USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Templeton > Historical discourse in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the formation of the First Congregational Church in Templeton, Massachusetts : with an appendix, embracing a survey of the municipal affairs of the town > Part 3
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In explanation, it is to be noted that he was strict and faithful in his administration of church discipline. With the change of the times, this is now far less important, relatively, in regard to the tone of morals in the community, than it was in the early periods of the country. Every thing was then in a transition or forming state. It is ciear, that the decided stand taken in those days by pastors and churches, and enforced by requisition of confessions and by suspen-
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sions and exclusions, had a most material influence towards saving the New-England population - both the members of the churches, and those who were not so - from the peculiar liabilities to habits of immorality to which they were exposed by the cir- cumstances and hardships of the early settlements. The method pursued in regard to the intercourse of churches with each other was also adapted, at that time, to secure good order and the purity of the mini- stry. The few cases of discipline in this church, during Mr. Sparhawk's ministry, for personal immo- rality, seem to have been judiciously and impartially conducted, and salutary in their effect. But the pastor felt it a duty to withhold church fellowship from persons, who, without conformity to established usages, withdrew from communion, or who had been connected with unjustifiable schisms in their towns, or violent and irregular dismissions of the settled pastors. The application Mr. Sparhawk made of these principles to a celebrated controversy, arising in the town of Bolton, was also the occasion of deve- loping his views of the prerogatives of a pastor, and especially of asserting, on his part, a supposed right to veto the decisions of the church. By this means, he was brought into a serious controversy with a majority of his church and people, who stood up for ecclesiastical freedom as they were also standing for civil liberty. In this they were right, though they did not all behave in a good spirit. A division had taken place in Bolton, and Mr. Sparhawk considered one of the parties disorderly and schismatic. He was
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unwilling that a person adhering to that party should have fellowship and communion here. But this church, after deliberate and protracted investigation in reference to the case of receiving such a person, voted contrary to their pastor's views, by a majority of two-thirds. Mr. Sparhawk declared his non-con- currence, which he considered equal to a veto. This was not admitted. He was, however, resolute in his position, and even went so far as to direct the deacons not to administer the sacrament to the person from Bolton, whom the church had voted at liberty to partake .*
The greater part of the members were unwilling actually to press the controversy to the point of separation of minister and people. In that result it would have ended, had there not been, on the part of the majority, a spirit of conciliation ; for Mr. Spar- hawk was evidently prepared to undergo any trial or sacrifice whatever, rather than yield what he con- sidered a pastor's sacred prerogative and duty, - to veto decisions of his church which he deemed wrong. Had those who differed from him insisted upon carry- ing out their views, it is certain he would have demanded a dismission. A great majority of the ministers of the Commonwealth at that time agreed with him. Prominent among those who held that a pastor's dissenting from a vote of a church rendered that vote a nullity, were the Rev. Zabdiel Adams, of
* About a year and a half afterwards, the church voted, by a majority, to rescind their original vote.
allcou
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Lunenburg; and Rev. Mr. Mellen, of Sterling. The latter person practised in his own church, in regard to the Bolton case, on precisely the same ground as Mr. Sparhawk did here. He was dismissed in con- sequence. The Ecclesiastical Council, convoked here in 1780 to advise the church and pastor, sustained his position, as a matter of privilege in his office. Increase Mather wrote in favor of the idea, that pas- tors hold this power of a negative voice. On the other hand, President Stiles, of Yale College, and others, declared against it .*
The question that had been brought into issue was indeed a vital one for the religious freedom of New England; but it is instructive to see how much better a principle of truth and right is vindicated by the calm and patient appeal to reason and conscience, and the waiting, if need be, for the judgment of pos- terity, than by angry contest. The fathers here were satisfied they were right on this point. They knew it was a most important issue for our congregational liberties ; but they also knew that Mr. Sparhawk was sincere in his opposite opinion. It would have been easy to have made a division in the church and town, and had a harsh controversy kept up for long years. There were some in the church and parish so dis- posed ; but the majority in both wisely determined,
* In 1782, the parties in Bolton were re-united; and, in 1783, this church by vote expressed their disposition not to postpone commmmmion any longer with any part of that church, and to express fellowship with its members without exception. In 1785, Rev. Phineas Wright was ordained pastor of the whole body there. This church attended in the council.
