USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections, Vol. II > Part 9
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In the absence of any records kept by this church prior to 1780, it is difficult at this time to show who were all the mem- bers who separated from the old church, and formed this new organization, but from the foregoing list of those who suffered in the persecution here related, many of their names have been preserved.
This church was, in its origin, one of those which claimed vital and practical godliness to be an indispensable qualifica- tion for membership in a church of Christ. This principle, it has been said, was the whole ground of separation in this case as well as in many others.
For several years after this church took the ground of " Believers' Baptism" its members held to what is called " Open Communion." This ground, it is supposed, was not formally and publicly relinquished till the year 1780, though probably the practice never prevailed to any great extent among them. Its form of government and discipline was for a time after that of the Presbyterian order. But Mr. Henry Fiske and David Morse were the only ruling elders ever elected to that office in this body.
On the 17th of December, 1783, this church held a meet- ing preparatory for building their first meeting-house, at which time a committee was chosen to furnish a plan, and to select a
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place for its location. This committee reported a plan that was accepted on the 25th following, as to form and size.
It was decided to erect this building on a lot of ground on the height of Fiske Hill, which had previously been given to the society by Henry Fiske, one of the ruling elders, and for which purpose this location was used for nearly half a century.
This meeting-house was raised in 1784, and finished in 1786 ; number of church members at this time was eighty. This church and society maintained but a partial supply for the pulpit, until they received for their pastor, Rev. Zenas Lockwood Leonard, in 1795.
In 1784 Rev. Jordan Dodge, after supplying the pulpit for a time, was ordained their pastor on the 27th of October, of that year.
During the first three years of his ministry the church pros- pered. He is reported as having been a fervent and earnest speaker, with an unusual command of the feelings of his hearers. But after about four years' service, he was dismissed for irregularities in his moral character in the year 1788, and silenced from preaching soon after. The number of members in 1788 was eighty-fonr.
In 1786 twelve were added to the membership of the church, among whom was the name of John Phillips, who was born in Sturbridge, June 29, 1760, and married a daughter of Jonathan Perry, May 20, 1785. She died at the age of eighty-two. He was chosen deacon, to take the place of his father, in 1799. His 100th birthday was celebrated at the Baptist church, Fiskedale, June 29, 1860, at which time he presided. He died in 1864, aged 104.
During the next six years the pulpit was supplied but oc- casionally; the names of Baldwin, Rathburn, and Root appear among the preachers.
In 1795 Rev. Zenas Leonard, a native of Bridgewater, was
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invited to supply preaching for this church and society, and on the 30th of January, 1796, he received a unanimous call to become their pastor, and having accepted, he was ordained on the 15th of September following, the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, of Boston, preaching the ordination sermon.
Rev. Mr. Leonard continued his services as pastor of this church until the 13th of October, 1832, at which time he was dismissed at his own request, having sustained his pastoral relations here thirty-six years. He died on the 24th of June, 1841, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, having been born, January 16, 1773.
Mr. Leonard was the second of thirteen children of Captain David and Mary (Hall) Leonard. He was baptized, July 1, 1790, and immediately after connected himself with the first Baptist church in Middleborough, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Isaac Backus. Shortly after this, he com- menced a course of study, preparatory to entering college. In May, 1792, he was admitted to the sophomore class of Brown university. He graduated with honor in September, 1794. He then commenced a course of theological study under the direction of Rev. William Williams, of Wrentham, Massachu- setts, but, at the urgent request of friends, he began soon after to preach, being regularly licensed by the church in Bridge- water. After preaching about a year, he came to Sturbridge.
Rev. Mr. Leonard was highly favored in his pastoral labors. During his ministry 229 members united with the church; of this number 205 were added by baptism. The largest num- ber of church members at any one time was 180, and the smallest eighty-one.
The records show a large number dismissed from this church to others. During the years 1816 and 1817 nearly seventy members were dismissed to form churches in Southbridge, Holland, and Brookfield ; this reduced their number in 1817
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to ninety-one members, but the number has since advanced to 187 in 1843.
The infirmities of Mr. Leonard during the last year of his pastorate were such that his pulpit was supplied a portion of that time by the Rev. Abiel Fisher, of Bellingham, who served until a successor was engaged.
