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 14
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June 7, 1742, the church "retracted their vote whereby they prevented Simon Goddard enjoying occasional communion with them in special ordinances, and admitted him to them as fully as he had enjoyed them at any time before."
Although the question of having Ruling Elders in the church, and the uneasiness that had so long agitated the church on the
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subject of church discipline, had now so far subsided, as to be spoken of in the " narrative," no more, yet the heart burnings that had arisen from the votes of the church and the speeches of individual members, in their discussions, in this long protracted controversy, induced several of the members in the latter period of it to withdraw from the communion ; and although unwearied pains seems to have been taken to reconcile them to return, they were, in most instances, unavailing.
Zebediah Johnson, who had been admitted to full church privilege, in 1743, sent to the church a letter, of which this is a copy : -
Shrewsbury, April 25, 1744.
To the first church in said town .*
Whereas you have been pleased to send to me, by sundry of the brethren, to know for what reason I withdraw from the public worship here, on Sabbath day, and also from communion with you in the ordinance of the supper; to which requests I an- swer ; for this reason, because I look upon it, that the word of God is not preached in truth as it is in Jesns, and because the most of those belonging to this church, that I have talked with, profess to receive it as the word of God in truth.
ZEBEDIAH JOHNSON.
The church merely voted, that his answers were not satisfac- tory ; probably " by reason the said Johnson had discovered great concern about religion of late." Other messages were subse- quently sent to him of which he took no notice. His wife Esther, for the like cause, received notice to send, in writing, the reason of her absenting herself, &c. She readily complied, thus -
"Shrewsbury, June 27, 1+49.
To the First Church of Shrewsbury, greeting.
Whereas you are pleased to send some to know my reason for not attending with you on the word preached, &c., they are as followeth : 1. I was, as I believe, called out from you by God's
" The Second Church, now Boylston, was gathered in 1743, of which hereafter.
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words - especially by those words, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, from such turn away.
As I conceive, by the word of God, neither the doctrine that has been preached, nor yet the church, is built upon a living Christ by a living faith ; but I rather look upon it to [as] a dead faith upon which it is built. And so remain your hearty well wisher, and would entreat every one of you seasonably to exam- ine the foundation on which you are built.
ESTHER JOHNSON."
I believe these are the only instances recorded in the "narra- tive," wherein ill temper is manifested on the part of those who withdrew. Certain it is, the church, in their written communi- cations to them, were studious to avoid giving offence, and de- sirous to know the reason of their non-attendance merely that, if possible, they might remove it.
I have copied more copiously from the "narrative " than I contemplated when I began, but not more so, I think, than I ought, in justice to the parties concerned in those transactions, as well as to the reader. For to have given only a few extracts from it would have been unsatisfactory to all ; and to have passed it over in silence would have been unpardonable. I have con- sidered it a duty to state things truly as I find them, leaving the reader to make his own comments. Yet I may be permitted to say, the question of having Ruling Elders in the church, and that of church discipline, was, while under consideration here, agi- tating the churches around us, and although it was, in this place, a novel question, when started by Simon Goddard, it soon be- came one of great importance, and occupied much of our fore- fathers' time.
The Goddards were men of good education for that day, of strong minds, independent, and given to investigation. The cor- respondence, as carried on, was ably conducted on their part, and the " retractions," afterwards made by the church, conclusively prove, that liberty of conscience, and the religious rights of man, were beginning to be better understood.
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The quaintness of the style, the proceedings of the then infant church - the parent stock and fathers of the present brotherhood, and of all such as shall unite with them in coming time - to- gether with the deep and mighty working of the human mind, in search of light and truth, so important to its future welfare, and the tenacity with which it holds on to favorite opinions, will all, as herein illustrated, serve to interest the reader, and cause no one, I trust, to regret that so much space has been devoted to this subject.
A few more extracts from Mr. Cushing's records will bring us to the close of his ministry.
On account of differences among several of the brethren, mostly growing out of the proceedings related in the narrative, as is inferred ; for the records do not specify what they were, the church voted to call a council of churches. Col. Ward to en- tertain the council. Eight churches were sent to, as follows :
Church of Cambridge, whereof Rev. Mr. Appleton was Pastor.
