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 23
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 23
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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
205
FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY.
1812.]
of the American Antiquarian Society, from 1816 to . 1832 : Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and member of other societies. His long continued and persevering exertions in the cause of education, contributed greatly to the introduction and establishment of the improved school system of the town. In 1810 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Harvard Uni- versity.
The oldest clergyman in the county of Worcester, and one of the most aged ministers of Massachusetts, Dr. Bancroft continues to of- ficiate in the pulpit. May that period be yet far distant, when biog- raphy shall speak fully of the merits of his works, the worth of his character, and the virtues of his life.
CHAPTER XII.
First Baptist Society. Formation 1812. Rev. William Bentley. Articles of Faith. Rev. Jonathan Going. Rev. Frederic A. Willard. Rev. Jonathan Aldrich. Elm Street Society, 1836. Calvinist Society. Separalion from first church, 1820. For- mation of Society, 1822. Rev. Loammi I. Hoadley. House and Fund bestowed by Hon. Daniel Waldo. Rev. John S. C. Abbott. Rev. David Peabody. Catholic Society, 1831. Rev. James Fillon. Methodist Episcopal Society, 1834. Protestant Episcopal Society, 1835. Rev. Thomas H. Vail. Union Society, 1836.
Previous to 1795, there were three persons, only, of the Baptist denomination in Worcester.1 In the spring of that year, James Wilson, Esq.,2 emigrating from Newcastle upon Tyne, in England, took up his residence here. During the long period intervening be- tween 1795 and 1812, meetings for religious worship were sometimes held in his own house, when the casual visits of teachers offered op- portunity of obtaining the ministration of instructors of the order. Those of similar sentiments were successively removed by death ; their places were not filled : and for a time he remained the solitary advocate and supporter of those views of Christian ordinances as- serted by the church with which he was united. But, although alone,
1 Dr. John Green, son of Thomas Green, founder of the Baptist church in Leicester, Mr. Amos Putnam, an aged member of the church in Charlton, and Mrs. Dolly Flagg, a female advanced in years, connected with the first Baptist church in Boston.
2 James Wilson, Esq. Postmaster of Worcester from 1801 to 1833, deacon of the first Baptist church here from its foundation, removed, with his family, to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1833.
206
FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY.
[1812.
he cherished the leading purpose of his life, and became the founder of the Baptist society. By his zealous and persevering exertions, an association was formed under favorable circumstances. Some discourses of Dr. Austin, on national and state fasts, gave offence to many of the eldest parish. The facilities for procuring ministers had increased. Accessions of numbers were derived from the swelling population. In 1812, lectures and devotional exercises were had, regularly on the Sabbath, and on other days of the week, in different places of the town. The Hall in the School House of the Centre District, was rented, and opened for stated worship on the Lord's Day, July 30, 1812. Opposition gave that excitement desirable to strengthen and cement union, even if higher feelings had not rendered the connection of the associates permanent. On the 28th of September, Elder William Bentley, on the unanimous re- quest of the members of the association, entered into an engage- ment to preach for them on a salary of $300 per annum, and an al- lowance of four Sundays of the year for visits. The sum appointed for his compensation was defrayed by the contribution of individu- als, parties to an agreement to pay the amount in proportions fixed by the terms of their subscriptions. On the 5th of November, a a meeting of those who held church membership was had, and it was voted, ' to form a church, by the name of ' the Baptist Church in Worcester,' and the following confession of faith was adopted.'1
' As the church of Christ is made up of a number of persons, who are renewed by divine grace, and united in the fellowship of the Gos- pel ; and as that fellowship consists in a unison of sentiments, inter- est and affection ; and as two cannot walk together, except they be agreed, we think it our duty to make the following declaration of our views of divine truth : for the satisfaction of any who may wish to unite with us in church fellowship; which declaration is as fol- lows :
' We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were written by men divinely inspired, and that God requires of us, to be- lieve in, and embrace them as our only rule of faith and practice, and that among others they contain the following all important truths.
' 1. The existence of one only, living, and true God, infinite in all excellence, immutable, eternal, self sufficient, and independent, who created all things, and who upholds, governs, and disposes of them for his own glory.
1 The same articles had been adopted by the First Baptist Church, in Portland, Maine.
207
ARTICLES OF FAITHI.
1812.]
