USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Princeton > History of Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, civil and ecclesiastical, from its first settlement in 1739, to april 1852 > Part 11
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December 23, 1833, the Congregationalist society was organized as the first parish in Princeton. From this time it commenced its legal existence, distinct from the municipal corporation, and the support of worship ceased to be provided for by the inhabitants in their general meetings.
* See Town Records, vol. iv.
t The Universalists had preaching at the "Town House," one third of the Fabbaths, for some time, but finally disbanded.
13
142
MR. COWLES' DISMISSION.
Mr. Cowles continued pastor of the church until Oct. 5, 1834, when at the instance of the following letter, he was dismissed.
" To the Church and Society of the First Parish in Princeton.
" Brethren and Friends,-I have to request your consent to the dissolution of my relation to you as your Pastor and Min- ister. It is very plain that either my preaching or my conduct, or both, have given sufficient dissatisfaction to render this step desirable, both for me and you, and sooner or later, indispensa- ble. My fixed choice is, not to have it delayed, for I am per- fectly satisfied that no change in me, or in my conduct, or in my preaching, which my principles would allow me to make, will materially alter the present aspect of things. You will be only doing me justice if you think of my principles in these respects as entirely immutable. It is therefore proper and desirable, that our relation as pastor and people should cease. Your consent to this step I have to request. Your minister's constant prayer is and will be that God would so order his Providence towards you and so guide and control your own feelings and conduct and those of others, as to secure to you still, in some way, a gospel faithfully and successfully preached. JOHN P. COWLES.
Princeton, Oct. 5, 1834."
CHAPTER X.
Farther Measures for a Union-Call of a Council-Result-Proceeding upon it-Objections-Votes of First Parish-Votes of Evangelical Society- Action of Congregational Church-Doings of the Council's Committee- Societies unite-Mr. Phillips at the House of the First Parish-His return to his former place of labor-Church Meetings.
After the dismission of Rev. Mr. Cowles, the Con- gregational Society renewed their proposals for a union with the Evangelical Congregational Society. This was done by the following communication :
" To the Evangelical Congregational Church in Prince- ton, under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips.
" Rev. and Beloved,-The undersigned, having been appointed
143
MEASURES FOR UNION.
a Committee by the Congregational Church, ;for the purpose of making a communication to your Church, would respectfully lay before you the doings of the said Congregational Church, and the advice of an Ecclesiastical Council, lately convened in this place.
" At a meeting of the Congregational Church, Oct. 26, 1834, a Committee was appointed to ask the advice of the Ecclesias- tical Council, which was then to be convened on the 28th of said month, for the dismission of Rev. John P. Cowles, in relation to what course it was the duty of said Church to pursue, and what measures to adopt, under the existing circumstances of the religious affairs of this place.
" The said Committee attended to the duty of the appoint- ment and received from said Council the following result :-
' The advice of this Council having been asked by the Con- gregational Church, in regard to the course they should take, provided Mr. Cowles be dismissed, the Council advise to the following measure : that said Church propose to the Evangeli- cal Congregational Church to unite in choosing a Mutual Or- thodox Council to settle the following points :
' 1st. Shall a union be effected between the two Churches ? $2d. On what ground shall such union be effected ?
SAMUEL GAY, Moderator. CYRUS MANN, Scribe.'
" At a meeting of the Church, Oct. 29th, the foregoing result and advice of Council was laid before the said Church, and accepted ; and Deacon Charles Russell and Caleb Dana, and Brother Charles B. Temple, were appointed a Committee to present to the Evangelical Church a copy of the advice of said Council, and to adopt measures to carry the same into effect.
" Agreeably to the advice of said Council, and in full accord- ance with our own views and feelings, we do now, in behalf of the Congregational Church, proprese to unite with your Church in inviting a Mutual Orthodox Council for the purposes men- tioned in the result of said Council.
