USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Chelsea > Documentary history of Chelsea : including the Boston precincts of Winnisimmet, Rumney Marsh, and Pullen Point, 1624-1824, vol 2 > Part 23
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At the same Meeting it was agreed that we should have the Sacrament in the Winter, and that from & after the next Sacra-
80 One of the first steps of the society was to procure a communion ser- vice, and " Mrs Tuttle wife of Deacon Tuttle," was chosen to select it. The service then procured must have been for temporary nse only, as the church now possesses one which includes several pieces of solid silver, of a date but few years subsequent to its organization. One of these is a bell- shaped flagon, " The Gift of Mr J. Floyd to the Church of Christ in Romney Marsh, 1724." A fingon similar in shape and workmanship, the gift of Deacon Jolm Tuttle, is without date, but probably was presented about the same time, as the locality is again designated as Romney Marsh, a name which fell into disuse about 1738. Six silver cups, bearing the date of 1798, and a massive goblet, the gift of Deacon William Harris " with his love." 1824, complete the service as at present constituted. The more ancient pieces bear evidence of repeated use and long service, and with them Phillips Payson and Dr. Tuckerman doubtless administered. [They are now deposited in the Revere Publie Library. ]
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HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
ment day which will be on the last Lords day in ffebruary, it shall be observed Once in six weeks throughout the year, and that it should be proposed the Next Sacrament day for the Concurrence of Our Maldon Brethren. This was proposed & consented to upon 28th of ffebruary.
At the same Meeting after some Debate about the matter, it was Unanimously Voted & agreed, that the Contribution for the Poor upon publiek fast days, & thanksgivings should be Continued, & that Notiee should be given, the next time when the Proclama- tion was read, to the Congregation, that the Church did allow them to Nominate some meet person to be joyned with Deacon John Chamberlane to take an account of what should be collected at sueh times. Attest Thomas Cheever.
April. 1st : Publiek fast, the Contribution amounted to thirty shillings.
Oet : 28: Publiek thanksgiving, very warm. The Contribu- tion amounted to thirty five shillings.
1726: Mareh: 24: Publiek ffast, the Contribution amounted to twenty five shillings & three pence.
March : 29 Deaeon Chamberlane laid his accounts before mv sclf with Several of the Bretheren, & the Church stoek in his hands was found to be 101 : 16$ : 7d.
Novemb: 10: Publiek Thanksgiving. The Contribution was appointed for Ebenezer Hill of Maldon, who, having a sore leg for several years, which the Doetours at last judged ineurable, un- less his leg was eutt off, which was done the 7th of this moneth, petitioned Our Church and Congregation for our Charity: there was gathered about five pounds ten shillings. £5:10:11ª
1727, Mareh : 20 At a Church-Meeting after mueh Debate, it was Voted, that the Contribution for the Poor upon the next ffast day, which is appointed to be on the 30th of this instant March, shall be for Mrs Marbles Daughter Hannah who has been a considerable time Under the Doetours hand, having a dangerous humour in her Mouth & throat: &e : and that Notiee hereof should be given to the Congregation the Sabbath before, if they had any thing to Objeet against the Churches proeceding in this matter.
At this Meeting Deaeon Chamberlane laid his Aeeounts before the Church; and the Church Stoek in his hands was found to be: 11# : 118: 5ª: And at the same time The Stoek in his hands for the Poor was found to be : seven pounds, one & 4ª : 711 : 018 :: 4d.
Mareh : 30. ffast. The Contribution, which according to the forenamed Vote of the Church was appointed for Hannah Marble, (& of which Notiee was given to the Congregation) amounted to : three pounds &e: 3ª : 12$ : 9d:
229
CHAP. 'XXVII] FORMATION OF A CHURCH
Octob: 15th. The Church was stayed & the following letter read unto them. | Asking the Church to send delegates to the ordination of Charles Chauncey as pastor of "the old Church in Boston " Wednesday, Oct. 25, 1727.| The Church readily com- plied with the Desire, & chose D:on John Chamberlane, Mr Hugh Floyd, Mr William Hassey, & Mr Samuel Watts, to accompany inc, & Assist in that Service, at the time & place appointed. At which time ye Rev! Mr Charles Chauncey was Ordained to the Pastoral Office in sd Church. Attest Thomas Cheever.