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that, while they would retain their opinion, Mr. Spar- hawk should also enjoy his. And what was the result ? About twenty years afterward, as the records indicate, Mr. Sparhawk himself, probably by a change in his own views gradually wrought out, fully recog- nized the church's independent right of action; and now, when another generation has made its calm review, there is nowhere any church or minister in the whole Congregational body, in either of its two great branches, that admits any such prerogative in a pastor ! In this respect, the just and scriptural prin- ciples of our liberty have fully prevailed.
May we not believe that other important questions now at issue among the churches, and their discus- sion, too often attended with ill-temper and division, will, in another generation, be settled with equal unanimity and truth ? Though Mr. Sparhawk was acting upon a mistaken theory, there can be no doubt that he regarded his course as a painful duty. For that loyalty to his own convictions he deserved to be honored. The same steadfastness of principle which made him confront so decided an opposition among his people, also made him, in other things, a faithful minister and a reliable man. Some, however, continued dissatisfied. A number of mem- bers absented themselves from the communion for a year or two. This difficulty appears to have chiefly subsided in the course of the years 1779 and 1780. Meanwhile, however, there was a dis- position in the parish to manifest opposition. One of the most effectual grounds for the discontented to
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take at that day, if plausibility could be given to it, would be to assert that the minister was not friendly to the cause of the American Revolution. This course they took. There seems to have been little foundation for it. No doubt, Mr. Sparhawk had a wider view, than some of the people, of the great difficulties and dangers that must be encountered by the feeble Colonies in undertaking to resist the mighty power of Great Britain. He was not ready to encourage every violent speech, and favor any rash enterprise that might be suggested, in the revo- lutionary affairs. Some of his most intimate asso- ciates in the ministry felt rather favorable to the cause of the king. But there is no evidence that he was not friendly to the cause of liberty, and desirous of the success of the Revolution. In 1774, a fast had been recommended in reference to the civil troubles. For some reason, Mr. Sparhawk made no appointment to observe it. The town chose a committee " to treat with him on account of the uneasiness about not having a fast." The result seems to have been satisfactory, though it cannot now be ascertained what the grounds were. He was accustomed in his public devotions to pray for the king, and continued to do so after hostilities had begun. Some of the people waited upon him to remonstrate. One may fancy the quiet satisfaction with which he invited these gentlemen, a few months after, to come to his house and advise him; " for," said he, " I find myself in a diffi- culty. You complained of me, and said a patriotic
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minister ought not to offer public prayers for King George III .; and now I have received a circular from the American Congress, requesting all clergy- men to offer prayers on the sabbath in behalf of the king and his government, and that the Almighty may help them to come to a better mind. What shall I do, brethren ?" Of course, they had to allow that the recommendation of the Congress ought to be complied with. During a period of two or three years, there was a considerable disposition in the parish to withhold suitable pecuniary support ; that is, they offered payment only in the depreciated continental paper-money. From 1777 to 1780, the paper-money being a legal currency, the nominal prices of every thing were enormously inflated. They granted each year only the amount of the regular salary; which, being payable in this paper-moncy, he refrained from accepting. In 1778, he proposed to graduate the amount of salary according to the scale of prices as they stood before the war. The parish declined; but a subscription was made by individuals towards his support. But, in 1779, they voted, on articles, to see whether the parish would provide for his " honorable and decent support as a gospel minister; " that his salary for the year previous should be six hundred pounds ; and that, for the year ensuing, - the paper-money having further depreciated, - it should be twelve hundred pounds (equal to four thousand dollars). Even this, however, did not cover the rapidly advancing depre- ciation. These votes were all passed by very small
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majorities. In 1780, they declined to make addi- tional compensation. A precinct meeting was warned with articles to hear and take into consideration any complaints on the part of either minister or people. This being intended to include some of the differences arising out of the votes passed in the church, Mr. Sparhawk declined to attend, on the ground that an ecclesiastical council was the only proper tribunal. Such a council had already been invited by letters missive from the pastor and the church, and assembled June 7, 1780. They justified Mr. Sparhawk, and sanctioned the votes of the church .* The parish, by votes at different times, manifested their unwillingness to have Mr. Spar- hawk leave them; and the council advised against it, provided suitable provision should be made for his support. He had declined taking any of the continental bills for salary ; and they now ceased to pass as currency at any price. His salary was in arrears for five years. At length, in the beginning of 1782, he commenced an action at law " against the First Precinct in Templeton " for the same. They made an amicable settlement, and promptly paid the whole, with interest, in compliance with his terms, with the exception of a hundred and sixty dollars, which he had offered to give up, as he said, " for the ease and relief of those less able to pay taxes ; " and, "as I have ever been kind to this people, still to approve myself so," - the sum to
*See APPENDIX F.
