USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Bernardston > History of the town of Bernardston, Franklin county, Massachusetts, 1736-1900, with genealogies > Part 12
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What remains is to apply What has been faid to Minifters and People.
USE I. Of Information. And what you have heard fhews you how falfely they judge of Things, who envy Minifters their Work becaufe it is attended with greater Eafe than other Employments. They know not what Trials and Sorrows they are exercifed with, who attend upon the Miniftry: While you eat and fleep fweetly, Minifters feed upon the Bread of Tears, and Sleep flies from them: They have Agonies and Struggles which the World know not of.
So alfo what has been faid fhews us what Reafon both Minifters and Peo- ple have for Humiliation and Self-Abafement: We have all done too little for Chrift; Have not ftroven together as we ought to have done; The beft and moft faithful Minifters have Reafon to be afhamed they have ftroven no more to advance the Kingdom of Chrift, and the Salvation of Souls and may juftly fay, they have been unprofitable Servants, Luk. 17. 10. And that People who have ftrove moft to advance the Kingdom of Chrift, and the Salvation of their Souls, may juftly fay in many Things we have of- fended all, Jam. 3. 2.
We may alfo from what has been faid, account for it that the Miniftry is attended with no better Succefs. Minifters and People don't ftrive to- gether, and are not fuitably concerned to promote Religion; would they ftir up themfelves and put their Hands to the Work, would not a merciful God do for them what they can't do themfelves?
We alfo learn from what has been faid it fhould be Matter of great re- joycing, when God pours out his Spirit, to both Minifters & People, for now Minifters may expect much Succefs in their Work, and a Peeple hope for the Salvation of Souls. So on the other Hand how fhould they mourn when God takes away his Spirit from them; for then Minifters will labour very much in vain; and a People will grow cold, and draw back in Reli- gion.
USE. II. Of Direction to Minifters and People. Would They mutually ftrive together:
I. Let both Minifters and People endeavor to entertain juft Thoughts
II6
ORDINATION SERMON.
of one another. It has too often happened becaufe Minifters and a People have entertained wrong Thoughts of each other, in a little Time they have fallen into a fhameful coldnefs and indifferency towards each other: Thus a People fometimes when they call a Minifter among theni exalt him above Meafure; and fcarcely will allow humane Frailties in him; But this is only to prepare him for the greater Fall: Like a Pendulum the farther it is ftretched on one fide; will in its return fwing as far on the oppofite Side. And even fuch a People are commonly as ready to debafe him as before to exalt him. Let a People therefore look upon their Minifter as a Man of the fame Paffions and Infirmities with themfelves; and expect he will fail in fome Things as well as they.
So let a Minifter look upon his People as Men who have many Remain- ders of Corruption, from whom he muft expect to receive Injuries and Abufes, Minifters have fometimes been ready to look upon their People wholly free from thefe Things, and when they have evilly intreated them, have been ready to fink under it.
2. Let Minifters and People take pains to grow and increafe in their Love for one another; and then they will ftrive together; and will not oppofe one another.
Minifters muft love their People as their fpecial Charge, whofe Souls they are accountable for. And if they perifh thro' their Neglect, they muft anfwer for them to God. And let a People look upon their Minifters af fpecial bleffings beftowed by Chrift the great Head of the Church, Eph. 4. 11. 12. 13. and a People ought to love them in a high Degree as fuch.
3. Would Minifters and People ftrive together, let them learn to bear with and cover over one another's Failings. A Minifter muft be very fpar- ing in fpreading abroad the Weaknefs or Sins of his People; and a People muft always conceal as much as poffible the Infirmities of their Minifter's. Let not the Failings of Minifters be the Subject of your Conversation, and the News you carry abroad with you. A want of this mutual bearing be- tween Minifters and People has greatly hindered the Miniftry and the Sal- vation of Souls.
