USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Groton historical series. A collection of papers relating to the history of the town of Groton, Massachusetts, Vol IV > Part 5
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D. C. P.
47
EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
Jan. 26. 1822. Distribution of the interest of Barron & Sawtell legacies by the Pastor, Deacons & Brother Amos Farnsworth, To the widow Fisk $2-00
The wife of B. Tarbell 1-64
Mrs Hopkins Mrs Spalter L
I
5-64
D. C. P.
Mar. 23. 1823. The distribution of the interest of the Barron & Sawtell legacies by the Pastor, Deacon Lawrence & Brother Amos Farnsworth.
Viz. To the wife of Benjamin Tarbell $2-64
Mrs Jonas Farnsworth 1-00
Mrs Hopkins 1-00 Mrs Spalter 1-00
5-64
D). CHAPLIN P.
Mar. 14. 1824. The distribution of the interest of the Barron & Sawtell legacies by the Pastor, Deacons Lawrence & Sawtell & Brother Amos Farnsworth.
Viz. To the wife of B. Tarbell $2-64
Wid. Jane Farnsworth I-
Wid. Hartwell I -
Wid. D. Woods I-
5-64
D. CHAPLIN P.
Jan. 30. 1825. The distribution of the interest of Barron & Sawtell legacies by the Pastor, Deacons Lawrence & Sawtell, & Brother Amos Farnsworth,
viz. To the widow B. Tarbell - $2-6.4 To the widow D. Woods - 3- 5-64
D. CHAPLIN P'.
48
EARLY CHURCHI RECORDS.
Nov: 8, 1825. Public notice having been given the last Sab- bath, the church met this day at the house of the Pastor to consider the expediency of settling a Colleague-Pastor with the Rev. D. Chaplin.
After considerable deliberation & many observations by the members, it was voted unanimously,
"That it is expedient to settle a Colleague with our venerable Pastor." As night was approaching, the motion to adjourn, after several unsuccessful trials, prevailed, without designating any par- ticular candidate. The chh. were generally favorably impressed with the preaching of Mr. John Todd, (who has preached here several sabbaths) & with his qualifications for a Pastor of this chh.
This meeting was adjourned to Monday next, (Nov. 1.4.) at 2 ock P. M. at the same place, To see whether this chh. will give Mr. Todd a call to settle as Colleague Pastor with the Rev. D: Chaplin.
At this meeting Mr. Phineas Densmore was rec! as a regular member of this chh. by a letter of recommendation & dismission from the chh. in Lunenburg.
At this meeting also, Mr. S. F. Park, presented a Certificate from the Session of the Presbyterian Church in Springfield, (N. Y.) of his regular standing in that church, recommending him to occas- ional communion to all chhs. in fellowship with that. No objection was made to the object of the certificate, or to receiving Mr. Park to all the privileges to which his certificate was intended to entitle him. But it was thought by the chh. that this certificate was not intended as a dismission from the Presb. church & a recommenda- tion to membership in the congregational church.
The meeting was closed by prayer.
Attest
D. CHAPLIN Pastor.
Monday Nov. 14, 1825. The church met regularly according to adjournment at the house of the Pastor.
The Rev. Mr. Fisher of Harvard was requested to aid the Moder- ator as Assistant Moderator.
Amos Bancroft presented a Certificate of his regular standing & dismission from the chh. in Weston, & was, at his request admitted into this chh.
The vote respecting Mr. S. F. Park, which passed at the last meeting, was re-considered ; &, on the certificate in his possession, he was admitted into this chh.
49
EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
Walter Dickson, having resided in town for several years, & the question being asked whether he was ever admitted into this chh. by letter of Recommendation, the Pastor expressed it as his opinion that Mr. Dickson had been admitted ; whereupon -
Voted, that it be the sense of this chh. that Mr. Dickson is a regular member of this chh.
The business for which the chh. assembled being to see if it be the minds of this church to give Mr. John Todd a call to settle as Colleague-Pastor with the Rev. D' Chaplin, -
Voted, that the chh. proceed to vote on this question by ballot.
The question being taken, it was found that toenty five votes were brought in ; - of which, seventeen were for giving Mr. Todd a call, & eight opposed.
A Committee of three, consisting the Rev. D. Chaplin, Maj. A. Farnsworth, & Mr. Saml. Rockwood, were elected to communicate the proceedings of this meeting to the Town, & also to Mr. Todd.
The meeting was then closed with prayer by Mr. Fisher.
Attest D). CHAPLIN Pastor.
