USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sherborn > History of Sherburne, Mass. : from its incorporation, MDCLXXIV, to the end of the year MDCCCXXX : including that of Framingham and Holliston, so far as they were constituent parts of that town > Part 5
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1763 .- March 7. Voted to pay Mr. Brooks for preaching when Mr Locke was sick.
May 7 .-- Mr. Benjamin Whitney, Deacon Jonathan
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Russell and Ebenezer Twitchell were chosen to supply the town with preaching, and voted that the committee provide three youug ministers to preach one month cach as soon as may be convenant. Granted £40 for the pur- pose.
Dec. 3 .- Voted to pay Timothy Hilliard his account for preaching at Sherburn.
July 9 .--- Voted to have the Committee Ingage Mr. Brown four Saborths more than they have already.
August 27 .--- Voted that the town ware determined to come to the choice of a minister before they heard any more on probation ; and that the committee Imploy Mr. Brown till the town come to the choice, and voted £30 to pay for preaching.
Septr. 19 .--- The town concurred with the Church by choosing Rev. Elijah Brown their Gospell minister by a .majority of votes. Granted £160 settlement; £73 6s. Ad. pr. annum salary. Chose a committee to Joyn with the Churches committee to treat with Rev. Elijah Brown.
Nov. 8 .--- Voted that the last Wednesday of this in- stant Novr. be the day for the ordination of Rev. Elijah Brown ; chose Dr. Leavit to entertain the Counsel. Also voted that the town will not make a publick entertain- ment.
1771 .-- Jan. 21. Chose a committee to make appli- cation to the Hon. and Rev. Board of Overseers of Har- vard College for the necessary expence of the Resettle- ment of a minister.
March 4 .--- Granted to Samuel Sanger for keeping min- isters horses £2 6s. to Dr. Josiah Levet for providing for .ordination" £10 2s. 8d.
1772 .- March 2. Voted to have the town Treasurer
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let out the money granted by the Corporation of Harford Collidge and the Province Treasuror to the town, on good security ; being in all £51, 7s. 4d.
1809 .--- August 22. From this time the " PARISH RE- CORDS" have been kept in a book, separate from the TOWN RECORDS, from which most of the following ex- tracts are made,
1814 .--- August 29. Voted to hire some person to as- sist the Revd. Elijah Brown, in the discharge of his min- isterial duties, during his feeble state of health, and gran- ted $100 for this purpose.
1815 .--- May 23. A vote, of the same tenor with the last was past, and $240 granted for hiring Preaching.
1816 .--- March 4. A vote similar to the above was past, money granted and a committee chosen to hire preaching.
Septr. Monday the day of-A vote was asked whether the Parish would concur with the Church of Christ in this place, in giving the Revd. Ephraim Randall an invitation to settle with them, as their Gospel minister, and it passed in the negative.
Nov. 4 .--- Voted and granted $75 to defray the expen- ces of the Funeral of the late Revd. Elijah Brown.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES .- Daniel Gookin, the first minister in Sherburne, was a native of Cambridge, and son of the celebrated Superintendent of the Indians, who bore the same name, and was the indefatigable friend and companion of the apostolic Eliot, in his missionary labors. He was graduated at Harvard University in 1669. I have found no'account of the time of his ordination. He is mentioned with respect by our early historians, as one,
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who possessed the same zeal for civilizing and evangeliz- ing the Indians, which animated Eliot and his venerable father. Eliot thus writes, respecting Rev. Daniel Goo- kin, to the Hon. Robert Boyle, April 22. 1634.
Major Gookin hath dedicated his eldest son, Daniel Gookin unto the service of Christ ; he is a pious and learned young man, about thirty three years old, hath been eight years a fellow of the College ; he hath taught and trained up two classes of young scholars unto their commencement; he is a man whose abilities are above exception, though not above envy. His father, with his inclination, advised him to Sherburne, a small village near Natick, whose meeting house is about three miles, more or less, from Natick meeting house. Ile holdeth a Lec- ture in Natick meeting house once a month ; which many English, especially of Sherburne, do frequent. He first preacheth in English to the English audience, and then the same matter is delivered to the Indians, by an inter- prefer, whom with much pains, Mr. Gookin hath fore pre- pared. We apprehend this will (by God's blessing) be a means to enable the Indians to understand religion preach- ed in the English tongue, and will much further Mr. Goo- kin in learning the Indian tongue.
