USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Grafton > History of Grafton, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its early settlement by the Indians in 1647 to the present time, 1879. Including the genealogies of seventy-nine of the older families > Part 13
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REV. AARON HUTCHINSON, from Hebron, Ct., was ordained the second pastor of this church, June 6, 1750. He grad- uated at Yale College in 1747, and was honored with the degree of Master of Arts from Harvard and Dartmouth colleges. He was born in Hebron, Ct.,-that is, within what was Hebron at the time of his birth. After he was dismissed from his pastoral charge here, he supplied pulpits in the neighborhood for some time. In the spring of 1775, he purchased a farm in Pomfret, Vt., and made a contract to supply the towns of Pomfret, Woodstock and Hartford, each a third part of the time for five years. On this farm, to which he removed in 1776, he remained till his death, which took place in September, 1800, he having reached the
* The attempt seems to have been made at a later day to bring the church under a more stringent application of the Cambridge platform, but without success. The question, as it came before the church, seems to have been, " whether the church do now adhere to the Cambridge platform, as a full and just system for church rule and discipline, as being full well proved and supported by the word of God in each and every part and paragraph therein contained." The words italicized are partially erased. The vote as passed was, " to adhere to it as a good plan of church rule and discipline." We may also infer that this church prac- tised a less rigorous discipline than some of the neighboring churches, from the fact that one of its members, in regular standing, was refused admittance to a church in an adjoining town, because of his unwilling- ness to sign their articles of discipline.
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
age of seventy-six and a half years. He continued to preach in various places while he lived, often to destitute parishes without receiving or asking any compensation. "In his long ministerial life he was never prevented from preaching by ill-health but two Sabbaths, and one of them was the last Sabbath before he died."
ORDINATION.
At the ordination of Rev. Aaron Hutchinson, Rev. Mr. Martyn, of Westborough, now Northborough, offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. Mr. Pumroy, of Hebron, Conn., preached the sermon-text, Acts 20: 28; the charge by Rev. Mr. Loring, of Sudbury ; right hand by Rev. Mr. Parkman, of Westborough ; ordaining prayer by Rev. Mr. Hall, of Sutton. During his ministry eighty-three were added to the church. Mr. Hutchinson's salary was four hundred pounds, old tenor, "during his continuing regular in the pastoral office in said Grafton." These four hundred pounds were to be paid when the following commodities were marketable at the following priees, " and to rise and fall in proportion as the several necessaries of life herein mentioned are generally bought and sold " :-
" Wheat at £
Rye 4 1.
Ind. Corn "
0
0 the pound.
Beef
10 Pork 0. 0. 8. 0.
2 1
0 0 d. ) the bushel.
OLD TENOR."
Mr. Hutchinson remained in the ministry here till Novem- ber 18, 1772, when he was dismissed by the church (though not by the town), having been the pastor a little more than twenty-two years. The condition of the church during his connection with it seems to have been for the most part peaceful and prosperous. He was a man of strong natural powers of mind, and was considered a learned man and a good classical scholar by his contemporaries. Soon after his
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settlement the covenant was so altered as to recognize the doctrine of the Trinity, and to require the Scriptures to be understood "in that view as exhibited to us in the well- known Westminster Catechism." It was the hand of Mr. Hutchinson that interlined these alterations of the covenant, and it was doubtless his counsel that led to their adoption. In his theology he was severe and somewhat dogmatical. Being called in the year 1767 to Newbury, to sit on an ecclesiastical council which was convened by some disaffect- ed members of the First Church in that place, a Sabbath passed during the time the council was in session, and Mr. Hutchinson preached by invitation at Newburyport. His sermon was published, and led to a protraeted controversy. Rev. John Tucker (afterwards Dr.), minister of the First parish in Newbury, was of Arminian sentiments-senti- ments which were then entertained by a considerable num- ber of the elergy of New England. It was his supposed heresy which ealled together the council of which Mr. Hutchinson was a member. The sermon that he preached was aimed at this defection from Calvin, and those preach- ers who countenanced it. It was entitled " Valour for the Truth."* The main doctrine which it seeks to establish, is that of original and imputed sin, which he carries out to its full and legitimate results, by urging that infants are ex- posed to damnation and eternal misery. He opposes the notion that infants are innocent, with argument, satire and ridicule, declaring that they are " sinners, guilty and pollut- ed, or they cannot be saved in any way pointed out in our Bible." This odious doctrine, now abandoned by many Cal- vinists of New England, Mr. Hutchinson propounded and maintained in all its offensive baldness, without any attempt at softening or palliation ; dealing ever and anon, as he went along, side blows at those preachers whose teaching con-
* Text-Jer. 9 : 3-"But they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth."
