USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Hardwick > History of Hardwick, Massachusetts, with a genealogical register > Part 20
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was reversed, and the majority voted, July 29, 1740, " that they will set the meeting-house on the ten acres on which the old meeting-house stands : - that whereas this town have stated a place to set the new meeting-house on, which will accommodate that part of the town next to Quoben as well as other parts of the town, that the vote that was passed in this town the last year, whereby they signified that they were ready and willing to have a part of this town set off to Quoben, be void and of none effect."
But this did not end the difficulty. The inhabitants of the east part of the town, though temporarily in the minority, made such a sturdy and formidable resistance, that it was not consid- ered prudent to carry the last vote into execution. Accordingly another meeting was held, December 15, 1740, when it was voted " that they will choose a committee 1 to state a place where the meeting-house shall be set in this town, and that their judgement be a final determination of the affair : - Chose Capt. Josiah Con- vers, Mr. Elisha Rice, Mr. Noah. Ashley, committee : - that all former committees about building the meeting-house in this town be dismissed : - chose Capt. Joseph Allen, Mr. Constant Mer- rick, John Foster, a committee : - that the committee last chosen shall have the care of building a meeting-house in this town, or to join with the original Proprietors' committee on the affair ; and to purchase or otherwise provide land to set said meeting- house on ; and that they forthwith proceed to get timber cut and lined, and proceed to have said house framed, and raised, and as far finished as the money will go that the settlers is to pay, and all the money raised or to be raised by the land tax, and to let it out if they shall think best: . .. Chose Mr. Eleazar Warner, Mr. John Wells,2 to wait on the committee to state a place to set a meeting-house on, and to go or send to them, to desire them to come to state a place to set the meeting-house on." The commit- tee seem to have selected a spot near the centre of the present Common, instead of the " ten acres " otherwise disposed of, by the sale of nine and a half acres, and the gift of half an acre to the " Separate Society." The erection of the long desired edifice during the ensuing year is indicated by a vote, November 23, 1741, to pay Samuel Robinson for rum and other refreshments, furnished at the " raising of the new meeting-house." The house was not finished, however, until several years later, though it was
1 "Not belonging to this town," as ex- pressed in the warrant.
2 "Two men, one at each end of the town," as stated in the warrant.
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made habitable. The proprietors did not promptly enforce the payment of the " three hundred pounds," and it was not easy to raise the funds necessary to complete the work.1 When the town was ready to abandon and sell the old house, and did sell it, March 1, 1742-3, the third article in the warrant, " to see if the town will raise money . .. to build the pulpit and minister's pew, and body of seats," was passed over without action. The house seems to have been merely a shell at that time. Three years later, February 25, 1745-6, a settlement was made with the committee, by which it appeared that they had thus far ex- pended £409. 9. 3. in the erection of the house ; they had re- ceived of. " money raised by the land-tax, £110. 1. 2 .; and of the ten pounds they have received £243.0. 0 .; "in all £353.1. 2. To meet the deficiency of £56. 8. 1., there was an uncollected balance of the land-tax £54. 18. 10., and of the ten pounds not yet gathered £57. 0. 0., in all £111. 18. 10. The account was not fully settled until December 23, 1747. Even then the house remained in an unfinished state; for two years later, December 25, 1749, it was " voted that the town will finish the meeting- house : - voted that they will finish it by plastering it ; " and £300. 0. 0. was granted to Christopher Paige and Joseph Allen, to finish the inside of the house. This work seems to have been accomplished before August 29, 1750, when it was voted to seat the people anew, " the highest payers in the highest seats, having respect to age and other qualifications, except such as have pews in the meeting-house." The house contained a few pews ; but the larger part of it, as was then customary, was occupied by long seats, called " the body of seats," for males on one side of the centre aisle, and for females on the other. Besides these, it seems several chairs were used ; for it was voted, March 4, 1750-1, " that the chairs standing in the alleys be ordered into the place left behind the women seats, and to stand nowhere else." One more notice closes my account of this meeting-house: it was voted, March 4, 1754, "that the town refuse to let the young
1 It had not yet become fashionable to contract enormous debts for the erection of meeting-houses, and the pioneers wise- ly avoided that folly. Indeed they sub- mitted to great discomfort, occupying un- finished houses which furnished scant protection in inclement weather, in pref- erence to assuming an indebtedness which might prove burdensome. Their perhaps extreme caution in this regard is
manifest in their action at a town meeting August 14, 1741, "during Mr. White's indisposition," when it was " Voted, to hire a minister to preach in this town for two months, if the town shall need so long : - voted to choose a man to go to Mr. Frink, and see if he can hire him for a reasonable price : and if not, to hire an- other, - the best he can and cheapest."
