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 18
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 18
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" 3. Whereas our brethren point us to the churches whereof the council was formed, that advised to their withdrawal from Mr. Bliss, which they conceive to be among the dissatisfied ; let it be observed, that as this church had nothing to do in calling or laying any matters before that council, so we apprehend that for this church to make application to those churches to give them satis- faction, would be a contradiction to that which we have said before the late venerable committee was with us, and hath not been reversed by complying with the result, which hath this pas- sage, viz. ; ' Yet we cannot think that this will justify your with- drawal, or that of any others from the church, and embodying in a new church state without asking a dismission from the church ; ' which passage, if our brethren would own to be just, we appre- hend they would no more say any thing concerning our making satisfaction to the churches whereof that council consisted, which advised to their withdrawal from us. And indeed we apprehend it to be sufficient to give satisfaction to any church or churches, when we shall be properly informed by them of their uneasiness together with the reason thereof. Further we think it needless to reply ; but on the whole would say, that, this church having accepted the result of the late venerable committee of reverend ministers, viz. Messrs. Joseph Sewall, moderator, John Webb,
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HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1749.
Hull Abbot, William Hobby, and Nathan Stone, which was chosen by the first parish in Concord, it must not be expected by any that this church will go into any measures contradictory to said result. DANIEL BLISS, Pastor."
" This may certify all whom it may concern, that we have seen and heard so much proved (as we apprehend), against Mr. Bliss of Concord, especially with respect to his notorious prevari- cations and wronging the truth ; and the meanness and mistakes in his public performances, and what has passed thereupon in councils ; that we cannot comfortably hold communion with him, nor those that abet him. The confessions drawn by him, or for him, are far from being satisfactory. The withdrawal of the West Church will therefore be justified by knowing, impartial judges. The proposals for union offered last year by the reverend minis- ters seem to them impracticable, until Mr. Bliss and church have sought to obtain the charity of neighbouring churches, which they have neglected or refused, under pretence they knew of none that are not in charity with them, as they have represented. Whereupon it don't appear to us practicable for the West Church in Concord to return to the First Church ; nor can it serve any interest of religion till the outstanding difficulties above mentioned be removed, with their other apparent aversions to all our Chris- tian proposals. Nor can we look upon ourselves bound by the" laws of Christ, and the order of these churches, to hold further communion with them. Upon which we humbly offer on their behalf, that their distressed condition may find relief by this hon- orable Court, that their hands may be strengthened to build upon that foundation this Court hath laid for them. All which we humbly submit and pray.
John Hancock, Oliver Peabody, Thomas Parker,
John Barnard, John Gardner, William Cook.
" The First Church in Lancaster as having received no satis- faction.
Timothy Harrington, Pastor. Daniel Rogers, [of Littleton.]
" May 8, 1749."
In the mean time several meetings of the parishi were held, at which measures were taken to reconcile the two societies, and
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1750.]
effect a union ; but being unsuccessful, the following proceedings were had, February 13, 1750.
" The votes of bothi churches having been read ; and it appear- ing that the First Church has agreed to accept of and comply with the advice of the late venerable committee of ministers, called by the parishi to give their Christian advice ; and are very unwilling to come into any measures contradictory to, or incon- sistent with, the said advice ; and the Second Church, having re- fused to comply with said advice, have made other proposals, which have been considered and answered by the First Church in the parish as being not satisfactory to them ; and inasmuch as a reconciliation and union seem at present difficult and almost im- practicable ; therefore voted, that nothing further be done at this time towards calling and settling a colleague with Mr. Bliss."
Another council, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Israel Loring of Sudbury, John Gardner of Stow, and William Cook, invited by the West Church, met here, October 8, 1750, to consult on the propriety of their proceedings, and advised the members not to unite with the other church. From this time, however, the con- troversy principally ceased. Many, disaffected with the First Church, found an asylum in the church at Lincoln, after the in- corporation of that town in 1754; others had become reconciled by mutual concessions. A few only remained separate till the death of Mr. Bliss.
The West Church existed about fourteen years, and supported public worship the most part of the time, though no minister was settled. The Rev. Messrs. Jolin Whiting, John Gardner, Eben- ezer Winchester, Benjamin Stevens, and - Marsh, and probably others, were preachers ; Samuel Miles and Jonathan Buttrick, deacons ; and Josiah Hosmer and Ezekiel Miles, " choristers to set the tune for the congregation." 1 The Rev. Mr. Loring ad- ministered the sacrament, March 25, 1750, and at several other times.
