church, and to unite with another, should signify his wish and reasons, and apply in a proper spirit to be first released from his obligations to this church. Any other mode of withdrawal will be deemed irregular and censurable.
CENSURABLE OFFENCES .- 1. Avowed disbelief of the Articles of Faith adopted by the church. 2 Tim. iii. 5; iv. 3, 4; Titus iii. 10; 2 John ix. 10.
2. Breach of express covenant vows, as contained in the Covenant of this church. Deut. xxiii. 23; Ps. cxxxvii. 5, 6; Eccl. v. 4, 5; Matt. xxi. 28-31; Luke ix. 62; Heb. x. 26, 27 ; 2 Pet ii. 15-22 ; 1 John ii. 19.
3. Neglect of acknowledged religious and relative duties. Acts xiii. 44; Heb. x. 25; Ps. Ixxxiv. ; I Cor. xi. 23-28 ; Matt. x. 10; 1 Cor. ix. 14 ; Gal. vi. 6 ; 1 Thess. v. 12, 13; Titus iii. 1, 2; 1 Pet. ii. 13-20; 1 Tim. v. 8; Eph. vi. 1-9; Levit. xix. 32; Jer. x. 25; 1 Pet. iii. 1-12; Eph. v. 22-23; Matt. vii. 12 ; Rom. xii. ; John xv. 16 ; Mark xvi. 15; Rom. x. 14, 15 ; 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.
4. Immoral conduct; especially as noticed and con- demned in the following references :- Exod. xx. 3-17; Levit. xix. 16; Prov. xix. 5; xvi. 27, 28; James i. 26; Rom. xvi. 17, 18; Eph. v. 11, 18; Deut. xxi. 20, 21 ; Prov. xx. 1 ; xxiii. 29-32; Rom. xiii. 13, 14; Habak. ii.
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15; James v. 4; Jer. xxii. 13; Mal. iii. 5; Rom. i. 18- 32; i Cor. vi. 9, 10; Gal. v. 19-21; 1 Tim. i. 9, 10; 2 Tim. iii. 1-5.
CENSURES .- The censures to be inflicted on offenders are, private reproof, public admonition, or excommunica- tion, according to the aggravation of the offence. Prov. xxii. 10; Matt. xviii. 15, 16; Rom. xvi. 17; 1 Cor. v. 4, 5,11; 2 Thess. iii. 6; Titus iii. 10.
STANDING RULES. ADOPTED DECEMBER 3, 1846.
1. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the church, in the month of May, the time and place to be notified from the pulpit ; which meeting, with all other meetings for business, shall be opened with prayer.
2. The Records of the church shall be kept by the Pastor.
3. At the Annual Meeting shall be chosen by ballot a Committee of seven members, including the Pastor and Deacons, to be known as the Church Committee ; also a Treasurer and Auditor.
4. The duties of the Church Committee shall be such as are expressed or implied in the Ecclesiastical Princi- ples and Rules of this church .- The Treasurer shall have charge of the moneys and other property of the church, subject to the order of the church, and shall make a written Report at the Annual Meeting, attested by the Auditor.
5. Candidates for admission to the church shall be propounded in church meeting, four weeks previous to admission ; and notice shall be publicly given from the pulpit of such as are expected to make a profession, at least two weeks previous to their admission.
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6. Candidates for admission and members of the church are required to abstain from the traffic and use of intoxi- cating liquors as a drink.
7. The church is expected to hold a weekly meeting for devotional exercises and religious conference, and for the transaction of any business which may properly come before the church. At this meeting members of the church shall have the privilege of inviting their Christian friends.
RESOLVES ON THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY. ADOPTED MAY 5, 1843.
1. That we regard it the duty of the church to bear decided testimony against all sin.
2. That we regard Slavery-holding men as property -as a sin which ought to be immediately abandoned.
3. That the institution of Slavery, as existing in the United States, is not only of a sinful character, but also productive of great injury to our social, civil and religious interests ; and that we feel bound to endeavor, in all suit- able ways, to effect its abolition.
4. That in our efforts to abolish Slavery, we should avoid every thing that savors of harshness or a want of Christian charity ; and pursue such a course as is dic- tated by the principles of religion, so as to secure the highest good of the master and of the slave, and of our common country.