' 2. That in one God there are three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; the same in essence, and equal in every divine perfec- tion.
'3. That all God's works of creation, providence, and grace, ever have been, still are, and ever will be accomplished, according to his own will ; which he purposed in himself before the world began.
'4. 'That man was created holy, but, by wilfully violating the law of his Maker, he fell from his first rectitude; and as Adam was the father, and representative of all his posterity, we, in him, became wholly defiled and dead in trespasses and sins : so that by nature we are indisposed to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil : and are children of wrath, and subjects of death, and of all other miseries, temporal, spiritual, and eternal.
' 5. That the only way of salvation from this state of guilt and con- demnation, is, through the righteousness, and atonement of Jesus Christ, who as the good shepherd, laid down his life for his sheep ; that he might redeem them from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works : and those only who receive the gift of repentance and faith in him, will be finally saved by the atonement.
' 6. That all, who ever have been or will be brought to repentance and faith in the gospel, were chosen in Christ to salvation, before the foundation of the world; and that, in consequence of the eternal love of God to them, through the atonement, the Holy Ghost is sent to effect the work of regeneration in their hearts, without which re- generating influence, none would ever repent or believe.
' 7. That the perfect righteousness of Christ, which he wrought out by his obedience and death, is reckoned or imputed to those who be- lieve, as the alone matter of their justification.
' 8. That nothing can separate true believers from the love of God, but they will be kept by his power, through faith unto salvation.
'9. That the only proper subjects of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, are professed believers in Christ; and that baptism is properly administered, only by immersing the whole body in water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost : and is by Scripture example, a prerequisite to communion at the Lord's table.
' 10. That the true church of Christ on earth, is made up of those, who are renewed by grace, partake of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, united in the fellowship of the truthi, and are as lively stones built up in a spiritual house, to offer spiritual sacrifice, holy and ac-
208
FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY.
[1812.
ceptable to God by Jesus Christ. That the only officers to be or- dained in the church, are Bishops or teaching Elders, and Deacons. That those officers have no more power to decide matters for the church, than any other members. Yet we believe, so far as their gifts and graces may enable them to lead the church to a right judg- ment according to the Scriptures, we are to submit to them, for they watch for our souls, as they that must give an account in the day of judgment.
' 11. That God hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness, by Christ Jesus, and that the bodies of both the righteous and the wicked, will then be raised from their graves and again united to their souls, and appear before God to be judged according to the deeds done in the body ; at which time the wicked will be sentenced to endless punishment, and the righteous be re- ceived into eternal glory and happiness, where they will be ever with the Lord.'
The 9th of December was fixed for the constitution of the church, the reception of fellowship from others, and the installation of the pastor elect. The use of the old south meeting house was formally solicited, and obtained from the selectmen and assessors. The eler- gymen of the first and second societies were courteously invited to attend on the occasion. On the evening previous to the ceremonies, a note was sent by Dr. Austin, refusing to be present ; declining to countenance proceedings which, in his view, indicated hostility to union, and interference with endeavors to promote the kingdom of Christ in the world ; declaring that Mr. Bentley, 'originally exci- ted by some, seconded by others, whose sectarian zeal carried them beyond a regard to several of the primary precepts of the Gospel, had commenced, and was prosecuting a partizan warfare against the har- mony and prosperity of the church and congregation under his care ;' complaining that the occupation of his pulpit would be 'against full expression of personal feeling, the rights of the christian ministry, the order of Christ's house, and the laws of the land :' and expressing ' determination not officiously to interrupt,' and ' wish not to be inter- rupted, in the prosecution of a work, consigned to him, as he hoped, by the Redeemer of Zion.' This communication rendered a change of place necessary. Application was made to Dr. Bancroft for leave to occupy his desk, which was freely given, and the exercises of in- stallation were in the meeting house of the second parish. The first church in Providence, and the churches in Leicester, Charlton, Graf-
209
REV. WILLIAM BENTLEY.
1812.]
ton, and Sutton, by their elders or delegates were represented in council. Discourses were preached, in the forenoon, by the Rev. Joseph Cornell, and in the afternoon, by Rev. Stephen Gano of Prov- idence. The right hand of fellowship was tendered by the latter elder. The church, at this time, numbered fourteen males, and fourteen females, among its members.
