USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 22
USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 22
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Meetings commenced on the third Sunday of March, 1785, in the Court House, and were held in that place until Jan. 1, 1792. The Rev. Mr. Bancroft was invited, and consented to become the min- ister, June 7, 1785. Of the associates, two men, and three or four females only, had been communicants. It became necessary to or- ganize a church. For this purpose, the following covenant was pre- pared by the pastor elect, which has been retained, unchanged, for half a century.
' In the first place, we humbly renew the dedication of ourselves and offspring to the great God, who is over all, blessed forever :
And we do hereby profess our firm belief of the Holy Scriptures contained in the Old and New Testaments. And taking them as our sole and sufficient rule of faith and practice, we do covenant to and with each other, that we will walk together as a Christian Soci- ety, in the faith and order of the Gospel. And we do hereby en- gage, as far as in our power, for all under our care, that we will livo as true disciples of Jesus Christ, in all good carriage and behavior, both towards God and towards man. Professing ourselves to be in charity with all men who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truthı. All this, we engage faithfully to perform, by divine assistance, for which we are encouraged to hope, relying on the mediation of Jesus Christ for the pardon of our manifold sins, and praying the God of all grace, through him, to strengthen and enable us to keep this, our covenant, inviolate and to establish and settle us, that at the second coming of Jesus, we may appear before his presence with exceeding joy.'
Such was the instrument circulated among the families, deliber-
1 Among those most influential in the formation of the new society, were Levi Lin- coln, sen. Joseph Allen, Edward Bangs, Timothy Paine, Timothy Bigelow, and Isaiah Thomas.
197
REV. AARON BANCROFT.
1786.]
ately considered, and fully approved. A public lecture was appoint- ed for the formal and solemn expression of assent. Two ministers, from neighboring towns, were invited to participate in the devotional exercises, but neither thought proper to attend. Such was the state of feeling existing in that period, that countenance or aid could not be expected or obtained, from the clergy or congregations of the vi- cinity. Standing thus isolated amid society, if a religious commu- nity was then formed, it must be founded, like the social compact of the May Flower, framed by the pilgrim fathers of New Eng- land, on the basis of original rights underived from human authority. At the time appointed, Mr. Bancroft preached on the constitution of the christian church and the nature and ends of gospel rites. The covenant was read to the people, and subscribed, in the presence of all who had assembled, by twenty-seven of those disposed to as- sume its obligations.
On the first day of February, 1786, the Rev. Aaron Bancroft was ordained. So general was the opposition to a mode of organization then unprecedented, and, in the view of many, irregular and disor- derly, now authorised by liberalized legislation, that two churches only, in the county of Worcester, could be requested to assist in the solemnities, without strong probability of refusal. A council was formed with difficulty. The introductory prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Simeon Howard, of the west church in Boston : the sermon preached by the Rev. Thomas Barnard of the north church in Sa- lem : the charge given by Rev. Timothy Harrington of Lancaster : the right hand of fellowship presented by Rev. Zabdiel Adams of Lu- nenburg : the concluding prayer made by the Rev. Dr. John La- throp, of the north church in Boston : and the benediction of Heaven implored, by the Rev. Timothy Hilliard of Cambridge.1
Great difficulties were overcome by the formation of the church and society, but formidable obstacles remained to impede its pro- gress. So deep was the feeling of hostility to both, that the mem- bers were subjected to unpleasant and injurious effects in the con- cerns of social and civil life.
The constitutional provisions, as then applied by the statutes, fail- ed to afford perfect protection to the exercise of private judgment.
1 ' The members of the old church who joined the new society, had applied to that bo- dy for dismission, and their request had been denied: their case was, therefore, presen - ted to the consideration of the ordaining council. The council advised the newly organ- ized church, not formally to admit the members of the old church into their body, but, by a special vote, to grant them all the privileges of members in regular standing. This was done.' Dr. Bancroft's Discourse, April 8, 1827.
.
198
SECOND SOCIETY.
[1787.