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formed not to his doctrine, and almost as often at those " Neuters," as he termed them, " who hide their principles, hover in the dark, and whose trumpet gives an uncertain sound." If he has little patience with those who deny his cherished dogmas, he has less with those who say nothing about them, or hold them by halves. Mr. Tueker reviewed his sermon, and pamphlets followed from both sides. Mr. Hutchinson found he had encountered no contemptible antagonist. He was opposed with a set of weapons different from his own, but not less effective. He was a son of thunder, strong, bold and impetuous. His opponent was quick-eyed, practised and self-possessed. The skill of the disputants, and the lively interest taken in the questions under diseussion by the religious world at that period, gave considerable celebrity to the controversy. Mr. Hutchinson was distinguished for an extraordinary memory. The tradi- tion is familiar that he considered himself capable of re- writing the New Testament if it should be lost. It is said he would enter the pulpit and go through the whole service without opening a book of any kind. He appointed his hymns and recited them, as well as passages of Scripture, with entire confidence in his memory, and without mis- take.
The church records throw no light upon the causes of Mr. Hutchinson's dismission from his people. They barely state the faet of his dismission, showing that the proposition to separate came from himself. Difficulties are hinted at, but neither stated nor explained. We find in the town records, that when it was voted, in 1771, to pay Mr. Hutchinson his salary as usual, fifteen persons entered their dissent from that vote, on the ground, that he had " forfeited his salary by his irregular conduct, as had been proved before an ecclesiastical council, he having been found guilty of dis- simulation, hypocrisy and violation of truth." But the charges of these fifteen dissenters bear strong marks of being dictated by feelings of personal unfriendliness ; for
--
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SKETCHES OF HUTCHINSON, GROSVENOR AND MILES.
it is not probable that if such flagrant misconduct had been clearly proven to the satisfaction of the unprejudiced, the number of dissenters would have been so small, nor that the town would have refused to dismiss Mr. Hutchinson when a council advised it. Neither can we suppose that the church would have recommended him to the fellowship of a sister church, as they did, if they had believed that such charges against his moral character could be substantiated. The town refused to accept the result of the council which advised Mr. Hutchinson's dismissal in 1771, and voted not to release him. And when the question came up a year after, whether they would concur with the church's vote in dismissing him, they refused to concur. It appears that, he had not become generally unacceptable to the people ; and that the town never did by vote consent to his dismission. Many were dissatisfied that the church should act in the matter without the concurrence of the town, and when afterwards the town was asked to unite with the church in calling another minister, one man, Mr. Abraham Temple, objected to any such proceeding being had on the ground that " the church had not informed the town what is become of their old minister." The church, however, expressly dis- claimed the intention of abridging the righte of the town, or of assuming the power to settle or dismiss a minister without the town's consent. It is probable that Mr. Huteli- inson, finding that his presence was the cause of dissension, chose to retire without waiting for the town to agree to his departure. The termination of his pastoral relation to his people, we are inclined to believe, was occasioncd more by some offensive eccentricities in his social habits, than by any defect of moral character, or disqualifications as a teacher of religion. He was without grace or polish in his manners, and his freedom, though he probably was not conscious of it himself, must often have verged upon rudeness. This trait might naturally produce in some minds, after a time, a degree of coolness, and even aversion. And a breach being
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
.
once made, it is not difficult to conceive that it should grad- ually increase till it ended in an open rupture.
The house, which stood a few feet south of the " Evangeli- cal Congregational " church, was built and occupied by Mr. Hutchinson. Several of his sermons were published. Those which we have seen bear the same characteristics on which we have remarked at some length in one of them. He was confident in his opinions and strong in maintaining them. He pressed his views vigorously and forcibly upon his hearers, and probably carried them with him generally to his own conclusions. He must have been a preacher of much more than cominon power and influence.
The following list of sermons we find in the catalogue of the American Antiquarian Society's Library, preached by Mr. Hutchinson. It is hardly probable that this is a com- plete list of his published discourses.