5. That we regard the relation of slaveholding as di- rectly at variance with the spirit of the gospel, and highly inconsistent with the Christian profession ; and, therefore, we feel bound, after suitable admonition, to withhold fellowship from those of our brethren who sustain this relation.
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ARTICLES OF FAITH, AND COVENANT.
ADOPTED NOVEMBER 15, 1834.
FORM OF ADMISSION.
-
ADDRESS.
Beloved Friends :
You have presented yourselves before God and this assembly to make a solemn confession of your religious faith, and to take upon you everlasting ob- ligations. We trust that you have duly considered the nature of the profession you are about to make, and the engagements into which you are now to enter. Your vows will be heard on high, and will be exhibited on your trial at the last day. But be not disheartened. If you come with sincere de- sires to be the Lord's, to believe his word and obey all his commandments, he will give you wisdom and grace, as you need, and conduct you in safety to his heavenly kingdom.
-- 1-4.14F
Having examined and assented to the Articles of Faith and Covenant adopted by this church, you will now profess the same before these witnesses.
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
You believe there is one only living and true God, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the uni-
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verse ; a Being self-existent, independent and immu- table, infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, mercy and truth.
You believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by the inspiration of God. That they contain a complete and harmoni- ous system of divine truth, and are the only perfect rule of Christian faith and practice.
You believe that God is revealed in the Scrip- tures, as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and that these three are one God, and in all divine attributes equal.
You believe that God made all creatures and all things for himself ; that he governs them according to his unchangeable counsel for his own glory ; and that the principles and administration of his govern- ment are perfectly holy, just and good, nowise in- terfering with the free agency, (God's own gift,) or the accountability of the creature.
You believe that our first parents were created holy ; that they fell from that state of holiness by transgressing the divine command ; and that in con- sequence of their apostacy, all their descendants are without holiness and alienated from God, until their hearts are renewed by divine grace.
You believe that Christ, being God manifest in the flesh, has, by his sufferings and death, made an atonement for sin, on account of which, pardon is offered to all ; but that such is the aversion of man to the terms of salvation, that only those who are renewed by the special influences of the Holy Spirit, and whom God did always purpose to save
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from deserved ruin, comply with them ; and that the soul which is once made partaker of renewing grace, will never be permitted so to fall away, as finally to perish.
You believe that there will be a general resurrec- tion of the bodies both of the just and of the un- just ; and a day of judgment, when all must give account to Christ of all the deeds done in the body, whether good or bad ; when the impenitent will go away into punishment, and the righteous into life, both of which will be without end.
Moreover, you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has a visible church in this world ; that the terms of membership are a credible profession of faith in Christ, and of that holiness which is wrought by the renewing grace of God; and that none but members of the visible church, in regular standing, have a right to partake of the Lord's supper ; and that only they and their households can be admitted to the ordinance of baptism.
All these things you profess and heartily believe. (The ordinance of baptism to be administered.)
You will now enter into solemn covenant with God and with this church.
COVENANT.
You do now, in presence of God and this assem- bly, solemnly, and as you hope with sincerity of soul, dedicate yourself to God in Christ, humbly confessing and repenting of your sins.
You solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your God, the Lord Jesus Christ your Redeemer, and the Eternal Spirit your Sanctifier.
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You covenant and promise, that by the strength of divine grace, you will make it your endeavor to walk worthy of the Christian vocation.
You covenant with this church, that you will walk with it in Christian fellowship, and in a due attendance on all the institutions of Christ.
Thus, in presence of God, you solemnly cove- nant and promise.
(Here the members of the church will rise.)
In consequence of these professions and pro- mises, we, the members of this church, affectionately receive you to our communion, and in the name of Christ declare you entitled to all its visible privi- leges. We welcome you to this fellowship with us in the blessings of the Gospel, and on our part en- gage to watch over you, to love and pray for you, and to seek your edification, so long as you continue among us. Should you have occasion to change your place of residence, it will be your duty to seek, and ours to grant, a recommendation to anoth- er church ; for hereafter you can never withdraw from the watch and communion of the saints, with- out a breach of covenant.
