History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 187

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 187

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2 Original members of the First Baptist Church, Bridge- water.

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HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

Lothrop, Abiel Lothrop, Daniel Lothrop,1 Rhoda Lothrop,1 Isaac Lothrop. Patience Lothrop, Rachel Alger, Joseph Alger, Mary Alger, Joseph Alger,1 Jr .. Joseph Ames, Susannah Ames. Abner Hayward, Mary Hayward, Mary Lothrop, Mary Howard. Esther Soper, and Patience Hall. Voted that this be sent by the hands of Deacons Fobes and Burr, John Willis. and Samuel Dunbar."

This was the action of the church in relation to the Separatists in 1748-49, three years after the great awakening. Therefore we may safely infer that these Separatists were the fruit of that awakening. and also infer that the First Church in Bridgewater had followed in the downward course with the other New England churches. although it had not as yet admitted members without a relation of their Chris- tian experience. But at a church meeting held May 28, 1768, nineteen years after the exclusion of the Separatists, the church voted : "That no relation of experience should be required of persons desiring admission to the church, nor be improved unless the person desiring admission desired it." In this band of Separatists we find the nucleus, or embryo, of the First Baptist Church. Some of this band came back, and were made to acknowledge and confess the " sin of separation," and were restored to the fellowship of the church. Many of these twenty-eight persons were inhabitants of the west part of the town, and that some of them, at least, remained steadfast in the " liberty wherewith Christ had made them free" is evident from the fact that there is recorded in the old church records a statement that committees were ap- pointed from time to time to " Discourse with our western neighbors to endeavor to win them back to the fellowship of the Church."

The First Baptist Church in Bridgewater was for- mally organized June 7, 1785, a little more than thirty-six years after the expulsion of the Separatists. Thus more than a generation of men had been born and passed away between these events.

The late Dr. Ide, of Springfield, in speaking of the slowness of the divine operation, once said, " Majestic slowness is the order of divine progress. God never changes. Immutable in His nature and in His coun- sels, He acts in both the world of matter and in the world of mind by the same line of procedure. The creature is impatient, the Creator deliberate. The creature, whose sum of earthly life is bounded by threescore years and ten, hurries to and fro in the restlessness of his will, seeking to push forward his

objects by excitement, by passion, by turmoil. The Creator, serenely seated on His eternal throne, upholds all things in the majestic repose of unlimited power, and calmly waits the issues of the agencies and devel- opments He has ordained. With Him a thousand years are as one day."

Forty years Israel wandered in the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan, subject to the corrective discipline of the Almighty, by which to render them a people suitable to go in and possess the land. Of their wan- derings we have a partial record. But two of all that came out of Egypt entered the promised land. Of the little band of Separatists who were driven out of the Egypt of the old church we know nothing except by tradition. How often they were fed with " heavenly manna," or how often they " smote the rock" and were refreshed by the waters of divine truth, we have no record. Five of their number, after thirty-six years of wandering, became members of the First Baptist Church at its formation, having previously joined the First Church in Middleboro'. How constantly they had preaching we are not accu- rately informed, but doubtless often, especially during the years immediately preceding the formation of the church. Backus often visited them, and preaching to them, strengthened and encouraged them by his prudent counsels.

In 1779 this vicinity was visited by an extensive revival of religion, as a result of whose preaching it is not known. Backus was here, and, no doubt, some of his co-laborers. How many persons were the sub- ject of God's converting grace at that time it is not known. Mr. Seth Howard is supposed to have been the first person who received apostolic baptism in this town. He was baptized by Mr. Backus, March 10, 1779, and united with the First Church in Middle- boro'. He was one of the sixteen members of that church who were dismissed May 3, 1785, for the pur- pose of constituting a Baptist Church in Bridgewater.

Previous to the formation of this church, the Bap- tists here had gathered quite a congregation, and Elder George Robinson had preached the year immediately preceding. The council for the recognition of the church met June 7, 1785. It consisted of the pastor and delegates from the First Church, Middle- boro'. Isaac Backus was the pastor; who the dele- gates were is not known. The church in Taunton sent as delegates Deacon Ebenezer Bust, Jabez Briggs, and probably the pastor; the church in Attleboro' sent their pastor, Job Seamans, and Brethren George Robinson and Jacob Newland.

