History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 121

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 121

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MINISTRY OF REV. DANIEL HUNTINGTON .- For a third time this society were called to settle a pastor. Their next minister was Rev. Daniel Huntington, who came from New London, Conn., to North Bridgewater early in the spring of 1812, and, after preaching a few weeks, received a unanimous call to become their pastor. The following are some of the votes which were passed at the legal meetings of the society :

At a meeting held Dec. 23, 1811, it was " voted that thursday the 19th day of December be kept a Day of fasting and prayer for Divine Direction to a parson to settle with us-in the work of the minis- try, and that the parish committee apply to Dr John Reed, Rev Mr Strong, and Rev Mr Sheldon to assist, and that the committee provide for them."

March 23, 1812, " Voted to choose a Committee of Seven men to procure a candidate or candidates to supply the pulpit, and made choice of Gideon Howard Esq, Howard Cary Esq, Dea Ichabod How- ard, Abel Kingman Esq, Dca David Edson, Caleb Howard Esq, and Capt Zachariah Gurney."

A meeting was held July 13, 1812, " To see if the Parish are united in Mr Daniel Huntington as a preacher of the Gospell," it was " voted unanimously in favor of Mr Daniel Huntington," "and to use means to procure him to supply the pulpit prepara- tory to a settlement." " Voted that the Committee already chosen to perform that Duty use their dis- cretion either to apply personally or by letter."

Aug. 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 Dollars as settlement and Seven Hundred dollars as an annual salary, or Seven Hundred and fifty Dollars, to be paid annually so long as he remain our minister." Capt. Jesse Per- kins, Deacon David Edson, Deacon 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 Min- istry :

"SIR,-Whereas the Grate head of the Church in his wise and Righteous Providence has seen fit that this church and

the

577

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

Society should be Destitute of a pastor, we are desirous to have the regular administration of gospel ordinances 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 congregation in Bridgewater, do hereby give you solemu 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 gentlemen, viz. : Capt. Jesse Perkins, Dea. David Edson. Dea. Ichabod Howard, Caleb Howard, Esq., Howard Cary, Esq., Joseph Syl- vester, 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 deliberation on so solemn and important a Subject.

" Signed by order and in behalf of said Parish.

" MOSES CARY, Moderator. " JESSE PERKINS, Parish Clerk.

"BRIDGEWATER, Aug. 17, 1812."

Answer.

" To the members of the fourth Church and Society in Bridge- water :

" Sept. 14, 1812.

" BRETHREN AND FRIENDS : Having taken into serious and prayerful consideration 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 ex- pression of your wish and the pecuniary provision which evinces its sincerity, as indicative of the will of onr 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 readi- ness 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 Presby- tery to put me in trust with the Gospel. With Regard to choice of compensation which was left me by your note, I would in- form you that the first offer, viz. : Seven Hundred as a settle- ment, and Seven Hundred as an annual salary is preferred and accepted.

" Yet before the question of my settlement among you is fully concluded, suffer me to present to you a few requests, Which I believe it cannot be incompatible with your interest to grant, and, First. It is my wish that for the words ' until it is needful to procure another minister in his room,' which is annexed as a limitation to your offer of a salary, the following may be sub- Etituted : '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 pur- pose, that my letter addressed through the hands of Silas Pack- ard, 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 bealth. I must request the privilege of exemption from parochial duty for three weeks annually. Shall these regnests be granted ?

" Brethren and Friends, I shall cheerfully give myself to the work of the ministry among yon, confidently hoping that you will receive me in brotherly love, and constantly exercise towards me that christian tenderness and candor, for which delicacy and responsibility of my situation will so loudly call above all, trusting that you will not cease to supplicate the God 37

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 Council met on the Twenty-Eighth Day of October, consisting of Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D.D., of South Bridgewater ; Rev. John Reed, D.D., of West Bridgewater; Rev. James Flint, D.D., of East Bridgewater; Rev. Daniel Thomas, of Abing- ton; 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 .; to- gether with their delegates," and he was duly in- stalled as pastor of the " Fourth Church in Bridge- water." 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 Boston, a brother of the pastor-elect, then pastor of the Old South Church in Boston, extended the right hand of fellowship.

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 recov- ering 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 pro- fession, and onc 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 (a full and interesting account of this revival was pub- lished by Rev. Mr. Huntington in the Boston Re- corder, June 10, 1817), and in 1817 ten more were added as the fruits of the same harvest. During the whole time he remained with this people, a period 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 ad- mitted. The years 1830, 1831, and 1832 were dis- tinguished by an unusual interest in this church and neighboring churches. During those years eighty six were added.