'The boundaries of the first parish, coextensive with those of the town, embraced the estates of the associates, and while they contrib- uted to the support of their own teacher, they were compelled to pay ministerial rates in the same manner as before the separation. At the period when pecuniary distress, decayed currency, and the pressure of public burdens and private debts, had driven the people into rebellion, the double taxation was peculiarly onerous. To as- sess the annual salary, or enforce the collection, in the usual man- ner, was impracticable. Monthly contributions were made, and the sums thus advanced, by individuals, credited in the final settlement of proportional payments. On the 13th of November, 1787, an act of incorporation was obtained, providing that any inhabitant might change his relations from one parish to the other, by leaving his name with the town clerk for the purpose. The first meeting of the par- ish was convened, on the warrant of Levi Lincoln, sen. March 9, 1789. 'The associates, from the commencement, by a written agree- ment, had bound themselves to pay the sum of five hundred dollars as salary. After the incorporation, it was still deemed inexpedient to at- tempt the assessment of taxes. The amount due from each subscri- ber, for three years salary, was apportioned, and the pastor request- ed to settle personally with each individual. A mode of compensa- tion so troublesome and painful to the clergyman, was resorted to from necessity alone.
In 1789, for the purpose of aiding in the erection of a meeting house, the Rev. Mr. Bancroft relinquished one third part of his an- nual salary, not, in the language of his letter, from a supposition that the whole was more than adequate to decent support, but from readi- ness to bear full proportion of all burdens.1 It was voted, to erect a house for worship, provided it could be done without expense to the corporation. Subscriptions were obtained, the site fixed south of Antiquarian Hall, and the work commenced. On the first day of January, 1792, the edifice was completed and dedicated. A ser- mon was preached on the occasion, by the Rev. Zabdiel Adams of Lunenburg. The pews were sold, subject to an annual tax of four dollars each, to be appropriated towards the salary.
Until this period, the expenses of the support of worship had been defrayed by voluntary payments. In 1797, for the first time, and af- terwards, in successive years, a tax of $ 232 was levied, making, with the amount derived from the owners of pews, the salary of $ 500. In 1806, in consequence of the enhanced prices of commod-
1 Records of 2d Parish, i. 4.
199
REV. ALONZO HILL.
1827.]
ities, an additional grant of $ 200 was made to Mr. Bancroft. In 1810, $ 300 was voted, and for five years after, $ 100 annually ap- propriated for the same purpose. From 1816, to 1827, the salary was $ 800 : subsequently $ 500, according to the original contract.1
On the first day of January, 1827, the Rev. Alonzo Hill, was invi- ted to become colleague with Dr. Bancroft, and a salary of $ 800 was voted. His ordination took place, on the 28th of March following. The exercises were the following : Introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Alexander Young of the New South church, Boston : prayer by Rev. Dr. Thaddeus M. Harris of Dorchester : ser- mon, by Rev. John Brazer of Salem : ordaining prayer, by Rev. Dr. John T. Kirkland, President of Harvard University : charge, by Rev Dr. Bancroft : right hand of fellowship, by Rev. George Rip- ley, of the Purchase Street church, Boston : address to the people by Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Thayer of Lancaster : concluding prayer, by Rev. Isaac Allen of Bolton.
Mr. Hill, the present junior pastor, a native of Harvard, in the county of Worcester, is the son of Mr. Oliver Hill, a respectable far- mer of that town. He graduated at Harvard College, was assistant instructer at Leicester Academy from 1822, to the spring of 1824, and then pursued his studies in the theological institution at Cam- bridge.2
The new brick church, erected by the society on Main street, south from the Court House, was dedicated August 20, 1829, when an appropriate discourse was preached by the senior pastor.
After the election of the Rev. Mr. Hill, Dr. Bancroft relinquish- ed, in future years, the sum of three hundred dollars, which he had, for a long time previous, statedly received. The parish, Jan. 29, 1827, unanimously resolved, 'that while we deem superfluous any
1 'The uninterrupted harmony of the society, and its peaceful relations with its neigh- bors after the troubles of organization had subsided, has been the occasion of great sat- isfaction to its members. The following pleasant anecdote, related in one of the notes appended to Dr. Bancroft's Half Century Sermon, has the merit of wit if not of truth. 'A stranger of distinction, having occasion to pass some weeks in Worcester, became acquainted with the internal state of the two societies, then existing in this town ; and he observed to a member of the first parish, 'How does it happen that you, who profess to be in possession of the true faith, and claim an exalted standing in piety, are frequently in contention, while the second society, whom you denominate heretics, live in peace and harmony ?' The reply was, 'the members of the second society have not religion enough to quarrel about it .??
2 Rev. Mr. Hill married Frances Mary Clark, daughter of Hugh Hamilton Clark, for- merly merchant of Boston, Dec. 29, 1830. Mr. Hill has published : sermon at the ordi- nation of Rev. Josiah Moore, at Athol, Dec. 8. 1830 : Reports of the Worcester Sun- day School Society for 1835, 1836: sermon in Liberal Preacher, Aug. 1836.