The council was organized by the choice of Isaac Backus, moderator, and Job Seamans, scribe. The

Original members of the First Baptist Church, Bridge- water.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTHI COUNTY.

record of its proceedings reads as follows, viz. : " Hav- ing sought to heaven for directions, and having care- fully examined into their faith and proceedings, Eight Brethren and Five Sisters signed solemnly the eove- nant together, whom we now esteem a regular Church of Jesus Christ."

Three of those who were dismissed from the church at Middleboro' not being present, afterwards signed the covenant, making sixteen members. Their names were as follows: Elezer Snow, Seth Howard, Daniel Lothrop, Joseph Alger, Daniel Alger, Jesse Howard, Nathaniel Ames, James Perkins, Rhoda Lothrop, Bathsheba Carver, Rebeckah Pool, Maltiah Howard, Mary Perkins, Mary Snow, Mary Ames, and Charity Howard.

Thus was formed the First Baptist Church in Bridge- water. As we look back at that event from our stand- point we may think the progress slow ; but when we eall to mind the obstacles and hardships which all dis- senters from the standing order had to encounter, we almost wonder that it was so rapid. They were per- seeuted, oppressed, and made to suffer all manner of indignities ; they were compelled by law to help sup- port the churches of the standing order; and if they resisted the payment of such unjust taxes, their prop- erty was restrained and they themselves imprisoned. The first Baptist meeting-house built in Boston had its doors nailed up by order of the marshal, and a notice posted upon it forbidding meetings being held therein under " pains and penalties."

There were also circumstances which tended to re- tard this movement, and first among these was the faet that, although the dissenters were somewhat numer- ous, yet there were but few that fully embraced the doctrines of the Baptists; another was, the pastor of the church was aged and infirm, and, in the course of nature, must soon give place to a new and younger man ; and in the coming man there was a faint hope that the church might be revived, and take her former posi- tion as to faith and practice. But when, in 1780, Rev. John Reed was ordained as his colleague, all hopes that the church might be placed on a gospel footing and a reconciliation take place speedily van- ished. Then it was that the movement, commeneed so long ago, took special form, and soon developed into a Baptist Church.

We now proceed, in the second place, to speak of the ministry of the church. The church, at its first meeting, July 8, 1785, “ voted to give Elder Robinson a call to settle with us in the work of the ministry, with a salary of sixty pounds," and, March, 1786, Elder Robinson gave his answer to the eall in sub- stanee as follows: He did not wish to be burdensome

to the church, but would continue with them so long as they should fulfill their obligations to him, and should be mutually beneficial to each other. Elder Robinson had poor health, but from what disease he suffered is not known. This is probably what he meant by " being burdensome to his people." In July, 1789, his health became so poor that he was unable to perform the publie labors of his station, and advised the church to procure other help; but it does not appear that any help was obtained. He continued to preach until February, 1796, when he notified the church that he could no longer perform the duties of his office, and Mr. Stephen Nelson was employed to supply the pulpit three Sabbaths, Mr. Ebenezer Nel- son two Sabbaths, aud a Mr. Tripp two or three more. In July, 1796, Mr. Robinson's health still being poor, he requested the church to release him from his charge. This they refused to do, desiring him to preach as he was able, and made some addition to his support. He continued to preach as his health per- mitted until the 26th of December following, when he asked a dismission from his eharge. The church was unwilling to grant his request, and he continued as he was able until June, 1707, when he became so en- feebled in body that he refused longer to aet as pastor.

Mr. James Reed supplied the pulpit until Septem- ber, and then was employed for a year at a salary of fifty pounds. At the expiration of Mr. Reed's year, Mr. Robinson, having somewhat recovered his health, again supplied the pulpit for a few months, but the warm weather eoming on, he was obliged to eease preaching, and gave up his charge in June, 1798. He ministered to this people about fourteen years, and was pastor nearly thirteen years. During his ministry there were thirty-eight added to the church by bap- tism and five by letter. The first individual baptized after the constitution of the church was William Curtis, in December, 1787, and the last during Mr. Robinson's pastorate were Betsey Andrews and Itha- mar Phinney. Mr. Robinson was a faithful minister, of fair education, as a preacher above the average, and was greatly beloved by his people.

