USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the churches and ministers, and of Franklin association, in Franklin County, Mass., and an appendix respecting the county > Part 31
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" As a theologian, he stood high in the esteem of brethren in the ministry, with whom he was associated. Though evidently so guided by his own judgment as not to make any one his standard, yet Edwards was one of his frequent authorities ; and he esteemed Scott as the best interpreter who ever annexed a Commentary to the Scriptures. He was a Calvinist in good faith ; and it is difficult to con- ceive of greater pleasure, to one who loved those great prin- ciples that distinguish Calvinistic theology, than to hear him discuss and explain them. Both the friends and the enemies of that system felt him to be among its mightiest defenders. The darkness which so many seem to involve those divine doctrines in, always dispersed under the discursive power of his mighty intellect. Though few men were more capable of illustrating religion from nature than he, yet he rarely did it, preferring generally for this purpose, the surer word of prophecy. Perhaps no man had less sympathy for that theology which, under the show of liberality, would destroy the distinguishing doctrines of grace than he. Yet, though so fond of these fundamental truths, a more practical preacher it would be difficult to find. To him nothing in any department of thought or duty seemed to be a hobby, but everything had its place and was there attended to. His skill in managing the passions of unsanctified hearers,
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when presenting any of the offensive doctrines, was remarka- ble. So clear was the idea in his own mind, and so felicit- ous the language in which he conveyed it, that while the sentiments slew them, the preacher never inflicted the slightest wound. O, to what excellent purpose had he studied the injunction, 'Be ye wise as serpents and harm- less as doves ;' nor less that kindred one, overlooked by so many, ' Be ye courteous.'
" In the pulpit he was solemn. His prayers, which were usually long, were characterized by impressiveness, 'ex- actness of expression,' very reverent towards God, full of weighty thoughts ; ever orderly and submissive. He prayed as if none were there but himself and God. His preaching, like his prayers, was marked by method and instruction ; and upon those occasions which required the moving and the tender, such as funerals, the sympathetic was very char- acteristic of him. His addresses to the mourners, a custom which he still followed, have often called forth a rush of powerful feeling throughout the assembly. Frequently has he himself been noticed to be in tears on those occasions. These addresses appeared to be wholly unstudied. It seemed to be nature herself speaking her own language, and it pene- trated the heart. No pomp of expression, no parade of kindness, but friendship uttering what it tenderly felt. To him, the words of the prophet peculiarly applied, 'The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.' Though as a preacher he was generally earnest, yet he was never loud, much less noisy or boisterous. These traits, even when they were natural in a preacher, he disapproved, but when they were assumed for the purpose of effect, he loathed them. What is not always found in great minds, he was as quick to detect an error or sophistry, as he was powerful to overthrow it. Of him it may be said, ' he was quick of discernment, of a penetrating genius, close and clear thought, and piercing judgment. His understanding was, if . 48
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I may so express it, of a quick, strong, and distinguishing scent.' As a councillor, his praise is in all the churches, where he will long be gratefully remembered and ad- mired. * * *
" As he lived, so he died, wholly discarding all righteous- ness, save the "imputed righteousness of Christ." In the skeleton of a last Will and Testament he says: "Viewing myself altogether unworthy of any good, yet hoping for full acceptance through the atoning blood and imputed righteous- ness of my Redeemer, I commend my immortal spirit to Him who gave it." To this, it may not be out of place to add, as illustrative of the simplicity of this wise and venerable man, the direction he gave in regard to his burial : "I direct that my deceased body be wrapped in a winding sheet, after the custom of former times, and laid in a pine coffin, colored black; without any ornaments, or indications of name or age, and laid in a grave, * * * there to rest, without any monument, till He, who is the Resurrection and the Life, shall call it forth, and make it like his glorious body." Such a man, my hearers, was the Rev. Asa Lyon. Such a minister, my brethren, was the pastor of your church."
