USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Shrewsbury > History of the town of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1717 to 1829, with other matter relating thereto not before published, including an extensive family register > Part 12
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Then it was proposed to the church, after what manner they chose to vote. They signified it suited them to vote by separa- tion. Accordingly, when they were all drawn to the west side of the meeting house, this form of a vote was offered to them, and read two or three times : If it be your mind, or the mind of any of you, to dismiss our brother, Benjamin Goddard, to the church in Hopkinton, while his habitation is in Shrewsbury, upon
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this plea, that he is persuaded Ruling Elders are of divine insti- tution, and that churches ought to be furnished with them, or by virtue of his writing he laid before us, in which he asks a dismission, you are desired to manifest it by moving into the seats in the other end of the meeting house. The vote passed in the negative ; only Ebenezer Bragg and Edward Goddard voted in the affirmative."
" The vote being passed, Benjamin Goddard desired a reason for their voting as they did. He was answered by several, that they acted their judgment, and they thought they ought to do so." The answers did not satisfy him, but he vehemently requested, if not demanded, the church would give an answer in writing.
Whereupon I observed to him, I supposed that Deacon Keyes' objections, that had been offered, were answer enough. Then Edward Goddard asked, whether these objections were acknowl- edged or swayed with any, but the deacon himself, and, as I re- member, all present but four or five, answered, yes."
"I then wrote the answer for the church, that the objections that had been offered by Deacon Keyes, in their opinion, were of weight, and had not been answered."
At the close of this meeting, there appeared a willingness to seek light and direction of a council. " Adjourned to the 25th December, immediately after lecture - the lecture to begin at ten of the clock."
" Dec. 25, 1735. The church met upon adjournment. I observed upon what account we were met. Samuel Crosby then desired the church might know, whether Edward and Benjamin Goddard desired a council, and they answered, they desired one, if the church did." " One or more attending this meeting, butnot present at the previous one, desired that what was offered in writing at that time might be read. Some objected, that it was improper by reason it was not what we met upon ; but upon the importunity of B. Goddard, if not some others, the paper read at the last meeting, signed by Edward and Benjamin Goddard, and John Parker, and one offered by E. Bragg, at his importunity, was read "-" then the discourse of calling a council was brought forward - The form of a vote was offered," -" If it be
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your minds to join with several of the brethren of the church, who are uneasy with some late church votes and managements, in calling an ecclesiastical council, to advise us in our present dif- ficulties, please to manifest it. " But Edward Goddard, and especially Benjamin Goddard, objected against the method of the vote, asserting that, if the church did not desire a council on their own account, then they should not desire one ; but if the church would call one, then they would join with them.
The brethren observed to them, that it was on the account of their uneasiness at the church votes that they offered to join with them in calling a council, but the said Goddard would by no means agree to the calling of a council in this manner ; and the church left it to them to form a vote, which they worded thus, - If it be your minds to call an ecclesiastical council, to consider of and advise us upon two votes passed by the church, the one on the 20th of October, the other on the 15th of December, 1735, at which sundry persons are uneasy, you are desired to manifest it. After two or three readings, it was tried, and passed in the negative."
" The aggrieved still manifested great uneasiness at the vote, whereby Simon Goddard was denied occasional communion, and desired it might be mended thus, that they denied him till they received further light, but they refused to do any thing by way of amendment ; assuring the aggrieved that they did not deny their brother on account of principles, but on the account of what they specified in the vote relating to him. I then observed we had done what we met upon, and if they were ready, I should put an end to the meeting. One or more moved for it, but the aggrieved remaining so very uneasy, it was proposed to the church, whether it suited them to choose a committee out of the church ; and they determined by vote that they would choose one, to consider what method they thought it advisable for the church to pursue with respect to their difficulties ; and also to treat with the said Goddards, and see if they could any ways remove their uneasi- ness, and to make return to the church, on the first Monday in February, at one of the clock, to which time the meeting was adjourned. The committee chosen singly, by vote, were Isaac
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Stone, Samuel Crosby, Simon Maynard, Ebenezer Keyes and Joseph Knowlton."
