USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Westminster > History of Westminster, Massachusetts (first named Narragansett no. 2) from the date of the original grant of the township to the present time, 1728-1893, with a biographic-genealogical register of its principal families > Part 32
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259
YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERARY SOCIETY.
school districts," but answered in the negative by a prompt vote to "dismiss the article" introducing the subject. During the Legislative Session of the same year, however, a law was enacted providing that "each School District in the Commonwealth upon giving proof to the Treasurer of the same that it has raised the sum of fifteen dollars for a School Library is entitled to receive fifteen dollars more from the treasury for the same object, to be paid by order of the Selectmen." Under this act several districts obtained the requisite amount and succeeded, with the aid of the sum received from the State, in procuring what was known as "The Common School Library," published under the sanction of the State Board of Education ; a consider- able collection of books largely historical and biographical, well calculated to interest the youthful mind and awaken a taste for reading and general self-improvement. This instrumentality was greatly appreciated by many people and rendered an im- portant service in its way and time.
The Free Public Library. In the early winter of 1853-4 a number of young people in town "feeling the im- portance," as they said, "of Literary and Scientific attainments, and being desirous of doing all in our power to promote the Moral, Intellectual and Social improvement of this community," formed an association "for the above-named purposes" and duly organized themselves under a Constitution, taking for a name "The Westminster Young People's Literary Society." The first officers of the association were: President, W. S. Abbot, then principal of the academy; Secretary, Darius M. Allen ; Treasurer, Abraham W. Wood; Directors, George Peck- ham, S. A. Burgess, Martha B. Fenno, Sarah Cummings. It was agreed to hold semi-monthly meetings, the exercises of which were to be: "the reading of original or selected articles, the discussion of any proper question, propounding and answer- ing questions, declamations, colloquies or any other exercise calculated to instruct or improve its members." The better to further the purpose of self-improvement, the society very soon resolved to found a library. A small fee for membership had placed about twenty-five dollars at its disposal, and to increase this amount to a sum sufficient to warrant the inauguration of the new enterprise, it was proposed to hold a public entertain- ment, the proceeds of which should be devoted to that use. Without waiting to carry that proposition into effect, which would have required considerable time, a friend and earnest worker in the movement, Darius M. Allen, desirous, as were others also, to make a beginning with the library as soon as possible, loaned the society $50 for the purpose. This, with the amount previously in hand, $75 in all, was used to purchase the first installment of books, thus laying the foundation or forming the nucleus of what was destined to become a most useful and beneficent institution, having in its keeping a multi-
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
tude of benefits and blessings for all classes of the town's population. The exhibition proved a success, and Mr. Allen was at an early day reimbursed all that he had advanced in aid of the enterprise.
For several years the society prospered, and the library was enlarged year by year, the funds therefor being derived from membership fees, the annual payments of outsiders for the use of books, the proceeds of entertainments, private contributions, etc. But at length there came a decline of interest and the various activities of the association languished. The places of many of the original members had become vacant by death and removal, and recruits were insufficient to make them good. And the question, What shall be done? was urged upon the attention of the few who remained, and upon whom rested the responsibility in the case. That question had especial perti- nency and force with regard to the library, which had gained the respectable size of several hundred volumes, assuming at length, as stated in an address or paper of Mrs. Sarah H. Whit- man made to her associates Feb. 17, 1858, this form-"Shall it dwindle away from want of support, &c. or shall it become the foundation of a large and valuable Town Library?"
Upon the suggestion involved in this alternative, and the corresponding recommendation that the library be offered to the town on condition that there be a certain sum appropriated annually for the purchase of books, payment of a librarian, etc., and that a committee composed of an equal number of men and women be appointed to have particular charge of the same, -upon these the society seems to have acted approvingly. For at a town meeting held March 1, 1858, a proposition "To see if the town will appropriate money to sustain a Public Library " was referred to a committee, upon whose report, made April 7th, it was "voted that the proposition be rejected." There the matter rested for several years.
