USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > Historical discourse commemorative of the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Belleville Congregational Church, Newburyport, Mass., delivered on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1858 by D.T. Fiske > Part 3
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Aside from the revivals, but few events in the history of the church during the period we are now considering, seem to call for special notice. In 1840, Mr. March spent six months travelling and visiting places of interest in Europe. The pulpit was supplied during his absence by the late Rev. George P. Smith, of Worcester. No- vember 11, 1841, A. W. Miltimore was elected to the office of deacon.
With the life and character of Mr. March, I am un- fortunately less familiar, than most of you who had the
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privilege of knowing him as friend and pastor. He was born at Newburyport, October 9, 1805 ; graduated at Yale College in 1825; united with the First Presbyte- rian Church in this city in June 1826; pursued his pro- fessional studies at the Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J. ; was licensed to preach in 1829 ; and after having preached temporarily in various places, began his labors here, as already stated, in 1831. The following sketch is by the hand of that venerable father in the ministry whose own life will so soon call for the biographic pen .*
" As a preacher of the gospel, Mr. March was greatly and justly esteemed. His sermons were not mere cool and general discussions of Christian doctrine. Nor were they flighty and superficial addresses to the imagination and the feelings. They were animated and occasionally they were impassioned. Yet they were luminous and instructive too. They dwelt mainly on those doctrines by which Christians are nourished, quickened, and com- forted ; and sinners awakened, converted, and saved. They judiciously placed the stress of religion where the Scriptures place it. Proceeding obviously from the heart they were apt to reach the conscience and the heart. Hence it was, that while they were generally acceptable, they were most highly prized by the most serious and the most judicious."
" He was a devoted and affectionate pastor ; prompt at the call of duty ; punctual to every engagement ; solicit- ous to detect and to cherish any serious impressions among his people ; watching for their souls, as one that must
* Rev. D. Dana, D.D.
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give an account. His addresses to the sick and the dying, the bereaved, the awakened and inquiring, exhibited that union of fidelity and tenderness, of discrimination and sound judgment, which was calculated to give them force and secure for them the best effect." "On the whole, Mr. March established for himself, with the judicious and candid who knew him, the character of a good minister and a good Christian ; a sincere friend to God and man ; to society and its best interests ; to his country and his species. He was a tender husband and an affectionate father, a kind neighbor, and a faithful friend."
This I am sure is but a copy of the living picture of the man, still fresh in the hearts of many who hear me. " Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching." *
Of the ministry of the present pastor, extending over a period of eleven and a quarter years, but little need be said, as the events of it are fresh in the memory of all. Of its personal experiences, its labors and trials, its en- couragements and discouragements, its joys and hopes, I could speak out of a full heart, but forbear, simply say- ing that I have ever esteemed it a fortunate circumstance that, in entering upon the work of the ministry, I was per- mitted to build upon so good a foundation, and to enter into the labors of two so able and excellent predecessors.
My ordination called forth a remonstrance from two members of the council, and caused a slight breeze of theological controversy, both of which it is believed were harmless, so far at least, as regards this church and its
Appendix, G.
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pastor. Whether my doctrinal views, essentially the same to-day they were then, are " subversive of the gos- pel of grace and a denial of the faith once delivered to the saints," you who have sat under my ministry from the beginning, are surely competent to judge.
These years, in which it has been my privilege to labor with you in the gospel, have not been wholly unattended with tokens of the divine favor. In the spring of 1852, there was a pleasant state of religious interest among this people. No extra meetings were held, but for several weeks the awakening and converting influences of the Holy Spirit were granted. About twenty, it is hoped, then began a Christian life, most of whom were heads of families, and soon connected themselves with the church and have to this day " professed a good profession before many witnesses." With two or three exceptions, all who were then acknowledged inquirers, soon began to indulge the Christian hope.
In the fall of 1856, there were favorable indications of a general revival, but after the hopeful conversion of some ten or twelve, these encouraging signs disappeared.
And what shall I say of that recent and most precious work of grace which has so gladdened our hearts and strengthened our hands ? The time has not yet come for transferring more than a few of its leading facts to the page of history.