1 The prudential affairs of the society were managed by a clerk, treasurer, or committee of three, and two collectors. Captain Stephen Hosmer was clerk (whose papers have furnished me with many facts), and Nathaniel Colburn and Charles Prescott, Esq., at different times, treasurers. The Hon. James Minott was a leading member. Three hun- dred pounds currency were raised to support preaching, in the same
1
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HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1750.
The secession from Mr. Bliss was not made, like most others in New England,1 because the pastor was not zealous enough in promoting the religious excitement of the times, but on account of his supposed or real errors in his preaching and pastoral con- duct. Some thought he was too zealous and too enthusiastic ; and, though wishing the spread of true religion, they thought Mr. Bliss took improper measures to promote a revival. It cannot be denied that the influence of the clergy was very great in pro- moting and confirming the unhappy divisions in this town, though acting conscientiously in opposition to Mr. Bliss. The troubles in Concord were the cause of great disturbance in the neighbour- ing churches ; some individuals espousing the cause of Mr. Bliss, and some that of his opponents. A division took place in the Rev. Mr. Loring's society ; and several councils were called to settle them. Similar effects were produced elsewhere.
These facts give but an imperfect idea of the condition of the town in this important period of its history. Did the limits of this work permit, a more full account of the ecclesiastical docu- ments, which have accidentally fallen into my hands (a part only of which are in the church records), would be given ; but the details already made lead us to view this controversy too impor- tant to be passed over without a particular notice. Though min- gled with much personal feeling and altercation, producing division among ministers, in societies and families, between husbands and wives, parents and children, which scarcely finds a parallel even in modern sectarianism, and the details of which it might be well to bury in oblivion ; yet it involved many important princi- : ples in theology and church discipline, and teaches the inefficiency of ecclesiastical councils to settle personal difficulties. To its results may be traced the introduction of those more liberal feel- ings and sentiments, which lead people to think and judge for themselves, and not to depend too exclusively on the opinions of the clergy.
In April, 1741, Timothy Minott, Deacons Dakin and Heywood, and Timothy Wheeler, were appointed a committee to assist the pastor in preparing a new covenant. One was reported, and pub-
proportion as other taxes, in 1747; £500 in 1748 ; and £800 in 1749. The collectors were vested with the same authority as in towns.
1 See Trumbull's History of Connecticut, Vol. II.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1764.]
licly signed, May 11, 1749, by ninety-two male members of the church. The Rev. Thomas Prince, of Boston, preached on this solemn and interesting occasion.
The genuine principles of religion obtained little influence during the progress of the controversies in town. Great apathy prevailed. In 1743 one person only united with the First Church ; and for some years before and after that period a comparatively small' number. After these troubles subsided, special attention to the subject again prevailed. In 1763 thirty individuals united with the church. Less enthusiasm and more lasting benefit, it is said, attended this revival than that of 1741 and 1742.
Mr. Whitfield visited Concord again, March 10, 1764. The next day being Sabbath, Mr. Bliss, at the special request of Mr. Whitfield, preached in the morning, and Mr. Whitfield in the after- noon. This was one of Mr. Bliss's most powerful efforts, and made such an impression on Mr. Whitfield as led him to remark, " If I had studied my whole life, I could not have produced such a sermon." But it was the last time Mr. Bliss ever appeared in the pulpit. He was soon after taken sick with a consumption, in which he languished till his death. A special fast, on his account, was held in Concord, May 4. The Rev. Daniel Emer- son, of Hollis, prayed ; and the Rev. William Lawrence preached, from Psalm ciii. 3, in the morning ; and the Rev. Mr. Clark prayed, and the Rev. Jonathan Loring preached from Psalm lxv. 2, in the afternoon. All difficulties between Mr. Bliss and the neighbouring ministers were happily settled at this meet- ing. He died about 12 o'clock at noon, just a week after. He was buried on the 16th. His bearers were the Rev. Messrs. Martin, Stone, Swift, Bridge, Lawrence, Emerson, Clark, and Loring.
During the ministry of Mr. Bliss, 290 persons were admitted to the church in full communion, 328 owned the covenant, and 1424 were baptized.