Feb. 2, 1735. Mr. Cushing being desired to attend the funeral of Madam Parkman, at Westboro', this day, the meeting of the church was further adjourned to the 9th inst. When, the church having met, "I observed to them, that the occasion of the meeting was to receive the report and return of the committee we had chosen at a former meeting. Then read, over and over again, their return." It was as follows :
" Pursuant to a vote of the church of Christ in Shrewsbury, at a meeting on the 25th of December, 1735, we have discoursed with the aggrieved brethren; and having duly considered the grounds of their uneasiness, viz : the vote of the church by which Simon Goddard was excluded from communion with this church, and that by which Benjamin Goddard was denied a dismission :
We apprehend that it may induce to the peace and safety of this church, in the first place, for the church to retract their vote, by which Simon Goddard was excluded from communion, and pass such a vote as follows, viz : That they will not debar the said Goddard from occasional and transient communion with them until some censurable evil be made to appear against him ; or, secondly, that the church retract the aforesaid vote, and vote as follows, viz : That they desire Simon Goddard not to offer him- self to communion with them in holy ordinances until a clearer light and satisfaction, in the proper use of means, may be gained, referring to his translation of his membership from Framingham to Hopkinton church.
Thirdly. As to the vote by which Benjamin Goddard was denied a dismission, we refer you to the consideration of our church Platform, chapter 13, section 3.
ISAAC STONE, SAMUEL CROSBY, EBENEZER KEYES." *
* Only three out of five of the Committee sign this report.
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"This being read, Col. Ward observed, he thought it proper to examine the return of the Committee in the several parts and paragraphs distinctly. Accordingly that part of it was first read," " That it might induce," (&c., to retract their vote excluding Simon Goddard from communion. See the report.) "And when they had chosen to vote by separation, it was proposed to them, that if it were their minds to accept that part of the Committee's return, they would manifest it by removing into the east end of the house, and the vote passed in the negative. Then that part was read, "and pass such a vote, &c., that will not debar said Goddard from occasional communion," &c., and passed in the negative. Then that part was read, that the church retract the aforesaid vote relating to Simon Goddard. This also passed in the negative. Then some brethren showed uneasiness at the last vote, and said it never was intended that should be voted without an- nexing to it what followed. This the Committee observed. Then it was put to vote thus : Or, secondly, that the church re- tract the aforesaid vote, and vote as follows, viz : That they de- sire said Goddard not to offer himself to communion with them in holy ordinances until a clearer light and satisfaction in the use of proper means may be gained, referring to the translation of his membership from Framingham to Hopkinton church. This be- ing tried, it passed in the affirmative, very fully.
Then tried by vote the last article, (in Committee's report,) as to the vote by which Benjamin Goddard was denied dismission, we refer you to the consideration of our church Platform, chap- ter 13, section 3. And this passed in the affirmative, viz : That we would consider the matter. Then it was observed, we were bound to be in the use of proper means. Then it was proposed, whether they would send a Committee to the church of Fra- mingham, again to report to then what we had heard from them, and to desire them to send us an account, how, or on what ac- count, said Goddard left them, and send an answer to some of his accusations we should lay before them. But when we came to vote for a Committee, one, and I think, Edward Goddard, pleaded it was the best and fairest way to choose by written votes. Accordingly, in this method, they chose, singly, Major Keyes,
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Col. Ward and Daniel Garfield ; and the direction given them by the church, was to take Simon Goddard's complaint against Mr. Swift and Framingham church ; and also to request that they would make return to us. Then it was thought proper to send in writing to the church of Framingham, and I was desired to write to them ; but I observed these troubles fell heavily upon mne, and I desired that the Committee might prepare something ; if they would, I would sign it. However, the meeting was ad- journed to February 26, 1736, that the church might see what was prepared to send to Framingham church."
"February 26. The church met upon their adjournment, and I read what was prepared to send to Framingham. I observed, that if Simon Goddard had prepared any thing to send to that church, I thought it was proper that what we sent should refer to it. The reason of this was, at the former meeting it n - pro- posed that Simon Goddard should send his grievance himself. His brother answered, he did not doubt but that he would do it ; but it was observed by some, that Simon Goddard had said, that what he had before delivered to the church was sufficient, and that he would not send any thing now. I proposed to the church, that myself, in conjunction with the Committee chosen to carry the message to Framingham, might take what we thought meet out of what I had prepared, and insert in it what of change was found in the letter Simon Goddard had before delivered to the church ; and nobody objecting, a vote was called for, and passed in the affirmative. Adjourned to April 29, 1736."