About the time of organizing this "Young People's Literary Society," a "Farmers' Club" was formed, one of the objects of which was to establish a library composed mostly of books relating to the subject of agriculture. As a result, a respecta- ble collection of the best works of the character indicated had been brought together and put in circulation. But the club after a few years lost prestige, and the library fell into disuse for reasons that can easily be surmised.
In the year 1864 a project was started looking to the uniting of the two libraries, and committees were chosen by each of the organizations concerned, to see what could be done in the way of carrying the plan into effect. Conferences of these committees were held but nothing was accomplished, each party going on thereafter as before.
In the following year the Literary Society reorganized under the name of the "Westminster Library Association," with a
261
FORMATION OF TOWN LIBRARY.
view of enlarging the membership and of enlisting the interest and co-operation of the people of the town generally in the maintenance of a public library. The movement seems to have been received with favor, about one hundred and forty persons uniting in the new organization, all parts of the town being represented therein. Under this arrangement, matters went on prosperously for a few years, the annual income and expenditure pertaining to this interest amounting to about one hundred dollars.
After a time, however, there came another decline in the support and patronage of the institution, and again arose the old question of what was to be done to put the library upon a sure basis and make it most efficient in serving the ends for which it was originally established. Once more its friends resolved to offer it to the town for general use, to be supported by stated appropriation of public money, and made accessible to all the people. Those interested in the Farmers' Library joined with the Library Association in making a proposition providing for the consolidation of the two collections of books in the way and for the purpose indicated. The town gave the proposition favorable consideration, and at length accepted it by a vote passed Nov. 3, 1868, empowering the selectmen to act as they deemed best in the matter.
Although one of the conditions upon which the books of the two associations were presented to the town was that "there should be a committee chosen annually to have charge of the same, purchase new books, &c.," yet for some years this pro- viso was disregarded, the selectmen supplying the place of such a committee. This mode of procedure not proving satisfactory, a committee was finally, in the year 1877, elected agreeably to the orginal plan, and a new and more efficient administration of library affairs was inaugurated. This first committee consisted of Jerome Whitman, Wallace Cheney, Sarah H. Whitman, Sarah C. Warner, Arabella Hager, who made their first report to the town at the annual meeting in 1878, which was printed in connection with the reports of other public officers. From that time to the present a library committee has been elected each year, and a yearly statement has been made of the work- ings of that important interest, its condition, prospects, necds, etc. The library has increased in popular favor as well as in size, and is exerting a wide and salutary influence as an educa- tional force in the community. The committee who have it in charge exercise a wise discretion in the choice of books for its shelves, admitting no works but those of acknowledged literary merit and of healthful moral influence. For some years the office of librarian has been filled by Mrs. Sarah C. Warner, a lady of many accomplishments and of rare fitness for the posi- tion, the duties of which she discharges with conscientious fidelity and to the satisfaction of the public. The number of
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
volumes now in the catalogue of the library is nearly 3000; the number of applicants per year is about 300; and the number of books delivered, in round numbers, 5,000.
Upon the remodeling and the enlargement of the Town Hall building in 1885, accommodations were provided for the library in a large room upon the lower floor fitted up for the purpose, which will serve the need of the institution for some years to come. It is to be hoped, however, that at an carly day some son or daughter of the town, interested in its pros- perity and welfare, and desirous of manifesting that interest in a substantial way and of conferring a lasting benefit upon its population in time to come, will imitate the worthy example so often set in other places in these days, and furnish a building of ample dimensions, supplied with all needful equipments, and withal eligibly and conveniently located, which shall receive the library to its sheltering care and give it a permanent and appro- priate home.
THE LYCEUM.
Another institution which has had a prominent place among the educational agencies of the town and done much, especially in former days, to develop the mental energies of the people, quicken thought, and impart useful information, is the Lyceum. Like the academy, the term is of Greek origin, having been derived from a temple near Athens dedicated to Apollo Lyceus, and used for purposes of public instruction by lectures and the open discussion of questions of philosophy, ethics, and public policy. Much of the same character pertains to the lyceum of modern times.