The first indications of special interest were apparent towards the close of January. The first extra meeting was held in the chapel Thursday evening, February 11th. From that time for nearly three months, meetings were held in the chapel four or five evenings in a week, and
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were generally thronged. The number of inquirers in- creased from week to week, until I had upon my list, the names of nearly one hundred and twenty persons. More than eighty of these have expressed a hope in Christ, though in some cases, we fear it is not what the apostle calls " a good hope through grace." During the sum- mer, sixty-one have united with the church, and others it is hoped, will ere long follow their example. This revi- val has, it is believed, as should be the case with every true revival, brought the church up to a higher plane of spiritual life and efficiency, from which God forbid that it should ever recede. .
The whole number of admissions to the church dur- ing the present ministry is one hundred and forty-seven. Never before was its membership so large as it is at pres- ent, and never were its obligations to let its light shine, and to be a power for Christ in the world, so great as at this moment.
November 7, 1857, Mr. John P. Pearson and Mr. Wm. J. Currier were chosen deacons.
There are a few points of general interest relative to this church which should be adverted to before conclud- ing this discourse.
Its form of government is, and always has been, strict- ly Congregational. This form was not adopted tradition- ally, but by deliberate and decided preference. There manifestly must have been inducements presented to the original members, to adopt either the Episcopal or Pres- byterian form ; but they having seen, and had some ex- perience of, the workings of those systems, strongly pre- ferred to be Congregationalists. It is related of the only
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one of the original nine, who had previously been a pro- fessor of religion, that when the proposition was made to her to unite with others in forming a new church, she ex- pressed a willingness to do so only on condition that it should be a Congregational church. But while the found- ers of this church were thus decided in their Congrega- tional preferences, they were animated by no narrow, exclusive, sectarian spirit, as is evinced by the fact that the man of their unanimous choice for their first pastor, was, both by education and ecclesiastical connections, a Presbyterian ; and the same was true of the second pas- tor also. It is the very genius of Congregationalism to be thus Catholic. Its most fundamental principle is that each local church is competent to manage its own affairs in its own way. While by virtue of its scriptural sim- plicity, its flexibility and democratic nature, it claims to be better calculated than other forms, to answer the great ends of church government, it cheerfully extends the right hand of Christian fellowship to churches differently constituted, provided they hold the Head, which is Christ, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles,
The Confession of Faith and the Covenant, adopted by this church at its organization, remain unchanged. They are thoroughly Evangelical, and were doubtless drawn up by the first pastor ; although the covenant is based upon, and a considerable part of it, adopted verbatim, from one given in Cotton Mather's Ratio Disciplinæ, and which was in common use in the early part of the last century. Punchard says of it, " It presents an excellent model for the substance of these important instruments."
In doctrine and polity then, this church stands upon
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the true Puritanic, and as we believe, Apostolic, and Scrip- tural foundation. By a history of fifty years, it has tested that foundation and is satisfied with it, and is confident that the gates of hell will never prevail against it.
During these fifty years, many and great changes have taken place in the families composing this church and society. Several families have become extinct and many have removed to other places. According to the list of deaths kept since 1830, the average number per year, has been a little more than fourteen. If there had been the same average previously, then more than seven hun- dred have passed from us into eternity. How eloquent is that long roll of the dead ! What a world of suffer- ings and infirmities of body, and of anxieties, fears, and sorrows of heart, does it represent ! What an array of sick chambers, desolate homes, mourning parents, chil- dren, husbands, wives, neighbors, and friends rise up before the mind, as the eye glances over this record of mortality ! Scarcely one of these fifty years has passed, without placing the fatal star against some names on the list of this church. Many have thus left the earthly for the heavenly communion. The young, with their vows yet fresh upon them, have gone to enjoy perpetual youth. Those who were in manhood's prime, bearing the heat and burden of the day, have gone to participate in the nobler activities of the church above. The aged, whose hoary heads being found in the way of righteousness were crowns of glory here, have gone to wear more glorious crowns in that brighter world on high.
But the names of these departed ones stand on our roll of members-each a witness still for Christ. And in
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what more honorable association can any name stand, than when found on the catalogue of a Christian church ? There is no higher and nobler earthly record. And when worthily written there, it is also written in the Lamb's Book of Life. The tablet of every true church is one leaf in the great Family Register of God. Who, dying, would not choose to leave his name inscribed there, rather than on any mere record of earthly fame ?
As we look over the catalogue of this church, and see the names of the living and the departed intermingled, we can but feel that all still compose but one church.
