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 13
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
" Nov. 3, 1736. Edward Goddard and Ebenezer Bragg pre- sented, at a church meeting, a paper, desiring a dismission to Hopkinton church ; some desired it might be read; others de- sired it might not be read." " I thought it the clearest way to try their minds by a vote, and it passed in the negative."
"Nov. 11, 1736. After the annual thanksgiving service, I observed, that Edward Goddard and Ebenezer Bragg desired a
158
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
copy of what was done at the previous meeting. But at this time, their request for a dismission was read."
" Addressed to the pastor, with a request that it may be com- municated to the church." Thus,
" Shrewsbury, Oct. 29, 1736.
Rev. and Beloved,
We think it is evident, both from Scripture and experience, that two cannot walk together, except they be agreed ; and inas- much as there are at least two points, referring to the discipline appointed by Christ in his church, wherein we are constrained to differ from the opinion and judgment of this church ; and those points so essential in the practice of church order and discipline, that we cannot act in faith in the discharge of the duties, nor ex- pect to share in the privileges of a church relation with this church respecting its discipline ; we desire, that you grant us a dismission to a church of the same principles with ourselves, and where we may, notwithstanding its remoteness, at some times and on some occasions, bear a part in the duties, and share in the privileges of church discipline. We, therefore, desire your charitable dismission of us to the church of Christ in Hopkinton ; first, because that church is furnished with a presbytery, which we account necessary. Secondly, because we esteem it a decent and Christian respect to be paid to a church, to desire and en- deavor to obtain its consent in the removal of a church relation.
EDWARD GODDARD, EBENEZER BRAGG."
No action was had at this time on their request.
Jan. 20, 1737. A letter from the church in Hopkinton, to the church in Shrewsbury, was read to the brethren by the Rev. Mr. Cushing. Thus,
" Rev. and Beloved,
These are to inform you, that one of your brethren, Benjamin Goddard, hath offered his desire to join in full communion with this church. The ground of his desire is," &c. [This I omit. It being the same on which he asked a dismission from the church in Shrewsbury.] " It is our earnest desire, therefore, that you would testify your charity to us, either by giving your said brother
159
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
letters of dismission and recommendation to us, or by laying be- fore us such objections as may be a sufficient bar to our recep- tion of him into full communion with us.
We also acquaint you, that the wife of Benjamin Goddard stands publicly propounded for full communion with us - that, if there be any objections against her being received, this church may have seasonable notice thereof, which we desire may be by the first of February next; at which time this church is to meet and act what we think proper, respecting the admission or non- admission of the said Benjamin Goddard into our fellowship and communion. Thus conunending you to the grace of God, &c. SAMUEL BARRETT, Pastor, JOSEPH HAVEN, ) Ruling JOSEPH BIXBEE, S Elders. In the name and with the consent of the church. Hopkinton, Dec. 17, 1736.
We have appointed our brother, Simon Goddard, to wait upon you for an answer."
Answer sent to the church of Hopkinton.
"To the Rev. Mr. Samuel Barrett, Pastor of, &c., to be communicated.
Shrewsbury, Jan. 26, 1737.
Rev. and Beloved,
You have, in your writing, directed to us, informed us, that you earnestly desire," &c., &c. [Same as in the letter from Hopkinton.]
" Now these may certify you, that he asked a dismission from us to you, and that his request was under consideration more than a year, and at a great number of church meetings. And what was transacted in them relating to this affair, would be very costly, as to time and other ways, to relate. But we would ob- serve to you, that soon after his request was laid before the church, with respect to dismissing him in the manner he re- quested, and although he attempted to answer those objections, [raised against his dismission,] yet, when the church came to give him a full answer to his request, he insisted on their telling him
160
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
why they voted as they did - they agreed in giving of him this answer, that, in their judgment, the objections that had been of- fered, were of weight, and had not been answered ; and some of these objections, we have, since the first offering of them, found to be great and weighty, by what hath occurred among us -the principal heads of those objections are these - as
1. It seems to be contrary to the holy Scriptures.
2. To be abundantly contrary to the Platform.
3. To the church covenant.
4. To be contrary to the practice of Congregational churches, if not to the practice of all the churches in Christendom, to with- draw without greater reason.