" Valour for the Truth, a Sermon preached at Newburyport, Mass., April 27, 1767, 8vo. Boston, 1767."
" Sermon at Grafton, Mass., Oct. 23, 1768, 8vo. Boston, 1769." (This was a sermon preached the Sabbath after the execution of Arthur, at Worcester).
" Two Sermons at Grafton, Nov. 15, 1772, 8vo. Boston, 1773." (His last sermous to his congregation in Graftou).
"Sermon at, Northbridge, Mass., Nov. 29, 1772, 8vo. Boston, 1773."
"Sermou at Pelliam, Mass., Dec., 28, 1773, 8vo. Boston."
In the year 1770, Watts's version of the Psalms, " to- gether with his Scripture hymns in the first and third books," came into use as a collection of hymns for public worship. Previous to this the New England version had been in use, and the change to a new book was here, as generally else- where, attended with no little difficulty and opposition. The hynins were read, line by line, by one of the deacons; an- other set the tune, and the whole congregation joined. The same mode of singing was practised in most of our towns ; and iu them a like revolution took place about the same time. This venerable version, which had long been used as a part of the religious services in the New England churches,
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SKETCHES OF HUTCHINSON, GROSVENOR AND MILES.
could no longer withstand the spirit of innovation. It was compelled to give way to the more appropriate version of Watts, all of which was then adopted except the second book of his hymns. This was rejected on account of its supposed unscriptural character. The change, however, was not made without opposition ; and for a time, many of the elderly part of the society could not be reconciled to it. To the old psalmns and hymns they felt a strong attachment, and with them were connected some of their fondest asso- ciations. They had been accustomed to them from their youth, and to lay them aside was like discarding an old and well tried friend. The psalmody of modern times, however harmonious to the ears of the young, struek no chord of unison in their hearts ; it excited no feelings of devotion ; but on the other hand, seemed like a profanation of the temple of the Most High. It was about the same time that the church relinquished to selected choristers the authority to appoint the tunes which should be sung in church ; though not without a reservation, which required all but the tune after the last prayer to be "sneh tunes as have been usual of late, and such old tunes as upon tryal may be thought proper for the public worship." The first persons chosen choristers were Jonathan Stow and Moses Harring- ton.
The following is a copy of a letter written to the church, June 29, 1753 :-
" Whereas the solemnity of the Lord's Supper comes in course the next Sabbath and being desirous to come all together in the unity the spirit and in charity.which is the bond of peace, and understand that a number are dissatisfied at my conduct the Sabbath after the last Sacra- ment, in admitting some persons to own their baptismal covenant (as they suppose) without the consent of the bretheren and am desirous (if possible) to remove all occasion for such uneasiness let me there- fore say,
1-That when I spake of taking their selence for consent and pro- ceeding I do solemnly say I am not concious I had the lest thot of being understood otherwise than as asking their silent consent in the same sense I have often used the phraise, so far as it related to their persons;
24
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
but as divers understood me that I asked their silent consent only to this that they had nothing of moral scandal to object I am convinced I spake too dark and perplexed, and thereby gave allusion of uneasiness with the proceeding as contrary to Congregational principles.
2-As to my proceeding after an objection was made against one ; that I have not altered my mind as to the thing objected, as I understood it yet I am free to say, it was neither right nor prudent in me to make myself the sole Judge in that affair, nor should I have done it then if I had not supposed myself fully acquainted with the thing objected and had received satisfaction about it.
3-As to what I said about the disordertincss of objecting moral scandal at such a time I am sorry I had not spake in milder terms and especially considering that disorder (such as it was) began in me in speaking so as to be understood to open the door for such objections.
4-As to what I said last of all, of not receiving tatling ill reports for objections; but only things brot formally, by rule I clearly remem- ber that, what gave rise to that speech was what I had said before that no objections had been lodged with me, that it might be understood what I ment by objections, and to explain myself, to stirr up the pure minds of the church by way of remembrance of the rule - inserted in our covenant and to let them know I dare not otherwise receive objections except in notorious cases. And I am clear in it however inadvertant I might be, that it was not then in my Heart to reflect upon any particular person as a traitor, talebearer, etc.
5-Whereas the matter of receiving persons to own their baptismal covenants labors so much with a number, I propose not to propound any more till I have laid it before the church to alter or regulate as they see cause.
