History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 19

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 19

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SUTTON.

The successor of Dr. Hall in the ministry of the first church in Sutton was Rev. Edmund Mills, who was a native of Kent, Conn. He preached his first ser- mon on Sabbath, October 25, 1789, about six months from the date of Dr. Hall's decease. "The next spring he received an invitation from the church and people to settle with them in the evangelical ministry, which invitation he accepted and was ordained pastor of the First Congregational church and congregation in Sutton on the 22d day of June 1790," a little more than a year after the decease of Dr. Hall. In May, 1790, immediately preceding the ordination of Mr. Mills, the following important articles or by-laws were adopted :

1st. We are fully of the opinion that the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is designed particularly for the real friends of Christ or those savingly converted, and that of consequence we ought to proceed in ad- mitting members on the grouod that they are such.

2. For the satisfaction of the church in regard to the qualifications of persons to be adınitted, we think it most wise for the church and person or persons to be admitted, to meet in some convenient place for mutual conference.

3. We are fully of the opinion that the half-way practice, as it is called, is not supported by scripture and onght not to be favored.

4. That a strict regard to discipline is an indispensable duty and necessary for the happiness and prosperity of the church, and that the outlines of it are contained in the eighteenth chapter of Mat- thew.

In " April, 1811, the church being regularly con- vened, proceeded to the consideration and adoption of the following confession of faith, unanimously : "

1. We believe there is one God subsisting in three persons, whose ap- pellatioos in Scripture are Father, Son and lloly Ghost, who are the same in essence and equal in every divine perfection.

2. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were written by men divinely inspired, and contain all the truths necessary to be known in order to salvation.

3. We believe that God hath a perfect knowledge of all his works, of the final issue of every event and of the endless condition of every in- telligent creature, consequently a concerted plan relative to creation, providence and redemption from eternity.

1. We believe that God created man in his own image, holy or up- right, and constituted him io regard to the moral state of his posterity their public head and representative.

5. We believe that, consequent upon man's fall and apostacy from God, buman creatures come into existence with hearts deceitful above all things and in a state of entire moral depravity.

6. We believe that for the purpose of carrying forward the great work of man's redemption, the Lord Jesus Christ hath suffered and died in their room and stead, and in this way wrought ont a complete atone- meut, tasted death for every man, magnified the divine law and hecame its end to every one who believeth in him.

7. We believe that divine and saving grace correspondent to the int- mutable and eternal design of God, and in a sovereign way and manner, will be so far displayed in the recovery and salvation of the hell desery- ing, and particularly in the millenmal state of the world, as sball be on the whole most promotive of his glory and the happiness of the in- telligent universe.

8. We believe that in order for the impenitent to become the subjects of right affections of heart, and interested by faith in the atonement of Christ, they must be renewed in the temper of their minds by the ir- resistible and gracions influences of the Holy Spirit.

9. We believe that a dutiful celebration of the Lord's eupper requires a sincore and cordial friendship to Christ, and that a profession of this friendship ought to be required of all those who are received to com- munion.

10. We believe that sprinkling is the proper mode, and infants and children of believing parents proper subjects of Christian baptism.

11. We believe that God hath mercifully engaged to keep all who are 61

renewed by the Divine Spirit from final apostacy, and enable them to persevere in holiness until they shall be made perfect in glory.

12. We believe that God hatlı appointed a day in the wbich he will jndgo the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, when he will admit the godly to everlasting happiness and doom the wicked to everlasting sor- row.

Though there was some increase of religious inter- est in the year 1800, and a few were added to the church, yet the number of members in the church was reduced by death and dismission nearly one-half in twenty years. In 1810 there were but fifty-five members. During this year and the following re- ligion was greatly revived, and the interest prevailed generally through the town. A universal seriousness pervaded the face of society. All minds were more or less affected by religious truth. Sixty-seven were added to the church as fruits of this revival, the ma- jority of whom were heads of families. The num- ber of members iu the church was increased from fifty-five to one hundred and twenty-five. Again, in 1820, there was another season of special religious interest that greatly strengthened the church. Be- tween forty and fifty were added to its membership.

