USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832; and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle; containing various notices of county and state history not before published. > Part 17
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832 : and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle > Part 17
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Mr. Bliss was one of the most distinguished of the clergy, who, at that day, were denominated by their opposers new lights. He introduced a new style of preaching, -bold, zealous, im- passioned, and enthusiastic, forming a striking contrast to that the church had previously enjoyed. The truths of divine revelation, which people from infancy had been taught to regard with rever- ence, were now exhibited in a manner new and surprising. And it had a powerful effect. The attention of the people generally was soon greatly awakened, and their feelings were excited on the subject of religion.
On the 13th of October, 1741, the celebrated Whitfield first visited Concord. " About noon," says his Journal, " I reached Concord. Here I preached to some thousands in the open air ; and comfortable preaching it was. The hearers were sweetly melted down. About £45 was collected for the orphans. The minister of the town being, I believe, a true child of God, I chose to stay all night at his house, that we might rejoice together. The Lord was with us. The Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and God gave me to wrestle with him for my friends, especially those then with me. They felt his power. Brother B ** s, the minister, broke into floods of tears, and we had reason to cry out it was good for us to be here. O blessed be thy name, O God, for the sweet refreshing in our way towards the heavenly Canaan."
The preaching of Whitfield, though somewhat resembling that of Mr. Bliss, tended to keep alive and increase these powerful religious feelings. The number of those who publicly professed religion, and joined the church in full communion, was unusually
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[1740.
large. Fifty joined in 1741, and sixty-five in 1742. Eighteen in one day. The feeling pervading society was such, that re- ligious meetings were held every day in the week ; hundreds sought advice from their pastor ; and persons might often be seen, apparently suffering under extreme agony from a sense of their guilt, or in an extasy of joy under the consolations of religion. This revival, though attended with much enthusiasm in feelings and action, and extravagant pretensions to religious influences, pro- duced the most salutary effects on many individuals. As is ever the case when the attention of the people is called to think se- riously on the subject, the number of those who were reformed and became really pious, is stated to have been very great.
But though productive of much good, many evils resulted from the proceedings of those times. Much controversy and division in towns took place, which hardly find a parallel in modern times, and in which most of the leading clergymen of the colony were engaged as partisans or counsellors. Concord partook large- ly in these troubles. An unhappy controversy was here gene- rated, which continued many years, and produced some important revolutions in the town. This controversy involved so many prin- ciples of importance to the church generally, and to this town in particular, that I trust I shall be excused for minuteness of detail.
The dismission of Mr. Whiting was not approved by every in- habitant ; and, as has been shown, there was not entire unanimity in settling Mr. Bliss. Under these circumstances, his character and preaching were likely to be carefully examined, and all his errors exposed. As early as July, 1740, several brethren " made application to the church for redress"; and Messrs. Timothy Minott, James Minott, Samuel Heywood, Samuel Merriam, and Nathaniel Whittemore, were chosen a committee " to hold a Chris- "tian conference with them, and to receive and report their particu- lar grievances to the church." At the same time, Messrs. Timo- thy Wheeler, Jonathan Ball, and John Jones, were chosen a com- mittee to obtain from others the reason for absenting themselves" from the communion. It does not appear that reports were made till the following year. Not being satisfied, the aggrieved brethren requested the church to join with them in calling in a council, but it was refused.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1743.]
At length an ex parte council was convened, before whom fifteen articles of complaint were examined. This council, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. John Barnard of Marblehead, moderator, John Prentice of Lancaster, Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, William Cook of East Sudbury, Thomas Parker of Dracut, Oliver Pea- body of Natick, Willard Hall of Westford, and delegates from their respective churches, met here first in June, 1742, and during the following year, by several adjournments.
The charges submitted to this council were referred to the church, before whom they were examined ; and the vindication of the accused was made, and voted to be satisfactory. After this examination (August 26, 1742), four of the brethren were sus- pended from the privileges of the church.
