USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sutton > History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1704 to 1876, including Grafton until 1735, Millbury until 1813 and parts of Northbridge, Upton and Auburn > Part 34
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" October 15th, 1729. The Rev. Mr. David Hall was ordained to the Pastoral office in Sutton. The Rev. Mr. Troop of Woodstock began with prayer. The Rev. Mr. Williams preached the sermon from 1st Thess. 5 : 12-13. The Rev. Mr. Swift of Framingham gave the solemn charge. The Rev. Mr. Campbell of Oxford gave the Right-hand of fellowship."
The young pastor thus ordained to the work of the minis- try in this town, commenced his labors with considerable zeal, and prosecuted them faithfully for a period of nearly sixty years.
The records of the church during his administration fur- nish little more than a few hints concerning its history except as to its discipline, which seems to have been faithfully and kindly administered, contributing largely to its almost uni- form prosperity. At times the pastor and people passed through great trials, and at others great peace and prosperity attended the preaching of the word and administration of the ordinances. One fruitful source of trouble was the admission of persons to the ordinance of baptism but not to full communion in the church. This is called in the records of the church the covenant of baptism, but is known in his- tory as the "half-way covenant."
There is no record of any form of covenant used in the admission of such members.
The list of the names of those who were thus admitted is preceded by the following introduction :
" The following have owned the covenant of Baptism and some of them were baptized."
The first entry is made May 10, 1730, when " Joseph, John, James, and Elizabeth, children of Joseph Sibley owned the covenant and were baptized." It would seem from this and other entries that some took this step for themselves, while others owned the covenant and had their children baptized. The last entry is made October 28, 1781, when
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Nathaniel Cheney and Mary Cheney his wife owned the covenant and had their children baptized.
Out of this unscriptural measure grew up many things to trouble the church. It led in large part to the separation of a portion of the members both from the public worship and ordinances of the church. With these separating brethren and sisters the pastor and church had long labor and severe trials, in all which they seem to have been actuated by the gentleness and forbearance of Christ.
All those who occasioned the trouble finally returned to the church and were restored to its fellowship. Another subject that at times was a source of trouble was sacred music. At first and probably for a long time the singing was congregational, led by one who was called the precentor or chorister. The hymn or psalm was lined by one appointed for that purpose. The tunes were few and simple, and were not sung by rule, as it was called, for this gave great offence to some. It seemed to them less devotional if there were any rule or order about it. The objection to singing by rule seems to have led to the resignation of the choristers at a certain time.
Under date April 8, 1779, is the following record : " The church was stayed on account of some uneasiness about singing by rule, but the church adjourned the matter to April 19th."
" April 19th. The Church and Pastor being notified assembled upon that occasion - a letter was read from the Choristers before deputed - John Woodbury, and John Hall, giving up that service. After some discourse the church voted :
" 1st. To encourage singing by rule.
" 2nd. That some of the old tunes be studied and learnt, as 100 Old and New, and Canterbury.
" 3dly. That Amherst and the six line metre be sung.
" 4thly. They desire new tunes be not multiplied, though they mean not wholly to exclude them.
" 5thly. Chose John Woodbury and John Hall to be Choristers.
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" In all these votes the People of the Parish voted concur- rence and no vote in opposition when put to the Parish."
Subsequently, in November following, in consequence of the refusal of the above-named to act as choristers, the church and parish in meeting assembled requested by vote David Town and John Harback " to be helpful in that service, and that they don't set the tune called 34th Psalm tune which so many have been offended at."