578

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

As a consequence of too frequent services in his own and neighboring churches the health of the pastor gradually failed, and he was obliged to resign his pastoral labors, which he did by a letter, which was read to the congregation by Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, of Randolph, March 10, 1833, and calling a mecting 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 sin- cerely 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 Deacon Silvanus French, Dr. Nathan Perry, and Heman Packard a committee to represent 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. Melanc- thon 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 Hitchcock scribe. Afterward adjourned to Col. Edward Southworth's hall, where a communica- tion was read, presented from the church and society, in which it was declared that it was with great reluct- ance they consented to his dismission, and as an ex- pression for the pastor's ill health, " Voted that he be requested to accept of a liberal donation."

The council, after mature deliberation, voted "that in view of all the circumstances of the case before them they are constrained, with much reluctance, to express their concurrence with the parties in reference to the dismission of Rev. Daniel Huntington, and do consider his pastoral and ministerial Relation as regu- larly dissolved according to Ecclesiastical order," and state that,-

"The providence of God, that has so clearly indicated this result, is deeply mysterious. When we reflect on tho un- interrupted harmony of feeling, and the entire cordiality of the intercourse and co-operation of tho pastor and the flock for more than twenty years, and add to this the fart of a con- stantly strengthening attachment, down to the present time, and also the remembrance of the unusual amount of blessing with which the relation now dissolved has been attended, we are constrained to pause in silent wonder, and then exclaim, ' Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight.' In pro- nouncing the relation dissolved, we feel we are but declaring 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 havo 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 bim,-we love him ; we shall nover forgot 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 affection- ately do we commend him as a faithful brother, and able min- ister of the new testament, a strenuous defender of the faith once delivered to the Saints, and an indefatigable laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. Our prayers will go up to God without ceasing, 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 portions 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 brethren of the church and the members of this society will ac- cept 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 hand of the Almighty afflicts 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 sorrows are mutual, so shall be your consolations. As your day is, your strength shall be. And hereafter, when the Son of man shall appear in the clouds 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. " CALVIN HITCHCOCK, Scribe.

" A true copy :

" HEMAN PACKARD, Clerk."

Rev. Mr. Huntington was afterwards settled for several years over the South Congregational Church and Society at Campello.

Rev. Daniel Huntington removed to New London, Conn., and engaged in teaching a private school of young ladies, preaching only occasionally, where he remained till called to settle at Campello, Mass., Jan. 1, 1840.

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, He- man Packard, Capt. Jeremiah Beals, Licut. Ephraim Cole, and Deacou Sylvanus Freuch were chosen said committee.

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579

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

June 13, 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. Thomp- son. however, wishing for time to consider the mat- ter. gave his decision July 24th, accepting the invi- tation of the society, and they "voted to have the ordination Sept. 18, 1833." (Afterwards changed to the 17th.)

Accordingly, an ecclesiastical council was held at the house of Silas Packard, Esq., September 17th, at nine o'clock A.M .. for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Thompson, which consisted of the following :

Rev. Joel H. Lindsey, of Park Street Church, Boston ; Zachariah Gurney, delegate.

Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D.D., West Randolph ; Ezekiel French, delegate.

Rev. David Brigham, East Randolph ; Ezra Thayer, delegate.

Rev. Baalis Sanford, Union Church, East and West Bridgewater ; Samuel Rider, delegate.

Rev. Ebenezer Gay, Trinitarian Church, Bridge- water ; Isaac Fobes, delegate.

Rev. Luther Sheldon, Easton ; Giles Randall, del- egate.

Rev. John Codman, Dorchester ; Deacon Charles Howe, delegate.

Rev. Daniel Huntington, New London, Conn. (former pastor).

The council proceeded to examine the papers as laid before them, and receiving testimonials of Mr. Thompson's church-standing and theological studies, with his approbation to preach the gospel, and ex- amining 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, intro- ductory prayer, by Rev. Ebenezer Gay, of Bridge- water; 4, hymn,-" There is a stream, whose gentle flow ;" 5, sermon, by Rev. Joel H. Lindsey, of Park Street Church, Boston, text, 2 Cor. ii. 16, " And who is sufficient for thesc things ?" 6, ordaining prayer, by Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D.D., of Randolph; 7, hymn, tune " Old Hundred," --

"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.