Their first meeting-house, erected on Fiske Hill, had become much decayed by time, and its location, since the eastern part of the town had been set off to aid in forming the town of Southbridge in 1816, had become far from the center of the location of the members of the society, and near the eastern border of the town, as.its present territory was located.
This state of things induced the society to erect a new meeting-honse in the center village, on the elevation of ground on the south side of the road, south of the Congregational meeting-house. This house was finished and dedicated on Jannary 8, 1833, and the Rev. Addison Parker was installed in the pastoral office at the same time.
Rev. Mr. Parker was a graduate of Middlebury college, and afterwards tutor in Waterville. He had been settled over the Baptist church at Southbridge more than five years, when he was invited to accept this pastorate.
Mr. Parker continued in the ministry with this society till December 12, 1835, when he was dismissed at his request, having accepted a call from the Baptist church at Methuen. A further account of Rev. Addison Parker will be found in connection with the first Baptist church at Southbridge.
This church now remained destitute of a pastor till the fol- lowing August, when the Rev. Isaac Merriam, of Maine, filled that office.
His pastoral service was of short duration. Mr. Merriam was dismissed the last part of January, 1837. In the interim between the two last pastorates preaching was supplied part of the time by Rev. William Dennis, whose labors were blessed
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with an increased zeal in the cause of religion, adding new members to the church.
The Rev. Orrin O. Stearns, by invitation, began as a supply in this pulpit in April, 1837, and received ordination, Septem- ber 25, following. He continued his office as pastor here till October 14, 1839, when he was dismissed at his request. In the settlement of Mr. Stearns, this church, for the first time, advanced the minister's salary to $500. They were now but partially supplied with preaching till May, 1840.
The Rev. Mr. Stearns, was a graduate of Brown univer- sity, and was regarded as a young minister of respectable ability.
The church now invited Rev. Joel Kenney, of Wenham, to preach for them as a candidate for settlement. After a short supply he was invited to become their pastor, and was installed, June 14, 1840.
This church and society passed a vote, June 25, 1838, to remove their meeting-house from its location in the center village before referred to, and locate it on ground given to them for this purpose, by the Hon. Josiah J.Fiske, at Fiske- dale village. This was done soon after, at an expense of about $1,000. It was struck by lightning in 1842, and re- paired at a cost of $300; the salary of the minister now being $500. In the day of Rev. Mr. Leonard $200 was the salary, and it was not unfrequently difficult to provide that amount, not for want of ability of the parishoners, but more particularly on account of the leniency of Mr. Leonard, who was an industrious and thriving man, devoting much of his time to his farm and other religious concerns, as well as to the duties of pastor.
In continuation of the history of the first Baptist church of Sturbridge, the writer has been favored with the following, from Mr. Rufus E. Bond, church clerk.
Rev. Joel Kenney was dismissed at his request, in May,
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1843. Since 1843 the following ministers have supplied this church and society for the time here given.
Commenced Service.
Closed Service.
J. Woodbury, - - July, 1844 Dismissed, September, 1847
Thomas Driver,
December, 1847
February, 1849
George E. Dorrence, -
April, 1850
March, 1852
Addison Parker,
May, 1852 66 September, 1855
George W. Preston, December, 1855 66
May, 1858
Andrew Read,
October, 1858 66
J. M. Chick,
June, 1862 66
66
April, 1865
William Reed, - April, 1866
66 March, 1867
J. T. Farrar, - Charles A. Cook,
- November, 1867
66 October, 1869
December, 1869
October, 1870
C. W. Potter, -
- January, 1871
The records of this church and society have not been pre- served to much extent, nor do they particularize with that exactness which they should have done to give them that inter- est which they might have commanded had they been prop- erly kept.
At the meeting of the Warren association at Rev. Caleb Blood's meeting-house, in Newtown, 1786, there were present from Sturbridge, Rev. Jordan Dodge and Jacob Shepherd.
The Warren association held their meeting in 1788, on Fiske Hill, at the meeting-house of Rev. Jordan Dodge; then named in the report as present, Rev. Jordan Dodge, Henry Fiske, Deacon Phillips, and Deacon Fiske.
REMARKS.