" Then the church met on their adjournment ; I read to them a letter I had received from John Green, of Brookfield, whose house and two of his children had been consumed by fire, request- ing a contribution from them. I then desired them, some special reason moving me thereunto, to let me know their minds relating to the offering of confessions by persons that have offended, whether they should be before the church only, or before the whole congregation ; and by what was said, I took it that it suited them that they should be offered before the congregation.
I then observed on what account the adjournment of our meet- ing was, viz : to receive the return from Framingham, and that I
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had received no return - Major Keyes, one of the Committee, having been hindered by sickness in his family. John Crosby observed to the church, that he was dissatisfied with a paper of objections, that had been offered by Edward Goddard, Benjamin Goddard and John Parker, very much faulting a church vote of October last, saying, that, in his opinion, it greatly reflected on the church, and on himself in particular, not being at the meeting when that vote passed. Col. Ward said, that in his opinion nothing should be brought before the church but what was in writing. Crosby said he only mentioned it now, and would give his objections in writing at the next meeting. Some asked, why something had not been done before this time, and said Crosby answered, he had talked with Benjamin Goddard once and again, but had received no satisfaction. Upon agitating these things, Edward Goddard said he was offended with said Crosby. Then his brother spoke to the same purpose, and said they thought the sacrament had best be delayed. [This meeting was holden after lecture preparatory to communion.] Others answered, they saw no reason for it. Then the Committee chosen to treat with said Goddards, and see if they could in any measure remove their difficulty, said, they had promised, or given them encouragement, that they would do something with respect to an alteration in their paper of objections. Others replied, the Committee had told them this before. Then it was proposed to try a vote, and see what number could not come to the communion on the ensuing Sabbath, and upon trying, by separation, there was only Edward and Benjamin Goddard, and Ebenezer Bragg that declined coming. Then Col. Ward inquired, who they were offended with ? The Goddards said they were offended with John Crosby. Bragg answered, he was not out of charity with any, but uneasy and dissatisfied because of the difference between the others. Then they were advised to see if they could not remove the dif- ficulty among them so far, as that it might not be a bar to com- municating together.
Adjourned to Sabbath day ; and the church desired, that if the distance between these brethren were removed, I would let them know it before the communion. Immediately upon this, the said
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Goddards and Crosby repaired to my house, and soon removed their difficulty so far as it related to a separation, and informed me I might tell the church. Accordingly, before the communion, I observed to the church, that the difficulty that had been among these brethren was removed, so as not to hinder their communion. At the church meeting, Edward Goddard said he was out of charity with Peter Smith ; but Smith repaired to my house, with those other brethren, and I took it that what of uneasiness had arose between them was removed. Then adjourned to 14th June, at 9 of the clock, in the morning."
" June 14th. The church met, upon adjournment, and I ob- served, that we adjourned to receive an answer from Framingham church, and that nothing had been delivered to me to communi- cate. Then the Committee, chosen to carry our message to Framingham church, was requested to give an account ; and they declared, that Mr. Swift told them, that in order to his bringing that inatter before the church, he needed some writings, that had been brought before a council, that sat at Framingham some years past ; and the writings were lodged, as he apprehended, with Mr. Stoddard, of Chelmsford, who was clerk to the said council; and seeing the time, that he had been applied to before our meeting, was so short, desired that the meeting might be adjourned; but Benjamin Goddard opposed ; but it was thought proper to try a vote as to adjournment, and it clearly passed in the affirmative to adjourn to the last Monday in August. Then one of the breth- ren observed, that at the last meeting there was objection offered against a paper of objections, that three of the brethren had of- fered to the church, after some debate, and a discovery made, that about fourteen of the brethren had signed a paper that they had ready to offer, it was proposed to them [the fourteen] to say, what they would accept of, in a general way, and not offer their paper."
