USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Berlin > History of the town of Berlin, Worcester county, Mass., from 1784 to 1895 > Part 8
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HISTORY OF THE
membrance. "Shall we know each other there?" Not even a profile remains, much less the tones of his voice and impressive pulpit services ;- a few of the venerables yet talk it over understandingly. Some yet live who have seen him and can readily believe what has been related. But the most vivid impression which we septuagenarians have of the man is that of his pulpit devotions. Daniel? Solo- mon ? Elijah? No, Bethel and Jacob. As with awe he lifted his face heavenward and bowed again his whole body in. reverence, incense from the altar above seemed to pervade the assembly,-
Heaven seemed bending, earth to rise, All seemed floating in upper skies.
Dr. Puffer delivered the Dudlean lecture at Har- vard College 1808. His pecuniary circumstances being made known, his address was published and sold among the students, rich men's sons subscribing largely to increase the income. They also gave him a good new suit of clothes. (Rev. Dr. Allen.)
The great ecclesiastical rupture, or schism, in the churches, between Unitarians and Trinitarians, was pressing upon this quiet town, before steps were taken for a new house of worship .. Yet it was inti- mated the new church would have a new order of things (when he should resign or cease from his labors), but no tongue moved against the minister. The pastor foresaw more than the people expressed. He hardly expected to escape the rupture in his life- time, but he lived to dedicate the new church, 1826, and to preach and pray there till near his death, April 9, 1829, at the age of seventy-three years.
II5
TOWN OF BERLIN.
At a town meeting held at the east school-house, May 5, 1828, the Selectmen were chosen a com- mittee "to consult Doct. Puffer concerning his exchanges." The intention, undoubtedly, was to ascertain his position in relation to the new de- parture. The report of the committee [was made at a town meeting held at the north school-house, Nov. 3, 1828, and the same was the reply of Dr. Puffer to a request for him to exchange with neigh- boring Unitarian ministers. Report :---
To the inhabitants of Berlin in town meeting assembled Nov. 3, 1828 :
" Brethren and Friends :- Having been notified by the Selectmen of the vote of the town last May, relative to my future exchanges, I beg leave, respectfully, to state that pre- vious to the measures for calling the town meeting, I had no knowledge of the existence of any uneasiness on the subject of exchanges. From Sabbath to Sabbath I meet a full house and a very attentive audience, and if ever a special blessing has at- tended my labors among you, it was during the past season. Judge, then, of the surprise when I heard for the first time that a general uneasiness was prevailing, and that the subject of it was preparing to be laid before the town.
"Respecting my future exchanges, I can very cheerfully sub- mit the question to candid decision if a minister between seventy and eighty years of age is a fit subject of the vote of last May. Aside from other considerations, such are my in- firmities, known only to a few of you, as render it improper for me to give any pledge in the case. It is well known that up to the present year I have uniformly maintained a free and liberal intercourse with all the ministers in the vicinity. For the future I can only say that while I sustain the highly responsible office of a gospel minister, the few exchanges I make, if able to make any, shall be regulated according to iny deliberate judgment, in a manner the best calculated to promote your spiritual inter-
II6
HISTORY OF THE
ests. My Christian friends, it is now almost fifty years since by the unanimous invitation of the parents and grandparents of the present generation I became the minister of this place, and then received a solemn charge and gave a solemn promise to preach the everlasting gospel of Jesus in its distinguishing truths and doctrines. These truths and doctrines I have en- ,deavored faithfully to preach, and can it now be expected in my old age that I should preach another gospel or give coun- tenance to different causes? You will certainly not say that this can reasonably be expected or required of me, as in so doing I should risk my own soul and the souls of those who hear me. Far be it from me willingly to offend a single individual. So far as consistent with duty I wish to please all, but great is my re- sponsibility, and I may not, I dare not, for the sake of pleasing men, displease God. As my first sermon was preached in this place, it is my desire that my ministerial life may close here, but I wish not to be a useless burden. It may be that my minis- tering can be no longer profitable, and if so, I have no desire for its continuance. My heart's desire and prayer for you has been, and is, that pure religion may prosper and flourish in this place. To promote an object so truly valuable, I will not de- cline any reasonable sacrifice if the cause of religion so require and I can by resigning the ministerial office facilitate the settle- ment of a faithful servant of Christ here, one who shall not shun to declare all the counsel of God and who willingly will spend and be spent for your sakes, I shall esteem it one of the happiest events of my life. Nothing better can I ask of you than that the gospel of Christ may never cease to be preached to you in its purity, simplicity and power, but this is a subject which demands the most deliberate and prayerful considera- tion before a step of this nature is taken. Let it be our united fervent supplication that nothing may be done inconsistent with the interests of Zion and the salvation of immortal souls ; so prays your aged and affectionate minister,
"REUBEN PUFFER."" November meeting, 1828.
