USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > History of the Calvinistic Congregational Church and Society Fitchburg, Massachusetts > Part 3
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The two brothers, Asa and Cyrus, were apprenticed to John and Joseph Farwell to learn the scythe-maker's trade, but during the revival which followed the depart- ure of Rev. Mr. Worcester, Asa became exceedingly im- pressed with the teachings of Rev. Mr. Barton. His convictions were the result of no sudden emotion, how- ever, and not until he was twenty-two years of age, after six years of pondering the question, did he make the final decision and offer himself as a missionary. Fitting for college, he entered Yale in 1812, graduating in 1816; he finished his seminary course at Andover in 1819.
His biographer, Mr. Harris, writes of him: "In the fall of . 1819, after finishing his seminary course, he turned his steps homeward for the last time. His pur- pose to be a missionary had long been known, but his chosen field of labor, the Sandwich Islands, had just been announced. The story of the barbarous murder of Capt. Cook had sent a chill through England and America. Youth and age alike, not only in Fitchburg, but in all the adjacent towns were interested in the man who had courage to carry the gospel to savages.
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Calvinistic Congregational Church.
"The Sabbath previous to his departure he preached in Mr. Eaton's pulpit from the text-' And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring; and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd.' The church was filled to overflowing. In the choir were Ebenezer, Cyrus, Sylvania and Mahala, his brothers and sisters. There was a gathering of neighbors and relatives at the old homestead the morning of Mr. Thurston's departure and right warmly was the 'God bless you' given.
"The time was fixed for the vessel to sail. It was a sorrowful day. Gray-haired men and women and little children wept, but no tear could be traced on his cheek. His horse was saddled and brought to the door. As he mounted and drove away, not a shadow crossed his brow. Longing eyes went after him as he ascended the hill and as he entered the woods which then covered the brow of the hill, he turned his horse about and sat for a moment surveying the scene and group before him -a last look at home, kindred and friends-then drew his reins and galloped away.
"Brave soul! His goal was no visionary flighty castle, but a sublime height reached only by patient toil that knew no rebuff of fortune or flickering of faith and its reward is 'manifold more in this present time and in the world to come life everlasting.'"
He was married to Lucy Goodale of Marlboro, Mass., and sailed from Boston with others who formed the first band of missionaries sent to the Sandwich Islands, October 23, 1819, giving a farewell address in Park Street church, Boston.
Never again to return to his native shores, his entire life afterward for forty years was spent with the peo- ple whom he led out from the deepest heathenism into gospel light. His Christian faith and heroism were well expressed in the familiar hymn.
Yes, my native land, I love thee, All the scenes I love them well, Friends, connections, happy country,
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Asa Thurston.
Can I bid you all farewell, Can I leave you, Far in heathen lands to dwell ?
Bear me on, thou restless ocean,
Let the winds my canvas swell ;
Heaves my heart with warm emotion,
While I go far hence to dwell. Glad I bid thee,
Native land,-Farewell-Farewell.
He reached the Sandwich Islands, March 31, 1820, after a voyage of more than five months and found the inhabitants in the depth of heathenism; was sta- tioned for more than forty years on the island of Hawaii at Kailua.
*"He was instructor for a time of both kings Kame- hameha II. and Kamehameha III. His influence upon the conduct and disposition, especially of the latter, was very great, but his influence was greatest among the masses. He was honored alike by the natives and foreigners as a faithful, patient and persistent worker; steadfast and abiding in one stay far beyond the ordi- nary missionary. Nothing in the history of missions of like instance is recorded-so long at one post without revisiting the home of his childhood. Only when ad- vancing age and repeated strokes of paralysis had ren- dered him incapable of service did he yield; thereafter spending the close of his life in the city of Honolulu. His knowledge of the native language and character was most thorough. He translated Genesis, Numbers, Deuteronomy, the whole of Samucl, Second Book of Kings and other parts of the Bible into the native language."
He died March 11, 1868, his wife surviving him, also three children and several grandchildren, one of whom, L. A. Thurston, was sent as minister from Hawaii to the United States previous to its annexation.