4. Let Minifters and People make the Advancement of Religion their great Bufinefs. Both Minifters and People are too cold in the Service of Chrift, by Reafon of their being too much engaged in worldly Affairs. A People think hard to fupport the Miniftry, and do much to promote it; be- caufe they are more concerned to promote fomething elfe. Now if the Advancement of Chrift's Kingdom lies neareft the Hearts of Minifters and People, they will ftrive together.
1
117
ORDINATION SERMON.
USE. III. Of Motive to Minifters and People to ftrive together. And I. Let us all confider how much the Lord Jefus Chrift has done for us. He freely undertook for our Redemption; left the Glories of Heaven; came down and dwelt in Flefh; He who was rich emptied himfelf and became poor, that we might be made rich, 2 Cor. 8. 9. He obeyed the Law which we had broke; and has paid the Debt we owed to Divine Juftice. He fuf- fered the fhameful and cruel Death of the Crofs, and is afcended into Heaven, ther to make Interceffion for Sinners: And now can we be unwil- ling to do all we can for Chrift. who has done fo much for us?
2. Let Minifters and People confider how awful it will be to perifh after they have lived under the Gofpel, the one preaching and the other hearing the glad Tidings of Salvation Barely preaching the Word of God, or hear- ing the Gofpel preached, will not intitle Men to Salvation; and many who now preach, and hear the Gofpel preached, will another Day hear Chrift fay to them, I know you not, Mat. 7. 22. 23. Luk. 13. 25. But can Min- ifters or People bear the Thots of being thus difowned by Chrift.
3. Often think what Joy and Satisfaction it will yield you in the great Day of Accounts to be found together at the right Hand of Chrift. What pleafure will it be to Minifters to fee in that Day great Numbers of their People, whom they travailled in Birth for, ftanding with them at the right Hand of Chrift cloathed in white Rainment, This will afford mutual and inexpreffible Joy to Minifters and People.
To conclude, Let us all keep in view the Glories of the upper World, and that unfpeakable Reward which will be given both to Minifters and People who are faithful and ftrive together to promote the Kingdom of our Lord Jefus Chrift. Eye has not feen, nor Ear heard, nor can it enter into our Hearts to conceive of the great Things God has prepared for fuch, I Cor. 2. 9. And both Minifters and People who ftrive together to promote the Kingdom of Chrift: and are made the happy Inftruments of recovering Souls from Sin to God, will fhine as the Brightnefs of the Firmament, and and as the Stars for ever and ever."
The charge was given Mr. Norton by Rev. Benjamin Doolittle and was as follows:
"When our bleffed Lord afcended up on high, he gave Gifts to Men; and this was one of the precious gifts of our afcended Redeemer, even a fettled Miniftry, an Order of Men feparated and ordained to the Office and Work of the Gofpel Miniftry, to teach and inftruct Men in the Way of Sal- vation: And God having in his wife Providence inclined the Hearts of this
118
CHARGE.
People, to call you to this great and good Work among them; and your's alfo to accept their Invitation : We the Elders and Meffingers now prefent, being fatiffied of your Gifts and Qualifications therefor, do now heartily join together to feparate and ordain you to the Gofpel Miniftry according to Chrift's Appointment, and particularly a Paftor over this Church, whofe Call you have now accepted: And we give thee Charge in the Sight of God, and before our Lord Jefus Chrift, who fhall judge the Quick and the Dead, at his Appearing and Kingdom, to take the Overfight thereof, not for filthy Lucre fake; but of a ready Mind. And we truft the great Lord of the Harveft will be with you; who calls you to Labour in his Vineyard, and make you an able, faithful, and fuccefsful Minifter of the New Teftament.
And we folemnly Charge you before God, to preach the Word; be in- ftant in Seafon, and out of Seafon: Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort, with all Long fuffering and Doctrine.
Take Care to fhow thyfelf approved, a Workman that needeth not to be afhamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth; and give to every one hif Portion in due Seafon. Give Attendance to Reading, to Exhortation, to Doctrine; holding faft the faithful Word as thou haft been taught, accord- ing to the Scriptures of Truth; that thou mayft be able to exhort and con- vince Gainfayers.