1727: Nov : 9: Publick Thanksgiving: The Contribution for the Poor amounted to thirty one shillings.
1727/28 ffebr. 28th At a Church Meeting appointed to Con- sider how the contributions for the Poor should be drawn out, as Occasion should require. It was, after some debate, unanimously agreed to choose three of the Church besides Deacon Chamberlane to be a Committee, and that Notice should be given to the Con- gregation, if they think meet to Choose an equal number to joyn with the Committee chosen by the Church, and that this Commit- tee of the Church and Congregation shall have full power to draw out, and dispose of what is, or shall be collected for the Poor, according to their best judgment and prudence, untill the Church shall see cause to alter this Method when some other or better Method shall appear: (but if the Congregation do not see canse to Choose a Committee, after some reasonable time of two or three moneths allowed for the consideration of this proposal,) then the Committe of Church shall have the power of drawing out and disposing of the money aforsd and give account of their acting in this affair to the Church once in the year. At the same time Mr Samuel Watts, Mr Jacob Hassey, & M" Samuel Tuttle were Chosen to be joyned with Deacon Chamberlane as a Committe for the end aforsd, and accepted.
At the same time, Deacon Chamberlane laid his accounts before the Church, and the Church Stock in his hands was found to be twelve pounds & five pence, out of which twenty shillings was dis- bursed for mending the Meeting house windows, so the Church stock in his hands is but eleven pounds & five pence: 11" : 008 : 5ª, and there was found, eight pounds, twelve & four pence in his hands for the Poor: 8: 12: 4.
Attest Thomas Cheever Pastor.
March 21: Publick ffast. The Contribution for the poor amounted to twenty two shillings & some pence.
Nov: ": Publick thanksgiving. The Contribution for the poor amounted to thirty nine shillings & some pence.
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HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
1728/9: March 4th At a Church meeting, appointed to receive the account of the Committee chosen to draw out & dispose of the money collected for the Poor. The sd Committee did give an account of five pounds drawn out & disposed of ; viz: three pounds to the Widow Lamson, & twenty shillings in wood to Widow Marble, & as much to her daughter the Widow Tuttle. The Church were well satisfied with what they had done. And chose the same persons, to be a Committee for the same purpose, for this ycar ensuing. The Church also Voted, that Notice should be again given to the Congregation, if they think meet to choose an equal Number to joyn with the Committee chosen by the Church for the business aforsd, and that Notice be given the next Lords day for Church & Congregation to meet at the Meeting house, the Wednesday next after. Attest : Thomas Cheever Pastor.
At the same time Deacon Chamberlane laid his accounts before the Church, and the Church Stock in his hands was found to be : eleven pounds, seventeen, & 7ª: (11: 17: 7:)
March : 20: A publick ffast. The Contribution for the poor amounted to about twenty nine shillings.
1729 May : 25t: I Communicated the following letter to the Church.
Woburn. May 19. 1729.
To that Church of Christ in Boston, whereof ye Revd Mr Thomas Cheever is the Pastour, Grace, mercy & peace be Multi- plied. &c
The Church & Town of Woburn having made Choice of Mr Edward Jackson to be our Minister, and over us in all matters of ye Lord; & God having inclined his heart to accept our Invitation. We earnestly desire your presence, & Assistance by your Reverend Elder & Messengers, to meet with the Revd Elders & Messengers of other Churches, & joyn with them in putting Mr Jackson into the sacred Office of a Pastour over us, according to the Gospel Directory. And humbly asking your most solemn & fervent pray- ers to the God of all Grace on our behalf, for a good issue of all our Difficulties, & for ye Success & prosperity of ye Gospel among us. We remain Yours in the faith & fellowship of the Gospel.
