USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Historical manual of the Church of Christ in Lincoln, Mass > Part 2
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" They agree in belief that the Holy Scriptures are the suffi- cient and only infallible rule of religious faith and practice ; their interpretation thereof being in substantial accordance with the great doctrines of Christian faith, commonly called
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evangelical, held in our churches from the early times, and sufficiently set forth by former General Councils."
"At a meeting of the Church, in Concord, Weston and Lexington, Second Precinct, on April 1st, 1748, put to vote whether the said Church will invite and qualify voters, in said Precinct, to join with them in calling and settling a gospel min- ister, and it passed in the affirmative; providing it be done within six months from this day."
"Put to vote, at said meeting, whether the Church will in- vite said Precinct to join with them in the choice of one or more young candidates for the ministry to preach with them upon probation, in order for the settlement in the ministry among them, and it passed in the affirmative."
" At a meeting of the Church and qualified voters in Con- cord, Lexington and Weston, Second Precinct, on the 11th of April, 1748, Mr. Joshua Brooks being chosen moderator ;- Voted, by said Church and Precinct, that they choose but one young candidate for the ministry to preach with them on pro- bation."
At the same time,-
" Voted, that Mr. William Lawrence is the man desired to preach four Sabbaths and the Fast, on said probation, in order for settlement in the ministry among them."
" At a meeting of the Church and qualified voters of the inhabitants, in the Precinct set off from Concord, Lexington and Weston, on the 18th of May, 1748, Mr. Joshua Brooks, being chosen moderator, they proceeded, by written votes, to make choice of a gospel minister ; and there were twenty-nine brought in, twenty-two of which were for Mr. William Law- rence ; and then a committee was chosen to treat with him upon the affair, viz., - Chambers Russell, Joshua Brooks, Samuel Bond and Timothy Wesson."
" At a meeting of the Church and Precinct, on the 1st of August, 1748, Mr. Lawrence gave an answer to the call, given to him by said Church and Precinct, in the affirmative."
" At a meeting of the Church, regularly assembled, on the 7th day of Nov., 1748, the church invited, by their votes, the Precinct to join with them in appointing a day for Mr. Law- rence's ordination, and likewise, to join with them and Mr. Lawrence in agreeing what churches to send to for their assist- ance therein. Then the Church adjourned their meeting to the next Monday following, at one o'clock, in the afternoon, at the meeting-house."
"Being met according to adjournment,-Voted, and ap- pointed the first Wednesday of December next, to be the day
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.
for Mr. Lawrence's ordination. This being done,-Voted to send to the churches of Christ in Lexington, in Weston, the two churches in Cambridge, the first church in Groton, the church in Waltham and the church in Littleton, for their assist- ance in the above ordination by Reverend Elders and Dele- gates ; and, at the same time, chose Benjamin Brown, John Headley, Joshua Brooks, Edward Flint and Ephraim Flint, a Committee, to send out their letters-missive to the respective churches above mentioned, which was accordingly done."
" At a meeting of the Church, orderly warned and met to- gether, on Wednesday, the 7th of December, 1768, Voted,- That there shall be a book provided by the church, in which the proceedings of said Church shall be recorded by the Moderator, both respecting time past and future."
" Thus far Benjamin Brown, moderator of said Church."
"On the 7th of December, 1748, met at the house of Mr. Edward Flint, the Elders and Delegates of the respective churches above mentioned, viz. :- The Reverend Mr. John Hancock of Lexington and Delegates, the Reverend Mr. Wil- liam Williams of Weston and Delegates, the Reverend Mr. Nathaniel Appleton of Cambridge and Delegates, the Reverend Mr. Caleb Trowbridge of Groton and Delegates, the Reverend Mr. Wareham Williams of Waltham and Delegates, the Rev- erend Mr. Daniel Rogers of Littleton and Delegates, the Rev- erend Mr. Samuel Cook of Cambridge and Delegates, and hav- ing embodied as a Council of Churches, sought by fervent prayer the blessing and assistance of God in the affair before them. Chose the Reverend Mr. Hancock, Moderator; and then it being put to vote by him whether the Council will ordain Mr. William Lawrence to the pastoral office, in the Church of Christ, in the Precinct set off from Concord, Lexington and Weston, according to the desire of said Church, and it passed in the affirmative. Then the Council proceeded to the meeting- house, where they solemnized the ordination of the said Mr. William Lawrence, according to the usual method in New England."
