USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Contributions to the ecclesiastical history of Essex County, Mass., 1865 > Part 6
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October 30, 1839. It was
Resolved, that a Committee of three be appointed to prepare a statement of our views on the subject of slavery, in the form of an address to Southern min- isters, to be presented at our next meeting.
Brothers Dimmick, Durant, and March, were the Committee. This Committee made their report February 26, 1840, which was recom- mitted. April 28, 1840, it was
Voted, to send the address to the Charleston Union Presbytery, signed by the Moderator and Scribe.
The document was forwarded, accompanied with the following note.
To the Clerk of the Charleston Union Presbytery, S. C .:
DEAR SIR, - The origin of the accompanying communication you will per- ceive from one or two of its opening paragraphs. It is now forwarded to you for your Presbytery, according to the direction of the body from which it has emanated.
Very respectfully_yours,
L. F. DIMMICK, Chairman of the Committee. Newburyport, Mass, May 7, 1840.
In October following, a newspaper (the Southern Christian Sentinel) was received in reply; on the margin of which was written :
DEAR BROTHER, - Having been absent from the city for some time -your communication, in behalf of the Essex North Association, on the subject of slavery, was not received until two days ago; and as our Presbytery does not meet till the next month, I am most happy in forwarding to you the letter of Rev. Mr. Fuller [contained in that number of the Sentinel] as a just exhibition of the views and spirit of Christian slaveholders. Will you have the goodness to contrast them with those of your communication, and in the presence of God, on the bended knee, ask yourself, with which you would rather enter heaven ? - My brother, admitted to heaven with the spirit of your communication, every harp of that blessed abode would be hush [ed ?] to silence by your pres- ence !!! The Charleston Union Presbytery will duly consider your communi- cation - but they will never adopt your views, and your rules of interpret- ation ; much less your spirit - heaven forbid.
Yours truly,
ELIPHA WHITE, Stated Clerk, C. U. P.
44
HISTORY OF ESSEX NORTH ASSOCIATION.
After the meeting of the Presbytery the communication was sent back, with the following note :
JOIIN'S ISLAND, November 24, 1840.
REV. AND DEAR SIR, - As Stated Clerk of the Charleston Union Presby- tery, I had the honor, the last week, to present the communication of the Essex North Association, forwarded by you to that body ; - whereupon the Presby- tery voted unanimously, on motion of Dr. Post, not to receive it. Accordingly, as in duty bound, I return the communication for your further disposal. With great respect for you personally, and in due consideration of those for whom you act, I remain
Yours truly, ELIPIA WHITE.
Rev. L. F. DIMMICK.
The communication referred to, and the correspondence to which it led, filled nearly nine columns of " The Watchtower," issued March 5, 1841. In language and in spirit it was thoroughly courteous and fra- ternal. The following quotation of the first two or three paragraphs will show under what circumstances it was written :
To the Union Presbytery of Charleston, S. C.
DEAR BRETHREN, - The Essex North Association, at their meeting in October last, appointed a committee to prepare a letter to the Union Presby- tery of Charleston, S. C., on the subject of slavery. The Association were induced to this measure, in part at least, by some resolves which have ema- nated from your Presbytery on the subject referred to; among which was the following, namely,
Resolved, that in the opinion of this Presbytery, the holding of slaves, so far from being a sin in the sight of God, is nowhere condemned in his Holy Word ; - that it is in accordance with the example, and consistent with the precepts of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles.
Again, October 31, 1842, a Committee was appointed to draft resolu- tions on the subject of slavery, in connection with a Committee of the conference. December 27, 1842, Brothers Stearns and Withington, were appointed a Committee to draft a petition to the General Court, and to the Congress of the United States respecting slavery. This was pre- sented January 5, 1843, and adopted and signed by the brethren, and transmitted both to the legislature and to congress.
Unfortunately, none of these papers were entered upon our minutes, and we have no means of forming a judgment as to "their character, except from the opinions of those still with us who participated in the action of these meetings.
Indirectly, the subject came up again with questions of the continuance of our correspondence with the Old School Presbyterian Assembly, and none of those present at the meeting at Dr. Withington's, February 24, 1857, when the question was on final action, can forget the eloquent words for freedom which leaped out of the quiet moderation of our beloved brother and father, the late Dr. Dimmick.
45
THE SABBATH.
It was there declared to be the sense of this Association -
That they are not prepared to take the responsibility of discontinuing the correspondence with the Presbyterian churches in the present condition of things, but will continue it on the same principles as before.