At what date the first lyceum was started in this town, it is impossible to state. Mr. Hudson in his pamphlet history of 1832 speaks of one as then existing, though he gives no clue to its particular office and work, or to those who were active in promoting its efficiency and usefulness. It is not unreasonable to infer that he was himself, if not its founder, yet one of its most earnest and influential patrons and friends. For he was pre-eminently interested in the subject of popular education, and ready to aid by voice and pen and moral support any and every activity that in his judgment was calculated to dispel the shades of ignorance and diffuse light and knowledge far and wide as possible on every hand. What has been preserved to us of his early years and all his later life, suggest and confirm this judgment of the man and furnish warrant for all conclu- sions based upon it.
After the building of the town hall in 1839, frequent meet- ings of the lyceum were held in it for the discussion of important topics, chiefly of a social, moral, and economic character, and for lectures of the same general nature and value. Active in these meetings as debaters were such men
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THE PUBLIC LYCEUM.
as Edward and George Kendall, Dr. John White, Theodore P. Locke, Joel Merriam, Jr., Alfred Wyman, Harrison G. Whitney, Darius M. Allen, and others, while a goodly number of women added to the variety, attractiveness, and profit of the gatherings by contributions from their pen. These debates and essays were interspersed and supplemented by lectures from some of the ablest and most eloquent public speakers of the time, of whom John Pierpont, Edwin H. Chapin, Theodore Parker, Wendell Phillips, and other well-known orators were fitting representa- tives. Not infrequently declamations, dramatic exercises, and musical renderings were introduced to diversify and lend addi- tional charm to the proceedings.
This agency was of more than ordinary significance and value. The attendance upon its meetings was usually large, and the interest in its activities was kept to a remarkable degree of intensity thoughout the autumn and winter season, and from year to year. No doubt much good was done in the way of calling public attention to subjects of the greatest moment, of stimulating thought and turning it into new chan- nels, and of keeping up a healthful agitation of questions per- taining to the good order of society and to the general welfare and happiness. The citizens of the town seemed to recognize and appreciate this agency as a means of mental and moral improvement in the community, inasmuch as they repeatedly voted not only to grant the use of the town hall to those organ- ized in its support, but to heat and light it free of all expense.
For twenty or more years the lyceum lived and wrought its work in the town and among the people. The breaking out of the war turned the thoughts of the public into other channels, and claimed its energies for the promotion of other objects. As a consequence, the lyceum disappeared from view and was never in its old and proper form re-established, other agencies and activities coming in to fill, in part at least, the place it once so honorably occupied.
CHAPTER XIV.
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS-PART TWO.
EARLY MINISTRY OF REV. ASAPH RICE -- SECOND MEETINGHOUSE - CLOSING YEARS OF REV. MR. RICE'S PASTORATE.
IT is to be deeply regretted that the records of the first church in Westminster, from the time of its formation in 1742 to the date of the settlement of the third minister of the town in 1815, are lost beyond all hope of recovery. As a conse- quence, the chronicler of events that transpired during that period of the religious history of the town is but imperfectly equipped for his task, and at best can give but a limited pres- entation of the subject he has in hand. His chief reliance for information must be the records of the town clerk, which, how- ever perfectly kept, furnish but scanty material for his use. For the most part this relates to outside matters,-to the more secular aspects of the religious interests of the community, to the business concerns or machinery of church life, with only occasional glimpses or intimations of those operations and activities going on among the real workers in the cause of virtue and piety, which relate directly to human conduct and character, and which are, therefore, most worthy of notice and of remembrance. Much less do the town records take account of, or in any way reveal, anything of that inner spiritual con- dition of the church, of that conviction of the mind and judg- ment, of that consecration of heart and will, of that "life of God in the soul," which give to religious institutions their principal value as agencies for the enlightenment, uplift- ing, and redemption of mankind. If to the town clerk's records are added a few detached papers that have been preserved in some of the old families, incidental articles found in the public press of the period, certain traditions that have come down from past generations, and here and there a memory of some of the oldest inhabitants, the data upon which is based the ecclesiastical history of the town for the first half of its life are practically catalogued. Upon the authority of these data, with the qualifications and limitations suggested, the present chapter is prepared and assigned to its proper place in this work.
