USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Collection of facts and documents relating to ecclesiastical affairs in Groton, Mass > Part 2
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' Though the committee have been empowered by the town to act according to their own best discretion for a limited time, they would gladly receive instruction from the prudent, and take counsel of the wise ; but it is far from being manifest, that a compliance with the views of the petitioners comports with the conciliatory plan of the committee. Higher excitements and more irreconcilable differences, it is verily believed, would be produced by such a measure.
' The best discretion of the committee has directed them not to introduce to the desk persons, for and against whom strong attach-
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ments and antipathies have been formed, but to seek for one in regard to whom there may be more unanimity of opinion.
"The committee cannot pass over the extraordinary manner in which subscriptions to the petition under consideration were obtained, and some other circumstances attending it, without a remark or two. It seems, that as soon as the determination of the committee to pro- cure a preacher to come and reside amongst us was made, a number of the petitioners assembled, drew up, and signed the petition, and caused it to be carried, with great expedition, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather at that time, to every part of the town; that much persuasion, and statements which had no foundation in truth, were generally used to obtain signatures, and that a great number of the subscribers to it never did, and probably never would hear the person they petitioned for, preach, having been induced to put their names to it, more from the false information given them, than from their attachment to the person named in the petition.
' It was well understood by the projectors of the petition before they drew it up, that a majority of the committee were determined not to employ the person they request they would employ, and that at the time it was presented,-if not before, as one of them stated,-hc . could not be obtained. Under all these circumstances, may we not be permitted to inquire, 'For what purpose were all the trouble, fatigue, persuasion, and false statements of the projectors of the petition ? What sincerity could there be in petitioning for what in part had been already granted, and for what in part was unattainable ? Had their motives been pure and christianlike, would they have used, or permitted to be used, falsehoods, to obtain their purpose ?' The committee would gladly imagine they had almost any other motives, than those which are most obviously suggested by their proceedings; to wit, to keep up an excitement, draw lines of separation, and or- ganize a party.
'The committee are not yet without strong hopes, that if their fellow townsmen will attend public worship, hear, and judge for themselves of the religious instruction to be given, with honest, devout, and charitable minds, that a religious instructer may be found, who will dispense to us the word of life, and unite as great a majority of us as could be expected in so numerous a society, in the bonds of peace, love, and good fellowship.'
The above were the views of the committee ; but they voted, merely that the petitioners have leave to withdraw their petition.
On Mr Robinson's arrival in town, he was introduced by the committee to Dr Chaplin, as the person they had employed to preach in case of his own inability, &c., and Dr Chaplin was in- vited to board Mr Robinson, as he had Mr Todd. He declined to do it.
On Saturday evening about nine o'clock, the chairman of the committee received the following note from Dr Chaplin.
' GENTLEMEN,-After mature reflection, I have thought it my duty to remonstrate once more, against your thrusting a man into my pulpit
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against my wishes, and, as I believe, against the wishes of a majority of this people. Yours, &c. DANIEL CHAPLIN.'
' January 7, 1826.'
At the same time Mr Robinson received the communication which follows.
' Groton, January 7th, 1826.
'SIR,-I think it my duty to make to you the following statement. Two thirds of the church in this place, and more than half the voters, have expressed their wish to hear a gentleman preach, with whom they are already acquainted. I have remonstrated against the pro- ceedings of the committee who have employed you, and wish you to understand that if you go into my pulpit to preach, you will do it with my decided disapprobation. As your character is unknown to me, this communication can be made with no feelings of personal hostility to you, and it is hoped it will be kindly received.
' Yours, with respect,
'D. CHAPLIN, Pastor of the Church in Groton.'
A meeting of the committee was immediately called, and the following answer to the letter addressed to them, agreed on and communicated.
'Sunday Morning, January 8th, 1826. ' TO THE REV. D. CHAPLIN, D. D. &c.
' REV. SIR,-Your note to the committee for supplying the pulpit, was received at a late hour last evening, and the earliest practicable opportunity is taken to consider and answer it.
