USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Belchertown > Historical sketch of the Congregational church in Belchertown, Mass. > Part 4
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with a view to the gospel ministry, entered Dartmouth College, and graduated in 1790 ; studied theology, and was first settled in the ministry in Haverhill, New Hamp- shire. He was there ordained, January 25th, 1792, re- mained in the ministry there till June 23d, 1799, when he was dismissed, and received a call from the church and society in Hopkinton, same state, to settle there, and was installed in that place March 12th, 1800 ; remained in the ministry there till December 16th, 1817, when he was dismissed ; was again installed over a church in Hebron, state of New York, February 26th, 1818; dismissed Au- gust 29th, 1821 ; again installed in Poultney, Vermont, November 21st, 1821; and dismissed December 29th, 1826 ; again installed in Hanover, Massachusetts, May 16th, 1827; dismissed about 1832. After this period he acted as city missionary in Boston, and as an agent for various Bible societies, continuing his active labors in the ministry till his death. He died at the residence of his son-in-law, Rev. William H. Sanford, of Boylston, Massachusetts, August 29th, 1849, in the 87th year of his age. Mr. Smith was an exceeding active and laborious minister, al- ways striving to advance the spiritual interests of his fellow men. Several of the dismissions that occurred in his min- istry, arose solely from the inability of his people to give him an adequate support.
In doctrine and in life he was a genuine representative of the puritanic stock, in the stern and reliable elements of his character. The Bible was his text book. He studied it. He preached it, and experienced the con- solations of its promises. He published several works. One " On the Prophecies," one " A key to the Revela- tions." His publications show diligent investigation and biblical knowledge. His religious affections were 5
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ardent and constant, his hope of a blessed immortality firm and unshaken.
The house occupied now as a place of public worship was erected in 1789, and dedicated to the solemn worship of God, September 12th, 1792. It was built by individual enterprise. The old house had became useless ; it stood about seventy-five rods south of the present house ; a new one was needed. The question of location arose ; some per- sons in the extreme parts of the town, proposed a division of the town into two, north and south, by an east and west line through what is now the center ; this measure had its advocates. The necessity of a place for public worship, and a desire to reconcile all discordant feelings on this point, induced sundry of the inhabitants to make personal and pecuniary sacrifices to accomplish these desired ends. Col. Elijah Dwight, was a very prominent actor in erect- ing this house. He was a deacon in the church ; see (215). He made a liberal donation to the town, and suffered pe- cuniary losses in the work. He was a benefactor to the town. In about four years after they began to worship in the new house, the subject was brought before the peo- ple of settling a colleague with Rev. Mr. Forward. He had then been the settled minister here about 40 years. I should infer from the proceedings, that it was his desire to have a colleague. At a church meeting held for the purpose of considering this subject, September 29th, 1796, a vote was taken by the church, " that it is expedient to settle a colleague with Rev. Mr. Forward." This vote was brought before the society ; and after some discussion met with an indefinite postponement ; and no colleague was settled with him till March, 1812, about two years before Mr. Forward's death. He continued in the faithful and prompt discharge of the duties of the pastoral office be-
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yond the age of four score years. He died March 8th, 1814, in the 59th year of his ministry, and in the 84th year of his age. He was married December 8th, 1756, to Violet, daughter and only child of Mr. Joshua Dickin- son, of Hatfield ; they had eleven children. Two only sur- vived him, one son and one daughter. He lived to fol- low to the grave more than nine hundred of his people, and more than three times the number of his whole con- gregation at the time of his settlement. It would seem but a tribute justly due to him, who was the adviser, the spiritual guide and teacher of this church, for half of the one hundred and fourteen years since they have had a church existence, to turn a passing thought to his memo- ry and his character. A very short sketch is all that such a summary as this would justify. I am aware of the dif- ficulty of doing this as it should be. It is easy to give a common-place eulogy to a character, and no more than is justly due, and yet it may be far from a life-picture of the original. Such is the almost infinite variety of character -the nice and subtle shades of distinction by which it is marked, that to give it the stamp of truth, requires the touch of a master's hand. All men have something in common, yet each has his distinctive identity, that must be drawn ; for that alone makes the difference between him of whom it is predicable and every other person ; this is as true in the personal, intellectual and moral traits forming character, as it is in features and in countenance, by which men are distinguished. Mr. Forward's character was strongly marked by the stern, faithful, unassuming, considerate traits, showing his puritanic lineage. He was born in Suffield, Connecticut, May 11th, 1730, old style. His ancestors were from Devonshire, England. Samuel Forward, his great grandfather, left England dur-