After the elose of Mr. Robinson's pastorate, Elder Hinds was obtained to supply the pulpit, and eon- tinued to supply most of the time until May, 1800,-a space of nearly two years. There were no additions during this time, and the church declined. Mr. Hinds was a man of large stature, and loved a good horse, and had one. He was eceentrie in the extreme, and very sareastic. There are many anecdotes of him extant, one of which is as follows : During his stay in this town he one afternoon rode down to eall on Dr. Reed, the minister at the centre of the town.

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HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

This was just after the completion of the present meeting-house, which at that time was considered almost a wonder for beauty. After a while spent in friendly chat. Dr. Reed asked him to go and see his new meeting-house. After looking the house over, as they were about leaving it, Dr. Reed asked Mr. Hinds what he thought of it. Says Elder Hinds, " In olden times we used to have wooden meeting- houses and golden ministers ; but things are changed, -now we have golden meeting-houses and wooden ministers."

In September. 1799. Elder Hinds exchanged with Elder Valentine W. Rathburn. of Bellingham. The church and society were so pleased with him as a man and as a preacher that he was pressingly invited to visit them again. which he did during the winter of 1799 and 1800, and in May. 1800, he removed with his family to this town. His ministrations were so blessed of God that soon the church seemed to awake from their stupor, and the attention of the people was aroused to the subject of religion. Many inquired the way of salvation, and on the 1st day of June ten, having obtained hope, were added to the church by baptism. The glorious work thus begun continued throughout the year, and to some extent throughout the next two years. During the years 1800, 1801, and 1802 there were forty-two persons added to the church by baptism. After this the interest abated. " On the first Wednesday of September, 1805, the church met to supplicate the throne of grace that a blessing might be poured out upon the church and people. These meetings were continued at intervals for four months, when the Spirit of the Most High secmed to rest on the people. Conference meetings were held often and fully attended, and the Spirit of the Lord wrought mightily among the people, and in the year 1806 twenty-seven were added to the church by baptism."

Elder Rathburn continued with the church until the spring of 1812, and on the 26th day of March, 1812, he resigned his office. The reasons he gave for doing so were : " First. The health of himself and family would not admit of his longer residence here. Second. He concluded his work was accomplished and felt some one else might do better." During his pastorate of about twelve years one hundred were added to the church. Mr. Rathburn was a man of pleasing manners, genial and social in his habits, and could easily accommodate himself to the company of the young or old. He was a sound preacher, and ardently loved his work.

For a year and a half after Mr. Rathburn left the church depended on transient supplies as they could

be obtained. Mr. Silas Hall preached occasionally. Elder Lovell was, however, the chief supply until the autumn of 1814, when Elder Amasa Smith, of Sut- ton, was employed for a year, and in April, 1815, was received to membership and to the pastorate. He remained until Dee. 16, 1816. During the two years of his ministry the church enjoyed one of the most extensive revival seasons ever known in this vicinity. Elder Smith was a man of ordinary education. As a preacher he was energetic, and had the peculiar talent of putting his subject home to the hearts of his hearers. Forty were added to the church in 1815 and 1816.

" Sept. 16th, 1817, Rev. Flavel Shurtleff was or- dained at the Baptist meeting-house to the work of an evangelist," and on the 21st of the same month was received as pastor of the church. Mr. Shurtleff continued as pastor until June, 1820, -- a period of be- tween two and three years. His ministry seemed to have effected little. There was but one admitted to membership during his pastorate. Elder Shurtleff was a highly-educated man, probably more so than any of his predecessors. He seemed to have lacked the energy necessary to success.

The church evidently depended on supplies for the next seven years, among whom were Eldridge, Loring, Benson, Lovell, and others. In 1827, Elder Matthew Bolles commenced his ministry, which continued about two years. He was a man of good education, and a powerful preacher. The last persons admitted to the church were baptized Sept. 6, 1829.

We will now proceed to the third division of our history,-the growth of the church, the causes of its decline and subsequent dissolution. The church at its formation was evidently as truly apostolie as there is any reason to hope for in this age of the world. Its members had passed the almost fiery ordeal of persecution, and had maintained the principles of the gospel with firmness and decision. Their "faces were set as a flint Zionward." United to the church was a large congregation and society, a large portion of which had fled to this fold as a shelter from unjust burdens placed on them by existing laws, which were all in favor of the churches of the standing order. The society had built a new and comfortable meeting- house the year before the formation of the church.