' It is matter of deep concern to us, that after your repeated request to the town to afford you assistance in your parochial duties, our first efforts as their agents, after some delay, to meet your desires, should not receive your approbation. We have been legally vested by the town with power, for a limited time, to perform an important, a sa- cred duty. Happy should we be if in the discharge of that duty, the dictates of our best judgment should lead us to pursue such measures, as would promote the peace, the harmony, and above all, the moral and religious improvement of our constituents, and at the same time, to act in accordance with your wishes. The committee are desirous to appreciate with due respect, any counsel or advice you may con- descend to give us; but if in compliance with it, we must sacrifice the most invaluable rights and interests of our constituents, it cannot be followed.
' We consider it our imperious duty to supply the pulpit, unless you are able to preach, and we shall endeavour to discharge that duty the short period to which our power extends, unless that power should be sooner revoked by the same authority which gave it. -
' By order of the Committee,
' CALEB BUTLER, Chairman.'
Sunday, January 8th, deacon S. Lawrence announced that a church meeting would be held at Dr Chaplin's house on the 10th. At this meeting the members generally attended. Some of the
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proceedings are stated in the Result of Council .* The minority, however, did not vote. Their other proceedings are not interest- ing.
January 16th, a caucus was held at Mr Daniel Shattuck's tav- ern, as stated in the Result of Council. t
On Saturday evening, January 21st, the chairman of the com- mittee received the following note from Dr Chaplin.
' Groton, January 20, 1826.
'GENTLEMEN,-I have already apprised you, in your official capa- city, that I was desirous of supplying my pulpit, at my own expense. I think it my duty to say to you, that it is still my desire; and to add, that I understand it to be the wish of most of my church, and of a majority of my beloved flock, that I should do it. I am prepared to supply to-morrow ; and shall be hereafter, for the present.
' Yours, &c. DANIEL CHAPLIN.'
This note contains the first mention, that Dr Chaplin would supply the pulpit at his 'own expense.'
The committee returned the answer here given.
' Groton, January 21, 1826.
' TO THE REV. D. CHAPLIN, D. D. &c.
' REV. SIR,-Your note of the 20th instant has just been received by the town's committee for supplying the pulpit.
' You have heretofore, Rev. Sir, been apprised, both by oral and written communications, of the powers and the duties of the com- , mittee whom you address, and also of their determination to discharge their duties within the limits of their powers, according to their best discretion. We have nothing now to retract from our former resolu- tions and determinations ; but we are constrained to add, that from circumstances į which have transpired since our last communication to you, the obligation to a decisive and faithful discharge of our duty has become more imperative upon us. On this seems to de- pend whether the legal acts of the town shall be carried into effect ; or whether the legally constituted authorities shall be overawed by the measures of individuals acting without legal powers. Deeply impressed with this sense of our duty, we very respectfully request you, Rev. Sir, not to attempt to supply the pulpit during the short continuance of our powers, and that you would communicate this note, with all other documents in your possession on this important subject, to the person you have provided to preach tomorrow, that no misunderstanding may disturb religious services on the Lord's day. He must distinctly understand, that we have, in the legal dis- charge of our duty, provided a supply of the pulpit, and that if he should attempt to enter it, he will be responsible for any consequences which may follow, in the course of a just, legal, and firm opposition to such an attempt.
* See the Introduction above, p. 5. t Ibid.
# The caucus at Shattuck's tavern.
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" You will distinctly understand, Rev. Sir, at all times, that your personal attendance in the pulpit is not objected to by the committee, but cordially desired. Per order of the committee,
'CALEB BUTLER, Chairman.'
A considerable number of persons who came to attend meet- ing that sabbath, finding that the clergyman provided by Dr Chaplin did not come to the meetinghouse, returned to their homes ; and the majority of the church, viz. those who had voted in favor of settling Mr Todd, have never attended meeting in the public meetinghouse since. With regard to ' forcible resistance,'* spoken of by the council, little need be said but to deny it. The letter of the committee shows the ground taken by them. There was no parade of surrounding the pulpit with arms or armed men, except in imagination. In the quotation ; which the Council make from the committee's reply to Dr Chaplin, however, it is not obvious to whom 'He' refers. But it in fact refers to the person Dr Chaplin had provided to preach, not, as most readers of the Result of Council must suppose, to Dr Chaplin himself.
