USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol II > Part 42
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In addition to the foregoing, the Baptists have twenty-five weekly periodicals, besides thirteen monthly, and two quarterly publications.
525
SOUTHBRIDGE.
Each State has its general convention, but as yet the whole Union is not supervised by one general head, like some other denominations of religion.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY.
There were several families of Methodists here at the time the poll parish was incorporated in the year 1801.
These during the existence of the parish joined in support of religious worship with the Baptists and Congregationalists, and occasionally had a preacher of their own order. After the incorporation of the town, when these other religious de- nominations separated and formed distinct societies, and set- tled pastors of their own order, the Methodists united in part with one of these societies, and part with the other, and so continued until the year 1832.
The Methodists now, for the first time, maintained sep- arate worship in Southbridge. Their meetings were held in the district school-house in the Globe village, for a period of nearly six years.
Rev. Hezekiah Davis, of Dudley, was their first minister.
When their church was formed in 1834, the Methodist con- ference provided for this new church. Rev. F. P. Tracy was placed here, a young man about nineteen years of age. He was an able scholar and possessed remarkable powers of elo- quence. The church and society increased rapidly under his ministry. The school-house was always crowded with eager listeners, and it soon became necessary to obtain larger quar- ters. In 1838 the society engaged of the Hamilton Woolen Company a large room, formerly used for storage of wool.
This place was fitted up for their meetings, and used as such about two years, when, by the further increase of their num- bers, this, like the school-house, gave place to still larger accommodations.
This society, in 1840, moved into the second story of the old
526
SOUTHBRIDGE.
Globe factory, and held their meetings there about three years. They, at the close of this period, decided to take measures for erecting a meeting-house of their own.
In the year 1843 they obtained an eligible location for a meeting-house, through the liberality of Jedediah Marcy, Esq .; and during this year erected and finished the house which they now occupy. The several ministers furnished them by the Methodist conference, since they entered their own house, are as follows :
Rev. Stephen P. Cushing, for the year 1844.
L. R. Thayer,
66 1845 and 1846.
66 Chester Field, .6 1847,
Died, 1864.
Mark Staples, .. 66 1848 and 1849.
Charles McKedding, 66 1850.
Died, 1866.
" William R. Raynall, David Sherman,
66 1853 and 1854.
Joseph Denison,
66
.. 1855.
John Caldwell,
66 66 1856.
" J. B. Bigelow,
1857 and 1858.
Ichabod Marcy,
1859 and 1860.
"' I. W. Morey,
66
1861 and 1862.
"' N. D. George,
66
1864.
" J. W. Lewis,
66
66 1865 and 1866.
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF METHODISM.
The honor of founding this religious denomination belongs to John and Charles Wesley, and their friend George Whit- field. The Wesleys were sons of Samuel Wesley, rector of Epworth, Lincolnshire, England; John, the principal actor in this behalf, was born, June 17, 1703, and died in London, March 2, 1791.
George Whitfield was the son of an innkeeper at Gloucester, England ; he was born, December 16, 1714, and died at New- buryport, Massachusetts, September 30, 1770.
The Methodists received their name from an association of students, at Pembroke college, Oxford, called "The Holy Club."
1863.
T. J. Abbott,
1851 and 1852.
527
SOUTHBRIDGE.
The principal parties connected with this association were John and Charles Wesley, and George Whitfield. This name was given to the association "on account of the exact regu- larity of the lives of these associates, and the manner of regu- lating their time."
This association was brought to a close in 1735, when John and Charles Wesley accompanied General James Oglethorpe to Georgia. They were invited there by the founder of that colony, and arrived in February, 1736. They were engaged as chaplains and preachers in the new plantation; but the rough and depraved portion of the settlers soon became res- tive under the strict observances of these young clergymen, which soon created ill-feeling and abuse against them, and was the cause of their leaving that country. Charles left at the close of the same year, and John embarked from the colony December 2, 1737, and reached England, February 1, 1738 .*
While residing in Georgia, John Wesley invited George Whitfield to come to America, and he accepted the invitation; but his friend had returned to England before his arrival, when, in September, 1738, he likewise left that colony. These friends were again united in England, in the cause of religion ; they first inaugurated open-air meetings in 1739 ; the first Methodist society was formed at Moorfields about the same time, when lay preachers and class leaders were established. The first conference of Methodist preachers was assembled in England, in 1744.