By order & consent of the Major part of the Church & Town of Woburn.
The day appointed for Ordination is Wednes- day June 4th next. You are desired to meet on Tuesday June 3d at the house of Mr Jona- than Pool Esq in Woburn at One of the clock afternoon to prepare matters for Ordination.
William Lock George Reed Samuel Blogget.
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CHAP. XXVII]
The Church readily Complied with the desire, & chose De Cham- berlane, William Hassey, & Samuel Tuttle, to accompany me & attend that Service. Afterwards Deacon Chamberlane came to me & Desired to be excused from the Service;
June: 1st I stayed the Church & acquainted them with the desire of Deacon Chamberlane & his reasons, whereupon the Church chose Mr Hugh flloyd & Mr Samuel Watts &c
June 3ª I went to Woburn with those four Brethren aecom- panying of me, where we mett with the Elders & Messengers of Lexington, Redding, Chelmsford, Billerica, Newtown, and Brook- line Churches. When we were formed into a Council, we advised to the most probable Methods we could think of for the Accomo- dating the differences among them, and laboured with Mr Fox & those that held with him, & also with those who did adhere to Mr Jackson, & who were those that had called this Council, & were by far the greater part both of Church & Town, almost two to one, but our advice was not complied with: whereupon the Council came Unanimously into this Vote.
We judge it not advisable to proceed forthwith to Ordination under their present Circumstances.31
The result of a Council of 6 Churches called & Convened at Woburn June 3ª 1729 to Consider & advise with respect to the Ordination of M' Edward Jackson &c.
After Solemn & earnest prayer to God, the God of all Wisdom & Grace, for Divine direction in the very difficult & arduous affairs before us, & upon the most mature thoughts on the perplexed state of affairs in Woburn, We did Solemnly & Unanimously advise to the most probable Methods, we could think of. towards an Accomodation of their unhappy differences which were not mutually complied with all: whereupon we thought it unpracti- cable to proceed to Ordination under their present Circumstances. But we with bowels of compassion beg of the Contending parties to leave off strife, & contention, & yet pursue the Methods pro- posed, or any other that can be thought of, more likely to Compose. & heal their unhappy differences, that if it be possible they may yet live in love and peace, that the God of love & peace may vet be & abide with them.
Thomas Cheever Moderatour in the name & with the Consent of the Council
31 It seems that there was a division in the church and congregation reaching back as far as 1725. [" Rev. Mr. Edward JJackson was ordained as colleague pastor with Rev. Mr. John Fox over the church of Woburn, August 1, 1729." S. Sewall, Woburn, 262.]
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HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
To the Church of Christ in Rumny-marish, Greeting. Rd & Dearly Beloved.
Whereas there is a Number among us, who call themselves agrieved Brethren, and as they say have proceeded to extraordinary & uncommon means, in Deposing, upon a Delinquent Officer, and which still as they say has involved them in several difficulties; and for their Publick Vindication, & to hear & advise upon the reasons & Regularity of their Ecclesiastical proceeding, & to di- rect to peace & good Order ; have by their letters missive Convened ? Churches upon the case, Who by their Elders & Messengers in form of an Ecclesiastical Council, taking the Case into their Con- sideration, have Adjourned to the first Tuesday in September next, at nine of the Clock in the Morning to meet at the house of L:t Coolidge at Watertown, withall adding, that the Subscriber be with Convenient speed acquainted with it, with liberty to adde a like Number of Seven Churches to make up a Council: and also to lay before sd Council what may be matter of Grievance to him. We beseech you therefore R:d & dearly Beloved to pitty us under our great calamities. To pray for us, that the God of all Grace would restore good Order & peace among us; and afford us ye Assistance of your Rd: Elder, or Elders & such Messenger or Messengers as you shall think fit, to joyn in the abovesd Council at time & place, with such other Churches, as we have sent to, to make up our Number; to hear, advise, & direct in the abovesd case, & in what else may have been amiss in their Conduct, and shall be Regularly laid before the Council. That the Great Shep- herd of ye sheep, through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, would make you perfect in every good work, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, is the hearty prayer of yours, in the faith & fellowship of the Gospel.