A humble stone, in the central grave yard, marks the spot where his remains repose, and bears the following inscription.
Here lyes ye Body of ye Reverend DANIEL GOOKIN, Pastor of ye Church of Christ at Sherbon. Decd. Janry ye 8th. 1717 -- 18, in ye 68th. year of his age.
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Daniel Baker, the second minister, was a native of Dedham, and graduated at Harvard University in 1706. He was settled as colleague with Mr. Gookin ; but the precise time of his ordination is not ascertained. His com- munication, accepting the invitation of the Church and Town, is dated, Dec. 29, 1711. He died May 14th 1731. His age is not mentioned on the register of deaths. Allowing him to have been 20, when he was graduated, he died at the age of 45.
A large stone slab, of the grindstone kind, was placed over his grave, in the central burying ground, supported by brick work. A slate with a suitable inscription, was let into the slab ; but the brick work has crumbled away, the slab has fallen, and the slate is lost, or destroyed.
By the side of this dilapidated monument, a modest stone stands erect with this inscription.
Here rests the precious dust of Mrs. Mary Baker, Consort of ye Reud. Mir. Daniel Baker, Pastor of ye Church in Sherbourne and Daughter of Coll. Edmund Quincey, late of Brantrey, Esquire. Died, March 29th. 1716, in ye 32d year of her age.
The only publication of Mr. Baker, that I have seen or heard of, is entitled, " Two Sermons, the First preached at Dedham, October 5th 1726. On a day of Prayer with. Fasting there, to ask the Pourings out of the Spirit of Grace on T'hem, and especially on their Children :--- The Other --- Early Piety the Duty and Interest of Youth. As it was shown in A Sermon preached at Sherbourn, on May
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10, 1727. Being a day set apart there, for Prayer with Fasting. To implore the Effusion of GOD's Spirit on the Rising Generation. By DANIEL BAKER, A. M. Pastor of the Church of Christ in Sherbourn .- Boston, Printed for D. Henchman, 1728."
This is an 18mo volume of 164 pages. The first six pa- ges are occupied with an address " To THE READER," signed by five venerable men, who were then ministers of the several towns, annexed to their names-JOSEPH BAX- TER, Medfield ; JONATH. TOWNSEND, Needham ; SAMUEL DEXTER, Dedham ; NATHAN BUCKNAM, Medway ; OLI- VER PEABODY, Natick.
The next 48 pages contain the sermon preached at Dedham, from Chron. XXVIII, 9. Then follows a ded- ication, " To Those under my Pastoral Care," occupying 6 pages, and signed by DANIEL BAKER. The remaining 64 pages contain the Sermon preached at Sherbourn, from Proverbs III. 1, 2.
I shall extract a few paragraphs from the Dedication mentioned above, as a specimen of the author's style of writing, and as throwing some light on the situation of the minister and people of this town, at the time it was written.
" Beloved Friends,-It is now more than Seventeen Years since you first Invited me to Preach to you, and above Fourteen since my In- auguration into the Office of Pastor to you, as an Assistant to my wor- thy Predecessor, the Rev. Mr. Gookin ; whose Company and Help in the great Work'I had undertaken, I so much prized, that might I have yet enjoyed it, I have often thought that I could have been contented with the small Salary you first gave me. But a righteous Gon has ordered it otherwise : However much to My loss, yet undoubtedly to His great Gain and Advantage. It is now more than Ten Years that I have had the whole Pastoral Care of you. And it has been in 9
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Weakness and in much Fear that I have been with you. Yet I have this to Comfort and Encourage me, that I have reason to hope that my Preaching has not been altogether in vain to you. Gon has (and to Him be all the Glory) since my coming amongst you, made a very considerable Addition to His Church ; and I am willing to hope of such as shall be Saved. Moreover, it has been no small Encourage- ment to me that my Labours have found so much Acceptance with you. One Instance of which you have now given, in your forward- ness to be at the Charge of Printing those Sermons which were Preach- ed on Days of Fasting and Prayer for You and Others.