Weston,
Williams
66 " Boston,
66 Sewell and Prince
" Bradford,
66
Balch
" Hingham,
Gay
" Westboro', 66
Eben'r Parkman
" Southboro', 66
«
Sudbury,
66
Loring
"Six of the churches [the record does not name them] met on the 11th of October, 1749, and on the evening of the 13th gave a result and read it to the brethren. It was left with them, and, on the 30th of October, the church, by a vote, accepted it." Nothing further respecting the proceedings of this council can be gleaned from the record.
1750. " A committee of ministers was chosen by the church, viz : Dorr, of Mendon, Martyn, of Westboro', and Harrington, of Lancaster, to discourse with Dr. [Joshua] Smith, on the con- troversy subsisting between Isaac Stone and said Smith, and to discourse with all the dissatisfied in the church, in order to restore peace, and to examine the conduct of the church in said affair."
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The case was this: "Isaac Stone [had] complained to the brethren, that one of them was defective in a fundamental arti- cle." It afterwards appeared that he meant Dr. Smith. Con- siderable correspondence had passed between them, some of which Mr. Stone read to the church in support of his complaint. None of it, though lodged with the pastor, appears on record. It may yet be in existence. Some portion of it was since the year 1800. The ground of controversy was doctrinal. It related to original sin. Mr. Stone contending for, and Dr. Smith against the doctrine. " The committee of ministers met on the 11th of October, 1750, and left with the pastor the advice they had pre- pared to be read to the church." What that was, does not ap- pear. " It was accepted by the church."
"Sept. 17, 1759. The church, after hearing some writings read from Jasper Stone and his wife, and debate on them, voted, to request the Rev. Mr. Parkman and Martyn, both of West- boro', and Mr. Stone, of Southboro', to give their opinion, whether there should be any alteration in the church covenant of Shrews- bury, which was desired by the said Stone and wife. Col. Ar- temas Ward, and Dr. Samuel Crosby were chosen to notify these ministers, and report the views requested of them, and then I promised to lay before them the advice that might be given."
This is the last record made by Mr. Cushing relative to church proceedings. He died Aug. 6, 1760.
Extracts from the church records, kept after his decease, show the views of the church on the subject with which his record closes. It no where appears what " advice these ministers " gave, if any, in this case.
The church having chosen Artemas Ward, moderator in the church meetings, until they had a pastor settled over them, their records are in his hand writing to the time of the settlement of Dr. Sumner, in June, 1762.
" Oct. 12, 1760. The church voted, and kept Wednesday, 29th, current, a day of fasting and prayer, to implore Almighty God to give them a pastor after his own heart, and, in the mean time, to keep his church and congregation in this place from all discord." The Rev. Mr. Parkman and Martyn, of Westboro'.
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the Rev. Mr. Stone, of Southboro', and the Rev. Mr. Morse, of Shrewsbury, by invitation, carried on the services. After which, " their advice was asked relative to a candidate for settlement with them."
" Jan. 12, 1761. The church proceeded to the choice of a person to settle with them in the work of the ministry, notwith- standing the objection made in the writing aforesaid." At the opening of this meeting, "a writing, signed by about twenty, four of whom are members of this church, was presented, purporting that they never had above one person preaching with them on probation."
Then, " voted, the moderator should set down the names of Peter Thacher Smith and Joshua Paine, which persons had been preaching with us on probation ; and that each member should tell the moderator, which of the two person's names he would have his name set under ; which being done, on counting up the names of the brethren of the church, that voted, it appeared there were 18 for Mr. Joshua Paine ; being the whole number that voted, out of 23 members present."
The parish having concurred, "a committee waited on Mr. Paine, with the call, and reported, that he was constrained to give them an answer in the negative."
April 13, 1761. The church voted alterations in their cove- nant, as mentioned at the close of page 120.
March 2, 1762. The church held a meeting to give a person a call, to settle in this place, in the work of the Gospel ministry. " After somne discourse upon the head of church government, the following question was put, viz : whether this church was willing to settle any person as a minister, and give him power to negative the votes of the church, unless he would previously produce scripture sufficient to bottom so great a power as that upon ? And it passed in the negative unanimously."* ".Then the church made choice of Mr. Joseph Sumner, to settle in this place, as aforesaid." " Ezekiel Knowlton, Isaac Stone, and Eb-
* Thus was laid the foundation of that peace, which so eminently prevailed during the long period of Dr. Sumner's ministry.