But the trouble was not yet at an end, for in May follow- ing, 1780, at a church meeting, " after a long discourse on the affair of singing, voted to choose a committee of three brethren to consider what tunes were proper to be sung and confine the Choristers not to exceed, and see if they could get one to set the tune, and the church by vote chose Deacon Putnam, Bartholomew Town, and Caleb Chase, and afterwards Nehemiah Putnam, to act in the affair and make report to the church at their next meeting - and then the church meeting was adjourned to the first Monday in June next at 4 o'clock, by vote of the church. June 5th 1780. The church met on adjournment and after prayer they made return -and after long reasoning the church voted the fol- lowing tunes be sung in our Publick assembly - Buckland tune, Bangor, Barley, Canterbury, Funeral Thought, London New, Little Marlborough, New York, Plymouth, Portsmouth, 50th Psalm, Rentham, 100th Psalm Tune old, Quincy, Amherst, St. Martyns, Standish, Southwell, Windsor, Brookfield, Colchester new, 113th or Proper Tune, Trinity, Aurora. No objection being made against them."
This measure of the church did not however satisfy all the members, for in January 1781, after two meetings of the church called to treat with two of the brethren who had absented themselves from public worship and ordinances, it is recorded that the " matter of great uneasiness expressed by both was respecting the singing of new tunes at which they were offended."
It is also stated that this expression of their uneasiness was accompanied by some " unbecoming reflections."
At what time the change was made from congregational singing to singing solely by a choir, no mention is made, but
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it must have been about this time, and this increased the trouble. Tradition states that on the sabbath when this took place, Dea. Tarrant Putnam, whose office it was to line the hymu, began as usual to discharge the duty, but after reading the first two lines, the singers took the matter into their own hands, and proceeded without pausing for the remainder ; the good deacon however kept on, and lined the hymn as usual, both reader and singers reaching the end of the hymn about the same time, though not in exact harmony. The congregation were in great commotion, and the pastor rising to explain that he had no hand in the matter, was saluted by one of the offended brethren with the declaration : " David Hall, you lie !" then turning to his wife, seizing her hand, he said, " Sally, it is time to go." They left the house of worship and never entered it again. This trial in relation to sacred music, involved both church and parish and continued long.
The ministry of Dr. Hall was long continued and unusually blessed among the people. At his settlement the church consisted of forty-nine members - twenty males and twenty- uine females.
Religion was in a low and languishing condition, and wicked men abounded. There were about eighty families in the town and not far from four hundred inhabitants. The profaneness and other vicious practices of the people seemed to have greatly distressed the pastor, both before and after his ordination. He says in his half-century sermon : "I can never forget my vehement struggles at the throne of grace just before I was here ordained a pastor, lest I should fail of success among this people." Immediately after his settlement religion was greatly revived. In a communica- tion published in " Prince's Christian History," giving an account of the work of God among his people in 1741-2, he says : " There was, soon after my settling here by the favor of God, some considerable abatement of that too common profaneness and other vicious practices visible among us, and within the space of two years we had a very large addition to the church, more than doubling the number of
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communicants." In five years' time eighty-one persons were added to the church, the most of them on profession of faith.
In the years 1741-2 there was enjoyed a season of great religious prosperity. The labors of the pastor were abundant and successful. It was a season of great religious excitement throughout New England. This powerful and wonderful work of God in this town continued for some months, with various degrees of power. It seemed to be free in a great measure from those excesses that were witnessed in some other places. Dr. Hall set himself resolutely against these, and discountenanced all extravagances ; though some over- zealous brethren (as he calls them) gave him considerable trouble.
By this religious interest the whole face of the community was changed. The additions to the church during this period were ninety-eight by profession and forty by letter.
During the first fifteen years of Dr. Hall's ministry, two hundred and sixty-one persons were added to the church ; one hundred eighty-one by profession, and eighty by letter. These additions, considering the small number of inhabit- ants, show that the people had been greatly prospered in spiritual things. There were at times during the ministry of this faithful pastor, seasons of revived religious interest, and others of great trial from laxness and indifference. Dr. Hall continued to labor and feed the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him overseer, until the time of his departure drew near. He closed his labors in the pulpit but a short time before he was called to a higher and purer ser- vice in the sanctuary above. He died May 8th, 1789, aged eighty-four years ; having preached the gospel to this town more than sixty years. He came to his grave " in a full age like as a shock of corn cometh in his season."