It is well known that it is owing to the Repeated and Undeniable Request of some of you (especially) that these Sermons are thus come to: Publick View. Might I have had my own Inclination, and if I had no more regard to publick usefulness than my own private Inter- est, or Applause, and had it not been a pain to me to deny you, they had never seen the Light. *
I have one Request to you, since I have granted you yours. I must freely confess, I don't remember that ever I asked any thing of you of an external nature, or on a worldly account, but you always granted it. And now my Request is, that you would be earnest in your Prayers to Go for me, that I may obtain mercy to be Faithful to GOD and Souls; that my ministry may yet be more successful among you, and that I may save my own Soul as well as yours. I am Your Affectionate Friend and Servant of your Souls.
DANIEL BAKER."
Samuel Porter, the third minister, was a native of Brookfield, and graduated at Harvard University in 1730. He was ordained on the fourth Wednesday in October, 1734. His remains were deposited in the central ground by the side of his two predecessors, in the pastoral of- fice, Gookin and Baker. The inscription on his grave- stone, which is subjoined, is supposed to describe his char- acter justly and truly, as well as to inform us respecting the duration of his ministry, his age and the time of his. departure.
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Sub hoc Marmore Reliquia sunt deposita Reverendi SAMUELIS PORTER, Viri propter agiles mentis facultates insignis ; pro Pietate et Prudentia, pro Benevolentia morumque comitate conspicui; Præconis Evangelii ar- dentis ; ornamenti Doctrina cffulgentisque Exemplaris Christi Vita ; Pastoris vigilantissimi et benignissimi Ec- clesia apud Sherbourn per annos viginti quatuor. Eru- ditione quoque humana sacraque Theologia versati, soci- isque. affectionibus et Virtutibus maxime procediti ct or- nati, qui ad Regiones coclestes ab hac Vita transivit, de- .cimo sexto Die Septembris, A. D. 1758, AEtat. 49.
TRANSLATION.
Beneath this stone are deposited the remains of the Reverend SAMUEL PORTER ; a man distinguished for ac- tive powers of mind; conspicuous for piety and pru- dence, for benevolence and courtesy of manners ; a zeal- ous preacher of the gospel ; an ornament of the doctrine and a shining example of the life of Christ; a most watchful and affectionate pastor of the church at Sher- bourn, during twenty four years. He was also well versed in human learning and sacred Theology, and dis- tinguishingly endowed and adorned with social affections and virtues. He passed from this life to the heavenly regions, September 16, 1758, in the 49th year of his age.
Two stones, erected by the side of his, inform us that he had been the husband of two wives, who were buried before him, both of the name of Mary. What were their surnames, previous to marriage, is not known. One died August 10, 1752; the other August 8, 1758.
Samuel Locke, S. T. D. the fourth minister, was born
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in Lancaster, Mass. Nov. 23, 1732, and graduated at Harvard University A. D. 1755. He was ordained. Nov. 7, 1759. Being chosen President of Harvard Universi- ty, he was inaugurated, March 21, 1770; resigned that office Dec 1. 1775, and returned to Sherburne, where he died suddenly, January 15th 1777, in the 45th year of his age.
Mr. Locke was esteemed, as a worthy and useful min- ter, and was much respected, as president of the college, till the time of his resignation. Not a stone has been erected to tell where he lies ; but the place may be known by that at the grave of his son, Dr. Samuel Locke, who died August 30, 1788. The sexton mentioned in the hearing of the writer of this, that in digging the grave for the son, he discovered some of the bones of the father.
