USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Marlborough > Historical sketch of the First Congregational Church in Marlborough, Mass., with the exercises at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Rev. Sylvester F. Bucklin's ordination, as Pastor of said church > Part 3
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Mr. Packard then repeated his request that the Pastoral relation existing between himself and this Church and people be dissolved, and it was accordingly dissolved by a mutual coun- cil convened for that purpose, April 10, 1806. Previous to the meeting of the Council. how- ever, the town had acted upon the request, prematurely it would seem, by voting that
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" they do resolve and agree that his relation as a Minister to this Town, and the ministerial contract which now exists between him and this Corporation, shall be dissolved and done away. And they accordingly do hereby dis- miss him from all further ministerial Service in this town."
Mr. Packard was thus dismissed after twenty- one years pastoral labor; and Rev. Reuben Puffer of Berlin, was chosen Moderator of the Church.
The Meeting House erected on Spring Hill, and also the one erected by the inhabitants in the west part of the town, were both opened for public service, on the same day, April 27. 1806.
The Meeting House at Spring Hill. together with the expense of preparing the grounds, cost, it is said, between twenty and twenty-five thousand dollars. The bell weighed 1318 pounds, and cost $585.78.
The church was now divided into two nearly equal bodies, but the two bodies were not yet formed into separate churches. Sept. 23, 1806, the following Dissent was addressed to the Rev. Reuben Puffer, Moderator of the Church.
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SIR :
" The present unhappy situation of this Church leads us the Subscribers, members of said Church in reg- ular standing. to enter with you this our Dissent to the admission of new members, or the transferring of the re- lation of any members to or from said Church, previous to a regular meeting of the same."
On the 21 of October a request was sent to the Moderator, from the branch of the Church worshipping at Spring Hill. that a church meeting might be called. They complain of the interference of the other branch of the church with their rights and privileges, as an appointed communion, and proposed Baptisms had been suspended on account of their Dis- sent. A church meeting was called and a mu- tual council invited to meet and advise the church in its present difficulties. The Council met Oct. 22, and closed its labors Oct. 24, recommending among other things the follow- ing course as the result of their delibera- tions :
" That each branch of the Church of Christ in Marlbo- rough, have full liberty, (except as hereafter excepted) without any offence to the other branch, to attend upon and enjoy all the special ordinances of the gospel, and to exercise all the powers and privileges of a reg dlar Christ-
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ian church in separate and distinct bodies, at such times and in such places as each branch may choose for itself, until a reunion of the church may be effected; or some legal decision had on the state of the town."
" That the two branches of the church agree, by accept- ing this result, that in case the minor part of the inhabi. tants of the town should be legally incorporated into a distinct Society, then the branch of the church which may choose to be united with such corporation, shall be wholly released from its connection and covenant engagements with the other branch, and may become in a regular way a distinct church, bearing the name of the West Church in Marlborough ; and that in such an event, the branch of the church united with the majority of the town, shall likewise be wholly released from its connection and cove- nant engagements with the other branch, and shall be known and acknowledged as a distinct and regular church, bearing the name of the East Church in Marlborough."
"In case of an actual division of the Church in any regular way, or in consequence of an incorporation of that part of the town with which the West branch of the Church is united, that there be an equal division of all the property, of whatever name or nature, except the Church Records. which belong to the whole church, between the said two branches of it, no regard being had to a majority, be it found in which branch it may; and that until such a division of the property, all the vessels of the Sanctuary be kept in such places as will be most convenient for both branches of the church, and equally free for the use of both branches, though on different days.""
*The church vessels were kept at the house of Simon Stowe, where the Town House now stands, until the church was finally divided.
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" That as there may be a connection between the civil and ecclesiastical Records of the town, the Church Re- cords shall be assigned to that branch of the Church united with a majority of the town."
Both branches of the Church accepted this result " without a dissenting voice."
The number of acting male members whose names appear at this date is 47 ; of these 24 belonged to the West Branch of the church, and 23, including all the Deacons, belonged to the East branch.
