USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Contributions to the ecclesiastical history of Essex County, Mass., 1865 > Part 36
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The Rev. James Noyes, teacher of the church in Newbury, was the
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son of the Rev. Mr. Noyes, of Choulderton, England ; was born in 1608; studied at Oxford ; was chosen teacher of the church in Newbury 1635. where he died in 1656. Oet. 22, in his forty-eighth year:
" He was," says Mr. Parker. " a man of singular qualifications, - in piety excelling, an implacable enemy to all heresie and schism, and most able warner against the same. He was of a reaching and ready inven- tion, a most profound judgment, a rare and tenacious and most compre- hensive memory ; fixed and immovable in his general conceptions ; sure in words and speech. without rashness ; gentle and mild in all his expres- sions, without passion or provoking language." " In his catechism to children," says Dr. Popkin, " he has left the proof of a clear and com- prehensive mind."
The Rev. John Woodbridge was the son of Rev. John Woodbridge, of Staunton, England : was born in 1613; was ordained in 1644. the first minister of Andover, Mass. In 1647. he returned to Andover. England, where he preached till 1663. He then came to Newbury, Mass., where he assisted his unele Parker for ten years. He was subsequently chosen magistrate, and continued to reside in Newbury until his death, March 17, 1605.
The Rev. John Richardson was born (probably in Boston) in 1646; studied at Harvard : settled in Newbury Oct. 20. 1675 ; died July 23, 1696.
The Rev. Christopher Toppan was born in Newbury Dee. 25. 1675 ; studied at Harvard : settled Sept. 9, 1696 ; and died July 23, 1747, after a very long and successful pastorate of forty-nine years. Ile was a man of talents, energy, and decision of character. In the language of Dr. Popkin, " he magnified his office " with great acceptance and success.
The Rev. John Tucker was born in Amesbury Sept. 20. 1719; stud- ied at Harvard ; settled Nov. 20, 1745 ; and died March 22, 1792, in his seventy-second year. " Ile was," says Dr. Popkin. "a man of a strong. sound, well-furnished mind. of peculiar ingenuity and power of argumentation, of a pious, meek, and kindly spirit. He was habitually very meek and placid, and met the peculiar difficulties of his situation with firmness and strength of mind."
The Rev. Abraham Moore was born in Londonderry. N. II .. Sept. 8. 1768 ; studied at Dartmouth ; settled in Newbury March 23. 1796; and died June 24, 1801, in his thirty-third year. In the language of Dr. Popkin. " he was a very serious, meek, prudent, pious, and faithful min- ister, reserved in conversation, but of a fruitful mind in the work of the ministry. Ile was certainly a man of genius as well as goodness."
The Rev. John S. Popkin was born in Boston June 19, 1771 ; studied at Harvard; settled in Newbury Sept. 9, 1804. Having been chosen
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professor of Greek in Cambridge University, he was dismissed from his pastoral charge Oct. 5, 1815. He died in Cambridge March 2, 1852, in his eighty-first year.
" He had," says Judge White, " the reputation of being the first scholar, not only of his own class, but of all the Harvard graduates since the Revolution. I have never met with a nobler combination of pure prin- ciples, pure feelings, pure benevolence, pure motives, with true piety, virtue, and learning, than I have found in him."
The Rev. Leonard Withington, the present senior pastor, was born in Dorchester Aug. 9, 1789 ; studied at Yale and Andover ; settled in Newbury Oct. 31, 1816.
The Rev. John R. Thurston, the present junior pastor, was born in Bangor, Me., Sept. 4, 1831 ; studied at Yale and Bangor ; settled in Newbury Jan. 20, 1859.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE CHURCH IN BYFIELD.
BY REV, CHARLES BROOKS.
Materials for writing scanty. "The church records to 1744, and parish records to 1760, lost. The parish, somewhat irregular in territory, ex- tends about two miles each way from the church, in what was originally Rowley and Newbury. In April, 1838, a part of Rowley became Georgetown, the dividing line running directly through the church.