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ing the corrupt, profligate and licentious reign of Charles 2d, came to New England among the pilgrim fathers, about the year 1666, settled at Windsor, Connecticut, be- fore that town was incorporated, died there in 1684, as appears by the records of that town ; (his name is there written Foward). He left two sons, Samuel and Joseph. Samuel, the grandfather of Mr. Forward, was born in Windsor, in 1671 ; married and settled in Simsbury, had four sons and two daughters. Joseph, the father of Mr. Forward, was born at Simsbury, November, 1707, married Mary Lawton, of Suffield, and removed there where he re- sided several years, and removed to a parish in Simsbury, (now Granby, Connecticut), where he carried on his busi- ness, a tanner, saddler, and a large farming concern. Jus- tus was the eldest child ; under the faithful and pious training of his parents, he hopefully experienced religion at about fourteen years of age. It will be seen by a com- parison of dates, that Mr. Forward experienced religion during the great revival in New England in the days of President Edwards, a very important period in the his- tory of the New England churches, and will continue to be so regarded as long as New England churches exist. In 1740, powerful revivals existed in one hundred and fif- ty congregations in New England. In 1735, there were two hundred hopeful converts in six months in Northamp- ton, and ten of them about ninety years of age. Soon after Mr. Forward experienced religion, he became desir- ous of entering on a course of study, preparatory to the gospel ministry. His father's consent was obtained, he began a course of classical study, and was fitted to enter college at Commencement, September, 1748. At that time a sore sickness visited his father's family, of which four out of seven children died, in the course of
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about three weeks.) This deep family affliction, seemed for a time to hedge up the way for pursuing his studies. The afflicted parents felt that Justus must not leave the paternal roof, even for the high and laudable purpose of preparation for the gospel ministry. Yielding to these wishes of his parents, he suspended his studies for two years, and remained at home in the active duties of his father's business. Not relinquishing his chosen purpose, he again sought and obtained his father's consent to the re- newal of his studies, and entered Yale College September 1750, and passed the four years in college with reputation to himself and the esteem and confidence of the college faculty. He was a correct classical scholar, and so dis- tinguished himself in the languages, that at the close of senior year, the faculty conferred on him the "Dean's Bounty," (sometimes called the Berklian prize), as their testimony of his scholarship. He did not remain at New Haven after his graduation to receive the pecuniary benefit which the prize offered. He left there, went to Hatfield, and engaged in teaching a school, and at the same time pursued a course of theological study with the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, then the minister of Hatfield. He was licensed to preach in the fall of 1755, and soon after license, by invitation, came to supply the people here. He never preached elsewhere as a candidate ; his whole min- isterial life was here. The powers and the faculties of his long and useful life, were consecrated to the best good of this people, and he was diligent in well doing. He pos- sessed a well balanced mind ; if it did not take so wide a range, or so high a flight as that of some other men, it moved in sure, safe and well directed courses. He pos- sessed much of what is sometimes called forecast of thought in drawing just conclusions from a given-course 5*
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of measures. He was preeminently a matter-of-fact man ; no one could hear him converse but must feel that he was instructed by his conversation ; even in old age, he possess- ed the rare faculty of interesting the young, by his con- versation. He was useful to his people in many ways. In his early ministry, the people few, there was no practis- ing physician in the place and none near ; he became very useful to his people in sickness; by reading and practising he obtained considerable knowledge of medicine, and turn-‹ ed his knowledge to the best practical account. This gave him a two-fold advantage for doing good ; while adminis- tering to their physical wants, he gained a knowledge of their spiritual wants, and was always ready to meet them. He was decided in his views of duty in the days of the Revolution. He was opposed to British aggressions on American rights. He wrote for the periodical press in those times and his labors were well received.