Take care alfo to inftruct the ignorant, convince the erroneous; contend earneftly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints: You muft rebuke the obftinate, and comfort the feeble minded.
Make full Proof of thy Miniftry: Meditate upon thefe Things; give thy- felf wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all Men.
Take heed to thy felf, and thy Doctrine; that thou mayft both fave thy felf, and them that hear thee.
You muft pray for this People both in publick and private and be their daily Interceffor at the Throne of Grace.
Do thou alfo now receive Authority to adminifter the Sacraments, and Seals of the New Teftament, to perfons fuitably qualified: taking Care always to diftinguifh between the precious and the vile; remembring that Holinefs becomes God's Houfe for ever.
Unto thee are now committed the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven the Key of Doctrine, and the Key of Difcipline; them that Sin rebuke before all.
And we now folemnly Charge thee before the great GOD, the Lord Jefus
119
RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP.
Chrift, and the elect Angels, that thou obferve thefe Things without pre- ferring one before another; doing nothing by Partiality : keep thy felf pure.
Let no Man defpife thee; but be thou an Example to the Believers, in Word, in Converfation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity.
Confider alfo that a Bifhop must be blamelefs, and the Servant of the Lord muft not ftrive, but be gentle towards all Men.
He muft be patient, in Meeknefs inftructing thofe that oppofe them- felves, if peradventure God may give them Repentance to the acknowledge- ment of the Truth.
Carefully thus feed the Flock of CHRIST now committed to your Charge; not as being a Lord over God's Heritage, but as an example to the Flock: And when our bleffed Lord, the great Shepherd fhall appear you shall re- cieve a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away.
The Right Hand of Fellowship was given by Rev. Joseph Ashley: Dear Sir,
We now declare you a Minifter of JEFUS CHRIST, and a Paftor of this Church, over which you have now recieved a folemn Charge, regularly in- troduced into the Miniftry, and confecrated thereto as GOD, Angels, and this Affembly now Witnefs; and therefore with hearty Affection we now recieve you into the Fellowfhip of our Miniftry; and acknowlege you as a Brother and Fellow Labourer therein; which being attended with many and great Difficulties, we may juftly fay with the Apoftle, Who is fufficient for thefe Things? There is alfo much Need of the mutual Prayers and Af- fiiftance of all employed in the Miniftry; and therefore we both promife the fame to you; and expect it from you: And as a Teftimony hereof we give you our Right Hand ever wifhing Grace, Mercy and Peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jefus Chrift, may be multiplied to you, and this little Flock, over which the Holy Ghoft has now made you an Overfeer.
Mr. Norton's ministry lasted about four years, when he was asked to "remove from the Ministry in this town for the present," proba- bly on account of the wars which were then beginning, a request with which he complied. From this time until 1761, there was no settled minister in the place, although from the records we learn that the pulpit was occasionally supplied, Rev. Mr. Ashley having preached several times, also others. The Indians were constantly harassing the settlers, and carried on a continuous warfare until 1760. For twenty-two years our forefathers were subjected to pri-
120
SETTLEMENT OF REV. JOB WRIGHT.
vations, toils and sufferings, of which we, in our present peaceful homes, can form no accurate idea, homes too, that were obtained only through their courage, perseverance and blood.
In April, 1760, the Proprietors voted "to chose a Committee to see that the meeting house be not burned or otherwise damaged." The reason of this vote was found in the fact that hunters frequently set fires in the forest for the purpose of starting game, and in this way often burned over many acres, sometimes endangering dwell- ings.
In January, 1761, a call was given to Rev. Job Wright (Mr. Nor- ton being then settled over a parish in Connecticut.) He accepted, and, at the age of twenty-three, was ordained, in July, 1761. His salary was fixed at 66£ 13s. 4d., and 133£ 6s. 8d., as settlement money.