II7
TOWN OF BERLIN.
No other move appears to have been made by the parish or church in the matter of exchanges, and Dr. Puffer was undoubtedly free from the importunities of committees on this subject during the remainder of his life. With the death of Dr. Puffer closes the first period of the ecclesiastical history of Berlin, ex- tending from 1778 to 1829, a time of great tranquil- lity and peace in the church, free from theological disputes and religious animosities.
THE SECOND PERIOD.
Soon after the death of Dr. Puffer the subject of his successor began to be agitated in earnest. The town, which was the parish at this time, was largely in favor of the new school of theology, while the church was nearly unanimous for the old school. The church made the first move' towards settling a new minister, as will appear from the following com- munication to the town May 24, 1829 :-
THE CHURCH'S REQUEST OF THE TOWN.
To the inhabitants of the town of Berlin in town meeting assembled :
Gentlemen :- At a meeting of the church of Berlin on the 22d instant at the house of Mrs. Puffer, they proceeded as follows : Voted unanimously that in our opinion the Rev. Moses B. Church is a man of sound piety, good talents, and preaches the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ the same as our deceased pastor preached, and that we wish he may continue amongst us longer as a candidate, if agreeable to the town. Voted unanimously that the above be communicated to the town when assembled in town meeting.
JOB SPOFFORD, Moderator of the Church. A true copy attest : DEXTER FAY, Church Clerk. Berlin, August 22, 1829.
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HISTORY OF THE
At a town meeting held August 24, 1829 : "Then voted not to grant the request of the church." "Then voted to choose a new committee." "Then chose the following persons : Jonathan D. Meriam, William Barnes, Josiah Conant, Ephraim Babcock, John Bartlett."
January 4, 1830, at East School-house.
ARTICLE 2d. To see if the Congregational Society of Berlin will give Mr. Robert F. Walcott an invitation to become their pastor. If so, on what terms they will agree to settle him, or act anything relative to further supplying the pulpit in the meeting-house. On the above article voted by yeas and nays, sixty in the affirmative and twenty-eight in the negative.
An invitation to the church of Berlin, January, 1830 :
To the members of the Church of Christ in Berlin, who are inhabitants of the town of Berlin:
We, the subscribers, appointed at a town meeting on Monday last as a committee to invite you to unite with the town in the settlement of Mr. Robert Folger Walcott as our Christian minister, if he shall accept our invita- tion, we embrace the earliest opportunity to communicate this invitation, while we are happy thus to invite you in behalf of our fellow-citizens. We assure you it will afford us sincere per- sonal gratification to receive from you an affirmative answer, and that we may hope to know from joyful experience how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. We ask as a favor that we may receive your answer on or before Thursday, the 14th instant, at 2 o'clock P. M., either in writing or by delegation. We shall be in session at the house of Solomon Howe, Esq., Berlin, January 7, 1830.
JONATHAN D. MERIAM, WILLIAM BARNES, JOSIAH CONANT, JOHN BARTLETT,
Committee.
- -- --
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
Voted to choose a Committee of Nine to agree on some price to offer Mr. Walcott as a salary and report at this meet- ing. Then chose the following persons, viz .: Jonathan D. Meriam, William Barnes, Josiah Conant, John Bartlett, Amos Sawyer, Timothy Bailey, Silas Sawyer, William Babcock.