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be allowed, according to the discretion of the assess- ors, as deduction from particular individuals' taxes. It was also made by Mr. Sparhawk a condition of this settlement, that the precinct should, the same week, pay to the attorney and sheriff all costs and charges, and bring their receipt. Thus the affair ended. Against the vote of the parish in his favor, in 1779, a number of voters expressly re- corded their dissent; and eight of them filed a written protest, assigning their reasons, and declar- ing, that, in their opinion, it "would be more to the honor of God and religion for the minister and people to separate, unless there may be a speedy settlement between them." The reasons assigned in this protest for their dissatisfaction are thoroughly frivolous. It was mainly the old story, which has been so many times repeated in all ages, of persons who had commenced and carried on controversy in a bitter and violent spirit turning about, and charging the other party, on trifling grounds, with showing a want of Christian meekness and forbear- ance. The ministry of Mr. Sparhawk continued nearly twenty-five years after these difficulties were disposed of; and we hear no more of these con- tentions. Most of the dissenters continued under his ministry ; and some, at least, seemed to have been cordially attached to him to the end of life. Some, however, among whom was the probable author of the written protest referred to, became active in establishing a Baptist society in the town, which was organized shortly after.
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The formation of a Baptist church in this town, and the withdrawal to it of a number of the members of the First Church, was regarded by Mr. - Sparhawk as a serious trial. Undoubtedly his un- easiness was not so much on account of their devi- ating from his views, as because they made it a ground of division and separation. The whole number of members who withdrew from this to the Baptist church during Mr. Sparhawk's ministry was seventeen, - ten men and seven women. They were not " dismissed and recommended," though some of them had requested it: but this was on the ground, that the Baptist churches refused to hold communion with the Congregationalist churches, and that this church desired not "to trouble any society with a letter of dismission which was pro- bably indisposed to have special fellowship with this church ; "# and also on the ground, often reite- rated by Mr. Sparhawk, that the convictions any member might have on the subject of baptism were no proper reason for a separation from it, " because those of this church are free and willing that any of the members of it should satisfy their con- sciences in regard to that matter; "t "and the church does not require of them, to the continuance of their communion, any thing contrary to their present judgment." # But though not " dismissing and recommending " these members, in the techni-
* Church Records, vol. i. p. 74. t Ibid. vol. i. p. 243.
# Ibid. vol. i. p. 78.
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cal sense, the church many times voted its willing- ness to give certificates of character and regular standing, accompanied with declaration, on the part of the church, of its full adherence to the princi- ples of the right of private judgment, and liberty of conscience. By this they meant liberty to with- draw from the church, as well as liberty while remaining in it. Those whose persuasions led them to the Baptist denomination, therefore, quietly with- drew without censure. Votes to this effect were passed in 1787, and were renewed at various times, especially in 1793, in answer to a request from Samuel Fisk, who had become a Baptist, and desired, that, " as he differed from them in some points of religion, he might be dismissed." On this applica- tion, it was voted, " That the pastor signify to whom it may concern, that he is in regular standing with this church, and that they are disposed, on occasion, to recommend him accordingly ; and also signify that it is the sense and mind of the church, every person has a right to private judgment, and liberty of con- science." * No narrower ground has ever been occupied by this church. Its free consent, as a permanent standing rule, to all such withdrawals for conscience' sake, was, upon deliberate considera- tion, affirmed again nearly forty years afterward, - in 1832.+
Looking back to the personal ministrations of Mr. Sparhawk for so long a period, - comprehend-
Church Records, vol. i. p. 239.
f Records, vol. ii .; report of committee, and subsequent votes.