"In making this request, we wish to add, that we, in common, doubtless with you, regard it as exceedingly desirable, for the interests of religion in this place, that all those in these two Churches, who coincide in their views of the doctrines and du- ties of the Gospel, and give credible evidence of their being the children of God, should be united in one Church, and under one pastor. We do not regard a union as desirable except on such conditions, and on such grounds, as shall ensure to you and to us a prospect of purity as well as peace and harmony. Under such conditions we do desire it, for the sake of that cause which we equally profess to love. We deeply lament the division
144
CALL OF COUNCIL.
which has long existed in this town, and our prayer to God is that it may soon be terminated in that way and in thay way only which will be for his glory and for the spiritual benefit of his chosen people. And that this desirable end may be effec- ted, we desire on our part, to remove every reasonable objection. We propose to unite with you in calling a Mutual Council, be- cause we do believe that there are questions arising out of the character and relations of these churches, which affect so vitally the best interests of the people of this place, as well as the Church of Christ, that neither ot these Churches is at liberty to disregard them.
" Should your Church accede to this proposition and request, we trust there would be no disagreement in selecting a Mutual Council, of approved Orthodox Ministers in this Commonwealth, which would be entirely satisfactory to both Churches. We wish to be distinctly understood that we are willing to submit the whole case, in all its parts, to the decision of such a Council.
" And now Christian Brethren, we respectfully ask you to give this subject, as we trust you will, your serious and prayer- ful consideration. And may the great Head of the Church, vouchsafe to you and to us his grace, guidance and direction, and lead us in the path of duty, to the exercise of those Chris- tian feelings and to the adoption of suchi measures as shall re- dound to his glory and the spiritual and everlasting good of his people.
Yours, with Christian affection,
CHARLES RUSSELL, CALEB DANA, CHARLES B. TEMPLE." S
Committee.
At a meeting of the Evangelical Congregational Church, Nov. 11, to hear the above communication, and to act thereon, after a protracted discussion, it was voted to appoint a committee, whose duty it should be, in the first place, to endeavor to convince the committee, who presented said communication, that such a Council as proposed was entirely unnecessary, as the church were ready to receive all such persons as coincided with them in their " views of the doctrines and duties of the Gos- pel," and that " gave credible evidence of piety," with- out the advice of a council ; and secondly, if they should not succeed in convincing them, then, as a matter of pa-
145
RESULT OF COUNCIL.
cification, to agree with them to call a Council. After attending to the duty assigned them, said committee re- ported that nothing but a Council would be satisfactory. Accordingly the measure was agreed to, and a Council called, consisting of the Church of Christ in North Brook- field, under the charge of Rev. Dr. Snell; the Congrega- ional church in Templeton, under Rev. Samuel P. Bates ; he church in Westminster, under Rev. Cyrus Mann ; he church in Harvard, under Rev. George Fisher ; the church in Bolton, under Rev. John W. Chickering; the Calvanist church in Worcester, under Rev. John S. C. Abbott, and the church in Holden, under Rev. Willard P. Paine,-each of these churches being represented by pastor and delegate.
The Council convened at the house of John Brooks, Esq., Dec. 17, 1834. After receiving various commu- aications from the committees of the two churches, rela- ing to the subject, and desirableness of a union of said churches, they came to the following result :
" The Council deems the union of the two churches exceed- ngly desirable, both as it regards the peace of the town, and he prosperity of religion. The Council is also very much grat- fied with the truly Christian spirit, manifested in the communi- ation made by the Committee of the Church lately under the are of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, and with their candor and mode- ation ; and have full confidence in the purity of the motives which led them to make an effort for a reconciliation. Anima- ed by these feelings we sincerely hope that the suggestions which may be made by the Council, and the terms proposed, vill be acceptable to both parties, and promotive of mutual dification. The Council are aware of difficulties in the way, ut do not feel that they are insurmountable. Christians are ften called upon to make sacrifices, but if they are sacrifices of eeling and not of principle, they ought to be made.
" The Council is of opinion, that the whole subject is involved n two questions.
64 1. The first question respects the possibility of a union of
13*
146
RESULT OF COUNCIL.
the two Churches which shall promote the cause of truth, purity and peace.