Nothing worthy of notice occurred from this time till the annu- al town meeting in March. The committee then made report of their doings, which was accepted by the town, and ordered to be put on file. It was as follows :
' The committee chosen by the town of Groton, Nov. 25th, 1825, "to supply the pulpit, in case of the Rev: Dr. Chaplin's inability to preach, according to their best discretion, for a term not exceeding four months," respectfully ask leave to make the following report to the town of their proceedings in discharge of that duty ; viz.
' When your committee first entered upon the business assigned them, a very considerable excitement, it is well known, existed among the inhabitants respecting the manner in which the pulpit had been supplied for the preceding months ; a person having preach- ed the greater part of that time, who had neither been invited thereto, nor paid therefor, by the town. To allay excitement and promote harmony and unanimity, was a desirable object with your committee ; to attain which they deemed it expedient to provide preaching at first by ordained ministers, till some suitable licensed person could be obtained, for whom no partialities, and against whom no preju- dices, had been formed.
'But previous to taking any step in our duty, it was necessary to consult with the Rev. Dr Chaplin, and ascertain whether or not he was able to preach himself; for in case of his inability only had your committee any duties to perform. At the first interview your com- mittee had with him, after declaring himself in too feeble a state of health to preach, he requested them to state in writing of what par-
* See the Introduction above, p. 5. + Ibid
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ticular religious tenets the person would be, whom they should employ to preach; and they understood him to assume the right to dictate in this particular. It was however waved for that time, and conceded that your committee might supply as they might think ex- pedient, for three or four sabbaths.
' Previous to the expiration of those sabbaths, your committee,- finding that the inhabitants of the town were desirous of having a minister unconnected with any religious society to preach and reside with them, and learning that probably the Rev. Mr Robinson, of whom they had a high recommendation, could be engaged,-had another interview with the Rev. Dr Chaplin, when he claimed the right to provide a preacher himself. Notwithstanding our anxious desire to act in accordance with his views, duty to ourselves and our constituents bound us to resist such an assumption ; and we resolved forthwith to engage some suitable licensed minister of the gospel to come and reside with us and perform parochial duties; a copy of which resolution was communicated to him [Dr C.], and it was soon after executed in the engagement of the Rev. Charles Robinson for the remainder of the time during which our powers were to continue.
' Soon after this, your committee were presented with a petition, subscribed by a very large number of the inhabitants, praying us to procure Mr John Todd to come and supply the pulpit with the Rev. Dr Chaplin's consent. This petition, being first presented at a time posterior to the engagement of the Rev. Mr Robinson, could not conveniently be granted, had we been inclined so to do. Moreover it was found on enquiry, that there were some peculiar circumstances attending the making and subscribing of the petition, which were sufficient reasons why it should not be complied with ; circumstances, which convinced your committee, that the projectors of it had other motives, other views, and other objects to attain than those expressed.
' At a subsequent period your committee received a written com- munication from the Rev. Dr Chaplin, remonstrating against our " thrusting a man into his pulpit," as he was pleased to express it, "against his wishes," and at the same time, the Rev. Mr Robinson received a similar remonstrance against his entering the pulpit. To this your committee returned such answer, as their veneration for their pastor, and a sense of their duty to their constituents, dictated.