As an able and faithful minister of the gospel he was excelled by few in his or any other age. It is only as a christian and a preacher that we can view him at this late day. From his first settlement in the ministry he was pecu- liarly distinguished for the candor with which he engaged in his Master's ser- vice. From the first his determination seemed to be "not to know anything among men save Jesus Christ and him crucified." As a christian his char- acter was above suspicion as well as reproach. His piety was consistent, uniform and fervent. He possessed a well-balanced mind and was a man of excellent judgment. He was eminently a peace-maker among the people of
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his charge. As a preacher he was both pungent and popular. He was bold in rebuking sin. The effect of his labor, like that of Whitfield's, resulted in part from his manner of presenting truth. That he was a popular preacher appears from the great demand for his labors abroad and the success which he often had with those opposed to him and his views of truth. He left the impress both of his character and his ministry upon the people of the town to whom he was for so many years the messenger of God, an impress that has never been effaced.
The successor of Dr. Hall in the ministry of the first church in Sutton was Rev. Edmund Mills, who was a native of Kent, Connecticut. He preached his first sermon on Sabbath, October 25th, 1789, about six months from the date of Dr. Hall's decease. "The next spring he received an invitation from the church and people to settle with them in the evangelical ministry, which invitation he accepted and was ordained pastor of the First Congregational church and congregation in Sutton on the 22d day of June 1790," a lit- tle more than a year after the decease of Dr. Hall. At his ordination his brother, Rev. Samuel John Mills of Torring- ford, Connecticut, preached the sermon ; the Rev. Mr. Frost of Milford gave the charge, and Rev. Mr. Chaplin of the north parish gave the right-hand of fellowship. In May, 1790, immediately preceding the ordination of Mr. Mills, the following important articles or by-laws were adopted :
1st. We are fully of the opinion that the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is designed particularly for the real friends of Christ or those savingly con- verted, and that of consequence we ought to proceed in admitting members on the ground that they are such.
2. For the satisfaction of the church in regard to the qualifications of per- sons to be admitted, we think it most wise for the church and person or persons to be admitted, to meet in some convenient place for mutual confer- ence.
3. We are fully of the opinion that the half-way practice, as it is called, is not supported by scripture and ought not to be favored.
4. That a strict regard to discipline is an indispensable duty and necessary for the happiness and prosperity of the church, and that the outlines of it are contained in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew.
It appears from the records of the church that soon after Mr. Mills' ordination, the rule in receiving members to the church was adopted, requiring a narrative of their religious experience to be publicly read. In a few years this was changed and the following was adopted : "Voted, that it is agreeable to this church when any person or persons desire
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to become members of it, that it be signified to the pastor ; that on his receiving satisfaction they be propounded, and that on the second sabbath following, no objection arising in the interim, they be received."
Not long after this decision the deacons, by vote, were chosen a committee " to aid the pastor in the examination of persons proposing to make a public profession of religion and thus to unite with the church."
No particular articles of faith had been drawn up to which assent was required from those who were admitted to the church. All hitherto had been admitted by giving assent to the covenant first adopted and subscribed at the organization of the church. This covenant made special reference to the Westminster confession of faith as containing the principles of the religion professed by those owning and subscribing the same.
In "April, 1811, the church being regularly convened, proceeded to the consideration and adoption of the follow- ing confession of faith, unanimously :"
1. We believe there is one God subsisting in three persons, whose appella- tions in scripture are Father, Son and Holy Ghost, who are the same in essence and equal in every divine perfection.
2. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were written by men divinely inspired, and contain all the truths necessary to be known in order to salvation.
3. We believe that God hath a perfect knowledge of all his works, of the final issue of every event, and of the endless condition of every intelligent creature, consequently a concerted plan relative to creation, providence and redemption from eternity.
4. We believe that God created man in his own image, holy or upright, and constituted him in regard to the moral state of his posterity their public head and representative.