The venerable pastor continued to preach with his usual ability and acceptance till seized with disease a short time before his death. A few weeks before the close of his earthly pilgrimage he preached his last sermon with unusual animation and solemnity. He calmly anticipated his approaching dissolution, and cheerfully committed his spirit into the hands of his Redeemer November 7, 1825, aged seventy-three years, having sustained the pastoral office thirty- five years and five months, Dr. Hall and Mr. Mills served this people in the ministry ninety-six years.

Mr. Mills was an uncommon man, His erect and commanding person, the dignity and urbanity of his manner, and his great sensibility and kindness of heart fitted him in an admirable degree to gain the respect and good will of all who knew him. These traits of character, as much as his original and inter- esting manner of unfolding and presenting truth, deeply seated him in the affections of his people. He was a man universally respected and admired.

The successor of Mr. Mills was the Rev. John Maltby. He was born in Northford, Conn., gradu- ated at Yale College in 1822, received his theological education at Andover, and was ordained June 28, 1826-a little more than seven months from the de- cease of Mr. Mills.

The year 1828 was characterized by a serious ca- lamity to the church and society-their house of worship, erected in 1751, and endeared to them by many precious associations, was consumed by fire in November. Measures were immediately adopted for the erection of another ; and in fourteen months the beautiful and commodious house of worship that now adorns the centre of the town was completed and dedicated to the worship of the one only living and true God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Soon after this there seemed an evident increase of piety in the church ; and the way was evidently pre- paring for the rich shower of divine grace which watered this part of the Lord's vineyard not long after.

In 1830 there was a season of considerable interest, which continned for a short time, and about twenty were added to the church on profession of faith. The summer following, Christians were more than usually awake, and many began to feel that the set time to favor Zion had indeed come.

There were added to the church as fruits of the re- vival more than one hundred individuals, increasing the church to two hundred and thirty-one members ; of the number added, thirty-six were heads of fami- lies-twenty of these were husbands and wives jointly. The voice of prayer was henceforth heard in many habitations where before God had not been called upon.

The church continued to enjoy an unusual degree of prosperity during the remainder of Rev. Mr. Maltby's ministry. Mr. Maltby closed his short but successful ministry with the church in June, 1834, for the purpose of taking the oversight of the Ham- mond Street Church, in Bangor, Me., where he was permitted to reap the fruits of his labor. His dis- mission was caused by no dissatisfaction on the part of the people, or their pastor ; but by the prospect of greater usefulness in the field to which he was in- vited. Mr. Maltby continned in the ministry in Sut- ton eight years.

The next pastor was Rev. Hiram A. Tracy, a native of Lisbon, Conn., who obtained his classical educa tion at Plainfield Academy, while engaged as a teacher in the same. His theological education was obtained at Andover. He was invited to supply the pulpit while yet a student at Andover, and came directly from the seminary to Sutton, preaching here for the first time on the second Sabbath in Sep- tember, 1834. In October following, he received a call to become the pastor of the church. Having accepted this invitation, he was ordained pastor January 1, 1835,-a little more than five months from the dismission of his predecessor.

During the first five years of Mr. Tracy's ministry only eighteen persons united with the church on profession of faith. In the autumn of 1839 this church, in view of the low state of piety in the com- munity, was impressed with the importance of earn- estly seeking the Lord by repentance and prayer. As fruits of the revival which followed, forty-eight individuals were added to the church, increasing its membership to two hundred and sixty-one, the largest number that has been connected with it at any one time.

The church continued to enjoy prosperity and peace during the remaining ten years of Mr. Tracy's ministry. There were occasional additions to the church during this period, but no seasons of general interest like that in IS40.

In August, 1842, the church, upon the recommend- ation of a committee, voted unanimously to dispense with the use of alcoholic wine in the administration of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. This vote has been adhered to from that time to this.

November 24, 1850, Mr. Tracy resigned the pas- toral office to accept the appointment of district sec. retary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions in the district of Cincinnati, which embraced Southern Ohio, Indiana and Southern and Central Illinois. A council convened December 11, 1850, dissolved the relation which had continued with great harmony for sixteen years. The number of members in the church at the close of his ministry was two hundred and five.