As a sermonizer, clearness, simplicity, and solemnity characterized his performances ; no attempts at display or embellishment ; with single-heartedness convincing all that heard him that he was " honest in the sacred cause." He studied the works of God, and read useful instruction from the passing events around him. If he was not so learned, as some men count learning, as others that might be found, he was truly a wise man. In his theo- logy, he was strictly evangelical. I use this term as it is used by the orthodox in New England, rather than as it is now used in the German schools. The doctrines of the reformation preached by Calvin, John Knox, Owen, John Howe, and Baxter, and transplanted by the pilgrim fathers to New England and here taught by the Mayhews, the Mathers, and Edwards of New England, were his doc- trines and the doctrines of this church, ever after his set-
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tlement. In his public discourses, he dwelt much on the practical influences of these doctrines on the heart and life. He did not fail to preach the doctrines, but did not make them the exclusive theme of his discourses to so great an extent as some did.
In all his intercourse with his people, pastoral visits, schools, the sick room, and elsewhere, he was kind, affectionate, faithful, striving to advance the highest interest of all. Such was the life of this aged, venerable servant of Christ ; such a life tends to a peaceful and hap- py death ; such was his. I well remember a short inter- view I had with him a day or two before his death. His last sickness was short. I called to see him ; he was sit- ting in his chair, very feeble, but could converse, and did so freely. He said he did not expect to live but a very short time. Death said he, is very near ; soon I must stand before God in judgment. I have not those transporting views that some express in the near prospect of death, and when I think of my short-comings in what God has required of me, it seems as if I ought not to hope in his mercy, and I may be self-deceived ; but Christ is my hope, and I think I know in whom I have trusted, and that he will keep that I have entrusted to him to the day of my redemption. He died as he lived, humble, patient, sub- missive, relying upon the promises, and resting his all upon the rock of ages. The memory of such men is peaceful and their immortality blessed. Mrs. Forward survived her husband twenty years ; she died March 27th, 1834, at the advanced age of ninety-five years four months and twelve days. She was active and useful in the sta- tions she occupied, cheerful, with a great flow of the kindest feelings, benevolent, hospitable, and her whole character adorned by the graces of the spirit. She outlived
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her faculties, mental and physical. Her mind became so impaired that she did not know her own family, for some two years before her death.
About two years before the death of Mr. Forward, the Rev. Experience Porter was installed as colleague pastor with him. He was installed the 11th of March, 1812. Mr. Porter was a native of Lebanon, New Hamp- shire, son of deacon Nathaniel Porter, of that place. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1803. Upon leav- ing college, he was appointed a tutor in the college at Middlebury, Vermont, that college being then in its in- fancy. He officiated as tutor one year, during which time his attention was given to theological studies, so far as was consistent with his college duties. At the close of the year, he entered the Divinity school of the Rev. Asa- hel Hooker, in Goshen, Connecticut, where he finished his theological course and was licensed to preach. While a licentiate he supplied in various places. In September 1807, he received a call to settle in Winchester, New Hampshire. To this call he gave a favorable answer, and was ordained over the church and people at Winchester, November 12th, 1807. He remained in the faithful dis- charge of his pastoral duties at Winchester, until the 20th of February, 1810, when he was dismissed, at his own re- quest, by a mutual council convened for that purpose. After his dismission he preached in various places till January, 1812, when by invitation he came for a supply to this place ; and after preaching several Sabbaths, receiv- ed a unanimous call from the church and society to settle with them in the gospel ministry, as colleague pastor, with Rev. Mr. Forward. During Mr. Porter's connection with this people there were two revivals of religion. The first commenced in 1812, and continued about one year, and
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was general in all parts of the town. During the year 1813, there were one hundred and seven persons united with the church upon a public profession of their faith. The next commenced in the fall of 1818, and continued about the same length of time. Before the close of 1819, there were two hundred and eight persons added to the church by a profession of religion, as the fruit of this revival. It was a season of great anxiety and most intense feeling upon the public mind ; religious meetings were very frequent, and attended in crowds ; the labors of the pas- tor, were exceedingly arduous ; ministerial assistance was sought from abroad ; many inquiring the way to Zion, and her gates seemed to be pressed by those who were entering the Kingdom ; many will doubtless remember those days with joy so long as memory endures, and even in eternity will look back to that season as the day of their espousal to the Lord Jesus Christ. The church was greatly increased, strengthened and refreshed ; the friends of Zion will ever rejoice in the blessed fruits of that religious revival. Mr. Porter, in his farewell sermon, preached March 6th, 1825, says, "among the hundreds to whom I have opened the door of this church, some have as we trust, already sat down to the marriage supper of the Lamb, and very many more as we may reasonably hope are prepared to join that blessed society ; but of some I might say with the apostle, "I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain." Faithful narrative requires me to say, in the subsequent history of some, lamentable evidence has been given of great delinquency in christian character; some who seemed for a time to run well fell away ; their religion seemed to be, " as the morning cloud and the early dew that goeth away." There is great reason to fear that the caution and circumspection of the church and the pastor