" The saints on earth, and all the dead, But one communion make."
Are not the sainted members of this church one with us to-day, ready, in view of all the way in which the Lord our God has led us, to join with us in one loud, trium- phant doxology to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost !
But turning now from the past, who shall cast for us the horoscope of the future ? We have traced the events for the half-century just closed,-who can foretell the events of the half-century which has just opened ? On the centennial anniversary of the formation of this church, what will be the character of those chapters which will have been added to her present history ? What precious seasons of revival will have been recorded ? What new names will have been enrolled on the list of members ? But then another voice than mine will address another audience than that which here listens to-day. Ere then most of us will be mingling in far other scenes ; but where, O where ! God in his infinite mercy grant that
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having fought the good fight and kept the faith, we may all in his own good time be transferred from the church militant to the church triumphant. And I doubt not but then, as now, this particular branch of Christ's church will be especially dear to our hearts. This scene of our early vows, and hopes, and fears, and conflicts, and victo- ries,-how will precious memories of it serve to enrich our heavenly experiences ! The Lord continue to bless this church evermore, and to be a light and a glory in the midst of it; and we will all say of this our Jerusalem, " Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces."
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APPENDIX.
A. p. 8.
" Whereas, we the Subscribers, Members of ye Old Church, and of Several other Societies in Newbury, yet living in ye Easterly and South- erly Parts of the Second Parish, and Westerly part of the Third Parish in Newbury, Do hereby agree to Imbody ourselves into a Society, and to Improve the said old Church for the Public worship of God, in the Dis- senting way (as is commonly called) if we should obtain the Parish Pro- posed.
And if we Should not Like the Church for the Purpose above said, We Do Hereby Covenant and agree to build a Meeting House. Said House shall be built in manner and form according to ye Instructions that may be given to a Committee who may hereafter be Chosen By us to Effect the Same. And that we will Pay towards the Building thereof, the Sev- eral Sums to which we have affixed our Respective Names, Said Sums to be in Cash or Materials to the Acceptance of the said Committee.
As we apprehend this is the Best means in our Power, for Promoting Peace, Love, and Unity, and for ye upholding Religion among us. Wit- ness our Hands this 21st Day of May, A. D. 1760-at Newbury, &c.
& s. d.
& s. d.
Jonathan Moulton 3 00
Stephen Little 26 13 4
Sarah Bartlet 1 40
James Bayley 13 68
Mary Moulton
1 40 Moses Little Junr
26 13 4
Thomas Bartlet
4 00
Francis Brown 13 68
Parker Bartlet 3 00
Peter Merrill 6 13 4
Stephen Moulton 8 00
Moses Merrill 3 00
Ebenezer Davis 1 10 Thomas Bartlet Ju' 20 00
Moses Jackman
3 10 0 Jos. Hall Bartlet 6 13 4
David Jackman
3 10 0 Love Bartlet, alias Lunt 3 0 0
Thomas Bartlet
13 68
Seth Bartlet 7 68
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£ s. d.
£ s. d.
Moses Little 13 68
Nathan Chase
13 68
Peter Ordway 13 68 Ichabod Atkinson
6 00
Stephen Ordway
13 6 8 Moses Bartlet
6 00
Daniel Merrill Jn.
3 00
John Chase
4 00
Sam'l Bartlet
8 00
Amos Rogers
3 00
Joshua Sawyer
3 00
Nath'l Davis
1 00"
(The original document of which the above is a copy is now in my hands.)
B. p. 8.
(Extract from the manuscript records of the proceedings of the Gen- eral Court of Massachusetts, under date of April 17, 1761.)
" The committee appointed the 10th inst. on the petition of Moses Lit- tle and others, of Newbury, praying, as entered 3rd of January last, to be erected into a distinct parish including all the lands within the follow- ing lines, viz .- beginning at the northeast corner of Mr. Moses Moody's land by Merrimack River, thence by the said Moody's land on the south- erly side to the county road, thence eastward to Toppan's Lane, and down to the westerly end of the said Lane, thence up a strait line to the southeast corner of Francis Brown's land to the South Way so called, thence westerly by the said way to the southwest corner of the Second Parish, thence by said parish to Stephen Sawyer's land on the northerly side, thence by said Sawyer's land to the road nigh his dwelling-house, thence to John Rogers' Milldam, thence to the mouth of Artichoak River at the River Merrimack, together with Capt. Stephen Ordway and his estate .- Reported in favour of said petition with some exceptions.