A copy of thsee objections, with what was offered under them, the said Goddard soon had.
So that our answer to him, we apprehend, is as full for you as for him - and what weight there is in the objections, we leave you to judge of.
As for what you request, with respect to the wife of Benjamin Goddard, viz : if we have any objections to make against her being received into full communion with you, we would do it. Now, if by your sending to us with respect to her, you desired, that she should be propounded with us according to our usual manner, the time you gave us was so short, that it could not be done, if the bearer of your letter did his verbal message accord- ing to order.
Thus we have, after our manner, answered your requests, and wishing you the best of blessings, &c.
JOB CUSHING, Pastor.
In the name, at the desire, and by vote of the church."
Then follows, in the narrative, a note by Mr. Cushing, thus ;
" The reason of my saying, if the bearer of their letter did his message according to order, was, that he told me, by word of mouth, and desired me to tell the church, that said Goddard's wife was to be admitted the next Sabbath, sevennight, so that, as I said, there was not time for her being propounded with us, if that was what they aimed at."'
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
161
" June 26, 1737. After Sabbath exercise, I read to the church a letter from Hopkinton, which I received three or four days before."
It was addressed to the pastor, to be communicated.
" Rev. and Beloved,
Whereas Edward Goddard, Jr. and Ebenezer Bragg, both members in full communion with you, have offered their desires to be received into full communion with us." [Dismission was desired in their behalf. If there were objections, they requested they might be offered.] " Brother Simon Goddard is appointed to convey these lines to you, and wait upon you for answer.
SAMUEL BARRETT, Pastor. JOSEPH HAVEN, { Ruling JOSEPH BIXBEE, S Elders."
Hopkinton, June 18, 1737.
" After reading this letter, I observed to the brethren, that there was one or two things respecting the writing, that they could not know, but by my means -as that the letter was not signed by the elders in the name and with the consent of the church, as the other letter we had from them was. I also ob- served, that the Ruling Elders' names, in both their letters they had directed to us, were not written by the same persons ; and, that, if they apprehended it a material thing for them to sign in their office, then it was not sufficient for another to supply their names.
One of the brethren said, that, if the letter did not come in the church's name, he apprehended it improper for us to answer it ; for, says he, in times past, letters have been rejected or ob- jected against for not being sent from the church. Another re- plied, if the matter were so, he did not like it any better than he did. No one moving any thing, the matter rested and we de- parted."
" Oct. 2, 1737, viz : Sabbath day, I informed the church, that Ebenezer Bragg informed me, that the church of Hopkinton had admitted him a member of their church ; and that he desired oc- casional communion with the church in Shrewsbury, and I referred
21
162
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
it to the church, to give him an answer on the next Thursday after lecture."
" Oct. 6. After lecture, I told the brethren, if it suited them, Ebenezer Bragg might deliver his message himself." He did so, and, " by word of mouth, told them the church of Hopkinton had received him under their government ; and, that notwithstanding, he desired occasional communion with them. After some de- bate, and for some reasons - it being reported, he had said, we had not used means with him, - the church deferred giving him an answer until next lecture day ; and chose Ebenezer Keyes, John Crosby and Dea. Cyprian Keyes, to treat with said Bragg."
" Dec. 5, 1737. The church met. The Committee chosen to treat with Ebenezer Bragg, reported, that he manifested a dis- like of a vote passed on the 3d of November, 1736, by which they denied reading a writing preferred unto them by Edward Goddard and Ebenezer Bragg, to dismiss them to Hopkinton church - whereupon it was moved to retract that vote."
"After some debate, a vote was tried, whether they would nul- lify the vote passed on the 3d of November, though not at a for- mal church meeting, and that their request may be read at this meeting, and passed in the affirmative."
" Then proceeded to read the abovesaid request. Then tried a vote, whether they would dismiss said Bragg and Goddard to Hopkinton church, upon what they had offered, and it passed in the negative." "The church agreed, for some reasons, to defer Ebenezer Bragg's request until next lecture day."
