USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1630, to the present time, 1855 > Part 24
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ECCLESIASTICAL IHISTORY.
" At a time when infidelity and irreligion are sapping the foun- dations of civil society and overspreading the world with misery, and when the remains of Christianity among ourselves are confess- edly our strongest barrier against the general inundation, is it not astonishing that any good citizen, especially after he has professed himself a Christian, should become indifferent about preserving these precious remains ? The Searcher of hearts knows with what concern and grief I behold the defection of a friend whom I have so highly esteemed, and in whom I acknowledge there are many vir- tues and estimable qualities."
To silence heretics by burning them, was as repugnant to Dr. Osgood's judgment as it was abhorrent to his feelings ; yet his catholicism was discriminating. He had no taste for human appendages and fanciful theories in religion. Less sympathy still had he with those who philologize Jesus Christ out of the Old Testament, and philosophize him out of the New. He was a steady advocate of the doctrines of grace. He was neither for Aristotle nor Plato, neither for Paul nor Apollos, but for Christ. His faith in the divine authority of the Bible was peculiarly strong ; and he preached "Christ crucified, yea, RISEN AGAIN," with all the power he possessed. To state exactly the latitude and longitude of his theological opinions is perhaps impossible. The nearest approach to any exactness may be found in a conversation he had with a friend in 1819. He asked, " How far is it from here to Andover Institution ?" and was an- swered, " About seventeen miles." "How far is it from here to the Cambridge Theological Institution ?" " About four miles." " Well," said he, "I have been thinking that is just about my theological position with regard to the two schools." It had always been our impression that he was nearer to Andover than his remark implied. He em- phatically forbade the publication of any of his controversial sermons ; and in the later part of his life he had so modified his views of the doctrine of total depravity, that he used, in private conversation, to relate a dream, the meaning of which may be summed up thus : "Men are wicked enough, but not totally depraved. Devils only are totally evil. In hell there are no barbers' shops ; no devil there dare trust his throat with another ; whereas men on earth do so trust each other safely." His principles of Christian toleration cannot be so well expressed as in his own words. They are as fol- lows : -
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
" Far be it from me to censure any of my brethren, who, after an equally honest and impartial inquiry, think in some respects differ- ent from me. Conscious of my liability to err, - from the infirmi- ties of nature, the prejudices of education, and the acknowledged difficulty, on various questions, of ascertaining the true sense of Scripture, - I hope never to withhold that charity from others which I claim for myself. 'Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind,' clearly implies the right of every man to read and understand the Scriptures for himself, with no other responsibility than to God and his own conscience. Each of us ought to think and judge for himself, using the reason which God has given us in searching and studying his revealed will. A mind thus independent, an understanding thus unfettered and unawed by uninspired names, is honorary to a Christian, especially to a minister of Christ."
While the subject of this notice was a granite man, not caring for " those soft parts of speech " which give a needed charm to social courtesy, we find him honest and expansive in his theological creed. "The elevation of his character, and the unconquerable force of his will, gave him, in all councils and conventions of clergymen, an authority which few ventured to resist. The strongest sympathies of his heart, and the most intimate of his ministerial relations, were with the more liberal of his clerical brethren."
Pastor. - As a pastor, Dr. Osgood was less among his flock than some others ; but his labors, prayers, and life were for the spiritual good of his people. There are those yet living who remember his kindness in seasons of sorrow ; who have seen him enter their dwelling with looks of sympathy, and with words that showed the wish, if not the power, to comfort ; yes, they have seen one, who to strangers appeared stern and unbending, melt into tenderness of look, of voice, and of manner, in the presence of bereavement.
Dr. Osgood suffered less from illness than most men ; and never was a pulpit more uninterruptedly supplied by its occupant than his. He labored to the last week of his life. His dread of death was unaccountably great ; and through life he seemed subject to the bondage of this fear. But the angel came during a season of apparent insensibility, and life ceased Dec. 12, 1822. Thus, at the age of seventy-six, closed his ministry of more than forty-eight years. He baptized 853 persons ; married 359 couples ; admitted to the church 304 communicants ; and officiated at 990 funerals.