' Afterwards your committee understood that a large number of the inhabitants assembled and voted to request the Rev. Dr Chaplin to engage some person to supply the pulpit, and communicated their proceedings to him; and on the succeeding Saturday evening a written notice was received from him, that he had provided for the next day, and thereafter for the present. Again a desire to act in accordance with our revered pastor, and, at the same time, not to relinquish any essential rights of our constituents, placed us in an embarrassing situation. But, considering and believing that in this whole transaction, he had not been guided by that cautious prudence for which he had been heretofore remarkable, but by the counsel and advice of others, and that on the question of legal right there could be no doubt,-we considered a strict and faithful discharge of
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our duty more imperative upon us, and we determined to persevere therein, and not be deterred by any lawless proceedings or ground- less assumptions of right whatsoever ; and we gave due notice of such determination to the Rev. Dr Chaplin, and to the person he had provided to preach. Since this transaction, your committee have been permitted, without further embarrassment, to discharge the duties assigned them .- *
' In conclusion, your committee would observe, that although many unedifying discussions and painful occurrences have taken place in the course of a few months past, in relation to the performance of their duty, that notwithstanding the social intercourse between friends and neighbours has been temporarily interrupted, and the rights of hospitality violated ; yet some good they verily hope and believe may result from these evils. A spirit of inquiry is awakened. Many will hereby acquire knowledge on important subjects of which there has heretofore been a culpable ignorance. And as the irascible and malevolent passions of men cannot be in a state of perpetual activity, nor frauds and misrepresentations forever conceal the truth, when those shall give place to calm reason and christianlike candor, and these be detected and exposed ; then will the designs of ambition be frustrated, and peace, harmony, and unanimity be restored to the town. By order of the committee.
' CALEB BUTLER, Chairman.'
At the town meeting in March, the powers of the committee were continued for six months longer, and the two Calvinists who had hitherto made a part of it, were excused from any fur- ther service, at their own request.
From January 21, to April 1, 1826, the seceders held meet- ings at Dr Chaplin's house and other places, for religious wor- ship, on sabbath and other days.
Mr Todd then returned, and, as stated in the Result of Coun- cil, 'commenced public worship and preaching, in a place pro- vided for the purpose, for such as chose to attend.' +
In the warrant for March meeting, there was inserted an article, ' To choose a committee to examine the original contract be- tween the Rev. Dr Chaplin and the town, and the legality and expediency of appropriating the proceeds of the Ministerial Fund to the discharge thereof, and to make report on the whole sub- ject for the information and future conduct of the town.'
The meeting was adjourned to April, when a committee was chosen, who made the following report, which was accepted at the town meeting in May.
* An account of expenses incurred in providing preaching is here omitted as un- important.
t See the Introduction above, p. 6,
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'The undersigned committee, appointed by the town of Groton at the annual March meeting, holden by adjournment on the third day of April, A. D. 1826, " to examine the original contract between the Rev. Dr Chaplin, &c." [according to the article in the war- rant given above,] report, that they have examined the town and parish records and find that Dr Chaplin's settlement was three hun- dred pounds, and his annual salary for the three first years from the time of his affirmative answer, given at a town meeting October 27th, 1777, one hundred pounds, and afterwards eighty pounds an- nually, " so long as he shall be our minister," to be estimated on cer- tain enumerated articles, specified on record with the prices, as in the year 1774, by " a committee to be annually chosen by the town."
'This your committee find to be the original contract between the town and said Chaplin, which has never been altered by the par- ties, but has been fully satisfied on the part of the town up to the year 1807, from which time up to the year 1821 inclusive, he has received in lieu of his contract, from the town, or first parish, once so called, the sum of six hundred and fifty dollars cach year, in dis- charge, or satisfaction of said contract, for that period of time.
' It appears by a report of a committee of the town, November 12th, 1821, that said Chaplin was " willing to receive the proceeds of said Fund for his salary, and relinquish his said contract, so long as he shall receive the proceeds of said Fund;" and it is believed that he has received the same of the Trustees since that time, aoccrdingly, up to the seventh of January last.
' Here your committee are impressed that it is essentially incum- bent on them, agreeably to their instructions from the town, to com- municate, as far as they are now able, such other facts as lead to a result of their inquiries.
'It must be remembered that the Ministerial Fund arose chiefly from the donation of Josiah Sawtell Esq. to the town, for the " sup- port of the gospel ministry," as declared in his last will. This char- ity being real estate, and yielding little or no income, the town or parish obtained authority to sell and convey, the better to promote the design of the donor ; and also procured the act of incorporation, constituting " the 'Trustees of Groton Ministerial Fund," who are vested with authority to hold and manage property " in trust, for the support and maintenance of the gospel ministry in said town, or parish." This act vests no power or right in Dr Chaplin, to demand or claim the income of said Fund ; but it makes it the duty of the Trustees to pay said income " to snch teacher or teachers of religion as shall be regularly ordained and settled in said parish," but not to him, expressly declaring that his contract with the town shall not in any wise be affected thereby.