The principles on which that correspondence had existed were those of Christian fraternity and faithfulness. And the judgment expressed is to this effect ; - we wish to continue the correspondence, and will do so, using our long-conceded right to rebuke complicity in known sin, as our judgment and conscience, enlightened by the Spirit of God, shall dictate.
TEMPERANCE.
The Association early took a deep interest in the cause of Temper- ance. It is within the recollection of some of our number that the Asso- ciation dinner was hardly thought well furnished without a supply of assorted liquors. Some of our venerable fathers could see no harm at all in moderate potations of good brandy and wine. They had strong heads, and so they were not easily turned - still, if it were proper, we could turn over some leaves in the past, and read there the most im- pressive warnings to young clergymen and to young men.
It was a bold stand when two young men of the Association, Dimmick and Withington, allowed themselves to be out of liquors at the meeting of the Association. The subject was discussed in 1827. In July, 1829
The time was chiefly occupied with remarks on the subject of Temperance.
Brothers Perry, Barbour, and Withington, were instructed to present a scriptural view of that subject at the next meeting. At this time, September 8, 1829, they made their report, and were requested to pub- lish it.
April 28, 1835, it was
Voted, that it be recommended that wine, with no infusion of ardent spirit, be used at the communion of the churches.
THE SABBATH.
June 30, 1840. Voted, that a Committee of four be chosen with reference to the violation of the Sabbath, by cars on our railroads ; and that Brothers Dimmick, Kimball, Campbell, and Munroe, be the Committee.
October 27, 1840. Voted, that in the opinion of this Association, to buy or hold stock in rail cars which travel on the Sabbath, is inconsistent with Christian character.
.
46
HISTORY OF ESSEX NORTH ASSOCIATION.
December 29, 1840, they voted to reconsider this vote, and then appointed a Committee to draft resolutions on the subject of stockholding and Sab- bath-breaking establishments -to report at the next meeting. Brothers Withington, Campbell, and Munroe, were the Committee.
CONFERENCE.
It was in this body that the Essex North Conference originated. July 10, 1827, it was
Voted, that a committee of three be appointed to draw up rules respecting a conference of the churches in this vicinity, with reasons in favor of the same, to report at the next meeting. Brothers Dimmick, Holbrook, and Perry, were the Committee.
The report was prepared, but as the meeting was small it was deferred.
At a special meeting, February 28, 1828, holden at brother Wright's, in West Newbury, it was
Voted, that in the opinion of this Association we might form a conference, which would be of extensive utility ; and that a conference is desirable on the plan suggested in the following articles.
Then follows what is in substance the original Constitution of the Essex North Conference.
The articles were offered to a meeting, composed of pastors and dele- gates from our churches, called at the house of Rev. Dr. Dimmick, on the last Wednesday of April, 1828 - and the Essex North Conference was formed, September 8, 1833.
Voted, that brothers Withington, Dimmick, and Perry, be a Committee to visit the churches on the north side of the river, not connected with the confer- ence of churches, and invite them to become connected with it.
Voted, that brothers Withington, Holbrook, and March, be a Committee to visit the church at the Lower Green in Newbury, for the same purpose.
The brethren of this Association have been most warmly interested in the establishment of the State Conference. One of our members, the Rev. Dr. Dimmick, bore a prominent part in the preliminary work of that enterprise. He had the highest expectations of its success and useful- ness.
At the organization of this Association in 1761, the pastors of the fol- lowing churches belonged to it: - Rowley, Georgetown, West Newbury First Church, Byfield, Amesbury East or Sandy Hill, Ipswich, Linebrook, and Essex. Territorially it has changed very much, both by additions and withdrawals. In 1767, Belleville united with the body - the North Church, Newburyport, in 1770. Ipswich South Church united in 1770, and withdrew in 1835. West Newbury Second Church united in 1774. Ipswich First Church united in 1779, and its connection ceased in 1860,
47
CONCLUSION.
by the death of Father Kimball. Topsfield united in 1781, and withdrew in 1824. Groveland united in 1787. Rocky Hill, Salisbury, 1799. Newbury First Church, 1799. Amesbury West Parish united in 1827. Haverhill West Parish united in 1833, also the Centre Church in Haverhill the same year. Amesbury Mills united in 1834. Haverhill East Church in 1835. Haverhill and Plaistow Church also in 1835, and withdrew in 1855. Bradford united in 1836. Fourth Church, Newburyport, united in 1838, and the church at Salisbury Point the same year. Boxford West united in 1847. Whitefield Church, New- buryport, 1850. Haverhill Winter Street Church united in 1851. The North Church in Haverhill in 1862. The Theological Seminary at Andover, had a connection with this body in 1808, through Dr. Woods. There is no record that he ever withdrew. Again, this connec- tion was reestablished in 1856, by Professor Shedd, who withdrew to the Presbytery in New York in 1862, on his removal to that city. It will be observed that the churches in the north part of the county have come in quite recently. Formerly these churches were connected with the Haverhill Association, of which a sketch has been already given.