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enezer Keyes were chosen a committee to inform Mr. Sumner of the votes the church hath this day passed."
" March 16, 1762. The church met upon adjournment, and the committee chosen to informn Mr. Sumner of the votes of the church, reported, that as to the vote relative to the pastor's nega- tiving the votes.of the church, the committee informed the church that Mr. Sumner was not against being settled, taking the Cam- · bridge Platform for a rule of church discipline; and, that he was willing, that those articles in said Platform, that admit of dispute, should be settled by him and the church where he should settle as pastor." This being satisfactory to the church, " Isaac Stone, Ezekiel Knowlton and Artemas Ward were chosen to present a call to Mr. Sumner, and pray his acceptance of the same." Having performed that service, "they reported, that said Sumner having taken said call into serious and deliberate consideration, and it appearing to be his duty to accept it, he gave his answer in the affirmative, on the 19th day of April, 1762."
" May 19, 1762. The church having met, by appointment, voted, an acceptance of the following articles ; and all the church that were present, with the pastor elect, signed said articles, ex- cept Dea. Miles, John Brigham, and the moderator."
" Some articles of agreement concerning church discipline, agreed upon by and between the First Church of Christ in Shrewsbury, and Mr. Joseph Sumner, the elect pastor of said church, on the 19th day of May, 1762.
1st. The pastor is not to proceed to any act of discipline, without the voice of the church - nor to negative the vote or votes of the church - but is obliged to own and record all votes of the church, as votes of that particular body and church of Christ. to which he is obliged to consent as far as he can see the mind of Christ in them, and no farther. But if he sees not the mind of Christ in them, and so is bound in judgment and conscience to enter his dissent against them, with his reasons for the same, this he has a full right to do ; by which the adminis- tration or execution of such sentence is suspended from immediate execution, for want of light; which they, viz : the pastor and brethren, are to seek, either among themselves or by the assistance of others, as the matter may require.
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We, therefore, conclude, from the premises, that no church act can be consummated, or nullified, without the consent of both church and pastor.
2dly. The pastor is not to refuse a church meeting, when the major part of the church shall desire it.
-
3dly. The pastor is not to withhold the letters missive from the church, nor refuse to act in the affair therein contained, if the major part of the brethren desire him to act. And these ar- ticles, or any matter or clause in them contained, are not to be understood as to divest this church of, or to seclude any of that power or privilege given them in the sixth section of the tenth chapter of our church Platform; and we judge, that those words contained in the parenthesis, in said section, ought to be account- ed as part of said section.
The foregoing articles of agreement are considered by us, whose names are hereunto subscribed, as a preventive of any misunderstanding that might hereafter arise on these points, in the regular exercise of church discipline, according to God's word.
JOSEPH SUMNER, Pastor elect. WILLIAM TAYLOR, SIMON MAYNARD, DANIEL RAND, EBENEZER KEYES,
ABRAHAM KNOWLTON, SAMUEL BIGELOW, ISAAC STONE, DANIEL DRURY,
SAMUEL WHITNEY, BENJAMIN MAYNARD,
JONAS STONE, SAMUEL CROSBY,
GERSHOM WHEELOCK, JASPER STONE, JONATHAN WHEELOCK, EZEKIEL KNOWLTON, ASA BRIGHAM, DANIEL HOWE."
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" Voted, To have the ordination on Wednesday, the 23d day of June next.
Voted, To have the day observed as a fast, rather than a feast.
Voted, To liave the ordaining council consist of seven pastors and their delegates.
The church made choice of the Rev. Aaron Putnam and Da- vid Ripley, of Pomfret, the Rev. Ebenezer Parkman and John Martyn, of Westboro', the Rev. David Hall, of Sutton, the Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, of Worcester, and the Rev. Elisha Fisk, of Upton.
