History of the town of Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1881, Part 29

Author: Ballou, Adin, 1803-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Boston : Rand, Avery, & co.
Number of Pages: 1328

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > History of the town of Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1881 > Part 29

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" Nov. 1. A Chh. meeting was held, by appointment, at the house of the Pastor. After the usual monthly concert of prayer, a subscription having been previously opened and filled for procuring new cups and cloths for the Communion table, voted that Brother Nathan Parkhurst be appointed to procure the cups. N.B. The cups were procured according to vote; viz., 8 plated cups @ 3.50 = $28.00.

" Nov. 15. The Meeting-house being nearly completed, the Parish met and voted acceptance. Also voted, ' That the thanks of this Parish be given to Mr. Elias Carter, for his able and faithful performance of his trust in erecting the Meeting-house this day accepted by the said Parish.

" (Signed by) ADAMS CHAPIN, Parish Clerk.

" The above was deservedly presented to Mr. Carter, a skilful and faith- ful architect, and amiable and pious man. This Meeting-house is said to be the 11th or 12th which he has erected. At 12 o'clock began the sale of pews, and during the afternoon 57 were sold at auction, amounting to more than $7,000, - somewhat more than the whole cost of the house, - leaving towards 30 unsold. The sale was opened with prayer. It had been abun- dantly predicted by those out of the Parish who were unfriendly, that the

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HISTORY OF MILFORD.

sales would not more than half equal the cost, and therefore that an enor- mous tax must be levied on the Parish. And thus some, through fear, had left the Parish, and united with other denominations. Some of these, after seeing that the danger was past, became purchasers. ' My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works.' (Neh. 6: 14.)

" Nov. 16. After the close of a meeting for prayer, the Chh. collected themselves in Chh. meeting, and disposed of the old vessels among them- selves; viz., 4 small flaggons and 8 cups. The avails were $2.22}; and agreed to procure new cloths for the table.

" Aug. 11. The Spire was raised P.M., without harm.

" Nov. 25. The Meeting-honse was dedicated. Ministers sent for on this occasion were, Rev. Mr. Howe of Hopkinton, Mr. Wood of Upton, Mr. Ide of Medway, Mr. Wheaton of Holliston, and Mr. Dogget of Mendon.

" Exercises. - Select music; a blessing implored on the reading of the Word, by the Pastor; 2 Chron., 6 chap., read by Mr. Ide; music; Ded. Prayer, by Mr. Howe; music; Sermon, by the pastor, 2 Chron. vii. 15, 16; music; Concluding Prayer by Mr. Wood. Remarkable order and decency prevailed.

" Nov. 25. A communion-tahle had previously been made by Mr. Benj. Gibbs, price $10, paid in part by subscription by members of the Chh., and others, and part from the funds of ' The Moral and Charitable Society in Milford.' Also, three chairs, procured at Boston, $5; expense paid as above. A Bible and Psalm-book were presented for the use of the pulpit by ' The Female Charitable Society.' Thus the whole business is completed, and the parish as harmonious as at any former period, and the congregation, from sabbath to sabbath, increasing in numbers." (Chh. Records, vol. ii., pp. 103-106.)

I have quoted thus fully from the records, because they relate to comparatively olden times, actors, and events, and because they give an interesting insight into the circumstances, experiences, characteristics, and spirit of a period now fading away from living memories into the shadowy past. It will not be expected that I describe subsequent kindred transactions with the same particularity. The limitations of my space forbid it. Rev. Mr. Long's ministry continued forty-three years, and terminated by regular dismissal, at his own request, in 1844. I must pass over a multitude of occur- rences and incidents which would be proper for a full history of his pastorate, and briefly notice those only which took place in connection with his resignation. He was advancing toward old age; younger generations largely composed his congregation, and manners were changing with the times. Moreover, he was annually afflicted with a severe visitation of asthma, which lasted several weeks, and, for the time, seriously debilitated him. There began to be a clamor for a younger man, and more interesting pulpit discourses, according to

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REV. MR. LONG'S DISMISSION.

the fashion of the world generally. It was not a harsh or bitter clamor ; but it reached his ears, and made him unhappy. He had served long and faithfully, on a meagre salary, and was not a man to stay where any considerable number of his professed supporters were dissatisfied with his performances, though others might devotedly adhere to him. There was a proposition to settle a colleague with him, which, I believe, was withdrawn. Anyhow, he came to the conclusion that he must resign, which he did, in the following com- munication : -

To the Congregational Church and Parish in Milford.