The present membership of the churches, represented in this body, is three thousand four hundred and forty; and the number of churches is twenty-two. Of the original eight churches six are still with us : Rowley, Georgetown, West Newbury First Church, Newbury (Byfield), Ipswich (Linebrook). The church at the East Parish, Amesbury, has become extinct. The church at Essex is now connected with the Essex South Association. The remaining churches are in the chronological order of their admission. Belleville, Newburyport; North Church, Newbury- port; West Newbury, Second Church ; Groveland; Salisbury, Rocky Hill; Newbury, First Church ; Amesbury, West Parish ; Haverhill, West Parish ; Haverhill, Centre Church ; Amesbury Mills ; Haverhill, East Church ; Bradford ; Newburyport, Fourth Church ; Amesbury and Salisbury, Union Evangelical Church ; Boxford, West Parish ; Whitefield Church, Newburyport; North Church, Haverhill.
Our whole number of members from the organization is ninety-nine ; of whom fifty-eight are now living. Of the forty-one deceased, twenty-seven died in the pastoral office, and twenty-three in their first pastorates.
The average age of those who have died is fifty-nine years, five months, and twenty-one days. The average pastoral life is twenty-seven years and three months. Several of them were in the active duties of the ministry some years after they ceased to be pastors. Two of them, Rev. David Tappan and Rev. Leonard Woods, both of the Second Parish in West Newbury, left their pastoral charge to occupy professor- ships ; the first in Harvard University, the second in Andover Theologi- cal Seminary.
48
HISTORY OF ESSEX NORTH ASSOCIATION.
For the first twenty years and more, this body was known simply as the Association. I cannot find any trace of a distinctive name, until June 10, 1783, when it was designated as the "Middle Association of Essex County ;" for the sake of brevity this was probably shortened into " Essex Middle Association." But when, or how, or by whom, it was christened, I cannot discover. The probability is, that after the Haver- hill Association was formed, its geographical position determined its name.
But in 1834, January 8th - the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, -it was
Voted, this Association is hereafter to be styled The Essex North Association.
The house where the oldest member of this body, Rev. Jedediah Jew- ett, lived, and in which the fathers of this Association frequently met, is still standing, but a short distance from this ehurch.1
It is a pleasant fact, that we have with us to-day one of the same name, whose birth-day, August 23, 1768, was subsequent to that of the Association, only some seven years. And among our treasures we have sketches of the ministers of Old Rowley, drawn up the past season in the handwriting of our venerable friend, Dr. Joshua Jewett. To many of us, it would be an occasion not seeond to this, to keep his hundredth anniversary. For our sakes we could wish it, not for his.
The oldest member of the Association is Rev. Benjamin Sawyer, of Rocky Hill, Salisbury. He was admitted a member in May, 1817. Dr. Withington was admitted in June of the same year.
The social influence of the families of the clergymen in this valley is a matter worthy of extended investigation.
The twenty-seven members of the old Ministers' Meeting were all married, and all had children but one, James Chandler. Of the families of three members our information is incomplete. The twenty-three other members had one hundred and eighty-four children -ninety-five sons and eighty-nine daughters. Of the sons, twenty-three are known to have graduated at college, and nine entered the ministry. Of the daughters, eight married clergymen. When the deduction of two-fifths, for those who die before twenty (which is 95-38=57) is made, it will he found, I think, that a larger ratio of the sons of clergymen are educated at col- lege than of any other elass in the community.
Among the sons of the members of the Ministers' Meeting were the following clergymen :
JOHN ROGERS, Leominster, Mass. JOSHUA TUFTS, Litchfield, N. H.
1 Rowley.
49
CONCLUSION.
THOMAS BARNARD, Salem, Mass.
EDWARD BARNARD, Haverhill, Mass. JOHN BROWN, Cohasset, Mass.
COTTON BROWN, Brookline, Mass. THOMAS BROWN, Marshfield, Mass.
JOSEPHI PARSONS, Brookfield, Mass.
THOMAS BARNARD, D. D., Salem, Mass.
Among the other sons were Hon. SAMUEL PHILLIPS of Nortlı An- dover, founder in connection with his brother John, and especially his son, Judge Samuel Phillips, of Phillips Academy, Andover. He was a civil magistrate, and a member of the Executive Council.
JOHN PHILLIPS, LL. D., founder of " Phillips Academy," Exeter, N. H .; joint founder of Phillips Academy, Andover ; Trustee of Dartmouth College, and a civil magistrate.