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did not furnish sufficient safe-guards against accessions of some unworthy members to the church. It is hoped that at the great and final trial, if any such must be found, the number will be few; whatever the number may be, the revelations of that day will disclose. The pastoral relation between Mr. Porter and this people continued till March 9th, 1825, when he was dismissed by a council mutually chosen by him and his people for the purpose. His health had become impaired, for several months before his dis- mission, so much so that he had been able to preach only a portion of the time. After his dismission he preached but little ; he lingered under the disease which gradually wasted his strength, and which proved to lie beyond the reach of all means resorted to for arresting its progress, and terminated fatally. He died at Lebanon, New Hamp- shire, on the 25th day of August, 1828, aged forty-six.
Mr. Porter possessed strong powers of mind, and was gift- ed with very ready faculties ; he wrote with great rapidi- ty ; his style of writing was more characterized by bold- ness and strength than by a highly cultivated taste, or classical accuracy. He spoke with ease ; in his presentation of truth to his congregation, his appeals were cogent and effectual. In his public discourses, the general features of his subject were apprehended with great facility. If there was any failure in doing ample justice to it in the discus- sion, it arose from want of discrimination in the analyzing and presentation, in its varried parts and aspects. His the- ology was strictly Calvinistic, and in his pulpit exercises, he dwelt much on the leading doctrines ; this created, to a considerable extent, uniformity in his discourses. His voice was full and deep toned, his manner in the desk self- possessed, easy and deliberate, making a deep impression on the hearer. The church was greatly increased during
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his ministry. " When I was installed," says Mr. Porter in his sermon, " the church consisted of one hundred and ninety members ; since that time four hundred and twenty five have been received ; of whom three hundred and forty-five were received by profession, and eighty by let- ters from other churches." It may be added that during the thirteen years of his ministry here, about as many per- sons united with this church by profession as had united with it in the same way during the whole eighty years of its existence previous to that period. He labored to im- press upon the hearts of others the great truths of the gospel, which his own heart bore witness were impressed upon his. During the long and wasting disease that was preying upon him, he had seasons of darkness and des- pondency ; at times doubts and fears assailed him ; these were but temporary, and as he gradually drew near the close they were removed ; his prospect brightened and his hopes were steadfast. He died in faith, sustained in an unshaken trust of a blessed immortality. In October 1806, he married Miss Sarah Smith, a daughter of Dr. Phineas Smith, formerly of Sharon, Connecticut. Dr. Smith was a near relative of the Hon. John Cotton Smith, for several years Governor of Connecticut. At about sixteen years of age, Mrs. Porter lost her parents ; from that period, she resided in the family of an uncle, her father's brother, Dan Smith, Esq., of West Haven, Vermont, for about six years before her marriage, in the reciprocal interchanges of those acts of kindness and mutual attachments that belong to the endearing relation of parents and child. The traits of her character were such as secured the respect and esteem of all those acquainted with her. She had a mind well furnished with fruits of various and well se- lected reading. During the whole period of Mr. Porter's
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ministry here, her health was feeble; this necessarily for- bade, to a great extent, those active labors and exercises for the benefit of those around her, which were the promptings of her heart; what health and strength she had were consecrated to the best of purposes. In the ser- mon, at her funeral, by the Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, he says, "in her intellectual character she possessed a vigor and a decision which would have fitted her for no ordina- ry attainments in science ; her judgment was clear, her reasoning faculty active and acute, and her imagination tempered and subdued by sound discretion. Her remarks on every subject, of which she professed to have any knowledge, indicated the habit of thought, and of becom- ing independence in forming her opinions. She early made a public profession of religion ; she was strict and conscientious in the duties of religion. She took a deep interest in the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom." The christian graces were seen in her whole character, and in constant exercise ; they sustained her in the last great trying conflict. She died April 18th, 1825, aged forty-four.
