USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > North Bridgewater > History of North Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to the present time, with family registers > Part 4
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August 17, 1812, " Voted to Join with the church to give Mr Huntington a Call, to settle with us in the work of the Sacred Ministry "; also " Voted to offer him Seven Hundred
* Both of the above sermons were printed and circulated.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Dollars as settlement and Seven Hundred dollars as an an- nual salary, or Seven Hundred and fifty Dollars, to be paid annually so long as he remain our minister." Captain Jesso Perkins, Dea. David Edson, Dea. Ichabod Howard, Caleb Howard, Esq., Howard Cary, Esq., Joseph Silvester, Esq., Abel Kingman, Esq., were chosen a committee to wait upon Mr. Huntington, and make him the above offer, which was in the following words : -
To MR. DANIEL HUNTINGTON, Candidate for the Sacred Ministry :
SIR, Whereas the Grate head of the Church in his wise and Rightcous Providence has seen fit that this church and Society should be Destitute of a pastor, we are desirous to have the regular administration of gospel ordi- nanees restored to us, and having had so much Experience of your good abilities as a gospel preacher, am induced to hope that your labors may be blest among us. We, therefore, members of the fourth church and congre- gation in Bridgewater, do hereby give you solemn call to settle with us, and take upon you the sacred office of pastor according to the regular mode practised in our churches. That you may be more particularly informed of the doings of the parish, a committee, consisting of the following gentle- men, viz. : Capt Jesse Perkins, Dea David Edson, Dea Ichabod Howard, Caleb Iloward, Esq, Howard Cary, Esq, Joseph Sylvester, Esq, Abel Kingman, Esq, will wait upon you with the votes of the parish relative to the encouragement they offer you as an inducement to settle with us in the sacred ministry, and give you such other information as you may desire. Your answer is requested as soon as may be consistent with a full delibera- tion on so solemn and important a Subject.
Signed by order and in behalf of said Parish.
JESSE PERKINS, Parish Clerk.
Bridgewater, Aug. 17, 1812.
MOSES CARY, Moderator,
ANSWER.
TO THE MEMBERS of the fourth Church
and Society in Bridgewater : Sept 14, 1812.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS : Having taken into serious and prayerful consid- eration the invitation Which you have given me to settle among you in the Gospel ministry, together with the offer which accompanies it, viewing almost unanimous expression of your wish and the pecuniary provision which evinces its sincerity, as indicative of the will of our divine Master, who in his providence has brought us together, I have thought it my duty to accede to your proposal, and hold myself in readiness to take upon me the sacred offices of your pastor according to the regular order of church, whenever it shall please the great head of the church, by the laying on of hands by the Presbytery, to put me in trust with the Gospel. With Regard
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
to choice of compensation which was left me by your note, I would inform you that the first offer, viz. : Seven Hundred as a settlement, and Seven Hundred as an annual salary is prefered and accepted.
Yet before the question of my settlement among you is fully eoneluded, suffer me to present to you a few requests, Which I believe it cannot be in- compatible with your interest to grant, and, First. It is my wish that for the words " until it is needful to proeure another minister in his room," which is annexed as a limitation to your offer of a salary, the following may be substituted : " During his ministry among us," as the latter expres- sion, it is thought, will more safely guard against future misunderstanding. Second. I have to request, for the same purpose, that my letter addressed through the hands of Silas Packard, Esq., to the Church and Society, on subjects connected with my proposed settlement, may be put on record, that I may not be excluded from the society of my friends and relatives, who reside at some distance, nor be debarred such recreations as is necessary to health. I must request the privilege of exemption from parochial duty for three weeks annually. Shall these requests be granted ?
Brethren and Friends, I shall cheerfully give myself to the work of the ministry among you, confidently hoping that you will receive me in brotherly love, and constantly exercise towards me that christian tenderness and ean- dor, for which delicacy and responsibility of my situation will so loudly call above all, trusting that you will not cease to supplicate the God of all grace and consolation that he would bless our connection and make it a source of our mutual and everlasting joy.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
DANIEL HUNTINGTON.