On the 23d of Feb. 1808, the West part of the town obtained an act of incorporation as the Second Parish in Marlborough ; and on the 5th of March the West Church was organ- ized. On the 234 of March, Rev. Asa Pack- ard was installed over the Church as its first Pastor, and retained his pastoral office until May 12, 1819. He afterwards removed to Lancaster in this State, where he resided until his death.
Thus ended this unhappy strife, in which for several years the town had been involved. Its effects were most disastrous, and are still felt, even after the lapse of half a century. In the erection of two Houses of worship, and in the expense of advocating and opposing the divi-
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sion of the town, there must have been a cost of between thirty and forty thousand dollars ; and some families became straitened and almost impoverished by their lavish expenditures in carrying out a favorite plan. But worse than all this, and more injurious, were the feuds that sprung up ; the bitterness of feeling awakened ; the personal hostilities that were enkindled and carried to the grave ; and the local jealousies which, perhaps even now, are not entirely extinct. Religious interests were involved in the strife, and religion also suffered. It was a great hindrance to the spread of genuine piety, and for a long time was felt as an obstacle to the progress of the kingdom of Christ.
Mr. Packard, as has already been stated, was born in Bridgewater. At the age of sixteen, he entered the revolutionary army as a fifer. In an engagement near Harlem Heights, a companion who had made great boasts of his valor, seizing Mr. Packard's fife and giving him his musket in return, fled to a place of safety. Mr. Packard faced the enemy and engaged in the conflict, but soon received a wound which it was thought would prove fatal. The ball entered his back just above the hip; and though an attempt was made to extract it, yet
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so severe was the operation, that the surgeon feared he would die in his hands, and was obliged to desist. A severe illness followed in consequence, and when sufficiently recovered, he left the army and returned home. When his health was fully restored, he commenced a course of preparation for the ministry, and was graduated at Harvard College.
He married a daughter of Josiah Quincy of Braintree, in what is now the town of Quincy, with whom he lived more than half a century. They had six children, only two of whom now survive.
One who had every opportunity of knowing his opinions, and whose near relationship to him gives authority to speak on the subject, makes the following statement in regard to his religious sentiments. " When Mr. Packard was settled in Marlborough he was called an Arminian, but after his removal to Lancaster, he united with the Orthodox Church then in existence in the town of Bolton. After that had become extinct, many of its members uni- ted with the church in Lancaster, and he aided in the establishment of that now flourishing church, and was a cheerful supporter of it until his decease. It is due to him to say, that he
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never was a Unitarian, and when he heard of the first minister who denied the doctrine of the Atonement. he remarked with tears, that without it, the Bible was to him a dead letter."
Perhaps, after all. it would be more correct to say, that he had never formed for himself any definite system of doctrinal belief. His miud was more distinguished for irs readiness, than for its method ; and he seems to have held opinions in regard to different doctrines which were not consistent with each other. and which could not be combined into a logical system. Different persons who have known him well, have for this reason classed him with different denominations ; since on some points, his views seemed to coincide with the Unitarian, and on others with the Orthodox Standards of doc- trine. This was the view entertained of his theological opinions, by one of the most dis- tinguished preachers of New England.
Mr. Packard's death was very sudden. He had been in his usual health ; and on coming in from his usual business, sat down to listen to a letter from a distant brother. While it was being read to him, he sunk back and im- mediately expired. He died March 20, 1843, aged 85 years. His wife died on the third of
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the February following-of the infirmities of age-at the advanced age of 80 years.
It will be appropriate here to mention the Funds which belong to the church. Tradition says, that during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Brimsmead, Bethia Woods, daughter of James Woods, left a legacy to this church of five pounds. This sum was put on interest and almost forgotten, till in the year 1802 some circumstance recalled it to mind, and inquiry was made in regard to it. The note was found among the papers belonging to the church, given by a brother then deceased; but on the face of the note were certain original and unaccountable defects, besides having been outlawed a number of years. But the son, believing that his father once signed the note, offered to pay the principal and half the inter- est, amounting to more than twenty dollars.