Record of occupancy in 1702. Place originally used for grazing. First names " Quaseacunquen " (Falls). "The Falls." "Rowl-bury " (Rowley and Newbury). First meeting-house built 1702 (near present site). Citizens released from obligation to support gospel elsewhere. Parishioners met in parsonage 1704, Feb. 24, O. S., agreed to call the parish " Byfield " in honor of Hon. Nathaniel Byfield of Boston, for which honor he gave them, 1710, a bell (225 lbs.). Incorporated 1710. His portrait given to the parish by a descendant 1835. First meeting- house torn down (tradition) ; new one built 1746 (56×45 feet), high square pews, high pulpit, sound-board ; seats for poor people and old persons on each side of the pulpit ; a pew in each front corner of the gallery for servants. Bell given by Ebenezer Parsons, Esq. (885 lbs.), was put in the place of the Byfield bell 1817. Meeting-house burned Friday night, March 1, 1833 ; cause, carelessness. In May fol- lowing, S. W. corner-stone laid for present building. Address by Nehe- miah Cleaveland. Dedicated Nov. 7, same year, sermon by Rev. J. P. Cleaveland. New bell by the parish (1,000 lbs.).
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Funds. - 1. Of the Rowley side, - legacy of Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, April 14, 1660, divided " pro rata." between first parish in Rowley, Georgetown, and Byfield in Rowley. No advantage to Byfield, until 1734. (Value nearly double that of the Newbury side.) Imprudently invested and lost. 2. Of the Newbury side, -a " Wood Lot, granted by the pro- prietors of Newbury, for the use of the ministry, to the inhabitants of Newbury, Byfield," 1730. Some difficulty having arisen about it, the Newbury side obtained from Rev. Dr. Parish, April 11, 1788, a quit- elaim. This fund now pays about $150 towards the salary. Parson- age built for the first pastor. 3. Fund of the church. Legacies of Matthew Duty, died June 2, 1756. and Ruth Duty Pearson. Will dated April 28, 1819. About $200 for the poor of the church.
Church. - Organized not later than Nov. 17, 1706.
First pastor. Rev. Moses Hale, ordained Nov. 17, 1706. Preached about three years before. Successful ministry. 736 baptisms. Church had one hundred and fifty members at his death, January, 1743. Faith- ful in admonition. Some opposition. Mr. Hale assisted in organizing the church in Georgetown 1732, then New Rowley. The church in Byfield, with two individuals, gave them a communion service. Others gave them money. Mr. Hale gave his daughter, the wife of their first pastor. In 1735-36. fatal epidemic, "throat distemper," one hundred and four persons, mostly children, died in one year. Four of one family in one grave.
Second pastor, Rev. Moses Parsons, Feb. 23, 1743. Church had a fast day on account of the death their pastor, and for direction in seeking another. Mr. Parsons was invited to this position April 13, 1744, or- dained 20th June following, died Dec. 14, 1783. Mr. P. baptized 724 persons, forty-seven were added to the church. Of the 430 deaths, consumption the most frequent cause.
Committee chosen "to tarry at the meeting-house to read for the edi- fication of such as tarry at noon." First introduction of choir singing, 1774 Mr. Parsons not cordially received by all the church. Several " absented themselves " from communion. Church resorted to discipline. Offending members generally reclaimed. Confessions were made by about forty members, of improper conduet. Church members not allow- ed to commune with the "disorderly."
The disaffected members alleged that the pastor was opposed to Mr. Whitfield, which was almost equivalent, in their view, to being opposed to the work of God .. They were dissatisfied with the church for sustain- ing their pastor, and for not receiving the confession of an erring mem- ber, which the church did not consider ingenuous. These objections
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were ' satisfactorily answered by a committee, of which the pastor was chairman. Too much reason to suppose that Mr. Whitfield was not always right. Not certain that Mr. W. did not come to Byfield. Cove- nant frequently read. Days of fasting and prayer frequent, as when the " pastor died." ". Religion " was " low." Some " prevailing disease," or, some "public calamity." The country in the time of royal oppress- ion was not forgotten by the church. .
Dea. Colman's difficulty.1 The pastor was the owner of three slaves. Dea. C. was much offended with his minister for " so gross a violation of the divine laws," and brought three accusations (Dec. 21, 1780) against him, each of which was rejected by the church. Mr. P. is be- lieved to have given his slaves their freedom some time before Dea. C. had become aroused to such a pitch of excitement. Mr. P., being sus- tained by the church, almost, as if in retaliation, arraigned Dea. C. for his imprudent zeal, and procured his degradation from office, and his suspension from the church. Dea. C. asked for a council for nearly five years, before his request was granted. He was humbled, made confes- sion, and restored Oct. 26, 1785.