North Parish, Sept. 14, 1812. "Voted that the ordination be on the last Wednesday in October, accordingly the Coun- cil met on the Twenty Eighth Day of October, consisting of Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D. D., of South Bridgewater, Rev. John Reed, D. D., " West
Rev. James Flint, D. D., " East
Rev. Daniel Thomas, of Abington,
Rev. Jacob Norton, of Weymouth,
Rev. Thomas T. Richmond, of Stoughton,
Rev. Luther Sheldon, D. D., of Easton,
Rev. Jonathan Strong, D. D., of Randolph,
Rev. Edward D. Griffin, D. D., of Boston,
Rev. Joshua Huntington, of Boston,
Rev. Abel McEwen, of New London, Conn., together
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
with their delegates," and he was duly installed as pastor of the "Fourth Church in Bridgewater." Rev. Mr. McEwen preached the Sermon, from the text Nehemiah vi. 3: "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease whilst I leave it, and come down to you ?" Rev. Dr. Griffin offered the ordaining prayer. Rev. Dr. Sanger gave the charge. Rev. Mr. Huntington, of Bos- ton, a Brother of the pastor-elect, then pastor of the " Old South Church" in Boston, extended the right hand of fel- lowship. Of the success of Rev. D. Huntington's labors among this church and society, we may say that, at the time of his settlement, the parish was just recovering from the effects of an unhappy division. This recovery, of course, was gradual; and the first three years may be considered as occupied in wearing out the prejudices and jealousies thus excited, so that the ordinary means of grace could be profitably used. During this period of time, the ways of Zion mourned. In 1812, but one was received into the church on profession, and one in 1813. In 1814, three ; in 1815, one; and then came one of God's times to favor Zion. In 1816, seventy-eight were added to the church; * and in 1817, ten more were added as the fruits of the same harvest. During the whole time he remained with this people, a pe- riod of twenty-one years, there were received into the church two hundred and fifty-three members; previous to 1820, there were one hundred and six members admitted. The years 1830, 1831, and 1832 were distinguished by an unusual interest in this church and neighboring churches. During those years, eighty-six were added.
And, as a consequence of too frequent services in his own and neighboring churches, the health of the pastor
* A full and interesting account of this revival was published by Rev. Mr. Huntington, in the " Boston Recorder," June 10, 1817.
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
gradually failed, and he was obliged to resign his pastoral labors, which he did by a letter, which was read to the con- gregation by Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, of Randolph, March 10, 1833, and calling a meeting, on the 19th of the same month, to act upon the request. Agreeably to the notification, the church met, and Eliphalet Kingman chosen to preside. After prayer by Rev. Mr. Huntington, the subject of the request of the pastor was considered, and after careful inquiry concerning the necessity of the measure proposed, it was " Voted, unanimously, that although we most sincerely regret the necessity of the Measure proposed, yet we feel constrained by a sense of Duty to our pastor, and to the cause which both he and we profess to love, to comply with his request;" also made choice of Dea. Silvanus French- Dr. Nathan Perry, and Heman Packard, a committee to repre- sent the church before the Council, which consisted of
Rev. Luther Sheldon, D. D., First Church in Easton, Rev. Richard S. Storrs, First Church in Braintree, Rev. Melancthon G. Wheeler, First Church in Abington, Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, First Church in Randolph.
This Council convened at the house of the pastor, March 27, 1833. Rev. R. S. Storrs, moderator ; Rev. Calvin Hitch- cock, scribe. Afterward adjourned to Col. Edward South- worth's Hall, where a communication was read, presented from the church and society, in which it was declared that it was with great reluctance they consented to his dismis- sion, and as an expression for the pastor's ill health, " Voted that he be requested to accept of a liberal donation."