At a subsequent meeting, voted, to add two pastors more, with delegates, to the council. Then chose the Rev. Jacob Cushing, of Waltham, and the Rev. Aaron Hutchinson, of Grafton."
The ordination took place on the day appointed. The meet- ing house being old, and considered unsafe, as well as too small, to accommodate a large assemblage, the exercises were conducted in the open air, on a platform erected by the side of the meeting house. The record gives no account of the performances, or who took part in them. The present meeting house was erected in 1766. The alterations it has undergone within and without, and its change of location, need not be related here.
" Aug. 18, 1762. Joseph Sherman and Job Cushing, in a writing, by them signed and presented, desire the church to de- clare, by a vote, whether they and others, who have not signed the late church covenant, that has been signed by a number, are esteemed proper members of the church, and entitled to the privileges of the same." Whereupon the following preamble and vote was passed unanimously by the church.
" Whereas, it has been suggested, that the design of this church, in making the alteration in our covenant, was to exclude some of its members, viz : those that did not choose to sign said covenant ; and some of those brethren that did not sign, appre- bending, that the church did not look upon them as members - therefore
Voted, That we did look, and still look upon them as mem- bers, although they did not sign the covenant."
" Whereas, it has been reported, by some evil-minded person,
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as though the First Church in Shrewsbury designed to injure and withdraw communion from the second church in said town, and their pastor, in passing by them at our late ordination ;
We hereby declare said report to be groundless, and very in- jurious to said church and pastor, and also to this church - for we passed by said church only in the exercise of Christian liberty and privilege ; for we are and were in charity with them."
" Dec. 1765. The church chose Jonathan Wheelock and Jedediah Tucker to set the psalm, in the public worship."
"Sept. 1770. The church of Christ, in this place, voted, to set apart Tuesday, the 11th instant, for a day of humiliation and prayer, on account of the throat distemper prevailing in this place. Out of eleven that have had it, nine have died."
" 1771. After some conversation, the church passed the fol- lowing vote, viz : That those may not be admitted to the priv- ilege of baptism for their children, concerning whom it is evident, that they do not practise praying in their families. This vote was unanimous."
" 1777. The church chose two more to assist in setting the psalm, viz : Thomas Knowlton and Nathan Eager."
"Oct. 1777. Voted the sum of sixty pounds, to furnish the communion table the ensuing year, to be proportioned upon the several members." *
" May 15, 1785. This being fast day, I desired the brethren to tarry after divine service ; and I then informed them that there was a clause in the third article of our church covenant, that was excepted against by some, and offered as an objection against joining with this church ; and that some others objected against relations being required at the time of admission. These things I desired the brethren to take into their serious consideration."
"May 19, 1783. Voted, To discontinue the practice of re- quiring relations of candidates for church membership at the time of admission."
" Voted, That the last clause in the third article, viz : " And yet we are of the judgment, that the whole of the well known
* Continental money had become almost worthless ..
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Westminster Catechism, as explained by Calvinistic divines, con- tains a just summary of Christian doctrine, as revealed in God's holy word," should be erased from the church covenant."
" The church voted to have the psalm read line by line at the communion table."
" 1790. 'The church chose Mr. John Stow and Mr. Vashni Hemenway to assist in leading the singers in performing that part of divine service in the congregation."
Feb. 1791. After some conversation on the subject,
" Voted, To begin to sing Dr. Watts' version of the Psalms, with his Hymns, the first Sabbath in March next, provided there be no objections lodged with the pastor, from the congregation, before that time," and " some conversation had about the expe- diency of having a bass viol in the congregation."
" July 31, 1795. Being lecture-day, the church were desired to tarry, when this question was proposed to them by the pastor, viz : whether any clause could be added to the covenant, that might supersede the necessity of reading public confessions for crimes committed before the persons come into covenant with the church ?" Conversation had, and a committee chosen, to consider the matter, and report.
At a subsequent meeting, " the committee reported, that the following words be prefixed to the covenant, viz : " Conscious of our offences, and asking forgiveness of God, of this church, and of all whom we have offended." "To give all an opportunity to attend unto the matter, they voted not to act upon the report at that time." At a meeting in October following,
" Voted, To accept said report, and that this should supersede the necessity of reading public confessions," &c., as above.