Although personal friends and laboring in the same cause, Wesley and Whitfield differed in their religious sentiments : the latter adopted the doctrines of Calvin; while the former embraced the views of Arminius; which, it is believed, is the general doctrinal sentiment of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the United States, that embraces about four fifths of all the Methodists in this country. Both of these leaders were
* See Stevens' Georgia, vol. I, chap. 10.
528
SOUTHBRIDGE.
brought up under the government and discipline of the church of England, but did not confine themselves strictly to the discipline of that church. Instead of the thirty-nine articles of the English church, they have, it is believed, but twenty- five, with modifications.
Mr. Whitfield made seven visits to America, and in several of these visits traveled extensively through the country, preaching to vast audiences, and no doubt doing much in preparing the way for the great success of this denomi- nation, although, it is believed, but a small number of the Methodists, at this time, embrace fully his theological sentiments.
The first Methodist society in this country was formed in New York city, by Philip Embury, a native of Ireland.
He commenced his meetings in his place of residence, then near the present City Hall, in the autumn of 1766. Only six persons were present at that time.
Their numbers increasing, they obtained the use of a sail-loft in William street, and continued worship there until the autumn of 1768, when they erected the first Methodist church in John street, on the site of the present church of this people. This was dedicated on the 30th of October, of that year. Mr. Embury preached the dedicatory sermon from Hosea x, 12.
This denomination having now been established, and the knowledge having reached Mr. Wesley in England, he sent out two missionaries, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore, to aid this cause in America. On their arrival Mr. Embury retired to Camden, New Jersey, and labored in the canse there until his decease in 1775, at the age of forty-five. His remains were buried there, and having remained fifty-seven years, were disinterred in June, 1832, and removed to Ash- grove cemetery ; on which occasion a funeral oration was given by the Rev. John Newland Maffitt. A monument was erected to his grave, with the following inscription :
529
SOUTHBRIDGE.
"PHILIP EMBURY,
" The earliest American minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, here found his last earthly resting-place. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
" Born in Ireland, an emigrant to New York, Embury was the first to gather a class in that city, and to set in motion a train of measures which resulted in the founding of John street church, the cradle of American Methodism, and the introduction of a system which has beautified the earth with salvation, and increased the joys of heaven."
The first annual conference was held in Philadelphia in 1778, consisting of ten preachers, reporting a membership of 1,160.
The preachers at this time were not ordained to this work, but were lay preachers, not authorized to administer the ordi- nances of baptism and the Lord's Supper.
This was a source of dissatisfaction, and, as justly believed, retarded their usefulness, and the progress of the denomina- tion. The preachers in this country united in requesting Mr. Wesley to relieve them, by adopting here the advantages of ordained officers and the church forms necessary to a distinct body. Mr. Wesley, desiring to maintain his hold upon this branch of the Methodist people, complied with this demand. Rev. Thomas Coke was ordained superintendent or bishop, and Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey were constituted elders, and sent to America for this object. Soon after their arrival, on the 25th of December, 1784, a conference was convened in Baltimore, for the purpose of considering Mr. Wesley's plan, and the same was unanimously approved.
Mr. Coke was recognized as superintendent, and Francis Asbury was elected as assistant; and, on the 27th of the same month, he was consecrated to the office of bishop, the first created in America.
Rev. Francis Asbury was sent out to this country by John Wesley, in the year 1771. He was born in Birmingham, England, in 1745. His wisdom, activity, and devotion, as superintendent, for a period of 32 years, and as a preacher 54
530
SOUTHBRIDGE.
years (45 of them in the United States) had given him the claim (being the first bishop) of apostle of American Method- ism. He died at Spottsylvania, Virginia, March 31, 1816, aged 74.
It is reported that the Methodists numbered, at the time of this conference in 1784 (at the close of the Revolutionary War) 83 preachers and 13,740 members. The credentials of Mr. Coke also anthorized him to form a distinct church in the United States, accompanied with various rules suitable for its government, with the twenty-five articles of religion of this denomination. When formed, it took the name of the Methodist Episcopal church in the United States. From that time, 1784, the church has progressed under this organiza- tion, and now extends to every State and Territory of this Union, and has become the largest of the Christian church bodies in this country ; and there is none more thoroughly systematic, or that is creating a better religious and moral influence.
The first introduction of Methodism into New England was by the Rev. Jesse Lee in 1789 ; encouraged to do so by Bishop Asbury.
He encountered many difficulties in the land of exclusive Puritan Congregationalism, but finally formed his first society at Stratford, Connecticut.