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men that have built a seat in the women's side galleries to have it there : voted, that the same persons have liberty to build their seat on the men's side gallery."
This long controversy in regard to the place of public worship must have grieved the heart of Rev. Mr. White, who was emi- nently a man of peace ; but he probably lamented even more bitterly certain dissensions in the church itself, which sadly dis- turbed its harmony and prosperity, and which culminated in the resignation of two of its deacons in 1749. " The Church of Christ in Hardwick met together," September 9, 1747, " to hear and consider Deacon Christopher Paige's reasons for absenting him- self from the public worship and ordinances of God." After due consideration, the church voted that his reasons did not furnish a satisfactory excuse, and accordingly laid him " under censure," and suspended him " from the sacrament of the Lord's Supper." Unwilling to cast off utterly a brother, who was not only their first elected deacon, but also one of the most active and honored citizens of the town, before proceeding to extremities the church voted, May 24, 1748, " that the Rev. Mr. Edwards, of Northamp- ton, Mr. Billings, of Coldspring,1 Mr. Abercrombie, of Pelham, Mr. Whitney, of Nitchawagg,2 be applied to, to come to Hard- wick and give their advice in the case that is between the church and Deacon Paige." The council assembled and gave advice ; but the proceedings do not appear on record. "At a church meeting in Hardwick, December ye 20th, 1748, voted, that the church comply and fall in with the advice of the Rev. Ministers on the 29th day of June last, in the case depending between the church and Deacon Christopher Paige. Upon which it was pro- posed to Deacon Paige whether he would comply with the said advice, and he declared that he would not comply with the sub- stance of it. Upon which declaration, the church voted, that Deacon Christopher Paige be proceeded with, by giving him the second admonition." Nothing further in regard to this case ap- pears on record until April 13, 1749, when " Deacon Paige's desire of laying down the office of deacon was mentioned to the church, and the major part thereof complied with and gratified him in his desire, and dismissed him from said office of deacon."
The cause of this controversy between the church and its senior deacon does not appear on record, nor has it been pre- served even by tradition. On the one hand, we cannot well sup- pose it to have been of a trivial character, as it involved such
1 Now Belchertown.
2 Now Petersham.
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
serious results. On the other, there is no evidence of aggravated guilt on either side. The council which met June 29, 1748, either exonerated the church from blame, or administered so slight a rebuke and required so little concession, that it was voted, December 28, 1748, "that the church comply and fall in with the advice of the Rev. Ministers." And although Deacon Paige " declared that he would not comply with the substance of it," he evidently had not forfeited his good name as a Christian and as a trustworthy citizen : - at the first town-meeting after the deci- sion of the council he was elected moderator, selectman, and as- sessor, to which offices he was reelected the next year, after he had resigned the office of deacon ; and the church in Petersham, whose pastor had been a member of the advising council and fully understood the merits or demerits of the whole case, admit- ted him to fellowship in full communion. Whereupon, " At a church meeting in Hardwick, May ye 20th, 1752, Voted (1.) To send to the church in Nichawaug, to signify to them that we look upon their conduct in receiving Deacon Christopher Paige into their church to be irregular, and matter of just offence, and to desire a brotherly conference with them, to make up the differ- ence. (2.) Voted, that Mr. White, Deacon Freeman, Deacon Allen, Deacon Cooper, Nathaniel Whitcomb, Lieut. Merrick, and Ensign Warner, undertake this business as a committee. The said committee are empowered by the church to make up the whole difference with the church at Nichawaug respecting their receiving Deacon Paige, if they can agree ; if not, to propose to them to join with us in the choice of a council to advise in the matter." What response was made by the Petersham church does not appear. So far as the Hardwick records show, the whole matter rested for nearly twenty years, until June 21, 1770, when it was voted "that this church do overlook what the church of Christ in Petersham formerly did relative to Deacon Christopher Paige, and are now in charity with said church." This was a substantial acknowledgment that no good reason existed why he should be debarred from Christian privileges.