The matter was briefly this - the fourteen thought, that the three had, " in their paper " of objections, charged the church with false and unfair dealing; and when it was offered to the fourteen to know, whether if the three "could say, they had not thus charged the church, they would accept it and be easy ; they an-
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swered in the affirmative. I then asked the other party, whether they could comply to offer this ? They readily answered in the affirmative ; and Edward and Benjamin Goddard and John Par- ker declared, in open church meeting, that they had no intent, in their paper of objections against the church vote, relating to their brother Simon Goddard, to charge the church with falsehood, or intimate that they had been guilty of false or deceitful dealing." [This was freely offered on the one part, and as freely accepted on the other, as satisfactory.] " This matter being finished, B. Goddard, by word of mouth, renewed his request for a dismis- sion. Some observed, that he had done that before, and that the chuich had given him an answer ; therefore we had best dismiss it." " At length, it was voted to give him an answer at the next meeting."
" Then I advised those that had been objecting against the paper above referred unto, and those that had signed it, to be very careful and watchful ; that they might lay aside debates about that matter, that no more difficulty might arise about it."
" Aug. 30, 1736. The church met, &c. I opened the meet- ing, observing to the brethren, that our meeting was adjourned to receive an answer from Framingham church, and it was desired that I should read our letter to the church of Framingham before the answer sent to it. Accordingly it was read." Thus -
"To the Rev. Mr. John Swift, Pastor, &c., Framingham, to be communicated to said church - sent by delegates."
"Shrewsbury, May 21, 1736.
Rev. and Beloved,
We address you at this time for light and satisfaction with re- spect to that good order and government, that ought to be ob- served in all the churches of our Lord Jesus Christ, and which we desire might flourish with us. The particular occasion of our needing it at this time is the request of Simon Goddard, and sun- dry of our brethren on his behalf, that he might enjoy occasional or transient communion with us in special ordinances. We need not tell you, for information, that he is now an inhabitant with us, and not long since was with you, and a brother of your church.
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But would observe to you, that he has laid before us two reasons for his removing his church relation from you to the church of Hopkinton.
The one is, that he chose to stand related to a church of the Congregational principles. As to this plea or reason, we need not trouble you to inform us in order to our passing judgment.
The other reason is, abusive and unbecoming treatment. That is what we desire light in, especially. We shall refer you to his own words and sayings, particularly in two letters ; the one directed to Hopkinton church, wherein they desire to be received into their fellowship and communion. As for his complaint against you, or the grounds of his uneasiness with the pastor, or church of Framingham, or both, we shall refer you to his other letter, under his own hand, directed to the church of Shrews- bury.
We desire a return from your church relating to these things ; that so we might know what the accused, as well as accusing party, has to say ; and be clear of that just imputation that all are chargeable with, that answer a matter before they hear it. Thus having represented our case, we earnestly desire you would please seasonably to return us an answer, &c.
JOB CUSHING, Pastor,
In the name, at the desire, and by the assistance of the church in Shrewsbury."
Copy of Rev. Mr. Swift's reply.
" Framingham, June 29, 1736. Rev. Sir,
My domestic troubles being so great and heavy, I hope you will excuse my not writing to you sooner, as I think they might from my not writing at all.
Respecting my not being Congregational, according to the Platform, I must say, that the Congregational principles, rightly understood, were the first that I imbibed, and have, I think, always professed, adhered to, and practised. I suppose both my- self and church [to practise them] as much as any Congregational pastors and churches hath in New England, even according to the Platform, as it agrees with our confession of faith.
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Respecting the Hopkintonian scheme about lay or ruling elders, (if I have heard right about it,) I look upon it to be as dissonant from the Platform, as darkness is contrary to light ; and am afraid that it will prove the procuring cause of the ruin and over- throw of that once flourishing church.
I do not remember that there hath ever been any process against Squire Goddard, (as he is commonly called, I mean the father of Simon,) in the church of Christ in Framingham - only I remember that some of the brethren of the church took offence at some reflections, which the said Squire Goddard had cast upon me at a certain church meeting ; and that was laid be- fore the church at two or three church meetings. At length - whether the said Squire was absent or present I do not remem- ber- I asked the brethren whether they thought, that those re- flections were censurable evils, and it passed in the negative, and so the matter dropped.
