History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 127

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 127

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"We believe that, whosoever will may come and partake the blessings of this great salration, as they are freely and sincerely offered in the Gospel, yet that none of our apostate race are, of themselves, disposed to forsake sin and devote themselves to God, in heart and life, so that it rests with him, in the exercise of his sovereign wisdom and goodness, to have mercy on whom he will have mercy; making his Gospel effectual to their con- viction and conversion, hy the attendant energy of his Holy Spirit.

" We believe that none who are thus made partakers of the heavenly calling shall he finally deprived of the grace which was given them in Christ Jesns before the world hegan, hut that they shall all he kept hy the power of God, through faith nnto salvation.

" We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ shall appear again at the last day to judge the quick and dead; that he will then receive to mansions of eternal rest all who have truly believed and obeyed his Gospel, and sentence to everlasting destruction from his presence, and from the glory of his power, all who have died, or who shall then he found living in impenitence and unbelief.

" Covenant.

" Humbly hoping that these truths have come, not only to onr understanding hnt to our hearts, 'in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in mnch assurance,' and that we have been enabled to receive them with that faith which purifies the heart and works by love, and in the exercise of that repentance which is unto life, We do now solemnly avonch the Lord Jehovah to be onr God, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to be our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit to be our Sanctifier.

"Depending on divine grace for spiritual strength and com- fort, we take the word of God as our only rule of faith and practice, avowing it to be our supreme desire and solemn deter- mination to seek his glory and his favor in obedience to all his holy will. Accordingly, we engage to nnite in maintaining and attending on the ministry of his word and ordinances, as he shall give us ability and opportunity, to be thereby edified in onr holy faith. We submit ourselves, individually, to the broth- erly watch and discipline of the community which we hereby form, and mutually engage to watch over, to exhort, to assist, comfort, and admonish each other in brotherly love, as our rela- tion and circumstances may require."

The next thing done, after the formation of the church, was to find a man to preach to them. After hearing many candidates, at a meeting held Jan. 9, 1837, the church and society "voted to give Rev. Thomas Kidder, of Waterbury, Vt., a call to settle with them in the ministry, and to give him a salary

of Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars per year." This call was not accepted.

MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN DWIGHT .- Rev. John Dwight, of Medway, Mass., was then invited to be- come their pastor by a vote passed March 7, 1837, to whom the society offered six hundred dollars as a yearly salary. This was accepted, and Josiah W. Kingman, Esq., Ziba Keith, Deacon Jacob Fuller, and Bela Keith, Esq., were chosen a committee to make arrangements for his installation. The day being fixed for the ordination, a council was called, who met at the house of Josiah W. Kingman, Esq., consisting of the following persons, April 12, 1837, namely : Rev. Jacob Ide, of West Medway, Mass. ; Rev. Joseph Bennett, of Woburn; Rev. Paul Couch, of North Bridgewater; Rev. Luther Sheldon, of Easton ; Rev. Baalis Sanford, of East Bridgewater; Rev. James W. Ward, of Abington ; Rev. Jonas Perkins, of Braintree ; Rev. Calvin Hitch- cock, of Randolph ; Rev. Ebenezer Gay, of Bridge- water ; Rev. Calvin E. Park, of Stoughton ; and Rev. John Dwight was duly ordained as their pastor.

Rev. John Dwight was born in Shirley, Mass., Jan. 2, 1810 ; fitted for college at Woburn Academy ; taught school in Woburn two terms; graduated at Amherst College in 1835 ; studied theology with Rev. Jacob Ide, D D., of West Medway, Mass .; licensed to preach by the Mendon Association in the early part of 1837; received a call to scttle over the South Church in Campello, Mass., in 1837; was ordained April 12, 1837 ; dismissed in March, 1839 ; installed over the Second Church in Plymouth, Mass., July 18, 1841 ; dismissed in March, 1846; installed pastor of the church in North Wrentham, Mass., June 23, 1853; dismissed April 1, 1856. He married Sarah Ann Hastings, of Boston, April 14, 1837, and has six children, all of whom reside at Massachusetts.

Mr. Dwight labored with his people until Jan. 2, 1839, when a council was called, as follows :

Agreeable to letters missive from the South Church in North Bridgewater (Campello), an ccclesiastical council was held at the house of Josiah W. King- man, Esq., on Wednesday, the second day of Janu- ary, 1839, for the purpose of considering the request of Mr. Dwight for a dissolution of the pastoral rela- tions between the church and people. The churches composing this council were as follows:

Church of Stoughton : Rev. Calvin Park, pastor ; Deacon Fisher Gay, delegate.