200
SECOND SOCIETY. [1836.
encomiums upon the character and standing of him, whose praise has long been in all the churches, where christianity, freed from human inventions, is inculcated in its purity, we cannot forbear to express the deep sense which this society entertains, of the watch- ful care over its welfare, and readiness, at all times, to sacrifice personal interest to its advancement, which, in all past years of the history of the society, have distinguished the ministry of its pastor, and which, as the present act of unsolicited liberality affords evi- dence, are still exhibited, in all his ministerial relations, with force unabated by time.' 1
The church, at a meeting, March 5, 1836, expressed their sense of the fidelity of the senior pastor.
' Resolved, that this church, in reviewing its history from its first organization, feel deep cause of gratitude to God for its long contin- uance as a church of Christ, for its harmony, unanimity, and unin- terrupted prosperity.
' Resolved, that this church is much indebted, under God, to the prudence, zeal, fidelity, and untiring labors of its senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. Bancroft, under whose influence it was first gathered, and by whom it has been ever watched over, guided, and instructed, with the tenderness of a father, and the earnestness and solicitude of a devoted christian minister : Therefore,
' Resolved, That the church tender to their rev. senior pastor their grateful acknowledgments of his past labors, and their christian sympathies under the growing infirmities of a weight of years spent in their service, and the assurance of their prayers for his continued life and usefulness.
' Resolved, That the treasurer of the church, be, and he hereby is directed, to present to the Rev. Dr. Bancroft, two hundred dol- lars, out of any monies in the treasury not otherwise disposed of, in testimony of their affectionate regard for his person, his character, and ministerial labors.'
In a letter to the church, March 10, 1836, Dr. Bancroft writes, in answer to a communication of these votes, ' With you, I join in re- turns of gratitude to God, for the peace and prosperity which have attended us to the present time. Your approbation of my services is grateful to my heart ; your pecuniary donation has intrinsic value ; but its highest estimation in my mind, is, the evidence it bears of the feelings you cherish towards me.'
1 Second Parish Records, ii. 46.
201
REV. AARON BANCROFT.
1780.1
The Rev. Aaron Bancroft, D. D. born at Reading, Mass., Nov. 10, 1755, was son of Samuel Bancroft, formerly an extensive land- holder, deacon of the west church of that town, field officer of militia, magistrate, and a useful and respected citizen. Engaged in the cultivation of the fields acquired by successful industry, the fa- ther considered agriculture as the best employment for his children, in times of political commotion, but yielded his own preference to the desire of the son for collegiate education. Mr. Bancroft com- menced the study of the languages, in the moving grammar school of his native place, and followed an incompetent instructor in his migrations through the districts. During the year, while the school was temporarily suspended, he labored, at intervals, on the paternal farm. The settlement of a new minister afforded a more capable teacher than the former. But during the few months of his tuition, the engagements of courtship and of building occupied so much of the attention of the master, that the pupil, after the daily walk of a mile, was left with the half recited or postponed recitation, to ex- plore his way unaided through the elementary difficulties of litera- ture. Mr. Bancroft entered Harvard College in 1774. The revo- lutionary movements of April, 1775, dispersed the students, and he went to his home, and worked steadily on the farm until the next October, when the scholars were called together at Concord, and in March of the following year, reassembled at Cambridge. The din of arms rose around the halls of the university. The great affairs of the country and the events of war, had deep interest for the gov- ernment of the institution, and the student was compelled to rely more on his own exertions for improvement than on the information imparted by the professors. Having graduated, in 1778, Mr. Ban- croft taught the town school of Cambridge for a few months, and then commenced his theological course with Mr. Haven, minister of his father's parish, a gentleman of fine intellect. In the autumn of 1779, he first preached, for three or four sabbaths, for the occasion- al assistance of clerical friends. The severity of the succeeding win- ter, and the excessive depth of snow, almost suspended travelling, and he remained in the family of Mr. Haven, sometimes supplying his desk. A proposal from Mr. Barnard, of Yarmouth, Nova Sco- tia, to visit that province, was accepted in the spring of 1780. Mr. Bancroft obtained permission from the executive council of Massas chusetts, to leave the state, and resided in Yarmouth, Horton, Corn. wallis, Annapolis, and for a few weeks in Halifax, during an absence of three years. Peace having been restored, he returned from the
26
202
REV. AARON BANCROFT.