"Feb. 2, 1738, the church met, and what was done at the previous meeting was read. After considerable time, it was urged to adjourn the meeting for a considerable time, that we might well consider the affairs before us. At length, tried a vote to ad- journ to the first Thursday in September next, at 3 of the clock, and that the case of our brother, Ebenezer Bragg, and the case of our brother, Benja. Goddard, be referred to that meeting, for further consideration, and that each of them be desired to refrain offering themselves to communion with this church, until this church has determined on their cases, and that the pastor should give each of them a copy of this vote, and it passed in the affirm- ative."
163
ECCLESIASTICAL IHISTORY.
"Sept. 7, 1738. 'The church met - more than half the breth- ren being absent, they agreed to adjourn. Mr. Stone [Isaac] pleaded abundantly, that the church would send in writing to Mr. Bragg, what divine rule he had broken, or what they objected against him. I observed, I was free and desirous, that the dissat- isfied would make it their business, in a private way, to see if they could satisfy themselves, or Mr. Bragg, by a friendly conference. But I declared, that I could not, and should not, be promoting the church's sending ; for the reason, he had already been treated with in this way by the church. Also, I had been blamed by some, in time past, in promoting an adjournment, when the ag- grieved had been borne with as long as was thought reasonable, and it made way for many meetings; and that such a message, sent by the church, would make way for another meeting, if not many.
A vote was offered and passed, after they had mended it as long as they pleased, to adjourn to the 31st of October, in order to the church's being better agreed, and to their using further means with E. Bragg, and to adjourn B. Goddard's case, for want of time to determine now. This meeting held a pretty while by candle-light."
" Oct. 31, 1738. Met and tried a vote, whether they were ready to give E. Bragg an answer. Passed in the affirmative. After much debate about wording it, it was tried in this way, If you are so dissatisfied with our brother E. Bragg's leaving this church and joining himself to the church of Hopkinton, in the manner he has done, as to withdraw communion from him, please to signify it ? The vote clearly passed in the affirmative.
Immediately upon passing this vote, Isaac Stone, Samuel Crosby, Ebenezer Bragg, and Ebenezer Keyes desired to have their dissent to this vote entered. They and one more [had] voted in the negative ; and the reason Isaac Stone rendered was, that he apprehended, it was the privilege every one should enjoy to be under the discipline of a church, which he, in his conscience, thought most scriptural.
Then proceeded to consider B. Goddard's case, and the an- swer he had sent to the church in writing, which was now read, and worded thus :"
164
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
" Jan. 26, 1738.
Rev. and Beloved,
I received a message, with a copy of a vote of the church of December last, acquainting me, that the said church is dissatisfied with my long neglecting the communion of said church, and not informing them why, or on what account I did so. Therefore, although I thought the said church had been sufficiently apprised of the reasons thereof, by the requests I had divers times offered for a dismission to the church of Hopkinton, and the letter of the church of Hopkinton acquainting the church of Shrewsbury with my desire of admission into the said church of Hopkinton, and also by the particular information that was given to the Rev. Mr. Cushing, by my brother Simon, of my being admitted into that church - yet, to remove all uneasiness, as far as I may, out of the mind of the Rev. pastor, or any of the brethren of this church, I now further add, that agreeably to the Christian liberty, which I firmly believe to be allowed, not only by our Platform, but also by the holy Scriptures, and pursuant also to the advice, in like case, of a venerable council, convened at Hopkinton, Sept. 19, 1735, I was orderly and regularly admitted into the church of Hopkinton, where I have constantly attended the com- munion. And though I am obliged to dissent from yourselves in point of church order, yet I am far from allowing in myself such a schismatic or uncharitable spirit, as to deny or absent myself from communion with this or any other of the faithful churches of Christ, in any special ordinances, though differing from my opinion respecting church government, and therefore have not on any such account absented myself from your communion, but, understanding that yourselves have not the same apprehensions that I have of the nature of the case, and knowing that you have denied communion to one of Hopkinton church, on account of his going off from the church of Framingham to the church of Hopkinton, I have not offered to commune here since I laid my desire before the church of Hopkinton, to be admitted into that church.
So wishing for yourselves, and desiring your prayers for me, that we may all be enriched with more abundant measures of
165
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Wisdom and spiritual understanding, and every grace of the Holy Spirit, I rest yours in the common faith.