Church of Easton : Rev. Luther Sheldon, pastor ; Deacon Harrison Mitchell, delegate.

Church of West Randolph : Rev. Calvin Hitch- cock, pastor ; Horatio B. Alden, delegate.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Church of Bridgewater : Rev. Ebenezer Gay, pas- tor ; Deacon Morton Eddy, delegate.

Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. Baalis Sanford, pastor; John Richards, dele- gate.

Church of East Randolph : Rev. Dennis Powers, pastor ; Abner Derby, delegate.

First Church of Abington : Rev. J. W. Ward, pastor ; Zibeon Packard, delegate.

First Church of North Bridgewater : Eliphalet Kingman, delegate.

Rev. Dr. Park was chosen moderator ; Rev. J. W. Ward, scribe.

The council, after mature deliberation, voted,

" unanimously, That under the existing circumstances they deem it expedient that the pastoral relation between Mr. John Dwight and the South Church in North Bridgewater be dis- solved.

Voted, "unanimously, that this council give the Rev. John Dwight a full and cordial recommendation to the churches of our Lord Jesus Christ as a pious, able, and devoted embassador of our Lord and Saviour.

Voted, "That the council deeply regret the practice frequent at the present day of the dissolution of the pastoral relations on trivial grounds as exceedingly injurious to the interests of the pastor and church, and the cause of Zion, and do, therefore, record their decided and unanimous disapprobation of the practice.

"The council tender to the Rev. John Dwight their cordial sympathics, now vacating this portion of his Master's vineyard, and pray that he may soon be stationed on some part of the walls of Zion, and where he may meet with distinguished suc- cess, employ his time and talents in advancing the best inter- ests of the church of God.

" They would also tender their cordial sympathies to this Church and Society, now left as sheep without a shepherd, and devoutly pray that the great Head of the church may continue to prosper and bless them and soon send them an under-shep. herd, who may break to them the bread of lifo.

" CALVIN PARK, Moderator. " J. W. WARD, Scribe.

" A true Copy.

" Attest : JASON KEITH, Clerk."

MINISTRY OF REV. DANIEL HUNTINGTON .- Various preachers were heard from that time until November, when, at a meeting of the society, held Nov. 19, 1839, it was " voted to unite with the church in giving Rev. Daniel Huntington, of New London, Conn., a call to become their pastor." Josiah W. Kingman, Charles Keith, and Deacon Sylvanus French were chosen a committee to confer with Rev. Mr. Huntington, and offer him . six hundred dollars salary, which offer being accepted, a council, consist- ing of Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Braintree ; Rev. Ebenezer Gay, of Bridgewater; Rev. Luther Sheldon, of Easton ; Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, of Ran- dolph ; Rev. Jonas Perkins, of Braintree; Rev. Baalis Sanford, of East Bridgewater; Rev. Paul

Couch, of North Bridgewater, was called for the pur- pose of installing him as their pastor, Jan. 1, 1840. He continued to preach to this people till May, 1851, when Mr. Huntington, thinking the time had come for him to relinquish his labors, " that some one might fill his place whose influence might the more effectu- ally call forth its resources, and more equalize the pecuniary liabilities," asked that a council be called to consider the question of his dismission, which was granted. A meeting of the church and society was held, and a strong opposition to his dismission being manifested, the council unanimously declared them- selves " happy to find, in the light of all the docu- ments before them, and the verbal assurances given them by the pastor on the one hand, and the com- mittee of the church and society on the other, that there is no sufficient ground for such action as is indi- cated, by the letter missive, in the existing circum- stances of the parties concerned ;" and Mr. Hunting- ton finally withdrew his resignation, and continued to supply the pulpit as before uztil the regular yearly meeting, April 18, 1853, when he was requested to resign his position. He therefore tendered his resig- nation to the church at a meeting held May 2, 1853, and asked for a council to be convened for the purpose of his dismission. The following persons composed the council, viz. :

First Church in Braintree: Richard S. Storrs, D.D., pastor ; Jonathan Wild, M.D., delegate.

Union Church of Weymouth and Braintree : Rev. Jonas Perkins, pastor.

Trinity Church of Bridgewater : Rev. David Brig- ham, pastor ; Oliver Allen, delegate.

Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Rev. Baalis Sanford, pastor; Deacon Nathan Whitman, delegate.