After several attempts to unite in calling a pastor, the church and society agreed upon Rev. George Lyman, of Easthampton, and to him an invitation was extended to become their pastor and teacher. This invitation was given to Mr. Lyman September 26, 1851, and accepted October 18, 1851. He was ordained November 12th following, Rev. R. S. Stone, of Easthampton, preaching the sermon; Rev. J. H. Bisbee, of Worthington, giving the charge, and Rev. L. F. Clark, of Whitinsville, the right-hand of fel- lowship. The number of members in the church at the ordination of Mr. Lyman was one hundred and ninety-three.

There were occasional conversions and additions to the church. In October, 1858, nine persons were admitted to membership, indicating a previous state of revived religious feeling in the church and congre- gation. Again, in 1863, the church was enlarged by the addition in May of nineteen on profession of faith, and in November following thirteen were added.

The ministry of Rev. Mr. Lyman was characterized by continuous interest and frequent conversions and additions to the church of those who were its strength, so that this ministry was a fruitful one, and the church was strengthened. The average of conversions was greater than any preceding pastorate, excepting the ministry of Rev. John Malthy.

Mr. Lyman resigned June 30, 1867, to take effect the 12th of November following, the anniversary of his ordination and settlement as pastor of the church.

A council was called which met October 15th, and sanctioned the action of pastor and church, and Mr. Lyman retired from his labors here November 12, 1867.

After considerable delay and several attempts to: unite upon a pastor, the church and society gave a call to the Rev. F. E. Fellows, who had been pre- viously pastor of the Congregational Church in Bridge- ton, Maine. This invitation was accepted July 4, 1869, and Mr. Fellows was installed by council October 26th following. Mr. Fellows' ministry was a short one. He labored among this people a little more than eighteen months, but during this period there was a season of religious interest, bringing into the church,

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upon profession of their faith, forty-three persons ; nevertheless his ministry was not wholly happy in its results.

In December, 1870, Mr. Fellows resigned, and closed his labors as pastor of the church on the second Sab- bath of January, 1871. The following Sabbath the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Mr. Tracy, who had returned from Ohio on account of the health of his family.

On Monday, at the annual meeting of the society, he was invited to be the acting pastor for one year, which invitation he accepted, thus renewing his labors in the field of his first settlement, after a lapse of twenty years. From this time on, during a period of four years and nine months, the church, under the labors of Mr. Tracy, performed for the greater part of the time through severe infirmities, enjoyed an unusual degree of prosperity.

Early in September, 1875, Mr. Tracy gave notice that he must close his labors after the second Sab- bath in October. In the mean time, upon his recom- mendation, Rev. William A. Benedict, of Plainfield, Conn., was engaged to supply the pulpit for six months, and commenced his labors on Sabbath, Octo- ber 16th, following Mr. Tracy's retirement. There was almost immediately a revived state of religious feeling, and during the winter many souls were con- verted. In January Mr. Benedict received an invita- tion from the church and society to become their pas- tor, which invitation he accepted, and was installed by council February 16, 1876.

Rev. Mr. Benedict closed his pastorate, and Rev. Philander Thurston was invited to supply as pas- tor and teacher, and is at the present time accept- ably laboring in this ancient church, whose history we have followed from the date of the earliest settle- ment of the town of Sutton.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH (West Sutton) .- The first Baptist Church in this town was organized September 16, 1735. It was the fourth oldest church of the de- nomination in Massachusetts. Backus, the Baptist historian, says, in regard to the founding of this first Baptist Church at Sutton, that a Mr. James Bound, a sensible Baptist, who had immigrated from England and located in Salem Village, and had, with others become imbued with Baptist principles, removed and began a Baptist Society in Sutton.

In 1737 Benjamin Marsh and Thomas Green were ordained its joint pastors the same year. Thomas Green became pastor of a Baptist Church in Leices- ter. Elder Marsh was the pastor till his death. He died in 1775, and the church was disbanded because "rent with dissensions." In 1785 another church was organized, which continues its existence to the pres- ent day.

The several pastors have been : Ebenezer Samson, 1788-94; William Batcheller, 1794-99; Samuel Waters, 1799-1825. Next Rev. Moses Harrington, three years ; Rev. John Walker, six years; Rev.