Hon. WILLIAM PHILIPS of Boston.
Hon. NATHANIEL PEASLEE SARGENT, Judge of the Superior Court in Massachusetts, and in 1789 appointed Chief Justice.
SAMUEL HOLYOKE of Concord, N. H., a distinguished composer of music.
CHARLES KILBORN WILLIAMS, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Governor of Vermont.
In the Essex North Association, of the first forty members all were married but two, who died early in their ministry ; four had no children, and the facts respecting one family are unknown. In the other thirty- three families there were two hundred and seventeen children; one hundred and eleven sons and one hundred and six daughters. Deduct- ing the two-fifths for those who would die before twenty years of age, there would be sixty-six to enter upon manhood. Of these, thirty-two were graduates of college, and eleven entered the ministry. Seven of the daughters married clergymen.
The sons of the members who became clergymen were as follows :
MOSES HALE of Boxford, Mass., W. Parish. JOHN CLEAVELAND, Stoneham, Mass. DANIEL DANA, D. D., Newburyport, Mass. SAMUEL DANA, Marblehead, Mass. BENJAMIN TAPPAN, D. D., Augusta, Me.
GARDINER SPRING, D. D., LL. D., New York, N. Y.
SAMUEL SPRING, D. D., Hartford, Ct. JAMES BRADFORD, Sheffield, Mass. MILTON P. BRAMAN, D. D., Danvers, Mass. LEONARD WOODS, LL. D., Brunswick, Me. DAVID T. KIMBALL, JR.
Two of the above became presidents of colleges ; DANIEL DANA, D. D., of Dartmouth College, and LEONARD WOODS, LL. D., of Bowdoin College. Two of the sons of the Association became professors in col- 7
50
HISTORY OF ESSEX NORTH ASSOCIATION.
leges. JOSEPH DANA in the Ohio University, and LEVI FRISBIE in Harvard College.
THEOPHILUS PARSONS, LL. D., became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. DANIEL BRECK, LL. D., was a representative in Congress from Kentucky, and a Judge of the Supreme Court of that State. Hon. ELISHA HUNTINGTON, an eminent physician of Lowell, Mass., and a lieut .- governor of the State of Massachusetts. Also his brother, Hon. ASAHEL HUNTINGTON of Salem, Mass., who has always stood among the foremost in the support of every noble public movement.
The question naturally arises, What is the practical benefit of the As- sociation ?
Much every way - chiefly, however, as a bond of Christian fellow- ship, both among the pastors and the churches of the Merrimac Valley. To our mind, the Christian life of this body is a constant example of those social graces indispensable to harmony, peace, and love, among Christian brethren. We have always had the different shadings of theological belief among our members ; yet always within the limits of a substan- tial orthodoxy; we have always had brethren of widely different tastes and culture, and yet we have preserved the unity of the spirit. There is no outward formal bond holding us together, and yet we are stronger than if riveted by a thousand arbitrary enactments, and braced through and through by the decisions of spiritual courts. We have no eccle- siastical authority or control, but our ecclesiastical influence in our own field renders such authority needless.
Again, the Association has had great influence in keeping up a high standard of Christian scholarship and attainments among the pastors of the Congregational churches in this part of the county. There has been no period since its organization when there were not one or more of its members who had an influence far beyond the territorial limits of the body itself. Among its original members, George Leslie was a man of fine classical attainments. He fitted many young men for college and several for the ministry. Dr. Emmons said of John Cleaveland, that " he was a pattern of piety and an ornament to the Christian and clerical profession." Then followed Joseph Dana, David Tappan, Samuel Spring, Elijah Parish, and Asahel Huntington. Then Leonard Woods, Leonard Withington, and Luther F. Dimmick, and still later, Henry B. Smith, Edward A. Lawrence, W. G. T. Shedd.
The influence of these men, not to mention that of others still with us, has been potential in keeping up a high standard of ministerial character and scholarship among the members, and in demanding as much from the candidates for the ministry who came to this body for approbation. "No man," says Dr. Woods, ever " felt more deeply the importance of a
.
51
CONCLUSION.
learned ministry, or pursued that object with a more steady purpose, with a greater magnanimity, or in a more disinterested manner, than Dr. Spring. Several years before any thing was done in this quarter toward a Theological Institution, it was with him a subject of deep thought and of serious conversation. Dr. Spring was a father to the seminary."
The following members of the Association have been officially eon- neeted with the Theological Seminary at Andover.
Dr. Spring was one of the Visitors from 1808 to his death in 1819.
Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D., was the first Professor of Christian The- ology, and held that office from 1808 to 1846.
Rev. Luther F. Dimmick, D. D., was a Trustee from 1846 to his death in 1860.
Rev. W. G. T. Shedd was Professor of Ecelesiastieal History from 1853 to 1862.
Rev. Daniel T. Fisk, D. D., was elected a Trustee in 1861, and is still in office.
George Leslie, one of the original members of the Association, was invited to a professorship in Dartmouth College, but declined. David Tappan was a Professor in Harvard College. Henry Durant is now a Professor in the College at Oakland, Cal. Edward A. Lawrence is a Professor at East Windsor Theological Seminary. Henry B. Smith is a Professor in the Union Theological Seminary, New York.
The Association has also been an important agent in promoting the beneficence, the piety, and the moral efficiency of the churches. Our records furnish the most abundant proofs of the hearty interest which our fathers and brethren have taken in the causes of education and temper- ance, and the removal of the social evils of our country and the world. They were earnest and cordial in the organization of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the Home Missionary, the Traet, the Bible, and the Education Societies.
"The Massachusetts Missionary Society," says Dr. Woods, " was in- debted to Dr. Spring as much as to any man, for its existence and pros- perity." "He bore a most important part in originating the FOREIGN MISSION from America. The measures which led to the organization of a public body for the promotion of that great object, were first sug- gested by him. And in the whole management of that glorious and suc- cessful undertaking, he was among those who were entrusted with the principal agency." 1 .
The Association began its existence just at the close of the French and
1 Sermon at the Funeral of Dr. Spring, by Leonard Woods, D. D.
·
52
HISTORY OF ESSEX NORTHI ASSOCIATION.
Indian war, and just as the contest between the colonies and the crown began. The first centennial is celebrated just at the opening of a fearful civil strife which covers the whole land with darkness. Our fathers were true to liberty, to justice, and to Christ. May the same hand which led them through all their trials, guide our steps in the future, and fill our souls with the same patience, endurance, and faith. We may be assured that whatever changes come to society and our country, the dominion of our King "is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed."
MEMBERS OF THE MINISTERS' MEETING, FORMED IN BRADFORD, JUNE 3, 1719.
NAMES.
Date of Admission.
Residence.
Thomas Symmes,
June
3. 1719
Bradford.
Moses Hale,
June
3, 1719
Newbury (Byfield).
John Rogers,
June
3, 1719
Boxford, Ist Church.
Samuel Phillips, .
June
3, 1719
Andover, South Church.
John Tufts,
June
3, 1719
West Newbury, Ist Church.
John Barnard,
June
3, 1719
Andover, North Church.
John Brown, .
June
3, 1719
Haverhill.
Joseph Parsons,
June
21, 1726
Bradford.
William Balelı,
June
20, 1727
Groveland
Christopher Sargent,
May
19, 1730
Methuen.
James Chandler,
April
17, 1733
Georgetown.
James Cushing, .
April
17, 1733
Haverhill, North Parish.
William Johnson, .
May
15, 1733
West Newbury, 2d Church.
Samuel Bacheller,
April
20, 1736
Haverhill, West Parish.
John Cushing,
Boxford, West Parish.
Ebenezer Flagg,
August,
1737
Chester, N. H.
Edward Barnard,
Haverhill.
Benjamin Parker, .
June,
1745
Ilaverhill, East Parish.
Thomas Barnard,
October
8, 1745
West Newbury, 1st Parish.
John Tucker, D. D.,
October
11, 1748
Newbury.
William Symmes, D. D.,
November 14, 1758
Andover, North Parish.
Elizur Holyoke,
about
1764
Boxford. East Parish.
Jonathan Eames,
ahout
1764
Newton, N. II.
Samuel Williams, LL. D.,
August
12, 1766
Bradford.
Thomas Cary,
August
13, 1771
Newburyport.
Jonathan French,
about May,
1773
Andover, South Parish.
CANDIDATES APPROBATED BY THE MINISTERS' MEETING.
NAMES.
Date of Approbation
Residence.
Timothy Walker, .
June
29, 1729
Concord, N. II.
James Chandler,
September 15, 1730
Georgetown.
Nathaniel Merrill, .
July
15, 1735
Hudson, N. 1I.
Samuel Phillips, Jr.,
September,
1737
Andover, North Parish.
Edward Barnard, .
September.
1738
Haverhill.
Abner Bailey,
September.
1738
Salem, N. H.
Samuel Webster, D. D.,
September.
1739
Salisbury.
Joseph Parsons, Jr.,
October
14, 1755
Brookfield.
Abiel Foster, .
April
15, 1760
Canterbury, N. H.
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