It was some years after the close of the pastorate of Rev. Elisha Marsh before a successor was found to fill the vacant place. Both church and town had been greatly disturbed by
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ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE A MINISTER.
the troubles that had arisen between the first minister and peo- ple, and neither were prepared to give a call to a new man until time and reflection and a better spirit had healed in a measure the wounded pride and feeling that existed on many a hand, and soothed the embitterments and animosities engendered by the dissension and strife of years to quietness and peace. The condition of things, as is always the case in such circum- stances, was most unfortunate if not prejudicial to the cause of good morals and sincere piety, and all the better people of the town must have greatly lamented it.
Nevertheless, the church continued to receive substantial pecuniary support and the services and ordinances of re- ligion were not suffered to fall into neglect. The regular ap- propriations for the supply of the pulpit were made from year to year, and efficient committees were chosen to see that they were wisely and properly expended. At a proprietors' meet- ing held Nov. 15, 1758, six months after the formal dismission of Mr. Marsh, accounts were presented and accepted "for Mr. Angier's preaching, 4 days, £4 10s. 8d."; "for Mr. Swan's preaching, 13 days, £17 6s. Sd. and a Thanksgiving Sermon"; "for Mr. Winchester's preaching, six days, £8"; and "for Mr. Hemingways' one day's preaching, £1 6s. 8d." At the same date it was "voted to proceade to settle a minester in Said Township and ordered the Committee to Gett Mr. Winchester on probation." Whether or not Mr. Winchester came "on pro- bation " does not appear. It is certain, however, that he did not receive a "call" to settle. Nor did any one for more than two years. Meanwhile the pulpit was supplied by Messrs. Mellen, Farrar, Wheeler, Belcher, Hancock, Gardner, Swift, Goss, Lovering, Harrington, Rawlins, Frink, Rice, Whitney, and perhaps others ; some of whom were settled ministers in the vicinity. At length, on the 21st of September, 1760, at a meeting of the inhabitants of the district "the vote was called for whether they will concur with the church in the choice of Mr. Samuel Dix for to be their minister and it Pased In the Affirmitive By a Grate Majority." It was also voted that "In case Mr. Samuel Dix accepts of the Call to settle with us he shall have £133 6s. Sd. for a settlement" and " £55 yearly for a Sallery so long as he continues to be our Minnister." But Mr. Dix did not see fit to accept their call, and a year later Mr. Peter Thatcher Smith was similarly honored, with a similar result. On the 9th of September, 1762, the district again concurred with the church in the choice of Mr. Samuel Frink for their minister, offering him £160 for a settlement and £66 13s. 4d. for a salary. Again were the people disappointed, and they waited a year and a half before taking further action in the matter. On the 14th of February, 1764, Mr. Samuel Cotton received a "call" with an offer of £133 6s. 8d. for a settlement and a salary of £66 13s. 4d.,
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
which was afterwards augmented to the extent of thirty cords of wood as an additional consideration. But it was without avail. The next person invited to the vacant pastorate was Mr. John Wyeth, who followed the example of his four predeces- sors and declined. Probably the inharmonious condition of the people and the still existing feuds growing out of the Marsh difficulties had much to do with these several declinations, - a church and town rent by religious divisions and animosities not being a very inviting field to a true minister of a gospel of " peace on earth and good will to men."
In addition to the several persons who had received favor- able consideration during the three or four years covered by the narration just given, the people had listened to Messrs. Fessenden, Sparhawk, Emerson, Roulding (?), Davis, and Put- nam, but none of them were regarded with sufficient interest to warrant the attempt to secure them for a permanent settle- ment. A good impression, however, as early as 1759 had been made by Mr. Asaph Rice, in which year, December 24th, the committee on pulpit supply had been instructed to employ him and Mr. Hancock-presumably Rev. John, afterward of Lex- ington, and uncle of the patriot bearing the same name-and Jobe Whitney "three Sabbaths each." After the several in- effectual efforts to obtain a minister adverted to, the public mind seemed to turn to him as the most acceptable of the twenty or more candidates who had been "tried and found wanting " in some of the qualities deemed requisite in a min- ister for the place. He received, in due ecclesiastical form, an invitation from the church to settle, and July 19, 1765, the dis- trict " voted to Concur with the Church in the choice of Mr. Asaph Rice for their Minester." On the same day it was also "voted to give him £133 6s. 8d. for his settellment" and "voted to give him £66 135. 4d. and thirty cords of wood annually in Case he, the Said Mr. Rice, Excepts [accepts] the offer and Settelleth in Westminster." Much to the relief and gratification no doubt of all concerned, Mr. Rice responded affirmatively to the invitation, and at a meeting held Sept. 4th, the 20th of the next month, October, was fixed upon for the or- dination services. Six pounds were voted to Captain Hoar for the cost of entertaining the council, and an equal sum was appropriated for other expenses incident to the occasion.