Mr. Parsons was a man of exact character, - dignified, judicious, prudent, firm, cheerful. His penmanship is beautiful and characteristic. In his day game was plenty, and often on his table.
He preached the Election Sermon in 1772, in which he was severe upon the British government. He was not an eminently spiritual man, and so did not infuse that element into the church. He was, as Dr. Emmons says, " Calvinisticalish " only, in his religious opinions.
His wife was a lineal descendant of John Robinson of Leyden, and strongly Arminian in her religious sentiments. She was more than commonly positive in her opinions, energetic in duty, and fond of literary pursuits. Her son, Theophilus, always attributed his love of books and his success in his profession to his mother.
Third pastor, Rev. Elijah Parish, D. D. Four years intervened be- tween the death of Rev. Moses Parsons, and the settlement of Dr. Elijah Parish, in which one or two persons were invited to settle with the parish, but declined. Mr. P. was called Aug. 16, 1787 ; ordained Dec. 20th following ; died Oct. 15, 1825.
During his ministry of more than thirty-eight years, there were added to the church one hundred and thirty-eight members; being the results mostly of three seasons of revival in 1788, 1789, and 1820. Two mem- bers of the parish recorded their votes against inviting the candidate to settle. The council met for his ordination on the 19th of December, but
1 Vide Coffin's History of Newbury.
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they did not conclude to proceed with the ordination until the evening of the next day. The chief difficulty was a difference of opinion in the council in regard to Hopkinsianism. Dr. Parish's theology bore this shade, and it became an apple of discord. The contention went from the council to the church. Several withdrew "after waiting eight long years," and formed a Presbyterian Society under a grant from the General Court, Jan. 1, 1796. They built a meeting-house about a mile northward from the present meeting-house. Rev. Mr. Sleigh was their first and only minister. He began to preach for them about 1794, but the people, after all, preferred to listen to the eloquence of the young and ardent preacher in the old church. In 1804, the society obtained permission of the General Court to sell the house of worship. The next year, Dea. Colman bought and moved it to its present location. For many years a young ladies' school was kept in it. Mary Lyon, Harriet Newell, and other women of note, among its pupils. Thus in ten years the only Presbyterian church in Byfield had its morning, noon, and eventide. Its members returned to the mother church. Clouds lowered around the commencement of Dr. Parish's ministry - " but when he died there was not a more united parish in the State." Dr. P. preached the Election Sermon in 1810, and the Annual Sermon, before the Convention of Congregational Ministers in Boston, in 1821. He was also the preacher on various other public occasions. Quotations from his discourses are found in the speech of the Hon. Robert Y. Hayne of South Carolina, in the U. S. Senate, on Nullification, to which the Hon. Daniel Webster made his famous reply.
Dr. Parish was a man of decision. perseverance, and ripe scholarship, a man of public spirit and eloquence, of deep and growing piety.
LIST OF DR. PARISH'S PUBLICATIONS.
1. A Compendious History of New England, 1809.
2. A Geography.
3. Several Sermons and Discourses in Pamphlet.
4. A volume of "Sermons, Practical and Doctrinal, with Biographical Sketch of the Author." (Posthumous.)
Fourth pastor, Rev. Isaac R. Barbour. The usual "fast" was ob- served by the church on the death of their former pastor, appointed now for the 4th November. In 1826, Aug. 17, Rev. Jonathan Bigelow was invited to settle over this church. He accepted, but for reasons which do not now appear on the records, the council came to the conclusion " that under the circumstances, it is not expedient to proceed to the in- stallation of Rev. J. Bigelow as pastor of this church."
In Feb., 1827, Mr. Paul Couch, Jr., refused to accept a "call " from
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this church and society. In April following, Mr. Edwin Holt refused a call. Then the church observed a fast.
Rev. J. R. Barbour received his call to settle here Oct. 12, 1827. He accepted. Installed Dec. 20, 1827; resigned March 26, 1833, to take effect May 1st following. During his pastorate there were added to the church eighty by profession and eleven by letter. About twenty-five children were baptized. The church manifested an interest in the forma- tion of Essex North Conference of Churches. They helped to build churches for feeble societies, long before the Congregational Union was formed. Mr. B. did a good work in the Temperance cause. There was some difficulty with a member guilty of " trafficking in distilled spirits," "which, in the estimation of this church, is inconsistent with Christian character."
