USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Belchertown > Historical sketch of the Congregational church in Belchertown, Mass. > Part 5
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vided for social religious meetings, principally by individ- ual enterprise. He further says, "a spirit of christian benevolence has also been considerably excited, and the public charities of the people increased since the commence- ment of my ministry." He then refers to the temperance reformation ; the first efficient efforts on this subject here were in 1827. He says, " the results have been most important to the interests of this community ; our numbers have gradually increased from eleven up to more than seven
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 63
hundred, comprising a large portion of the influence and character of the place." "At the lowest calculation, the temperance reformation must be an annual saving to the town of several thousand dollars, and yet this is really the least of all considerations connected with this reformation ; it is the salvation of life, of happiness, of the soul itself." After alluding to various other things showing similar re- sults, he says, " whilst I have sustained the pastoral office in this church, one hundred seventy-eight have been ad- ded to its body, forty-five by recommendation from other churches, and one hundred thirty-three by a public profes- sion of their faith in Christ ; the church at the time of my settlement, consisted of three hundred sixty-four members ; it now consists of four hundred fifty-seven, showing an in- crease of almost one hundred." There was an unusual re- ligious interest among this people in 1831. It is not the object of this narrative to detail the causes that led to Mr. Coleman's dismission ; they are now matters of history, and will be recollected by many still among us; if from them are drawn useful lessons of instruction for the fu- ture, they may thus far be beneficial. In alluding to them, in drawing his discourse to a close, Mr. Coleman says, "we are all hastening to the judgment seat of Christ, where our motives will be fully known, and where these our relations will be severely scrutinized. That meeting at the judgment seat of Christ! Oh ! it is enough to hush every unhallowed feeling of the heart. There we shall meet no more to judge one another, but to be judged of Him on whose dread decision our character and our destiny de- pend. There all my official conduct towards you will be justly estimated, and there too all your treatment of me, and of my gospel will be laid open." Mr. Coleman asked and took a dismission against the wishes of a large majori-
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ty of the people. This fact was fully tested by votes in parish meeting and in various other ways ; probably three fourths of the parish were desirous that he should not leave them ; yet a minority, and that not nuinerous, but active and unyielding, sought a separation ; at a society meeting held September 4th, 1832, for the purpose of con- sidering the subject of Mr. Coleman's request for a dis- mission, the following votes passed :
Voted, "That this society accord with the request made by Rev. Lyman Coleman, that the pastoral relation between him and this people be dissolved."
Voted, "That while this society expresses by vote their accordance with the wishes of Mr. Coleman, ex- pressed in his request, they would say that it is with the deepest feelings of regret that such an event must take place ; nearly seven years has elapsed since his settle- ment here as the minister of this people. The ability, the assiduity, the faithfulness, and untiring devotion with which the duties of the sacred office have been discharged by him during his labors among us, have associated him in our feelings with our fairest prospects and brightest hopes. We had cherished the pleasing expectation that a beneficent Providence would continue him as the minister of this people for a great while yet to come ; though we are cut short in this, we would express our grateful acknowledgment to the great Head of the church, for continuing him so long the minister of this people." The church passed a vote expressive of the same feelings with the society. There was no opposition expressed in the church or society in the passing of these votes. He was dismissed on the 4th of September, 1832. Immediately upon his dismission he received an invita- tion to take charge as Principal of the " Burr Seminary,"
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN.