The first twenty-five years of the church were its bright days. Her membership was large and influ- ential ; and had she not adopted some of the danger- ous usages of the Pilgrim times, she would no doubt have continued to advance in prosperity. One of the most effective causes of the decline of the church was the adoption and cultivation of a system of espionage

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

among its members. By their covenant they agreed to have an oversight and care of each other, and this was made a plea for forcing into the church all the petty jealousies, as well as all the individual and pri- vate affairs, of its members.

As there was a Judas among the Apostles of our Saviour, so doubtless was it with the church. De- signing men, professing godliness to some extent, came into the church to secure that which they could in no other way so easily obtain. The effect of this soon appeared in the manifest decline of spirituality in the church ; and while true love to the Lord and the brethren should characterize the professed disciples of the Master, and is the grand element of true Chris- tianity, so love of self and the world is its opposite. The love of self evidently largely increased among its members during its latter years, until its spirituality was almost lost. In support of this conclusion, it is only necessary to refer to the record of the last meet- ing of the church, held Sept. 1, 1831, which says, " The church met at the request of some of its mem- bers, not having had a meeting for some months, nor a communion for eighteen months. Rev. David Curtis ·being present, presided. It was proposed, if there was union and fellowship enough in the church, to have a communion, when it appeared there was not, and the meeting adjourned to the 8th instant. At the ad- journed meeting a committee was chosen to examine into the state of the church, and report at an ad- journed meeting to be held Sept. 24th. The eom- mittee reported the church in a deplorable state, and recommended a spiritual and efficient discipline, and the difficulties and troubles among its members be disposed of according to the rule of the gospel. This report was rejected upon the ground that it was not possible to carry it into effect, owing to broken, scat- tered, and divided state of the church."

This is the last entry in its record. It needs no word or comment. We can contrast in our minds this sad end with its bright beginning. It was de- clared extinet by an ecclesiastical council Feb. 19, 1833, after an existence of nearly forty-eight years. During these years it had five pastors, and two hun- dred and seventeen persons were admitted to its mem- bership. It had three deaeons, viz. : James Perkins, Jr., and James Perkins (third), who were ordained to the office at the meeting of the Warren Association, which met with this church Sept. 8, 1798 ; the third deacon was Nathan Alger. It had two clerks, viz. : James Perkins and Albe Howard.

We now come to our fourth and last division, viz., the history of the present church. Although the first church had, as a body, lost all its life and spirituality,

yet there were a few of the members "who had a hope through grace of inheriting the promises, and were desirous of promoting the cause of the Lord, and of sccuring to themselves the privileges of the people of God. Twelve persons, members of the First Church, met Feb. 6, 1833, and agreed to solicit the aid, by pastors and delegates, of four Baptist Churches to form them into a regular church of Christ." The churches responded to their call, and Feb. 10, 1833, the c uncil met. It consisted of the following pas- tores and delegates : Rev. Asa Niles and Brother Avery Lothrop, from the First Church, Middleboro'; Rev. Silas Hall and Brother Robert Cooke, of the Abington Church ; Rev. Isaac Smith and Brother John May, of the Stoughton Church. The council organized by choosing Rev. Silas Hall moderator, and Rev. Isaae Smith clerk. The council subsequently voted to proceed to the organization of the church. Upon the recognition of the church, Rev. Isaac Smith preached the sermon, and Rev. Asa Niles gave the right hand of fellowship. Six brethren and six sisters signed the covenant.

This new church, although strong in faith, was few in numbers, and of very small means. Unlike the First Church at its formation, it had no large society or new meeting-house ; they had no society, and their meeting-house, from negleet of its owners, had be- come so dilapidated as to be unfit to hold meetings in. As an evidence of their feeble condition, reference is had to the records. The church was organized Feb. 19, 1833, and up to April had not obtained a minister for even a day. In April, Rev. Caleb Clerk visited them, and on the 18th instant the church held its first conference. On the 21st two persons were ad- mitted by baptism, and Rev. Mr. Clerk brake bread to them for the first time. During the year 1833 six were added by baptism and three by letter.