Troubles seldom come singly. " At a church meeting in Hard- wick March ye 2ª, 1748 (1748-9) Deacon Samuel Robinson de- sired the church that he might lay down his office of deacon in said church ; which desire the church complied with."1 Like
1 No record is found of any election to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resig- nation of two deacons ; but the election of John Cooper is distinctly indicated by the fact that, on his admission to the church,
March 1, 1746-7, he was called simply "John Cooper; " but when his wife was admitted, July 9, 1751, she was styled " wife of Deacon John Cooper."
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
his senior in office, Deacon Robinson was an active and energetic leader in public affairs, and his secession tended to weaken the church, through its effect on many of its members. He held office a short time. " April ye 30th, 1746. At a church meeting in Hardwick, Samuel Robinson was chosen to the office of a dea- con in said church, by a majority of the members ; which office he afterwards accepted." His delay, if not actual hesitancy, in accepting the office probably foreshadowed his reason for resign- ing it so soon. About this time an extraordinary wave of relig- ious excitement passed over New England and engulfed many churches. The controversy waxed so sharp and bitter that many withdrew from the established churches, and were thenceforth styled "New Lights," or more generally "Separates," of whom more will be said in another place. In this movement Deacon Robinson was early interested, and became a prominent leader. He felt constrained, therefore, to " lay down his office." It does not appear that there was any other cause for his resignation. The church afterwards called him and several of his associates to account, and censured them for withdrawing "from the public worship of God at the meeting-house in Hardwick ; " but there is no evidence that any of them were excommunicated from the church for that offence.1
For the next thirty years the records indicate almost uninter- rupted peace and harmony in the church. Few cases of disci- pline are mentioned, and these of such a nature that the offend- ers were forgiven, and " admitted to former privileges."
A change was made in regard to the psalms and hymns proper to be sung, and to the manner of singing them. "March 10, 1765. It being moved to the church after public exercise on the Sabbath, whether Messieurs Tate and Brady's version of the Psalms should be sung in the public worship of God, - voted in the affirmative." 2 " At a church meeting held in Hardwick at the meeting-house, June 21, 1770, voted, with respect to the pres- ent method of singing in public worship, that one half of the por- tion that shall be sung shall be read, line by line, as has been the former practice in this Congregation, sung in some old tune ; that
1 There is no record of excommunica- tion, for any cause whatever, during Mr. White's ministry.
2 President Dunster's revision of the Bay Psalm Book had probably been in use up to this time. Tate and Brady's version was used, until the town voted,
March 7, 1791, " that Doct. Watts' Psalms and Hymns be introduced to be sung in this town, in the room of Tate's and Bra- dy's; and that they are to begin to be sung in the congregation within three months." Various changes have been made more recently.