" The Council is of the opinion that the Orthodox portion of the Church lately under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Cowles, and of the Church under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips, may become one united and happy Church. And the plan of union the Council would recommend is this, viz : that the Rev. Messrs. Bates of Templeton, Mann of Westminster, and Paine of Holden, be a Committee to satisfy themselves, at a proper time and duly notified, of the personal piety of such members of the first named Church as desire the union, and recommend them to the other Church by letter; and that by virtue of this letter of recommendation, they become embodied with the Church now under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips.
"2. The second question has suggested itself to our minds in a form like the following : Is there a sufficient degree of har- mony in the views of those two parties, to authorize the hope that they may unite in listening to, and supporting, sound Evan- gelical ministrations ?
"This question we hope we are not mistaken in answering likewise in the affirmative, As to the mode of union, we would recommend that the Society connected with Mr. Phillip's Church, should unite with the other, and in one united Church and Society, sustain and enjoy the ordinances and privileges of the Gospel.
"3. The third and only remaining question respects the pas- toral and ministerial relations of the proposed united Church and Society. The only difficulty on this point, arises from the fact that the two Churches and Societies, as they now exist, are not on equal ground in this respect. The one have a pastor whom they respect and love, who has been with them in times of anxiety and trial, and between whom and themselves there exist ties of too sacred and tender a nature to be sundered, ex- cept by the voluntary motion and action of the parties concern- ed. The other has no pastor, nor has it from the nature of the case, that attachment to the pastor of the other Church which would doubtless have existed, had he been for as many years their pastor. To the removal of this difficulty this Council are constrained to feel themselves inadequate, since they cannot control the affections of the one body, nor, unrequested and un- authorized, touch the pastoral relations of the other. We are not prepared, on the one hand, to say that all the prejudices and preferences can or should be given up by Mr. Cowle's late peo- ple ; nor on the other hand require either the Rev. Mr. Phillips or his Church, to make a sacrifice, of the duty and expediency of which, they must be the judges. However, then, in view of
147
RESULT OF COUNCIL.
all the facts which have come to our knowledge, our private opinions respecting duty and expediency in this matter, may differ from that of Rev. Mr. Phillips' Church as expressed by him as the organ of their Committee, we feel obliged to leave the matter to the consideration and decision of themselves and their pastor.
" This Council cannot refrain from expressing our belief, from what we have witnessed, that there is, in all the parties concerned, a sufficient desire for union-a sufficient sense of the importance of the best economy in ministerial labor, in these days of destitution, and sufficient readiness to make any need- ful sacrifices for the sake of Christ and his cause, to render such a disposition as has now been made of this whole subject, the best we could make even if it were not, as we think it is, the only in our power.
" This Council cannot refrain from pressing it upon the minds of all Christians, in both Churches, that for the sake of union on the ground of Gospel truth, and for the advancement of the cause of Christ, it is their incumbent duty, while they contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, to make great sacrifices of personal feeling and private interest.
" We do most earnestly and affectionately entreat the mem- bers of both Churches to live as brethren. We cannot doubt that the cause of Christ is equally dear to both churches, and we do believe that if the spirit of conciliation and kindness, which has been manifested during the session of the Council is continued, the troubled waters will grow more and more calm, till all is tranquility and peace. We hope, beloved brethren, that you will endeavor to cherish a childlike, a lowly, and a con- tented spirit, and if things are not in all respects as many of you could wish, wait quietly till He who orders all things wisely, shall bring all things right.
"The Council beg leave to assure the members of both Churches of their kind feelings and Christian regards. We have found ourselves called to settle questions of the utmost difficulty and delicacy. Circumstances of past occurrence, cause us to feel a deep sympathy with the members of the Church un- der the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips. Circumstances of a more recent date constrain us to look with much affection upon the members of the Church under the late care of Rev. Mr. Cowles. But we beg them both to be assured, that we have earnestly sought guidance from above, that we might come to such a result, as would be mutually acceptable, and promote the social and spiritual happiness of all the friends of the Saviour, in this place.
THOMAS SNELL, Moderator. JOHN S. C. ABBOTT, Scribe."
148
OBJECTIONS TO RESULT.