* Missionary Herald.
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CHAPTER III.
RETURN TO C. C. MEETING-HOUSE.
In the fulness of time when Trinitarianism had at last recognized the insuperable barrier between it and Unitarianism, a final separation took place and the first record on the books of the C. C. church is as follows:
"Friday October 31, 1823.
"The church assembled agreeably to notice given the preceding Sabbath. Brother Abel Thurston signified his acceptance of the office of *deacon, to which he had been chosen at a previous meeting * The par- tieular objeet of this meeting was then stated by the moderator and after much consultation and delibera- tion on the subject it was moved and seconded that this church remove its connection from the First Parish and unite with the Congregational society (formed this day) in the town of Fitchburg.
"The above motion being put by the moderator, twenty out of twenty-three voted in the affirmative. Those who did not vote in the affirmative were then severally enquired of their reasons for not voting; to which, different answers were given. They were then particularly requested to state whether they wished the church to delay or adjourn on their account and each for himself stated that he did not. The idea was then suggested that a part of the church would choose to remain with the First Parish; in that ease an adjust- ment of the concerns of the church relative to the fur-
*Ephraim Kimball, who held the office of deacon in the old church before the separation, continued in that office with the new church until his death in 1825.
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Return to C. C. Meeting House.
niture and records which they now hold in common would be very desirable that no unhappy differences might hereafter arise.
"Voted *unanimously that those vessels and records which formerly belonged to the church under the care of the Rev. Wm. Bascom shall be left for the use of those who may wish to remain with the First Parish and the remainder be taken for the use of those who unite with the C. C. society.
"Voted to adjourn without delay.
Attest- Walter Johnson Ch. Clerk."
On November 5, 1823, a committee of the society composed of Joseph Farwell, Abel Fox and Alpheus Boutelle was chosen to unite with the church in ex- tending a call to Rev. Rufus Putnam to become its pastor, and December 22 it voted to offer him a sal- ary of $475 per annum "with two Sabbaths each year excepted for him to visit his friends or other special occasion and no deduction to be made in case of ordi- nary and temporary sickness."
One week later, November 13, 1823, a committee was chosen to take into consideration the prudential and financial concerns of the society and to devise ways and means to secure and advance its future prosperity. This consisted of Joseph Simonds, Joseph Richardson, Joseph Downe, Jr., Joseph Farwell, Walter Johnson, Isaiah Putnam and William Downe. On December 4, 1823, they made the following report, which was ac- cepted :
"We the subscribers, members of the Calvinistic Congregational Society in the town of Fitchburg-im- pressed with a sense of the duty we owe to our God and Saviour-to ourselves, and to the rising genera- tion, and to posterity and feeling desirous that the pure doctrines of the gospel should be faithfully and
*Be it remembered that this action was taken by the two wings in the town church.
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Calvinistic Congregational Church.
constantly preached in this place; that for an object so desirable we feel a willingness to appropriate a portion of our earthly substance; and for its accomplishment do mutually and solemnly agree and engage with each other, and bind ourselves in good faith, to pay annu- ally to such person or persons as the said society shall appoint to reccive the same in portion as our polls and cstates stand in the yearly town valuation. The object by us in view is to secure the payment of all minis- terial charges and other necessary expences arising in said society which is not otherwise provided for. Pro- vided always that any subscriber to this compact shall have liberty to withdraw his or her name when they think proper, by notifying the clerk of said society in writing of their intention, previous to their annual meeting and paying all arrears that may be due. Your committee recommend that the annual meeting be held yearly on the Second Monday in March. That in addi- tion to a clerk and a committee for granting certifi- cates of membership, there shall be chosen annually a treasurer, collector and a prudential committee to con- sist of three persons."
The call and acceptance of a pastor following so closcly the organization of the church makes it inter- esting for us to know the characteristics of the man who led the church through its early trials and out into the clear waters of its successful voyage.