And now, beloved in the Lord, let it never be forgotten that you have come under solemn obliga- tions, from which you cannot escape. Wherever you go, these vows will be upon you. They will follow you to the bar of God, and will abide upon you forever. The Lord guide and preserve you till death, and at last receive you and us to that blessed world, where our love and joy shall be forever per- fect. Amen.
FIRST CHURCH IN (NORTH) WEYMOUTHI.
MINISTERS.
WILLIAM MORRILL, settled
1623.
MR. -- BARNARD,
1624.
JOSEPH HULL,
1635.
THOMAS JENNER,
66
1636.
ROBERT LENTHAL,
1638.
SAMUEL NEWMAN,
1639.
THOMAS THACHER,
January
2, 1644.
SAMUEL TORREY,
1664.
PETER THACHER,
1707.
THOMAS PAINE,
66
August 19, 1719.
WILLIAM SMITH,
December
1, 1734.
JACOB NORTON,
October
10, 1787.
JOSIAH BENT, JR.,
October
13, 1824.
JOHN C. PHILLIPS,
December
18, 1833.
JOSHUA EMERY, JR.,
January
25, 1838.
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH, January 1, 1847.
PASTOR. REV. JOSHUA EMERY, JR.
DEACONS. ELNATHAN BATES, ABNER P. NASH.
CHURCH COMMITTEE. Consisting of seven Members, chosen annually ; including the Pastor and Deacons.
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LIST OF MEMBERS,
IN THE ORDER OF THEIR UNITING WITH THE CHURCH.
[ Abbreviations. - w. for wife, wd. for widow.]
1791. Betsy, wd. of Benjamin Pratt. 1800. Phebe, wd. of David Ford. Abigail, wd. of Robert Bates. 1801.
Bela Vining.
Jane, wd. of William Humphrey.
Hannah, w of David Lovell.
Rebecca, wd of Jared White.
Chloe, wd. of Jacob Lovell. 1803.
Bethia Bates.
Mary, wd. of Solomon Dyer. 1804.
Nancy, wd. of John White.
Hannah, w. of Ephraim Pratt. 1806.
Christiana, wd. of James Jones. Matilda, wd. of Increase Bates. 1808.
Sarah, wd. of Lemuel French.
Widow of Isaac Wilder. 1809.
Mary Lovell. 1810.
Mary, w. of Oliver Bates.
Betsy, wd. of Asa Burrell.
Harriet Harding. 1811.
Elizabeth, w. of Lem'l Humphrey.
Anna, wd. of Peter Lincoln. 1813.
Lucy, w. of Samuel Loring. Ansel Pratt. 1816. Mary, wd. of Dea. John Bates. 1817. Hon. Christopher Webb.
Susan, w of C. Webb. Lydia Beals.
Betsy Jeffers. 1822.
Dea. Elnathan Bates. Thomas Nash.
1823.
Caroline, w. of Rev. E. Sandford.
Sophia, w. of Thomas Nash.
Sarah, w. of Jacob Dyer.
Betsy, w. of James Blanchard. Cotton Lovell. Betsey, w. of C. Lovell.
Abigail, w. of James Thomas. Wd. Susana White.
Wd. Mary Cleverly. 1825. Susan, w. of Noah Tirrell. 1827.
Betsy, wd. of Josiah Bates. Jacob Pratt.
Abigail L., w. of J. Pratt.
David Pratt, Junior.
Mercy G., w. of D. Pratt, Jun.
Mary, w. of David Pratt.
Hannah, w. of J. L Pratt.
Nancy, wd. of Joseph Pratt.
Sarah S , wd of Lewis Beals.
Eliza, w. of Oliver Shaw
Lydia, w. of Hervey Cushing. Lois, w of Jesse Dyer.
Daniel Dyer. Daniel H. Vining.
Deborah Ford.
Maria, w. of John D. Salisbury. Susan, w. of Samuel Veazie. 1828.
Peter Whitmarsh.
Ruth, w. of P. Whitmarsh.
Joseph Loud. David Pratt.
John Loud.
Thomas French. John L. Pratt. Asa Nash.
Hannah, w. of Asa Nash.
Isaac French. Susan, w. of J. French.
Lewis Beals. Jonathan D. Pratt. Mary W., w. of J. D. Pratt.
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