USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Contributions to the ecclesiastical history of Essex County, Mass., 1865 > Part 4
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(b) Another point to be noticed is the general agreement of these fa- thers in doctrine. They were not theologians, in the technical sense of that term. There was among them no Edwards, or Hopkins, or Emmons, or Burton ; but they had a common interest in the same general views of the atonement, and of man's great need, and of the necessity of means to the great ends of redemptive mercy. Their sympathy in doctrine arose more from a similarity of views respecting practical godliness than from theological study. Most of them are known to have been favor- able to the utterance of earnest evangelical sentiments. There was not at this time any decided and outspoken defection from the truth ; but the letter of President Edwards to Professor Wigglesworth, at Harvard College, in 1757, the autobiographical sketches of Dr. Hopkins, and his sermon, published in Boston in 1768, indicate that there was a concealed defection, and that men were even then taking sides for or against evan- gelical truth. The founders of this Association were decidedly for the truth.
(c) Another point in their declaration of sentiments, though contained in parenthesis, is significant and important. When speaking " of taking into consideration the concerns of any brother or any society which may be brought to them for advice," they are explicit on the nature of this duty. It is " merely a friendly council and without the least pretence to any right or authoritative decision." There is a tendency to ecclesiasti- cal control noticeable in the clergy of New England from the outset. It was prominent in the assemblies of 1636, 1648, 1662, and 1679. It was again attempted in 1725, and hence the pertinency of the discussion of the principles of the Cambridge Platform in the early years of the " Ministers' Meeting." At the time this Association was formed, " an- thority was claimed not only by the consociations of Connecticut, but by many of the Ecclesiastical Councils of Massachusetts, to control the churches by interposing a negative." President Stiles, in his sermon before the convention of Congregational Ministers, at Bristol, R. I., thus lays down the fundamental principle of our polity to which our fa-
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thers so reverently bowed : " Each individual church has the sole right of judging and determining its own controversies. Our churches, to the purposes of discipline, are so many distinct ecclesiastical sovereignties, in point of power and control, as independent of one another as the United Provinces of Holland to purposes of civil government."
For the first fifty years of our history as an ecclesiastical body, there is not the slightest infringement upon this principle. The fathers of this Association were, with rare exceptions, men who loved and revered the polity of New England.
(d) Another particular noticeable in the articles of agreement, was the genuine catholicity of our fathers :
VI. That every member of this Association shall consider it as an addi- tional obligation upon him to endeavor to be, so far as he justly and honorably can, a Friend and Guardian to the Reputation, Comfort, and Usefulness of all his brethren in the Christian Ministry, near or remote, of whatever Party or Denomination.
It would be natural for members of the same fraternity from selfish considerations to succor and sustain each other. But this rule covers the whole field of ministerial labor, and embraces all schools, and parties, and sects of the Christian ministry. The contrast between this doc- ument and that of the Wilmington Association, made less than two years later, is remarkable. And so, the world over, we shall find that there is no bigotry so intense, no uncharitableness so bitter, as that of the self-esteemed liberalist. This sixth rule is the corner-stone of the Association. It has been a good foundation for these many years. Our very differences of temperament and taste, of study and of culture, of theological training and views, have made the mosaic and charm of the body.
The records of the Association, though complete from its organization, are very meagre for the first fifty years, covering but twenty-six small letter pages. From the position of the names upon the manuscript, we infer that Jewett, Chandler, Hale, Parsons, Hibbert, and Leslie, were at the first meeting, and signed the rules September 8, 1761. As there is no record of the admission of Jolin Cleaveland, we have placed his name also among the original members, though from the position of the signature we might infer that he joined the body at a later date.
After the preamble and rules, there follows the record of the first meeting :
At an Association Meeting in Rowley, West Parish, September 8, 1761, the following Question was put - Whether the Rev. Jedediah Jewett, the Senior Pastor, be the Standing Moderator of the Association.
Passed in the affirmative.
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HISTORY OF ESSEX NORTH ASSOCIATION.
At the same . meeting the following Question was put - Whether the Rev. Moses Parsons be the Seribe of the Association.
Passed in the affirmative.
There is no record for 1762, 1763, 1764, 1765, 1766.
The second record was of a meeting " at Amesbury, August 18, 1767." The only item of business was the admission of Rev. Oliver Noble.