In consequence of the dissatisfaction that prevailed, the church had also called in the aid of a council, of which the Rev. Samuel Moody, of York, was moderator, and which met here, June 21, 1743, ".to hear and consider these proceedings, and inform them, if in any thing they have deviated from the rules of the gospel." Messrs. Deacon Dakin, Nathaniel Billings, John Dakin, Daniel Adams, David Whitaker, Nathaniel Ball, David Melvin, Nathaniel Whittemore, and Timothy Wheeler, were chosen on various com- mittees to confer with the council on different subjects.
Both of these councils were in session in Concord at the same time. That called by the disaffected brethren had requested Mr. Bliss to appear before it, to refute any charges which might be brought against him ; but he refused to recognise them as the proper tribunal, before whom he or his church ought to appear. The church's council were then invited to unite, and both to sit together as a mutual council. This was also refused. And they came to a result, June 24, 1743, in which they state that the complaints of the aggrieved brethren were well founded, and ad- vise them to secede from the ministry of Mr. Bliss, and support public worship among themselves, unless proper acknowledgments and reformation, agreeably to their views, took place.
The other council, after examining all the proceedings of the church, from December, 1741, to that day, and the charges of the aggrieved brethren, adjourned without coming to a result, only advising the church to consult with the aggrieved brethren, and invite an additional number of churches to join them at their
22
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[1743.
adjourned meeting, and then to sit as a mutual council. This was consented to by both parties ; and a council, consisting of ministers and delegates from fourteen churches, met here September 13, 1743. The ministers were the Rev. Nathaniel Rogers and Samuel Wigglesworth, of the first and third churches in Ipswich ; Samuel Moody, of the first church in York ; Israel Loring, of Sudbury ; Wil- liam Williams, of Weston ; Peter Thatcher, of Middleborough ; John Cotton, of Newton ; Nathaniel Appleton, of Cambridge ; Joshua Gee, of Boston ; Wareham Williams, of Waltham ; Joseph Parsons, of Bradford ; Ebenezer Turell, of Medford ; David Hall, of Sutton ; and Solomon Prentice, of Grafton. John Cotton was moderator, and Joshua Gee and Nathaniel Rogers, scribes. It continued in session six days. Ten of these fourteen ministers, with the Rev. Mr. Bliss, were part of the hundred and sixteen who had fully approved the existing revivals, " as the glorious work of God," and given in their attestation at the meeting in Boston on the 7th of the preceding July.1
Twenty-two articles of grievance, containing "exceptions against the doctrines, discipline, and conduct of the reverend pastor of the church," obtained a full and impartial examination. These charges involved some of the points of theology most disputed at that time. The following' extracts from the complaints, Mr. Bliss's defence, and the result of council, are given as exam- ples.
COMPLAINT 5th. - " His asserting that every person that was converted must know it ; and afterwards denied the same."
Defence. - " That all persons converted, when adult, must re- ceive a change so great that they will necessarily be acquainted therewith, is what I believe ; but at the same time, that they shall as certainly know this to be true and real conversion to God, is what I deny."
Result of Council. - " We judge that many who are converted do know it, and that it is the duty of Christians to give all dili- gence to make their calling and election sure ; yet the doctrine that Mr. Bliss hath taught, namely, that every person that is con- verted must know it, is what we apprehend to be unsound ; but
1 Christian History, Emerson's History of the First Church, page 190, Trumbull's Connecticut, Chauncy's Seasonable Thoughts, and Edwards's and Whitfield's Works, may be consulted for a history of those times.
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1743.]
in what he offered to the council he expressed himself more cau- tiously to our satisfaction."
COMPLAINT 6th .- " Mr. Bliss hath asserted that the main reason any man cannot enter in at the strait gate, is because they are not elected."
Defence. - " The truth of what you object against, I think clear from the word of God in many places, particularly Romans xi. 5-8. The originating cause of the salvation of any of the children of men, I believe to be the electing goodness and grace of God ; and of consequence the main cause why others are not saved as much as those that be, is because they were not elected ; but with the same breath desire to have it well remembered, this is no excuse for us continuing in unbelief."
. Result. - The charge "was fully proved. We judge Mr. Bliss's expressions very improper, tending to make an ill improve- ment of the important Scriptural doctrine of election."