If they had voted in the affirmative, the said Squire should have been cited and heard fairly. But if I remember, and I think I do, that, and many other things, were under the cogni- zance of a venerable council of churches, that were on the spot, I think, Anno 1730. And for a single church afterward to haul that matter over, the council being satisfied, looks to me to retro- grade a motion, and I cannot account for it. What I now send you, is according to the best of my remembrance ; my papers, which are many, being lodged with the Rev. Mr. Stoddard, pas- tor of the Chelmsford church, who was clerk of the said council. If any of you will be at the cost and pains to bring me authentic copies of those papers attested by the said clerk, I shall be able to give you a more full account of those things.
As to the admission of fugitive or separating brethren to tran- sient communion, when they have left a stated [church] of their own choosing, I think cannot with wisdom be granted, especially if it tend to any disturbance in the church where it is desired, and I wonder why such transient communion should be desired by them, unless the same spirit moves them as caused their sep- aration ; and, if I remember right, there was no discipline in mo- tion in the church at Framingham, wherein the separatists were
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any ways endangered, when they began their first motion about Ruling Elders, &c. I do not think, and I have been justified in it, that any pastor is obliged to lay before his church every ad- dress, or paper, that is directed accordingly to be communicated. I wish and pray, that wisdom and sound judgment, peace and good order may be the stability of the church of Christ in Shrewsbury, and of all the churches ; and that no root of bitter- ness may ever arise among them, whereby any shall be offended, Asking your prayers for me and mine, I am, according to my ability, in all Gospel services, &c.
JOHN SWIFT.
To the Rev. Job Cushing, communicandum."
" I observed to them, before the above was read, that the re- turn we had was only from the Rev. Mr. Swift, and not from Framingham church; the Goddards, and some others, pleaded that it might not be read ; others chose it should be read; I tried a vote, and it passed in the affirmative."
" This letter being read over and over, and after much debate, I signified, that, in my opinion, our present managements de- pended on a former vote of the church, viz : Or, secondly, that the church retract the aforesaid vote, and vote that they desire Simon Goddard not to offer himself to communion, &c., until a clearer light, &c., may be obtained ; referring to the translation of his membership from Framingham to Hopkinton church." "I then tried the vote, thus, If you have gained such light and sat- isfaction with respect to Simon Goddard's removing his member- ship from Framingham to Hopkinton church, as to admit him to communion with you, you will manifest it ? This was done by separation, and the vote passed iu the negative."
" I observed to the brethren, that Benjamin Goddard renewed his request at the last meeting, and read to them the record of it, and their reply to him."
" B. Goddard admitted there was weight in some of the objec- tions offered by Deacon Keyes, but contended, that Ruling El- ders, as well as Teaching Elders, are of divine appointment. That the whole power of rule and government of a church
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ought not to be placed in a single elder." "That, as there is a bench of judges in a court, there ought to be a bench of elders in a church, in order that justice be impartially administered be- tween brother and brother, in causes coming before the church." " He entreated they would consider his case, and remember what a hard thing it was to retain his relation, where he could not be easy ; pleaded how he was conscience-bound, and was censured by one of the brethren - that they ought to be as tender of their own consciences as of his." " Deacon Keyes said he durst not do it, by reason, he thought, it would tend to destroy the church." Some were disposed to have the meeting adjourned, inasmuch as " some thought it not only improper to grant his request, but especially to Hopkinton church. Some discourse was moved of granting him a dismission to another church of the same princi- ples, as his phrase was, particularly to Mr. Webb's church, in Boston." "But it was observed, we could not adjourn on any such account, considering our answer to him at the last meeting, we had best give him an answer now. I tried it by a vote, and it passed in the affirmative." Then "I proposed this form of a vote : If it be your minds to dismiss Benjamin Goddard to Hop- kinton church, while his habitation is in Shrewsbury, upon re- newing of his request to you, and his reasons before offered to you, you are desired to manifest it? This being read over and over again, and approved, the brethren were desired to gather themselves into the seats at the west end of the meeting house ; then the vote was read again with this addition, by moving into the seats in the east end of the meeting house; and the vote abundantly passed in the negative. It was allowed, we had fin- ished the business we met upon, and I declared the meeting dis- solved."
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