First Church of Abington : Rev. James W. Ward, pastor ; Joshua Whitmarsh, delegate.

The council was organized by the choice of Rev. Dr. Richard S. Storrs as moderator, and Rev. James W. Ward as scribe.

This council met at nine o'clock A.M., May 11, 1853, when the relation between pastor and people was dissolved. After due deliberation the council came to the following result :

" Doubtless sufficient reasons may oxist for the dissolution of the pastoral rolation, independently of Providential calls to sta- tions of increasod responsibility, and of the summons to give ao- count of ono's stewardship at the tribunal of God. Tho failure of health, the loss of intellectual vigor or moral character on the part of tho pastor ; the unfriendlinoss of influential individuals, tho exhaustod resources of church and congregation, or the long and total suspension of divino influences, may indicato the ex- pediency, not to say the nooossity, of terminating the connec-

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

tion between the pastor and his flock. Even in cases like these, it is more than probable that, had patience its perfect work, and were a more humble reliance on God maintained, the plea of ex- pedieney or necessity would be nullified by the onward progress of time. But in the case before the council to-day, neither fail- ure of health, loss of intellectual vigor nor moral character .- neither individual nnfriendliness, exhausted resources, nor want of success in the ministry, is or can be urged as the ground either of the tender or acceptance of the pastor's resignation ; his health 'never was better : his character, in whatever aspect viewed, has never stood higher, nor has he an acknowledged enemy within the church or outside of it, and the congregation has been growing in wealth ever since he came to it, while the church has doubled its numbers; he loves his people warmly, and with one consent they profess to reciprocate his love. Such is the testimony. hoth of those who wish the pastoral relation dissolved, and those who deprecate the means ; and yet, at their mutual request. this council is assembled to 'advise and assist' in the question of his dismission.

" After previous advice. kindly given aud received two years ago, but now overlooked, and without any important change iu the circumstances of the parties. nothing remains to the coun- cil but, agreeably to the earnest request of the pastor and the corresponding action of the church without the assignment of any satisfactory reasons on the part of the church, to declare the pastoral relation hitherto subsisting between Rev. D. Hunt- ington and the Sonth Church in North Bridgewater to be dis- solved by their mutual agreement. While making this decla- ration, the council feel bound, by regard to the honor of the ministry aud the sacredness of truth, to affirm of the pastor, in accordance with the statements made to them, that for no fault of his own is this dissolution accomplished. That having been long tried and well known to all the pastors and churches of the region ronud abont, as a man of unblemished character, a Chris- tiau of deep experience, a minister of uncommon talent, fidelity, aud affectionateness, aud a model of meekness, self-denial, and devotedness to the interests of Zion, he possesses our entire con- fidence and warmest love; and he is hereby most cordially and unreservedly commended to the fraternal regards of all minis- ters and churches among whom his future lot shall be cast, as well as to the safe conduct of ' Him who dwelt in the hush,' and led his people of old into the promised land.

" And most cordially do the conncil sympathize with those specially afflicted by the bereaving event of this day. Most deeply do they lament existing trials, whether real or imagin- ary ; and most affectionately advise to a more patient waiting on God in the future, and a firmer reliance on his almighty arm in support of the ministry of his appointment. And if be shall give you another pastor hereafter, as we fervently hope and pray, may he be equally a man of God's own heart as the man yon lose to-day, aud a man whose instructions shall be as pure, whose life shall be as exemplary, whose spirit shall be az affectionate, whose fidelity shall be as clear to all meu, and whose success shall be far more abundant in eradicating the love of money, which is the root of all evil, in winning souls to Christ and filling heaven with hallelujahs to the Lamb that was slain ; and for this, may your faith and love grow exceedingly, and your labors abound more and more, till yon shall be called to join the general assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven.

"R. S. STORRS, Moderator. "J. W. WARD, Scribe.

" A True Copy. " Attest : JAMES W. WARD."

