USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Lancaster > History of the town of Lancaster, Massachusetts : from the first settlement to the present time, 1643-1879 > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
576
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
of a motley crowd. It was made up mostly of men and boys ; with a few women intermingled. The services were conduct- ed with propriety, but the minister was subjected to many interruptions, and his efforts turned into ridicule. One man sent to the neighboring tavern for a pail of punch, which was distributed freely among the company. Another effort met. with no better success.
Mr. Sampson V. S. Wilder, whose Memoirs have recently been given to the public by his daughter, Mrs. Haynes, was then residing in his spacious mansion, styled a " cottage," on the western slope of Bolton hill, [the home for many years. past of Mr. Jonathan Forbush]. Mr. Wilder was a native of Lancaster, born on the Old Common, and trained up under the teaching and influence of the pastor of the church. But in his absence from his native place, and amid other scenes and influences, he had become deeply impressed with the conviction that Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, was Emanuel, God with us, and he was zealous in maintaining what he believed. He opened his ample rooms for the ac- commodation of all who wished to hear Mr. Brown preach the Gospel as he understood it. It was not long before it became a frequent thing for ministers to be invited to the hospitable home of Mr. Wilder, for the express purpose of holding meetings. The result was, that in the year 1830, the " Hillside Church " was formed in Bolton, for the accommo- dation of all those in several neighboring towns, who desired evangelical preaching.
The resort to that church was great from all the "region round about." Many from Lancaster made the meeting-house on the hillside their Sabbath sanctuary. In 1831, which was a season of uncommon religious interest in this section, meet- ings were held in school-houses, when practicable, and in pri- vate dwellings, so as to bring the preaching of the word into many neighborhoods. In this manner a considerable change was effected, so that there grew up not only a desire, but a conviction, that stated services should be established in the
577
.
ORTHODOX CHURCH FORMED.
Center. The Manual of the Orthodox church says that " after eight years, the Orthodox element in Lancaster, having in- creased in numbers and confidence, secured a room in the town hall, and held regular Sabbath services independent of the parent church." The scenes of noisy and shameful opposi- tion which the pioneers encountered, need not be here recorded. Denied at one time, the use of the town hall, they met in the academy, on which one of their number held a mort- gage. But amid all the opposition, Dr. Thayer acted an honor- able part. He regretted that any felt the need of a new reli- gious society. It would have been gratifying to him to have the town remain as one parish. He exerted an influence, in all legitimate ways, to maintain the settled order of things. But when he was satisfied that the movers in the enterprise were in earnest, and capable of going forward, he gracefully yielded to the new order of events.
A religious society was legally organized, at the house of Rev. Asa Packard, on the twentieth of February, 1839. The " large upper room of the academy building was obtained and furnished as a place of worship, and the infant society held its first meeting on the Sabbath, April 14. The pulpit was afterwards regularly supplied."
Steps were taken without delay, by those interested in form- ing a new church in Lancaster, to obtain letters of dismission and recommendation from the church in Bolton. The request was complied with, and other persons being ready to unite, an Ecclesiastical council was called by the brethren, through their committee, Rev. Asa Packard, Charles Wyman and Horatio N. Bigelow. The council met on the twenty-second day of May, 1839, at the house of Rev. Asa Packard, and was composed of the following pastors and delegates.
First church in Harvard, Rev. George Fisher, pastor.
Evangelical church in Leominster, Rev. O. G. Hubbard, pastor, and Br. G. W. Wakefield, delegate.
Evangelical church in Bolton, Rev. J. S. Davenport, pas- tor, and Br. Francis Haynes, delegate.
37
578
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Evangelical church in Boxboro', Rev. Joseph W. Cross, pastor, and Br. Ephraim Whitcomb, delegate.
Rev. Mr. Fisher was chosen moderator, and Rev. Mr. Cross, scribe.
The Throne of Grace was addressed by the moderator. Rev. George Trask, of Warren, was invited to sit and de- liberate with the council.
After reading a record of the proceedings that led to the calling of the council, and the consideration of the Confes- sion of Faith and the Covenant adopted by the persons call- ing the council, it was unanimously voted that the proceedings were' " regular and satisfactory," and the Confession and Cov- enant met " with the entire approval of the council." After some time " had been spent in prayer and deliberation," thirty- nine persons were "embodied as the original members of the Evangelical Congregational Church in Lancaster."