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ing as they did the time when the institutions and character of our town were forming, and taking their tone, - how impressive is the contemplation ! We may imagine those scenes. We may depict to our thoughts that congregation which assembled so regu- larly, summer and winter, in that first house of wor ship, with no spire, or bell sounding its invitations, and which was never warmed in the coldest season ; a bare shelter, with scarcely any attempt at adorn- ment, or impression upon the feelings from any source, save by the simple majesty and sacredness of the idea of the public worship of the Almighty on his hallowed day, and by the truths uttered in the services. In the earlier days, the assembly con- sisted mostly of the young and middle-aged: for the first settlers, very many of them, commenced their homes and the business of life here; and so, for some years, there were few old persons among them. They had but little store of this world's goods. They made .no pretensions to elegance of style or dress. They were robust, hardy men and women, who knew the difficulties of the wilderness, and were not afraid to encounter them. Into that humble edifice came - a large portion from distances of two, three, or more miles - such a congregation on each sabbath morning. They enter at doors on three sides of the house, and take their places, not in pews, for the most part, but in long seats which occupied the cen- tral spaces below for many years, and the galleries almost wholly, as long as the house stood. The men sit together on the west side; the women,
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together on the east. The singers, for the first quarter of a century, it seems, were accustomed to sit below, in the seats opposite the pulpit, toward the south (that is, the front) door. Not till after this space in the body of the house below came to be fully occupied with pews, did the singers, in 1785, resort to the gallery; at least, such is the only in- ference now to be drawn. The people - those who do not occupy pews - are seated both below and in the galleries, according to an order of precedence prescribed by a committee of the town, - the scats most eligible, or considered most dignificd, being occupied by those taxed for the most property ; and so through the whole, in a nicely graduated order. So much deference did the fathers seem to pay to distinctions of worldly prosperity, even in the house of God. And yet, perhaps, it was not quite that ; for as good order was thought to require some rule, and some permanency of place for each one, they might adopt that standard of preference simply for want of any better. At least, they knew well, and felt it in their inmost souls, that, before the great Being whom they came to worship, all were equal ; that he looked down upon them with no distinctions save of character. They deemed the disciples of Christ possessed all of equal prerogative in things of religion and ecclesiastical order. No decision of pope or bishop or presbytery had such weight in their minds as the simple vote of the brethren in church-meeting expressed, attended with no form or ceremony; and, because their Bible had
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taught them these doctrines, it had also made them free as citizens, never to be subjected to any usurp- ing tyranny of king or parliament. Such was the congregation. When assembled, their good pastor comes to meet them. He is clad in the professional garb of the times ; always, as long as he lived, wearing the ancient " small-clothes," with bright silver knee-buckles, and the three-cornered clerical hat. He was of middle stature ; his appearance, in the latter part of life at least, striking by reason of his flowing locks, which combined with his general bearing and his dress to impart a peculiarly vene- rable aspect. He enters the pulpit, and conducts the sacred service mainly according to usages of the present time. The psalm or hymn is sung without accompaniment of any musical instruments; which, it seems, were not employed here till near the close of Mr. Sparhawk's life. He reads a portion of Scripture. Prayers are offered. The sermon is preached : usually, beyond doubt, it was well writ- ten, sensible, not largely imaginative or dealing much with metaphors and comparisons, practical rather than speculative,* and delivered with dignity and quiet carnestness, with deliberate, perhaps some- what slow, utterance. When the benediction was pronounced, the whole congregation waited quietly in their places till the minister had passed out of the house.