6-I take this opportunity to desire the church and congregation not only to forgive me wherein I have stept a wrong in this affair, but cordially to cover my imprudances and infirmities with a mantle of Love, and I hope and trust God will make me more watchful and cicumspect and so overule both my sins and sorrows for my best good.
AARON HUTCHINSON.
After Mr. Hutchinson's dismission the church was with- out a pastor till Oct. 19, 1774, when Mr. DANIEL GROSVENOR, from Pomfret, Conn., was ordained the third minister of the town.
ORDINATION.
At the ordination of Rev. Daniel Grosvenor, the intro- ductory prayer was offered by Rev. Aaron Putnam, of the First Church of Pomfret, Conn. ; sermon by Rev. Ebenezer
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SKETCHES OF HUTCHINSON, GROSVENOR AND MILES.
Grosvenor, of Scitnate; text, Gen. 45:24 .* Ordaining prayer by Rev. Elisha Fish, of Upton ; laying on of hands by Rev. David Ripley, of the Third Church in Pomfret (now Abington), and Rev. Joseph Sumner, of Shrewsbury ; charge by Rev. David Hall, of Sutton ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Amariah Frost, of Mendon (now Milford) ; con- cluding prayer by Rev. Josiah Whitney, of the Second Church in Pomfret (now Brooklyn).
During Mr. Grosvenor's ministry 41 were added to the Church,
The following is a copy of a deed for a pew in the old meeting-house :-
" Know all men by these presents that whereas we, Benjamin Walker, Joseph Wood, Luke Drurey, Zebede Reading and Moses Hayden, all of Grafton, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, Gent : are appointed by legal voters of said Grafton, a com- mittee for the sale and conveyance of all the Pews in the Meeting House of said town, and being duly authorized for the purpose aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sume of Twenty-Eight Pounds to us in hand Paid by Simon Bruce of the town aforesaid Trader, the Receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, have sold and by these Presents do sell, convey and confirm unto him the said Simon Bruce, his helrs and assigns for Ever, a Certain Pew in the Meeting House, No. 25, to his and their only use Benefit and Behoof forever. In testimony whereof We the above Named committee have In the character of a committee for and in behalf of sald town of Grafton hereunto set our hands and seals this 28th Day of Nov .- 1785.
In Presents of - BENJAMIN WALKER
JOSEPH WOOD
NATHL. SHARMAN 1 ZEBEDEE REDDING
LUKE DRURY
JOSEPH WARRIN.
MOSES HAYDEN.
Rev. Daniel Grosvenor was born in Pomfret, Conn., in 1749, graduated at Yale College in 1769, and died in Peters- ham, July 22, 1834, aged eighty-four years.
Mr. Grosvenor continued in the ministry here till the close of the year 1787, when he was dismissed at his own
* The preacher was an older brother of the pastor elect, at that time minister of Scituate, afterwards settled at Harvard. His sermon was printed. His text, " See that ye fall not out by the way," gave him occa- sion to point out the sources both in minister and people, from which fallings out usually come. Its council was judicious and well-timed.
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
request, having lost his voice. He had never constant and. firm health, and was obliged occasionally to suspend his pulpit labors for a while, before the failure of his voice entirely disabled him. The success of his ministerial labors here is best attested by the unwillingness of his people to. consent to his removal, so long as they saw any reason to hope that he would be able to resume his labors. He was a man of very pleasing manners, both in the pulpit and out of it, dignified in his bearing, courteous and engaging in his address. Rare conversational powers, united with these qualities, made him everywhere a pleasant companion. His fondness of anecdote, ready wit and plentiful resources, also serve to make his presence always welcome to those who loved society. In his doctrines he was said to be moderate, avoiding all extremes ; and as his manner of speaking was easy, fluent and vivacions, his attractions as a preacher were much more than ordinary. The years of his ministry embraced the period of our Revolutionary struggle, in which crisis he evinced his attachment to the cause of his country by " leaving his pulpit, taking his musket and join- ing the company of minute men that went to Cambridge on the 19th of April."# The church was united and peace- ful during his ministry, and consented with reluctance to his dismission.
Mr. Grosvenor, having recovered his voice, was settled again in Paxton on the 5th of November, 1794, where he remained eight years. He resigned his charge there on the 17th of November, 1802,f and spent the latter years of his life at Petersham. After Mr. Grosvenor's resignation the church remained destitute of a pastor nearly nine years. The records made during this time are meagre, and contain little matter of interest. The same year Mr. Nathaniel Howe was invited to become the minister of the town, but declined the invitation.