Charles H. Peabody, three years; Rev. Otis Con- verse, two years ; Rev. Samuel Richards, one year ; Rev. George Deland, three years ; Rev. Job Boomer, three years ; Rev. G. W. Benton, one year ; Rev. J. Thayer, two years; Rev. S. O. Lovell, four years. From 1856 to 1863 the church was, for most of the time, without a pastor. 1863, Rev. C. S. Baker, one year; 1864, Rev. J. Barber, one year ; 1865, Rev. G. Stone, one year ; 1869, Rev. A. E. Batelle, one year ; 1870-71, church supplied, two years; 1873, Rev. C. F. Myers, three years; 1876, Rev. E. J. Stevens, one and one-half years ; 1877, Rev. Joel P. Chapin, three years; 1880, Rev. Charles Newhall, four years ; 1885, Rev. Albert Green, three years. Rev. Benj. Tuck, the present pastor, began his labors Sept. 2, 1888.

It is satisfactory to know that since 1735 the town of Sutton has had a Baptist Church, the oldest and for two years the only one in all this part of the State, and that its days are yet full of life, and vigor, and good works.

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH (South Sutton) .- The Second Baptist Church was organized Oct. 9, 1792. In 1804 the society began the building of a meeting- house, which was finished and dedicated July 2, 1805. In 1809 Rev. Nathan Leonard became pastor for one year. From that time Elder Wm. Batcheller was its pastor until Nov., 1816. Following was the ministry of Rev. Job C. Boomer, from 1819 to 1841. The church was repaired and rededicated Oct. 9, 1845. The pastors of the church have been as follows: El- der William Batcheller, 1792; Brother Nathan Leon- ard, 1809, ordained ; Elder William Batcheller, 1810 ; Brother Job B. Boomer, 1819, ordained; Brother Austin Robbins, 1841; Elder U. Underwood, 1842; Elder Nelson B. Jones, 1845 ; Brother Joseph Thayer, Oct., 1847, ordained; Brother J. B. Boomer, 1849; Brother R. G. Lamb, 1852; Brother Charles A. Snow, 1853; Rev. Abial Fisher, D.D., 1855; Brother Justus Aldrich, 1858; Rev. J. B. Boomer, 1859; Rev. Joseph P. Burbank, 1862 ; Rev. N. J. Pinkham, 1869; Rev. J. P. Burbank, 1870; Rev. Philip Berry, 1873; Rev. J. P. Burbank, 1875, to the present time.

THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH. - This church was organized November 1, 1834, under the labors of Rev. Willard Fuller, with a membership of eleven- five brethren and six sisters.

The meeting-house was largely built, and the ex- penses of the church were for the most part borne by, the pastor.

Services continued to be held until 1858 or 1859, and perhaps occasionally later than that date.

The church had but one minister, Rev. Mr. Fuller. It was his request that after his death the meeting- house should be sold, aud the proceeds given to the Free-Will Baptist Home Missionary Society, which was done. He died December 8, 1875.

It is fitting in this connection to say of him, that in the public and private relations of life, he emi- nently illustrated the graces of the Christian.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY .- This society was formed during the summer of 1840. In March, 1841, Rev. Alvin Abbott was engaged to preach one-half the time and the meetings were held in the hall at West Sut- ton. Mr. Abbott continued to preach for two years. After he left the society weakened and the last meet- ing of which there is any record is April 5, 1847.

BAPTIST CHURCH IN MANCHAUG .- This church was organized May 18, 1842, with thirty members, and was named "The Manchaug Baptist Church." A few of the original members still survive and bear an honorable record.

Its house of worship is situated in the manufactur- ing village of the same name, and as most of its resi- dent membership and of the congregation are em- ployés and operatives in the mills, the Manchaug company have ever borne a noble and principal part in supporting the pastors. The following is a list of pastors, with their terms of service, as nearly as can be readily attained by the records: Rev. W. H. Dal- rymple, one year and two months; Rev. N. B. Jones, one year and four months; Rev. George Daland, one year and six months; Rev. Abial Fisher, four years ; Rev. N. Chapman, two years ; Rev. J. S. Harradon, six years and nine months; Rev. N. J. Pinkham, one year and seven months; Rev. Addison Browne, seven months; Rev. D. A. Dearborn, four years; Rev. C. L. Thompson, four years and five months.

Rev. J. C. Boomer is the present incumbent, a worthy man and a good pastor; holding the love and respect of the church, the parish and the community.