BRETHREN AND FRIENDS, - Although it has ever been a settled principle with me, that the sacred relation between a pastor and church ought never. to be dissolved for slight canses, yet, as it appears that nothing short of this will give satisfaction to those who wish for a change in the ministry in this place, or be likely to save this people from being rent with incurable divisions, I am led to the conclusion that the time has arrived for such a step to be taken. I have not rashly come to this conclusion, but with deliberate and prayerful consideration.

I am willing to make all reasonable sacrifices to promote the peace and prosperity of this people. And hoping, or at least wishing, that the con- templated step may have the effect to secure this object, I now ask a dis- mission from my pastoral relation to this church and my ministerial relation to this parish. [The remainder omitted. ]

APRIL 14, 1844.

D. LONG, Pastor.

April 25 ensuing, the church, with some reluctance, accepted this resignation. The parish did so about the same time, passing the following resolution : -

"Resolved, That the thanks of this parish be presented to the Rev. David Long, for his long and faithful services with this people as their minister, and for his honorable and upright dealings as a neighbor and friend."

A mutual council was convened on Wednesday, May 15, 1844, to advise on the case. It consisted of the pastors and delegates named below : -

PASTORS.

Rev. Benjamin Wood, Upton. Rev. Elisha Fisk, Wrentham. Rev. Jacob Ide, D.D., Medway. Rev. J. D. Southworth, Franklin. Rev. D. Sanford, Medway Village.

DELEGATES. Brother Joseph B. Chapin.

Deacon Jonathan Metcalf. Brother Matthew Metcalf. Brother Nathan Bullard.

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HISTORY OF MILFORD.

The council reported a very deprecatory result ; but, on the whole, sanctioning the dismissal, with a declared expectation that Mr. Long should receive from his people five hundred dollars, which, however, I am informed, was never paid to him. Mr. Long and his wife asked, and received, a commendatory dismission from the church, as members ; and on the ensning sabbath (May 19) he preached an affecting farewell discourse. Thus, with some shadows of sadness, ended his ministry in Milford.

Rev. Smith Bartlett Goodenow, the next pastor, was installed Oct. 30, 1844, and dismissed Jan. 1, 1846. Rev. Preston Pond was installed May 24, 1849, and dismissed Feb. 16, 1852. Rev. James Trask Woodbury was installed July 15, 1852, and died Jan. * 16, 1861. Rev. Alfred A. Ellsworth was ordained Sept. 4, 1862, and dismissed June 28, 1865. Rev. James B. Thornton was installed Nov. 22, 1865, and resigned Jan. 28, 1868, - his dismission sanc- tioned by council, Ang. 5, 1868. Rev. Sylvester C. Kendall was installed Aug. 5, 1868, and dismissed June 12, 1873. Rev. Merrill Richardson, D.D., was installed June 12, 1873, and died Dec. 12, 1877. Rev. Oliver S. Dean was installed Sept. 20, 1877,-the present incumbent. The last two have held a high rank in the public esteem as pastors, citizens, and men, -in saying which, no disparagement is meant for their predecessors.

The succession of elders and deacons was brought down, at the close of Chap. V., to 1785, when Dea. John Chapin was elected elder. He seems to have been the last of the ruling elders. Seth Nelson was chosen deacon in 1786; also, Ebenezer Read, about the same time; Robert Sanders, jun., 1802; Nathan Chapin, also 1802; Seth Nelson, jun., 1813; Amos Chapin, 1815 ; Peter Rock- wood, 1831 ; Nathan T. Chapin, 1844 ; Nathaniel Torrey and Martin Fletcher, 1845 ; Joseph W. Littlefield, 1848 ; Hiram Carpenter, S. C. Brownell, and A. L. Kendall, Nov. 3, 1853; Samuel W. Walker, Feb. 26, 1857 ; David B. Rockwood, Dec. 15, 1859 ; Amos Holbrook and Levi P. Bradish, April 23, 1863 ; Benjamin Franklin, March 20, 1866 ; Charles N. Morse, June 5, 1868 ; and Asa A. Westcott, Jan. 3, 1879. Some of these served till death, and others till resignation or discharge. The total number of members in this church, as reported Jan. 1, 1879, was 289, of whom 79 were males, and 210 females. Their creed and covenant have undergone several revisions since 1741, with considerable omissional and verbal modifications, but retaining what are deemed their essential evangelical features. It is hardly necessary for me to present a copy of the latest revision, as its contents are substantially accordant with those of sister Orthodox

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

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RENOVATION OF THE MEETING-HOUSE.