Every arrangement for a public funeral which respect for their venerable pastor could suggest was made by the town ;
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and their Committee for the occasion were Messrs. Abner Bartlett, Jonathan Brooks, Thatcher Magoun, Turell Tufts, and Dudley Hall. The funeral services were on Saturday, Dec. 14. The prayer was offered by President Kirkland ; and the sermon preached by Dr. Abiel Holmes, from 2 Tim. iv. 6, 7. The pall-bearers were the Rev. Drs. Kirkland and Holmes, of Cambridge ; Ripley, of Concord ; Foster, of Brigh- ton ; Fiske, of West Cambridge ; and Homer, of Newton.
The wife of Dr. Osgood died Jan. 7, 1818, aged seventy, and left behind the memorial of an amiable, intelligent, and pious woman. "The memory of the just is blessed."
The incidents in the history of Dr. Osgood, not mentioned in the memoir, are few and unimportant. Among those of historic interest are the following : ----
" March 15, 1782: At a meeting of the brethren of the church this day, the pastor proposed an alteration in the form of the cove- nant used at the admission of members; to which they gave their unanimous consent. The form adopted is as follows : -
" You do, in presence of the great God and this Christian assem- bly, profess your belief of the Holy Scriptures; that they were given by the inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient rule of faith and practice.
"You believe the Lord Jesus Christ to be the only Mediator between God and man, and Lord and Head of his church. Con- vinced that you are a guilty, condemned sinner, you desire to receive and submit to him in all those characters and offices with which he is invested for the benefit of the children of men.
" You believe the Holy Spirit of God to be the Author of every spiritual and gracious disposition in the minds of men ; the Leader, Sanctifier, and Comforter of his people. Sensible of the depravity of the human heart, your own proneness to sin and inability to that which is good, you promise to seek his divine influence to form you to the temper of the gospel, and to make you meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.
" You desire to give yourself up to God in an everlasting cove- nant never to be forgotten ; to be for him, and none other ; to love, serve, and obey him for ever.
" You acknowledge this to be a true church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and promise to walk with us in a due submission to and attendance upon all the ordinances of the gospel; and that, relying upon divine aid, you will, in your whole conversation, make it your serious endeavor to conduct agreeably to the rules of our holy reli- gion and the profession you now make. Do you thus profess and promise ? "
" April 2, 1792 : Voted to give ten pounds for the encou-
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
ragement of singing for the year ensuing." This is the first vote of the kind found in our records. It was to pay a teacher. No one received money for singing. It was deemed a privilege to aid in this part of public worship ; and is it not a privilege ?
Nov. 24, 1793 : " The church agreed, that, for the future, after the candidates for full communion had stood propounded a fortnight without any objections against them, the pastor might then admit them without calling for a vote."
The salary paid to Mr. Osgood at first was not increased for many years, except by the annual grant of twenty cords of wood.
Sept. 19, 1796: "Voted not to make him any grant, on account of the high prices of the necessaries of life."
May 5, 1804, the town made the first grant of two hun- dred dollars, under the head of " wood money ; " which sum was afterwards voted annually. The utmost, therefore, which he ever received was $533.33. This strangely contrasts with the sum of $5,500 paid for ministers' salaries in 1855. He made no complaint ; although the number of taxable persons in his parish had more than doubled during his ministry, and their means of payment more than quadrupled.
May 9, 1808 : Voted "eighty dollars for the encourage- ment of the singing."
April 7, 1817 : "Voted to grant seventy-five dollars to the ' Medford Amicable Singing Society,' to promote the objects of said society."
Dr. Osgood kept a diary, beginning Jan 1, 1777, and end- ing Dec. 5, 1822. Through this long period he recorded, with marvellous brevity, the salient events of each day. The manuscript is preserved in his family.
From its first settlement to 1823, Medford had been but one parish ; and, for the last hundred years, its two ministers experienced neither popular opposition nor social neglect ; and the people experienced neither sectarian strife nor clerical domination. Claiming free thought for himself, and encouraging it in his people, Dr. Osgood brought his parish quite up to his standard of liberality and progress. At his death, a large majority of the native inhabitants had quietly taken side with the Unitarians ; while many citizens, not born in the town, had as quietly taken side with the Trinitarians. That any creed could be written, or any minister elected, to suit these opposing parties, was the mis-
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 249
taken conclusion drawn at the time. Both parties were well instructed, both were equally sincere, and both had cor- responding rights. By a law of the Commonwealth, any portion of a parish that seceded from the old society, resigned and sacrificed its legal rights in that parish by that act. As we shall have several streams of ecclesiastical history to trace after this date, we will begin with that of the First Parish.