At what date the Covenant of Full Communion was adopted does not appear from the records, but, probably, it has been in existence, in substantially the form that it now has, from the beginning of Mr. Lawrence's ministry.
At a meeting of the Church, held April 22, 1784, it was voted to consider, at an adjourned meeting, the following
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article :- " To see if the Church will alter, amend, or define the penitential article in Covenant of Full Communion." On the 6th of May, it was voted, "That the penitential article of Full Communion do for the future stand thus :- You do humbly ask of God the remission of all your sins, original or actual, through the blood of Christ, exercising true repentance toward God."
In the first book of records of the Church, is a single sheet, well worn, containing the Covenant, which reads, as follows, in the penitential article : "You do humbly (and penitentially) ask of God the remission of all your sins, whether original or actual, exercising true repentance towards God." " Through
the blood of Christ" is an addition, which distinctly recognizes the vicarious work of our Lord. This emendation was made three years after the settlement of Dr. Stearns. The text was changed evidently for the purpose of reaching a more distinct doctrinal statement. It is to be presumed that this change was made at the suggestion, or with the full concurrence of the pastor. The presumption is still stronger, that it would not have been made, had he interposed any objection. The recog- nition of original sin and Christ's expiatory sacrifice, in the phrasing of this article, would satisfy an old-school theologian, and will support the view, maintained in the sketch of the pas- tors, respecting the doctrinal position of Dr. Stearns.
VII. SKETCH OF THE PARISH.
A Precinct is a territorial parish, which includes a definite tract of land, and previous to the religious freedom act of 1811, was very different from the poll parish made up of individuals. The colonists of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, who came to found a "plantation religious," made the character of the settlers, and the belief they held, of primary importance, so that the worship of God might be properly set up, by every distinct company of settlers. In the colonial records, parishes are not mentioned as ecclesiastical divisions, though, in England, the term was thus constantly used at that time. For more than half a century, previous to 1750, precinct, parish, district and town, were terms used indiscriminately, for ecclesiastical and civil purposes, in the provincial statutes. After the Revolution, a parish, which included men with "their lands and estates and polls," without reference to contiguity, was called a poll parish. A third association, early recognized in the statutes, formed without reference to lands or estates, was the religious society, which is taking the place of the older terms.
The inhabitants of the southeasterly part of Concord, and residents of Weston and Lexington contiguous to them, en- deavored for several years, prior to 1744, to obtain the consent of the towns, with which they were connected, that they might be formed into a distinct parish. Their efforts were unsuc- cessful.
They, therefore, resorted to the Great and General Court. That body, as early as 1654, held it to be their "great duty to provide that all places and people, within their gates, should be supplied with an able and faithful minister of God's holy word." In August, 1744, the following petition, addressed to
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Governor Shirley, and the Legislature, was considered and granted :
" To his Excellency, William Shirley, Esq., Captain General and Governor-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England :- To the Hon- orable, his Majesty's Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, at Boston, August 10, 1744.
" The petition of the inhabitants, or proprietors of tene- ments in the easterly part of Concord, and the northerly part of Weston, and westerly part of Lexington, whose names are unto affixed, humbly sheweth :-
" That your petitioners labor under great difficulties and in- conveniencies by reason of their distance from their respective places of public worship in said towns. Their families, being, many of them, numerous, in the winter season, more especially, they have been obliged for many years past, to promote and maintain the preaching of the word of God amongst them in a private house, or, otherwise, many of them must have been de- prived of the great benefit thereof. Your petitioners have applied themselves to the said towns to consent that they should be set off from their respective towns, or, otherwise, to relieve them, both which they refused ; your petitioners' diffi- culties yet remaining, whereas, your petitioners have not where to go, but to your Excellency and Honors, for relief, in the premises ;- We humbly pray this honorable Court will be pleased to take their case into your wise and serious considera- tion, and make them a Precinct, and invest them with such privileges as this honorable Court shall see meet."