The Council, after maturo deliberation, voted "That in view of all the circumstances of the case before them, they are constrained, with much reluctance, to express their con, currence with the parties in reference to the dismission of Rev. Daniel Huntington, and do consider his pastoral and
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ministerial Relation as regularly dissolved, according to Ecclesiastical order," and state that
The providence of God, that has so elearly indicated this result, is deeply mysterious. When we refleet on the uninterrupted harmony of feel- ing, and the entire cordiality of the intercourse and co-operation of the pastor and the flock for more than twenty years, and add to this the fact of a constantly strengthening attachment, down to the present time, and also the remembrance of the unusual amount of blessing with which the rela- tion now dissolved has been attended, We are constrained to pause in silent wonder, and then exclaim, "Even so, Father, for so it scemeth good in thy sight." In pronouneing the relation dissolved, we feel we are but de- elaring the will of Heaven ; and most deeply do we sympathize with Each of the parties in this mutual trial. To the dearly beloved brother, with whom we have so long walked to the house of God in company, and so often taken sweet council, we give a parting hand, with emotions that cannot be uttered. We know him, - we love him ; we shall never forget him nor his toils, nor his sorrows, nor his joys, nor his paternal sympathies, nor his rich success in the cause of the redeemer; and most affectionately do we commend him as a faithful brother, and able minister of the new testament, a strenuous defender of the faith onee delivered to the Saints, and an inde- fatigable laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. Our prayers will go up to God without ecasing, that he may be fully restored to the services of the Sanctuary, and become the Spiritual father and guide of other hundreds in some other portion of our Zion ; and that he may long live, and everywhere enjoy the same hallowed confidence, and full esteem of his brethren, which have been inspired by his uniform course of conduct, in the sphere of action from which he now departs in obedience to the call of Heaven. The breth- ren of the church and the members of this society will accept the assurance of strong sympathy and unimpaired affection on the part of this council. There is no root of bitterness that has sprung up in an evil hour ; it is no diminution of your love; it is no spirit of envy or covetousness that has brought you into your present state of trial. The land of the almighty affliets you ; and will you not say, shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil? We know, beloved brethren, that hearts are ready to break, and that you sorrow most of all, lest you should see the face of your beloved pastor no more. But while we cannot chide your tears, nor wonder that you are ready to inquire, Why, Lord ? We are bound to say to you, fear not. The same God who gave you the treasure in which you have so long rejoiced still lives, and listens to the sighs and prayers of his people ; go to him, and he will sustain and direct and bless you still. The friends of your pastor will be your friends ; his brethren will be your brethren ; his God will be your God. Live in Love, cherish unity of spirit, and preserve it ever in the bonds of peace. As your sor- rows are mutual, so shall be your consolations. As your day is, your strengthi shall be. And hereafter, when the Son of man shall appear in the clouds
-
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
of heaven, may you, with your beloved and faithful pastor, and your children of many generations, stand before him, and hear from his lips the blessing, Well done, good and faithful servant; enter ye into the joy of your lord.
RICHARD S. STORRS, Moderator.
A true copy :
CALVIN HITCHCOCK, Scribe
HEMAN PACKARD, Clerk.
MINISTRY OF REV. WILLIAM THOMPSON.
Again, after the lapse of twenty-one years, is this Society called upon to fill a vacancy in their pulpit, caused by the dismission of Rev. D. Huntington .* March 19, 1833, " Voted to choose a committee of five, to supply with preaching," and Darius Littlefield, Heman Packard, Capt. Jeremiah Beals, Lieut. Ephraim Cole, and Dea. Silvanus French, were chosen said committee.
June 13th, 1833. At a meeting of the Parish, held this day, "Voted to give Rev. William Thompson a call to settle with them as their pastor. Mr. Thompson, however, wishing for time to consider the matter, gave his decision July 24, accepting the invitation of the Society ; and they " Voted to have the ordination Sept. 18, 1833." +
Accordingly, an Ecclesiastical Council was held at the house of Silas Packard, Esq., Sept. 17, at nine o'clock, A. M., for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Thompson, which consisted of the following :-
Rev. Joel H. Lindsey, of Park St. Church, Boston ; Zachariah Gurney, Delegate.
Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D. D., West Randolph ; Ezekiel French, Delegate.
Rev. David Brigham, East Randolph ;
Ezra Thayer, Delegate ;
* Rev. D. Huntington removed to New London, Conn., and engaged in teaching a private school of young ladies, preaching only occasionally, where he remainep till called to settle at Campello, Mass., Jan. 1, 1840.
t Afterwards changed to the seventeenth.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Rev. Baalis Sanford, Union Church, E. and W. Bridgewater ; Samuel Rider, Delegate.
Rev. Ebenezer Gay, Trinitarian Church, Bridgewater; Isaac Fobes, Delegate.
Rev. Luther Sheldon, Easton ; Giles Randall, Delegate.
Rev. John Codman, Dorchester ;
Dea. Charles Howe, Delegate.
Rev. Daniel Huntington, New London, Conn. (former pastor).
The Council proceeded to examine the papers as laid be- fore them, and receiving testimonials of Mr. Thompson's church standing and theological studies, with his approba- tion to preach the gospel, and examining him as to his views and acquaintance with experimental religion, and becoming fully satisfied with them, it was " voted unanimously to proceed to ordain him."
The following was the order of exercises : -
1. Voluntary, by the Choir; 2. Anthem; 3. Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Ebenezer Gay, of Bridgewater; 4. Hymn : " There is a stream, whose gentle flow ; " 1
5. Sermon by Rev. Joel H. Lindsey, of Park Street Church, Boston, text, 2 Cor. ii. 16, " And who is sufficient for these things ?" 6. Ordaining Prayer, by Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D. D., of Randolph ; 7. Hymn, tune " Old Hundred : "_
1 Great Lord of angels, we adore, The grace that builds thy courts below ; And through ten thousand sons of light, Stops to regard what mortals do.