* Not many of his writings were printed. A discourse preached Jan. 18, 1794, at the funeral of Dr. Benjamin Shattuck, was published, and a charge given at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Esterbrook at Athol.
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Upon those ministrations of religion the divine blessing rested. Within the walls of that weather- beaten sanctuary, genuine songs of praise were offered and devout prayers addressed to the Father of all. There parents brought their infants, as a general custom ; desiring to obtain for them, by the rite of baptism, according to the notions of the time, some special impartation of divine grace. And, by that act of consecration of their offspring to God, the parents' hearts were truly moved with an increased sensibility to the things of religion, and their duties in the Christian nurture of the children. There the Lord's Supper was administered with its tender and hallowed associations. In all the observances, libe- ral, enlightened, and practical views of Christianity and of personal duty prevailed. But a change came. Before infirmities of advanced age should overcome him, the pastor was called away from his earthly charge. Mr. Sparhawk died at the age of sixty-seven, of apoplexy, Nov. 25, 1805, after a brief illness, lasting only from Thursday to the Monday following. The sermon at his funeral was preached by the Rev. Dr. Payson, of Rindge, a member of the Association of Ministers.
During his ministry of forty-four years, Mr. Spar- hawk received to this church, by profession, two hundred and forty-five persons, - a hundred men and a hundred and forty-five women; also, by let- ters of dismission and recommendation, from other churches, fifty-three persons, - nineteen men and thirty-four women. A number of the members
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lived within the territory of Phillipston. Twenty- five persons were dismissed from this church to form that one. It is worthy of remark, that almost the whole of the two hundred and forty-five mem- bers, received upon profession, had been baptized here or elsewhere in their infancy. I think that Mr. Sparhawk in his whole life did not baptize more than ten adults. He baptized more than a thousand infants.
Mr. Sparhawk usually enjoyed good health, though he was never of strong constitution. He was a per- son of warm friendships and a generous hospitality. He was a good and correct scholar. He had a ready and accurate memory. It is evident, by many considerations, that he was superior in mind and education to many or most ministers of his day in this neighborhood. While he maintained a sort of official dignity, which perhaps kept young persons especially at too great distance, yet, upon acquaint- ance, he was courteous and affable. He was a good man from principle. He was conscientious in his house, in his parish, and in the pulpit. Pious and faithful in his ministry, he passed, we trust, to re- ceive the reward on high.
After Mr. Sparhawk's death, the church made choice of Rev. Ezekiel Bascom, who was pastor at Phillipston (then called Gerry), to act as its moderator till the settlement of another pastor. Deacon Paul Kendall was also chosen assistant moderator and clerk. A special day of fasting and prayer, in consequence of his death, was appointed
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February, 1806 ; and Rev. Messrs. Lee, Esterbrook, Bascom, and Osgood were invited to attend. Only a few preachers, except the neighboring pastors, sup- plied here during the vacancy. Rev. Mr. Grovesnor, a man about sixty years old, who was settled in Pax- ton, in this county, and elsewhere, preached for a time. It is believed there were but three who were considered as " candidates ; " namely, Messrs. Fisher, Ritchie, and Wellington. The first (Mr. Jesse Fisher) was a native of Wendell, Mass., and a gradu- ate of Harvard College in the class of 1803. He was for some time teacher in the New-Salem Academy, and was ordained and settled in Connecticut. He died in 1836. The second (Mr. William Ritchie) was a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1804. He was settled as pastor of the First Parish in Needham, where he had a long and useful ministry. Both these studied for the ministry with Rev. Dr. Lathrop, of Springfield. No vote was taken here in regard to the settlement of either of them.
Nov. 17, 1806, the parish and the church con- curred, with scarcely a dissenting voice, in the choice of Mr. Charles Wellington as their pastor. They proposed a salary of five hundred dollars per annum ; and the amount of one year's salary additional, by way of " settlement." This was considered a liberal support, according to the standard of the time. Still, on account of the increase of prices and enhanced cost of living generally, it was then probably little, if any, better than was originally the support voted for Mr. Sparhawk at the time of his settlement.
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