About the year 1768 there arose a serious difference of sentiment in this church regarding government and discipline. This caused a separation of its members. Those who with- drew regarded the form of laying on of hands to be necessary to authorize a member to come to the communion table ; while the remaining members of the church, though they had no material objection to this practice, were decidedly opposed to making it one of the terms of admission to the Lord's table.
April, 1862 August, 1864
Mr. Stevens (supply), August, 1864
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A new church was formed of those members who held to this form of admission ; their residences were mostly in the cast part of the town, and in the west part of Charlton ; they held their meetings in the neighborhood where the Mackin- strys were located. Their pastor was Rev. William Ewing, a native of Scotland.
This church continued, according to the best evidence ob- tained, eight or ten years, and finally separated through some disagreement among themselves, a part embracing the doe- trine of Methodism ; and, this element continuing, may prob- ably be taken as the origin of the Methodism which has resulted in the very respectable society of Methodists now established at Southbridge. Among the members of the Bap- tist society in Sturbridge, which seceded and formed this new organization, under Rev. Mr. Ewing, were John Corey and Jonathan Phillips, who finally returned to the Baptist society about 1775.
Rev. Mr. Backus refers to Mr. Ewing as a sound preacher, but is mistaken, no doubt, as to his having been a minister of the first Baptist church in Sturbridge.
The Mackinstrys were of Scotch descent ; but at this time these first settlers and pioneers of this family, were natives of Ireland ; their ancestors having emigrated to the north of Ireland, from whence these parties came, about 1740, and settled first at Medfield ; they followed their neighbors, who had settled at Sturbridge, and located where this family now reside, in the year 1748, now in the north-west part of South- bridge. There is no particular knowledge of this Rev. Mr. Ewing, but it is probable that his visit to Sturbridge was somewhat on account of the Maekinstrys, and this opinion is strengthened from the fact that the meetings of this new society were held in their neighborhood, and most likely at their honses much of the time.
The first minister of this Baptist church, Rev. John Blunt,
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it is reported, was overpersuaded, and renounced what was styled "rebaptism," beinginduced to believe that rebaptism by immersion was a sin, and that it was his duty to renounce it. There is no evidence that has been seen that he became pastor of any other church. He joined in the French war as a private soldier, and, after that war, joined in the Revolution, and was killed by an Indian, near Lake George, September 8. 1775.
Like the Baptist ministers, in this early period of their his- tory in Massachusetts, Mr. Blunt was a plain and unlettered man, but is said to have been a person of considerable ability, and a conscientious man.
There were two others who, at this period, belonged to this society, that were licensed as preachers-a Mr. Barstow and a Mr. Bloyee-both of whom, it is believed, supplied preaching with this people for a time. They were firm in the mainte- nance of the faith of this denomination, and sustained by repute consistent Christian character.
It may justly be said, without disparagement to others, that the Rev. Zenas L. Leonard was the most eminent for his ability and extended influence as a man and a Christian minister, of all the pastors that have been connected with this church and society.
He was not only able, as a minister of the Gospel, but was eminently practical in the various avocations of life, and had an extended influence in society.
His character is very correctly set forth in the letter of Rev. Alvin Bond, D. D., published in connection with the commem- orative notice of Mr. Leonard in the " Annals of the American Pulpit," in the third volume of the collections, by William B. Sprague, D. D. Referring to ministers of the Baptist denomi- nation, Mr. Bond expressed himself as follows :
"In regard to his talents, and especially executive force of charac_ ter, he ranked much above the ordinary type. By his literary attain-
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ments and general intellectual culture he acquired a position and influ- ence that commanded deference among ministers of his own order, as well as the respect of his Congregational brethren, with whom he main- tained kind and fraternal relations.
"It is not claimed that he excelled in those attractive qualities which secure the highest degree of popularity, but he undoubtedly possessed those sound, discriminating, earnest, and energetic elements of mind which are favorable to the highest usefulness, and which secured to him a solid and lasting reputation.