Mr. Lyon was elected to various civil offices. He was a representative of the town of South Hero in the Vermont General Assemby from 1799 to 1814, with the exception of two years. In 1805 he was appointed to the office of Chief Judge of the County ; and he was appointed to this office for nine years. At the Vermont election in 1808, he was chosen a member of the Council, and fulfilled the duties of his appointment. In 1814 he was chosen as a representa- tive to Congress from Vermont, and served out the term of his appointment at Washington. On the 12th of May, 1796, he was married to Miss Esther Newell, a daughter of Rev. Abel Newell of Charlotte, Vt. By her he had six children, two of whom are living-a son in Burlington, Vt., and a daughter who is the wife of A. B. Hatch, Esq., of South Hero, Vt. He has published the following works,
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viz. : A funeral sermon in 1800; a speech in the Vermont Assembly in 1804; a discourse on National Benefits in 1809 ; an oration before the Washington Benevolent Society in 1812; an article on the ordination of deacons in 1814; a missionary sermon in 1814; a speech in Congress in 1816; an interpretation of Mark xi. 24, in 1825. He likewise pre- pared a variety of works for the press that were never pub- lished, among which were a Grammar, an Arithmetic, a volume of Poems, a Dialogue between Common Sense and Thomas Paine ; the New Philosophical Dictionary, being the Philosophical Dictionary of Voltaire, corrected, en- larged, and improved, which was written only as far as the letter L. He died April 4, 1841, aged 77.
5 .* REV. DAVID H. WILLISTON was settled as the fifth pas- tor of this church, July 8, 1804, and after a ministry of about two years in Sunderland, was dismissed, July 17, 1806. Mr Williston was born in West Haven, [now Orange] Ct., July 18, 1768 ; and was a son of Rev. Noah Williston of West Haven, Ct., and a brother of Rev. Payson Wil- liston of Easthampton. He studied theology with his father, and with Rev. Mr. Storrs of Longmeadow. He was ordained as a pastor in Tunbridge, Vt., June 26, 1793, and was dismissed from there about 1802. After his dismission from Sunderland, in 1806, he returned to Tunbridge, Vt., and made that place his home till his death in 1845. He preached to the people of his first charge as a supply for some time after his return, and without salary. From 1807, till within a few years of his death, he labored as a mis- sionary a considerable portion of the time, in Vermont and Maine. His wife died in Tunbridge, Jan. 8, 1838, aged 71. All his children died before his own death. After the decease of his family he lived alone in his own large house, and was unwilling to have others live with him. He was regarded as being somewhat eccentric in some of his notions and habits. His piety, his devotedness to the interests of the Redeemer's cause, and his missionary zeal were unques-
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tionable. He was remarkably benevolent, and contributed largely, in proportion to his means, for the propagation of the gospel among the heathen. His labors as a missionary, in the service of the Hampshire Missionary Society, among the feeble and destitute churches of Vermont and New Hampshire, are spoken of as having been useful and valu- able. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Stillman Morgan of Bristol, Vt. Mr. Williston died in Tunbridge, Vt., Oct. 29, 1845, aged 77.
6 .* REV. JAMES TAYLOR was settled as the sixth pastor of this church, July 22, 1807, and, after a ministry of about twenty-four years in Sunderland, died while pastor there, Oct. 11, 1831, aged 48. He was born in Westfield in 1783 ; graduated at Williams in 1804; studied theology with Rev. John Taylor of Deerfield, whose eldest daughter he married ; and was never settled as a pastor except at Sunderland. Rev. Tertius S. Clarke, then of South Deerfield, preached his funeral sermon. The following is the epitaph on his gravestone in the Sunderland cemetery : "In memory of Rev. James Taylor, for twenty-five years pastor of the church in Sunderland, who died Oct. 11, 1831, aged 48. Also, his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, who died Oct. 16, 1831, aged 43. The most enduring monument to the parents is the hearts of their children."
The Greenfield Gazette of Oct. 18, 1831, published this brief notice of Mr. Taylor : "A man of the character and qualifications of Mr. Taylor should not go down to the tomb unnoticed ; for the benefit of the living, and as a just tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased, his fidelity in the service of his Master, his high integrity, his qualifications for the ministry, and his life, as we believe, of usefulness should be recorded."
The American Quarterly Register thus speaks of him : " Mr. Taylor was a son of Col. James Taylor of Westfield. He died in the midst of his days, much lamented. He was very active, along with his excellent parishioner, Nathaniel
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Smith, Esq., in efforts to found and build up Amherst College. Both were trustees of that institution. Mr. Taylor's wife died about the same time with her husband, leaving a large family of children."
Mr. Taylor published a sermon which he preached before the Hampshire Missionary Society, at Northampton, in 1818. Mr. Taylor and his wife died of typhus fever, which was greatly prevalent and quite fatal that season in Sunderland.