The Rev. DANIEL BLISS was son of Mr. Thomas Bliss, and born at Springfield, in January, 1715. His grandfather, Samuel, one of ten children, five sons and five daughters, who removed with his mother, Mrs. Margaret Bliss, to that town in 1646 (her hus- band's name not being known), married Mary, daughter of John Leonard, in 1664, and died in 1720. Thomas was born in 1667,
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HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1764.
and died in 1733. The Rev. Daniel was graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1732. While at College he imbibed those principles of thought and action for which he was distinguished in after life. Some time after he left College he received an invitation to settle at Guilford in Connecticut, but was not ordained. The follow- ing long epitaph appears on his monument in the Hill Burying- Ground.
" Here lies Interred the Remains of the Rev. Mr. Daniel Bliss, Pastor of the Church of Christ in Concord, who Deceased the 11th day of May, Anno Dom : 1764, Ætatis suæ 50.
" Of this beloved Disciple and Minister of Jesus Christ 't is justly observable, that, in addition to his natural and acquired abilities, he was distinguishedly favoured with those eminent Graces of the Holy Spirit (Meakness, Humility, and Zeal), which rendered him peculiarly fit for and. enabled him to go thro' the great and arduous work of the Gospel Ministry, upon which he entered in the 25th year of his age. The Duties of the various Characters he sustained in Life, were performed with great stricteness and fidelity. As a private Christian he was a bright Example of Holiness in Life and Purity in Conversation. But in the execution of ye ministerial office he shone with Pe- culiar Lustre, - a spirit of Devotion animated all his perfor- mances : - his Doctrine drop'd as ye Rain and his lips distilled like the Dew : - his Preaching was powerful and Searching ; - and he who blessed him with an uncommon Talent in a particular Application to ye Consciences of men, crowned his skilful En- deavours wth great success. As ye work of the Ministry was his great Delight, so he continued fervent and diligent in ye Performance of it, till his Divine Lord called him from his Service on Earth to the Glorious Recompense of Reward in Heaven ; where as one who has turned many unto Righteousness he shines as a star for ever and ever.
" ' His soul was of ye Angelic Frame, The Same Ingredients, and the mould ye same, Whom ye Creator makes a Minister of Fame.' WATTS."
Mr. Bliss married Phebe Walker, of Strafford, Connecticut, in 1738. She died July 2, 1797, aged 84, having had 9 children. 1. Daniel, who will be noticed among the college graduates ;
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1765.]
2. Phebe, who married the two ministers who were successors of her father ; 3. John, who died young ; 4. Thomas Theodore, who lived at Brimfield, held a commission in the army of the American Revolution, and was a brave, but unfortunate officer. He was taken prisoner at the first campaign in Canada, at the Three Rivers, with all his company, and retained as a hostage during the war. He died at Cambridge in 1802. 5. Hannah, who was drowned at Springfield ; 6. John; 7. Samuel, who was an officer in the British army, during the revolution, in New York and New Jersey. He had an island in the Bay of Fundy granted to him. 8. Martha, who married Isaac Hoar. 9. Jo- seph, who died at Plymouth, New Hampshire. It is somewhat remarkable, that two of Mr. Bliss's sons should have been ardent tories, and two ardent whigs.1
May 23, 1764, Deacon Samuel Minott was chosen standing moderator, the Rev. Daniel Emerson, of Hollis, New Hampshire, " moderator extraordinary," and Messrs. Simon Hunt, John Cum- ing, Jonathan Puffer, Ephraim Brown, and James Barrett, a committee " to assist the moderator in hearing and preparing any matters to be laid before the church." Early in June a day of fasting and prayer was kept in the church ; and the Rev. Messrs. Hall of Sutton, Hutchinson of Grafton, Searls of Stoneham, and Bridge of Framingham, assisted in the public religious exercises on the occasion. On the 11th of October, 1765, the church voted, though not unanimously, to receive into its communion members of the late West Church, who chose to offer themselves. Some had already united ; and some others were disposed to do so. That all difficulties might be settled before the ordination of
1 Mr. Loring preached on the next Sabbath two funeral sermons ; in the morning, from Zach. i. 5, and, in the afternoon, from Job xix. 25, 26, 27.
Ebenezer Hartshorn made Mr. Bliss's coffin. "Five hundred broad- headed coffin- nails and five hundred small white tacks were put on the cover." "White ones used to be used, but lately they use them that are jappaned black." Gloves and rings were given at the funeral. The late Thomas Clark, Esq., of Boston, had in his possession a ring, given to his grandfather the Rev. Jonas Clark, as one of the pall-holders. His funeral expenses, paid by the town, were £66 13s. 4d.