After naming the boundary lines, desired for the proposed precinct, the petition thus closes :
" If your Excellency and Honors will please to grant your petitioners' request, above expressed, the public worship of God might, by them, be more comfortably, constantly and univer- sally attended upon. Now many of them live four, and some five miles distant from the places of public worship in said towns. If the petition should be granted, there will be but few inhabitants two miles and a quarter from the center thereof. And, if what is herein expressed, with what may be further suggested, is not sufficient fully to inform your Excellency and
1
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Honors of our circumstances, we pray that a Committee may be appointed by this honorable Court to view our case and re- port thereon ; and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray."
Signed by JOHN HEADLEY and others.
A Committee was appointed, who made an examination of the locality and the needs of the inhabitants, and reported favorably for the petitioners. In accordance with this report, the Legislature created a " distinct and separate Precinct, and vested with all such powers and privileges as other precincts within this Province do, or by law ought to enjoy." Persons, who were excepted, had the privilege of being incorporated, with their estates, with the petitioners, by giving notice to the Secretary of the Province within one year.
The Council acted on the matter, April 24, 1746. The House of Representatives concurred, April 26.
Governor Shirley approved the act, and on the same day, the General Court empowered Benjamin Brown, "one of the principal inhabitants of the parish this day set off," &c., to call " the first Precinct meeting in said parish, to choose Pre- cinct officers," &c.
The first Precinct meeting was held at the house of Mr. Ed- ward Flint, on the 26th of May, 1746.
Benjamin Brown was chosen Moderator.
Ephraim Flint, Precinct Clerk.
Chambers Russell, Esq., Benjamin Brown, Josiah Parks, John Headley, and John Hoar, were chosen Precinct Committee.
Samuel Dakin and Jonathan Wellington, Collectors.
Stephen Wesson, Treasurer.
Ebenezer Cutler, Daniel Adams, and Ephraim Flint, Asses- sors.
At a Precinct meeting held on the 18th of July, it was " Voted that the Precinct Committee be a Committee to pro- vide some meet person to preach the word of God, publicly, in said Precinct until further order." It was also voted to assess the Precinct " in the sum of one hundred and seventy pounds, in Bills of Credit according to the old tenor, to support the
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preaching of the word of God in said Precinct." On the 17th of November, the Committee were instructed to apply to Mr. John Brown to preach four Sabbaths. On the 12th of January, the Committee were instructed " to desire Mr. John Brown and Mr. Benjamin Stevens to preach in said Precinct until the next Precinct meeting." On the 16th of April, 1747, the Precinct considered the following article and referred it to the next Pre- cinct meeting : "To see whether the Precinct will accept the meeting-house already built, in said Precinct, for the Precinct's public use and improvement."
On the twenty-fifth of June, next following, it was voted that the meeting-house already built in said Precinct, be ac- cepted by said Precinct, on the conditions specified by the builders, which are as follows :
" We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the Precinct set off from Concord, Lexington and Weston, being desirous to pro- mote the public preaching of the word of God in said Precinct, and willing for the ease of others, the inhabitants of said Pre- cinct, to take upon ourselves more than our proportion of the great charge of setting up the public worship of God in said Precinct, have at our own proper cost and charge, erected a house for the public use of the Precinct, and have, in part, fin- ished the same, which house standeth near the centre of said Precinct and is made use of as a public meeting-house,-do, by these presents, freely, fully and absolutely give, grant, alienate, convey and confirm the said house to said Precinct, (except the glass in said house), publicly to be possessed and enjoyed free and clear from any incumbrance of what name or nature soever, (except the glass as aforesaid) and also our right and interest in about one acre of land, which said house stands on, it being described and confirmed to us by a deed from Edward Flint of Concord.
" In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this twenty-second day of June, Anno Domini, 1747. Benjamin Brown, Edward Flint, Judah Clark, Joseph Brooks, Joshua Brooks, Samuel Bond, Jonathan Gove, Benjamin Munroe, John Headley, Samuel Dakin, Ebenezer Cutler, Jeremiah Clark, Amos Merriam, John Gove, Jonathan Wellington, Ephraim Flint, Thomas Wheeler, Joseph Pierce, Nathan Brown, Jonas Pierce, Timothy Wesson, George Pierce,-Builders."
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SKETCH OF THE PARISH.