The erection of a meeting house was commenced, May 29, 1813. It was placed on the slight eminence, eastward from the burial place, adjoining the common. The site was purchased for the considera- tion of $ 100, by subscription of the church, and conveyed to their committee, in trust for the society. The building was completed, Dec. 13, of the same year, at an expense of $ 2459, principally de- frayed by the sale of pews. It was dedicated, Dec. 23, 1813, when a sermon was preached by Elder Bentley.
Elder William Bentley first followed the business of a baker in Bos- ton. He received ordination, and settled in the ministry, at Tiv- erton, R. I. Well fitted to be the pioneer of a religious enterprise, he was called thence by the society founded in Worcester, in its in- fancy. He removed to Wethersfield, in Connecticut, after a few months : was pastor of the church there : and has since been much employed in missionary exertions.
On the 30th of June, 1815, Mr. Bentley asked and received dis- mission. On the third of November following, the Rev. Jonathan Going accepted a call to settle as successor, on a salary of $ 400 an- nually. Having been previously ordained as a minister of the Gos- pel, there were no public ceremonies on assuming the office in Wor- cester. The stipend was increased by occasional grants. In 1819, it was $500: in 1820, 8600: the next year, $550: from 1823 to 1826, the original compensation of $ 400 was paid ; afterwards $ 500.
An act of incorporation was obtained, June 8, 1819, and the first meeting of the parish held, August 16, under the warrant of Hon. Daniel Waldo.
In April, 1831, the Rev. Mr. Going had leave of absence from parochial and pastoral duties, to enable him to prosecute a journey to the West, for the restoration of health, and for missionary labors. In January, 1832, he requested dismission. During a ministry of sixteen years, the society had increased from a handful to a large congregation. The connection of pastor and parish had been one of uninterrupted harmony. The intimation of his intention to remove, was received with ' an expression of regret by words and tears, that circumstances had led to this result.' 'Do you then,' he says, in a
27
210
FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY. [1831.
communication to the church, 'ask me, why leave us? My answer is ; not that I love the Baptist church and society in Worcester less ; but that I love the body of Baptists, and the multitudes who are des- titute in the United States, more. During my whole ministry, I have felt constrained by a sense of duty, to devote much attention to works of religious charity, and, especially, for several years past, more time than is consistent with the highest advantages of a partic- ular church. Besides, I have felt a deep solicitude, for some years, in the moral condition of the West. And my late tour has settled that solicitude, in full conviction of my duty to devote myself to the interests of home missions, particularly, in the Valley of the Missis- sippi. Plainly, a mighty effort must be made ; and by the body of evangelical christians in the Atlantic States; and made soon ; or ignorance and popery, heresy and infidelity, will entrench them- selves too strongly to be repulsed. And, in that case, it is morally certain, that our republic will be overturned, and our institutions, civil and religious, will be demolished.' . . . ' To the existence and success of the projected Baptist Home Mission Society, it is indis- pensable, that the whole time and energies of some man should be de- voted ; and our friends, whose opinions ought to determine questions of this sort, have said this work belonged to me.'
In complying with the request of Mr. Going, and dissolving his connection, church and parish strongly expressed affection for his person, respect for his character, and gratitude for his services.
'The Rev. Jonathan Going, was born at Reading, in Windsor county, Vt. March 7, 1786. After brief attendance on the common schools of a country then recently planted, he commenced prepara- tions for college, in 1803, at the academy of New Salem, Mass; en- tered Brown University in 1805; graduated in 1809; and read di- vinity with the late president of that institution, the Rev. Dr. Asa Messer. In May, 1813, he received ordination, as the first settled minister of Cavendish, in his native county, where he resided until December, 1815. He then assumed the pastoral charge of the Bap- tist church in Worcester, which was retained for sixteen years. In January, 1832, it was resigned, for the purpose of accepting the of- fice of Corresponding Secretary of the American Baptist Home Mis- sion Society. He has since resided in the city of New York, in the discharge of its duties.
In the early part of his ministry here, Mr. Going instructed the Latin Grammar school during one year. In the arduous labors which matured the improved system of education, and superintend-
211
REV. J. GOING. REV. F. A. WILLARD.