" Dec. 1796. Being lecture-day, the brethren were desired to tarry after divine service ; when the pastor presented them two pieces of plate, as a donation from the Hon. Artemas Ward."
" Voted their acceptance of the same, and that the thanks of the church be presented," &c .*
* Peter Smith, who died in 1748, bequeathed " £50, old tenor," to the church in the South Parish ; equivalent to $21 Federal currency. It was mostly expended in procuring a silver cup for the use of the church, with his name engraved upon it.
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1793. " Capt. Thomas Knowlton, who had served for many years as chorister, desired some others might be chosen to lead in the singing."
"The church voted to proceed to choose some for that pur- pose, on the 21st of June, at a special lecture ; and appointed a committee from their body, to confer with the singers upon the subject ; and voted, that the congregation and the singers, in par- ticular, be invited to attend, and join in the choice of some suit- able persons to lead in singing."
At the time appointed, " Dr. Paul Dean, Messrs. Shepard Pratt, and Ebenezer Drury were severally chosen by the church and congregation." *
So harmonious was the church during Dr. Sumner's ministry, that his records contain but little to interest the general reader.
" At a church meeting, Jan. 11, 1820, voted, to adjourn to the 18th. Then to proceed to the choice of another pastor, if the church appear to be ready."
Dr. Sumner had, previous to this time, repeatedly suggested, in public, to the church and congregation, the expediency of choosing another pastor, on account of his advanced age, and from a belief that the services of a younger man would be more efficient in promoting their spiritual welfare.
" On the 1Stb, church made choice of Samuel B. Ingersoll, for a colleague pastor of this church, he having every vote."
" April 9, 1820. At a church meeting, voted,
Whereas, the church of Christ in Shrewsbury have been in the practice of admitting some to the privilege of baptism, that did not come to the other sacrament ; but finding, that in some instances, a wrong use is made of such indulgence, it has of late years been going out of use, and we are willing it should be
At this late day, when our currency, as established by law, is reckoned in dollars and cents, it sounds antiquated to hear articles priced in shillings and pence, and conveys the idea that the articles may be as stale as thal currency. The practice should be discontinued.
* This appears to be the first instance, wherein the congregation were invited to participate with the church in the choice of choristers. It was an act worthy of praise ; inasmuch as it was a voluntary and virtual acknowledgment of the right of the congregation to have a voice in what so nearly concerned them.
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wholly laid aside, but shall continue to keep our covenant en- gagements with those who have been admitted upon that cove- nant, and to consider them under the care and watch of this church." This was called the half-way covenant.
The parish having concurred in the choice of Mr. Ingersoll, as colleague pastor, he was ordained June 14, 1820. " The fol- lowing churches were applied unto for assistance on the occasion, viz ; the two churches in Beverly, the first and third church in Salem, the church in Marblehead, of which the Rev. Samuel Dana is pastor, the church in Framingham, the church in Yale College, and the first church in New Haven, the first and second church in Worcester, the church in Grafton, in Westboro', in Northboro', in Boylston and West Boylston." The record is silent as to the officiating clergymen. " The Rev. S. B. Inger- soll preached to this people, of which he had become colleague pastor, the next Sabbath after his ordination, but was never able to preach afterward. He remained here about four weeks, then went to Beverly, and there languished and died, of a painful disorder, Nov. 14, 1820 .*
His funeral was the 16th. The travelling was such I could not attend, but we assembled the same day and the same hour. The Rev. Mr. Bancroft and the Rev. Mr. Cotton attended. Other neighboring ministers were sent to, but could not attend. Dr. B. and Mr. C. prayed. I preached from these words, 'Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.' John 11 : 11."
" Attest. JOS. SUMNER, Surviving Pastor."
Thus far since the year 1786, when the North Parish was made a town, by the name of Boylston, the parochial business had been conducted in the name of the town. The parish was re-organized March 26, 1821, and the necessary parish officers chosen, since which it has transacted its concerns as a distinct body, and in its own name.
" At a church meeting, June 25, 1821, after some conversa- tion, this question was proposed, ' Are you now ready to proceed to the choice of another pastor?' And it was answered unani- mously in the affirmative."
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