CHAPTER VII.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY (CONTINUED).
FIRST PARISH.
AFTER the death of Dr. Osgood, the eyes of so many were turned upon the Rev. Andrew Bigelow, that the Committee engaged him, March 25, 1823, to preach as a candidate. On the 5th of May in that year, the town voted to invite him to become their minister. Yeas, 95 ; nays, 70. Salary, eight hundred dollars.
May 7, the church met ; his Excellency John Brooks, Chairman. Voted " to concur with the town in giving the Rev. Andrew Bigelow a call to settle over them in the gos- pel ministry." Yeas, 20; nays, 3. Committee of confer- ence : Nathaniel Hall, Jonathan Brooks, and Nathan Adams, Esqs.
June 14, 1823, Mr. Bigelow accepted this invitation by a long and able letter, properly noticing a condition which, at a subsequent meeting, had been coupled with the first vote of the town. The condition was, that either party may dis- solve the connection by giving six months' notice to that effect. Mr. Bigelow, in his letter, says, " After a painful view of the subject, and a strong internal conflict, my conclu- sion is to accept the invitation."
July 9, 1823, the ecclesiastical council, invited by the town and church to install the pastor elect, was composed of the following clergymen, with delegates : President Kirkland,
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
Cambridge ; Dr. Abiel Holmes, Cambridge ; Dr. Thaddeus Fiske, West Cambridge ; Dr. John Foster, Brighton ; Dr. Charles Lowell, Boston; Rev. Francis Parkman, Boston ; Rev. James Walker, Charlestown ; Rev. Aaron Greene, Malden ; Dr. Aaron Bancroft, Worcester ; Dr. Ezra Ripley, Concord ; Rev. Convers Francis, Watertown ; and Rev. Charles Brooks, Hingham.
The council met on this day. Rev. Dr. Ripley, Modera- tor ; and Rev. Mr. Francis, Scribe. After all the doings of the town and church relating to the call of Mr. Bigelow had been considered, and all other requisite inquiries had been made and answered, the record says, -
"It was then moved, that the council, being satisfied with the doings of the church and society, and with the literary, moral, and theological qualifications of the Rev. Andrew Bigelow, do now vote that they are ready to proceed to installation. Before this motion was put, some discussion took place relative to the manner in which a dissolution of the pastoral tie (between the minister elect and people), should that event ever occur, should be conducted ; and it was objected to by some members of the council, that nothing was provided in the terms of settlement respecting the calling, in the above event, an ecclesiastical council. After this discussion, the original motion was so far modified as to stand as follows : -
" Voted, that though this council deem it expedient, in ordinary cases, that the separation of a minister from a people be the result of an ecclesiastical council, yet they are so far satisfied with the doings of the church and society, and with the qualifications of the candidate, that they are ready to proceed with the installation of the Rev. Andrew Bigelow as pastor of the church and congrega- tion in this town."
The religious exercises were in the following order : Introductory prayer, by Rev. Charles Brooks ; sermon, by - Rev. Dr. Bancroft ; prayer of installation, by Rev. Dr. Holmes ; charge, by Rev. Dr. Ripley ; right hand of fellow- ship, by Rev. James Walker ; concluding prayer, by Rev. Convers Francis ; benediction, by the pastor.
These several services (the prayers excepted) were pub- lished together by a vote of the parish.
Mr. Bigelow was born in Groton, Mass., May 7, 1795, and graduated at Harvard College 1814. After studying law for a short time, he turned with his whole soul to the study of divinity, and spent some time at Edinburgh, Scot- land. May, 1820, he was ordained as an evangelist, and labored with zeal and success at Eastport, Maine, and at
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Gloucester, Mass. ; from which last place he married Miss Amelia Sargent Stanwood.
Coming with reputation and experience to the work of the ministry in Medford, he did all that could be done for making the divided waters mingle in peace ; but, as irreconcilable differences of opinion were developed in the congregation, it was best that the dissentients should quietly withdraw, and provide for themselves a separate and satisfactory ministra- tion of the word. The first step in such a movement was taken by seventeen members of the church in writing and sending the following letter : -
" MEDFORD, Aug. 25, 1823.