Elijah Brown was born at Waltham, Mass. May 31, 1744, and graduated at Harvard University 1764. Hc was ordained, Nov. 28, 1770. On this occasion the Rev. Jacob Cushing of Waltham preached a Sermon from first Corinthians, IV. 2. " It is required of stewards, that a Man be found faithful." This was printed.
Mr. B. was twice married. His first wife was Susan- na Biglow of Waltham, who presented him with two sons, who were graduated at Harvard University, A. D. 1801, and died in carly life : namely, Elijah, July 28, 1805, aged 24, and Henry who had commenced the practice of law, and died August 3, 1810, aged 27. Mrs. Brown, died May 1, 1807. His second consort was widow Abigail Flagg, a sister of his first wife, who survives him. He died, Oct. 24, 1816, after several shocks of Palsy, which destroyed his mind, aged 72, in the forty sixth year of his ministry. He was respectfully interred on
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the 28th day of the same month, at the expense of his parishioners. On this occasion the first prayer was of- fered by Rev. Stephen Palmer of East Needham, a Ser- mon was preached by Rev. Dr. Sanders of Medfield, from Heb. VII. 23, 24, and the second prayer was made by Rev. Thomas Noyes of West Needham.
The Hon. Judge Sprague, formerly of Lancaster, Ms. was a classmate of Mr. B. in College. He once observ- ed to the writer of this, that, in his opinion, " there were about a dozen real geniuses in the class, and that Brown was one of them." In fact, in his conversation, in his publick, extemporoneous performances and in his writings, he gave many proofs, that he was justly entitled to this appellation, and that he liad made respectable literary at- tainments.
His sermons were generally practical, rather than doc- trinal. That delivered at the ordination of Rev. Zede- kiah Sanger, would now pass pretty well among those styled orthodox. It is conclued with the following dox- ology. "Now unto God, the Father, to God the Son, and to God the Holy Ghost be ascribed undivided honor and endless glory in the church-Amen." But, as he grew older, and paid more attention to his professional studies, he grew more liberal, as it is called, and during the latter part of his life, ranked with those who are now excluded by many from their communion, as unworthy to bear the name of Christians.
Mr. Brown was averse from controversy. One philoso -. - pher may believe the sun to be an immense globe of fire ; another, that it is an opaque mass, with a luminous sur- face. One may suppose the moon to consist of land and water, like our carth ; another, that it is a solid substance,
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indented with deep, dark caverns ; a third, that it has an atmosphere, and a fourth, that it has none. Yet all these men may use the light of these luminaries equally to their own advantage, and for the purposes, for which they were designed by the Creator of the universe. So Mr. B. conceived that Christians may differ widely in specu- lative opinions, and yet rejoice in the light of the gospel with equal sincerity, and walk by this light with equal uprightness and safety.
He considered those points, respecting which the bit- terest contentions arise among theologians, as having but little reference to the love of God, or man ; and he was thoroughly convinced, that controversy, as it is generally managed, is in a high degree unfavorable to both. He was of the opinion that, if Christians would bestow half the pains to find out how far they agree in sentiment, that they do to discover wherein they differ, and walk by the same rule, so far as they are agreed, it would have a strong tendency to increase their happiness, both temporal and eternal.
To the sick and the sorrowful his parochial visits were acceptable and consoling. His feelings were quick and tender, which led him to weep with those who wept, as well as to rejoice with those who rejoiced. This same sensibility, it was thought, rendered him too hasty in re- senting a real, or supposed injury ; but it always caused him to be easily reconciled to the object of his resentment.
He possessed a natural vein of wit and humour, which requires much judgment to manage without giving of- fence ; and in which he occasionally indulged, to a great- er extent, than was consistent with the dignity of his pro- fession.
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With these exceptions, he exhibited a good example to his flock, and met with fewer difficulties, either in his church, or congregation, than are generally encountered by those, who have a whole town for a parish ; and it is believed by many that there was as much genuine virtue and piety in the town, during his long and faithful minis- try, as there has been at any time since his departure.