1832.]
ed its operations in elevating the common schools of the town to high excellence, he bore active and efficient part. The registers, indica- ting the degree of fidelity in the teacher and assiduity of the pupils, were introduced by him. One of the first Sabbath schools of the county was established, under his direction, in the Baptist society in Worcester.
Mr. Going received the degree of Master of Arts, at Brown Uni- versity and the University of Vermont, in 1818; and that of Doctor of Divinity from Waterville College, Me. in 1832. In addition to the preparation of reports, addresses, and papers for periodicals, he has been, two years, editor of the American Baptist, a religious news- paper published weekly in New York.
The paternal ancestors of Mr. Going, were from Scotland : the maternal, from England. Robert Going, or Gowing, came from Edinburgh, settled in Lynn, Mass. at an early period, and was admit- ted freeman, in Dedham, Mass. in 1611. The father of the subject of this notice, Capt. Jonathan Going, born in Lunenburgh, Mass. 1761, and still living in the state of New York, married Sarah Ken- dall of Dunstable, Mass. in 1785.1
The Rev. Frederic A. Willard, who had supplied the pulpit three months previously, was elected pastor, without dissenting voice, Jan- nary 2, 1832, and a salary of $ 500, was voted. The first Baptist church in Boston, the churches of Leicester, Spencer, West Boylston, Grafton, Sutton, Northampton, and the Newton Theological Sem- inary, attended in council at the ordination, on the 18th of the same month. The Scriptures were read by Rev. John Green, of Leices- ter ; the introductory prayer offered by Rev. Otis Converse of Graf- ton : the sermon preached by Professor Henry J. Ripley of the Sen- inary in Newton : the church and people addressed by Rev. Jona- than Going : the right hand of fellowship offered by Rev. William Hague of Boston : and the concluding prayer made by Rev. John Walker of Sutton.
Regarding the evils of intemperance, and its desolating effects on the happiness of individuals, public and private virtue, and the welfare of the community, it was declared, May 22, 1834, to be the strong and deliberate conviction of the church, that the time had ar- rived, when no professed disciple of Christ, could manufacture, buy, sell, or use, ardent spirit, as a drink, without being guilty of immor- ality, and violating his profession as a christian : and it was resol-
1 Rev. Jonathan Going married Luey Thorndike, of Dunstable, Mass. August 1811.
212
FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY.
[1835.
ved, that entire abstinence from the manufacture, use, and sale of this article, should be an invariable condition for membership and good standing. 1
The father of Rev. Frederic A. Willard, Benjamin Willard, former- ly of Lancaster, an elder of the Baptist Church, now resident in Northampton, personally conducted the early literary education of the son : the closing portion of studies preparatory to entering col- lege, was pursued under the direction of Rev. Abiel Fisher, then of Bellingham, Mass. He graduated at Amherst college, 1826. During the year following, Mr. Willard was connected with the Clin- ical School of Medicine, at Woodstock, Vt : in 1827, was matricu- lated as member of the Newton Theological Institution, and receiv- ed professional diploma in 1830. In 1831, an appointment by the trustees of Waterville College in Maine, to the Professorship of Chem- istry was declined. After leaving his official station in Worces- ter, he accepted an invitation to become pastor of the first Baptist church, in Newton, Mass. where he now resides .?
On the 30th of July, 1835, Mr. Willard resigned his office. On the 17th of October following, the Rev. Jonathan Aldrich was elect- ed his successor. The annual salary has been $ 700.
The services at the public recognition of this gentleman, Oct. 27, 1835, were : reading of Scripture by Rev. George Waters of Holden : prayer by Rev. Charles O. Kimball of Methuen : sermon by Rev. Baron Stow of Boston : charge by Rev. Abisha Sampson of Southborough : hand of fellowship by Rev. Frederic A. Willard : address to the church and society by Rev. Charles Train of Framing- ham : prayer by Rev. John Walker of Sutton : benediction by Rev. Mr. Aldrich.
Rev. Jonathan Aldricli, son of Asquire Aldrich, a worthy farm- er of St. Johnsbury, Vt. prepared for college in the Academy of Peacham, Vt. and under the tuition of Rev. Mr. Fisher of Belling- ham : received his degree from Brown University, 1826 : pursued theological studies in the Newton Seminary : was ordained at Ded- ham, Mass. in December, 1827, where he remained nearly three years : installed at Beverly, Mass. May 1830 : and at East Cambridge in June 1833.3
1 Oct. 2, 1827. A bequest of $1000 was made to the society by the last will and tes- tament of Mr. John Goodale, who died May 2, 1827, aged 82, and it was voted to erect a monument to his memory, with a suitable inscription.