" Reverend and Beloved, - It becomes our painful duty, in the providence of God, differing as we do in our views of the essential doctrines of the gospel from what we believe to be the views and preaching of the Rev. Mr. Bigelow, to separate ourselves from the fellowship and communion of the church with which we now stand connected. Under these impressions, dear brethren, we, conscien- tiously and in the fear of God, ask letters, or a letter, of dismission, for the purpose of forming ourselves, in a regular manner, into a new and separate church.
" And, while we deeply lament the necessity which we think exists for such a measure, we wish to adopt it from the sole desire of enjoying religious instructions which accord with our views of the system of truth laid down in the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
" Asking your prayers, brethren, that we may be guided into all truth, we subscribe ourselves yours in the gospel,
" GALEN JAMES. JESSE CROSBY. THOMAS JAMESON. GILBERT BLANCHARD. MARY CLAY. HEPZY FITCH.
NANCY S. FITCH.
MARY MAGOUN. MARY BLANCHARD.
ELIZABETH BAYLEY. HANNAH G. ROGERS. ANN CLAY.
MARY R. JAMES. MARY BLANCHARD. NANCY JAMESON. HANNAH CROSBY. MARY KIDDER."
The church received this short and respectful letter in the spirit in which it was written, and chose a committee of three to prepare a reply. The reply is long, argumentative, and affectionate; and concludes, under deepest regret, to accede to the wishes of the petitioners, if they continue to desire separation. They renew their wish, and are accord- ingly released from all connection with the primitive church of Medford. So far as the records speak, we find nothing to- condemn in this dismemberment of the ancient parish. Both
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
parties were conscientious ; and, as they differed in opinion, they could not walk together in peace ; and therefore it was wise and Christian to separate. Much greater evils would have come under a forced union. The withdrawal of many members of the congregation, to join the new society, occa- sioned a less amount of complaint, exasperation, and contro- versy, on both sides, than is common. Both parties had equally in view justice and charity as Christian graces, and both wished to exhibit them to each other. To sup- pose that such sacred and durable ties can be sundered with- out exciting strong emotions and prompting to unreasonable speech, is to suppose that we are not human. The lightnings that flash and the thunders that roll may terrify for a moment ; but they release the rain, and purify the air, and make the earth more fruitful. God's will be done.
In pursuing the history of the First Parish from this time, it will not be needful to speak of its connection with parishes subsequently formed, but only to record the facts arising out of its separate organization and private proceedings.
March 31, 1824 : On this day, ten male members of the First Parish apply to James Russell, Esq., Justice of the Peace, to issue his warrant, directing some one of the peti- tioners to notify all the legal voters of said parish to meet in their meeting-house, April 12, 1824, at two o'clock, P.M., for the purpose of electing officers, raising money, and doing all other necessary acts. The warrant was issued, and the first meeting held at the time specified ; and Abner Bartlett, Esq., was chosen Clerk ; Messrs. Jonathan Brooks, John Symmes, Darius Wait, Nathan Adams, jun., and John King, Parish Committee ; Messrs. J. Richardson, John Howe, and Ebene- zer Hall, jun., Assessors ; William Ward, Esq., Treasurer.
Thus the First Parish on this day became a separate body, under a legal organization.
On this day also, " Voted to raise the sum of one thousand dollars, to discharge the minister's salary and other incidental charges the ensuing year."
" July 27, 1823 : Voted by the church, that the ordinance of baptism be hereafter administered at the commencement of the afternoon service on the Lord's day, in place of being performed after sermon, as heretofore the practice has been."
" July 27, 1823: The Hon. Peter C. Brooks presented to the church two silver flagons ; for which thanks were voted."
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ECCLESIASTICAL, HISTORY.
Sept. 3, 1824 : The subject of a fund for the support of the gospel ministry is brought up and discussed by the church, and the wish expressed that one may be gathered.
July 3, 1825 : The proposition to print the church cove- nant, and the covenant for baptism, brought up the considera- tion of that adopted Feb. 11, 1713, and that of March 15, 1782; and the result was a vote by the church, that they " do not find it needful to propose any alterations in their confessions of faith, either in their articles or terms. They conceive that the church-covenant especially combines the qualities of a true Protestant as well as gospel confession ; the properties of being liberal and practical, yet deeply serious and evangelical."