' We are therefore of opinion, that the Trustees ought not to ap- propriate the proceeds of the Fund to Dr Chaplin, in discharge of the original contract made with him by the town, inasmuch as such proceeds are in trust only, to be appropriated according to the do- nor's intentions and designs, as the law specially provides, in com-
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pensation of duties and services actually performed by such teacher or teachers of religion as shall be regularly settled in said town or parish. ' JAMES PRESCOTT,
'April 29th, 1826.
' SAMUEL DANA,
' LUTHER LAWRENCE,
Committee.'
This, it is presumed, is what in the Result of Council, is called, voting to withhold Dr Chaplin's support .* This was not, how- ever, the spirit of the vote, as will readily be perceived by the report.
Some time in the latter part of March, 1826, deacon J. Saw- tell and C. Butler Esq., both church members, both having con- tinued to worship in the meetinghouse, and both members of the committee, called on Dr Chaplin, and reminded him that the sacrament of the Lord's supper had not been administered for nearly a year ; that the usual time for the first administration of that ordinance in tlie spring, viz. the first sabbath in April, was near at hand, and, that the whole church might assemble together to join in that ordinance, they proposed to him, that Mr Robinson should, by exchange, or otherwise, procure any of the neighbour- ing ministers, whom he, Dr Chaplin, should nominate, to preach and administer the sacrament. Dr Chaplin replied, that the church were in a divided state ; that they differed in what was essential to the christian religion; that they were not in a suita- ble state of mind to partake of that ordinance, and that he should not consent to its administration.
Soon after this, a church meeting was held at Dr Chaplin's house, at which two only of those members who continued to worship in the meetinghouse attended. Religious exercises were performed, but no vote of the church was taken. Dr Chaplin mentioned that it was intended the sacrament of the Lord's sup- per should soon be administered ; and the meeting was adjourned to take the subject into consideration. The offer to have a neighbouring minister, whom he should choose, to administer it, was renewed by one of the committee ; to which he answered, that he hoped to be able to administer it himself. At the ad- journed meeting, April 5th, only one of the worshippers in the meetinghouse attended, when the votes mentioned in the Result of Council, t together with others adopting new church regu- lations, were passed. The meeting was further adjourned ; but the worshippers in tlie meetinghouse, foreseeing that a separa- tion would take place, attended as members no more.
In the last part of May or first part of June, the seceders pur- chased a lot of land and begun the foundation of a new meeting-
* See Introduction above, p. 6. į Ibid.
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house. The deed was made to three persons, all church mem- bers, and the use of the land was limited to the purpose of a house for religious worship. July 4th, the corner stone was laid with religious ceremonies. Dr Chaplin attended.
Sunday, May 28th, 1826, a church meeting was notified in the usual manner, from the desk, in the meetinghouse. None of course attended but the worshippers there. It was voted that the sacrament should be administered at the usual time ; viz. the first sabbath in June.
The preparatory lecture was accordingly preached, June 2d, and the sacrament administered June 4th.
The communicants were those only who continued to wor- ship in the meetinghouse, with a few members of other churches. Previous to the administration of the ordinance, deacon Sawtell received through the post office, a remonstrance against the procedure, but no notice was taken of it.
A notice for a church meeting was posted, June 4th, in these words :
' PUBLIC NOTICE.
' I have been requested by several members of my church to call a meeting of said church. I therefore appoint a meeting of the church to be holden at my house, on Friday, the 9th of June, at three o'clock, P. M. to transact any business that may come before the church.
DANIEL CHAPLIN, Moderator.'
A church meeting was accordingly holden at Dr Chaplin's house. None but the seceders were present, except C. Butler, who requested that the records of the church meeting holden in the meetinghouse, May 28th, which he produced, might be put upon the church book, or that he might have the book to tran- scribe them into it. This being refused, he declined acting with the church as a member, and requested that in the records of that meeting it might be so noticed.
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