5. We believe that, consequent upon man's fall and apostacy from God, human creatures come into existence with hearts deceitful above all things and in a state of entire moral depravity.
6. We believe that for the purpose of carrying forward the great work of man's redemption, the Lord Jesus Christ hath suffered and died in their room and stead, and in this way wrought out a complete atonement, tasted death for every man, magnified the divine law and became its end to every one who believeth in him.
7. We believe that divine and saving grace correspondent to the immutable and eternal design of God, and in a sovereign way and manner, will be so far displayed in the recovery and salvation of the hell deserving, and particularly in the millennial state of the world, as shall be on the whole most promotive of his glory and the happiness of the intelligent universe.
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8. We believe that in order for the impenitent to become the subjects of right affections of heart, and interested by faith in the atonement of Christ, they must be renewed in the temper of their minds by the irresistible and gracious influences of the Holy Spirit.
9. We believe that a dutiful celebration of the Lord's supper requires a sincere and cordial friendship to Christ, and that a profession of this friend- ship ought to be required of all those who are received to communion.
10. We believe that sprinkling is the proper mode, and infants and children of believing parents proper subjects of Christian baptism.
11. We believe that God hath mercifully engaged to keep all who are renewed by the Divine Spirit from final apostacy, and enable them to perse- vere in holiness until they shall be made perfect in glory.
12. We believe that God hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, when he will admit the godly to everlasting happiness and doom the wicked to everlasting sorrow.
The above confession of faith was for a number of years used in the admission of members to the church, and is sub- stantially the creed of the church to this day. It has been twice revised, and at the last revision materially modified in expression.
"In the fall of the year 1820 several meetings of the church were by regu- lar appointment holden, and a number of inquiries were attended to.
"1. Whether professors of religion who have opportunity to give their children the advantages of the sabbath-school are under obligation to im- prove it ? It was agreed that they were.
"2. Whether the baptized children of the church are entitled to any particu- lar attention by reason, and if so, to what extent? It was agreed that they were, and that extent is pointed out by their solemn covenant engagements.
"3. Whether the brethren of a church can deprive themselves of voting in ecclesiastical and church concerns without violating important obligations ? united in the opinion that they cannot."
The records of the church during Mr. Mill's ministry arc very imperfect. From October 1804 to April 1810, there is no record of any transaction, and from 1811 to 1819 there is a similar omission. It will be seen from these facts that materials for a history of the church during this period are very meager. Many of the following facts were gathered from living witnesses in the autumn of 1841, and incorporated in a historical discourse by the fifth pastor of the church, then in charge of the congregation. The num- ber of members in the church at the time of Mr. Mill's ordination was eighty-five. For a long period after he took the pastoral charge of the people, there was no special relig- ious interest ; iniquity abounded, and the church was greatly
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reduced in numbers as well as in power. Infidelity, brought into the country during the revolutionary war from France- where it had deluged the land in blood, burnt the Bible, blotted out the Sabbath, and annihilated the church-swept over the nation like the sirocco of the desert, and blighted every thing with its touch. The land mourned and all was dark. The pastor of this church, undismayed amid all the scorn and open blasphemy of an infidel club, still wielded the sword of the Spirit, and not without effect. Infidelity was checked, its most able champions came to an untimely end, and their memory perished with them.
Though there was some increase of religious interest in the year 1800, and a few were added to the church, yet the ยท number of members in the church was reduced by death and dismission nearly one-half in twenty years. In 1810 there were but fifty-five members. During this year and the fol- lowing religion was greatly revived, and the interest pre- vailed generally through the town. A universal seriousness pervaded the face of society. All minds were more or less affected by religious truth. Sixty-seven were added to the church as fruits of this revival, the majority of whom were heads of families. The number of members in the church was increased from fifty-five to one hundred and twenty-five. Again in 1820 there was another season of special religious interest that greatly strengthened the church. Between forty and fifty were added to its membership. From this time to the close of Mr. Mill's ministry there was no unusual attention given to the subject of religion, and piety was in a languishing condition at his decease.