2 Mr. Willard married Mary, daughter of Seth Davis, Esq. of Newton, May 1, 1835.
3 Mr. Aldrich married Catherine P. daughter of Mr. Asa Lewis, formerly of Boston, since of Worcester, April 2, 1828.
213
CALVINIST SOCIETY.
1819.]
It had been considered expedient to form a second society. Mr. John Flagg, Isaac Davis, Esq, and Deacon Daniel Goddard, were incorporated, April 6, 1836, with their associates and successors, as proprietors of the Elm Street Baptist meeting house. A site was pur- chased for the building, westward from the Worcester House. Af- ter the destruction of the place of worship of the first Baptist church by fire, the members of the new association reunited with the origin- al parisli, in rearing another edifice on the spot before occupied with that which had been burned.
CALVINIST SOCIETY.
About the period of the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Goodrich, dif- ficulties arose in the first parish, increased and extended upon the sep- aration of Rev. Dr. Austin, and by the disciplinary measures institut- ed against the disaffected. Deacon David Richards, and four other members, retired from the watch of the church, and from the sup- port of the society, and on the 16th of January, 1819, asked to be dismissed and recommended to other churches. The request was granted, so far only as related to dismission, but recommendation was refused. Five applicants, at the same time, for similar purposes, had leave to withdraw their petitions. Nine individuals more, soon after, united with the former, in soliciting the dissolution of their relations, and the customary credentials of good standing, with the expressed intention of forming a new society. The reason as- signed by all, in substance, was, that they could not experience edifi- cation and improvement from the ministrations of the pastor. The church declined compliance with the request. Those who consid- ered themselves aggrieved by its decision, immediately invited an ecclesiastical council, to consider their situation, determine the pro- priety of establishing a separate and distinct church, and effect its organization if deemed expedient. By their ministers and delegates, the Old South Church in Boston, and the churches of Charlestown, Northbridge, Millbury, Upton, Ward, and Sutton, met, on the 17th of February, 1819. The Rev. Jedediah Morse was elected moder- ator. Their result recommended those who had already been dis- missed, to the fellowship of churches, to which they were afterwards united. The council paused here, and awaiting further light from future events of Providence, adjourned their session, but were not again called to assemble. On the 18th of March succeeding, sev- enteen persons asked dismission and recommendation. The first church proposed to submit the regularity of their anterior proceed-
214
CALVINIST SOCIETY. [1822.
ings, and the propriety of granting the pending application, to the decision of a mutual council, which was declined. It was subse- quently voted, that the church did not feel able to comply with the request, nor willing to reject it, but were in doubt, and wished for advice. A final answer was waived ; the members did not renew their petition, but joined the Baptist Society in April, although they continued to commune with the first church. On the 2d of June, 1820, acting on the principle, that uniting and worshiping with ano- ther denomination, and withholding pecuniary support, was virtual separation, it was declared, that the individuals not dismissed, had, by their own acts, cut themselves off from the privileges of the first church. Thus parted from all relations with any religious associa- tion, they invited an ecclesiastical council, which convened, Aug. 16, 1820, from the churches in Franklin, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, Wrentham, Ward, and Park Street in Boston. Rev. Nathaniel Em- mons of Franklin, was elected moderator. 'The result, expressed approval of constituting a regular church from the applicants, and it was accordingly organized. 1
Subsequently, proposals were made by the first church, on condi- tions which were considered exceptionable, to submit to a mutual council the whole subject of the subsisting difficulties. Conferen- ces were held by committees of the two bodies, terminating, after long negotiation, in the conclusion, that it was possible only to agree to remain separate.
On the 8th of February, 1822, a meeting of the Calvinist church, and of those associating with them for religious purposes, was held, for the organization of a society, according to the laws of the Com- monwealth. Daniel Waldo, David Richards, William McFarland, John W. Hubbard, Moses N. Child, Samuel Taylor, Benjamin God- dard, and Jonas Parker, bound themselves, to defray, out of their private property, the expenses of supporting public worship for five years, deducting such sums as might be voluntarily contributed by others.
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