Rev. Mr. Putnam was born in Sutton, Mass., in 1791, graduated from Harvard college, and while teaching in Ipswich preparatory to entering Andover seminary received the call to Fitchburg. He was a great student, and through the instruction received from a gifted and pious mother, he gave up his pur- pose for further theological training. His mother had brought up her eight sons to understand Congrega- tional polity, and two of them entered the ministry. Having accepted the call, the saving of souls became his burning desire. He was a man of positive convic-
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First Case of Discipline.
tions and was ardently interested in the anti-slavery movement as well as temperance reform at a time when the advocacy of these doctrines cost something. As a teetotaler his example was effective in changing the sentiment which had prevailed earlier in the cen- tury. A year after his settlement in Fitchburg he mar- ried Frances H. Porter of Worcester. He was of medium stature, clear, light complexionf.
His ordination took place February 4, 1824, with the assistance of all the churches in the Worcester North Conference, together with the churches in Townsend and Sutton and the Calvinistic church in Leominster. The church at that time belonged to the conference which included the churches in towns to the north and west of Fitchburg.
Friday, February 27, was observed as a fast day, in order to implore the influences of the Holy Spirit upon our colleges. This united purpose on the part of the Christians of that period in invoking divine blessing upon the higher education of our country, has been the impulse that permits us to see the increase from half a dozen to more than forty colleges of the highest order, all under the direct fostering care of our own denomi- nation. One month later, the first move was made for establishing a Sabbath school, an account of which is presented elsewhere.
March 19, 1824, the church began its first case of disciplining erring members, who had returned to the First parish. After fruitless endeavors the following letter was authorized and sent to each:
Fitchburg, May , 1824.
To Brother- (or Sister)
In the course of divine providence, the members of the church of Christ in this place, in order to maintain the truth as it is in Jesus and worship their God according to the dictates of their consciences, have been under the necessity of leaving their former house of wor- ship and retiring to another.
It is therefore with much regret they learn that some of their number are determined to walk no more with them. From our com- mittee who were appointed to inquire into the subject we have re-
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Calvinistic Congregational Church.
ceived the unwelcome information that you, dear brother (or sister), are among this number.
You will permit us freely to express our sorrow, that you feel no disposition to unite with us in the support of what we deem to be the fundamental doctrine of the Gospel of Christ. We are concerned on this account for your eternal welfare and as Christian brethren we believe it to be our solemn duty, tenderly to admonish you.
We do not wish by this means to stir up any unholy feelings and passion. We wish everything in our own bosoms and in yours to be still and peaceful. Nor will this be difficult if we are real Christians and possess a heavenly temper. It is truly our desire to feel and act toward you as becometh the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Our object in this communication is not to persuade you to unite with us in our worship or to walk with us in the way which we think to be true and right unless you can do this in sincerity and with your whole heart. Yet, dear brother (or sister), we cannot give you up without a gentle warning.
We fear that you have embraced and are using your influence to support doctrines contrary to the articles of faith to which you have subscribed as a member of this church and which we believe is agreeable to the word of God. We are convinced that by this course you are exposing yourself to the displeasure of the great Head of the Church, and endangering the peace and happiness of your soul beyond the grave. Most certainly you are not in this way using "your endeavors for the promotion of the purity, peace and pros- perity of the church."
But all this we can easily forgive, if by any means we may be instrumental of advancing your eternal interests. We entreat you, therefore, to pause and reflect. Ponder the path of your feet, your soul may be ruined, we beg of you to listen to our friendly and ten- der admonition.
We give it with deep concern for your spiritual good; we certainly wish you prosperity in time and eternity. Be not offended then with our gentle reproof. Our hearts' desire and prayer to God for you is that you may embrace the truth, obey it and be saved.
The meeting of the church is adjourned till Friday the 2d day of July next at the close of the lecture preparatory to communion in the afternoon, before which time, dear brother (or sister), we hope to hear from you.
RUFUS A. PUTNAM, TIMO. T. DOWNE, WALTER JOHNSON.
The historical value of the above communication is the revelation of the spirit animating the church as well as its composer, the pastor. No satisfactory answer having been received from the offending parties
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REV. RUFUS A. PUTNAM.