Tuesday Jan. 10"! 1826. The Church met, agreeably to public notice given the last Sabbath, at the house of the Pastor.
The Rev. Mr. Fisher of Har. aided the Pastor as assistant Moderator.
The Ch. voted that Dr. Chaplin might introduce his son to make statements & speak for him.
The question was proposed to the Ch. has Dr. Chaplin forfeited his relation to them as Pastor? Voted he has not.
The Ch. were asked whether in their opinion the Pastor has a right to supply the Pulpit during his indisposition? Voted that he has that right.
Timothy Stone presented a letter of dismission & recommenda- tion from the Ch. in Norway ( Me) & after hearing & assenting to the confession of Faith was admitted a member of this Ch.
[1. 45 77] On a motion made by Walter Dickson Jun. & seconded by Sewall Rockwood it was voted, that in future the con- fession of Faith shall be heard & have the assent of all persons who are admitted to this Ch. by letter from other Churches.
The meeting was closed by prayer by the Rev. Mr Fisher.
Attest D. CHAPLIN, Pastor.
7
50
EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
The records of the meetings, on November 8 and 14, were made by Mr. Todd, while those of the meeting, on January 10, are in an unknown hand.
Feb. 18. 1826. The Pastor, Deacons of the chh, & Brother A Farnsworth gave the interest of the Barron & Sawtell legacies to the Widow of Benjamin Tarbell. The sum $5 .64.
April 5, 1826. At a regular adjourned meeting of the Church the Pastor in the chair, the following Resolutions were passed.
Whereas this Church some months since gave Mr. f. Todd a call to become their Colleague-Pastor with Rev. D: Chaplin,
Voted, That Mr. Todd be invited by this Chh. to sit in our meetings & act as Assistant Moderator during his residence in Groton or until this vote be recalled.
Whereas this church some time since, voted that in their opinion, our Rev. Pastor has a right to supply his pulpit during his indis- position with such assistance as he should think proper, & whereas a committee elected by the Town, have taken measures forcibly to debar our Rev. & beloved Pastor from enjoying this right, & whereas our Pastor does not think it consistent with his age, his character, & his sacred office, to claim his pulpit against force,
Voted, That this church are deeply grieved at such conduct; & that for this & other strong reasons, the chh. deem it best to postpone the celebration of the commuumion for the present.
Whereas it is the custom of most churches, which maintain the discipline of the Gospel, to have a standing Committee to examine such candidates as may apply for admission into the church,
Voted, That this church appoint a standing Committee of three, besides the Pastor for this purpose. It shall be the duty of this Committee to examine all Candidates for admission into this church, as to their knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, their doc- trinal opinions, & their experimental acquaintance with the religion of Jesus Christ ; & no person shall be propounded for admission into this church, before this Committee have so examined him, & given their approbation.
Voted, that as our Pastor is in feeble health, he may invite one or more whom he thinks proper, to assist this Committee in this important duty.
Voted, that brothers Samt. Hartwell, Timothy Stone, & Walter Dickson jun. be this Committee.
51
EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
Voted, that this meeting be adjourned to Wednesday, the 19th of April, - which day shall be observed by this chh. as a day of Fasting & Prayer ; that the chh. meet for this purpose at the house of their Pastor at 11 ock. A. M., that any who wish may have the privilege of attending.
This meeting was opened by the Pastor with prayer & reading the Scriptures, & closed by prayer by the Assistant Moderator.
Attest,
J. TODD, Assist. Moderator.
April 19. The church met according to adjournment & spent the day as a time of fasting & prayer.
Attest, J: TODD, Assist. Mod.
.
June 9, 1826. The church assembled at the house of their Pas- tor agreeably to proper public notice given on the last Sabbath.
Mr. Todd assisted the Pastor in the duties of Moderator, & opened the meeting with prayer.
The following memorial of the Pastor was read before the church.
GROTON, June 9, 1826.
To the Church of Christ in Groton.
Dear Brethren. At the last meeting of the church, held April 5"", you voted that for strong reasons in your own minds, the celebra- tion of the communion be postponed for the present. Agreeably to this vote, I took no measures to have that sacrament administered, until such a time as you thought best. In postponing the Com- munion, the church only exercised the power of regulating its in- ternal concerns, as they have a perfect right to do, according to all law, whether civil or ecclesiastical. But I am sorry to be obliged thus officially to announce to my church, that a part of your number, a very decided minority, have gone forward expressly against your wishes as a church, & have had the communion administered. In taking this step, they have not consulted me, the Pastor of this church, nor their brethren as a whole church. When I understood that they had given public notice Sabbath before last, that the communion was to be celebrated the Sabbath following, I took an early opportunity to write a Remonstrance, addressed to your junior Deacon, a copy of which letter I now read you.