COMPLAINT 8th. - " In mentioning that text, 'He that be- lieveth not is condemned already,' he said, 'But I say he is damned already ; every person that hath not a true saving faith is in a state of damnation ;, you believe, and so doth the devil ; but your faith is a cursed, damned faith.'"'
Defence. - " I hold that every man that believeth not is damned according to the sense and meaning of John iii. 18; that he is kept out of hell by mere unpromised, uncovenanted mercy and goodness ; that all faith which produceth not good fruits working by love, &c., is accursed and soul-destroying, I have said, and purpose still to say it, though some may be offended."
Result. - " Voted that the expressions are very unsuitable and improper."
COMPLAINT 10th. - " Mr. Bliss said in a sermon that it was as great a sin for a man to get an estate by honest labor, if he had not a single aim at the glory of God, as to get it by gaming at cards or dice."
Defence. - " I am suspicious whether you have done me jus- tice ; because I can find no such expressions in my written sermon on 1 Cor. x. 31. The nearest thereto is this : 'If husbandmen plow and sow that they may be rich, and live in the pleasures of this world, and appear .grand among men, they are as far from true religion in their plowing, sowing, &c., as men are, that game
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HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1743.
for the same purpose.' If I had the same expression which you mention, I suppose it to be true in this sense only ; that they are both enemies to God, self-lovers, self-seekers, and idolaters. That the one doth not take more sinful ways in carrying on his de- signs against God, I never thought of affirming." .
Result. - " Voted, that the expressions are unwarrantable and of dangerous tendency ; and therefore ought to be carefully guard- ed against. But Mr. Bliss, in his vindication, declared he was not apprehensive of his ever having delivered himself as testified by the witnesses."
COMPLAINT 12th. - " In preaching from that text, 'He that came down from heaven is above all,' he said a person might go on in sins, in drunkenness, in Sabbath-breaking even to rioting ; but I must tell you for your comfort, if you belong to the election of grace, Christ will bring you home."
Defence. - " I did not encourage sin, in preaching upon John iii. 31, in saying that persons might go on in sin, &c. By the word might, I had not the intention to give them liberty. But if they were so perverse, that they would for some time longer con- tinue in sin and increase iniquity ; yet if they belonged to the election of grace they should be brought home by faith and re- pentance ; which affords comfortable thoughts, but such, I think, as must most certainly reprove and reproach such as yield them- selves to sin with hopes of after repentance."
Result. - " We judge these words are a very ill and unwarrant- able use of the doctrine of election, and of very dangerous ten- dency."
COMPLAINT 14th. - " We are uneasy with his wandering from town to town to the disturbance of towns and churches, and neg- lecting his own church at home."
Defence. - " I have never preached in other churches without the consent of their pastors, nor in other towns without invitation, which I suppose a privilege granted in the gospel to the ministers of Christ, that I propose by the grace of God never to part with. If you will instance to me any criminal neglect of my own church, I shall endeavour to be suitably thankful to you, and, by the Lord's help, amend for the future."
Result. - " Voted, that we, having reason to fear that Mr. Bliss hath been incautious in his compliance with invitations to preach
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1743.]
in some other ministers' parishes, exhort him for the future care- fully to observe the testimony and advice of the late convention which he hath signed. But we do not find he hath neglected his own charge, but on the contrary his faithfulness and diligence were testified by many."