Controversy Concerning Records.
and it being evident that they would not return, the church voted to suspend them until satisfaction was received. At the same time (July 2) the church voted to give them the privilege as individuals to copy any or all the records of the church since the union of the two churches until the time this church left the old meeting-house.
CONTROVERSY CONCERNING RECORDS, ETC.
The records preceding August 9, 1824, were copied from the original. The succeeding records would indi- cate that the culmination of this disciplining process resulted in a loss of the original records to the C. C. church.
"Monday, August 9, 1824, Deacon Jaquith of the Unitarian church having made a demand for all church records and furniture now in possession of the church, said demand having been made agreeable to law, the church was given to understand a prosecution would follow, if withheld. By the church's committee ap- pointed at a former meeting to fulfil the vote of the church, and make the division of records and furniture as specified in said vote the church learn that said committee have discharged their duty so far as to make to Dea. Jaquith the offer of that portion which by said vote was stipulated, but have not tendered said property as prescribed by law and the reason assigned by Dea. Jaquith and other members of the first Parish is, that those church-members who remain with said parish are not under any obligations to fulfil the con- ditions of the aforesaid vote, because, as they say, we have been the first in the transgression, and that this church have by disciplinary process had with those members who refused to walk with this chh, and fulfil their covenant engagements, violated their promise, that on our leaving the first Parish, we engaged that every thing should be still and peaceful; that we have
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Calvinistic Congregational Church.
ill-treated them and done them wrong that we would not acknowledge them as the first chh. &c &c &c.
"A perusal of the doings of this church, however, will show how much of truth may be attached to any of the preceding statements, made, as this chh believe, in order to conceal the real motive for such an unpre- cedented case as the above alluded to, by those who profess to be the friends of the meek and lowly Jesus.
"In order that this chh. might proceed on safe ground with the difficulties before them it was thought expedient by individuals, to take counsel. Mr. Hoar of Concord was accordingly consulted; and as stated by the moderator and Bro. J. Thurston, it was his decided opinion that, by virtue of the vote respecting the divi- sion of records and furniture, this chh, would, by law hold them. Still, whether we held them or not, it would not in the least affect our standing as a chh, our having been acknowledged as such by a regular ecclesiastical council.
"This chh, then in view of the perplexities and ex- pense attending a suit at law, confident also that such concerns, especially when contending for property of the kind in question, would greatly impede the growth of grace in their own hearts and retard the progress of Christ's Kingdom in this place, and that by giving up what they deem their own property in this particular case, as no precedent is likely to be established and no rights lost, will exhibit to every candid mind that are possessed in some degree, of the temper of Him who said 'And if any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.'
"Moved and Seconded, that this church comply with the demand made by Dea. Jaquith for chh. records and furniture, and that we do it rather than contend in law, although we have the opinion of able counsel that on the ground of the vote passed before the chh left the old Meeting house (page 29) we have a just and lawful claim to such part thereof as was then voted unanimously.
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Faith and Works.
"The motion being put by the moderator passed in the affirmative. Yeas twelve Nays one. Neuter one."
A committee of five consisting of Joseph Richardson, Abel Thurston, Jonathan Thurston, Walter Johnson and Abel Downe was chosen to collect and deliver the afore- said property, which they did immediately after the close of the meeting, taking a receipt therefor.
One month later, Dea. Thurston presented a com- munication to the C. C. society from Nathan Ordway, signed by him as clerk of the First parish, making a gift of certain records and furniture to the C. C. church, and at a meeting November 5, it was voted "that the further consideration of a communication signed by Nathan Ordway respecting certain chh. records and fur- niture be indefinitely postponed."
These records are interesting reading as revealing the animus which pervaded not only our own churches in Fitchburg, but many others in New England at that date.
Another interesting fact concerning some of this "fur- niture" referred to in this controversy is noted, that in January, 1900, Dea. Abram Dole had in his possession one of the communion cups, which came to him as a gift from Charles Caldwell, whose father, Dea. Enoch Caldwell of the Unitarian church, had been the custo- dian of this old communion service for many years.
To avoid opportunity for any future controversy the C. C. society in matters of church property voted September 27, that it shall never sell or dispose with- out the consent of the church.