52
CARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
(Copy. )
GRorON, May 30, 1826.
To De: Joseph Sawtell ;
Sir, Understanding that public notice was given the last Sabbath, that the Communion would be celebrated the next Lord's Day, I take this opportunity to address you as being an officer in the Church over which I have had the pleasure so long to minister. As your spiritual watchman, I am bound to watch over you so far as in my power, & as a member of this church, the solemn cove- nant which you have taken upon you, obliges yon to receive the christian admonitions of any of your fellow-christians. The follow- ing points I wish to lay before you, not so much for your informa- tion, as for your solemn consideration.
1. A church has a right to regulate its internal affairs, & to direct as to the time when & the place where its ordinances shall be administered. You are too well acquainted with ecclesiastical usage to be ignorant of this. It has been allowed in our highest civil courts.
2. Agreeably to this right, not long since, this church voted to postpone the celebration of their communion for the present. They had a legal & an ecclesiastical right so to do. For what consti- tutes a church? Does the place where some or all of its members meet? No. Does the communion Table? No. But its living members constitute it ; & they have a right to regulate their sacra- ments as they judge best. If, then, the communion is celebrated next Sabbath, it will be against my wishes as its Pastor, & directly against the wishes of the church as such, for they have decided to postpone it for the present.
3. Is there nothing contrary to ecclesiastical usage for a minority in a church to celebrate the Communion against their Pastor's wishes, & the wishes of a very large majority? I am not now speaking as to religion of such a procedure but of church usage. Is it an unheard of thing? You may say, you, the minority are the church of Groton, because you worship in the old meeting-House ; but will your saying so, make it so? Does the meeting-House con- stitute the church? If you are the church, where is your Pastor? When was he dismissed -- by what council? If you are the church, where are your church-Records? No, Sir, even you will not think it worth while to make any such assertion.
53
CARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
1. A minister, when once settled over a church, is its minister for life, or until dismissed by a regular council ; - but when have I & this church united in calling such a council to dissolve the sacred relation of Pastor & church between me & this church ; and when did this council act? Why, then, do you, as an officer of my church, countenance a thing so unprecedented, - so much against the feelings of a majority of your brethren, & so wounding to my feelings.
So far I have spoken to you as a man. But when I come to address you as one of my own flock, - one of the professed Dis- ciples of Jesus Christ, - one with whom I must meet in judgment - what shall I say? Will it be enough for me to say, Brother Sawtell I feel that you have injured me - have grieved me - have wounded the feelings of your brethren - & have wounded the cause of your Redeemer? How can you when you read from the lips of Jesus Christ himself - " if thou bring thy gift to the altar, & there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee ; leave there thy gift before the altar, & go thy way ; first be reconciled to thy brother, & then come & offer thy gift :" -- Oh ! how can you read this, & then go, & sit down at the communion Table, when you know that many a " brother bath aught against thee," with whom you have not first "sought to be reconciled "?
My health is too feeble to permit me to give you this warning by word of mouth ; but as a minister of Jesus Christ before whose judgment-seat, you & I must shortly stand, -- I could not satisfy my conscience by keeping silence. As to your proceedings having any injurious effect upon the Church in a legal or ecclesiastical point of view, I have no fears. A minority is not the church. No measures of theirs can ever be the doings of the church. But, my Dear Sir, such proceedings may do hurt to the cause of religion, - may grieve the Holy Ghost, & may endanger your own everlasting welfare. I pray God to make you truly his, & to prepare us both for a kingdom where nothing that is unholy shall ever enter.
"[signed. ]"
DANIEL CHAPLIN, Pastor of the Church in Groton.
Before closing this memorial, Brethren, I wish to remark that tho' much pains have been taken to make public opinion admit that a small minority, without a Pastor, without any church-Records, without any covenant, without any confession of faith, - I say, tho' great pains have been taken to force public opinion to admit this,
1
1
54
EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
yet it never will be admitted, as I am confident, either by public opinion, or by any court, either civil or ecclesiastical. Such pro- ceedings of a minority can give you trouble, & can grieve you exceedingly, but there is no danger of their making it appear that they are the church of Christ in Groton.