The public services were in the following order, in the academy. Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Cross ; Sermon, by Rev. Mr. Davenport ; Reading of the Confession of Faith, and the Covenant, and the Constitution of the church, and Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Fisher; Right Hand of Fellowship, and Concluding Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Hubbard.
The Confession and Covenant, which are here copied, may be compared with the statements of the other churches and religious societies, by those interested in such matters.
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
"I. You believe there is one, and but one, living and true God, who is revealed in the Scriptures as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and that these three are one, and in all divine perfections, equal.
" II. You believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and contain the only perfect rule of doctrinal belief and religious prac- tice.
579
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
" III. You believe that God made all things for himself ; that he governs them according to the counsel of his own will : and that the principles and administration of his government are perfectly holy, just and good.
"IV. You believe that our first parents were created holy ; that they fell from their original holiness by transgressing a divine command ; and that in consequence of their apostasy, all their descendants are by nature entirely destitute of holi- ness, alienated from God, and under condemnation.
"V. You believe that Christ, being God manifest in the flesh, has by his death made a full atonement for sin, and thus provided a free salvation for all; and that repentance and faith in him, evinced by a holy life, are the indispensable con- ditions of salvation.
" VI. You believe that such is the wickedness of the human heart that none will ever accept the salvation freely offered to them, till, through sovereign grace, they are moved thereto by the special influence of the Holy Spirit.
" VII. You believe that all who obtain salvation through Christ, were chosen in him before the foundation of the world ; and that all who truly believe in him are justified, and will be kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto sal- vation.
" VIII. You believe that in this world the Lord Jesus Christ has a visible church; that the terms of membership are a credible profession of faith in Christ, and of that holiness which is wrought by the regenerating grace of God ; that Bap- tism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances and sacraments of the church to be observed to the end of time. Baptism to be adminstered only to covenanting believers and their households, and the Supper only to believers in regular stand- ing and communion with the church.
"IX. You believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust, and that there will be a day of final judgment, when the thoughts of all hearts will be revealed, that all must appear before the judgment
580
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
seat of Christ and receive a sentence of just and final retribu- tion, according to the deeds done in the body ; and that the happiness of the righteous, and the punishment of the wicked will be endless. Thus you profess and believe."
The candidates for admission having assented to the Con- fession of Faith, then entered into covenant with the church. A part only of the COVENANT is needed in this place. The first three sections read as follows.
" You do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, solemnly choose and accept the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be your God, the Supreme object of your affection, and your portion forever. You cordially acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as your only Saviour and final Judge, and the Holy Ghost as your Sanctifier, Comforter and Guide. You humbly and cheerfully devote youself to God in the ever- lasting covenant of his grace."
These points are followed by specific promises which in- clude all the duties of a Christian life, both towards God and towards man, as taught in the Scriptures ; and also by a distinct engagement to be a faithful member of the church, attending and supporting public worship, and sceking the " peace, edification and purity of its members."
Following these engagements is the solemn pledge of the church to receive the candidate into fellowship ; to watch over him " with Christian affection and tenderness," and to treat him in " love as a member of the body of Christ, who is head over all things to the church."
The church was organized, as already stated, in May, 1839. Several ministers were heard, among whom were Rev. Mr. Bullard, and Rev. Barnabas M. Fay. The latter supplied the pulpit nine Sabbaths. Both appear to have been much esteem- ed. On the fifth of December the church were ready to vote unanimously to invite the Rev. Charles Packard to become their pastor. The parish concurred in the Call, with entire unanimity.
581
MR. PACKARD'S LETTER.
Another meeting was held on the twelfth of December, Rev. Asa Packard in the chair, when the answer of Mr. Pack- ard was communicated. It may be recorded here as the first letter of the kind received by the church, and because it gives some idea of the writer.