Mr. Bliss had been almost incessantly occupied in attending religious meetings, and also, says the result, in attending " the multitude of souls that have flocked to him for his advice and direction." His sermons, generally extemporaneous, had been produced without much previous study, and contained many hasty expressions and mistakes, which more mature reflection would have prevented. This was one of the main causes of difficulty on his part. The council also state, that " principles contrary to the doctrines of grace have been espoused by some persons in this place, which hath occasioned their stumbling at some truths which had been delivered to them." 1 This, and the spirit of opposition and prejudice on the part of the people, caused them to " over- look," in the language of the council, " the zeal, faithfulness, and love of souls, with which, we are persuaded, he hath ministered to his people." While the council disapproved of the incautious and improper manner in which Mr. Bliss had treated some of the doctrines of the Bible, it bore testimony to his usefulness as " the instrument of God in carrying on his remarkable gracious work in this town." Both parties were admonished, and advised to mutual confession and reconciliation. Mr. Bliss made a confession in presence of the council, satisfactory to them and the church, a large majority of which was always in his favor.2
1 Christopher C. Baldwin, Esq., the Librarian of the American Antiqua- rian Society, has furnished me with extracts from the Rev. David Hall's MS. Journal. Under March 7, 1742, he says, "Was at Concord last week. Discoursed with some of Mr. Bliss's opposers. I find they are rank Arminians. Was at several houses. Mr. Beaton made me a present of Shepard's 'Sound Believer'; and it is indeed a valuable present." Mr. Hall was an admirer of Mr. Bliss and Mr. Whitfield. In several places in his journal he speaks of the affairs of Concord, and generally in favor of Mr. Bliss.
2 In the Boston Evening Post, of March 14, 1743, is published a letter from a " gentleman of unquestionable veracity in Hopkinton," giving an account of a sermon preached there by Mr. Bliss, in which it is said, " He began in a low, moderate strain, and went on for some time in the same manner ; but towards the close of his sermon, he began to raise his voice,
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HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1745.
The proceedings of this council, like many other similar at- tempts to settle difficulties, did not allay public excitement, nor heal the divisions in the town. New instances of withdrawal took place, notwithstanding the efforts of different committees, chosen by the church, to treat with the disaffected.
September 4, 1744, the town voted, not to hear " the result of the last venerable council that sat "; not to free those persons who had separated from Mr. Bliss from their proportion of the ministerial tax ; and not to allow them the privilege of holding public worship in the town-house. But a petition of 47 inhabi- tants, " who have, by the advice of two councils, separated from the ministry of Mr. Bliss," was presented to the General Court, October 17 ; and they were exempted, by an act passed January 19, 1745, from all ministerial charges since (June, 1743,) they had maintained or shall maintain public worship among them- selves. They petitioned the town several times afterwards for as- sistance to build a meeting-house, but were unsuccessful.
On the 12th of December, 1745, twenty male communicants subscribed a covenant, and organized the West Church. Among them were some of the most wealthy, respectable, influential, and pious men in town. Others soon after united with them, and, in conjunction with some who were not communicants, they were ac- customed to hold public worship regularly in a house which stood near the present residence of the Hon. Nathan Brooks.1
From this time there were two incorporated religious societies in Concord. Individuals living in the easterly part of the town had also several times petitioned to be set off into a separate pre- cinct or parish ; and they were successful in 1746. In that year, what is now Concord was incorporated as the first precinct or parish, and what is now Lincoln, as the second. In the latter precinct, many of the aggrieved brethren united with others, and formed the third church in the town.
and to use many extravagant gestures, and then began a considerable groaning amongst the auditors, which as soon as he perceived, he raised his voice still higher, and then the congregation were in the utmost con- fusion. Some crying out in the most doleful accents, some howling, some laughing, and others singing, and Mr. Bliss still roaring to them to come to Christ, - they answering, -' I will, I will, I'm coming, I'm coming.' "
1 This was a public house. The sign had a black horse painted on it. Hence this church was called, by way of derision, the black-horse church.
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1747.]
The first meeting of the first parish was held September 19, 1746, at which the parish officers were chosen. The two socie- ties in this parish continued to hold separate meetings. Another council was called by the disaffected brethren, whose proceedings I have not been able to find. Additional charges were also laid before the church, February 20, 1746, and at eight subsequent meetings examined. Mr. Bliss's defence, June 6th, appears at length on the church records, but the charges are not found there. As far as appears from the defence, they related principally to his preaching in the parishes of other ministers, or encouraging lay preachers in his own, or to alleged personal indiscretions. Mr. Bliss had preached to the separatists in Boston, at Springfield, and at Worcester, where he had been " earnestly requested by a multitude of souls." Mr. Cotton, of Newton, excluded him from his pulpit.