After hearing the report of the committee, "voted to give Mr. Walcott $400 as an annual salary." If there should be a separation desired by the Congregational Society or by the Rev. Mr. Walcott, it can be obtained by giving four months' notice.
"Then voted to choose a committee of five to inform Mr. Walcott of the proceedings of the town at this meeting and to invite Mr. Walcott to settle witli us in the ministry ; also to have him give an answer previous to adjournment of this meet- ing. Then chose the following persons : Jonathan D. Mer- iam, William Barnes, Josiah Conant, Ephraim Babcock, John Bartlett.
"Then voted that this committee wait on the church and in- vite them to unite with us in the settlement of Mr. Walcott, and to obtain an answer before the adjournment of this meet- ing. Then adjourned to meet at the north school-house the 18th instant."
THE CHURCH'S ANSWER TO THE TOWN.
At a meeting of the Church of Christ in Berlin on Monday the 7th instant, voted unanimously to make the following com- munication to the Parochial Committee of the town :
Gentleinen : We received a communication from you con- taining an invitation to unite with you in the settlement of Mr. Robert F. Walcott, in which a wish also was expressed that we might dwell together in unity. We can assure you if we know our own hearts that your desire to live together in unity is not greater than ours. Unity is the bond of peace. There is not anything on earth but what we would give up to preserve unity with all our brethren, but the religion of our Lord Jesus Christ-our religion-we hold too dear to part with, and we feel assured that should we disregard the solemn covenant
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HISTORY OF THE
which we have made with our God, and attempt to bring down the standard of religion so low that there was nothing in it to which the natural heart could not assent, we should give up that on which all our hopes of heaven depend, and should go to the judgment seat of Christ, charged with the blood of souls, and our children rise up in judgment against us and con- demn us. We deeply deplore the present unhappy division amongst us respecting the settlement of a niinister, and would cheerfully unite with the town if we could consistently. But we believe it to be our indispensable duty to maintain and support the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, being the same which Christ Himself, the Apostles and the Pilgrim fathers preached, and which has been preached in this town for forty-eight years. In looking over the sermon delivered at the dedication of our meeting house, we find and take the liberty to insert the following sentences verbatim : "If some of the doc- trines of the gospel are suppressed and others so modified as not to militate with the feelings of the corrupt heart, no good is to be expected. Repentance, faith and holiness with every moral and social virtue are matter of initiation in the Christian tabernacle and compose no inconsiderable portion of its duties, but these must not exclude the fundamental truths of the gospel. No doubt it is your wish that this house may be to you the gate of heaven. That it may be so, let it be your care that the doctrine of salvation by faith in the blood of Christ and His regenerating spirit be the basis of its ministra- tions. If ever the time shall come, which heaven forbid, when this doctrine shall cease to be taught here, when it shall be supplanted by a lax theology which sinks the gospel nearly down to a level with natural religion, you will have lost sight of the object for which this house is consecrated ; but sooner let the stone cry out of the wall and the beam out of the tim- bers answer it, than the honor of the Redeemer and the purity of His gospel shall cease to be maintained here." In our Thanksgiving sermon of 1828 is the following remark : "When persons can conscientiously say that they are not fed
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
with the bread of eternal life and that hunger for more spiritual food, let them enjoy the liberty of going where it is to be ob- tained, but from lower motives separations are not justified."
We think our views of the subject harmonize with the gen- eral sentiment of the Bible, one passage of which we will quote, 2d Epistle of John, 9th, 10th and IIth verses : "Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God: he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, nor bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of evil deeds." In view of the above remarks and of the solemn account we must render at the judgment seat of Christ, we are constrained to say that in our humble opinion Mr. Robert F. Walcott does not preach the gospel of Christ ; we respect him as a man and a citizen, but can not receive him as our minister. We wish just to say further that the manner in which Mr. Walcott has been called to the gospel ministry is new and unexampled. It has been the custom for many ages for the church first to give the invitation and for the town to concur if they see fit.