Having returned to New York, after traveling extensively through several of the New England States, Mr. Lee was authorized in 1790, by Bishop Asbury, to locate in Boston. His labors there, and in the adjoining towns, were for a time quite discouraging to a young preacher, because it was with much difficulty he could procure places for holding his meetings.
Finally, by perseverance, he formed the first Methodist society in Boston, in July, 1792.
This entering wedge, and the activity of this church, did
531
SOUTHBRIDGE.
much toward relieving New England from the Puritan intoler- ance which so long stained this section of these States.
The first General Conference of the Methodists of the United States met in Baltimore, November, 1792; at this time there were 266 traveling preachers, and 65,980 mem- bers. These General Conferences have since been held periodi- cally every four years, embracing the whole Union under one conference, up to the year 1844, when, unfortunately, the sub- jeet of slavery was introduced very unwisely into their dis- cussions, and through the votes of the larger body of Northern members, the bishop of Georgia, at the conference in the city of New York, was removed from his episcopal functions.
This action was unaccompanied by any regular articles of impeachment or judicial forms, and, as might reasonably be expected, eaused much dissatisfaction with Southern members, who, the following year, including 13 annual conferences, met and formed a union, called "The Methodist Episcopal Church, South."
Camp meetings, peculiar to this religious denomination in this country, commenced in the year 1799 ; they originated in an excited and protracted meeting, where two brothers by the name of McGee were requested to preach when on a journey from Tennessee to Ohio. One was a Presbyterian, and the other a Methodist.
The Rev. P. Douglas Gorrie gives an account of this meet- ing in his history of the origin and progress of Episcopal Methodism.
532
SOUTHBRIDGE.
TIIE METIIODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1869.
Church, North. Church, South.
Total.
General Conferences,
1
1
2
Annual
72
33
105
Bishops,
10
9
19
Traveling Preachers,
8,830
2,495
Local
10,340
4,413
Total
19,170
6,908
26,078
Members in full connection,
1,114,712
יו
on probation, -
184,926
Total Lay Members,
1,298,938
535,681
1,834,619
Sunday Schools,
16,393
1
Teachers,
184,596
66
Scholars,
1,179,984
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
Universities and Colleges, 23
Academies and Institutes,
85
Theological Seminaries and Biblical and Mission Institutes, 6
BOOK CONCERN OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Book Concern is the property of the General Confer- ence, and subject to its control. It has special agents who regulate the business of books and its finances, and an editorial department.
This concern is established in the city of New York, and is an important source of profit.
It was first established in Philadelphia in the year 1789, with a borrowed capital of only $600.
The first book committee was appointed in 1797, and in 1804 it was removed to New York. In 1836 it was destroyed by fire (loss $250,000), but soon rebuilt. The Western Book Concern was established in Cincinnati in 1820, and branches have been established in Boston, Chicago, Pittsburg, Buffalo, St. Louis, and San Francisco.
The capital in 1836 was $281,650.74. The present capital
533
SOUTHBRIDGE.
is $1,165,624.55. The joint Book Concern has paid out in profits, since 1836 up to 1868, the large sum of $1,335,866.25; this has been paid to the annual conferences, to meet church expenses, ontside of their own business. This profit has been an annual average income since 1836, for thirty-two years, to 1868, of $64,592. This income is applied entirely to church purposes, under the special direction of the General Con- ference.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has also its book concern. After the separation of this great religious organi- zation, through a difference upon the question of slavery, a mutual arrangement of the book affairs was made in 1836, by which the South received their share of its funds, and has its book business established at Charleston, and at Louisville, Kentucky, managed with advantage and profit to that associa- tion, like the original at the North.
THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
The first step taken for the formation of this society was in the early part of the year 1838. At this meeting it was voted to adopt the form of constitution as contained in the Revised Statutes of Massachusetts, in chapter xx, sections 26, 27, and 28.
This general form was copied from The Trumpet, published April 2, 1838, being a transcript of the sections above stated in chapter xx ; this was circulated, when the following signa- tures were obtained as members, to wit:
"Oliver Morse, Chapman Lee, Elisha Morris, Parker Morse, Jacob Edwards, Henry Coburn, Daniel F. Newell, Joel Atkins, Henry Plimp- ton, Daniel A. Hawks, Loring Plimpton, Asa Horne, Daniel D. Clem- ence, William Camp, Thomas Broadbent, James Gleason, Pliny Litchi- field, William B. Potter, John S. Perry, Samuel Hammond, Sylvester Dresser, Luther Clemence, Charles Fuller, Sylvanus Chamberlain, Adol- phus Cheney, James Flint, Nathan Brown, Junior, Benjamin P. Bowman, Verney Fiske, William Gleason, Stephen Rice, Ebenezer Edmonds, John
35A
534
SOUTHBRIDGE.