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Ministry of Rev. Asaph Rice. The ordination took place as arranged. Rev. Eli Forbes of Brookfield, an intimate friend of the pastor elect, by whom he had been induced to enter the ministry and with whom he had pursued his theological stud- ies, preaching the sermon. The subject of the discourse was: "The Evangelical Preacher's Determination." It was publish- ed, and a copy of it yet extant has furnished a few extracts for insertion here. If it reflects in any proper sense the senti- ments of Mr. Rice, it is evident that those people who had
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ORDINATION OF REV. ASAPH RICE.
been disturbed by the more liberal views of the first minister of the place, had now a pastor after their own heart and could rest their souls in peace.
EXTRACTS FROM SERMON.
" For I am determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified. I Cor. 2 : 2."
After a brief introduction, treating of the city of Corinth, its place in the commercial and literary world, its moral and spir- itual degradation, and the labors of the great apostle to the Gentiles therein, the preacher proceeds to the subject matter of his discourse, only a few points of which can be inserted here, to wit :
" The Christian Preacher will not usurp dominion over men's Consciences. nor impose his own sentiments as matters of Faith." "He will delight to make frequent Mention of that dear and venerable name -the Lord Jesus Christ." "He will dwell much on his Deity, his Incarnation and the distin- quishing Doctrines of his Atonement." "He will also explain, prove, and apply the Doctrines of Christ's Resurrection, Exaltation, & Session on the Right Hand of God." "He will dwell with Zeal and Delight upon the power and grace of Christ, that he is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him, that he is as willing as he is able." "He will display before his hearers the amiable and divine Example of the blessed Jesus as the unerring pattern of the Christian Life, that a faith in Christ which is saving will produce a Christian Temper and Conduct, and that only those who are Conformed to Christ here can be exalted to eternal glory with him hereafter." "Other Doctrines he will preach - the Guilt and Depravity of human Nature, Regeneration & the Perseverance of the Saints." "Nor will the Christian Preacher omit inculcating the great and unalterable Rules of Morality and the Doctrines of Natural Religion in their Place and Order, and as they receive an additional Force and Beauty from the Light of Christianity."
The sermon closed with addresses to "My very Revered and much esteemed Fathers and Brethren in the Ministry" to "My well-beloved brother, Pastor elect, and now to be constituted Evangelical Preacher in this place," to the church and congre- gation, whom he characterizes as "Dearly beloved and longed for" and to "this numerous and crowded assembly." He ex- presses to the young minister great confidence
" That you will not come to this People with the empty harangues of mere Speculation, in which you will aim chiefly at Pomp of Words, Affected Eloquence, or the nice Arrangement of Ideas and grammatical Argumentation, nor warm yourself with unhallowed Fire, . that you will not gird on the sword of the Civil Magistrate, but instead put on the whole Armor of God and manfully oppose the Enemy of Christ and his Cause with Spiritual Weapons, preach Jesus Christ and the Doctrines of his Cross, make known the Glory of his Person, the Excellency and Beauty of his Mediatorial Character, displaying before Sinners the Power and Grace of the Redeemer, urge his Precepts and illustrate his example as the Standard of Gospel Obedience and the only unerring Pattern of the Christian Life." "That you will not satisfy yourself with only reading Lectures of Morality but preach the Everlasting Gospel, beseech sinful
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