" FRIENDS AND BRETHREN : I have received, through your respective committees, an invitation to become your Pastor and Minister. When I think of the singular concurrence of circumstances which have brought about a result so unexpect- ed to myself, (until within a short time past, ) and also to you ; when I consider the entire unanimity of your request, and the inviting field of labor that seems to be spread before me in this interesting region, I feel constrained to recognize in these events the hand of an over-ruling Providence. The experience I have had in the duties of the ministry, although not extended, has been enough to reveal to me my own in- sufficiency for such a great work without the special aid of God's Holy Spirit, and the prayerful co-operation of God's people. Trusting however, that you will aid me by your supplications, your holy living and your vigorous efforts ; and relying upon the Great Head of the church for wisdom and grace, I hereby cordially accept your invitation; and should the pastoral relation be formed between us, may the Angel of the Covenant ratify it, make us blessings to each other, and to the cause of the Redeemer, and finally bestow upon us crowns of rejoicing in the day of his appearing.
CHARLES PACKARD."
Mr. Packard was ordained on the first day of January, 1840. The services were held in the meeting-house of the first parish, by the courtesy of Dr. Thayer and his people, and the Doctor took occasion, on the Sabbath, to remark that a new and respectable religious society had been formed in the town, and he trusted the new enterprise would be treated with all respect and kindness. This action of Dr. Thayer and his parish was gratefully appreciated, as the following
582
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
vote, passed at their very first meeting after the ordination, testifies. "January 5, 1840. The assembly being detained after public services this morning, voted unanimously, that we feel and will long cherish sincere gratitude to the Rev. Dr. Thayer. and the religious society under his pastoral charge, for the use of their house for the solemnities of the late or- dination ; to the choir of that house who so kindly and so largely contributed to the enjoyment and edification of the assembly, and to the members of that society who so kindly officiated as marshals of the day."
The ordaining council was composed of pastors and dele- gates from Berlin, Bolton, Harvard, Leominster, Northboro', Paxton, Shirley, Stow, Warren, and the Cal vinistic church, Worcester. The names of the ministers are given in the or- der of the towns. Revs. John R. Carver, George Fisher, O. G. Hubbard, Daniel H. Emerson, James D. Farnsworth, Hope Brown, E. Porter Dyer, George Trask, Seth Sweetser. Bolton church was vacant, but Rev. J. S. Davenport, the for- mer minister, and Rev. Josiah Peabody, being present, were invited to sit and deliberate with the council.
Rev. James D. Farnsworth was chosen moderator, Rev. O. G. Hubbard, scribe, and Rev. Hope Brown, assistant scribe. After the usual presentation of credentials, and examination in doctrinal belief and religious experience, the council unan- imously voted to ordain Mr. Packard according to the follow- ing Order of Exercises.
Introductory Prayer and Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Dyer; Sermon by Rev. Mr. Sweetser; Consecrating Prayer, Rev. Mr. Farnsworth ; Charge, Rev. Mr. Fisher ; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. Mr. Emerson; Address to the Church and Society, Rev. Mr. Trask ; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Mr. Brown ; Benediction by the Pastor.
Brs. Charles Wyman and Charles Humphrey had already been chosen Deacons, but the date of their election is not recorded. The pastor, the deacons, Rev. Asa Packard, and Brs. Isaiah Moore and Horatio N. Bigelow were elected a
583
CONDITIONS OF COMMUNION.
standing committee of the church. The pastor and deacons were ex officio members. The other three members were to be elected annually. Recently the number to be chosen has been changed from three to four.
The church adopted various rules, one of which may be quoted as showing the stand taken in relation to one great measure of reform. "Total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks as a beverage, shall be an invariable condition of mem- bership in this church, and the privilege of communion must be withheld from persons, members of other churches, who do not strictly adhere to this principle."
It was voted, early in the history of the church, to take up a collection at every communion season, or once in two months, for some benevolent object, as the Sabbath school library, Foreign Missions, Home Missions, the Bible, the Ed- ucation and the Tract Societies. In recent years, since the benevolent work in connection with Congregational societies has been systematized, the following order of collections has been adopted, the contribution to be taken on the Sabbath next following the communion. January, Home Missions ; March, Education and College Societies ; May, Bible and Publication Society ; July, American Board ; September, American Missionary Association ; November, Congregation- al Union, or Church Building Society. It was also estab- lished as a rule to hold the monthly concert, and take up a contribution for foreign missions.