" As a writer, he had a good command of language, and expressed him- self with ease, force, and perspicnity. His elocution was good, and his style of reading the Scriptures excellent. The deep, mellow tones of his voice, modulated to the gravity of manner with which he was accus- tomed to enunciate the Holy Word, gave uncommon significance and impressiveness to the portions which he read. In his habitual deport- ment and conversation he manifested supreme deference to the author- ity, truth, and spirit of the Gospel; stability and persistency of purpose ; uncompromising advocacy of the cause of freedom, righteousness, and public virtue ; and unwearied activity in performing the various duties of his profession. In his public services he was earnest, though not vehement; grave and instructive, and not unfrequently highly pathetic and impressive.
"Though Rev. Mr. Leonard's public career was not signalized by any extraordinary intellectual demonstration, it was not because he was not capable of making efforts that would have greatly distinguished him, but because he instinctively shrunk from notoriety.
" He labored practically for the best good of the community around him ; he engaged with a wise zeal in favor of the Sabbath school, in the cause of temperance, and for many years was identified with those who favored African colonization."
Mr. Leonard was married at Sturbridge in 1799, on the 1st of September, to Sally, daughter of Deacon Henry Fiske, by whom he had seven children-three sons and four daughters.
DEACONS.
The dates when the deacons were elected to office, or the time of service, has not been ascertained.
Persons named in the following list have served as deacons of this Baptist church.
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Daniel Fiske,
Moses Fiske,
John Newell,
Prince Bracket,
Jonathan Phillips,
Rufus F. Brooks,
Henry Fiske,
Edward Richardson.
John Phillips,
P. L. Goodell,
Jonathan Lyon,
Josiah Gifford,
D. W. Harris.
The two last names, Gifford and Harris, hold office at this time, 1871.
The number of church members in March, 1871, was ninety-eight.
UNITARIAN SOCIETY, STURBRIDGE.
This society was organized in 1864, since which time to the present, 1873, the Rev. J. A. Buckingham, Rev. Mr. Edes, and Rev. Mr. Irish have sustained the pastoral charge here with . much credit to themselves and to the prosperity of the same. The advancement and umanimity of the organization has been such, that during the past year their first meeting-house has been erected, of the dimensions of 40 by 60 feet, with a tower 12 feet square and 106 feet in height. It has a basement of 10 feet yet unfinished, but this will ere long, probably, be appropriated for a Sabbath school-room. The audience-room is 18 feet high, with arched ceiling; it is arranged for seating about 350 persons, having slips of a circular form, with three aisles, one in the center and one on each side. The singers' seat fronts the minister's desk in the sonth gallery, and is reached from the entrance vestibule. The pulpit stands on a platform elevated only about two feet above the floor of the house, made, together with the entrance way to same, of black walnut, exhibiting symmetry and good taste, as does the gen- eral appearance of the interior of the house.
The ceilings have been handsomely frescoed, the floor neatly carpeted, the slips cushioned, and windows shaded by blinds ; while the interior is supplied with an abundance of lamps for
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lighting the same, all giving the appearance of a wise design, not only pleasing to the eye, but giving evidence of care and good workmanship in its construction.
On each side of the pulpit are placed tablets with Scripture quotations. On the right: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlast- ing." On the left : " I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth."
Furthermore, in aid of church music and singing, one of . Mason and Hamlin's cabinet organs, No. 48, has been sup- plied, at a cost of $275.
In building this house, the following mechanics have exe- cuted the work :
The mason work, by George Whitford, of Southbridge.
" joiner work, by Adrian Hebard, of Sturbridge.
" painting, by James McKinstry, of Southbridge.
" frescoing, by Strauss, of Boston.
slips were made by Payson & Cutter, of Holliston.
This house was completed and dedicated on the 11th of December, 1872 ; services commencing at eleven o'clock, A. M., by the voluntary from the choir, followed by the intro- ductory prayer, by Rev. Charles H. Tindall, of Grafton ; reading of Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Irish, former pastor ; and then the following hymn was sung :
" O bow thine ear, Eternal One, On thee our heart adoring calls ; To thee, the followers of thy Son, Have raised, and now devote these walls.
Here let thy holy days be kept, And be this place to worship given, Like that bright spot where Jacob slept, The house of God, the gate of Heaven.
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Here be thy praise devoutly sung, Here let thy truth beam forth to save:
As when of old thy Spirit hung On wings of light o'er Jordan's wave.