BENJAMIN GODDARD."
" After some debate, and reasoning on this answer, this forni of a vote was offered, If you are satisfied with the answer our brother B. Goddard sent us, respecting the church's message to hiin, for his neglecting the communion of this church, please to manifest it. It clearly passed in the negative." .
Edward Goddard, to a like message, sent a similar answer; and a vote in the same form as the preceding, tried and passed in the negative.
" Mr. Stone pleaded that he could not be easy, until the church proceeded to admonish the brethren to whom they had denied communion. Some replied to him, if they should pro- ceed to an adinonition, they would not regard it." Then ad- journed to 6th February next, " to do something further respect- ing E. Goddard, B. Goddard and E. Bragg's leaving this church in the manner they did."
Mr. Cushing, in a note, observes that "at the opening of the last meeting, I signified to the brethren, it was probable it might be the last meeting we should have on such account. This I did to quicken the brethren to attend the meeting, yet I was no ways resolved they should not have as many meetings as appeared necessary - and as there were not half the brethren at the for- mer meeting, so neither at this. Moreover, I observed to the brethren, that it was upwards of twenty meetings I had attended on these accounts ; and that it evidently appeared the church was more divided in opinion about the occasions of the meetings, than they were some years past ; and that things had so borne upon me, that I had frequently of late thought of asking a dismission."
Feb. 6, 1739. The church met. "I read to the brethren the whole of what was done at the last meeting, and, several times, how the adjournment was worded ; and after some debate, whether we should look forward or backward in the affair before us - at length agreed to try the form of a vote, viz :
166
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
To retract the vote that passed at our last church meeting, whereby the church declared, they were so dissatisfied with E. Bragg's leaving this church and joining himself to the church of Hopkinton in the manner he hath done it, as to withdraw com- munion from him - and it passed in the affirmative."
" This being done, it was observed, that we were obliged, by a former vote, to give said Bragg an answer to his request, that had been some time lying before them." "Some thought something should be done by way of admonition." "Then the form of a vote was proposed, viz : To send an admonition in writing to our brethren, E. Bragg, E. Goddard, and B. Goddard, for their with- drawing from the discipline of this church in the manner they all did. Passed in the affirmative."
" Deacon Cyprian Keyes and Daniel Garfield were deputed to read the following letter of admonition to the persons above- named : "
" To Ebenezer Bragg, Edward Goddard, and Benjamin God- dard, who have informed us, that they have withdrawn them- selves from the discipline of the church of Christ in Shrewsbury, which they voluntarily subjected themselves unto in time past, and joined themselves to the church in Hopkinton, while your cohabitation is in Shrewsbury - therefore we think it proper to signify to you, that we now think of your case as we did before, viz: That this action of yours was not grounded on a well regu- lated conscience. This, we apprehend, was sufficiently signified to you, in those seasonable objections, that were offered against persons taking the course you did. We further apprehend, that you are not to be justified in this action of yours, seeing this church offered to join with you in calling an ecclesiastical council, to advise and direct us under our difficulties, after you had greatly blamed the church for some votes they had passed respecting this affair. We also signify to you, that, in our apprehension, you have violated the church covenant, most solemnly and formally entered into, and not walked agreeable to the solemn obligations you laid yourselves under amongst us, in time past, and although one of you is pleased to ask for occasional communion with this
167
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
church, and we know not but that the other two may request the same thing, we let you understand, that the very request seems to us improper, seeing you have left the stated communion of this church in such a manner as we find many Christians, as well as ourselves, cannot account for ; and considering what has person- ally been done and is now offered by this church, we hope you will receive it as our Christian monitor, [admonition,] and that it may influence you to rectify what we have declared to be offen- sive unto us, and to return to us, and subject yourselves to our church covenant again.
Moreover we would put you in mind, that plead so much for conscience, to consider how incumbent it is on you to be very careful of grieving the consciences of others, seeing so many among us have declared that they cannot act in faith in commu- ning with you under your present circumstances ; or, at least, to refrain offering yourselves, until you are certain this church is well agreed in such a thing. And wishing that you and we may have divine guidance in this day of trouble, that so remarkably calls for it, we subscribe ourselves your aggrieved brethren.