In 1768, the question of moving the meeting house was agitated. As the west part of the town became more thickly settled, such in- habitants felt that their convenience ought to be consulted in some degree. Practically the town was divided into two districts, each striving for the supremacy. They were unable to reach a decision at that time, although a committee was appointed. In 1772, the subject was revived and a committee chosen "from abroad." The gentlemen constituting this committee were Capt. Joseph Root of Montague, Capt. Nathaniel Dwight of Belchertown and Capt. Wil- liam Lyman of Northfield. They, having no personal interests to consult, chose a spot about half a mile south of the original site, near the house recently owned by Albert Chapin, and thither the building was removed in December. As the original records put it, "Mr. Samuel Connable Shall have the whole ordering of the af- fair with respect to drawing the meeting house." It was moved whole, by means of capstans and rollers, and by men alone, the time occupied being about a month. The ground over which it was moved was hilly and rough, ill suited in every way for such a work, and much credit was due Mr. Connable's mechanical skill in bringing the affair to so successful a termination. One of the pow- erful agencies in olden times is shown by the following: "1772, Voted, that Major John Burk be allowed for the rum he has found the Town while drawing the Meeting house."
Plan
of the Meeting House in Bernardston that stood near the late residence of Rev. .. Rogers . V
UN 15
Nº 17
Nº 19 I Janduson
Nº 1 Nº 7 6 Parmente! I Hastings
E Parmentigà 16
Nº 22
Nº 10 May "Webster 15
Nº4 L+ J Hale
Nº3 69 Ryther 31
MucoTT
East Door
Weget Down
Nº 30
Nº 12 O Gooby 3. 50.
Nº6 1 Newcomb 12
Nº5 George Parmenter 14 In. Bush- asaplescott
Nº11 J. Goland to Dol
Nº 29
Nº 27
Nº25 Jon + allen
Nº 23 Im Sheldon! 9.75.
Nº 24 Gluta Jnow 9.0.
Nº26 Doct Girapiù!
Nº 24
South
Nº 14
Nº 13
Nº 16 Dan'S.Unow-
Nº 18 atom Sright
0120 I Hate- I Smith War Newcomb 10 Dol
Gr G. alexander
cro21
121
REMOVAL OF THE MEETING HOUSE.
The meeting house now stood about fifty rods west of the Rev. Job Wright's residence, and here it remained until 1791, in the meantime having the interior nearly finished. . In 1779, it was voted to nail up the windows, put on the boards that had come off the building to "make it more comfortable," also that "ye windows in the lower part to be made so as to slip up."
As the town grew and became more evenly populated, the ques- tion of a second remove was brought forward, and in 1788 a com- mittee was appointed to determine the center of the town. March, 1791, saw a new location agreed upon, and 150£ raised to carry on the work of removal, the money to be payable in beef, wheat, rye, Indian corn, flour, wood, neat cattle and sheep at current cash prices. This time the building was taken down, moved, and put up again in the same shape and size. Deacon Jonathan Sheldon, Hezekiah Newcomb, Esq., and Mr. James Couch were the ones having the matter in charge. At this time Rev. Amasa Cook was pastor and "for the convenience of a Common around the House of public worship," he deeded June 2, 1794, one acre, two roods and 34 perches of land whereon the meeting house stood, to the church and so- ciety. This plot was bounded north by land of Barnice Foot, west by town road, and east by his own land. This was the first re- corded gift to the society.
Reference to the plan on the following page will show its location more definitely. Just the reason for the making of this plan must re- main a matter of conjecture. It is of interest to us in that it re- veals the location of some of the roads, and the names by which they were then known, and gives a definite location to the two then existing "Meeting houses," also the saw and grist mill at the vil- lage. This plan, protracted March 26, 1795, is found in Vol. 12, p. I of the Mass. State Archives.