Mr. Brown, his first wife and their two sons lie buried near the gate of the Plain burying ground. The follow- ing. is the inscription on his gravestone.
" Sacred To the Memory of Rev. ELIJAH BROWN, who was born at Waltham, May 31, 1744; Graduated at Harvard University, 1764 ; Ordained. Nov. 23, 1770 ; Obit, Oct. 24, 1816 : · Æt. 72.
He was possessed of strong mental powers, improved by science ; and an exquisite sensibility which peculiarly qualified him for sympathizing with the afflicted. As a friend, he was social and obliging ; as a husband, tender and affectionate ; as a parent, kind and indulgent ; and for many years, an able and attentive minister."
The publications of Mr. B. are-A Sermon preached at the ordination of the Rev. Zedekiah Sanger to the pastoral care of the church in Duxbury, July 3, 1776. Printed by T. & J. Fleet, 1776. The text from Malachi II. 7. For the priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth ; for he is the mes- senger of the Lord of Host :. And " the right hand of fellowship given to the Rev. Benjamin Green, at his or- dination to the pastoral care of the first church of Christ in Medway, in conjunction with Rev. Mr. Nathan Buck-
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nam, June 28, 1788." Printed by T. & J. Fleet, with the other performances.
No descendants of any of the deceased ministers are known to be living. Mr. Savage observes in a note to his edition of Winthrop's Journal, " that the family name of Capt. Daniel Gookin is still perpetuated in New Hamp- shire."-Vol. 2. p. 165. - But those, who bear this name, are believed to be descended from a brother of the minis- ter of Sherburne.
1816 .- Nov. 25. Shearjashub Bourne Townsend, a native of Barrington, R. I. and graduate of Brown Uni- versity, 1814, was chosen by a vote of the church to be their pastor.
Dec. 16 .- The parish voted to concur with the church in calling Mr. S. B. Townsend to settle with them, as their gospel minister. Three hundred Dollars were granted to be paid him within one year from the time of his settlement; the further sum of $300 in two years from that time ; and $600 annually.
1817 .- June 9. The parish voted to concur with the church in appointing the second day of July next for the ordination of Mr. Townsend.
July 2d .- An Ecclesiastical Council convened at Sher- burne, when the following pastors, with one or two dele- gates from their respective Churches, were present .-
Revds. George Morey, Walpole; Stephen Palmer, Needham ; Daniel C. Sanders, D. D. Medfield ; Thomas Noyes, Needham ; John White, Dedham ; Ralph Sanger, Dover ; Luther Bailey, Medway ; Martin Moore, Natick; William Cogswell, Dedham, Zedekiah Sanger, D. D. Bridgewater , David Kellog,'D. D. Framingham ; Luther Wright, Barrington, R. I .; Henry Edes, D. D. Provi- dence, R. I .; Josephus Wheaton, Holliston.
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The public performances on this occasion were the following, interspersed with appropriate music.
1. Introductory Prayer by Rev. Dr. Sanders. 2. Ser- mon, Rev. Dr. Edes. 3. Consecrating Prayer, Rev. Dr. Kellogg. 4. Charge, Rev. Mr. Morey. 5. Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. Mr. Moore. 6. Concluding Prayer, Rev. Mr. Noyes.
1828 .- August 25. Voted that the Parish Committee, in concurrence with Rev. Mr. Townsend be directed to hire a minister, to supply the pulpit, during Mr. Town- send's inability to discharge his ministerial dutics ; and that they draw on the Treasurer for money to defray the expense to an amount, not exceeding $100.
1829 .- July. 1. " Gentlemen, Selectmen of the Town of Sherburne-
Having, after serious consideration, come to the con- clusion to resign my Salary at the close of this year of my Ministry, I take this method of signifying my deter- mination to you, and through you to the People, at a con- venient opportunity. The occasion would prompt me to say much ; but my strength admonishes me to leave my motives to be chiefly interpreted by my past conduct and my known sentiments. The People will not be insensible, that I voluntarily remit what, if I live, I might long and legally retain. I see no reasonable prospect that I shall within several years, if ever, be able to perform the reg- ular and necessary duties of the stated ministry, even on the supposition that I should live and my health be much improved.