Congregational churches in New England generally. I shall venture to remark, however, that all the modifications referred to have been on the line of moderate Calvinism towards a milder theology. The congregation - of which this church is the core - is large, wealthy, and popular. In all these respects it is our strongest religious society, excepting the Catholic in point of numbers. It has a vigorous internal organization for the promotion of the various auxiliary benevolences common in its denomination. Its social activities of all kinds are anspicions of permanency and prosperity. In our town Directory, designed to cover the year 1878, its com- municants were stated to number 293, its Sunday school 325, and its Sunday-school library 810 volumes. This must be nearly their present status. The average Sunday . audiences are estimated at 450, - ranging from 300 to 800.

I will close this account with a brief statement concerning the renovation of their church edifice. It began to be felt, in 1858, that the Second Meeting-house, built in 1819, needed enlargement and thorough renewal. Early in 1859 the parish initiated measures to this end. But its accomplishment was retarded by many difficulties. The building must be raised np high enough for ample basement- rooms, in the modern style. It must be lengthened some thirty feet, and the inside work entirely remodelled. It must be set much farther back, so as to have a decent front on the street; and neighboring buildings, especially the Academy, must also be moved back west- ward, so as to stand in range with it. To effect all this, more land must be bought in the rear, at a high price, and sundry horse- stable rights cancelled. Meantime, the ancient bounds of the original precinct common were so ill-defined and obscured by changes that it was hard to ascertain them. Plan after plan was proposed for the attainment of the main object. One of these was to purchase a new site between Main and South-Main Sts., near their junction, and either build anew, or move, enlarge, and rejuvenate the old sanc- tuary. This went so far, that the proposed new site was actually bought by the parish. But the cost had to be considered and pro- vided for, - some twenty-five thousand dollars or more. At length, after dubions agitation for years, the parish unanimously decided as is set forth in the following record : -

" Oct. 15, 1866. The committee chosen at a legal meeting of the parish, holden Sept. 17, A.D. 1866, to report upon moving, enlarging, and the repair of the church, made the following report, which was accepted; and, after duly considering the same, it was unanimously adopted, as follows: to wit, 'That the building should be removed to the lot recently purchased of

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HISTORY OF MILFORD.

Moses Harris; that it be enlarged by the addition of thirty feet in length; that a vestry, and such rooms as may be required for church purposes, be finished under it; the church to be raised sufficiently for the purpose; that new pews and windows be put into the church; that the organ be placed in the rear of the speaker's desk; that the galleries be remodelled, and the building put in complete repair, and painted, inside and out, in an ap- propriate manner.

"' The committee are of the opinion that the aforesaid improvements, in- cluding the furnishing of the church, can be made at an expense not exceed- ing the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars.

' C. F. CLAFLIN, Chairman of Committee.'

"Chose Charles F. Claflin, Lewis Fales, and Lowell Fales, a building committee, with authority to carry out the recommendations of the above report.

"Voted, To choose a committee of three, by ballot, to appraise the pews in the church previous to any alteration or repair. Chose William Batch- elder of Holliston, Clark Patridge of Medway, and N. P. Coburn of Newton, for said committee."

The work went forward with due preparation ; but the dismantling of the sanctuary did not commence till the spring of 1868, when the parish provided Washington Hall as their place of worship during the process of renovation. The undertaking was handsomely com- pleted before Aug. 5, 1868, on the evening of which day, after Rev. Mr. Kendall's installation, the new temple was solemnly dedicated, with the customary formalities. Somewhat later the building com- mittee made their final report, and were honorably discharged. The improvements, accommodations, and beautifications made, speak for themselves, and reflect honor on the parish. The total of im- provements cost about twenty-five thousand dollars, to which must be added an excellent organ, costing twelve hundred dollars. After Rev. Mr. Long's dismissal, the salaries of his successors were six hundred dollars, seven hundred dollars, and one thousand dollars per annum, till the settlement of Rev. Mr. Kendall, who received two thousand dollars. Rev. Dr. Richardson received three thousand five hundred dollars ; and the present incumbent, in these later times, receives two thousand five hundred dollars. I have omitted the names of annually elected parish officers, since those of the precinct era, as perhaps uncalled for, considering the particularity of other historic matter. I will, however, add, in closing, a specification of those chosen for 1879 : viz., Parish Committee, Samuel Walker, Aaron C. Mayhew, Thomas B. Thayer ; Committee on Music, George W. Johnson, Chas. F. Claflin, Joel W. Harris ; Clerk and Treasurer, Orlando Avery.

241

FIRST UNIVERSALISTS IN MILFORD.

II. THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.

Precisely when Universalism was first preached in Milford, and by whom, I have been unable to ascertain. I incline, however, to believe that Elder Adams Streeter was probably its first preacher here, and that he commenced his ministry in the year 1781. It is recorded in the first volume of our Town Records, p. 202, that " Elder Adams Streeter, Dinah his wife, and seven children [giving their names], came to reside in Milford, Nov. 16, 1781. They came from Douglas, taken in by Noah Wiswall." Mr. Wiswall was one of the earliest and most zealous of our Milford Universalists. Elder Streeter was an early and devoted Universalist preacher, itinerating much in the southerly towns of Worcester Co., and in portions of Rhode Island. He had several stations where he ministered regularly on the sabbath once a month. This town afforded him one of those stations, meetings being held at private houses, - often at Mr. Wiswall's. It is presumable that he commenced ministering here occasionally several months before moving his family hither in Nov., 1781, and that about that time arrangements had been made for him to preach regularly to the people here once a month. It is hardly supposable, on other grounds, that he would have taken up his family residence here. Mr. Wiswall himself - though not without the sad fault of intemperance (not uncommon in those days among even orthodox church-members and respectably good men) - was a generous-hearted, enterprising, public-spirited, and charitable citizen. This accounts for his opening his house, and making a home for Elder Streeter's family. Doubtless he had a high and warm regard for his minister, who, in that unpopular stage of Universalism, must have stood sorely in need of friends.

We now come to our earliest Universalist records, which commence thus : "The Records of the Independent Christian Society, commonly called Universalist, before incorporated and afterwards. Samuel French, Clerk." Then follows : "Milford, August, 1785. The persons belonging to the society [previous to and down to that time] were, Elder Adams Streeter, Noah Wiswall, Ebenezer Sumner, Samuel French, John Claflin, Caleb Boynton, Saml. Bowker, Eben- ezer Wheelock, Ebenezer Sumner, jun., Nahum Clark, David French [11]." This little society was invited to represent itself by three delegates in the first General Convention of the denomination, which was held in Oxford, Sept. 14, 1785. It sent, as its delegates, Eben- ezer Sumner, Noah Wiswall, and Samuel French. The Convention recommended "its few infant societies to organize and affiliate."

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HISTORY OF MILFORD.

This was agreed to by Milford society, Dcc. 5, 1785. At the same time it was agreed (perhaps renewedly) to sustain a regular monthly meeting, under the ministrations of Elder Adams Streeter, who was to be supported by contribution. Feb. 22, 1786, they again agreed with Elder Streeter to preach monthly for them through the year, on the same terms. But they were soon bereaved of their first minister, as appears from the following entry: "Sept. 22, 1786. Then departed this life our Beloved Elder and Brother, Adams Streeter, to the great lamentation of all his hearers." Their arrange- ment was to have him preach in each of their several houses. He was taken suddenly and fatally sick on one of his preaching ex- cursions (I think) to Providence, R.I., or vicinity, and died at the hospitable house of Capt. Stephen Whipple, in Smithfield, near Blackstone River, on territory now included in the town of Lincoln.

Dec. 28, 1787, the society formally adopted and subscribed the organic religious compact which had been recommended by the newly organized General Convention to its several constituent socie- ties. It is presumed to have been draughted by Rev. John Murray, one of the principal patriarchs of Universalism in America. The following is a copy : -

"CHARTER OF COMPACT.

"As it is of the greatest importance, and conduces to the safety and hap- piness of a Society, to form themselves in a way which is most happifying and secure in the great matters of Religion and Morality, and to take all such salutary measures as are pointed out in the Constitution; we, therefore, who have set our names hereunto, convinced by reason and truth, do, by our own inclination, mutually engage and pledge ourselves, each to the other, and enter into the following Charter of Compact :-

"1. That there be a stated annual meeting of the Society, on the second Wednesday in April, every year, for the purpose of choosing a select com- mittee, whose power shall be as hereafter defined, and that there be, at the same time, a Clerk chosen to this Society.

"2. That there be funds provided, by voluntary subscription, for the pur- pose of supporting a teacher, or teachers, of Piety, Religion, and Morality, and for the purpose of assisting poor and distressed brethren.

"3. The powers of the compact are to extend to the calling of a meeting, or meetings, of the Society, when they shall think proper, or on request of five of the Society.

"4. They have power to admit new subscribers: they shall likewise ac- quaint the Clerk of their proceedings, in order that he may keep a regular record.

"5. The Clerk shall record the transactions, both of the Society and Committee, in a book open to the inspection of any one.

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UNIVERSALIST COMPACT.