In the spring of 1818, a Sabbath school was first introduced as a Sabbath exercise in this church and society, and has been continued ever since. Those who then comprised the classes were children and youth. The exercises, the committing to memory texts of scripture, and verses from the hymn books, and rehearsing them. The minister appointed the superintendent and the con- ductors of the school. The same year Sabbath schools were opened in many of the churches and religious socie- ties in this community, for the first time. The utility of these schools has been fully tested, and the improvements by experience realized ; in no one thing perhaps more than
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in bringing those of all ages and conditions in life, into them for Bible instruction.
After the dismission of Rev. Mr. Porter, the people remained without a settled ministry about seven months. The Rev. Lyman Coleman had supplied the desk several Sabbaths, by invitation, during the year 1824, while ill health suspended the labors of Mr. Porter; soon after Mr. Porter's dismission, (May following), Mr. Coleman was again invited to supply the desk. He preached a succession of Sabbaths and remained several weeks among us. On the 8th of August, a vote passed in the church expressing a desire to extend a call to him, which was responded to by the society, and a unanimous call was given him; in due time he signified his acceptence. A Council was called, and the following clergymen partici- pated in his ordination :
Rev. Artemas Boies, of South Hadley, made the in- troductory prayer, Rev. Dr. Joel Hawes, of Hartford, preached the sermon, from 2d Thess. 2, 8th ; Rev. Nathan Perkins, of Amherst, made the consecrating prayer ; Rev. Dr. Ely, of Monson, gave the charge ; and Rev. Willian C. Fowler, then of Greenfield, and since a Professor in the College at Middlebury and at Amherst, gave the right hand of fellowship ; and the Rev. Ebenezer B. Wright, of Ludlow, offered the concluding prayer. Mr. Coleman remained here in the ministry nearly seven years. He was settled October 19th, 1825. A kind providence smiled on his labors ; the society increased and the church enlarg- ed ; some of the advances, showing a prosperous state of things among us, may be scen by a few extracts from Mr. Coleman's farewell sermon, preached on the 9th Septem- ber 1832, the Sabbath next after his dismission, from 2d Cor. 13th and 11th, " Finally brethren, farewell." After the
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introduction in this discourse, Mr. Coleman speaks of his own discouragements, and says "God grant that my lack of service may be supplied by the communications of his grace to you." " Some portion of good, I must believe, has been done, and in this I rejoice, and will rejoice to my la- test breath." In the progress of the sermon, he recapitu- lates as follows : " on my coming among you, the Sabbath school was composed of a limited number of children and youth, with scarce a single individual of adult age. The system of organization has since been entirely changed. A more thorough and efficient system of instruction has been introduced, and the school has been increased by a large portion of the congregation, who by their age and influence give character to the institution." "Soon after my settlement, a Sabbath school library was commenced, which now contains more than seven hundred bound volumes." " In this connection, the alteration and enlarge- ment of this house of public worship ought to be mention- ed." The alteration and enlargement here alluded to was made in 1828 ; the house was enlarged and the inside en- tirely constructed anew, at an expense of over three thous- and dollars. He continues and says, " of scarcely less impor- tance was the fitting up of a neat and commodious place for social worship." In 1830, this place (vestry ) was pro-
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