The venerable pastor continued to preach with his usual ability and acceptance till seized with disease a short time before his death. A few weeks before the close of his earthly pilgrimage he preached his last sermon with unusual animation and solemnity. He calmly anticipated his approaching dissolution, and cheerfully committed his spirit into the hands of his Redeemer, November 7, 1825, aged seventy-three years; having sustained the pastoral office thirty-five years and five months. Dr. Hall and Mr. Mills served this people in the ministry ninety-six years.
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Mr. Mills was an uncommon man. His erect and com- manding person, the dignity and urbanity of his manner, and his great sensibility and kindness of heart, fitted him in an admirable degree to gain the respect and good will of all who knew him. These traits of character, as much as his original and interesting manner of unfolding and presenting truth, deeply seated him in the affections of his people. He was a man universally respected and admired.
The successor of Mr. Mills was the Rev. John Maltby. He was born in Northford, Connecticut, graduated at Yale College in 1822, received his theological education at Ando- ver, and was ordained June 28, 1826-a little more than seven months from the decease of Mr. Mills. At his ordi- nation Rev. Mr. Hoadly of the Calvinist church, Worcester, . preached the sermon, Rev. Dr. Crane of Northbridge gave the charge, and Rev. Dr. Pond, then . of Ward, now of Bangor theological seminary, gave the right hand of fellow- ship. The church consisted at this time of one hundred and forty-three members.
There was no unusual interest in religion among the peo- ple for two or three years after his settlement. In 1828 a few individuals were hopefully converted and united with the church. This year was characterized by a serious calam- ity to the church and society-their house of worship, erected in 1751, and endeared to them by many precious associations, was consumed by fire, in November. Measures were immediately adopted for the erection of another ; and in fourteen months the beautiful and commodious house of worship that now adorns the centre of the town was com- pleted and dedicated to the worship of the one only living and true God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Soon after this there seemed an evident increase in piety in the church ; and the way was evidently preparing for the rich shower of divine grace which watered this part of the Lord's vineyard not long after.
In 1830 there was a season of considerable interest, which continued for a short time, and about twenty were added to the church on profession of faith. The summer following, christians were more than usually awake, and many began to
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feel that the set time to favor Zion had indeed come. There appeared an unusual willingness on the part of God's people to make sacrifices and labor personally for the good of their fellow-men. They " went forth, weeping, bearing precious seed, and came again rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them." A series of meetings, continuing through four days, held in the month of August, gave great impulse to the revival. The work of grace in its progress was remarkably rapid. Multitudes seemed to press into the kingdom of God; the interest was general, though some neighborhoods were more blessed than others. It produced a great change in the town, and many of the subsequent fruits have been exceedingly happy. The revival continued a shorter time than any previous season of special religious interest. It prevailed with power but for a few months. Among the subjects were numbered many heads of families, and a mul- titude of youth. The Sabbath-school was greatly blessed. Most of those converted were members, and many of them aseribed their first impressions and subsequent hope to the influence of Sabbath-school instruction.
There were added to the church as fruits of the revival more than one hundred individuals, increasing the church to two hundred and thirty-one members ; of the number added thirty-six were heads of families-twenty of these were husbands and wives jointly. The voice of prayer was hence- forth heard in many habitations where before God had not been called upon.
In 1834 there was a revision of the articles of faith and covenant of the church, which were published, with the names of all who had been members of the church since its organ- ization. In the same year the church, with great unanimity, adopted the principles of total abstinence from all intoxi- cating liquors as a beverage, as a qualification for member- ship, but, owing to several circumstances, the resolutions were not placed on record. The matter, however, for many years, was made a subject of examination in the admission of members to the church, and a pledge or promise of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors required. The church continued to enjoy an unusual degree of prosperity during
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