2 Amidst the wastes of time and death, Successive pastors thou dost raise, Thy charge to keep, thy house to guide, And form a people for thy praise.
3 At length, dismissed from feeble clay, Thy servants join th' angelie band ; With them, through distant worlds they fly ; With them before thy presenec stand.
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
4 Oh, glorious hope ! oh, blest employ ! Sweet lenitive of grief and eare ! When shall we reach those radiant courts, And all their joy and honor share ?
5 Yet while these labors we pursue, Thus distant from thy heavenly throne, Give us a zeal and love like theirs, And half their heaven shall here be known.
8. Charge to Pastor, by Rev. Daniel Huntington; 9. Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. Baalis Sanford, of East Bridge- water; 10. Address to the Church and Society, by Rev. Dan- iel Huntington ; 11. Anthem,
" Let us, with a joyful mind ; '
12. Concluding Prayer, by Rev. David Brigham, of East Ran- dolph ; 13. Doxology,
" Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ; "
14. Benediction, by the Pastor.
The day was unusually pleasant, and the exercises very interesting and satisfactory to all present.
Mr. Thompson continued with this people but a short time, owing to a pressing call from a new Theological Seminary at East Windsor, Conn., which he received in September, 1834, and which, after one refusal, and another urgent call, he was led to accept, and where he now labors as " Profes- sor of Biblical Literature," at East Windsor, Conn. The Council, called for advice in relation to the request of Rev. Mr. Thompson for dismission, convened at the house of Silas Packard, Esq., Sept. 4, 1834, and consisted of the following persons : -
Those chosen by the Pastor were, -
Rev. John Codman, D. D., of Dorchester; Rev. Daniel Dana, D. D., of Newburyport, Mass .; Rev. George W. Blag- den, D. D., of Salem Street Church, Boston; Rev. Elisha Fisk, of Wrentham, Mass .; Rev. Lyman Matthews, of Braintree.
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Those appointed by the Church and Society were, -
Rev. Warren Fay, D. D., of Charlestown, Mass .; Rev. S. Gile, of Milton; Rev. Jacob Ide, of Medway, Mass .; Rev. Sylvester Holmes, of New Bedford, Mass .; Rev. Erastus Maltby, of Taunton, Mass.
The claims of the Seminary were strongly urged by Rev. Dr. Tyler, president of the institution, in behalf of the trustees ; and the claims of the society and church were represented by Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D. D., of Randolph, in a very able manner. The Council, after considerable discussion and deliberation, "voted that the relation be- tween Rev. William Thompson and the Church be dissolved." The society held a meeting Sept. 5, 1834, and "voted to accept of the report of the Council," which is as follows : -
The removal of settled pastors from their charges, endangers in a high degree the best interests of the churches, and is not to be encouraged except where circumstances seem clearly and imperiously to demand it. Such cir- cumstances in the present, interesting state of the world, when so much is doing for the cause of Christ, must be expected to occur. And when they do, are to be met with a spirit of expanded benevolence, both by churches, and their pastors ; especially should this be the case, when the Theological Seminaries of our land call upon us, for those, who, by talent, experience, acquisitions, and more than all, by practical piety, are nceded to instruct those who are to be under shepherds of the flocks of the Redeemer. In yielding up their pastors to such claims when clearly and affectionately pre- sented, the churches emphatically give, and have given to them again in full measure, pressed down and running over. When other pastors sent forth by the instrumentality of him who was once their own, becoming willing and efficient workmen, in many parts of the Lord's vineyard, such is the call now made upon this beloved church by one of these institutions, and the council would affectionately suggest that in considering this call, it is important that the church should contemplate the relations to the vital in- terests of the whole of Zion sustained by such seminaries, and reflect also upon the fact that as they are dependent in a great measure on such institu- tions for faithful workmen, who shall go forth and reap the harvest of the world now white for their entrance, it becomes them to cherish toward them no common interest, but to be ready to sustain them by their most earnest endeavors ; especially should this be the case when it is remembered that the instructors in these seminaries, since they are to teach those who are to be future pastors, should be previously taught themselves, in the field of practical labor, and must therefore generally come from our churches. Im-
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
pressed with such sentiments, this council do advise this church to acquiesce in the late decision of their beloved pastor, and resign him to what he be- lieves to be the call of the great Head of the church.