The circumstances in which we are placed, Brethren, are trying, extremely trying to your christian feelings. I would recommend to you, in all your measures, to act with great unanimity, & great firmness. Let nothing move you. At the same time, cherish a spirit of kindness, of compassion. & of christian meekness towards those who have thus grieved you. Let there lie no root of bitter- ness among you. Above all, look to the Great Head of the church for his Spirit to guide you. to bless yon. & to enable you in all your measures to seek the glory of his name, & the everlasting good of your fellow-men. I had hoped, Dear Brethren, to have left you in peace, & in the possession of the pure Gospel of Christ. My sun is fast setting, & I may never live to see you thro' your present troubles ; but as long as I do live, I will not cease to pray for every member of that church over which the Holy Ghost has made me an overseer.
I have now only to ask you, Brethren, if you approve of the letter of Remonstrance which I fch it my duty to send to D ' Sawtell, & if you concur in it ?
" [ Signed ] " DANIEL CHAPLIN, Pastor of the chh. of Christ in Groton.
On motion of Br. W. Nutting, seconded by Mr. Sand. Rockwood,
Voted, That this church approve of & concur in the above Remon- strance of their Pastor, & that it be entered on the Records of this church.
On the motion of Br. Walter Dickson jr, seconded by Br. Luke Farnsworth,
Voted, That this church are deeply grieved at the conduct of those of their brethren, the minority, who have acted so decidedly against the wishes of this church, & the wishes of our venerable Pastor ; that we consider it as a frown of Providence upon us that any should so conduct ; but as it is a season of passion & excited feeling at the present time in this town, we think it best to pass no direct censure upon our brethren, nor to take any disciplinary steps, till we have had time calnily to consider, & pray over the subject ; but still, when the Providence of God shall open the
55
EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
way, we shall probably feel it our duty again to recur to this painful subject.
On motion of Br. William utting, seconded by Br. f. Park,
Voted that this church do now proceed to the choice of two new Deacons.
The votes being taken, Brs. Timothy Stone, Walter Dickson jun, were duly elected to the office of Deacons, & both accepted.
On motion of Br. F. Park, seconded by Br. Sowali Rockwood,
Voted, That Dea. Dickson be requested by this church to call on D: Sawtell, & take the Church-Furniture under his particular care, till the church see fit to alter this arrangement.
On motion of Br. J. Park, & seconded by Br. Sam' Rockwood,
Voted, That a committee of two be chosen to attend Dea. Dick- son in communicating the above vote to Dea. Sawtell, who is not present.
Voted, That Brs. Eaton & f. Park, be the above-mentioned committee.
Voted, That this meeting be adjourned for three weeks, to meet on the same day of the week, ( Friday,) & at the same hour, 3 ock. P. M.
The meeting was then closed with prayer by the Assistant Moderator.
A true copy.
Attest, J : TODD, Assistant Moderator.
June 30, 1826. The church met at the house of their Pastor agreeably to adjournment. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Assistant Moderator. The following Report was then pre- sented, after the reading of the minutes of the last meeting.
The committee chosen at the last meeting of this church to wait on Dea. J. Sawtell to communicate the votes of this church respect- ing the church-furniture, beg leave to offer the following report ; viz.
That your committee on their appointment immediately called on D." Siwtell with the copy of the votes of the chh. in their hand, -
That Dea. Sawtell peremptorily refused to comply with the request of this church without particularly stating his reasons. Your com. of course, could do no more than to do the errand on which they were sent. Without pretending to advise the church your committee cannot but remark, that they were not a little sur- prised at the conduct of brother Sawtell. For, was not he elected
--- -
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EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
to his office, & was not the church-furniture committed to him by the Church of Christ in Groton over which D' Chaplin was their pastor, - & was it not the same church with the same Pastor, that requested Dea. Swtell to deliver their plate into the hands of Dea. Dickson? And if this chh. bad authority to put brother Sawtell into the office of Deicon, & commit the plate to him, has it not a right also to elect other officers, & put the furniture in their hands, if the church deem it best so to do? Your committee can see no reasons to the contrary.
Your committee would recommend to their brethren that they now pursue some prayerful, prudent, & yet decided measures in regard to this subject.
All which is respectfully submitted.
(signed.) JONAS EATON, JOHN PARK. Com.
GROTON June 30, 1826.
y
On motion of br. W. Nutting, & T. Stone,
Voted, That this report be accepted, & recorded on the records of this church.
On motion of br. W. Nutting, seconded by br. J. Paik,
Voted, That as this church, with their aged Pastor, feels itself to be in circumstances of peculiar trials & difficulties, & as we do not feel competent to decide what course of conduct would be most for the glory of God, & the honor of our Savior & as we feel cur need of the prayers of God's people, we proceed to invite an Ecclesiastical Council to meet on Monday the 17" of July next, at the house of our Pastor, before which Council we will state our circumstances & of whom we will ask advice.