It is very desirable that the church and society should be united, but there is no account in the Bible of bishops, elders, or ministers being set over towns or parishes, but over churches.
May God in the plenitude of His mercy unite our hearts in Christ, and that peace and harmony which have characterized this place be restored and enjoyed for many years to come.
JOB SPOFFORD, Moderator. DEXTER FAY, Church Clerk.
A true copy attest :
Berlin, January 11, 1830.
TOWN MEETING JANUARY 18, 1830.
First. Read Mr. Walcott's answer to the town.
Second. Read the answer from the church to the town.
Then voted to choose a committee to make arrangements for the ordination of Rev. Mr. Walcott; chose the following
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HISTORY OF THE
persons : Jonathan D. Meriam, Esq., Amos Sawyer, William Barnes, Ephraim Babcock, Silas Sawyer, Josiah Conant, Job Spofford, James Goddard, John Bartlett.
Then voted that this committee designate the churches in behalf of the town that shall be invited to take a part in the ordination. They designated the following churches and were accepted :
Dr. Bancroft, C. of Worcester ; Dr. Thayer, C. of Lancas- ter ; Rev. Mr. Allen, C. of Bolton ; Rev. Mr. Bucklin, C. of Marlboro ; Rev. Mr. Alden, C. of Marlboro ; Rev. Mr. Allen, C. of Northboro ; Rev. Mr. Russell, C. of Boylston.
They then voted that Mr. Walcott be ordained on Wednes- day, the 10th day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty.
The action of the town in settling Mr. Walcott caused a sccession of a large part of the church, leav- ing but one male member, Sanderson Carter, and three females constituting the church to occupy the new meeting-house thereafter, as the First Congre- gational Society of Berlin. The seceders formed a new organization named the Evangelical Congrega- tional Society of Berlin. They built in 1830 a new meeting-house of moderate dimensions, which was afterwards known as the Berlin Academy, the princi- pal of which was Josiah Bride. This house was con- veyed by deed from Dexter Fay and Amory Sawyer to the Evangelical Congregational Society of Berlin, March 25, 1831. Consideration $1,300. "It was for the worship of the Triune God and the promotion of evangelical principles."
The grantees named as members of this society were: James Goddard, Oliver Sawyer, Luke Fos- gate, Isaac Temple, Job Spofford, John Larkin, Jacob Goddard, Joseph Parks, Levi Sawyer, Samuel Spof-
123
TOWN OF BERLIN.
ford. Merrick Houghton, Joseph Moore, John F. Lar- kin. Samuel Griggs, Phebe Puffer, Reuben Hastings, Ephraim Goddard, Thomas Holder, Josiah Bride, Jonah Houghton, Josiah Sawyer, Mendell G. Fos- gate, Almira Puffer, Lucy Fosgate, Jonas Houghton, John Wheeler and Augustus Bigelow of Berlin ; also Benjamin Rice, Isaac Davis, Edward B. Ball, Lewis Fay and Alvan Ball of Northboro; also Ebenezer Ball of Worcester and Willard Brigham of Marlboro. The history of the First Congregational Society is briefly told, while the seceders, or Evangelical Society, which eventually became in fact and in name the First Congregational Parish and Society, requires more ex- tended space. The first of these organizations named which held the old meeting-house first, requires our attention. The Rev. Mr. Walcott was from Nan- tucket, of a prominent family and a graduate of Har- vard; was a cultured and scholarly man. He con- tinued in the pastorate with good acceptance until he resigned, November, 1833. He was succeeded by Rev. David R. Lampson, who continued here from 1833 to 1839. After this latter date the First So- ciety had no settled minister until 1843, when a union was made of the two parishes. The principal cause which contributed to this union of the two parishes probably was the want of financial support. The burden was heavy on a few, hence mutual overtures were made on the part of the two parishes for re- union. This was effected in the settlement of Rev. Henry Adams (Orthodox), former pastor of Hillside Church, Bolton.
The Congregational Church was remodeled in 1859 at an expense of $2,439.90.