It was now located near the point of intersection of three roads, and near the subsequent residence of two of its ministers, Revs. Cook and Rogers. It was finished off inside, and furnished with a pulpit and thirty square pews. There was also a gallery for the accommodation of the choir and children. The latter were not al- lowed places by their parents, that being considered highly im- proper. They were accordingly placed in the gallery, the boys on
Leyden
a Barron Ridge
Mountain.
to Dartmouth College .
(th) name of
meeting House!
Road to Meeting House
Baptist meeting Home
Country Road to northfield
+ Saw mill + 7. ..
+ grist ..
Fall River about three rods wide.
.
mountain.
Country Road to giel
Township
Bernardeton
1
Stage Road leading
a Stream known
ding
lec
-
1
Branch
-
1
1
123
REV. AMASA COOK.
one side, the girls on the other, and order was enforced by the tithingman. Whether the younger portion of the congregation gleaned more of benefit from the sermons of those days and under such discipline, is an ethical problem easily solved in most minds. Among Lt. Gov. Cushman's papers is found this comment on the structure:
"The meeting house, as at last completed, had one appendage which we, in this possibly degenerate age (?) have entirely omitted. I refer to the circular 'Sounding Board' suspended over the preacher's head in the pul- pit. I remember it well in my early days, the very natural inquiry for what possible purpose that could be placed there. And the only satisfac- tory answer (the science of acoustics I was not quite old enough to then un- derstand) was, that if the Minister did not preach sound doctrine, it would fall on him and crush him to atoms! How far it kept the clergy of that period from the adoption of any heresy, neither the church records nor the traditions of the times give any reliable information."
For thirty-three years the meeting house remained untouched by the builders' hand, except that, in accordance with a vote passed in 1794, it was "colored yellow."
In 1782, at his own request, Rev. Mr. Wright was dismissed, and Lt. John Severance, Deacon Zebulon Allen, Capt. Nathaniel Cush- man, Mr. Sheldon, James Couch, Elijah Sheldon and Capt. Joseph Slate were chosen a committee to determine with Mr. Wright his terms of dismission; a further account of this will be found latter on in his biography. The Council for his dismission met March 13, 1782, and "dissolved the union between the Rev. Job Wright and the Church of Christ in Bernardston," where Mr. Wright had been pastor for 21 years. His successor was Rev. Amasa Cook; whose answer to the call extended is as follows, and now for the first time do we find the name "Church" applied.
"To the Church of Christ in Bernardston.
As you under your present circumstances, being destitute of any spirit- ual guide or Teacher regularly settled over you in the Lord have been pleased to Manifest a good and Laudable disposition for a regular resettle- ment of the Gospel in the Ordinances thereof among you, according to the Gospel rule & the usage of the standing churches in this Land, you did at a meeting held on the 8th day of Sept. A. D. 1783, elect me as your pastor & gave me a call to settle among you in the work of the Gospel Ministry.
124
SETTLEMENT OF REV. TIMOTHY ROGERS.
And as the other inhabitants of the said town of Bernardston in Legal Town meeting, on the 15th day of September, A. D. 1783, concurred with you in making choice of me to serve as a Gospel Minister in this Town, and have shewed a commendable disposition freely to contribute of their Tem- poralities to the support & Maintenance of the Gospel Ministry.
Brothers of the Church and other inhabitants of said Town, I cannot but acknowledge the great respect and high esteem that you have herein manifested for me, unequal as I know I feel myself to be for such an Im- portant undertaking ; what you have done has Commanded my most Ser- ious attention. I have advised with my friends upon the subject, and after the most deliberate and mature consideration, depending entirely upon the Grace and strength of Christ to qualify ine to the right discharge of the work to which I am now called, Provided that the Town without any care of mine provide me with 40 cords of fire wood annually so long as I shall continue to be Minister in said Town. the other articles which the town have voted considering their circumstances and the difficulties of the times, I am satisfied with, in case the salary be paid me annually while I shall con- tinue your minister, Providing this my answer shall be accepted by both Church and Town, I do consent and agree to settle with you in the work of the Ministry, who am with sincere love and esteem, yours to serve in the Lord.