He possessed a sound, energetic mind ; had great decision of character, and firmness of purpose ; was strictly evangeli- cal in his doctrinal views ; and his preaching was clear, forci- ble and instructive. In person he was of middling height, and rather corpulent ; with a full countenance, indicative both of kindness and a prompt, active, and decided spirit.
7. Rev. Henry B. Holmes was installed as the seventh pastor of this church, Jan. 21, 1833, and, after a ministry of about two years and nine months, was dismissed, Oct. 27, 1835. Mr. Holmes was born in Stratford, England, in 1808; never graduated at any college ; studied with his father, Rev. Benjamin Holmes, an English dissenting min- ister, who came to this country about 1819, and was settled for a time in Montague. Mr. Henry B. Holmes was settled in Goshen, Sept. 25, 1830, and was dismissed from there in January, 1833 ; and after leaving Sunderland was settled in Springfield, Vt., June 29, 1836, and was dismissed from there in a few years, and has been for some years past an agent of the American Tract Society, and resides at An- dover.
S .* REV. SOLOMON B. INGRAM was ordained as the eighth pastor of this church, Dec. 28, 1836, and, after a ministry of about three years and a half, died while pastor in Sunder- land, June 2, 1840, aged 33. He was a tutor in Amherst College from 1835 to 1836. The following epitaph is re- corded on his gravestone ; "Cut off in the beginning of his life and in the midst of his usefulness. That life is long which answers life's great end." His widow married Rev. Robert Carver of Raynham.
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The following is an extract from an obituary notice of Mr. Ingram, which was prepared by Rev. Dr. Humphrey, who preached his funeral sermon, and was published in the New York Observer :-
" Mr. Ingram was born in Amherst, Mass., April 1, 1807. He made a public profession of religion, and united with the church when he was about 10 years of age. His thoughts and desires were soon turned to the christian ministry, and he entered Amherst College in the autumn of 1827. While in college, he was distinguished for sobriety, industry and punctuality. Let who would be absent, he was sure to be found in his place, both in the class-room and the chapel. He took a high rank in his class, and graduated at the com- mencement of 1831. After a year or two spent in teaching, and witnessing a powerful revival in his school, he entered the Theological Seminary of Andover ; but before he had finished his professional studies, was called to the tutorship in his college, the duties of which he discharged with dis- tinguished fidelity and success, till, having been licensed to preach the gospel at the end of the year, he was invited to supply the pulpit as a candidate for settlement, in Sunder- land. In a few weeks he was called, with great unanimity, by the church and congregation, to take ' the oversight of them in the Lord,' and accepting the invitation, was ordained in December, 1836.
" He entered upon his high duties with an alacrity which is rarely surpassed, and appeared to feel from that hour that he ' watched for souls as one who must give an account.' He saw that he had a great work to do ; a work that demanded the best of his time and strength and faculties ; and he ' gave himself wholly to it.' Mr. Ingram spent more time in his study, and in preparing his discourses, than most young ministers do in these bustling times, and, of course, preached better. Most earnestly did he desire to 'see the salvation of God,' among the beloved people of his charge, and he did see it 'and was glad.' In 1832, God poured out
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his Spirit, first upon the youth and children of the congre- gation, and afterwards upon heads of families. The revival continued the greater part of a year, and, as the fruits of it, between 70 and 80 were added to the church.
" During this glorious 'time of refreshing from the pres- ence of the Lord,' Mr. Ingram's spirit was remarkably stirred within him. His labors were unremitting. He was 'instant in season, out of season.' He poured himself out like water. It is rare to see any one more entirely absorbed than he was in his sacred work. It seemed for some time, as if he could not rest, day nor night, till his people were all safe in the ark. He had always enjoyed uncommonly fine health, and proba- bly, as many others have done, presumed too much upon it ; although it did not fail him at that time. The growing at- tachment of his congregation to him, and his strong attach- ment to them, seemed to promise a long and useful ministry ; and he was fast rising in the estimation of his brethren, and of other congregations where he occasionally preached. Those who knew him best, expected most of him in future years. But, alas, ' his sun has gone down ere it was noon.' He had scarcely been three years and a half in the field, when he was arrested by the stroke of death, and left all his plans of future usefulness unfinished. 'He rests from his labors and his works follow him.'