a literary institution, established at Manchester, Vermont. He remained at the head of that institution till 1837, when he was invited to take charge of the "Teachers' Seminary," at Andover, Massachusetts ; he entered on the duties there, and remained at that Seminary till September, 1842. Resigning his office there, he made arrangements for a voyage to Europe ; sailed from New York, November 29th, same year, in a vessel bound to Hamburgh ; passed the winter in the city of Berlin. A leading object with Mr. Coleman, in visiting Europe, was to obtain materials for a revised edition of his work, "Christian Antiquities," and in preparation for another work, " The Primitive Church," or "Church without a Bishop." At Berlin, he had great facilities, in aiding him in the object of his inquiries. He was in habitual conference with Dr. Neander, the great historian ; spent the winter and spring, in close application at Berlin, in gathering materials to perfect his object in his contem- plated works above mentioned. He visited various parts of Germany, France, Belgium, England, Scotland and Wales. On his return home the next year he was engaged in instruction at Amherst, Massachusetts, and at Auburn, New York. These two works above named, have been published, and very favorably received by the public, as valuable standard works. They have recently been reprinted in London. He has published another work " Historical Geography ;" five editions of this work have gone from the press. Mr. Coleman has published some other works of a more limited extent, " Historical Sketch, and the Christian Sabbath," and others, giving evidence of laborious study and extensive research. Mr. Coleman was a native of Middlefield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, born June, 1796, son of Dr. William 6%
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Coleman, then a practising physician of that place, and now residing in Pittsfield, Massachusetts ; and grand-son of Dr. Seth Coleman, formerly of Amherst, Massachusetts, who died there, September 9th, 1816, aged 76,-a man well known in his day as a skilful physician, and of dis- tinguished piety. Mr. Coleman was a graduate of Yale College in 1817; held the office of tutor in that College five years ; studied theology at the Divinity School at Yale; settled in the ministry here, October 19, 1825. In September, 1826, he married Miss Maria Flynt, daughter of Rufus Flynt, Esq., of Monson, Massachu- setts. He received the Honorary Degree of D. D., from Nassau Hall College, in 1848 ; is now engaged in clas- sical instruction in the city of Philadelphia.
After Mr. Coleman's dismission, the people remained without a settled minister, about one year. In June, 1833, an invitation was given to Rev. Jared Reid, to supply the desk. Mr. Reid had been settled at Reading, Massachusetts, and dismissed. He came among us and supplied the desk for several Sabbaths. On the 22d of July, at a meeting of the church, a vote was taken to give him a call to settle, if the society acceded to the vote. This they did, and a unanimous call was given him to settle with us in the gospel ministry. In due time he returned an affirmative answer, and he was installed to the pastoral office September 4, 1833. Mr. Reid is son of Mr. Samuel Reid, a native of Fall River, Massachu- setts. He moved to Preston, Connecticut, where Rev. Mr. Reid was born, February 1788 ; graduated at Yale College 1817, (a class-mate with Rev. Mr. Coleman) ; studied Theology at Andover; was licensed to preach April 1822 ; settled in the ministry at Reading, Novem- ber 20, 1823 ; dismissed 1833. November 27, 1823, he
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN.
married Miss Sarah Bigelow, from Colchester, Connect- icut. Mrs. Reid was exceedingly active and devoted in her labors in advancing the religious interests of the com- munity where she was. She was sympathetic in affliction, faithful in her.admonitions to the careless and indifferent, and constant in her appeals to all to attend to the one thing needful. No suitable opportunity was left unim- proved by her, of communicating spiritual benefits to those within the reach of her influence. In her last sick- ness, she gave abundant evidence that her hope of a blessed immortality was as an anchor to her soul, sure and steadfast. She died at Tiverton, Rhode Island, where Mr. Reid was stationed, on the 11th of February, 1845, aged fifty-eight.
During the ministry of Mr. Reid here the church was divided, another church oaganized, and a society formed in connection with it, known as the BRAINERD CHURCH and SOCIETY. The causes of this division did not arise from dissatisfaction with Mr. Reid, but from causes entirely distinct from his ministry. It is no part of the object of this narrative to detail them. They are well known to many now in this community. They were not occasioned by a difference in faith, or doctrine. The two churches were in christian fellowship, each sustaining stated, constant worship. Mr. Reid continued his labors in the first church, which were attended with prosperity to the church and people, till January, 1841, when he requested a dismission from his church and people. A mutual council was called for the purpose, and he was dismissed January 6, 1841.