AMASA COOK.
Bernardston, Oct. 17, 1783.
To the Church of Christ and other inhabitants of the Town of Bernard- ston &c."
December, 1803, it was voted to number the pews in the meeting house, and that it should be done in the presence of the meeting.
In 1805, Mr. Cook was dismissed with some difficulty, and in 1809, the Rev. Timothy Rogers was settled. The names of those persons who attended the town meeting called to consider the set- tlement of Mr. Rogers were as follows. They are given as show- ing who some of the residents of the place were at that time:
Dr. S. Prentiss. Eben S. Field.
James Couch.
Thomas Snow. Capt. Joseph Slate.
Thomas W. Ripley.
Joseph Sanderson.
Dr. C. Chapin.
Daniel Loomis.
Lt. M. Squires.
Dea. J. Field.
Tim. Sheldon.
William Newcomb.
George Parmenter.
Capt. Jonathan Slate.
Israel Slate. Ensign G. Alexander.
E. Parmenter. Tim. Slate.
Elias Parmenter.
Major S. Webster.
125
CHURCH REMOVED TO PRESENT LOCATION.
John Purple.
Major S. Root.
Gideon Ryther.
Dea. P. Snow.
John Hale.
Ezra Connable.
Lt. T. Hale.
Joel Smith.
P. Newcomb.
Thomas L. Edwards.
N. Fox.
Moses Scott.
Simon Edwards.
John Burke.
David Dennison.
Samuel Williams.
Ralph Cushman.
Chester Wright.
Dalton Newcomb.
Simeon Alger.
Joel Warner.
Joseph Smith.
E. Chamberlain.
Capt. Chapin.
Jona. Allen.
Ezra Purple.
R. Hastings.
David Ryther.
C. Hastings.
Gamaliel Kingsley.
Timothy F.Rogers, to the Church and Society in Bernardston. "Brethren and beloved.
Your attention and candor, your kindness and liberality towards me, merit my grateful acknowledgments and strongly attach me to you. The recent exertions which have been made in my favor, will, I hope, justify me in accepting your invitation and enable me to devote myself to the work to which you have called me. This is infinitely important. Who is ade- quate to the discharge of the arduous and solemn duties of the Christian Ministry ! I am not sufficient of myself; my sufficiency must come of God. Go to Him, my brethren, and pray for me. If God Almighty own and strengthen and guide me, then will I lead you, and guide you to Jesus.
Bernardfton, 24th, July, 1809."
In 1824, settlements had been made so as to bring the centre of population nearer to the present village, and as the church was in some degree removed, it was again taken down and rebuilt on its present site, Major Orra Sheldon being the architect and builder. It was dedicated Jan. 12th, 1825, a sermon was preached from Ro- mans xv. 5-6-7 verses by the pastor, Rev. T. F. Rogers, under whose teachings the society changed from the Calvinistic to the Unitarian doctrine. At this time the belfry was added, and in June, 1824, it was voted to purchase a bell. The next year, 1825, it was voted to exchange the bell, although no cause for so doing is recorded. Yet it is probable that its being imperfect may have been the motive, for from the Gazette and Herald, under date of August, 1828, we learn that the bell was purchased of Revere & Co. of Boston, but the tone was never considered satisfactory. Owing to the failure of the firm from whom the purchase was made, no exchange was possible. In May, 1828, close observation revealed a small crack in the side of the bell where the tongue struck. A
1 26
PURCHASE OF A CHURCH BELL.
genius of the place proposed to remedy this, and with that in view, cut out the crack about one-half an inch in width, and it was claimed that the bell was as good as new. The records show that in 1829 it was proposed to raise money by subscription, and to add to the avails of the broken bell and procure another as large as the fund would buy. P. L. Cushman, Hatsell Purple and Oliver Root were to superintend the hanging of the bell. This bell is the one in present use.
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