Jedediah, and grandson of Gen. Jabez Huntington, of Norwich, Conn., both of whom were generals in the army of the Revolution (1775), also brother of the late Rev. Joshua Huntington, of the Old South Church, Boston. He was born at Norwich, Conn., Oct. 17, 1788 ; graduated at Yale College, New Haven, Conn., in 1807; studied theology ; and was first ordained at North Bridgewater, Oct. 28, 1812, where he remained as pastor of the First Congrega- tional Church until prostrating disease compelled him to retire from that field of labor, greatly to his own grief and that of a devoted church and society, in March, 1833, being dismissed by council March 27, 1833. In May following, he removed his family to New London. After a brief respite from pastoral labors, he gained sufficient strength to gratify his fine literary taste in the instruction of successive classes of young ladies in the higher branches of an educational course while a resident of New London, the city of his birth and death. In this employment, combined with occasional preaching as returning health per- mitted, seven years passed away usefully and pleas- antly. At the end of this period his heart yearned for a return to the labors of his love; and receiving an earnest call from a portion of his original church and congregation to take charge of them in the Lord, he cheerfully consented to the arrangement, and was re- ceived not only by them, but by the original church, and all the churches and pastors who had known his going out and coming in in former years with open arms. His installation took place Jan. 1, 1840, where he continued to labor for thirteen years as a gospel preacher, winning souls to Christ, and making glad the hearts of all by his tender love and faithfulness. At the end of that period he tendered his resignation, May 2, 1853, which was accepted, and he was per- mitted to retire to the home of his youth, and pass the evening of his days amid the scenes of his earliest as- pirations. From that day, for about six years, till near the time of his departure, he continued to preach the gospel " in season and out of season" as " the open door was set before him," all the while setting his house in order. At the moment when his Master called him he was diligent in business, fervent in spirit. serving the Lord, preaching his last sermon to the mission church at Mohegan, just four weeks be- fore the messenger of death met him.

The physical sufferings of his last days were very great, owing to the complicated diseases which, with fierce strength, assailed his delicate frame, but his patience and faith failed not,-no complaining or murmuring word fell from his lips,-his mind was

Rev. Daniel Huntington was the son of Gen. clear and unclouded to the last. To the affectionate

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

daughter who was trying to arrange the pillows for his aching head he said, " Let me go, for the day brcaketh," and to another, who asked if he would not lie down, he answered, " Lay me down in Jesus' arms: 'other refuge have I none.'" To a brother according to the flesh, who said to him, " I hope you can say, with the apostle, ' I know in whom I have believed,' " he replied, after a moment's pause, "I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day." Thus closed a life eminently devoted in its progress to the happi- ness of his family and friends, to the honor of his Redeemer, and the salvation of men, in peace, and the joyful hope of a glorious immortality. Mr. Huntington was a man of refined sensibilities, gen- erous sympathies, unfeigned humility, and extreme modesty (that imposed a restraint on the putting forth of his native genius), of pleasant aspect, voice, and manner, of genial humor, and gifted with good judg- ment. He sought to make home agreeable to chil- dren and guests; as a man and companion, affable, courteous, and true; a zealous defender of the faith, a clear, logical, earnest minister of the New Testa- ment. As a pastor he had few equals, being emi- nently kind, sympathizing, prudent, and studious. As a husband, father, brother, son, he was affection- ate and faithful, and greatly beloved in his domestic and social relations,-distinguished above most others in consolation to the afflicted and bereaved. His preaching was such as might convince any one of his sincerity and belief in those truths which he pro- fessed to believe. He sought not for abstruse mat- ters, hard to be understood, neither did he aim at beauty of style nor pomp of display, either in lan- guage or person, but was simple, earnest, scriptural, practical. Many must have felt, upon learning of his death, that they had lost a friend. All who knew him will acknowledge that a good man has gone. Thus has ended the life of one who, when he first en- tered the ministry, declared his intention to continue in that professiou, God permitting, to his death, which took place at New London, Conn., May 21, 1858.

" Rest here, blest saint, till frem his threne The merning break and pierce the shade."

Publications of Rev. Daniel Huntington :

Sermon at the Funeral of Alpheus Packard, de- livered in the North Meeting-House in Bridgewater May 12, 1812.

Discourse delivered in the North Meeting-House in Bridgewater (now Brockton), Dec. 22, 1820. Being the Second Centennial Anniversary of the Landing

of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Published by Ezra Lincoln, Boston.

Sermon on the Occasion of the Death of Rev. R. S. Storrs' Wife, April 9, 1818.

Discourse delivered before the Society for Promot- ing Christian Knowledge, May 26, 1824.

A Memoir of Mary Hallam Huntington, his Daughter. Published by the American Sunday- School Union, Philadelphia.

A full Account of the Great Revival in 1816 was published by him in the Boston Recorder of June 10, 1818.

Address before the Pilgrim Society at Plymouth, Mass.