" Mr. Ingram's natural talents were rather solid than bril- liant. Indeed there was nothing showy about him. He had just that sort of mind which fits a man for the most endur- ing reputation, and the highest usefulness in the christian ministry ; discriminating, vigorous, remarkably well bal- anced, patient and true to its purpose. He loved study, and felt that his great business was to 'feed the flock of God, over which the Holy Ghost had made him overseer, with knowledge and understanding.' Hence his sermons were full of thought, and highly instructive, as well as direct, searching and pungent. It is believed, that but few minis- ters can show as many well-studied sermons, within the first
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three years and a half after their settlement, as he left be- hind him. He took the right course to become able and eminent in his profession. The light was clear, because the oil was well beaten ; and had his life been spared, it would, there is reason to believe, have shone 'more and more unto the perfect day.' He was retiring in his habits-perhaps too much so ; but if his people did not see him so much as they wished on week days, they saw plain enough on the Sab- bath where he had been laboring for their benefit.
Ministerial consistency and prudence were distinguishing traits in Mr. Ingram's character. His every-day deportment corresponded with his Sabbath day appearance and instruc- tions. Everybody saw that he was a man to be trusted, consulted and confided in. He was always gaining in pub- lic confidence ; and, it is believed, never lost anything. His piety was remarkably unostentatious, but apparently deep, uniform and vital. It was not a noisy brook of a month or two in the spring, but a perennial stream. His private papers evince great humility and self-distrust, at the same time that they indicate an unshaken reliance upon the mer- its of the Redeemer, and an increasing desire to be con- formed to his image. When brought down upon the bed of sickness, he was calm, cheerful and resigned. He spoke often, like one deeply read in his own heart, of his great unworthiness and his low attainments in piety. He had a desire to live, that he might serve God better in the gospel ; but a still stronger desire that 'the will of the Lord might be done.' His prevailing impression, for some time before his death, was, that he should not recover, and his conversa- tion, in the near prospect of death, was highly satisfactory and consoling to his friends. His last words were affect- ingly expressive of 'that peace which passeth all under- standing.' When' his hour had come, he breathed his soul gently away, and left his heart-stricken companion, his mourn- ing relations, and his bereaved and sorrowing flock, humbly trusting that he had gone 'to be forever with the Lord.'
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9 .* REV. AUSTIN CARY was ordained as the ninth pastor of this church, Nov. 11, 1840, and after a ministry of about nine years, died while a pastor in Sunderland, Nov. 27, 1849, aged 40.
Rev. Samuel Harris, then of Conway, preached his fun- eral sermon, from which the following is an extract, viz. : " Austin Cary was born in North Bridgewater, Oct. 1, 1809. His early life was marked with amiableness and morality ; as is usual with the children of pious parents, he was from his early years the subject of serious impressions. The first which he distinctly remembers, was, when he was about seven years old. But as he advanced in youth, he left the Sabbath School, as is the dangerous custom of many lads when they begin to approach manhood ; from that time, though extremely fond of reading, he neglected the Bible, and lost all relish for it. He also, for the pleasure of show- ing what he could say, and of provoking discussion, allowed himself to advance objections against its divine origin. As the result, he became sceptical, and ultimately an atheist, entirely callous to religious impressions. His recovery from this state was peculiar and striking. Returning home late at night, he had fallen asleep in the wagon, as he was wont to do, when thus kept abroad by business. His thoughts had not been turned to the subject of God's existence, or any kindred subject, either then or for some time before. The night was cloudy. As he awoke and looked on the dim objects about him, a strong and instantaneous impres- sion was on his mind; ' There is a God ; he keeps myself and everything in being; he is here, he is everywhere.' This sudden and abiding conviction he ascribed to the Spirit of God. From that time, he again became the subject of frequent religious impressions. He re-entered the Sabbath School now as a teacher ; but the employment only made him wretched by conscious unfitness. These occasional im- pressions and periods even of wretchedness he concealed ; in this state he continued about two years; at the end of
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this time, and near the close of a protracted meeting, he finally and forever gave his heart to Christ, and openly avowed himself his disciple. Soon after, in the spring of 1832, and the 23d year of his age, he began fitting for col- lege, with the hope of entering the ministry. In 1833 he entered Waterville College, from which, in the Sophomore year, he removed to Amherst, where he graduated with honor in 1837. The same year he entered the Theological Seminary at East Windsor, where he completed his theo- logical course in 1840. He soon after received calls from three churches ; he accepted that from Sunderland, where he was ordained, Nov. 11, 1840. Here he labored with great fidelity and success. He enjoyed two special revivals in 1843 and 1849-136 were added to the church during his ministry."