Mr. Bliss published the following work : "The Gospel hidden to them that are lost. Being the substance of two sermons preached. Pub- lished at the repeated request, and free cost, of some who heard them. 1755."
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HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1767.
another minister, a council was called, consisting of the Second church in Cambridge, and the churches in Grafton, Wilmington, Framingham, and Marlborough ; and met here, November 26, 1765. Their proceedings are not recorded.
On the 18th of February, 1765, the church chose William Emerson to be their pastor ; and in this vote the town concurred, in March, 128 to 62. The only other candidate mentioned was Mr. Samuel Williams. It was agreed to give him £200 as a settlement, and £100 as an annual salary. He was ordained January 1, 1766. The council, on the occasion, was composed of ministers and dele- gates from the First and Second churches in Sudbury, the Second in Cambridge, the Second in Wells, the Second in Reading, and the churches in Malden, Stow, Littleton, Acton, Chelmsford, Tops- field, Lexington, Hollis, Pepperell, Lincoln, Bedford, and Bille- rica. The Rev. John Gardner, of Stow, was moderator. The Rev. Daniel Rogers, of Littleton, made the introductory prayer ; the Rev. Joseph Emerson, of Malden, preached from 1 Chron. xxix. 1; the Rev. John Gardner gave the charge ; the Rev. William Cook, of East Sudbury, made the last prayer ; and the Rev. John Swift, of Acton, gave the right hand of fellowship.
When Mr. Emerson began his ministry, some of those feelings, which had been fostered in the previous controversies, were still existing. But though he came into office under these disadvan- tageous circumstances, his piety, talents, and popular manner, as a preacher, secured the affection and support of a great majority of the church and town. The subsequent difficulties in his church arose principally from the rejection of an individual who offered himself as a candidate for admission. When the church was called upon to act on his admission, it was well known that ob- jections existed in the minds of some of the communicants against him .; and Deacon Simon Hunt arose, after the question was put, and before the vote was declared, and requested it to be made certain. Considering this as an unjustifiable act, the candidate immediately withdrew. This happened in 1767 ; and nine of the members of the church, uniting with some who were not pro- fessors of religion, and considering its proceedings improper and arbitrary, and Mr. Emerson as partial for approving them, es- poused the cause of the rejected individual, and composed the principal opposition, and were known as the aggrieved brethren.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1772.]
In the progress of the controversy, many frivolous complaints were brought forward, and much personal feeling was excited ; but few important principles in doctrine or discipline were discussed or settled. The records concerning these transactions are very imperfect.
A mutual council sat here, April 11, 1769, whose result was favorable to the church, but was not accepted by the aggrieved bretliren. After repeated " hearings," the candidate was still excluded ; and notwithstanding- frequent efforts of the church to promote peace and harmony, the difficulties remained unset- tled. Under these circumstances, an ex parte council met at Mr. Ebenezer Hubbard's, August 28, 1770, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Gad Hitchcock of Pembroke, moderator, Jacob Cushing of Waltham, Samuel Woodward of Weston, Jonas Clark of Lex- ington, Jonas Merriam of Newton, Elias Smith of Middleton, Phineas Whitney of Shirley, Zabdiel Adams of Lunenburg, and delegates from their respective churches. On the second day of their session they addressed a letter to the church, requesting the members to adjust the difficulties among themselves, or join in calling a mutual council. To effect the first object, five members of each party were chosen to agree, but they were unsuccessful. The church not complying with the other request, the council met again, October 23, with five additional churches, -those of the Rev. Messrs. John Mellen of Lancaster, Daniel Shute of Hingham, Joseph Jackson of Brookline, Phillips Payson of Chelsea, and Jason Haven of Dedham. It again adjourned, and met November 13. Eleven articles of grievance against the church, five against the pastor, and eight against particular members, were examined. The result was unfavorable to the church, and in favor of the aggrieved, as might have been anticipated. This being published in the Boston Gazette, and industriously circulated, tended by no means to allay public excitement. At length, after several more unsuccessful attempts towards an accommodation, another mutual council was called, June, 1772, consisting of the First and Second churches in Rowley, the First in Hingham, the First in Newbury, the First in Stoughton, the First in Portsmouth, the Second in Shrewsbury, and the churches in Weymouth, Byfield, Groton, Milton, Upton, Haverhill, Newbury, and Newton. The pastor, Deacon Hunt, John Flint, James Barrett, Jr., Deacon Brown,
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1776.