I deem it my duty to say that I hope it will be considered one of my principal reasons for adopting the present meas ! ures, that the Church and People may have an carly op- 10
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portunity of concurring in the choice of a Christian Pastor and Teacher, before discord shall invade and divide a People hitherto noted for Peace.
If I make any sacrifice by this relinquishment, all I wish for myself in return is the affectionate remembrance of this People, and the permanent effect of my labors among them. I am sensible of many errors and deficiencies; I ask their forgiveness. And I shall cherish as long as life a deep sense of their past generosity and friendship.
I am yours, Gentlemen, with respect and affection.
SHERJASHUB B. TOWNSEND."
" P. S. As I have delayed till this time to make this communication, I have engaged Rev. Mr. Clarke to preach for three succeeding Sabbaths.
If any explanation of the above is required, it will be understood, that I desire to retain a nominal relation to this Society as Minister ; and a Person settled would · therefore be settled as colleague. But he would have all the compensation to receive, and, except what might be voluntary on my part, he would have all the ministertal duties to perform."
July 20th .- Voted partially to discharge Rev. Mr. Townsend from his official duties- upon the conditions expressed in the above communication.
In the autumn of this year, Mr. Townsend and his wife went on a journey for the benefit of his health ; first to Charleston, S. C. and thence to St. Augustine, in Flori- da, where they still reside.
1830 .- March 22. AMOS CLARKE, a native of Sher- burne and a graduate of H. U. 1804, was invited by a vote of the church and congregation united, to become the Associate Pastor, with the Rev. Mr. Townsend, over
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this Society, on the following conditions, to wit-1st. The Society will give the Rev. Mr. Clarke $400 annually, to be paid to him, so long as he shall officiate, as Pastor of said Society .- The Society agree that the contract shall be dissolved and determined, at the pleasure of eith- er of the contracting parties giving six months notice to the other party of their desire of having said contract dis- solved.
March 27 .- Mr. Clarke, by a written communication, " To the Inhabitants of the first Parish in Sherburne," sig- nified his acceptance of their invitation.
May 20th .- An ecclesiastical council convened at Sherburne for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Clarke. This council was composed of the following pastors of churches with their delegates.
Revds. J. P. B. Storer, Walpole; John White, Ded- ham ; Alvan Lamson, Dedham ; Ralph Sanger, Dover ; William Ritchie, Needham ; J. W. Thompson, Natick ; J. Pierce, D. D. Brookline ; C. Lowell, D. D. Boston ; J. Kendall, D. D. Plymouth ; J. Brazer, Salem ; J. Bart- lett, Marblehead ; Samuel Ripley, Waltham ; J. Parker, Southborough ; Rufus Hulbert, Sudbury ; H. Ware, D. D. Cambridge ; D. C. Saunders, D. D. Medfield.
Printed papers were distributed in the meetinghouse, on this occasion, headed as follows-" Order of Exercises at the Ordination of Mr. Amos Clarke, as Associate Pas- tor with the Rev. S. B. Townsend, of the First Con- gregational Church and Society in Sherburne."
The following exercises were performed, with appro- priate music at intervals.
Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Ripley of Waltham ; Reading of the Scriptures, Thompson, Natick ; Sermon,
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Kendall, Plymouth ; Ordaining Prayer, Ritchie, Need- ham ; Charge, Pierce, Brookline ; Right Hand of Fel- lowship, Sanger, Dover ; Concluding Prayer, White, Dedham.
June 7th .- Voted that the Parish Committee be re- quested to write to the Rev. Mr. Townsend, our senior Pastor, and express to him our sympathy and sorrow for the continuance of his indisposition ; our gratitude for the magnanimous sacrifice, he has made by relinquishing his salary, to promote our union and harmony ; and our anx- ious desire for his restoration to health and his early re- turn to his People :- and also to make him particularly ac- quainted with all the important circumstances, that have taken place in the Parish during his absence.