And when the lips, that with thy name Are vocal now, to dust shall turn, On others may devotion's flame Be kindled here, and brightly burn."
The sermon was delivered by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Buck- ingham. His text was taken from the 15th chapter of John, 5th verse : " I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same shall bring forth much fruit ; for without me ye can do nothing."
The leading idea of the preacher, in treating this subject, was to vindicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as the only true system of religion, in opposition to all theological dogmas inconsistent with its true interpretation, and in opposition to the speculations of philosophy, and every other form of error.
As a deduction, the necessity of building and dedicating churches in order to bring the power of the Gospel home to the hearts of the people was forcibly illustrated, and for this purpose the present edifice has been erected, and for the fulfill- ment of this purpose we now dedicate it. The relation the church in its membership bears to the religion of Christ is that of the branches to the vine, and without the vitalizing energies of Divine aid all human effort will be in vain, " for without me ye can do nothing."
The prayer of dedication was offered by Rev. Mr. Rich, of Brookfield, and after that the closing
HYMN.
"The perfect world, by Adam trod, Was the first temple built by God ; His fiat laid the corner-stone, And heaved its pillars one by one.
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He hung its starry roof on high, - The broad illimitable sky ; Hle spread its pavement green and bright, And curtained it with morning light.
The mountains in their places stood- The sea, the sky, and 'all was good ;' And, when its first pure praises rang, The morning stars together sang.
Lord, 'tis not ours to make the sea, And earth, and sky, a house for thec ; But in thy sight our offering stands, A humbler temple, 'made with hands.'"
Before pronouncing the benediction the pastor invited the congregation to repair to the town hall, and partake of a collation, and spend a season in social intercourse. At that place tables had been laid with ample provision, where all participated in the generous hospitalities of the occasion. The whole passed off greatly to the satisfaction of all who joined in these interesting services.
Heden done
CHARLTON.
SECTION II.
CHAPTER I.
THE first move for this town was a desire to separate from Oxford.
"THE PETITION.
"OF WILLIAM ALTON AND OTHERS IN THE WEST PART OF OXFORD FOR A NEW TOWN OR DISTRICT.
" To His Excellency William Shirley, Esq., Governor and Commander-in- Chief, the Honorable Council, and the House of Representatives in General Court Assembled, at Boston, the 27th day of March, 1754:
ยท
" The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Oxford, in the county of Worcester, most humbly sheweth that your petitioners, being in the west part of Oxford aforesaid, labor under great difficulties by reason of the distance we live from the place of public worship; it being more than ten miles from the meeting-house to the west bounds of the town, and about two miles from the east bound. Some of us attend publie worship at Dudley, and some at Sturbridge on Lord's days, and have no privilege from Oxford on this account, and are yet always taxed to all the charges of the town, and have been for more than sixteen years past; but to encourage us in getting a town or district, of the west part of the town, they voted at a town meeting on the 17th day of May, 1750, to set off the west part of Oxford, within two miles of the village line, in case a number of those residing in the Gore would join with us .*
* This Gore was a triangular tract of land of 10,000 acres. adjoining on the north, begin- ning at Brookfield, the broad part of the Gore, and extending east by Spencer, Leicester, and Ward; touching at its easterly point, Oxford's north-east corner. This ultimately was annexed to Sturbridge, Charlton, and Oxford, but mostly to Charlton,
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"We then thought, and do now think, that if the village* took two miles from the west part, we should be greatly wronged.
"We then applied to the Honorable Court for relief, but met with opposition from the Board; we were disheartened, and as we had got timber for a meeting-house, and were much encouraged by the gentlemen owning land here, who offered to give the glass and nails, but being taxed so high for building the meeting-house, and finishing it in the best manner, equal to, if not better than any in this country ; and many of us not knowing anything of the town meeting, when the grant was made, and our paying to the support of schools in the town, and having but little benefit therefrom, amongst us, and having such large herds of cattle brought among us, t breaking into our improved lands and destroy- ing our corn and grass, and living so far from the town pound as ten miles, and almost impossible to drive cattle there; all these things con- sidered, we fear we shall be undone, without the help of the court, for we petitioned the town to vote us off last March meeting, but nothing was acted upon it.
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