. After using a part of it for defraying some church expenses, thirteen dollars and fifty-eight cents remained in the treasury of the church. This sum suggested the idea of raising a Fund for the relief of indigent members of the church, and it was at once increased by sub- scriptions until it amounted to one hundred and fifty dollars. At the division of the church
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into the East and West churches, this Fund was equally divided between them. The Fund was called the " Woods Fund," in honor of its first contributor, and is left in the hands of the Deacons of the church as Trustees.
Previous to the division, Hannah Priest of this town left a bequest of one hundred dollars to the church, of which this church received fifty dollars. After the division, Dea. Samuel Howe left to this church the sum of one hun- dred dollars ; and both these legacies were expended in 1832, by vote of the church, for the support of preaching. The only Funds now belonging to the church are the " Woods Fund," and the Goodale Fund, to be mentioned hereafter.
After Mr. Packard's dismission, the church listened to several candidates for settlement without being able to unite on any one as their minister. Among these was Mr. Edward Pay- son, afterwards of Portland, who commenced his ministry in this place. He was licensed to preach May 20, 1807, and May 21th preached his first sermon. The following is an extract from his Journal, referring to that day.
" Was favored with considerable fervency, life, and sense of dependence, this morning. Endeavored to cast
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myself wholly on the Lord for support. Felt thankful it was rainy. There were very few people at meeting ; and I just got through without stopping. Spoke too fast and too low. Was a good deal depressed after meeting. In the afternoon, did a little better, but still bad enough . Was very much fatigued and almost in a fever ; but en- joyed some comfort after meeting."
Mr. Payson supplied the pulpit thirteen Sab- baths, and during that time gave abundant indications of his superior abilities and faith- fulness as a preacher. A number of conver- sions took place during this period ; and several persons now survive who regard him as the instrument of leading them to Christ. As a large part of his hearers did not sympathize with his doctrinal views and his pointed and impressive style of preaching. he never received a call. His last sermon was preached from Luke 19: 41, 42.
Mr. Sylvester F. Bucklin of Rehoboth was the sixth minister of this church, and the first after its division. He was a graduate of Brown University in 1805, and was ordained Nov. 2, 1808. Rev, Mr. Hill of Rehoboth, offered the Introductory Prayer ; Rev. Mr. Clark of Nor- ton preached the Sermon ; Rev. Mr. Adams of Acton gave the Charge; the Consecrating Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Kellogg of
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Framingham ; Rev. Mr. Ripley of Con- cord gave the Right Hand of Fellowship ; and Rev. Mr. Foster of East Sudbury offered the Concluding Prayer. The sermon, from Luke 2: 49, together with the Charge and Right Hand of Fellowship, were published and are still preserved. Mr. Bucklin's Salary was $600.
Only two or three references to Sacred Music have been found in the Records of the Church. In 1793 the church voted to follow its usnal custom of reading the Hymn or Psalm, line by line. In 1807, a Committee was chosen to report on " what regulations are proper in regard to singing on Sacramental occasions ; who shall perform and what tunes ?" The first recorded action of this Parish in regard to it was in Oct. 1808, when the society " voted to hire Master Sanger one week, to teach the singers in the Parish, previous to the ordina- tion. This indicates that choir singing had already been adopted.
Prayer Meetings began to be held from time to time as early as about 1810 ; but there is no record of any such meeting being established by vote of the Church, and at stated seasons, until 1827.
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The " Female Benevolent Society " was formed Dec. 31, 1817. "The Ladies met at Mr. Thaddeus Warren's and formed themselves into a Society, and elected the following officers for the current year, viz :
Persis Goodale, Ist Directress ; Lucy Howe, 2d Directress ; Sophia Warren, Treasurer ; Lucy Goodale, Cor. & Rec. Sec. ; Sophia Rice, Meliscent Warren, and Catharine Bruce, Man- agers.