Discourse delivered in the South Church in Cam- pello, Oct. 31, 1852, it being the Fortieth Anniver- sary of his Ordination.

A Poem on the Pleasures and Advantages of True Religiou, delivered before the United Brothers' Soci- ety in Brown University on their Anniversary, Aug. 31, 1819.

MINISTRY OF REV. DAVID TEMPLE PACKARD .-- Rev. David Temple Packard, a native of the towu, and who had just completed his theological course of study, was the first minister settled in the new house. He was invited to supply them during the building of the new church by a vote passed April 18, 1854. This he continued to do in Salisbury Hall till the new vestry was finished, when services were held there on the Sabbath, and May 22, 1854, the society " voted to give Rev. David Temple Packard a call to settle with them in the ministry, and offer him 800 Dollars as his Salary." This call he accepted, and he was ordained as their pastor Thursday, Sept. 21, 1854.

The churches represented in the council were as follows, viz. :

First Church of Braintree : Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., pastor ; Elias Hayward, delegate.

Evangelical Congregational Church of Easton : Rev. Luther Sheldon, pastor; Deacou N. T. Mitchell, delegate.

Union Church of Weymouth and Braintree : Rev. Jonas Perkins, pastor ; Deacon E. H. Richards, delegate.

Trinitarian Congregational Church, Bridgewater : Martin Wentworth, delegate.

First Congregational Church of North Bridge- water : Rev. Paul Couch, pastor ; David Packard, delegate.

Congregational Church of Hanson : Rev. S. L. Rockwood, pastor ; Deacon G. F. Stetsou, delegate.

First Church of Falmouth : John Butler, delegate.

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

609

Porter Evangelical Church of North Bridgewater : Deacon Simeon Packard. delegate.

Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Deacon Charles Churchill. delegate.

Fourth Church of Abington : Rev. Isaac C. White, pastor ; Elbridge G. Ford. delegate.

First Church of Yarmouth : Rev. Abel K. Pack- ard. pastor ; Oliver Mathews, delegate.

Mystic Church of Medford : Rev. Jacob M. Man- ning. pastor ; J. W. Washburn. delegate.

Central Church of Middleboro': Rev. W. C. Dick- inson. pastor ; Abiel Wood. delegate.

The following clergymen were also present by invitation. viz. :

Rev. Ebenezer Gay, of Bridgewater.

Rev. Charles Livingston. of Plympton.

Rev. Mr. Gurney, of St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Rev. Mr. White, of Orleans.

Rev. Josiah L. Armes, of Mason. N. H.

The council organized by the choice of Rev. Dr. Richard S. Storrs. D.D., moderator. and Rev. W. C. Dickinson as scribe. The services on that occasion were as follows :

1, reading of the Scriptures and invocation, by Rev. Abel K. Packard, of Yarmouth, Mass .; 2, in- troductory prayer, by Rev. S. L. Rockwood, of Han- son ; 3. sermon, by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Braintree ; 4, ordaining prayer, by Rev. Jonas Per- kins. of Braintree; 5, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Jacob M. Manning. of Medford, Mass .; 6, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Paul Couch, of the First Church in Bridgewater; 7, address to the People, by Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Easton ; 8, concluding prayer, by Rev. Ebenezer Gay, of Bridgewater ; 9, benediction, by the pastor.

The following hymn was sung on that occasion :

" We bid thee welcome in the name Of Jesus, our exalted Head ; Come as a servant : so he came, And we receive thee in his stead.

"Come as a shepherd : guard and keep This fold from hell and earth and sin ;

Nourish the lambs, and feed the sheep ; The wounded heal, the lost bring in.

"Come as a watchman : take thy stand Upon thy tower amidst the sky ; And when the sword comes on the land, Call us to fight, or warn to fly.

" Come as an angel : hence to guide A band of pilgrims on their way; That safely walking at thy side, We fail not, faint not, turn, nor stray.

" Come as a teacher sent from God, Charged his whole counsel to declare;

Lift o'er our ranks the prophet's rod, While we uphold thy hands with prayer.

" Come as a messenger of peace, Filled with the Spirit, fired with love;

Live to behold our large increase, And die to mect us ALL ABOVE."

Mr. Packard continued to preach to this people with ability, earnestness, and eminent success, having large audiences, till Sept. 25, 1856, when he tendered his resignation. A council was called at his request, which was held Oct. 1, 1856, and the relation between pastor and people was dissolved, very much to the re- gret of the community.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 127

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