The next record was of a meeting " at Newbury Port, May 8, 1770." The only business was the admission of Rev. Christopher Bridge Marsh as a member.
The fourth record was made of a meeting " at Ipswich, July 10, 1770." Rev. Joseph Dana was admitted.
The fifth record is as follows :
At a meeting of the Association at Linebrook, November 13, 1770, the Conduct of the Chh. under the Pastoral Care of the Revd. Mr. Christopher Bridge Marsh, respecting their receiving Members to their Communion who belonged to the first Chh. in Haverhill, and the Chhs. in Salisbury, was taken into consideration.
After the same was debated upon, the following Question was put by the Standing Moderator - Whether, upon the whole, it appears to us that the sd. Chh. has given any just ground of offence to any Chh. to withdraw or withhold Communion from them for their so doing - which question was resolved unan- imously in the negative.
There is no record for 1771, 1772, 1773.
In 1774 there are two records ; June 14, when Rev. James Chandler was elected Standing Moderator in place of Rev. Jedediah Jewett, de- ceased ; and Aug. 9, when " The Revd. David Tappan," afterward Prof. David Tappan of Harvard University, was admitted a member.
There is no record for 1775, 1776, 1777, 1778.
June 8, 1779. Rev. Levi Frisbie was admitted a member.
There is but one record in 1780, when at a meeting in Byfield, July 11, Rev. Samuel Spring was received as a member. In 1781 there is but one record : " Byfield, June 10, Rev. Daniel Breck was received as a member."
There is no record for 1782.
The next record gives the surname of Middle to the body, which was probably suggested by the fact, that teritorially the Association occupied the towns in Essex County, lying between those of the Haverhill Asso- ciation and the Essex South.
At a meeting of the Middle Association of Essex County at Newbury Port, June 10, 1783, application being made to this Association by a Committee of the East Parish in Amesbury, for advice under present difficulties -
Voted, as the unanimous advice of this Association,
1. That the said Parish, with as many of the members of the Church as
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are disposed to join them, renew their application to the Rev. Mr. Hibbert for a mutual Couneil.
2. That if they shall not succeed in this, they, by themselves, eall a respectable Council of Churches to advise them what steps to take, and .
3. That in the mean time the said Parish look out for a Preacher, that they may regularly attend publie worship together.
In the name of the Association,
MOSES PARSONS, Scribe.
At a meeting of the Association at the Revd. David Tappan's at Newbury, New town, Oct. 14, 1783, it was voted unanimously that the. Revd. Thomas Hibbert of Amesbury be dismissed from this Association.
April 20, 1784. Rev'd. David Tappan was chosen Seribe in place -of Rev'd. Moses Parsons, deceased.
August 10, 1784. Rev'd. True Kimball was admitted as a member.
At a meeting of the Association at Ipswich, May 10, 1785, the Rev. Mr. Powers, lately minister of Cohass, requested and received from the Association a written certificate or Testimonial, Signed by the Moderator and all the members present, expressing their esteem of him as a Christian and a minister, and recommending him to any churches or societies among whom he may be providentially called to preach the Gospel.
June 13, 1786. At a meeting at Newburyport the Association gave a sim- ilar Testimonial to Mr. Ebenezer Cleaveland, late Pastor of the church at Sandy Bay, Gloucester.
The first person of whom there is any record, who was examined and approved by the Association, as qualified to preach the Gospel, was Mr. Nathaniel Howe; and the record is as follows :
At a Meeting of the Association at Newbury, Newtown, May 8, 1787, Mr. Nathaniel Howe, at his request, was examined and approved by the Associa- tion as a Candidate for the Gospel Ministry ; and a Certificate was given him by the Seribe, testifying their approbation of him as a person qualified to preach the Gospel.
At a meeting of the Association at New Rowley, June 12, 1787,
Voted, to turn our future meetings through the present year into Seasons of Fasting and Prayer on account of the present moral and religions and polit- ical situation of this people ; and to invite our Several floeks to unite with us in these Solennities.
In accordance with the above resolution, eleven fasts were observed in the following order; Topsfield, Chebaeco, Ipswich South Church, Newbury Port, Old Rowley, Ipswich First Church, New Rowley, Newbury Third Parish, New- bury Second Parish, Byfield, Bradford lower Parish. These fasts were observed by preaching in the morning and afternoon by two of the brethren. The names of the preachers and their texts for each place are given.