Leicester. August : 4th 1729. David Parsons. Pastour
To the Rd Mr Thomas Cheever Pastour of ye Church of Christ
with the consent of the Church.
at Rumny-marish, & to sd Church.
The Churches sent to by Mr Parsons, were Mr Barnards, & Mr HolyOkes, Mr Prescott's, Mr Appleton's, Mr Williams of West- town, & Mr Cooks of Sudbury, & Rumny-marish.
August : 24th. I read the letter to the Church, & ye Church consented to send our beloved brethren, Mr Joseph Belcher. Mr Samuel Watts. Mr William Hasscy. Mr Jacob Hassy. & Mr Thomas Brintnal, to accompany me & attend that Service.
Sept : 2ª: The aforsd Brethren appeared, & attended ye Service at Water-town on the first day of ye Council. Mr Belcher & Mr William Hassy desired to be excused from farther attendance.
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233
FORMATION OF A CHURCH
CHAP. XXVIII
Mr Jacob Hassy did not attend the last day of ye Council. But Mr Watts & M' Brintnal attended ye whole time. The Council sat at Watertown four days & then adjourned to Boston, to meet upon . Sept: 16.
Sept: 16. The Council mett at Boston according to Adjourn- ment, & sat four days in Mr Cohnan's Meeting house, and drew up their Result, & then Dissolved.
Mr Watts, & M" Brintnal attended ye whole time; ye other Brethren but part of the time:
The agrieved Brethren at Leicester, being ye Major part of the Church, had deposed their Pastour for Several erimes which they charged him with, under three general heads. first of Male ad- ministration. 24: Of Delinquency. 34 Of inmorality : and they branched these heads into Several Articles: 8 under the first: 3 under ye 20: under ye 3ª head they charged him with Slander in 4 articles : and fraudulent dealing : & lying in 4 articles.
they themselves in their letters Missive call their action ex- traordinary & uncommon, and well they might; the like was never done in this land before; The Council of Churches called by the Agrieved Brethren, Were Mr Colman's, Mr Thachers, & Mr Check- lys of Boston, Reading, Medfield, New-town & Oxford. here follows ye Result of the Conneil.
At a Council of 14 Churches, called by ye R:ª Mr David Par- sons, & the agrieved Brethren at Leicester, Convened at Watertown Sept: 2ª: 1729. & after by Adjournment at Boston, Sept: 16. following: to hear & judge of the Reasons & Regularity of the Proceedings of the agrieved Brethren: & also what was matter of Grievance to M' Parsons, & such other things as should be regularly laid before them. After a long & full hearing of both parties, and repeated Supplications to the throne of Grace, We came nnto the following Result.
ffirst. With respect to the Several Articles of Charges brought in against Mr Parsons.
ffirst as to the head of Male-administration.
1: It doth not appear, there was any Male-administration of Mr Parsons, in appointing the Sacrament.
2: That Mr Parsons telling the Agrieved Brethren, that he did not desire their presence, when he called the rest of the Church to ask, Whither they had best to call a Council upon the agrieved's request, was not excluding them from Church priviledges: and that Mr Parsons calling that part. (the Minor part) of the Church, with himself, the Church, and taking their advice, as referred to in the Evidence relating to the calling of a Council, We cannot judge to be a Male-administration.
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HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
3. As to the 3d article referring to M' Read's admission, if dropt by Mr Parsons just after his receiving the result of the former Council, and before the Brethrens Vote of Deposition, as he declares, We think it ought not to have been alledged as an article against him.