On the 8th of January, 1835, the church under the the Charge of Rev. Mr. Phillips, met to hear the result of the Council, and to take such order upon it as they deemed proper. To its acceptance there was in the minds of many, very weighty and serious objections. One of these was the " private opinion of the Council" in reference to the dismission of Mr. Phillips. They, with their pastor, had supposed that the union was to be formed under the ministry of Mr. Phillips. " One of the Committee" of his church, " that difficulty might not arise, in relation to this matter, in the midst of the busi- ness of forming a union, sought to have a definite under- standing with them respecting it, and supposed that such an understanding existed ; and more, that the committee of the Congregational Church had given him a pledge, that they should say and do nothing respecting the pas- tor. But the fact turned out to be, some three or four days before the meeting of the Council, when it was too late to have the day of their meeting deferred, that the committee of the Congregational Church were deter- mined the Council should take up and act on the sub- ject of the pastor's dismission."*
The main objection, however, was the appointment of three ministers to come and satisfy themselves of the personal piety of those members of the Congregational Church who desired a union, and recommend them by letter to the Evangelical Congregational Church, by vir- tue of which they should become identified with that church. This right they felt that they ought not to be required to resign into the hands of those who were en- tire strangers to the persons they were to recommend. Some of these persons had been professors of religion
* Mr. Phillips' Appeal, p. 3.
149
RESULT ADOPTED.
for fifteen, some twenty and others thirty years, a suffi- cient time to have established a character of some kind among those to whom they were well known. "But how were a committee of strangers to know whether all the persons who should offer themselves to be trans- lated from the then late Unitarian church to the Ortho- dox, had established and sustained a Christian charac- ter."* There were many of the church that thought that it would be preposterous to entrust the matter en- tirely to their hands. In view of these and some minor objections, the church, at their meeting, voted to appoint a committeet of seven, to confer with an equal num- ber of the other church, to ascertain their views or un- derstanding of the result of Council, and to report at a future meeting.
After several weeks had elapsed, said meeting con- vened, when the following vote was passed by a majority of those voting A majority of the whole number of vo- ters in the church, it was said, however, were never suffi- ciently satisfied with the result, and did not vote at all,
" To the Clerk of the church, lately under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. P. Cowles ;- The following is a copy of a vote passed by our church, at a regular meeting, Feb. 5, 1835.
"Feb. 5. The church met agreeably to appointment ; after hearing the report of the committee, which seemed favorable, voted to accede to the first part of " the result," viz., that which relates to the union of the Orthodox members of the other Con- gregational church with this.
" A true copy-Attest, A. PHILLIPS."
The following is the vote of The Congregational church, on the acceptance of the result of Council.
" February 28, 1835. The church of Christ under the late pastoral care of the Rev. John P. Cowles, held a meeting at the
* Mr. Phillip's Appeal, p. 6.
t The committee were I. Thompson, John II. Brooks, Dea. Samuel Stratton, J. Cutting, J. Brooks, Jr., E. Beaman.
150
VOTES OF THE FIRST PARISH.
hall of Dea. Charles Russell, Feb. 28, to consider and act on the result of the Mutual Ecclesiastical Council, lately convened in this place. The meeting was opened by the Moderator, Dea. Charles Russell, who led the church in address to the throne of Divine grace, for light and direction in the important business before them.
" The church then proceeded to a consideration of the sub. ject before them, and after a full and harmonious interchange of feelings,-
" Voted unanimously to accept the result of said Council.
" Voted, That the Clerk of the church be directed to transmit a copy of the doings of this meeting to the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Phillips. C. DANA, Clerk.
"Copy from the records-Attest.
C. DANA, late Clerk of said Church."
On the 4th of March following, at a legal meeting of the First Parish in Princeton, convened at the " Town House," the following votes were passed :
"Voted unanimously, That we accept of the Result of the Mutual Ecclesiastical Council lately convened in this place, by the request of the church under the late pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles and of the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Phillips, and that we can cheerfully, and do most heartily respond to the sentiments expressed in the Result of said Council, that there is a sufficient degree of harmony in the views of this, and the Evangelical Society, to authorize the be- lief that they may unite in listening to, and supporting sound Evangelical ministrations.