September 11, 1787. Mr. Moses Bradford was examined and approved as qualified to preach the Gospel.
October 9, 1787. Rev. Ebenezer Duteh was admitted as a member.
There is no record for 1788.
August, 1789, Messrs. Lambert and Ariel Chute examined and approved.
No record for 1790.
April, 1791. Mr. Daniel Merrill was examined and approved.
At a meeting of the Association in Chebaceo, May 3, 1791, the late Recom- mendation of the Convention of Ministers at Boston, respecting licensing and
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HISTORY OF ESSEX NORTH ASSOCIATION.
encouraging Preachers, etc., was adopted by the Association, as the rule of their future conduct in such cases.
At a meeting of the Association in Newbury, third Parish, it was
ยท Voted, that One of our Body be sent for to preach the gospel gratis to those people in New Hampshire and Vermont, who shall appear most to need and desire such a favor ; that he continue in that service for a number of weeks equal to the number of members in the Association ; and that each of the other members supply his pulpit one Sabbath in his absence. This vote was passed conditionally, that is, on the supposition of the concurrence of our several churches and congregations in the affair.
At a meeting of the Association at Bradford, August 9, 1791, the Asso- ciation abridged the term of service for their proposed Missionary, from eight to seven weeks, and engaged to supply his pulpit through the whole of that term ; as also to stand ready to preach Lectures, visit the sick, attend funerals, etc., in his Parish, if they should be called to it. They likewise voted that their Mis- sionary shall receive no compensation for his services, from those to whom he ministers ; but yet shall be at liberty to receive small contributions, if offered by individuals, to indemnify him for his necessary travelling expenses ; and shall keep and exhibit to the Association, an exact account of his travels, labors, expenditures, and of any donations he may receive ; and if upon such an exhi- bition they find he has sustained considerable loss in the service, they promise to unite their endeavors for his compensation. They also by their vote requested the Rev. David Tappan to accept of said Mission, and desired their Moderator, the Rev. John Cleaveland, to furnish him with proper Testimonials, signed by him in their name.
June 12, 1792. Mr. Gould was examined and approved.
Angust 14, 1792. At a meeting of the Association at Newbury Port, the Rev. Elijah Parish was requested by their vote to accept of a similar Mission with that which Mr. Tappan undertook the year preceding. He accordingly undertook it on the same terms and for the same number of weeks with his predecessor ; and was desired to pursue much the same route, and to pay a special attention to that part of Vermont which Mr. Tappan had visited.
This closes the records in the clear, bold hand of Prof. Tappan.
May 14, 1793. The Association met at Ipswich, and made choice of Sam- uel Spring as Scribe ; and approbated Mr. Daniel Dana as a candidate for the gospel ministry.
May 13, 1794. Examined and approbated Mr. Eliphalet Gillett.
June 10, 1794. Approbated Mr. Perley.
June 9, 1795. Examined and recommended Mr. Joseph Dana.
The subsequent years, '96, '97, and '98, the Association met as usual; and in rotation performed the general duties expected on the occasion, not having been engaged in any exercises or resolutions which require a particular record.
May 14, 1799. Met at Mr. Frisbie's, and elected the Rev. Joseph Dana Moderator. (Mr. Beatty preached.)
In the afternoon, attended to the Letter of the Boston Association.
1. Voted, that the desire of the Boston Association to promote the interest of religious reformation, expressed in the circular letter, merits the most serious and vigorous attention.
2. Voted, to comply with the request of the letter, by choosing delegates to consult with others, at the time specified, relative to suitable measures to obtain the desirable object.
3. Voted, to depute the Rev. Joseph Dana and Samuel Spring to meet the Delegates of Boston the day previous to the general election.
At this same meeting a change was made in the exercises of the Asso-
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ciation, which introduced one of its present prominent features, namely, theological criticism.
4. Voted, that one member of the Association shall read a dissertation on some interesting theological question at every meeting of the Association.
5. That the Brother of whom the dissertation is expected shall be the one who receives and entertains the Association.
6. That the question to be answered shall be proposed invariably by the Brother who answered the last question, and by him who has the Association at his house.