[1785.
British dominions in 1783, landed at Salem in July, and the next week was invited to Worcester, to supply the pulpit during the illness of Mr. Maccarty. Here, where his labors have been so long contin- ued, Mr. Bancroft first appeared as a candidate for settlement. Af- ter eight sabbaths, the temporary restoration of declining health, en- abled the minister to resume his duties. Mr. Bancroft was immedi- ately engaged in vacant parishes. In the spring of 1784, he was so- licited to become pastor of the church in that part of Stoughton now Canton, but felt constrained to decline. In the same year, he offi- ciated in East Windsor, Connecticut. In October, 1784, he again visited Worcester, and after conducting the religious services of five or six sabbaths, went to Sandwich, in the county of Barnstable, where the desire of the most influential members of the society to secure his permanent residence, was prevented from public and for- mal expression, by his own reluctance to receive a call. On a third invitation, he returned to Worcester, in Jan. 1785, and in March following, that connection was formed with the second congrega- tional society which has continued for more than fifty years.
Unitarian sentiments, explicitly avowed, separated Mr. Bancroft from that friendly communication with professional neighbors, which lightens and cheers the labors of the clergyman, and for seven years, he stood almost alone. Within this period, he exchanged once a year with the Rev. Messrs. Harrington and Adams, occasionally with some ministers in Boston, and with one in Salem, and twice on- ly with others of the vicinity. Efforts of some liberal members of the clerical association of the county, to procure his admission, opposed by those who were unwilling to hold intercourse with one entertain- ing opinions they deemed heretical, drove the more tolerant from that body, and led to its temporary dissolution. It was afterwards rees- tablished on foundation less exclusive. In some years, when the enhanced prices of the necessaries of life, rendered a moderate sal- ary inadequate for comfortable maintenance, the deficiency of in- come was partially supplied by the emolument of instruction to young men, and to the daughters of parishioners, the reception of boarders, and literary labors. Most men would have yielded to depression of spirits under circumstances so disheartening, and sought easier task, and more peaceful position. The society, in its early days, embar- rassed by difficulties, and pressed by angry opposition, would, in all probability, have been dissolved, if unsustained by his perseverance and firmness. Much of the prosperity of later years was derived
203
REV. AARON BANCROFT.
1821.]
from his pecuniary sacrifices, and unwearied exertions, or resulted from the independence and prudence of liis course.1
The Life of Washington, in one volume octavo, came from the press in 1807. The popular and familiar style and faithful narrative of this work, gave it extensive sale. A stereotype edition in two volumes, 12mo, was published in Boston, in 1826, as one of the se- ries of Bedlington's Cabinet Library.
In 1821, Dr. Bancroft delivered a series of doctrinal discourses, which were printed on the request of the learers. In relation to these sermons, the late President John Adams, thus expresses him- self, Jan. 24, 1823. ' I thank you for your kind letter of Dec. 30th, and above all, for the gift of a precious volume. It is a chain of diamonds set in links of gold. I have never read, nor heard read, a volume of sermons better calculated and adapted to the age and country in which it was written. How different from the sermons I heard and read in the town of Worcester from the year 1755 to 1758.' . . . . ' You may well suppose, that I have heard controver- sies enough : but, after all, I declare to you, that your twenty nine sermons have expressed the result of all my reading, experience, and reflections, in a manner more satisfactory to me, than I could have done in the best days of my strength.'2
1 One of his parishioners addressed the minister thus: 'Well, Mr. Baneroft, what do you think the people of the old society say of you now ?' ' Something good I hope,' was the reply. 'Why, they say, it is time to let you alone, for if they find fault with you, you do not regard it, and if they praise you, you do not mind it, but keep steadily on in your own way.'