"6. The Clerk shall be Treasurer of the Society, and shall regularly report, both of the reception and distribution of moneys to the Compact, at every annual meeting.

"7. All who shall subscribe, and not punctually pay, shall be exempt from the privileges of the Charter of Compact; and the Compact have discretionary power to remit subscriptions, on reasonable representations made to them.

"8. The subscriptions shall be paid to the Clerk, which will render useless the office of a Collector.

"9. Subscriptions shall be opened at the annual meeting, and continue at those periods, unless any circumstances shall require them more frequently. "10. All subscribers shall have an equal vote.

" 11. All questions shall be determined by two-thirds of the present members, and seven shall constitute a meeting.

"12. Every member or subscriber shall have a free liberty to withdraw his name from this Charter whenever he shall see fit.

" 13. Whereas, the privilege of choosing one's own religion is inestimable, in order to maintain that privilege unimpaired, in case any person associating with us shall suffer persecution from an unlawful exercise of power, we do agree and resolve to afford all legal measures of extricating him from diffi- culty, and of enabling him to enjoy that freedom which is held forth in the Constitution.

"14. And be it universally known, that we who have set our names to this Charter of Compact, for the purposes heretofore named, are composed of, and belong to, the Independent Christian Society in Milford, commonly called Universalists. As Christians, we acknowledge no Master but Christ Jesus, and, as disciples, we profess to follow no guide in spiritual matters but his word and spirit; as dwellers in this world, we hold ourselves bound to yield obedience to every ordinance of man for God's sake, and we will be obedient subjects to the powers that are ordained of God in all civil cases; but, as subjects of that King whose kingdom is not of this world, we cannot acknowledge the right of any human authority to make laws for the regula- tion of our consciences in spiritual matters. Thus, as a true, independent Church of Christ, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, we mutually agree to walk together in Christian fellowship, building up each other in our most holy faith, rejoicing in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and determining, by his grace, no more to be entangled by any yoke of bondage. As disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus, we resolve, so far as in us lieth, to live peaceably with all men; yet, as believers, living godly in Christ Jesus, we expect to suffer as much persecution as the laws of the country we live in will admit of. But we resolve, by the grace of God, none of these things shall move us to act inconsistently with our character as Christians.

" We will, as much as possible, avoid vain jangling and unnecessary dis- putation, and, should we be reviled, endeavor in patience to possess our souls. As an Independent Church of Christ, thus bound together by the cords of love, and uniting together in his name, we mutually agree to meet

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HISTORY OF MILFORD.

together to worship our divine Lord and Master, as circumstances shall or may require; [and] that we may the more effectually show forth his praise who hath called us ont of darkness into his marvellous light, we resolve to pay a serious regard to all the exhortations, admonitions, and instructions given to us by the Spirit of God in the epistles dictated to our holy apostles. We will, as far as in us lieth, do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. We will, by the grace of God, in word and in deed, endeavor to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, as children of one Father, and members of one head, who are united together in church fellowship, bound by the love of our dear Saviour."

Subscribed, at the date aforesaid, by " Ebenezer Sumner, Ebenezer Hill, Samuel Bowker, Benjamin Bass, Noah Wiswall, Nathaniel Butterworth, Aaron Pond, Japheth Daniels, Amos Ellis, Darius Sumner, Luther Wheelock, Jairus Boyden, Nathaniel Corbett, Moses Pond, Ichabod Corbett, Nahum Clark, Calvin Cutler, Ebenezer Sumner, jun., Caleb Cheney, jun., Edward Brewer, Obadiah Wood, Seth Allen, Joseph Sumner" [23]. A few of these appear to have been of neighboring towns, residents near the borders of Milford.

The records do not show that the society had another regular monthly preacher till May 31, 1790. It is probable, however, that they had more or less occasional preaching during the intervening years. At the last-mentioned date they engaged Rev. Zephaniah Lathe to preach for them, once a month, through the year, salary $20; again, for 1791, they engaged him, salary $25. Thenceforward he ministered to them regularly, once a month, for the same annual sti- pend, till the autumn of 1797. He may be called their second pastor or minister. Much of the time, during those years, the meetings were held at the house of Mr. Noah Wiswall, who was allowed $10 per annum for the trouble occasioned. That old Wiswall house is still standing on the Plain, north side of the Holliston road, now Main Street, a little east of Cedar Street, owned by Irish-Americans.

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History of the town of Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1881, Part 29

Author: Ballou, Adin, 1803-1890 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Boston : Rand, Avery, & co. Number of Pages: 1328

Author: Ballou, Adin, 1803-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Boston : Rand, Avery, & co.
Number of Pages: 1328