The first Sabbath School was commenced in connection with this church, May 31, 1818. It was held for a number of years in the old School House which stood a few rods south west from the Meeting House. Mr. David Goodale was the first Superintendent, and was assisted by Mr. Samuel Witt. Miss Sophia Rice, Miss Persis Goodale, Miss Lucy Goodale, Miss Lucy Howe and Miss Sophia Warren as teach- ers. Mr Bucklin being absent on exchange, Rev. Dr. Puffer of Berlin opened the school with an address to the teachers and scholars, and at the close of his remarks offered prayer. The school then consisted of 44 scholars, 8 boys and 36 girls, the oldest scholar being only 13 years of age. The first class studied " Cummings' Questions on the New Testa-
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ment ;" the second class, " Emerson's Cate- chism ;" the third class, "Evangelical and Familiar Catechism." Any parent had the privilege of selecting any other Catechism for his children, or any part of the Bible which he wished them to commit to memory.
In the early history of the school, the fol- lowing method was adopted to induce the scholars to commit passages of Scripture and hymns to memory. Tickets were procured by the Superintendent, representing in value three, six, twelve or fifty cents, and the scholar was rewarded with one of these, according to the amount he was able to recite. When the tickets thus obtained amounted to a sufficient sum, the value of them in the form of a book, or some other useful article, was given to the pupil. This method probably had a strong influence at that time in increasing and retain- ing the members of the school.
In June 1818, a subscription paper was put in circulation which read as follows : " Deem- ing no sacrifice too great to promote the benev- olent object for which the Son of God became incarnate; we the subscribers resolve to con- tribute annually whatever is affixed to our names for the encouragement of those children
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in Marlborough who will commit to memory their Catechism, hymns, or portions of the Sacred Scriptures, and will devote their little earnings in this way for the education of a hea- then child at Ceylon, to be named Sylvester Fuller Bucklin."
The Sabbath School was for a long time under the direct control of the church ; but in 1853 the church voted to leave the school to make choice of its superintendent, without the usual nomination on their part.
In May 1818, the church voted to choose a Committee of three to examine candidates for admission to the church, and also for receiving the Baptismal Covenant. Previous to this time, there was really no examination in regard to doctrinal belief or religions experience. A wish was expressed to the Pastor of uniting with the church, and sometimes a written com- munication was made to him and read before the church, and the candidate was received. The church had no Articles of Faith, and of course no standard of doctrine except the one contained in the Covenant. The appointment of this Committee produced these two benefi- cial results ; it led to greater care in receiving only those who gave good evidence of genuine
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piety ; and also very soon abolished the prac- tice of offering children for Baptism under the Half-Way Covenant. In Jan. 1827, it was voted that those coming from other churches, should appear before the Church Committee for examination.
The South Middlesex Conference of churches was formed August 20, 1828. This church became connected with it on the Sth of October of the same year. On the 5th of October, the following resolutions were adopted :
"1st. Resolved, that this Church approve of church con. ferences, and when rightly managed, believe them to be well calculated to promote practical piety." " 2d. Re- solved, that this church request a union with the South Middlesex Conference, which is to meet at Framingham next Wednesday."
July 11th, 1830. " The church voted that they approve of the change taking place in the community with regard to wearing mourn- ing apparel on funeral occasions ; and that they engage for themselves, and to use their influence with their families to induce them also, to dispense with it on such occasions."
This church began to make contributions to benevolent objects about the year 1810.
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During Mr. Bucklin's ministry, there were not wanting evidences of the special blessing of God. There were two seasons of special religious interest, and on each occasion 29 were gathered into the church as the precious fruits of Christian labor. It was during this period also that those differences of opinion became so marked and manifest, which dis- turbed the peace and harmony of so many churches, and led to the dismission of so many faithful pastors. It was also during his minis- try that the custom so generally prevailed of holding what were termed " Protracted Meet- ings," and which were then thought to be pro- ductive of great good, but which are now gen- erally regarded as of but doubtful expediency. Meetings of this kind were held by this church during the year 1832, and several were hope- fully converted.