" Voted unanimously, That this Society invite, and we do hereby affectionately and respectfully, the said Evangelical So . ciety to unite with us, agreeably to the recommendation con- tained in the Result of said Council.
"Voted unanimously, That we are, and have been, for a con- siderable time past, desirous of a union with the Evangelical Society, and that we highly approve of the course taken by the church connected with us, and of the measures they have adopt- ed to effect a union of the two churches.
" Voted unanimously, That a union of the two societies ap- pears to us to be very desirable, and would tend as we fully be- lieve to promote the peace, Christian harmony, and spiritual welfare of the people in this place; and we can see no reason why the division which has for a long time unhappily existed here should be longer continued, or why we should transmit such a state of things to posterity.
151
VOTES OF THE FIRST PARISH.
"Voted unanimously, That should a union take place, we sincerely desire that it may be extensive, permanent and last- ing ; that it may be such an one as shall promote the social and spiritual happiness of both societies ; and that in our own en- deavor to effect a union we disclaim having any other motive than that of advancing the Redeemer's kingdom and promoting the best interests of the people in this town. Our cause we firmly believe is a righteous cause ; one for which, we may invoke the blessing of Heaven, and one on which we may humbly trust the smiles and blessings of God will rest.
"Voted unanimously, That we believe there is no relation more sacred and important than that which exists between a minister and his people-the peaceable and useful continuance of which depends on the mutual affection existing between them ; therefore we cannot refrain from expressing our serious and solemn conviction, that a union under the Rev. Mr. Phil- lips, would not be such an one as would be the best calculated to promote the happiness, the harmony, and the highest interest of the united society-inasmuch as we believe there is a want of that cordiality of feeling, both in him and in us, which it is so desirable should exist between a minister and people-and the attitude in which he has stood to us has been such as to render it impossible, in our view, for him to associate with a portion of the united people, with that freedom and cordiality which are so absolutely necessary in order that a people may derive from their minister, and he communicate to them, that re- ligious instruction which is so important for their highest good.
" Voted unanimously, That we are aware that there is, as there always should be between a minister and his people, a mutual attachment existing between Mr. Phillips and the peo- ple under his pastoral care ; and we have no desire to do any thing to weaken or destroy this attachment : still we cannot re- frain from expressing it as our opinion, that should duty dictate to the Rev. Mr. Phillips to leave the field, as we cannot but be- lieve under the guidance of Divine Providence it may, the har- vest would be much greater under some other person than it possibly can or would be under his ministrations.
" Voted unanimously, That if the Rev. Mr. Phillips should determine to ask his dismission from his pastoral charge, we will contribute our share of any reasonable sum which shall be thought just and right as an indemnity for any loss he may sus- tain in consequence of such dismission.
" Voted unanimously, That we hope and confidently believe that after viewing and deliberating upon all the circumstances connected with a union, that neither the Rev. Mr. Phillips nor
152
VOTES OF EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.
his people, will insist upon his being the minister of the united church and society.
" A true copy of the records of said Parish meeting.
" Attest : JOSEPH A. REED, Clerk."
It was voted, that the Clerk transmit to the Pruden- tial Committee of the Evangelical Society, an attested copy of the doings of said Parish.
At a legal meeting of the Evangelical Congregational Society in Princeton, convened in their Meeting House, on Monday, the 23d day of March, A. D. 1835, the fol- lowing votes were passed, viz :-
" Voted,-That we accept of the Result of the Mutual Ec- clesiastical Council, lately convened in this place, by the re- quest of the church under the late pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, and of the church under the care of the Rev. Alonzo Phillips, relative to the union of the said societies.
" Voted,-That the Clerk of said Evangelical Congregation- al Society transmit to the First Parish in Princeton, an attested copy of the doings of said Society.
" A true copy of the record of said Parish meeting. " Attest : ERASMUS D. GOODNOW, Clerk."
This vote was also passed, it has been stated, not by a majority of the whole number of voters in the Evan- gelical Congregational Society,-for there were many, (as in the church) that never voted for the Result at all, not being sufficiently satisfied with it to do so.
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