The church was supplied with preaching mostly by the students from Newton Theological Institution, with an occasional visit from some ordained minister, until the summer of 1837. Twelve had been added and the church to some degree emerged from her fee- ble state, the present meeting house was built, and in December, 1837, the first covenant meeting was held in this house.

In July, 1838, Rev. Bartlett Pease preached three Sabbaths, and was subsequently received by the church as their first pastor. Ile continued as pastor until June, 1841, about three years. July 25, 1841, Samnel S. Leighton was engaged as pastor for one year. He continued until March 13, 1842, about eight months. April 30th, Rev. Caleb Benson be- came pastor, and continued as such until Aug. 11,

1841. was oc Peleg was su which Rev. Je to May. 1847. from At his stud he ocens ceived began when he R. I. From meeting church fifty-five creased teen rea the meet time .- i the Bap visited labor mr: were su ensuing He com death, T eleven was gr ceeding hearts thew 1: affectie him en God .- Master's After rarious Voted t con. he candida! read to the cali 1871,8 - a per Per June 2: and wa: by Rer until F

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HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

1844. After Mr. Benson's resignation the pulpit was occasionally supplied until May. 1845. when Peleg S. Whitman was engaged for one year, and was subsequently called to be ordained as pastor. which he declined. Mr. Whitman left in April, 1846. Rev. Jeremiah Kelly supplied from November. 1846. to May. 1847 ; Rev. Silas Hall from May to August. 1847. Rev. A. W. Carr was the principal supply from Angust, 1847. to October. 1849, when he began his studies at Newton. During his stay at Newton he occasionally preached. and Dee. 15, 1850, was re- ceived as pastor. July. 1851, Rer. G. S. Stoekwell began his labors, and continued until March. 1853, when he was dismissed to the church in Pawtucket, R. I.

From the spring of 1853 to February. 1859, the meeting-house was shut up most of the time. and the church in a very low state. In 1842 there were fifty-five members, and in February. 1858, it had de- creased to twenty-nine members. After nearly seven- teen years of decline,-during the last seven of which the meeting-house had been closed the most of the time .- in February. 1859, the efficient missionary of the Baptist State Convention, Rev. Hervey Fitts, visited the church, and obtained Rev. Samuel Hill to labor with the church for several months. His labors were successful in reviving the church, and in the ensuing summer Rev. Cephas Pasco became pastor. He continued with the church as pastor until his death. which occurred June 3, 1871,-a period of eleven years and nine months, in which the church was greatly strengthened and built up. Each suc- ceeding year of his pastorate endeared him to the hearts of the church and people. and united him to them more closely in bonds of Christian love and affection, and added to the respect that all who knew him entertained for him. Truly he was a man of God,-peaceful, modest, retiring, always "about the Master's business."

After Mr. Pasco's death the pulpit was supplied by various candidates until October 22d, when the church voted to extend a call to Rev. Joseph Barber, of Bol- ton. he having preached one Sabbath, but not as a candidate. Sunday, November 19th, a letter was read to the church from Rev. Mr. Barber accepting the call. He commenced his labors as pastor Dee. 1, 1871, and continued with them until March 1, 1876, -a period of four years and three months.

Rev. H. H. Beaman was called to the pastorate June 25th, and commenced his labors Aug. 1, 1876, and was dismissed in May, 1881. He was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Dick, in August, 1881, and continued until February, 1882, when he was succeeded by Rev.

W. S. Walker, on Oct. 1, 1883, who is the present pastor. The following were the original members of the present church : Albe Howard, Louisa Howard, Franklin Ames, Mary Ames, Otis Alger, Susan Alger, Nahum Williams, Olive Williams, David Howard, Philip E. Hill. Abigail S. Howard, Eunice Harvey.

The New Jerusalem Society.1-The New Jeru- salem Society was organized by the presiding minister of the Massachusetts Association of the New Jeru- salem April 21, 1847, consisting of sixteen or eighteen members.

There had been several persons of that faith in this town during several years previous to the institution of the society, who held mectings for worship when a minister eould be obtained; and they had built a honse for publie worship some time previous to the above date. But being a rural town, and the popula- tion was so transitory, they have never been numerous enough to support regular preaching ; and the num- bers beeame so small after a few years, reduced by deaths and removals, that the mectings were diseon- tinued, and the remaining members joined societies in adjoining towns.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 187

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