The Brainerd Church was organized on the 30th Sep- tember, 1834. Sixty-eight members of the first church had obtained certificates of their church standing, with a
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view of calling an ecclesiastical council, to consider the subject of forming another church. This was done with the consent of the first church. The council convened by letters missive, and the subject was presented. The fol- lowing Churches, Pastors and Delegates, composed that Council. From the first church in Northampton, Rev. Joseph Penny, D. D., and Br. Asahel Lyman, Delegate ; from the Edwards Church, Northampton, Rev. John Todd, and Br. Thomas Napier, delegate; from the first church in Hadley, Rev. John Brown, D. D., Pastor, and Dea. Jacob Smith, delegate ; from the first Church in South Hadley, Rev. Artemas Boies, pastor, and Rev. B. R. Woodbridge, delegate ; from the East Church in Amherst, Rev. Nathan Perkins, pastor, and Gen. Ebenezer Mat- toon, delegate ; from the church in Enfield, Rev. Joshua Crosby and Rev. Sumner G. Clapp, pastors, and Br. Eliphaz Jones, delegate; from the church in Monson, Rev. Alfred Ely, D. D., pastor, and Dea. S. Shaw, dele- gate; from the church in Brimfield, Rev. Joseph Vaill ; from the First Church in Belchertown, Rev. Jared Reid, pastor, and Dea. Phelps, delegate. Upon a full hearing of the subject, the council came to a unanimous result in favor of a new church organization, and constituted the certificated members into a church, and extended to it the fellowship of the churches, under the name of the "BRAINERD CHURCH." Between twenty and thirty more from the First Church united with it within a few weeks. The ordinances of the gospel were continually sustained in it from the first, though there was no settled ministry till 1838. In June of that year an invitation was given to Rev. George A. Oviatt to supply the desk. He came among us and labored a few weeks. On the 16th of July, 1838, the church records show the following acts
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and doings. " The church held a meeting, duly notified, on the subject of giving a call to the Rev. George A. Oviatt to settle with us in the gospel ministry." And the records also say, " Whereas, he has labored among us for a time, to our acceptance and edification, and from his known character and standing entitled to our entire con- fidence as an able and faithful minister of the gospel; if the Brainerd Society, to which this church appertains, think proper to extend to him an invitation to settle with us, we do hereby express our unanimous and cordial con- currence in such invitation." This vote was communi- cated to the society, and they voted unanimously to give the call, which was communicated to Mr. Oviatt. He returned in due time an affirmative reply. A council was invited for the ordination, and convened on the 28th of August, 1838. The council was composed of the follow- ing pastors and delegates from the churches. Second Church in Amherst, Rev. Nathan Perkins, pastor ; First Church in Amherst, Rev. Josiah Bent, pastor, and Gen. David Mack, delegate ; church in Enfield, Rev. John Whiton, Pastor, and Br. Tertius Walker, delegate ; from the church in South Hadley, Rev. Joseph D. Condit, pastor, and Dea. Moses Montague, delegate; from the church in Granby, Dea. Asa Pease, delegate ; from the church in Monson, Dea. A. W. Porter, delegate; from the church in Boylston, Rev. William H. Sanford, pastor, and Br. Henry H. Brigham, delegate ; from Park Street Church in Boston, Rev. Silas Aikin, pastor, and Br. William T. Eustis, delegate ; from the church in Belchertown, Rev. Jared Reid, pastor, and Dea. Israel Towne, delegate ; and Rev. Roswell Hawkes, without pastoral charge. The council organized as follows : Rev. Nathan Perkins, moderator; Rev. William H.
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Sanford, scribe ; Rev. Mr. Whiton made the introductory prayer ; Rev. Mr. Aikin preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Reid made the ordaining prayer ; Rev. Mr. Perkins gave the charge to the pastor; Rev. Mr. Condit gave the right hand of fellowship ; Rev. Mr. Bent gave the charge to the people, and Rev. Mr. Sanford made the concluding prayer.
Mr. Oviatt continued his labors as pastor of the Brain- erd Church and Society till the churches and societies were again united, 1841. His labors were blessed, and the church and society prosperous. The church to Jan- uary 1841, had increased to about one hundred and eighty members. The society built a house in 1836, for their accommodation at an expense of five thousand dol- lars. After the dismission of Mr. Reid, January 6, 1841, (leaving the First Church destitute of a pastor), a desire was manifested by many in each society for a reunion of the churches and societies, with the cherished hope that Mr. Oviatt might become the pastor of the united church. In public worship the two societies united immediately upon Mr. Reid's leaving, and Mr. Oviatt discharged the pastoral duties to both. Such had been his labors and intercourse among the people, ever since his ministerial labors commenced here, that all feelings seemed to con- centrate in the desire of effecting a union, and of extend- ing a call to him to settle over the united church and society. Measures were taken to accomplish that object. Meetings of each church and each society were called, and votes passed expressing a desire of reunion, and of extending a call to Mr. Oviatt to take the pastoral charge of them. The causes which seven years before had led to a division of the church, seem to have melted away, and a state of united feeling, favorable to the prosperity