4. That Mr Parsons was guilty of Male administration, in admission of the Members referred to in the fourth article. Yet it is the Opinion of the Council, in consideration of their Solemn Covenant with God & them, that the sd Brethren be looked upon, and accepted by the Church in Leicester, as Members in full Communion.
5 We judge that the Agrieved Brethrens absence from the pub- lick Worship, the Lords day after their receiving the Result of the former Council, was very blame worthy; yet Mr Parsons was also blame worthy, in not referring to another Lords day, the readmission of those Members.
6. As to bringing cases of private Offence before the Church &c. We apprehend, that as to one of these, viz: L.t Newhals; it having been transacted before the Churches renewal of Covenant, the Brethren should not have made it a charge upon him. As to the other case of Mr Thomas Richardson, it having been made a publick talk, Mr Parsons apprehended it might supersede a pri- vate dealing; which though a mistake & unadvised in him; yet he having issued the Matter ; We also apprehend that the Brethren should not have proceeded farther in it.
7. As to the seventh article of Charge, viz: Mr Parsons com- manding the Deacon out of his seat &c, though Mr Parsons pro- vocation at time was very great & aggravated, yet we judge, the expressions (as in the words of the evidence) were very rash, & carry in them a power, which does not belong to a Pastour, accord- ing to the Constitution of these Churches.
8. That it does not appear, that Mr Parsons laid any Charge against the Brethren, as alledged in the eighth article: yet sup- posing Mr Parsons had done, as they say, We cannot look upon it a Male administration under their Circumstances.
Secondly, as to the head of Delinquency.
1 That it does not appear, that Mr Parsons was guilty of any Culpable Delinquency with respect to the first article, considering their Circumstances, but rather gave a just answer to them, who desired him to lead them in the Choice of a Ruling Elder.
2 As to the 2ª charge. We apprehend the State of the Church was such at that time, that Mr Parsons acted prudently in pro- posing, & endeavouring to issue the matters of Difference in an- other way.
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FORMATION OF A CHURCH
CHAP. XXVII]
3 . That Mr Parsons does not appear guilty of any culpable Delinquency in the case of Staro
Thirdly. As to the head of Immorality : and ffirst. Slander.
1. That we cannot tax M' Parsons with Slander, in calling a certain Meeting a Cabal considering his explanation of himself, as to his acceptation of the Design of said Meeting, & the time & Occasion of Using the word, and that he professeth he designed no reflection upon religious meetings.
2. That it does not appear, Mr Parsons is guilty of Slander, as charged in the 2ª article.
3. It does not appear, Mr Parsons was guilty of Slander, ac- cording to ye charge in 3d article.
4. We judge it a rash & injurious expression of Mr Parsons, to call a number of the Church a Mob.
Secondly as to fraudulent dealing.
It is Unanimously agreed, that there does not appear any fran- dulent dealing in Mr Parsons, with respect to the bond or Note from M" Newhal, or with respect to the Deeds of Quit claim.
thirdly. As to lying.
It is Unanimously agreed, that it does not appear to this Council, that Mr Parsons was guilty of lying, in the four several articles charged against him, though we think he should have been more considerate & cautious in the expressions in his letter to the R:d Doctour Mather.
Secondly. After all that hath been heard & debated. It is Unanimously agreed, that the R! Mr David Parsons, hath not been guilty of any such Crimes, as render him unworthy of the Gospel Ministry, or of the Ministry in the Church of Leicester.