Some of the council desire it to be stated that they have come to this de- eision without deciding on the merits of the Theological Institute of Connec- ticut, but solely on the ground of Mr. Thompson's strong conviction of duty, and would express their opinion that but for such a conviction now publicly and clearly expressed, he might still be more useful in this present sphere of labor. The council recommend that the adoption of this result should be understood by the church, and society, as dissolving the connection between them and their beloved pastor ; and in announcing this result they wish to express their strong sympathy in the self-denial the contemplated separa- tion must cost them, and to assure them of their fervent prayers in their be- half. To this people, it may be difficult to resign a pastor to whom their attachment is so strong, and in whom confidence is so entire. This trial seems to be aggravated by dissolving this happy relation so soon after it had been formed. All this the council most deeply feel, yet we confide in God to sustain and guide you in this day of your affliction. And here our confi- dence in your future course and prospects is greatly strengthened by a recol- leetion of your unanimity in the changes through which you have passed, while we commend you to the great Head of the church, we fervently pray that you may remain of one mind, and soon be perfectly united in another pastor, who shall guide you, and your children, to that rest where the pain of separation shall be known no more.
JOHN CODMAN, Moderator. ERASTUS MALTBY, Scribe.
A true copy of the original result.
ERASTUS MALTBY, Scribe.
MINISTRY OF REV. PAUL COUCH.
AT a meeting of the Society held July 20, 1835, it was " voted to unite with the Church in giving Rev. Paul Couch * a Call to settle with us in the ministry, not one dissenting vote." Also "Voted that we offer the Rev. Mr. Couch an annual Salary of Seven Hundred and fifty dollars, and also a Gift of One Hundred and fifty dollars."
August 9th. Chose a committee of five to confer with Mr. Couch, and agree upon a council. Capt. Jeremiah Beals,
* Rev. Paul Couch was born in Newburyport, 1803 ; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1823, Andover Theological Seminary, 1826; was ordained at West New- bury, Mass., March, 1827, Bethlehem, Conn., 1829, where he preached till he came to this town, in 1834.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Eliphalet Kingman, Esq., Jesse Perkins, Esq., Nahum Per- kins, and Dea. Sylvanus French were selected for that pur- pose, who agreed upon the following persons : -
Rev. Ebenczer Gay, Trinitarian Church, Bridgewater ; Cornelius Holmes, Delegate.
Rev. Baalis Sanford, Union Church, E. and W. Bridgewater ; Dea. John Soule, Delegate.
Rev. James W. Ward, First Church in Abington ; Richard Vining, Delegate.
Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, West Randolph ; Ezekiel French, Delegate.
Rev. David Brigham, East Randolph ;
Thaddeus French, Delegate.
Rev. Erastus Maltby, Trinitarian, Taunton ; George B. Atwood, Delegate.
Rev. John Codman, Second Congregational Church, Dorchester ; Dea. Charles Howe, Delegate.
Rev. David Sanford, Dorchester.
Rev. Samuel Gile, D. D., Milton.
Rev. Jonas Perkins, D. D., Braintree.
Rev. Daniel Huntington, New London, Conn. (former Pastor).
Rev. Luther Sheldon, D. D., First Church, Easton ; Caleb Pratt, Delegate.
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1835, being the day agreed upon for his installation, Col. Nathan Jones, Captain Jeremiah Beals, and Jesse Perkins were chosen a committee to make ar- rangements for that day.
The following was the order of exercises : -
1. Voluntary, by the Choir ; 2. Anthem, by Haydn, - " Wake the song of Jubilee ; "
3. Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Erastus Maltby ; 4. Original Hymn, by their former pastor, Rev. D. Huntington : -
1 Herald of our Saviour God, Welcome, welcome, in his name ! Sound his wondrous grace abroad ; All his boundless love proclaim.
.
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
2 Sinners renewed - lost - defiled, Shall the joyful news receive : Cleansed, restored, and reconciled, - Bless his holy name, and live.
3 To each bruised and bleeding heart, Gilead's healing balm apply ; Hope to trembling souls impart ; Wipe the tear from sorrow's eye.
4 Through Emanuel's favored land, Sound the trump of Jubilee ! Bid the prison-doors expand ; Hail the ransomed captives free.
5. Sermon, by Rev. John Codman, D. D .; 6. Consecrating Prayer, by Rev. Jonas Perkins, D. D .; 7. Original Hymn, by Rev. D. Huntington :
1 Ascended Saviour, thee we praise ; For all thy truth and kindness shown, Accept the honors that we raise, And smile upon us from thy throne.
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