1
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of the church by a union succeeded. An ecclesiastical council was invited, to consider the subject of a union of the churches, and of installing Mr. Oviatt over the united church and society. That council convened August 31, 1841. From Second Church in Amherst, Rev. Nathan Perkins, and Br. Ithamer Conkey, delegate; church in Enfield, Rev. John Whiton, and Dea. Alvan Smith, del- egate ; church in Granby, Rev. James Bates, pastor, and Rev. Eli Moody, delegate ; church in South Hadley, Rev. Joseph D. Condit, pastor, and Br. Samuel Judd, delegate ; First Church in Amherst, Rev. John Sanford, delegate ; from South Church in Amherst, Rev. Dana Goodsell, and Br. Nathan E. Dickinson, delegate; from the church in Amherst College, Rev. Professor William C. Fowler. Votes of the two churches were laid before the council, expressing a mutual desire of reunion, and no opposition appeared. The council decided that a union formed by two churches, by the unanimous votes of both, was in accordance with ecclesiastical usage; wherefore the council voted " that in view of all the circumstances before them, they are satisfied with these proceedings, and do recognize the Brainerd Church and the First Church in Belchertown, as one church ; and to carry out the object of all the parties concerned, that the relation of Rev. Mr. Oviatt as pastor of the Brainerd Church be dissolved." And on due proceedings had, the council proceeded to install Rev. Mr. Oviatt pastor of the united church and society, in pursuance of an unanimous call by them given him and his acceptance. The parts in the exercises of the installation were as follows : Rev. Mr. Bates made the introductory prayer; Rev. Professor Fowler preached the sermon; Rev. Mr. Moody made the installing prayer ; Rev. Mr. Perkins gave the charge to
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the pastor; Rev. Mr. Condit gave the right hand of fellowship; Rev. Mr. Whiton made the address to the people ; Rev. Mr. Goodsell made the concluding prayer.
At the time of the union of these churches, August 31, 1841, the First Church included probably two hundred and fifty members, perhaps three hundred including those that resided elsewhere, but had not removed their church relation. The exact number is not known. The Brainerd Church included about one hundred and eighty members. Most of these were from the First Church. Mr. Oviatt remained in the faithful and efficient dis- charge of his ministerial duties till July, 1845, and had the satisfaction of seeing the union of the churches suc- cessful under his administration. In June, 1845, he requested a dismission from the church and society. Mr. Oviatt's health was not firm, and the duties of his pastoral labors were arduous. The church and society complied with Mr. Oviatt's urgent request, in inviting a council to advise in the matter. It was called and the subject con- sidered. A unanimous desire was expressed to the coun- cil that the pastoral relation between Mr. Oviatt and them might not be dissolved. In view of the whole matter, knowing the state of Mr. Oviatt's health, the extent of his labors here, and the fact that a new field of labor opened before him to which he was at the same time invited, of taking the pastoral charge of a church and society about forming in Boston, (the Suffolk street Church), and his own desire, and expressed opinion that his health was not adequate to the labors of the pastor here, the council proceeded to dissolve the pastoral relation between him and this people. He immediately proceeded to take charge of the newly formed society in Boston, and was soon after installed as the pastor of that
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church and people. In February, 1839, Mr. Oviatt was married to Miss Martha Ann Whittlesey, of New Haven, Connecticut. From the period of his dismission from this place, her health became impaired. She went to Boston, but disease had fastened upon her, and she lingered under its fearful progress, at the hospitable residence of her brother in law and sister, Hon. William T. Eustis and lady, till its final termination. She died April 6, 1846, in the full and cheering hope of a blessed immortality.
Her traits of character were most estimable. Educated for usefulness, a mind of superior order, well disciplined and highly cultivated, with a discretion and judgment ever faithful and safe, sympathising with the afflicted, active in works of beneficence to all within the sphere of her action, she lived the religion she professed ; it gave lustre to her whole character. Those who best knew her could most justly appreciate her worth. Mr. Oviatt is a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, son of Daniel B. Oviatt Esq. ; he graduated at Yale College in 1835, and studied theology at the divinity school at Yale College. His father was a native of Milford, Connecticut ; son of
- - Oviatt. Daniel B. Oviatt married Mary Roberts, daughter of William Roberts, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who came from England during the Revolutionary war ; after the close of the war he settled and spent his life in Bridgeport. Rev. G. A. Oviatt is now (1851) settled in the ministry in Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachu- setts.