Thirdly. That although this Council are very desirous to Assert & Preserve the power of Particular Churches, to Depose, or Disclaim their Officers according to the Rules of Congregational Discipline, as laid down in the Platform: Yet we judge the Agrieved fraternity in the Church of Leicester were guilty of great irregularity, in proceeding to Depose the Rª Mr Parsons, as they have done. And in as much as they did it, so soon after the sitting of a Venerable Council, (which after hearing most of their Charges, and Differences, were farr from advising to any such thing) ; and without seeking farther, and waiting longer for the advice of another Conneil; as also contrary to the advice and perswasion of many Worthy persons in a private way. Therefore We judge the Re Mr David Parsons is still the Regular Pastour of the Church in Leicester.
Fourthly. With respect to the Articles of Charge & Grievance laid before us by Mr Parsons: Several of which he withdrew.
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HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XXVII
1. ffirst, we judge, (as a former Council did,) that the Re Mr Parsons hath been shamefully treated, with respect to his Support, for the time past; and do earnestly recommend it to the Town of Leicester, to pay those Arrearages, that have been so long due, and to provide for his Support for the future: and do all that becomes Christians on their part, to Seeure unto Mr Parsons a just & full title to his lands in Leicester.
2. We cannot but bear Our Testimony against such Unreason- able & Unjustifiable actions, as that of Opposing Mr Parsons his going into his Pulpit on the Lords day, & setting up another in Opposition to him, in such an unseemly way & manner, though they might be led into it from their Misapprehension of things.
3. We judge it the Duty of the Agrieved Brethren & people of Leicester to Return from their Private Assembling on the Lords day, to the Publiek Worship of God under the Ministry of the Rd Mr David Parsons.
4. We judge that Deaeon Southgate ought not to Withhold the Churches Vessels from the Use of the Rd Mr Parsons, and the Church.
Fiftly. Having thus given Our thoughts, upon the several mat- ters laid before us. We do, as in the fear of God, and tender mercies of Our Lord Jesus Christ, earnestly beseech Our Beloved Brother in Christ, the Rd Mr David Parsons, Seriously & with grief to lay to heart the broken State of his fflock ; and to consider how far any rashness in his words, and hastiness in his aetions may have been Offensive to his Brethren, in the day of darkness, & temptation that has passed over him, and be humbled for them. And we do earnestly Recommend to him a just Regard to the Tenour of the Platform of Church Diseipline, in the Allowance of the proper power of the Brotherhood pursuant to their Church Vote. We do also with the same eanestness Exhort, & perswade the Beloved Agrieved Brethren of the Church of Leicester, seriously to Consider, how far they have suffered themselves, in the day of temptation, through some mistaken conception of things, to be led into Uneharitable thoughts of, & rash & unjustifiable earriage toward their Pastour: as also how far a too Groundless Spirit of Opposition to their Pastour, may have hindred the growth of the Church, and the Sueeess of the Gospel among them, and deeply to affliet & humble themselves therefor.
And now Brethren, We would eall upon you all, with the great- est meekness & Coneern of Soul ; to remember the Solemn Obliga- tions you have brought your selves under before God, and this Couneil, to hearken to Our Christian adviee, and return to each other, in the love & spirit of the Gospel, and receive one another
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CHAP. XXVII]
in the Lord: and put away from you all bitterness, and wrath, clamour, & evil speaking, with all malice, as becomes the Disciples of the Meck and lowly Jesus: to love one another, to put on, as the Elect of God, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, long-suffering, forbearing One another, & forgiving One another, as we hope, God for Christs sake hath forgiven yon; and above all put on Charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 18: john. 34. 35: 12. Romans. 9: 1: Corinth : 13 chapter. 5: galat: 19. 22. 4: Ephes. 2. 3. 30. 32: 3: Coloss: 12. 13. 14: 3: james. 5. 6: 14 lo 18: 1 : peler: 4: 8:
A true copy.
Signed in the Presence, and at the desire of the Council. Benjamin Cohnan Moderatonr.32
1729 : Novemb: 13: Publiek thanksgiving. The Contribution for the Poor amounted to thirty seven shillings & some pence.
1730 April: 2: Publiek ffast. The Contribution for the Poor, thirty shillings.
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