(Signed.) Sam'l Watts-per order.
In council read and accepted and therefore resolved and ordered that the Prayer and Petition be granted and that the Petitioners and all the lands within the lines herein mentioned, together with Capt. Stephen Ordway and his estate be erected into a distinct parish, excepting the fol- lowing persons, viz. Edward Toppan, Sam'l Cook, John Poor, Mary Mor- garidge, Elizabeth Pilsbury, Wm. Weed, John Downing, Joseph Downer, Andrew Downer, John Rogers, junior, Peter Rogers, and Abiel Rogers,
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who with their lands adjoining their dwelling-houses are exempted, and that said Petitioners be and hereby are invested with all the powers and privileges of other parishes in this Province.
In the House of Representatives read and concurred. Consented to by the Governor."
C. p. 20.
From " The Newburyport Herald," Nov. 26, 1807.
" DEDICATION."
" On Tuesday last, the Meeting-House on High St., Newbury, was dedicated to the solemn worship of God. At 12 o'clock a procession was formed consisting of the Ministers of Newbury and Newburyport, the Committee, Parishioners, and Proprietors for building the House, the Carpenters and Joiners that executed the work, the Singers from the Societies in Newburyport, accompanied by the Newburyport Band of Musicians, moved from the house of Josiah Little, Esq., to the Meeting- House, where the Rev. Dr. Spring opened the exercises with an appro- priate and solemn prayer; the Rev. James Miltimore (formerly of Strat- ham) delivered a peculiarly interesting discourse from Gen. 28 : 16, 17, with all that energy and pathos peculiar to him ; and was attended with an unusual Solemnity. His ideas were happily calculated to arouse the feelings of every person present, and to leave an impression that 'surely the Lord was in this place.' After which the Rev. Nathaniel Noyes, of Southampton, made the concluding prayer. The Singers, composed of members from the respective Societies of Newburyport, under the more immediate care of Mr. Charles Woodman, accompanied by the Band, performed the pieces selected for the occasion, in a truly elegant and masterly style. The strictest order and harmony was observed through- out the day, which reflected the highest honor on the Proprietors and all that were present."
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D. p. 22.
The cost of the Chapel, including the land on which it stands, was $1800. The land was the gift of Josiah L. Hale, Esq. By this addition the quadrangular shape of the church grounds was destroyed, but was subsequently restored by another addition, in the rear, donated by a gen- tleman, not a member of the Society, Jacob W. Pierce, Esq.
E. p. 22.
The cost of the Parsonage House and Land was about $4000, for de- fraying which the Society is under obligation to
The Family of the late Thomas Hale, Esqr. Hon. Josiah Little,
Mrs. Mary Greenleaf,
Mrs. Sarah W. Hale,
Col. Eben. Hale,
Mrs. Saralı Little.
Dea. A. W. Miltimore.
F. p. 23.
The original members were nine in number as follows :-
Abigail Little, Josiah Little, Sarah Little,
Matthias Atkinson,
Abigail Atkinson, John Atkinson,
Lydia Atkinson, Amos Atkinson, Anna Atkinson.
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G. p. 35.
The following is a copy of the inscription on the Monument erected at the grave of Mr. March, by his parishioners.
(Front.) " IN MEMORY OF
REV. JOHN C. MARCH, Born at Newburyport, Oct. 9, 1805, Graduated at Yale College, Sept. 1825, & at the Theo. Seminary, Princeton, N. J., 1829. Ordained Associate Pastor, with the Rev. James Miltimore, in Newbury, Belleville, March 1, 1832. Died Sept. 26, 1846. E. 41 years."
(Back.)
" Docuit faciendo."
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY 35 NORTH WEST TEMPLE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84150
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(Right Side.)
" The proofs of his ministerial fidelity were, the tears of his people ; of his social virtues, The confidence of his friends ; of his earnest piety, The approbation (as we trust) of his God. O passenger see here the instruction of the Pulpit confirmed by the solemnities of the Tomb."
(Left Side.) " As a Christian He was strong in faith and hope, Distinguished for equanimity in his feelings, and consistency in his conduct. This monument is erected by his people as a token of their affection to a beloved Pastor."
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