* Brigham's Centennial Address, p. 29.
t Worcester Magazine, II., 240.
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SKETCHES OF HUTCHINSON; GROSVENOR AND MILES.
Rev. Mr. Grosvenor was succeeded by Mr. JOHN MILES, a 1 native of Westminster and graduate of Brown University, R. I., who was ordained the fourth pastor of the church, Oct. 12th, 1796. We here come to a period in the history of which some now living bore a part. He was born in Westminster, Mass., Nov. 3, 1765, and was gradnated, at Brown University, Providence, R. I., of the class of 1794. After leaving college, he studied for the ministry, under the care of Rev. Dr. Sanger of Bridgewater. He was ordained here Oct. 12, 1796, over the only society in the town. Accordingly, as in the case of most country ministers at that period, he was the minister of the town, and settled for life. On account of the great numbers who assembled to witness his introduction into office, the ordination services were held on the Common in the open air. The marriage of a minister, in those early days, was an occasion of almost equal interest as that of his ordination. He was married, May 1, 1798, to Mary Denny, danghter of Col. Samuel Denny of Leicester an event which, in the language of another, "did something more than connect him with families well known and respected in Worcester County, valuable as that was ; it gave him one who, in other than the partial judgment of filial affection, was fitted in no common degree for the place she was called to fill." " For a period of nearly thirty years, embracing, beyond doubt, the most embarrassing and trying portion of the history of the Massachusetts Congregational churches, he was pastor of the society, and under his ministrations it was in a nnited and prosperous condition. Attention to public schools, the sole care of which for the most part fell into his hands, absorbed a large share of his time, though he gave a due share also to a little farm of sixteen acres." "Many scenes of his ministerial life are among the delightful recollections of my childhood," " I (H. A. Miles, D. D.) recall, with special pleasure, the walk to church on a pleasant Sunday morning in summer, when six or eight children would
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
arrange themselves in order, the sons on the side of their father, the daughters on the side of their mother; and the platoon would proceed, with all becoming gravity and solemnity, to the house of prayer. The old square church in the middle of the Common, with porches bulging out on three sides, with its large old-fashioned pews and slamming seats, is before me now." " On a salary never amounting to $300, he lived in the practice of the hospitality which was then more generous than now ; he brought up a large family of children, one of whom he carried through college, and to all of whom he gave a good education. When, at length, divisions arose in the town, he asked a dismission ; and his connection with the parish terminated, Oct. 12, 1825. He died in Shrewsbury, March 20, 1849.
ORDINATION.
At the ordination of Mr. Miles, the introductory prayer was offered by Rev. John Robinson, of Westborough ; sermon by Rev. Asaph Rice, of Westminster ; Text, Isaiah 49 : 4. Ordaining prayer by Rev. Zedekiah Sawyer, of Bridge- water; charge by Rev. Daniel Grosvenor, of Paxton ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Joseph Sumner, of Shrews- bnry ; the coneluding prayer by Rev. Ezra Ripley, of Con- cord. The additions to the church during his ministry were 95.
In April, 1827, the expedieney of establishing a Sabbath school was considered by the church, and it was voted to make the " attempt." The attempt succeeded. Soon after the settlement of Mr. Searle, it became the policy of the pastor and church to insist more strenuously than had been usual npon doctrinal qualifications, as conditions of admis- sion to the fellowship of the church. It was voted that persons coming from other churches with certificates of dismission and recommendation, "should be examined be- fore the church as was customary in the case of those who come forward the first time to make profession of religion."
John Miles
Heliotype Printing Co., Boston.
٢٠
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SKETCHES OF HUTCHINSON, GROSVENOR AND MILES.
In 1828, the covenant was revised and altered in such a manner as to give it a more sectarian aspect, and a creed of many articles was appended to it. It was no strange thing, therefore, that when the majority of the society chose to dismiss a minister, whose teaching seemed to them neither true nor profitable, they should part company with a church, every member of which stood committed to a doetrinal system which they rejected as human in its origin, and nn- scriptural in its character. Such was the case. This society, at a meeting held on the third of December, 1831, voted to dismiss Rev. Mr. Searle.
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