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
the other half shall be sung without being thus read in some new tune ; that the psalm or hymn that shall be appointed to be sung at the Communion Table shall be read, line by line, and sung in some old tune, so called." The change, thus partially made, be- came entire at a later period ; but it was exceedingly disagreeable to many, and of some it is said they would leave the meeting- house while psalms or hymns were sung without having been read, line by line, and return after this offensive exercise was con- cluded.1
About this time two deacons were elected : November 9, 1769, " Capt. William Paige was chosen to the office of deacon, by a great majority of votes," probably in the place of Deacon John Cooper, who seems to have died, or removed a few months previ- ously ; and April 28, 1774, " Mr. John Bradish was chosen to be a deacon in said church, by a majority of votes." Soon after- wards, however, danger of losing an important officer appeared in an unexpected quarter. The senior surviving deacon was so much exercised in spirit by the shortcomings of his brethren, that he absented himself from the Lord's Supper, and in rendering reasons for so doing, preferred grave charges against the church in general, and one of its members in particular. The proceed- ings are recorded under date of February 1, 1779 : " Deacon Jo- seph. Allen having withdrew himself from the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, he gave in his reasons in writing to the Reverend Pastor, Mr. White, which are these : (1.) The young people walking disorderly on the Sabbath, both in time of public wor- ship and in the intermission season. (2.) The youth frequently gathering in set frolics at a public house, and carrying them on with music and dancing, both males and females, and many of them using profane language. (3.) That he suspected that there were some in this town that had owned the baptismal covenant, and promised publicly that they would perform the duties of it, yet that they walked disorderly, and neglected family prayer. (4.) That there were some in full communion in this church, that absented themselves from the sacrament of the Lord's Supper,
1 While I would not willingly return to the old method of alternate reading and singing of hymns, " line by line," yet I confess my deep sympathy with these old saints in what many will regard as their unreasonable prejudice as to the manner of conducting public worship. I have often been sorely tempted to leave
the sanctuary during an exhibition of vocal gymnastics, when fashionable opera- music, dramatically rendered by profes- sional artists, was substituted for the un- ostentatious singing of " psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs," by a volun- tary choir or by a Christian congrega- tion.
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and also neglected public worship, and yet were not called to give the reasons of their neglect of these ordinances. (5.) The special reason why he withdrew at that time was the conduct of a Brother, viz., Thomas Robinson, at the last church meeting and the town-meeting following, which appeared to him not of a piece, not in the simplicity of the gospel, not agreeable to the Scripture.
" The church were regularly called and assembled together to hear Deacon Allen's reasons, at the meeting-house in Hardwick, on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1779, and after a consideration of the abovementioned matters of grievance, came into the following resolves : - Article 1. Young people walking disorderly on the Sabbath ; resolved, that the March meeting being near at hand, when tyding-men 1 and wardens are to be chosen for the year, whose special business it is to inspect and prevent all disorder on the Sabbath, this affair is submitted to and left with them, as their proper business. Article 2. As to young people gathering together in set frolics, especially at a public house, resolved, that we will every one of us here present, that are heads of families, take all proper care that the youth under our care and charge, to prevent them from running into these frolics, and acting any part in them. Article 3. As to those persons that are called half- members 2 &c., resolved, that we will keep a watch over them, ac- cording to our solemn promise when we received [them] into their present standing in the church ; that we will reprove them when we see them walk disorderly, and encourage them to the practice of virtue and piety by our counsels and our good practice. Article 4. That there were some persons in full communion in this church that absented themselves from the public worship of God and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper ; two persons were named in particular ; resolved, that (these persons not being present) the Rev. Mr. White shall send to them, to know their reasons of their neglect of these holy ordinances, and when ob- tained of them he lay them before the church to consider whether [the] reasons are a sufficient excuse or not. Article 5. The special reason given why he withdrew himself at that time was the conduct of a Brother, viz., Thomas Robinson, &c. The church having considered and weighed this matter, some few of the church voted that said Robinson his changing the side that he first held with was an evidence that he had changed his mind ;
1 Tything-men.
2 Those who had taken the " half-way covenant," in order that their children might be baptized, but were not qualified
to participate in the Lord's Supper ; or such as the record describes as " received into the covenant, and under the watch and government of the church."