Voted That the following be the Council invited ; -
Rev. D' Beecher,
Rev. Mr. Fay
Hanover St. Ch. Boston. Ch. in Charlestown. Ch. in Andover.
Rev. Professor Porter Rev. Mr. Palmer
Rev. Mr. Fisher
Rev. D' Puffer Rev. Mr. Tolman
& Delegate Ch. in Townsend. Ch. in Harvard. Ch. in Berlin. C'h. in Dunstable.
Voted, That br W. Nutting, T. Stone, & W. Dickson, jr. be a committee to make preparations to receive this Council, & to lay the situation of this Church before them when convened.
57
EARLY CHURCH RECORDS.
Voted, That the meetings of the church be notified, during our Pastor's feeble health, in the same manner as the last notice was given : viz. by written notices from the Pastor, posted on the places of public worship.
The meeting was then closed with prayer by the Assistant Moderator.
Attest, J : TODD, Ass. Moderator.
July 24, 1826. The church met at the house of its Pastor, ac- cording to proper public notice. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Assistant Moderator.
D: Micah Eldredge, his wife Sillay, & Mrs. Sarah Dickson pre- sented themselves for admission into this church by a letter of dis- mission & recommendation from the congregational church in Dunstable, (Mass.) under the pastoral care of the Rev. Sam! II. Tolman. According to former votes of this chh. (see pages 45, & 46.) the Candidates were examined before the chh. as to their knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, their Doctrinal opinions, & their experimental acquaintance with the religion of Jesus Christ ; The chh. having approved of them, the covenant was then read to them, to which they assented, & were accordingly admitted into this Church.
The memorial lately presented before the Ecclesiastical Council convened in this place by a Committee of this Church, & also the advice of the Council founded upon it was read : Whereupon,
Voted, That this church concur in, & will follow the advice of the council in regard to our measures & conduct in present difficulties.
Voted that this meeting be adjourned to Monday the 311 of July at the house of the Pastor, at 4 ock. P. M. The meeting was then closed with prayer.
Attest, J : TODD, Assist. Moderator.
July 31, 1826. The church met agreeably to adjournment at the House of the Pastor. The meeting opened with prayer by the Assistant Moderator.
The minutes of the last meeting having been read, Br. Amos Farnsworth stated that according to our Lord's directions he had called on Dea. Joseph Sawtell, & complained to him that he had been grieved with his faults in his walking disorderly in the following particulars ; viz. -
S
58
EARLY CHURCH RECORDS ..
In aiding to prevent our Pastor from supplying the pulpit.
2. In going forward to hold the communion against the express vote of the Church, & the remonstrance of our Pastor.
3. In refusing to deliver the church-furniture into the hands of Dea. Dickson according to a vote of the church.
Br. Farnsworth receiving no satisfaction after a few days, took with him brs. T. Stone, & J. Park as witnesses ; & receiving no con- cessions or satisfaction from Dea. Sawtell, but on the contrary, the assurance that he would do the same things again in like circum- stances, he now " tells it to the church,"
The church having heard the complaint, & being satisfied that Br. F. had been regular in taking these steps,
Voted, That Dea. Sawtell have notice that such a complaint has been laid before the church ; - that he [be ] summoned to appear before the church at the next meeting & make any defence or apol- ogy which he thinks proper, if he has any to make.
Br. William Nutting stated that he had followed the direction of our Lord, in going to Caleb Butler, & complaining of his walk as being unchristian in the following respects; viz: - In having held or attended a separate communion against the express vote of the chh. & the remonstrance of our Pastor, & for having thus violated his covenant obligations to be in subjection to the church, & for arrogating to themselves its immunities & rights.
Receiving no satisfaction from Br. Butler, Br. Nutting, after a few days took with him Brs. S. Hartwell, & J. Eaton as witnesses, & receiving no satisfaction, but on the contrary a justification of his conduet from Law-Books & civil Statutes, now tells it to the church.
Whereupon ; Voted, That br. Caleb Butler have notice that such complaint has been laid before the Church ; that he be summoned to appear before the Church at the next meeting, & make any de- fence or apology which he thinks proper, if he has any to make.
The Church then spent an hour in prayer & singing.
The meeting was then adjourned to Wednesday, the g" of August, to meet at the House of the Pastor at 5 ock. P. M.
Attest, J. Topp, . Issist. Moder.
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