The land conveyed, by "deed of gift" to the aforesaid builders, by Mr. Edward Flint, is described as " a certain piece, or parcel, of clear land, situate, lying and being in Concord, above said, containing, by estimation, one acre, more or less, and is bounded as follows :- northerly by the land of Mr. Ephraim Flint, beginning at a stake and heap of stones, stand- ing on the south side of the stone wall, and thence running westerly to another stake and stones, thence running southerly to a third stake and stones, thence running easterly to a fourth stake and stones, thence turning and running northeasterly to a fifth stake and stones, thence turning northwesterly to the stake and stones first mentioned." This land was conveyed " to the said society and their heirs, to be by them enjoyed and improved for the public use above said forever."
At the same meeting, June 25, 1747, at which, the Precinct voted to accept the meeting-house, it was also " voted that the Precinct be forthwith assessed in the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, in bills of credit of the new tenor, to defray the necessary charges in further finishing the Precinct meeting- house." It was also " voted that the Precinct Committee pro- cure some meet person or persons to preach the word of God, publicly, in said Precinct, till further order." "Voted that Thursday, the twentieth day of August next, be kept as a day of fasting and prayer, to ask the divine blessing on our endeav- ors to settle a gospel minister among us, and that the Reverend Mr. Hancock, of Lexington, Mr. Loring and Mr. Cook, of Sudbury, Mr. Williams, of Weston, Mr. Williams, of Waltham, and Mr. Cook, of Cambridge, be desired to assist in carrying on the public worship of God on said day."
At a joint meeting of the Precinct and Church, May 18, 1748, " to choose a gospel minister to settle in said Precinct," Mr. William Lawrence, who had preached four Sabbaths upon probation in order to a settlement, was elected, having received twenty-two out of twenty-nine votes.
It was voted that a settlement of eight hundred pounds, " old tenor," should be given him, and an annual salary of four hun-
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dred pounds, "according to old tenor bills." A Committee, chosen " to treat with Mr. William Lawrence " with reference to his settlement, reported that Mr. Lawrence would accept the call of the Precinct, if the salary, voted for his support, should be regulated by the prices "of some of the necessaries of life." The Committee recommended that his salary be established upon the basis of these prices for the following articles :- In- dian corn, 15 shillings, old tenor, per bushel ; Rye, 1 pound, old tenor, per bushel ; Pork, 1 shilling and 8 pence, per pound ; Beef, 1 shilling, per pound.
The Precinct voted to adopt the recommendations, and also to deliver to Mr. Lawrence, at his house, thirty cords of wood, annually, for his fire.
The meeting being adjourned, at the close of its business, from the meeting-house, to the house of Mr. Edward Flint, to receive Mr. Lawrence's answer to the call of the Church and Precinct, he responded as follows :
" Gentlemen of the Precinct set off from Concord, Lexing- ton and Weston :- Whereas, you have been pleased to give me an invitation to settle in the gospel ministry amongst you, I take this opportunity to return you thanks for your respect shown me therein, and to signify to you my willingness to accept of the said invitation. So wishing that grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied to you, and that I may be enabled to perform faithfully the office of a gospel minister, and greatly advance your best interest,
" I subscribe myself your faithful friend and humble servant,
WM. LAWRENCE."
At a meeting of the Precinct, on the 7th of November, fifty pounds more were granted for the purpose of finishing the meeting-house, also one hundred pounds " old tenor" " to de- fray the charge of Mr. Lawrence's ordination." At the same meeting, ten members of the Precinct expressed themselves as not satisfied with the basis on which the salary had been placed and the amount of wood to be furnished the pastor. The Pre- cinct refused, however, to reconsider any action in reference to the matter, but adjourned the meeting for one week, evidently
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SKETCH OF THE PARISH.
for the purpose of harmonizing differences of opinion, if possi- ble. At the adjourned meeting, Mr. Lawrence appeared and proposed that the basis of his salary "be stated in the months of November and December instead of December, January and February ; and that his salary be not stated, till two years be ended after his ordination, and that, instead of thirty cords of firewood, the Precinct give him only ten." It was then voted " that the proposals made by Mr. Lawrence be accepted by said Precinct," and that his ordination should be on the 7th of De- cember.
The action of the Precinct, in respect to placing pews in the meeting-house, is perhaps sufficiently interesting to justify a detailed notice.
At the next Precinct meeting, after the acceptance of the house, the article "to see how the Precinct will dispose of the place for pews in their meeting-house" being under considera- tion, no other action than this was taken :- " Voted that Cham- bers Russell, Esq. have the liberty to choose the place for his pew in the Precinct meeting-house where he pleases, and build it when he pleases."