L. Joy, William S. Knowlton, Andrew J. Hooker, Joseph Marcy, Jedediah Bottom, Christopher Whitney, Merrick Barnes, John N. Davis, Hiram Gilmore, William Bates, John F. Lee, Palmer Chamberlain, Luther Edmonds, Alvan Cady, Lemuel Dunbar, Pliny Haywood. Elnathan M. West, Luke Bardwell, Tyler Thompson, Danforth Doughty, Asa Streeter, Winthrop Walbridge, George F. Cady, Libya Litchfield. George A. Waldron, Moses Newell, John Cutting, George A. Stetson, Luther S. Fox, Lewis L. Morse, Samuel L. Marsh, George Edmonds, Emerson Clark, R. O. Williams, Andrew J. Plimpton, Alden Potter, John R. Carter, George M. Oaks, David Walker, M. R. Olney, Daniel Whitford, J. J. Oaks, T. Harrington, John Calvert, Elijah B. Gibbs, C. G. Edmonds, Thomas Potter, James A. King."
The warrant for the first meeting was issued by Benjamin D. Hyde, Esq., directed to Parker Morse, on the application of the following persons :
"Adolphus M. Cheney, Jacob Edwards, Parker Morse, Oliver Hooker, Junior, Rufus Fuller, Daniel A. Hawks, William B. Potter, and Henry Coburn."
The object of this meeting, as described in the warrant, was the choice of officers and to transact any business that might then properly come before then.
This meeting was held at the New England hotel (then so- called, located on the present site of the Edwards house), April 14, 1838. Benjamin D. Hyde called the meeting to order, when the proper officers were elected for the organiza- tion of the society ; and then voted as follows :
That the society be called by the name of "The First Uni- versalist Society of Southbridge."
To procure by voluntary subscriptions means for the supply of preaching half the Sabbaths during the year ensuing. Also, voted that the committee for supplying preaching be re- quested to engage Mr. Boyden or some other clergyman of this denomination to preach for us.
To amend the constitution by striking ont all that part rela- ting to taxing members.
In the year 1841 the society bought the lot of land on which
535
SOUTHBRIDGE.
the present meeting-house is now located, of Michael O. Ryan. Subscriptions were now obtained for erecting said meeting- house ; and Daniel F. Newell, Verney Fiske, and William B. Potter were elected for the building committee.
The house was erected in 1842, and a bell purchased for the same.
MINISTERS.
The following clergymen have supplied preaching for this society at the times here stated :
Rev. John Boyden, for the years of 1838, 1839, and 1840.
F. Whitaker,
1841, 1842, and 1843.
. J. M. Usher,
.. 1844.
" R. O. Williams, .: 1845 and 1846.
D. H. Lec, .. 1847, 1848, and 1849.
B. F. Bolles, .. .. 1850 and 1851.
Mr. Cambridge, {
1852.
Mr. Eliot,
.. J. W. Lawton, .. 1853, 1854, and 1855.
John Nichols, { .. 1856.
" B. F. Bolles,
.. W. W. Wilson, ..
1857 to 1863.
A. B. Hervey,
.. 1864.
F. C. Flint is their present minister.
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, GLOBE VILLAGE.
This church had its origin in a movement of some of the members of the other evangelical churches in this town.
Having met in this village, in December, 1853, and con- ferred upon the subject, it was unanimously decided,
"That the necessities of this village required established preaching, and the ordinances of the Gospel; and that it was the duty of Christians in this vicinity to unite in the support of this object."
Rev. Mr. Brown of the Free church, Andover, rendered valuable aid in the preliminary steps in this behalf. A fur- ther movement was had at a meeting held, January 21, 1854.
536
SOUTHBRIDGE.
On this occasion Rev. G. Trask, of Fitchburg, with Rev. Oakman S. Stearns, and D. Sherman, of Southbridge, united their efforts in sustaining the measures for laying the founda- tion of this church ; after hearing statements of the necessi- ties and motives for prompt action in its favor, by L. W. Curtis, G. Hanson, R. Elliot, and O. Plimpton, the Evangelical Free church was then organized, with 29 members-11 males and 18 females-who were originally connected with the Congre- gational, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Protestant Episcopal churches.