August 18 and 19 .- This Society raised a meeting- house which was finished in December following. It is 83 by 48 feet, containing,73 pews on the ground floor and 6 in the gallery, besides seats for musicians. The ar- chitecture of this house exhibits a happy union of simplici- ty and elegance. On Lord's day, Dec. 26, of the same year, public worship was attended, for the last time, and an interesting and instructive sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Clarke, in the old meeting house, which had been devoted to that purpose, for more than a century. On Wednesday, the 29th of the same month and year, the new house, erected within a few feet of the old one, was solemnly dedicated to the worship of GOD. On this oc- casion the following exercises were performed, with ap- propriate music at intervals. Introductory Prayer, Rev. . Mr. Muzzy of Framingham ; Reading Portions of Scrip- ture, Kendall, Medfield ; Dedicatory Prayer, Ritchie, Needham ; Sermon, Clarke, Sherburne; Concluding Prayer, Thompson, Natick.
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On the 10th of February, 1830, a petition to William Farriss, Esq. or either of the Justices of the Peace, in the town of Natick, was signed by twelve of the male inhab- itants of the town of Sherburne, in behalf of a majority of the church, and a minority of the congregation, request- . ing that " a warrant may be issued, in due form of law, for the purpose of forming a Second religious Congrega- tional Society, in said town." A warrant was accord- ingly issued, on the next day, by Samuel Fisk, Esq. of Natick ; and, on the 22d of the same month and year, the society was duly organized.
On the 8th of July following, this society raised the frame of a meeting house, on a rising piece of ground, about 40 rods, S. E. of Meetinghouse hill. This house is 60 by 46 feet, contains 64 pews on the floor, and a gallery for musicians. It is a pleasing specimen of plain and neat architecture.
On the 30th of September 1830, the following votes were passed by this society.
" At a meeting of the Church of Christ in Sherburne, held at the house of Mr. Henry Pratt, in said Sherburne, for the purpose of giving Mr. Samuel Lee an invitation to settle with then, as colleague pastor with the Rev. S. B. Townsend over said church :- Voted in the affirmative unanimously.
AARON LELAND, Modr.
· A true copy, attest, Daniel Leland, Scribe."
" The Evangelical Society voted, on the same day, that they do concur with the church, in giving the Rev. Samuel Lee an invitation to settle as above stated.
BENJAMIN DOWSE, Moderator,"
October 16 .- Mr. Lec accepted the above invitation,
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Nov. 4th .--- An Ecclesiastical Council convened for the purpose of ordaining the pastor elect, and dedicating the meeting house, composed of the following pastors with their delegates. Revds. Mr. Fitch, Holliston ; Howe and Phelps, Hopkinton ; Kellogg and Trask, Framingham ; Moore, Natick ; Noyes, Needham ; Greenough and Gil- bert, Newton; Bigelow, Walpole ; Wood, Upton; Bald- win, Berlin ; Smith, E. Sudbury ; Ide, Medway ; Hard- ing, Waltham ; Southmayd, Concord, Ms .; Emmons and Smalley, Franklin ; Beecher, D. D. Boston ; Fay, Charlestown ; Pond, Boston ; Taylor, D. D. professor of Theology, Yale College, New Haven.
On this occasion, hand bills were distributed in the meetinghouse, bearing the following superscription .-- " Order of Exercises, at the Dedication of the Meeting House of the Trinitarian Church and Society, in Sher- burne ; and Ordination of Mr. Samuel Lee, as their Pas- tor. The exercises were-Dedicatory Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Fitch of Holliston-Introductory Prayer, for Ordina- tion, Smith, E. Sudbury-Sermon, Taylor, New-Haven, Con .- Ordaining Prayer, Wood, Upton-Charge, Beech- er, Boston-Right Hand of Fellowship, Phelps, Hopkin- ton-Address to the Church and Society, Pond, Boston ; Concluding Prayer, Baldwin, Berlin. A. intervals, dur- ing the service, a number of appropriae Anthems, and Hymns were sung.