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HISTORY OF THE
DONATIONS TO THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SAB- BATH SCHOOL-TRUST FUNDS.
1866. Mrs. Sarah Robbins, $200 00
1874. Miss Sophia R. Sawyer, . · 100 00
1880. Mrs. Almira P. Hastings, .
200 00
1880. Mrs. Lydia Howe Peters,
500 00
1883. Miss Martha A. Sawyer,
50 00
1891. Mrs. Rebecca Whitcomb,
500 00
1891. Mrs. Lucy E. Hartshorn, 500 00
1892. Mrs. Abra C. Houghton,
2,000 00
1892. Mr. H. Gates' Sunday school, 1,000 00
1893. Mrs. George A. Cotting,
1,300 00
The vote of the First Parish (Unitarian) for the settlement of Mr. Adams was twenty-two in favor and nine against, hence by this arrangement and the fact that a number of them "signed off" from the parish book, the Unitarians lost the control of the pulpit, and ceased to be distinctly an organized body until a revival of the dormant elements of this faith occurred 1871. Mr. Adams was installed October 25, 1843, and was dismissed 1853. The Evangelical Congregational, during their sojourn in their new chapel from 1830 to 1843, were ministered unto by divers ones. The first was Rev. Abraham C. Bald- win, a graduate of Bowdoin College and student of theology under Dr. Lyman Beecher, who preached the ordination sermon October 26, 1830. In Mr. Baldwin's ministry of two years, forty-six were added to the church. He had more than ordinary qualities as preacher and pastor. Had he been quiet to re- main, very many have felt that he would have re- united the town effectively. He was dismissed from the church in Berlin, October 23, 1832. Both he and
MINISTERS, DEACONS AND BENEFICIARIES OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH.
MRS. OLIVER FOSGATE. JOHN B. GOUGH. KEV. A. B. CHRISTY. KEV. H. F. MARKHAM.
ALBERT BABCOCK, CLERK. DEA. II. H. BLISS. MARTHA SAWYER.
MISS REBECCA WIIIICOMB. MRS. GEO. A. COTTING. WM. GATES. DEA. GEO. W. SAWYER.
ORTHODOX MINISTERS, DEACONS AND BENEFICIARIES.
LEVI BABCOCK, SUPT. S. S. DEA. L. PETERS. REV. HENRY HYDE.
CHAS. B. RATHBUN, SUPT. S. S.
MRS. L. PETERS. MISS SOPHIA SAWYER.
MISS CATHERINE LARKIN.
DEA. JOHN F. LARKIN. GEO. A. COTTING.
MR. AND MRS. HORACE HOUGHTON. REV. CHAS. H. WASHBURN.
CHAS. M. SAWYER, SUPT. S. S.
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
his wife died in Yonkers, N. Y., 1886. Had no. children. Her maiden name was Foote, of Fairhaven, Conn. Rev. Michael Burdett, now a retired Presby- terian clergyman in Philadelphia, succeeded Mr. Baldwin July 17, 1833, to 1834. He was succeeded by Rev. Eber S. Clarke of Winchendon, June 21, 1835. Mr. Clarke was dismissed 1837 and set- tled once more in Richmond, Mass., where he died.
Rev. Robert Carver followed in a successful minis- try, 1838-42. Settled next in Raynham. Entered into the Christian commission service, in which he died. This completes the list of those who ministered to the Evangelical branch during their sojourn in the chapel. Mr. Adams continued in the pastorate of the united societies, known as the First Congrega- tional, ten years, and was succeeded by Rev. Wil- liam A. Houghton, who was installed October 26, 1853, and resigned at the termination of twenty-five years October 26, 1878. He was succeeded by Rev. Albert Barnes Christy of Greenwich, Conn., a grad- uate of Andover, and was ordained and installed July 3, 1879. He gave way to a call to the church in Conway, 1881. Thence he removed to Ohio and finally to New Mexico, where he is now stationed. . Rev. Henry Hyde, now of Greenfield, succeeded Mr. Christy in the same year. Rev. Charles H. Wash- burn, a graduate of Amherst, was the third succes- sor to whom Rev. Mr. Houghton has given the' right hand of fellowship and received into the church at his ordination. He was ordained and installed December, 1885, dismissed November 2, 1888 ; called to North Woburn. The church has had no settled minister since Mr. Washburn left. The pulpit has.