March Ist, 1833. The church edifice was burned with the " Bible and Psalm Book." But the society had previously (Jan. 14, 1833) concluded to " build a new church " and "sell the old one at auction."
Fifth pastor, Rev. Henry Durant. The present "church " was dedi- cated Nov. 7, 1833. Mr. Henry Durant received a "call" to this pastorate Oct. 26, accepted Nov. 22, ordained Dec. 25, 1833. Seldom is so much crowded into nine months of church history ! Meeting-house burnt, pastor dismissed. New church built, and new pastor settled. During Mr. D.'s ministry, seventy-five members were added to the church. Several cases of discipline were well managed. About the middle of April, 1847, he accepted an invitation to take charge of Dum- mer Academy. Offered his resignation Sept. 15th following. It was reluctantly accepted. Two councils were called before his dismission was granted in March 31, 1849. In 1841 the church were of opinion that agents of benevolent societies might very safely be dispensed with. Two years later they chose a committee of six to visit every family in the parish, and supply the destitute with Bibles. This was immediately attended to.
Sixth pastor, Rev. Francis V. Tenney. Rev. Mr. T. received a " call " to the ministry of this church, Dec. 8, 1849. He was installed March 7, 1850, resigned March 22, 1857. Dismissed by council April 22, 1857. He received to the membership of the church, forty-two. Twenty-six children were baptized July 6, 1856.
Seventh pastor, Rev. Charles Brooks. A few months after Rev. Mr. Tenney left, Mr. Fred. Alvord was engaged to preach for a while - but, at last, refused a "call" to settle. Mr. B. preached first, on the last Sabbath of Feb., 1858. Unmistakable signs of religious interest in the evening. By the second time, the last Sabbath in March, the work of Divine grace appeared to have progressed and deepened wonderfully.
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From that time it went on like a deep river. Between seventy and eighty expressed a hope in Jesus, but some have " withered" away. Over sixty have united with the church. The church itself never seem- ed thoroughly conscious of what God was doing in that revival.
Mr. B. became pastor by ordination, &c., June 16, 1858. On the same day "a valuable pulpit Bible " was given to the church by S. W. Stickney, Esq., of Lowell. And a little later two hymn-books (Church Psalmody) were given by Mr. Henry D. Noyes of Boston.
BELLEVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NEWBURYPORT.
BY REV. D. T. FISKE.
This church was organized (probably) on the second day of April, 1808. It has had three settled ministers, viz. :
Rev. James Miltimore, installed April 27, 1808; died March 23, 1836. Rev. John C. March, ordained March 1, 1832; died Sept. 26, 1846. Rev. Daniel T. Fiske, ordained Aug. 18, 1847.
There is a little uncertainty as to the precise day on which the church was organized. The following statement in the handwriting of the first pastor, appears on the first leaf of the book of records. " In the months of March and April, in the year of our Lord 1808, a number of indi- viduals belonging to the fourth parish in Newbury, met once and again for the purpose of collecting and organizing a church of our Lord Jesus Christ. After repeated and solemn consideration, conference, and prayer, they formed themselves into a Christian church by explicitly renewing the dedication of themselves to God in the engagements of a church state by expressly covenanting with one another, for an obedience to the Lord in the ordinances of the gospel, and deliberately subscribing with their hands to the terms of a covenant in which they agreed to unite." This statement implies that the organization was not effected till some time in April. But the records show that on the second day of April, the church, in its organized capacity, transacted business, and extended a call to Rev. Mr. Miltimore to become its pastor. It must, then, have been formed either on the first or second day of April. probably the latter.
The above statement implies, also, that the church was strictly self- organized. It says "a number of individuals " "formed. themselves into a Christian church ; " but makes no allusion to a council ; and no evi- dence can be found that the ad of' a council was had, or desired. The reason for this departure from the Congregational usages of that day is unknown.
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The "Covenant" which was subscribed by the original members, in- eluded both a Confession of Faith and a Covenant, and is still retained by the church unchanged. It is as follows :
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
ARTICLE 1. We believe in the one living and true God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
ART. 2. We believe that in the beginning God made man innocent and happy, adorned him with his own image, and appointed him to im- mortality.
ART. 3. We believe that man has fallen from that pure and happy state in which God at first created him -fallen into a state of sin and ruin, out of which no finite power can deliver him.