At length, the difficulties continuing to increase, a parish com- mittee was chosen, May, 1747, to consider what measures should be taken to promote peace and unanimity between the two so- cieties. This committee recommended that five persons, not in- habitants, be chosen to give their advice. Three of these being selected, the parish could not agree on the others, and the project failed. After several unsuccessful attempts, however, to adjust the difficulties, it was voted, at a meeting of the parish, March 1, 1748, " That a committee of seven ministers be chosen, and be desired to hear and examine into the difficulty the parish labors under ; particularly to take into their consideration the result of the venerable council called by the church ; and also the result of the last council called by those who lately separated and formed into a church state ; and also to hear and examine into any mat- ters of grievance which have arisen since the result of said coun- cils ; and to give their advice, in order to be laid before the churches in this parish for their consideration, for an accommoda- tion and union of both churches, if it can be found practicable."
This council was composed of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Sewall, moderator, and John Webb of Boston ; Hull Abbot of Charles- town ; William Hobby of Reading ; and Nathan Stone of South- borough. Two others were invited, but did not attend. They met the 16th of May at Mr. Ebenezer Hubbard's, and came to a result on the 20th. The charges brought against Mr. Bliss,
-
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1748.
before this council, related to his encouraging Elisha Payne and the Rev. Mr. Dutton in preaching and selling books in his parish ; to his hasty suspension of several brethren of the church ; to his preaching in other ministers' parishes without their consent, and contrary to advice of former councils and his own promise, &c., and were generally supported, as appears from the result. This was laid before the church and accepted ; and the pastor made such acknowledgments as the council had pointed out, which were voted to be satisfactory. At the same time the vote by which the church suspended several members was reconsidered.
The West Congregation had voted, May 27th, " to adhere to the results of the venerable councils called by them, and the in- dulgence obtained from the Great and General Court." 1 The proceedings of the above council were laid before it, August 15 ; but for reasons ably drawn up, the advice they contained was not complied with. They were advised to unite with the other church, and settle a colleague with Mr. Bliss. This they could not do; for, being a minority, they had no hopes of obtaining a person of their choice. "We came out from Mr. Bliss and his church," say they, " not on account of any sudden transport of passion, but with mature consideration, with true principles of Christianity, and with the best of advice." They also stated,
1 On the 18th of February, 1748, the Hon. James Minott and several others, a committee of the West Congregation in Concord, petitioned the General Court, praying that they may be enabled to settle an orthodox minister among themselves at the joint charge of the inhabitants of the first precinct in said town, and to erect a suitable house for public worship. A similar one had been presented to the town, May 15, 1745, but not granted. Orders of notice passed on this petition. Committees were ap- pointed to take it into consideration at several successive meetings of the Legislature, before whom the remonstrances of the precinct, the first church, and Mr. Bliss, were made. The Legislative Journal says, April 12, 1749, " Whereas the petition of the West Society in Concord has been continued over to this time, that the parties therein concerned might agree their differences among themselves, but there being no prospect of such agreement," voted, that a committee be appointed " to take said petition, and answers thereto, and all other papers in the case, under their consideration, hear the parties now attending, and report what they judge proper for the Court to do thereon." Reported April 21, and again referred to the next session, and " the parties recommended to compro- mise their difficulties in the mean time." How it was finally disposed of, I have not learned.
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that Mr. Bliss was not on terms of fellowship with many neigh- bouring churches ; and, should a reunion be effected, they were desirous of having this restored. The following documents relate to this subject. The first appears on the church records; and the second was among the papers laid before the General Court.
The following vote of the church was passed February 9, 1749. "1. We have not any certain intelligence given, that any churches are not in charity with us, as is thought and supposed by our brethren that have withdrawn from us.
" 2. The ground mentioned by them of this their surmise is, ' that this church hath passed many votes in vindication of Mr. Bliss, before and since the sitting of the church's council, which have been reversed by the said council, and the committee of reverend ministers lately with us.' This we look upon to be insufficient to give dissatisfaction to any church whatsoever, if it be remembered that this church accepted and complied with the advice given by both the councils and committees aforesaid.
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