The success of this movement has proved that Christian unity, ignoring sectarian divisions, does not decrease the inter- est felt for religious services, but tends to greater sympathy and purer motives, producing harmony and prosperity.
On February 10, 1854, Mr. G. Hanson and Mr. G. Ballard were appointed deacons. Mr. Ballard not having accepted, Mr. Hanson is the only one who has as yet held that office in this church. The Rev. J. Cunningham was employed by the church and society for a year, ending March 11, 1855. Rev. W. C. Whitcomb commenced his labors in April following; he accepted a call for settlement, July 11, of the same year ; and was installed as pastor, January 3, 1856, in Gothic hall, by the following services : Rev. Edward N. Kirk, D. D., Congregationalist, of Boston, preached the sermon, and deliv ered the charge ; Rev. Shubal S. Parker, Baptist, of South- bridge, gave the right hand of fellowship ; and Rev. W. H. Brewster, Methodist, of Lowell, then addressed the people. Rev. Mr. Whiteomb resigned, March, 1857.
This church now continned without any settled pastor for two years, being temporarily supplied during this period. In March, 1859, Rev. Henry Loomis became their pastor, but resigned in December, 1859, on account of ill-health.
March 1860, Rev. Thomas Morony was invited to become their pastor ; he accepted and labored with this church till
537
SOUTHBRIDGE.
January 1, 1863. Their next pastor, Rev. M. L. Richardson, began his labors here in June, 1863, and continued until February, 1867, when the Rev. Austin Dodge was invited, and became their pastor in October, 1867 ; after serving for a time with much satisfaction to this people, he resigned, when Rev. F. A. Warfield became his successor. The lat- ter has since resigned also. The name of the new pastor we have not learned.
ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIETY.
This society had its origin in this town in a preliminary meeting held in the dwelling-house of Lawrence Seevy, an old wooden structure near the boarding-house of the Hamil- ton Woolen Company, in Globe village, in 1840, in the month of September. There were present at this first meeting only twelve persons, composed of seven Irish and five Germans and French Canadians; their priest at this time was the Rev. G. Fitton, the present pastor of East Boston.
For the next four years the Catholic population increased but very little. They were visited twice a year, about the time of Easter and Christmas, by Father Fitton, pastor of Worcester, who used to hear their confessions, and celebrate mass, at the residence of Mr. Seevy. On account of his many labors in his large mission, Father Fitton could not visit South- bridge but on week-days.
In 1844 Father Williams succeeded the Rev. G. Fitton, and visited Southbridge two or three times.
He was succeeded, in 1845, by Father Gibson, who himself did not come but twice in the course of a year. At this time the Catholics numbered about forty.
In 1846 Father Logan had charge of this small Catholic community, and is the first priest who visited them on Sunday. In two years the Catholic population here was more than doubled ; about one hundred in number.
538
SOUTHBRIDGE.
Rev. John Boyce, of Worcester, was sent to visit them more regularly. He found it necessary to engage the town-hall, every two months, to give service to his people.
For two years they worshipped in this place, and afterwards in the school-house for two years ; meanwhile their number increased rapidly.
In 1852, May 10, they held a meeting in the south school- house, and resolved that immediate measures be taken for the erection of a Catholic church in Southbridge. Collectors were appointed to raise contributions, and Mr. William Edwards most generously gave them the land for a location for their church, which they commenced, July 12, 1852.
On Sunday, May 1, 1853, their church was completed and dedicated under the invocation of Saint Peter, by the Rt. Rev. J. B. Fitzpatrick, bishop of Boston.
After that time, a Jesuit father, from Worcester college, came regularly twice a month to visit this mission. At the same time a lot for a grave-yard was bought, which is the present cemetery of this society, on the right of the road lead- ing to Charlton, abont half a mile north-east of the center village.
In June, 1858, the census of the Catholic population was taken, and it was found that this society numbered 1,673, about half Irish and half Canadians. In August of the same year the Rev. James Quan was appointed pastor here, and at Webster, as one mission.
He used to come to Southbridge every alternate Sunday ; and he remained seven years in charge, during which the Catholic population slightly increased.
A honse was built in 1860 for the residence of a permanent pastor, which was indeed greatly needed.
Finally, in September, 1865, the Catholic church of South- bridge was set aside as a parish by itself, and a pastor, Rev. A. M. Barrett, D. D., appointed for it. The parish, as
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