After the dismission of Mr. Oviatt, the desk was con- stantly supplied, without a settled ministry for seven months. In January, 1846, the Rev. John Clancey, by invitation came among us for a supply ; he preached four 7
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Sabbaths. An invitation was extended to him to settle in the ministry, which was accepted. He was installed February 25, 1846, by a council convened for the pur- pose. Mr. Clancey, is a graduate of Middlebury College, of the class of 1818, studied theology at Andover, was settled in the ministry at Charlton, (N. Y.) where he remained about twenty years in the ministry ; had been dismissed from his pastoral labors with that people, before he came to this place. He remained here as the pastor of this people till March 27th, 1849, when he was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical council, mutually called to take into consideration " the difficulties that have arisen in respect to the pastoral relation existing between Rev. John Clancey and the church and society here, and to give such judgment and advice in regard to the continuance . or dissolution thereof as they may deem proper, and to dissolve the said relation, if, in their judgment it shall be deemed advisable." In pursuance of this call, a council was convened and the subject considered. No difficulties were stated to exist between Mr. Clancey and the people, and no allegations against his character in any respect. Votes of the society, and of the church, had been taken at meetings of these bodies, expressive of their views as to the expediency of a continuance of Mr. Clancey's labors among this people ; their doings were laid before the council, and their judgment was unanimous in favor of a dissolution of the pastoral relation, giving him plenary testimonials that he sustained a fair christian and ministerial character. Mr. Clancey returned to Charlton ; is still laboring in the ministry, in supplying destitute churches.
In May, 1849, Rev. Samuel Wolcott was invited to supply the desk. He came and preached the first Sabbath
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in June, and the three next succeeding Sabbaths. Such was the impression made on the public mind by the labors of Mr. Wolcott, that a meeting of the church and of the society, was duly notified and held on the 9th of July, and votes passed unanimously in each of these bodies, extending a call to Mr. Wolcott, to settle with us in the gospel ministry, and immediately communicated to him. He returned an answer under date of July 26, accepting the invitation, reserving a few weeks to close some engagements then occupying his attention. In due time preparations were made for convening a council for his installation. The council convened on the second
day of October. The gentlemen of the council officiating
in the exercises were, reading the Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Cross, late of Palmer, at the time without pastoral charge. Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Oviatt, a for- mer pastor of the church. Sermon by Rev. Professor Smith, of Amherst College. Installing prayer, by Rev. Mr. Bates, of Granby. Charge to the pastor, by Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, of Hadley. Fellowship of the churches, by Rev. Mr. Laury, of South Hadley. Address to the people, by Rev. Mr. Colton of Amherst. Concluding prayer, by Rev. Mr. McEwen, of Enfield. Benediction by the pastor. The exercises were appropriate and well received by a large and attentive auditory. Mr. Wolcott immediately entered upon the duties of his station, moving his family here a few days previous to his instal- lation. Some of the results of his labors were soon seen in an increased attention to religious concerns. It be- came general in different parts of the town, and among all ages, continuing for several months. The fruit of that revival, has been eighty-seven members added to the church by profession, since Mr. Wolcott's installation,
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and sixteen by letter from other churches. The congre- gation has increased, and blessings multiplied under his ministrations.
Mr. Wolcott, is a native of East Windsor, Ct., son of Elihu Wolcott, Esq., now residing in Jacksonville, Ill., born July, 1813. His mother, a daughter of Rev. David McClure, D. D., of East Windsor. He is a lineal descendant from Henry Wolcott, born in Tolland, Eng- land, and removed to this country with his wife and six children in 1630; they belonged to the company of emigrants, that removed from Dorchester to Windsor, in 1635. Their descendants were numerous, and distin- guished as prominent in the affairs of church and state, from the earliest history of Connecticut. Rev. Samuel Wolcott, was a graduate of Yale College, in 1833 ; he passed the first year after his graduation at Tale, in the- ological study. In 1835, he entered upon a course of study at Andover, completing his course preparatory to his license in 1837. The two next years he was engaged in assisting the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, at the Mission House in Boston. In September 1839, he married Miss Catherine E. Wood, daughter of Ezra Wood, Esq., of Westminster, Massachu- setts. November 13, he was ordained, at the Bowdoin street Church, in Boston, as a foreign missionary, and embarked for Syria, under the direction of the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, with his wife, Janu- ary following, and arrived at Beyrout the next April. Soon removed to Areiyah, a village in Mount Lebanon. The rising of the mountaineers against the Pasha of Egypt, who held the country, compelled him to return to Beyrout, with loss of a portion of his effects ; soon after he went to El Abadiyeh, another village of Mount
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