On the twenty-fifth day of November, 1841, being Thanks- giving, the church took emphatic action in relation to the sin of slave-holding. After a preamble stating the reasons for acting, the following votes were passed, which are here recited as indicative of the times, and showing a good rec- ord on the part of the church.
" Resolved, 1, that we cannot receive as church members, nor can we invite to our fellowship at the communion table, any persons who are guilty of the sin of slave-holding. 2. That our pastor be requested not to invite into the sacred desk any minister who is known to be a slave-holder."
584
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
The reason for this rule will ever remain, but by the aw- ful overthrow of the slave system, there is no longer any occasion to enforce it; but the need of the rule regarding the "use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage," unhappily exists to the present time.
In the year 1841 a meeting-house was erected, and on the first day of " December, (a bright and cloudless day, ) the new
house of worship * * was solemnly dedicated to the ser- vice of Jehovah, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, in the presence of a very large congregation, filling not only the pews, but the aisles." The services of the dedication were as follows. Voluntary, by the Choir; Introductory Prayer, Rev. George Trask ; Reading the Scriptures, Rev. Mr. Farnsworth ; Original Hymn, composed by Mrs. Anna Carter ; Dedicatory Prayer, Rev. George Fisher; Sermon, by the Pastor ; Dedication Hymn, music and words by Ben- jamin Holt, of Lancaster ; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Joseph S. Clark, of Boston ; Voluntary by the Choir. The Rev. Mr. Clark was the Secretary of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society, who did much in building up the waste places of the Commonwealth. This church was aided for some years, by the society which he represented on this occasion. The dimensions of the sanctuary were these. Length, sixty- one feet ; width, forty-two and a half feet. There was a por- tico, seven feet deep, with fluted columns. The house was of wood with a graceful steeple, the summit of which was about one hundred and ten feet from the ground. The build- ing was in good proportion, was painted white, and was car- peted and cushioned. There was a gallery at the west end for the choir and organ.
In the year 1868, during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Leavitt, the house was enlarged by the addition of about sixteen feet, making it not far from seventy-seven feet in length. At the same time the interior was frescoed.
The Chapel, which is thirty-six feet in length, by twenty- one and a half feet in width, was erected in the year 1852, and placed in the rear of the church.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
585
RESIGNATION OF MR. PACKARD.
In 1844 the church lost nearly half its membership by the formation of the Second Evangelical Church, in Clintonville, now the Congregational Church in Clinton. That church was recognized by an Eccesiastical council, held November 14, at the house of Horatio N. Bigelow. On the eighth of Decem- ber, twenty-six members were dismissed and recommended to the new church in Clintonville. Not long after, five more were dismissed, making thirty-one. The congregation was diminished in about the same ratio. Some of those who left were among the most able to bear the pecuniary burdens of a parish.
The ministry of Mr. Packard was useful, and his relations with his people pleasant. This is worthy of special remark, as the times were adverse to harmony. The temperance ques- tion divided public sentiment, and in a town not very favor- able to prohibitory legislation, or by any means agreed in regard to total abstinence, it required discretion on the part of the minister to maintain his place and influence as an out- spoken temperance man. The anti-slavery agitation ex- cited stronger passions. The town was a stronghold of old whigism, but Mr. Packard was an uncompromising Christian abolitionist. Through all the turmoil of those times, he en- joyed the general esteem.
The church received many additions both by letter and pro- fession. The greatest number of admissions in any year was in 1851, when twenty-seven were added. At length, in the year 1854, Mr. Packard asked a dismission, giving two reasons for the action. "First, on account of pecuniary embarrass- ments ;" and secondly, because he had received an invitation from the Second Congregational Church in Cambridgeport, which in his words : " leave no doubt in my mind of my duty to accept it."
On the sixth of April the church voted to comply with the request for dismission, and recorded its high estimation of Mr. Packard as a man, a Christian minister, a public spirit- ed member of society, a friend of education, and a zealous
586
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
advocate of general improvement and good morals. The action of the council which dismissed Mr. Packard is not upon the Records of the church. He was settled in Cambridgeport, according to his anticipation, and continued there about one year. His next and final settlement was in Biddeford, Me., where, after a respected and useful ministry, he suddenly died, on the seventeenth of February, 1864, aged sixty-two years. The tidings of his death were received with sorrow among the people of his former charge in this place. At a church meet- ing held on the twenty-first of February, a series of resolu- tions was passed, expressing in tender and affectionate terms, their appreciation of his character, conveying their warm sym- pathy to the bereaved family, and requesting that his remains might be " buried in this town amid the scenes of his former labors." The church offered to pay the expense of removal ; but the burial was among his kindred in Maine.