2 The publications of Dr. Bancroft are the following : 1. Sermon at the ordination of Rev. Samuel Shuttlesworth, June 23, 1790, at Windsor, Vi. 2. Sermon before the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, June 11, 1793, at Worcester. 3. Sermon on the ex- ecution of Samuel Frost, for murder, July 16, 1793, at Worcester. 4. Sermon at the installation of Rev. Clark Brown, June 20, 1798, at Brimfield. 5. Eulogy on General Washington, Feb. 22, 1800, at Worcester. 6. Election Sermon, May 27, 1801. 7. Address, on the importance of education, at the opening of a new building al Leicester Academy, July 4, 1806. 8. Life of Gen. Washington, Worcester, 1807. 8vo. pp. 552. Stereotype, Boston, 1826. 2 vols. 12mo. 9. Sermon at the ordination of Rev. Nathan Parker, Sept 14, 1803, at Portsmouth, N. H. 10. Sermon before Society for promotion of christian knowledge, piety and charity, May 29, 1810, at Boston. 11. New Year's Sermon, Jan. 6, 1811. 12. Nature and worth of Christian Liberty, ser- mon, June 28, 1816, at Worcester, with an appendix, containing the history of Consoci- ation; 2 editions. 13. Duties of the Fourth Commandment, sermon, Jan. 1817, at Wor- cester ; 2 editions. 14. Vindication of the result of a mutual council at Princeton, March, 1817. 15. Discourse on Conversion, April, 1818. 16. The Leaf an emblem of Human Life, sermon on the death of Mrs. Mary Thomas, Nov. 22, 1818. 17. The Doc- trine of Immortality, Christmas sermon, 1818. 18. Sermon at the installation of Rev. Luther Wilson, June 23, 1819, at Petersham. 19. Sermon before the Convention of Congregational Ministers, June 1, 1820. 20. Sermons on the Doctrines of the Gospel,
204
REV. AARON BANCROFT.
[1836.
On the 31st of January, 1836, Dr. Bancroft delivered a discourse on the termination of fifty years of his ministry, afterwards printed in compliance with the request of the society, with interesting and valuable historical notes. 'If the question of improvement has re- spect to the members of the Society,' he says, ' who are the individ- uals to whom I can appeal ? They, who with me began their course of Christian improvement are removed from life ; but one man re- mains, of those who invited me to settle with them as their minister ; and but two women now live, who at that time were heads of fami- lies. I am the oldest man in the parish, with one exception, and his connection with us was but of yesterday. I have been longer in a married state with one wife, than any other living member of our community. I have outlived my generation ; and in the midst of society may be considered a solitary man.'
Doct. Bancroft, was member of the Board of Trustees of Leices- ter Academy for thirty years, and long its President ; President of the Worcester County Bible Society ; of the American Unitarian Association, from its organization in 1825 to 1836; and of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, Piety, and Charity ; Vice President of the Worcester and Middlesex Missionary Soci- ety, afterward merged in the Evangelical Missionary Society ; and
Worcester, 1822, Svo. pp. 429. 21. Mediation and ministry of Jesus Christ, sermon, Aug. 15, 1819, at Keene, N. H. 22. Moral purpose of Ancient Sacrifices, of the Mo- saic Ritual, and of Christian Observanees, sermon, Aug. 15, 1819, at Keene, N. H. 23. Sermon at the installation of Rev. Andrew Bigelow, July 9, 1823, at Medford. 24. Du- ties of Parents, sermon, Aug. 10. 1823, at Woreester. 25. Sermon before the Auxilia- ry Society for meliorating the condition of the Jews, April 23, 1824, at Woreester. 26. Sermon at the funeral of Rev. Dr. Joseph Sumner, Dee. 30, 1824. 27. Sermon on the death of Prest. John Adams, July 19, 1826. 28. Sermon on the Sabbath following the ordination of Rev. Alonzo Hill, April 3, 1827. 29. Sermon at the dedication of the New Unitarian Meeting House, Aug. 20, 1829. 30-1-2. Sermons in Liberal Preacher : Office of Reason in the Concerns of Religion, July, 1827. Female Duties and Trials, August, 1828. Importance of Salvation, August, 1830. 33. End of the command- ments, sermon in Christian Monitor. 34. A Glanee at the past and present state of ecclesiastical affairs in Massachusetts, in Unitarian Advocate, Jan. 1831. 35. Moral Power of Christianity, in Western Messenger, i. 350. 36. Sermon on the termination of fifty years of his ministry, Jan. 31, 1836.
Dr. Bancroft was married to Lucretia, daughter of Judge John Chandler, Oct. 1786.
1797. A clock for the tower was presented by Isaiah Thomas, Esq. to the Second Society, and an elegant folio Bible in two volumes, for the pulpit, by his lady. In 1817, the same liberal individual made a donation of two cups for the communion service: the old furniture of the table was given by the church to the Evangelical Missionary So- ciety, to be by them bestowed on some new church gathered under their auspices. 1829. A donation of a baptismal basin was made by F. W. Paine, Esq. 1832. Na- thaniel Maccarty, Esq. bequeathed to the church $ 75.
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