JOB CUSHING, Pastor.
In the name and at the desire of the church.
Shrewsbury, Feb. 6, 1739."
" At the desire of the church, I have read the within written to the persons to whom it was directed.
CYPRIAN KEYES." Feb. 9, 1739.
" I signified to the brethren," says Mr. Cushing, " before the last meeting was dissolved, that if there should be dissatisfaction with any, at what the church had done, and division be like to increase, I advised they would seasonably call a council."
April 24, 1740. Mr. Cushing informed the brethren of the church, that he had received a reply to what was read to those that had withdrawn.
Also a writing from E. Goddard's wife, requesting a dismis- sion to Hopkinton church. A church meeting was then appointed to be holden on the 19th of May, to consider the same.
168
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
" May 19th, the church met, and chose a Committee, consist- ing of the Pastor, Dea. Cyprian Keyes, Ebenezer Keyes, Isaac Stone, and Samuel Crosby, to offer something to the church at their next meeting, relating to the affair before us."
" June 16, 1740. The church met, and after many debates on matters before us," [nothing is said of a report being made, | " a vote was tried ' to adjourn this meeting to the 25th of Aug- ust,' [then] to choose a council to advise, &c., respecting all votes and managements relating to E. Bragg, E. Goddard, and B. Goddard's removing their church relation to Hopkinton church, and all other matters relating thereunto, and that these persons, mentioned by name, be served with a copy of this vote, by the hands of William Taylor and Ebenezer Keyes, and desired to meet us at our adjournment, to join with us in calling an ecclesi- astical council on the affairs mentioned ; unless the church, at their adjournment, should so far remove their difficulties as to render the calling of a council needless."
" Passed in the affirmative."
" Aug. 25, 1740. The church met, and after reading a writing directed to us, by E. Goddard, E. Bragg, and B. Goddard, and some writings the committee before mentioned had drawn up, that were read at the last meeting, and manifold debates, this form of a vote was tried; To retract and make void your votes, by which you have debarred those brethren the communion of this church, who have deserted from this church on account of differ- ent principles relating to church government in such a manner as to withdraw from the discipline of this church, and allow then communion in all the ordinances of the Gospel."* "Passed in ยท the affirmative. Nine voted in the affirmative, and eight on the other side. Daniel Garfield and Abraham Knowlton desired their dissent to be entered to said vote."
"Voted, That Dea. C. Keyes serve those that are separated from us, viz., in church discipline, with a copy of the church vote, and informn E. Goddard's wife that her plea for leaving this church,
* It was voted, subsequently. that this was not to extend to them the right of voting in this church.
169
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
is so much taken off, that the church think it not proper to vote upon it, until they hear further from her." Meeting dissolved.
" Oct. 27, 1740. The church met to consider the desire of sundry of the brethren, that means might be used with them to satisfy them respecting what had been done relating to the ad- mission of those that had separated from the discipline of the church, and in case they could not, to join with them in calling a council. After sundry debates, voted to adjourn to Dec. 1, to know whether the means proposed to be used have removed the uneasiness of the dissatisfied ; and if they have not, to join with them in calling a council to advise," &c.
" Dec. 1, 1740, the church met, and after some excuse made for not using means to satisfy the dissatisfied brethren so season- ably as was proposed, and after long debating things with the dis- satisfied brethren, and trying, their minds by separation, it ap- peared three or four could not come to the communion, if those that had separated from the discipline of this church should not come. Night coming on; and it being very stormy, adjourned to the 8th December, to complete the business before us."
Dec. 8, 1740, the church met, and some papers, together with the records of past meetings were read. " After this, it appeared, by conference, some were dissatisfied that the brethren should come to the communion of the church, that had deserted from the communion of the church in discipline, until they had oppor- tunity to speak with them, and I discovered that I was of this mind. Then adjourned for half an hour to discourse the persons Inentioned. After which, I made return, that my uneasiness was in some measure removed. Two others made return that they were satisfied ; two, that some dissatisfaction remained with them. By reason the uneasiness among them was in a great measure removed, the meeting was dissolved."
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.