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HISTORY OF THE
been supplied by Rev. H. H. Osgood, Rev. J. W. Brownville, Rev. J. G. Spencer and Rev. H. F. Markham, 1894-5.
CENTENNIAL OF THE BERLIN CHURCH, 1879.
The Congregational Church of Berlin observed its 100th anniversary in a fitting manner on July 4, 1879. The address was delivered by Rev. W. A. Houghton, and an original hymn written by Miss Phebe A. Holder was sung by the choir. Our space herein will not permit the insertion of all the pro- ceedings on this interesting occasion. Much of the address was devoted to biographical sketches of the ministers who have officiated here, which may be found in the preceding pages; also reference was made to the Goss and Walley controversy in the Bolton church, which was largely the cause of the separation. The seceders, who formed the Berlin church, were mainly Walleyites, but numbers of the women who came in afterwards were of the Gossite faction. Many of the former residents and citizens of other towns and also neighboring ministers were present. The historian, Rev. A. P. Marvin, spoke in response to the sentiment, "Our Grandmother Lancaster," with good acceptance, as did many others in response to the toasts offered.
MISS HOLDER'S HYMN.
Amid time's mountain heights, Crowned with the circling years, A full and rounded dome, Our Century appears. 'Neath summer skies In living green, With beauty robed Its form is seen.
UNITARIAN MEETING HOUSE.
.
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
Let silver bells of joy Ring out with mellow chime, Upon the fragrant air Of this sweet summer time; While hearts responsive Catch the strain, And voices sound The glad refrain.
Within these hallowed courts Our choral song we raise, Where saintly fathers stood, We lift our notes of praise, To Him who rules Amid the spheres, And crowns with love Earth's passing years.
By loving, patient hands, One hundred years ago, These altar fires were raised That have not ceased to glow; The incense pure Of faith and prayer, Still keeps undimmed The sacred fire.
May He who bought the Church, With His own precious blood, Through all the years to come, Still keep us near to God; May Zion here In light divine, With holiness And beauty shine.
THE UNITARIAN SOCIETY AND MEETING-HOUSE.
The society was organized November 27, 1871. The movement was started by the labors of Rev. William S. Hayward, then of Hudson, and Rev. I. F. Waterhouse of Clinton, by holding meetings at
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HISTORY OF THE
the Town Hall, beginning June 25, 1871, alternating every other Sunday in preaching until October 10, 1872, when George W. Green of Boston was engaged to supply the pulpit for one year. Mr. Green was ordained here in the Town Hall November 12, 1872. He resigned the pastorate July 1, 1873, and was suc- ceeded by Granville Pierce of Townsend, whose ordi- nation likewise was in the Town Hall, November 19, 1873. He continued here until October 1, 1876. The next in succession was Rev. Francis S. Thatcher of Newton, who began his services December 3, 1876, and continued two years. The services of Rev. Sheldon C. Clark were secured from April 6, 1879, to the following September. Rev. Cyrus A. Roys supplied for a few months until the Rev. Wil- liam C. Litchfield of Scituate was engaged in the spring of 1880. Mr. Litchfield embraced the period between June 1, 1880, and January 1, 1882, when he removed to Athol. From this date until the return of Mr. Litchfield, April 1, 1884, the society were sup- plied by Rev. E. P. Gibbs of Hudson, Prof. H. H. Lincoln of Boston, Rev. Obed Eldridge of Northboro and some others. Mr. Litchfield supplied after his return until about May, 1886, when he accepted the pastorate of a church in Gardner. The next in the line of succession was Rev. I. F. Porter of Peters- ham, who began his services May 2, 1887. The in- terregnum between the two latter pastorates was filled by various candidates.
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