" A few years ago his labors were interrupted for a few months by a disease of the lungs. The present autumn it pleased God to send distressing sickness on all the members of his family. This interrupted his public labors. The last time he preached, he went from the bedside of his wife, then scarcely expected to recover, and preached extempo- raneously from these words: 'We all do fade as a leaf.' On a subsequent Sabbath, he left his sick family long enough to come to the sanctuary and baptize six children. This was his last public service. As his family became slightly better, worn down himself with fatigue and anxiety, he was attacked by hæmorrhage from the lungs, followed by three similar attacks. He became, however, more comforta- ble, and his physician was entertaining the hope, that, after a few months, he might be restored to a measure of comfort- able health ; but a typhoid fever set in and soon brought him to his end. He died Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 10 o'clock, P. M., at the age of 40 years. His dying struggles were terribly severe.
" During his sickness, on account of the state of his lungs, he said but little ; but his soul was peaceful, and his whole
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sickness marked by a sweet and unquestioning submission to God, which was ever, in an unusual degree, characteristic of him. He said, ' I see it to be my Father's will to take me home; but he has not revealed to me how or when.' At one of the few interviews which his wife's illness allowed him to have with her, he said, 'I am near home, and oh 'tis good, 'tis good ; I wish you knew how happy it is. Many times we have parted, expecting to meet again in a few weeks. This is nothing more than that.' At another time he said, 'A few weeks ago I expected you would be called home, and I be left. But now it seems, that God is to take me to be with the dear little one that we have in heaven, and leave you to take care of these that remain with us.' When he seemed better, and it was hoped he might be restored, he said, ' Oh, it seems hard to come back.' Thus in peace and submission the soul of our beloved brother waited the approach of death, till he slept in Jesus, and his spirit passed away to Christ, who is our life.
" About six hours before his death, a brother in the min- istry entered his room. The dying man extended his hand with his usual cordiality, and the visitor said, as he took it, ' Brother C. your race is almost run.' He replied, ' Yes, bless God for it ;' and then rallying his dying energies, he said with intense earnestness, ' Oh, my brethren in the min- istry, live for Christ,-Christ is all-all.'
" We never could have felt that the time had come when we could spare him. But God's time is best ; and it would seem even to us, that no more suitable time for his depar- ture could have been chosen. God had just visited him with that blessing, dearest of all to a pastor's heart, the out- pouring of his Spirit ; he had just permitted him to gather into Christ's fold a larger number than had ever before joined that church at once. Thus God had sent a beam of heaven's own light to fall on him, a smile of his own love to irradiate him, before calling him to the full glory of the heavenly world. If the victor on a field of blood can say,
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' I die content,' how much more the pastor, who dies in the very hour of spiritual triumph; who goes from the cluster- ing affections of new-born souls converted under his minis- try, to be welcomed by angels, as one who has converted many from the error of their ways, and hidden a multitude of sins. It is a translation in a chariot of glory, rather than a death.
" I shrink from attempting to delineate his character, lest I do injustice to it ; but I am relieved by the thought, that his character is known to my hearers ; and your own hearts will supply the deficiencies of the picture.
" He was remarkably winning in his manners, speedily securing the interest of a stranger, which was usually in- creased and consolidated into friendship by further acquaint- ance. He was always modest and unassuming. He was ardent in his feelings, firm and trustworthy in his friend- ships. He was social, frank, and generous ; above all shadow of meanness, he was eminently manly. He was remarka- bly unselfish. Before experiencing religion, he was becom- ing more and more absorbed in the love of money ; he was bent on being rich. Grace had effected a complete triumph over this ; his heart was not set on property ; money flowed from him freely for every good object. He was firm in his decisions ; and in the least as well as the greatest matter, where principle was at stake, absolutely inflexible ; and yet he maintained his convictions and carried through his pur- poses with such suavity, that they who yielded to his decis- ion seemed almost to suppose that he had yielded to them. He possessed sound judgment and strong common sense. With all his warmth of feeling, he had great self control, and few, if any, have seen him thrown off his guard by even a momentary passion. He had immense energy, and what he undertook, he would at all hazards accomplish ; and this, with his scrupulous fidelity, caused that, if any matter pertaining to the interests of the church were intrusted to him, we knew it would be done seasonably and thoroughly.
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