THE THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH .- This church seems to have had its origin in an association of a few per- sons who had been connected with the Baptist Church in Thompson, Connecticut. Difficulties arose in this church, which led, in 1797, to a separation, the one part adhering to the elder John Martin, and the other to Deacon Parsons Crosby, who was ordained their elder.

This church seems not to have entirely separated from difficulties, and, after a troublous life, the records are lost, and it is supposed that at about this time it ceased to exist.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH (Wilkinsonville) .- This society was incorporated March 10, 1827, under the name and title of St. John's Protestaut Episcopal Church. The present house was built in the year 1828. The corner- stone was laid June 24, 1828.

The first rector was the Rev. Daniel Le Baron Goodwin, who commenced his services July 17, 1825, and closed in April, 1854; length of service, nearly twenty-nine years.

His successor was Rev. Benjamin H. Chase, whose service commenced in April, 1854, and closed in April, 1858. He was succeeded by the Rev. A. Decatur Spalter, whose term of service commenced in June, 1858, and closed in December, 1859. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. William George Hawkins, who commenced his services in April, 1860, and closed in

April, 1862. He was succeeded by Rev. George Sturges Paine, whose term of service commenced in September, 1862, and closed in September, 1863; who was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel S. Spear, whose term of service commenced in January, 1864, and closed in January, 1867 ; who was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas L. Randolph, whose term of service commenced in January, 1867, and closed in December, 1870. He was succeeded hy the Rev. Henry A. Met- calf, who commenced his services in June, 1871, and closed in June, 1874. He was succeeded by the Rev. James S. Ellis, who commenced his services July 5, 1874, and remained in charge until 1882, when he re- signed, and the Rev. John Gregson became his suc- cessor, and is the present rector. Mr. Gregson adds to his energy and zeal in church work an active in- terest in the advancement of every educational and moral interest, and his true, earnest work as chairman of the School Board is appreciated by all his towns- men.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ( Wilkinsonville). -The Associate Church, to which the Sutton United Presbyterian congregation first belonged, was origin- ally a secession from the church or kirk of Scotland in the year 1733, and was known as the Seceders Church. The original founders of the Sutton United Presbyterian congregation were families from the province of Ulster, Londonderry County, Ireland ; and were from their earliest associations trained up in the Presbyterian faith, and when here, longed for the church of their choice, in which their children could be taught the Shorter Catechism, and otherwise in- structed in the distinctive principles of that faith which they had carried with them from their home- land beyond the seas.

The first settled minister was the Rev. James Wil- liamson, who was installed February, 1856, and con- tinued in his pastorate nearly eight years. Mr. Williamson was a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, and was educated in the Glasgow College, and also studied theology under the celebrated Doctors McCrie and Paxton, of Edinburgh, in connection with the original Seceder Church.

The second pastor, the Rev. P. Y. Smith, was or- dained and installed February 28, 1866. Mr. Smith was educated in the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and studied Hebrew and theology in the city of New York, and was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Second Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Church, New York City, September 15, 1863. He died July 21, 1885. Mr. Smith was a man of large views, a constant student and deeply interested in education.

Rev. William Calbraith was installed October 8 1886, and is the present pastor of this church.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- During the au tumn and winter of 1852, Rev. Mr. Jones, of East Doug. las, was invited by some resident members of Method- ist churches residing in the centre of the town to hold occasional meetings in Washington Hall. and the

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next spring they felt justified in petitioning the New England Conference, at its annual meeting in April, 1853, to send them a preacher. The petition was favorably entertained, and the Rev. John W. Lee stationed here. Washington Hall was procured, and he entered at once upon his labors, with a congrega- tion not large, but constantly increasing.

In 1854 Mr. Lee was returned to this charge ; the church prospered. A house was built, the corner- stone laid July 4, 1854, completed March, 1855, dedi- cated 22d day of same month. Mr. Lee's labors closed April 8th. He was followed by Rev. J. H. Taylor, for one year. In 1856 Rev. Rodney Gage was sta- tioned for two years; 1858, by Rev. N. S. Spaulding; 1859, Rev. William A. Clapp; 1860, Rev. J. J. Wood- bury; 1861, Rev. C. W. Mackreading, Jr .; 1862-63, by Rev. S. O. Brown, and in 1864 the church property was given into the hands of its creditors, and the church became extinct.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 19

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464