and Amos Wood were chosen a committee to lay matters before the council. A public examination was had in the meeting-house. The result was generally acceptable. After this period little was said on the subject ; and, the more immediate author of these difficulties having become unpopular with the friends of liberty, all was settled, on July 1, 1774, when the following vote was passed by the church :
" That inasmuch as our aggrieved brethren, Benjamin Wheeler and others, have for some considerable time withdrawn from our communion, on account chiefly of the non-admission of Mr. Jo- seph Lee into full communion, a draft of a confession was made, and several times read in church meeting, which, if the said Jo- seph Lee consented to by signing his name to the said confession, the church voted that it should be satisfactory to them, so as that they could receive him into their communion and fellowship. The aggrieved brethren, being informed that the church had passed the above mentioned vote, signified in church meeting that the difficulty in their minds was hereby removed, as to the church's former refusal of Mr. Joseph Lee's admission into full communion, so as that they could return to their duty, if there was no objection in the minds of the brethren on any other ac- count. Upon which it was agreed on all sides, that, as it had been a day of temptation, there should be a mutual confession of our faults one to another, and that the brethren aggrieved should return to the communion and fellowship of the church, without any thing further being said or done."
The 11th of July, 1776, was set apart as a day of fasting and prayer, when the covenant was renewed and signed by 62 male communicants. On this occasion the Rev. Mr. Bridge preached in the forenoon, and the Rev. Mr. Penniman of Bedford in the afternoon. This covenant, somewhat resembling the one entered into in 1749, proposed to take the Assembly's Catechism as " an" excellent compendium" of the Bible. During Mr. Emerson's ministry 66 persons were admitted to full communion, 135 owned the covenant, and 506 were baptized.
The Rev. WILLIAM EMERSON, son of the Rev. Joseph Emer- son, of Malden, was born May 21, 1743, and graduated at Har- vard College in 1761. His father was the son of Edward Emer- son of Chelmsford, and grandson of the Rev. Joseph Emerson of
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1776.]
Mendon, who married a daughter of the Rev. Edward Bulkeley, and died in Concord, January 3, 1680. His mother was a daughter of the Rev. Samuel Moody of York. The Rev. Jo- seph Emerson of Pepperell, and John Emerson of Conway, were his brothers. The Rev. William Emerson was pastor of the church in Concord about ten years. His ardent love for his country, as a " high son of liberty," prevailed on him to con- tribute, by his intellectual and personal services at home and abroad, in the great conflict of the American revolution. On the 16th of August, 1776, he left his people with their consent, his church, his friends, and all the endearments of domestic life, to join the army at Ticonderoga as chaplain. He continued in office till advised by his physicians to resign on account of ill health, and was discharged by General Gates, September 18. He commenced his return home, but, his disease increasing, he could not proceed. He stopped at the Rev. Benajah Roots's, of Rutland, on Otter Creek, where he remained, suffering under a severe bilious fever, till his death, which took place at 5 o'clock on Sunday morning, October 20, at the age of 33. He was in- terred there with the honors of war by a detachment from Colonel Vandyke's regiment, commanded by Major Shepard. His last sickness was borne with great composure, resignation, and Chris- tian fortitude. He often spoke of the endearing kindness of his people toward him, and the pleasure he should enjoy, if it were the will of God to give him opportunity, to show his gratitude by exerting himself more vigorously for their good. When the hour of dissolution seemed to be near, he appeared like one waiting " to depart and be with Christ." The regret, apparent in all ex- isting records, that he should be prematurely cut off in his promis- ing career of usefulness, evinces the esteem of the society of which he was pastor. Mr. Emerson's personal appearance was pleasing and prepossessing ; his manners familiar and gentlemanly ; his conversation communicative and facetious, though not inconsis- tent with his ministerial character ; in his preaching he was popular, eloquent, persuasive, and devotional, adapting himself, with re- markable ease, to all circumstances and occasions ; and his doc- trine was evangelical. " Fervency of spirit," ardent zeal, love of his profession and his people, characterized all his performances. A monument was erected by the town to his memory in 1826, on
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