1415160
FAITH AND WORKS.
The last day of the year 1824 having been set apart for fasting, humiliation and prayer, the first part was spent in secret devotion; the afternoon in public devo- tions at the church assembled, and this was followed by a business meeting. The day was closed by a "re-
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Calvinistic Congregational Church.
newal in a public manner with each other and with their God and Saviour, their covenant vows. A more general attendance than usual, a greater degree of free- dom with those who led in the devotional exercizes and more interest manifested on this occasion than for a long period has been apparent."
The increased attendance upon church services neces- sitated additional seating capacity and early in 1825 additions were made of one pew each side of the pulpit and six wall pews in each of the side-galleries. These were of the large old-fashioned box style which were changed into slips ten years later. These were sold at auction March 14, 1825, by Capt. Alpheus Kimball to the following persons: David Boutelle, Abel Downe, Joseph Farwell, Nehemiah Giles, Simeon W. Brown, Ephraim Osborn, Jr., William Downe, Ephraim Osborn 3d, Joel Butler, Aaron Eaton, Abel Downe, Lydia and Lucy Davis, Amos Wheeler, Jr., Edward Smith, Joseph Hovey, David Lowe, Stephen Dole.
Necessary repairs on the outside were also made; three coats of white paint were applied and four stone posts at each corner were set.
FIRST MISSION ORGANIZATION.
"Go, preach my gospel to every creature." This command of the great Leader was obeyed when on March 3, 1826, the church considered the expediency of resolving itself into a Tract Society.
Of all the great organizations for the evangelization of the world which have been established during the nineteenth century, only one-the American Board-was in existence. The American Home Missionary Society was organized this same year. The American Tract Society was the medium through which the churches of New England were able to fulfil the Master's command. On the thirty-first day of March-one month before the birth of the American Home Missionary Society-the church's committee reporting, all the members formed
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First Mission Organization.
themselves into a society to be denominated "The Auxiliary Tract Society of Fitchburg," for the purpose of promoting the circulation of moral and religious tracts in this vicinity, and of aiding the Amcrican Tract Society in the extensive distribution of tracts through the most destitute parts of the United States and of the continent of America. Executive officers having been chosen, it was voted to send onc-third of the donations to the treasurer of the American Tract Society; one-third to be returned to the donors in tracts at ten per cent. discount from the usual prices, and one- third to be at the disposal of the executive committee of the society for local distribution. It was voted that each member of the church shall feel themselves under solemn obligations to devote a small sum of money annually for this society; it being left to the discretion of each member to give as the Lord shall prosper him.
In this day of surfeit in religious literature it may be difficult to realize what hunger there was for just such reading as the society was able to put into the secluded homes of America, by the agency of the Chris- tian colporteur, who was as truly a missionary as any who crossed oceans. It was fallow ground also, by which our colleges were filled later with material for missionary work the world around.
At the close of this meeting Walter Johnson resigned the office of clerk. Later he removed to Worcester, and we lose sight of our early friend, whose name we had become familiar with and to whom the church is in- debted for the account of its first interesting years, inscribed in elegant penmanship. Alpheus Kimball was chosen to fill the office; a man who was prominent in town affairs and in the industrial life of the commu- nity, and whose sons have efficiently filled many public positions in town, county, state and nation since then. His home was on West Main street where now stands the Dea. S. A. Wheeler house, and it was here that the meetings for prayer and business were held until the first chapel was built.
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Calvinistic Congregational Church.
Thereafter for sixteen years we find his name ap- pended to every record of the very active life of the C. C. church.
HOME CHARITIES.
"The poor ye have always with you." "If any man careth not for his own, he is worse than an infidel." And to this end the church through a committee ap- pointed January 4, 1827, drafted the following report:
"March 2nd 1827 That it is the duty of the church to relieve the temporal wants of their brethren and sisters who may be reduced to poverty, as far as it may be in their power to do so; and in accordance with this opinion, we suggest the foregoing plan which we think will secure to the poor of the church, that prompt and efficient relief which their circumstances may require.
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