7. The question put by the Brother above designated may be varied by the major part of the Association if thought expedient.
8. Charles Coffin, junior, examined and approbated. Rev. A. Beattie and L. Woods admitted as members.
June 11, 1799. A meeting, but no matters of interest.
Aug. 13, 1799. Rev. A. Moor and Rev. Isaac Braman admitted as members.
May, 1800. Mr. Samuel Dana examined and approbated by the Association.
The last record in the handwriting of Samuel Spring is May 12, 1801.
There is no record in 1802, 1803, 1804.
June, 1805. At Rev. Mr. Tullar's, Rowley, Rev. Leonard Woods chosen Seribe.
July 29, 1806. Mr. Lake Coffin, A. B., examined and approbated.
September 9, 1806. At Rev. Mr. Tullar's, Rowley.
Whereas, the Rev. Dr. Dana, who has been chosen Moderator of this Associ- ation, has for four Successive meetings absented himself without offering any reasons, in consequence of which the Association is left without Moderator, therefore :
Voted, that a Moderator be now chosen, who shall continue in office during the pleasure of the Association. Accordingly the Rev. Samuel Spring was chosen Moderator by ballot.
By Rev. Mr. Spring's motion, also,
Voted, that on common occasions, the members of this Association serve as Moderator in rotation.
Voted, to continue to Daniel Lovejoy the license he had received from the Lincoln Association.
Examined and approbated Paul Jewett.
Voted, that the members of the Association severally subscribe the license given to candidates.
May 12, 1807. At Byfield. The Association,
Voted, to send a delegate to general Association at Windsor the last Wednesday in May, and chose Rev. Mr. Spring unanimously.
Examined and licensed Mr. Joseph Merrill.
June, 9, 1807. At Newburyport. Chose Rev. Mr. Braman as delegate from the Association to the General Association at Windsor, in addition to the choice of Rev. Mr. Spring above mentioned.
July 12, 1808. By motion of Rev. Dr. Spring,
Voted, that the order of September 9, 1806, respecting the members serving on common occasions be retained, and that the oldest member be Moderator on all special occasions. Accordingly Dr. Dana is to take the place of Special Moderator which Dr. Spring by his motion resigned.
July 12, 1808. Voted, that the Scribe procure such a book for the Associa- tion as he shall judge proper, and report the price to the Association.
Voted, that a Committee of three be chosen to present a system of rules for
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HISTORY OF ESSEX NORTH ASSOCIATION.
the acceptance of the brethren, having a particular respect to the rules pre- viously adopted ; and that Dr. Dana, Mr. Huntington, and Mr. Wood, be the Committee.
This portion of the records covers the transactions of the first forty- seven years of the Association. They were years of intense interest and activity in both civil and theological affairs. It embraces the period of the Revolution, and also, the rise of the Hopkinsian school in New Eng- land. Of this school there were two prominent advocates in this Associ- ation, Rev. Dr. Samuel Spring, and Rev. Dr. Parish. Rev. Dr. Woods was then a young man, but reputed to be in sympathy and close fellow- ship with Dr. Spring. The principal opponent of this system was Rev. Dr. Joseph Dana. It is much to be regretted that the records give so little of the internal life of the Association. We have only the barest recital of facts, and these few in number, and external in character. Yet the organization served to keep alive the vital truths of the Gospel in the churches of this vicinity, and to unite, in cooperative efforts, nearly the whole ministry of this valley, although this locality was well known as the stronghold of what was termed " liberal Christianity." Only two churches within the territorial bounds of this body, the first in Newburyport, and the first in Haverhill, passed over to Unitarianism.
REVISED RULES.
At a meeting on the second Tuesday in October, 1808, at the house of Rev. Dr. Dana, the following system of Rules was adopted by the Association :
SYSTEM OF RULES.
The meetings of the Association shall be held at the houses of the members in rotation on the second Tuesday of each month, except those months in which it shall be deemed inconvenient to meet.
2. Each member of the Association shall be present at every meeting, unless special reasons prevent.
3. At each meeting there shall be public worship, beginning at 11 o'clock, A. M., the members officiating in rotation according to age, excepting the brother at whose house the meeting is held.