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
but the majority of the church thought that the matter did not belong to them to determine, and therefore declined voting any way ; and thus the matter was left respecting Deacon Allen and Thomas Robinson, and no further determination or [illegible] upon it." 1
It would seem that the meeting-house erected about 1741 proved unsatisfactory, and in little more than a quarter of a century, preparations were made for the erection of a new one, equal if not superior in size and magnificence to any church edi- fice in the county. September 7, 1767, "Voted that the town will build a meeting-house in Hardwick for public worship. Voted, that they will set said house (if they can purchase the land) in the field at the north end of the burying place, occupied by Mr. Asa Hatch." This field contained somewhat more than one acre and three quarters of land, and was owned by John Rowe, Esq., of Boston, who conveyed it to the town for £6. 13. 4. by deed dated May 30, 1768.2 Without waiting for the execution of the deed, the town proceeded at once to make arrangements for the erection of the house, and on the 21st of October accepted the report of a committee previously appointed : " The committee have heard the proposals of Deac. Joseph Allen and Mr. Joseph Safford, who are willing and ready to undertake the building of said house, and finish it in a workmanlike manner, only for the benefit of the money they can raise by the sale of the pews agree- able to a plan herewith humbly laid before the town for their consideration. TIMº RUGGLES, in the name of the committee." " Voted that the town will choose a committee to contract with Deac. Joseph Allen and Mr. Joseph Safford to build a meeting- house, as mentioned in the report of the former committee.3 Voted that Mr. Daniel Oliver, Brig" Ruggles, Capt. Mandell, Deac. Fay,4 and Capt. Paige, be the committee. Voted, to build a steeple to said house, and that the town pay what said steeple shall cost more than a convenient porch for stairs into the galler- ies." May 16, 1768, " Voted the sum of £66. 13. 4. to the un-
1 I have somewhat anticipated the reg- turning at right angles, and running east- ular succession of events, in order to group together all the recorded difficulties between the church and its deacons dur- ing Mr. White's pastorate.
2 The description is "one acre, three quarters, and six rods of land, lying in said Hardwick, adjoining to the public burying-place there, bounded as followeth : beginning at the northerly corner of said burying-place, and from thence running northerly, by the road, 22 rods ; then
erly 13 rods; there turning at right an- gles, and running southerly 22 rods ; there turning at right angles, and running westerly, by the burying place, 13 rods to the bounds first mentioned." Worcester
Deeds, lix. 113.
3 The " undertakers " are said to have lost money.
4 James Fay was deacon of the " Sepa- rate Church " until it removed bodily to Bennington, Vt., in 1761.
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dertakers of the meeting-house, to enable them to proceed in building a steeple to said house." May 18, 1769, " Voted to raise £120 lawful money, to enable the undertakers to finish the steeple, besides what has already been voted," and " to choose a committee to treat with the undertakers, in order that they be obliged to finish the steeple for the above price." October 19, 1769, under a warrant " to see if the town will allow the un- dertakers of the meeting-house to build a pew in the steeple above the west gallery," it was " voted, to shut up the place in the steeple, over the west gallery, which was proposed for a pew." October 27, 1769, " Voted to grant the undertakers of the meet- ing-house the privilege of building a pew over the west gallery, providing they make it tight and close ; and the town reserved the privilege of having an officer to set in the pew, to oversee the boys."1 The house was finished probably not long before De- cember 31, 1770, at which date it was " voted to choose a com- mittee to seat the meeting-house 2 and that said committee con- sist of five persons ; and made choice of Capt. William Paige, Lieut. Roland Sears, Deac. Joseph Allen, Capt. Constant My- rick, and Paul Mandell for said committee ; and they to seat each person according to age and pay to the last year's valuation or invoice. Voted, that the front seats in the gallery be appropri- ated to the use of the men. The question was put, whether the town would grant the seats on the side galleries next the front gallery for the use of the men and women singers, and it passed in the negative.3 Voted, that the town will purchase the pew, the west side the pulpit stairs, for the use of the minister's fam- ily for the time being, viz., to be kept by the town as a ministry
1 The apprehensions expressed in this for the singers, and what room necessary vote were not altogether unfounded. The for that purpose, reported as follows : pew was so high above the general level that its occupants were screened from ob- servation. According to my recollection, seventy years ago, an officer to " oversee the boys " was more needed there than in any other part of the house.
2 A " Body of Seats " was originally constructed, seven on each side of the centre aisle, for the use respectively of the
n and women, who were not otherwise provided for, and who were " seated " by committees duly appointed.
8 The " method of singing in public worship " had not then been changed. A convenient place was assigned February 1, 1779: "The committee appointed to consider what seats would be convenient
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