SAMUEL LEE, pastor of the second Religious Congre- gational Society, is a native of Middletown, Conn. He was graduated at Yale College in 1827, and pursued his Professional studies, in the Theological Institution, at- tached to that seminary. He is to receive .a salary of $500 a year, and to be dismissed from his pastoral rela- tion, on either party giving six months previous notice.
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, DEATHS. - It appears that the inhabitants of Sherburne were more particular in record- ing these, in former days, than they have been in later times. From the records, which I have been permitted- to examine, the following is the result-Marriages to the end of the year 1827-693. Births 2774. Deaths 758.
ADMISSIONS TO FULL COMMUNION .-- By Mr. Porter 158. Locke 52. Brown 171. Townsend 90.
BAPTISMS .-- By Mr. Porter 442. Locke 245. Brown 914. Townsend 132.
Rev. Mr. Townsend has written several letters to the people of his former charge, of both societies, in which he expresses the highest solicitude for their temporal and eternal welfare. He earnestly exhorts them to avoid the mistaking of sectarian bigotry and zeal, for a sincere de- sire to promote the cause of truth, virtue, piety and holi- ness. He urges them to let there be no strife among. them, but an earnest endeavor to excel in dealing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God.
Respecting his own relation to the two societies, these" are his words.
"I was, it is well understood already by both parties, favorable to the settlement of Mr. Clarke over both the church and society, on the supposition that both concurred. Whether I was mistaken, or not, will be decided, in my mind, very much by the course, which both my reverend brother and my beloved church shall be found to take. If they both strive to keep far away the demon of party spirit, and by zealous means to promote the salvation of souls, my heart shall re- joice. But if the one becomes remiss and the other bigotted, my soul shall weep in secret places.
I have thought it important, that there should be no mistake, as to the relation, which I conceive myself to sustain, on the on e part to the church, and on the other to the society. I confess, I hardly know what language to use, in distinguishing between the bre:tliren, wlio are connected with the first parish and those connected with the sec-
30
HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
ond; for I know not what either or both of you have done, in the way of separation from each other, as forming a distinct church. If noth- ing has been done on either side, then I am pastor of the same church I always was; for there has been no separation. But if there has beeu a regular separation, then I consider myself pastor of that church and minister of that society, which was a majority of the former so- ciety ; not because I am especially fond of being with a majority, but because such are my views of the nature of churches and societies."
CONCLUSION .- Mr. Townsend's relation to this people is uncom- mon, if not unprecedented. Heis claimed as senior pastor of two churches, the one liberal, the other orthodox, in the phrase of the day ; one styling themselves " the first church," the other " the church of Christ" in Sherburne. He is also claimed, as senior minister of two congregations of similar sentiments to those of the respective church- es, with which they unite in public worship. He has a colleague, of associate pastor and teacher ordained over each society ; and if the wishes and prayers of both shall be answered, he will be speedily re- stored to health, return to the seene of his former labors and be receiv- ed by both, in the open arms of respectful and grateful affection.
May Divine Providence so overrule all their proceedings, that peace and harmony may prevail, as heretofore for more than a century and a half, under a succession of able and faithful ministers. May each so- ciety allow the other, without molestation or censure, to enjoy the liberty, wherewith Christ and the form of government, under which we live, have made them free. And long after the agents in the trans- actions, which are now taking place, shall have gone to render an ac- count of the deeds done in the body, and the hand, that is now writ- ing, shall have mouldered into dust; may the future historian, in ex- amining the records of the present and coming generations, meet with as little to excite a painful emotion, as has been found, in the archives of this ancient and respectable town, by the compiler of this humble production.
ERRATA .- In revising these sheets, a few typographical errors have been found and one or two instances of false grammar, in the passages written by the Compiler, which he leaves to the reader to discover and correct.
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