4. After a moderate repast, to be made with as little trouble and expense as may be, the brother at whose house the meeting is held, shall introduce the business with prayer, and the Association shall employ their time in religious conference ; and if there be occasion for it, in examining and approbating can- didates; and in taking into consideration, merely as a friendly council, and without the least pretence to any right of authoritative decision, the concerns of any brother, or any society, which may be brought before the associated brethren for advice.
5. Any person who wishes to become a member of this Association, shall give notice of his desire at a regular meeting ; and at the following meeting, if he continues to request admission, the Association shall determine by vote whether his request shall be complied with. It shall be considered requisite to
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the admission of any person, that the consent of two-thirds of the whole Asso- ciation be obtained, and that he subscribe to the system of rules adopted by the Association.
6. The members of this Association will consider their connection as an addi- tional motive to be friends and guardians to the reputation, comfort, and use- fulness of each other, and of all Christian ministers according to the rules of our holy religion.
7. On all common occasions, the associated brethren shall serve as Moderator in rotation, in the order of seniority.
8. It shall be the duty of the moderator on all occasions to preserve order in the Association, and to see that all business is executed with propriety and expedition.
9. There shall be a Standing Moderator and Scribe, who shall both be chosen by ballot. It is understood that the senior minister shall be chosen Moderator unless special reasons shall lead the association to excuse him from that offiee.
10. A standing posture is deemed proper while speaking, and the Moderator shall be directly addressed in all the remarks offered to the Association.
11. The Seribe shall keep a record of the place of the meeting, of those who officiate in public, of the candidates who are approbated, and of all special transactions of the association.
12. With a view to improvement, free remarks may be made by the breth- ren on all the public performances of the association, unless special business render it inconvenient.
13. The Standing Moderator, when requested by three members, or when two join with him in deeming it expedient, shall eall a special meeting of the Association, taking care to inform every member of the time, place, and par- ticular object of the meeting.
14. When the ministers of this Association are called, in their associated capacity, to aet as an ordaining council, the churches under their pastoral care shall be seasonably requested to send delegates to represent them in coun- eil.
15. In order that any person may be regularly approbated by this Associa- ciation, as a candidate for the Gospel Ministry, he shall, in the first place, by proper evidence, satisfy the associated brethren that he is a member, in good standing, of some Congregational or Presbyterian Church ; that he has for a considerable time maintained an unblemished moral and religious character ; that he possesses promising natural abilities; and that his literary acquirements are adequate to the work of a Gospel Minister; and, in addition to all this, that he has diligently and under proper direction devoted himself to the study of divin- ity for at least two years ; unless in some rare instances two-thirds of all the members judge it expedient to waive this rule. Having given the Association full satisfaction on these subjects, the applicant shall, in the second place, sub- mit to a' particular examination respecting his theological and personal qual- ifieations.
In order to expedite the examination, the Standing Moderator shall propose to him the following questions ; the brethren having opportunity to add any pertinent inquiries on each question before proceeding to the next.
QUESTIONS TO BE PROPOSED IN THE EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES.
1. By what arguments do you prove the being and perfection of God ?
2. How do you prove the doctrine of divine providence ?
3. How do you prove the divine authority of the Seriptures ?
4. What is the doctrine of the Trinity, and how is it supported ?
5. By what arguments do you prove the proper Deity of Jesus Christ ? and what are the practical uses of this doctrine ?
5
.
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HISTORY OF ESSEX NORTH ASSOCIATION.
6. What was the original character and state of man, and under what con- stitution was he placed ?
7. What is the Scripture doctrine of original sin ? What is the moral state of man by nature ? And by what symptoms is the progress of depravity usually marked ? To what source is it to be traced ?
8. What is redemption by Christ ? And what do the Scriptures teach con- cerning the nature and design of the atonement ?
9. What is the extent of the Gospel offer ?
10. What is regeneration ? Why necessary ? How effected ? And what its fruits ?
11. What is the Gospel doctrine of justification ?
12. What is the nature of true holiness ? What is the distinguishing nature of true Christian faith, love, repentance, and other graces, and wherein do they differ from what hypocrites may experience ?
13. What is the doctrine of Sovereign grace? What is the Scripture doc- trine of election ? And how does it differ from the doctrine of Sovereign grace ?
14. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the final perseverance of saints ?
15. What answer is to be given to the awakened, distressed sinner, who anxiously inquires, " What shall I do to be saved ?"
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