Mr. Bucklin was dismissed June 20, 1832, and has never been settled a second time. The Council expressed in their result the utmost confidence in his christian and ministerial char- acter, and cordially recommended him to the confidence of the churches. Since his dismis- sion he has resided among the people of his first and only charge, flourishing in a green old
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age, and enjoying the respect and affection of the entire community in which he lives. And it deserves to be made a matter of special record, that although a retired minister, he has always sought the best interests of this church and society, and his successors in the ministry have always found him a firm friend and an active and cheerful assistant. No one has had reason to complain, that he has sought to in- jure their influence or counteract their useful- ness.
Immediately after the dismission of Rev. Mr. Bucklin, those differences of opinion began openly to manifest themselves which resulted in the division of so many churches in this Commonwealth. The question which now divided the society, was, whether their minis- ters in future should be men of Orthodox or Liberal sentiments. The party which desired a thorough evangelical ministry, were a major- ity of the church but a minority of the socie- ty ; and finding it impossible to secure their object, took measures to form themselves into a separate society. On the 18th of March, 1833, a paper was filed with the Clerk of the First Parish, certifying that about fitty of its former members had withdrawn, and formed
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themselves into " The First Evangelical Con- gregational Society." On the Ist of April, 1833, the church voted to worship with this Society ; and 73 out of the 91 members with- drew from their connection with the First Par- ish. The First Parish and remaining church members held by law the Meeting House and the Church Property ; a church was organized ; and Mr. Bucklin was employed to supply their pulpit for the year.
The Evangelical Society, and the branch of the church connected with it, invited Mr. Charles Forbush to become their Pastor. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained Aug. 21, 18. 3.
Early in 1834, proposals were made by a Committee of the First Parish to the Deacons of that branch of the church connected with the Evangelical Society, for a union of the two Societies. These proposals not being satisfac- tory to this branch of the church, the Deacons and the Committee recommended that both Societies unite in calling a mutual council to advise on what conditions they should be- come united .. As a preliminary step, it was demanded by the First Parish, that Mr. For- bush should be dismissed, and they in turn,
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pledged themselves to favor the settlement of any man, for whom two thirds of the Evangeli- cal Society would vote.
This Council was convened March 19, 1834, and the following questions were submitted to them for their decision. " Ist. Shall the church belonging to the Evangelical Society unite with the church belonging to the First Parish, or vice versa ; or in what way shall the differen- ces between them be adjusted or a union effec- ted ? 2d. What disposition shall be made of the property belonging to the church at the time Mr. Bucklin was dismissed."
The Council embodied the substance of their result in these words :
"The Council cannot advise the church connected with the Evangelical Society to go back to the house of the First Parish, because, as they believe, it is not expedient to make it a ho ise of worship for any Society. And should it be altered and repaired, it may still be the property of the First Parish, and as such, be under its unlimited con- trol. But we do recommend that the church connected with the Evangelical Society shall receive into fellowship those members who worship with the First Parish. on such terms as the said church shall deem consistent with the principles of truth and harmony."
The union of the two branches of the orig" inal church, was not however yet effected. It
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was not decided, whether both branches were true churches, or only one; and if one, which one; and besides, the difficulties had been greatly increased from the fact, that a member had been received from a Unitarian church and promoted to the office of a Deacon in one branch, whom the other branch could not fel- lowship in that position. A Council was there- fore called, March 14, 1836, which decided that both branches were churches, although they were not prepared to sanction all the steps, or approve all the circumstances of the separa- tion. It was recommended, also, that Articles of Faith be drawn up for the members of both churches to sign ; and as the Deacon above mentioned offered to resign his office on condi- tion that a union be effected, the remaining Deacons should be considered the officers of the one united church. On the Isth of March, both churches met in convention and " voted unanimously to accept the advice and result of the council." The Deacons then presented the " Articles of Faith. eleven in number, which were road and acted upon one at a time, and every. article was acted upon and signed just as presented." " Thus the two branches of the church, which had been separated since
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April 1st, 1833, are now united into one church."
The First Parish, and the " First Evangel- ical Congregational Society," petitioned the Legislature to be incorporated as the " Union Society;" and on the 1st of April 1835, they held their first meeting and voted to receive the Act of Incorporation.
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