A year subsequent to this action, Mr. Ephraim Flint having agreed to give to the Precinct a deed of an acre of land, " on a plain betwen his dwelling-house and the great meadow," and also to " allow a bridle way to it, from the road that shall be laid out from Lexington to said Precinct meeting-house," for a burial place, for such compensation as " the Precinct will freely give him, it was voted that he should have the second pew northward from the east door in the meeting-house for a recom- pense to him for the burial place, the Precinct to build said pew."
At a Precinct meeting held April 12, 1749,
" The Committee, chosen to consider in what method the pews in the meeting-house should be disposed of, reported as follows :
" To the Second Precinct in Concord.
" Gentlemen : We, the subscribers, being appointed a Com- mittee to propose some method for said Precinct to dispose of
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the room reserved in their meeting-house for pews, have pro- ceeded to take a plan of the same, and find convenient room for twenty pews in said house, including the two pews already granted, and think it convenient to reserve one pew for the use of the minister, in said Precinct ; and have also described the bigness of the pews upon the plan. We desire leave to propose that those men in said Precinct, who were highest in the valua- tion for real estate, including the two years past, 1747, 1748, should have liberty to choose room for a pew next to those be- fore disposed of, and in case any person, qualified as aforesaid, shall refuse to choose room for a pew, then the next highest, in the valuation, shall have liberty to choose, until the whole room be disposed of, and the persons so choosing, each one to build his pew at his own cost and charge, except the pew for the use of the ministry, and also the pew for Mr. Ephraim Flint, and that the Precinct would fix upon a certain term of time for said pews to be built, and in case any person neglects to build his pew within said term, the privilege of such a pew, then, to re- vert back again to the Precinct.
SAMUEL BOND, JOHN HEADLEY, TIMOTHY WESSON, EPHRAIM FLINT,
Committee."
It was determined, at this meeting, that the pews should be built according to the plan presented by the Committee, and that Mr. Lawrence should have liberty to select the place for the ministerial pew ; and that there should be a further consid- eration of the matter, at the next Precinct meeting, at which time a Committee was chosen "to order out the pews in the meeting-house, and make report to the next March meeting, who are to have them, and if two men are alike qualified to choose, and cannot agree which shall choose first, then, the Com- mittee is to determine which shall have the first choice, and that those men, to whom pews belong, shall build and finish them by the first day of January next, or else the place to re- vert to the Precinct again."
At an adjourned meeting of the Precinct, March 8, 1749-50,
" The Committee, to order out the pews in the meeting- house, reported as follows :
" We, the subscribers, being appointed a Committee by the
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SKETCH OF THE PARISH.
Precinct, set off from Concord. Lexington and Weston, to order out the pews in the meeting-house in said Precinct, have pro- ceeded, according to the Precinct's directions, to give the high- est person in the valuation for real estate, in the years 1747 and 1748, the first choice of a pew in said house, and the next highest the second choice, and so, successively, till the whole are disposed of, in the following manner, viz. :- the first to Mr. John Headley, who chose the pew next the pulpit stairs ; the second to Ensign Samuel Bond, who chose the pew next the pul- pit on the east side ; Mr. Thomas Brooks refused to choose a pew ; Dea. Joshua Brooks chose the second pew from the pulpit, east- ward ; Mr. Joseph Brooks chose the second pew, northward of the west door ; Mr. Edward Flint chose the pew next to the Precinct pew ; Benjamin Munroe chose the second pew from the pulpit, westward ; Joshua Brooks, Junior, chose the second pew, southward from the west door ; Timothy Wesson chose the second pew, southward from the east door ; Samuel Dakin chose the northwest corner pew ; Ephraim Flint chose the pew next to the east door, northward. Dea. John Gove chose the second pew, eastward from the front door ; Capt. Daniel Adams chose the northeast corner pew ; Stephen Wesson chose the pew next the west door, northward ; Deacon Benjamin Brown refused to choose a pew ; Joseph Parks chose the pew next the east door, southward : Thomas Wheeler chose the southeast corner pew ; Josiah Parks chose the pew next to the west door, southward ; and Ebenezer Lamson the southwest corner pew.
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