" Amid-t the wastes of time and death, Succereive pastors thou dost raise,

Thy charge to keep, thy house to guide, And form a people for thy praise.

" At length, dismissed from feeble clay, Thy servants join th' angelic band ;

With them, through distant worlds they fly ; With them before thy presence stand.

"Oh, glorious hope ! oh, blest employ ! Sweet lenitive of grief and care !

When shall we reach those radiant courts, And all their joy and honor share ?

" 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 Bridgewater; 10, address to the church and society, by Rev. Daniel Huntington ; 11, anthem,- "Let us, with the joyful mind;" 12, concluding prayer, by Rev. David Brigham, of East Randolph ; 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 theo- logical 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 " Professor 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. Blagden, D.D., of Salem Street Church, Boston; Rev. Elisha Fisk, of Wrentham, Mass .; Rev. Lyman Matthews, of Braintree.

Those appointed by the church and society were as follows :

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 delibera- tion, " voted that the relation between Rev. Wil- liam Thompson and the Church be dissolved." The

580

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

society held a meeting Sept. 5, 1834, and " voted to accept of the report of the Council," which is as fol- lows :

"The removal of settled pastors frem their charges endangers in a high degree the best interests of the churches, and is not to ho encouraged except whore circumstances seem clearly and imperiously to demand it. Such circumstances in the present interesting state of the world, when so much is doing for the cause of Christ, must be expected te occur. And when they do, are to be met with a spirit of expanded benevolence, hoth hy churches and their pastors. Especially should this he the case when the Theological Seminaries of our land call upon us for those who, by talent, experience, acquisitions, and, more than all, hy practical picty, are needed te instruct those who are to be under shepherds of the flocks of the Redeemer. In yield- ing up their pastors to such claims, when clearly and affection- ately presented, the churches emphatically give, and have given, te them again in full measure, pressed down and running over.

" When other pastors sent forth by the instrumentality of bim who was ence their own, becoming willing and efficient work- men 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 shoukl centemplate the relations to the vital interests of the whole of Zion sustained by such seminaries, and reflect also upon the fact that as they are dependent in a great measure en such institutions for faithful workmen, who shall go forth and reap the harvest of the world now white for their entrance, it becomes tbem to cherish toward them no common interest, hut to be ready to sustain them by their most earnest endeavors. Especially sbould 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 he previously taught themselves in the field of practical lahor, and must therefore generally come from our churches. Im- 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 believes to be the call of the great Head of the church.

"Some of the council desire it to be stated that they have ceme te this decision without deciding on the merits ef the Theological Institute of Connecticut, but solely on the ground ef 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 he more useful in this present sphere of lahor. 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 separation must cost them, and to assure them of their fervent prayers in their behalf. To this people it may be difficult to resign a pastor to whem their attachment is so strong, and in whom confidence is so entire. This trial scoms 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 te sustain and guide you in this day of your affliction. And here eur confidence in your future course and prospects is greatly strengthoned hy a recellection of your una- nimity in the changes through which you have passed, while we commend you to the great Head of tho church, we fer- vently pray that you may remain of ono mind, and soon be perfectly united in another pastor, whe shall guide you and

your children to that rest where the pain of separation shall be knewn ne 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 dis- senting 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 eon- fer with Mr. Couch and agree upon a couneil. Capt. Jeremiah Beals, Eliphalet Kingman, Esq., Jesse Per- kins, Esq., Nahum Perkins, and Deaeon Sylvanus Freneh were selected for that purpose, who agreed upon the following persons :

Rev. Ebenezer Gay, Trinitarian Church, Bridge- water; Cornelius Holmes, delegate.

Rev. Baalis Sanford, Union Church, East and West Bridgewater; Deacon John Soule, delegate.

Rev. James W. Ward, First Church in Abington ; Richard Vining, delegate.

Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, West Randolph ; Ezekiel Freneh, delegate.

Rev. David Brigham, East Randolph ; Thaddeus Freneh, delegate.

Rev. Erastus Maltby, Trinitarian, Taunton ; George B. Atwood, delegate.

Rev. John Codman, Seeond Congregational Church, Dorehester; Deacon Charles Howe, delegate.

Rev. David Sanford, Dorehester.

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, Capt. Jeremiah Beals, and Jesse Perkins were chosen a committee to make arrangements for that day.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 121

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706