Dr. Osgood gave by will some valuable books to the church, " for the use of his successors in the ministry ; " and these are added to those received from his predecessor.
Aug. 7, 1825 : The pastor proposed the formation of a parish and social library, and began with a donation.
Sept. 4 : The proposition above was accepted, and a commit- tee of five brethren of the church and six members of the congregation was chosen to collect subscriptions and receive donations.
Nov. 1, 1825 : The parish voted to procure an organ', if four hundred and fifty dollars can be raised by subscription for that purpose. Committee to procure subscriptions : Messrs. George W. Porter, Turell Tufts, and Darius Wait. The organ was purchased for the amount, and gave satisfaction.
Jan. 2, 1826 : Voted, that the money received from the sale of the new pews to be built in the gallery be the begin- ning of a permanent fund for the support of the ministry in said parish.
In April of this year, the question arose respecting the right of the town to hold town-meetings in the meeting-house of the first parish ; the Selectmen contending for the right, the parish against it.
About this time, subscriptions were commenced for the " Congregational Ministerial Fund for the First Parish in the town of Medford." By the judicious investments of the Treasurer, Dudley Hall, Esq., this fund amounts, in 1855, to $8,600. By special statute, one hundred dollars of the annual income must be added each year to the permanent fund. The balance of the incomes may be expended for the support of the pastor.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
On the 9th of July and the 29th of October, 1826, the Rev. Andrew Bigelow preached sermons containing his rea- sons for giving the sixth months' notice previous to his dissolving his pastoral relations. Nov. 6 of the same year, he wrote a letter to his parish, repeating, -
"That it was from no decay of attachment to the people of my pastoral charge, or of earnestness of desire to be instrumental in promoting the interests of piety and vital religion among them. . . . Being about to leave this country on a distant voyage, in the hope of fully re-establishing my health, I should be pleased to know the mind of the parish in respect to the mode of supplying the pulpit, and to obtain their concurrence to my proposed absence, prior to the expiration of the time of my connection with them as pastor. . . . And, should they come together, I beg you to present them the renewed assurances of my most grateful recollection of their past favors to me, along with my fervent aspirations that grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied to them all."
His request was immediately granted ; whereupon a reply was sent to Mr. Bigelow by the unanimous vote of the parish, in which they regret, for reasons stated, his relin- _ quishment of office, and say, -
" We bear you witness, that, with true Christian forbearance and professional integrity, you have had your walk and conversation among us from the beginning, and that you have been the minister of much good to this people. . . . In taking leave of you, Rev. Sir, we would most heartily reciprocate the sentiments expressed in your farewell discourse for our future prosperity and happiness."
" Voted, that the Committee be directed to request of Mr. Bige- low a copy of the two discourses mentioned in his communication, as delivered on the 9th of July and 29th of October last, to be deposited among the parish records."
Mr. Bigelow's connection with the parish legally ceased Jan. 9, 1827. Returning from Europe with recovered health, he became the minister of the Unitarian Society in Taunton, Mass., April 10, 1833, where he labored for many years. He is now filling a most useful clerical office in the city of Boston. The time, therefore, to speak of his character is not yet ; but we may quote the words of his successor in Med- ford, whose opportunities for learning the facts were pecu- liarly great. He writes thus : -
ยท "My regard to his feelings need not prevent my bearing testi- mony to the deep regret of his people that any circumstances should, in his opinion, have made a separation from them desirable.
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He left behind him many aching hearts, and many warm friends, who will not forget how he labored among them as 'a good minister of Jesus Christ ' in all faithfulness and love."
Mr. Bigelow baptized 66 persons ; married 37 couples ; officiated at 105 funerals ; and admitted 26 communicants to the church.
The parish-committee, consisting of Messrs. John Symmes, Jonathan Brooks, and John King, engage Mr. Caleb Stetson, a graduate of Harvard College in 1822, to preach as a candi- date for five sabbaths. At the close of his engagement, the parish passed the following votes : -
Jan. 8, 1827: " Voted unanimously to give Mr. Caleb Stetson an invitation to settle with us as our minister in the gospel.
" Voted unanimously to give Mr. Stetson one thousand dollars salary.
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