ART. 4. We believe that Almighty God, looking down from heaven with eyes overflowing with mercy, and beholding man in his state of sin, degradation, and ruin, pitied his misery, and devised a scheme for his recovery and restoration.
ART. 5. We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man, and that, as the only Mediator of the new covenant, he is Prophet, Priest, and King of his church and people, to bring them to eternal life, and blessedness, and glory.
ART. 6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Prophet of the world, reveals, by his word and spirit, the perfections and will of God to men; as the Priest of the world, he offered up himself a sacrifice for sin, and is now interceding for his people at the right hand of the Majesty on high ; and as the King of the world, he subdues a people for himself - reigning in and over them - restraining and conquering all his and their enemies.
ART. 7. We believe that the redeemed of the Lord partake of the redemption which JJesus Christ hath purchased by the effectual applica- tion thereof to them by his Holy Spirit, convincing and humbling them to a despair of helping themselves, and revealing Christ as an all-suffi- cient Saviour, enabling them to embrace him as offered in the gospel.
ART. 8. We believe that men are justified and accepted as righteous in the sight of God, only and wholly through the perfect righteousness of Christ, received by faith alone, which faith is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God.
ART. 9. We believe that a sincere love to God and a holy life of sin- cere obedience to the revealed will of God, are certain and necessary fruits of a true and saving faith.
ART. 10. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a complete rule of faith and life to every Christian.
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ART. 11. We believe that Baptism with water, and the Lord's Sup- per, are ordinances instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ to be observed in his church.
ART. 12. We believe that God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
ART. 13. We believe, in fine, that at the time-appointed, the dead will be raised up, and all that ever lived upon the earth will appear at the tribunal of the enthroned Judge; the books will be opened, the sen- tence will be pronounced, will be executed, when the wicked will be driven away in their wickedness; and the righteous, erowned with glory and adorned with immortality, ascending with their Lord, will approach to the fountain of life, and partake of those pleasures at the right hand of God, which will occupy and animate the praises of eternity.
COVENANT.
And now, having, as we trust and hope, sincerely and repeatedly given ourselves up to the Lord Jesus Christ, in an everlasting covenant, to be guided, governed, and saved by him, - we do this day renew the dedication of ourselves to him, and covenant with one another in manner following :
We do solemnly and sincerely give up ourselves to the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and avouch him this day to be our Father, onr Saviour, Redeemer, and Leader, and receive him as our portion forever.
We give up ourselves to the ever-blessed Jesus, who has ransomed souls by his own blood, and adhere to Him as the Head of his church and people, in the covenant of grace, and rely on him as our Prophet, Priest, and King to bring us to eternal blessedness.
We give up ourselves to the Holy Spirit, who is the author of all good in the hearts of men, and rely on Him to sanctify us more and more, and to lead us into all truth.
We esteem it our honor and happiness to glorify God, and to be devoted to him, and acknowledge our obligations to deny all ungodliness and wordly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this pres- ent world, particularly in the duties of the church state, as a body of people assembled for an obedience to the Lord in all the ordinances of the gospel.
Conscious of our insufficiency for the faithful discharge of the duties incumbent on us, we desire and covenant, with dependence on that effectual assistance which God has graciously promised, to walk together
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as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the faith and order of the gospel, so far as the same shall be revealed unto us; conscientiously attending to the public worship, the sacraments of the New Testament, the discipline of Christ's kingdom, and all his holy institutions, in com- munion with one another, while our opportunities to be edified together continue, and watchfully avoiding all sinful stumbling-blocks and con- tentions, as becomes a people whom the Lord hath bound up in the bundle of life.
At the same time, and in tender reliance on the same gracious aids, we do also present our offspring unto the Lord, purposing by his help to do our part in the methods of religious education, that they may be the Lord's.
And all this we do, flying to the blood of the everlasting Covenant for the pardon of our many errors, and praying that the glorious Lord, who is the great Shepherd, would prepare and strengthen us, for every good word and work to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory. Amen.
The original members were nine in number, four males and five females ; three of them bearing the name of Little, and six the name of Atkinson. Only one of them - a female - had previously been con- neeted with any church.
The whole number of admissions to the church during the active ministry of Mr. Miltimore, was one hundred and ten, exclusive of the original members. The whole number of admissions during Mr. March's ministry was one hundred and fifty-five. Since the death of Mr. March, there have been one hundred and sixty-eight admissions. The present number of members is two hundred and twenty-three.
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