Mr. Packard was bred to the profession of law, and was well fitted for a successful career as a public man. Convin- ced of his duty to enter the ministry, he became an earnest and successful pastor. In person he was well formed, with a pleasing countenance, and dignified deportment. He was often called to preside in councils and in town meetings. The temperance reformation found in him a firm and aggressive friend. In the early days of the anti-slavery movement, when a minister put all worldly prospects in peril by espousing the cause of the enslaved, he was a devoted and outspoken advocate of their rights. But he never neglected his duties as a pastor, while laboring for the needy beyond the limits of his parish. Rather he did his duty to his own people by interesting them in the welfare of others.
The history of the church in its origin, and during the pas- torate of its first minister has been given at some length ; but for obvious reasons, only a brief reference to succeeding pas- torates will be needed.
Mr. Franklin B. Doe, a graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary, was unanimously invited to become pastor, at a
587
PASTORATE OF MR. DOE.
meeting of the church held on the fourth day of August, 1854. The society concurred, the invitation was accepted, and Mr. Doe was ordained and installed on the nineteenth of October, by an Ecclesiastical council. Omitting the names of delegates and the proceedings of the council, the order of service at the ordination was as follows. Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. J. S. Bingham, of Leominster ; Intro- ductory Prayer, by Rev. L. H. Sheldon, of Townsend, (not a member of the council ; ) Sermon, by Rev. Eden B. Foster, of Lowell ; Ordaining Prayer, by Rev. J. W. Chickering, of Portland, Me. ; Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. W. W. Winchester, of Clinton ; Charge to the pastor, by Rev. S. W. Hanks, of Lowell; Address to the People, by Rev. Charles Packard ; Concluding Prayer, by Rev. Joseph W. Cross, of West Boylston ; Benediction by the pastor.
The Records during the pastorate of Mr. Doe are very scanty. He attended seven councils, by vote of the church, in company with a delegate. No votes were passed ; no changes in rules or administration were made. The number of admissions to the church, during his ministry, was twenty- seven ; fifteen by profession.
Having received an invitation by a " unanimous voice to the pastorate of a church in the west, which seemed to open a wider field of influence," Mr. Doe resigned on the twenty- fourth of September, 1858, and requested that a council might be called to effect the dismission in the regular way. The church complied with the request, and the council, held on the sixth of October, cordially commended Mr. Doe " to the confidence of the churches as an able, efficient and suc- cessful minister of the gospel."
Mr. Doe was settled in the growing town of Appleton, Wisconsin, where his labors were greatly blessed. Later he became the Superintendent of Home Missions in the state of his adoption, and has proved himself well adapted to the arduous and reponsible duties of that position.
588
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Among those who supplied the pulpit was Mr. John E. Todd, now of New Haven, who received a call in May, 1859, which he declined. In December the Rev. S. C. Kendall, then of Milford, N. H., received an invitation to settle. It was expected that he would accept, but an unexpected dem- onstration on the part of the people of his charge, induced him to remain with them.
On the twenty-eighth of March, 1860, Rev. Amos E. Law- rence was invited to " settle in the gospel ministry," by the church ; the society concurring. For some reason there was delay and the invitation was renewed on the fourteenth of May, with the allowance of four weeks annually for a vaca- tion, and fixing the commencement of the pastorate on the first of October. In due time a council was invited to meet on the tenth of October, when the installation took place. The following churches were invited, with the proviso that the " committee be authorized to add to or strike from the list at the request of Rev. Mr. Lawrence." The church in Norwich, Conn., Rev. Mr. Gulliver, pastor; Harvard, Rev. Mr. Dodge ; Leominster, Rev. Mr. Backus ; Clinton, Rev. Mr. Winchester ; Fitchburg, Rev. Mr. Emerson ; Worcester, Rev. Mr. James ; Woburn, Rev. Mr. Marsh. The services took place accordingly, but there is no record of the council in the church books.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.