USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Winchendon > History of the town of Winchendon (Worcester County, Mass.) from the grant of Ipswich Canada, in 1735, to the present time > Part 30
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THE DEPARTURE OF MR. BROWN.
From 1777, twenty-two years passed away, of which we have no trace, except a few entries in the Records of the town. Then the difficulties which had been rife for two or three years, terminated in the dismis- sion of Mr. Brown. The recital of these troubles belongs principally to town history, and all that is deemed necessary has been given in the appropriate place. The town was against the minister, while a major- ity of the church stood by him till after his ministerial connection with them had come to an end. He was dismissed in December, 1799. All that relates to him may as well be completed in this place. The Coun- cil sustained his ministerial reputation, and gave him the usual com- mendation to the Churches. But a difficulty sprang up after his dis- mission. He retained the Records, refusing to part with them. Such is the story as told by his opponents. A committee, consisting of the new Pastor, and the two Deacons, Messrs. Hale and Prentice, called on him for the purpose of receiving them. The interview closed un- pleasantly and abruptly by Mr. Brown ordering Mr. Pillsbury to leave his house, with a threat to put him out if he did not depart. What was
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
said to provoke this language is not recorded. According to tradi- tion Mr. Brown, was naturally irascible, and he might have been dis- turbed by what would not have excited a more gentle spirit. The com- mittee made a formal demand for the papers, when it is supposable, at least, that there were no Records except such as Mr. Brown had kept in his own private book. A proposition before the town, about this time, to purchase a blank book for him, favors this supposition. The infer- ence is, that the book was for him to use in recording loose papers, and inserting items from memory. This book was not furnished ; perhaps because Mr. Brown declined to use it ; perhaps, because, as he is re- ported to have said, the papers had, accidentally, been burned. If the Church had never chosen him as Clerk, and furnished him with a Book of Records, it could not make a claim for his papers, though a regard for its welfare might dictate their transfer. The fact that no legal steps were taken to compel him to surrender the Records, gives support to the view that there was no basis for a legal demand. In fact, the Records were never recovered, and the history of the Church, from its founda- tion in 1762 to 1799, is almost a blank.
Steps were immediately taken to discipline Mr. Brown as an offend- ing member of the Church. He denied its jurisdiction, on the ground that he had never been received into the Church except by the ordina- tion service. He therefore claimed that his dismission as the pastor, severed his entire connection with the Church. But unfortunately, in a letter, he had claimed that he was a member, and the Church held him to it, while they carried on the process of discipline. The result was his excommunication. He left the town, and lived in Vermont, where he seems to have been recognized as a minister of the Gospel ; from which it may be inferred, that the action of the Church did not have the moral force to effect his ministerial or christian character and standing.
Mr. Brown was a man of full habit, good size, dark eyes and hair, and dark complexion. His abilities were fair, and his learning was about equal to that of his ministerial neighbors. It does not appear that his preaching made any very marked impression, though he was a man of sense and shrewdness. An aged man, speaking of his contest with the town, said : " he was too much for the whole of them." He left three sons, named Joseph, Amos and John. His three daughters were respectably married. One was the wife of Thomas Richardson, M. D. ;
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
. another of Benjamin Hall ; and the third of Francis Goodhue, who re- moved to Brattleboro', where he became wealthy, and left a highly re- spectable family. The last scene of Mr. Brown's labors was Spring- field, Vt.
SETTLEMENT OF MR. PILLSBURY.
This took place on the 24th of June, 1801, after the pulpit had been vacant about a year and a half. He was called after a thorough hear- ing, and the union lasted till his death. He was a native of Tewks- bury, and a graduate of Dartmouth College, Class of 1798. His an- swer to the invitation to take the oversight of the Church, evinces his character, and is a prophecy of his ministry. It is therefore copied entire.
" Since it has pleased the Church and people of this town to make known their desirc that I should settle with them in the Gospel ministry, I have cho- sen this time to give an answer.
More than six months have elapsed since I began to preach among you, during which time I have been careful to learn your minds and situation, and considering your long trials and difficulties, I think as much harmony and union prevails as might be expected. And please to accept of my warmest gratitude for that attention and respect you have ever manifested toward me since my first arrival here.
The important question respecting my settling in the work of the Gospel ministry, and in particular, among you, has caused much study and reflection. I have looked, as I trust, to heaven, for assistance and direction ; have asked advice of the fathers in the ministry ; and the opinion of friends, hoping for such counsel as shall enable me to make a decision that may terminate for the good of religion and the glory of God.
I am well sensible that such is the depravity of the human heart, such is the opposition of men by nature to the pure doctrines of the gospel, such is the unstable and fluctuating state of society, that very small is the prospect of temporal ease and profit to the faithful Preacher.
Yet as the cause of the Redeemer is great and good, as the promise of Christ is sure, " lo, I am with you to the end," as there is a future world of bles- sedness prepared for all the righteous, and as God has determined through the instrumentality of preaching to save them that believe, we may take courage.
I therefore now give my answer in the affirmative, and do freely agree to, and accept of, your proposala, hoping that grace, merey and peace may be mui- tiplied to us.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Hore let it be remembered as there are many false teachers gone out into the world, as many crept into houses who have not come into the work of the ministry by the door, and wish to build on other men's foundations, it is to be understood that no one belonging to this religious society, shall invite or em- ploy any person as a preacher, without the knowledge and consent of the pastor.
You are fartber to remember that I shall except [or expect] three or four Sabbaths annually, as is usual, to visit friends and relations.
Perhaps there is no one thing more conducive to the well-being of religious society than to be united in the truth. How happy then will it be for us if we can love as brethren, strive for union, and study the things that make for peace. Knowing the imperfection of human nature, we hope to bear one an- other's burdens, to exercise a spirit of candor and forgiveness, and not hasti- ly to condemn those whom we think in some things are wrong. Your preach- er may sometimes be thought wrong wben be is right, and sometimes thought wrong when really 80 ; yet [it] is hoped that your candor and prudence will influence you to consult him before you censure his doctrine or conduct, or proclaim abroad his imperfections. Truly I can say that I feel myself, quite inadequate to be employed as an Ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to preach the everlasting gospel. Yet trusting in Christ, the Great Head of the Church, I bope I may not preach nor labor in vain ; that each one may find, by happy experience, a punctual fulfillment of those duties and obliga- tions which are incumbent both on minister and people, that all may find that it was good for us to be acquainted and united in the most solemn and impor- tant things in our world, that it may promote and advance the temporal peace and prosperity, and especially the spiritual interest, improvement and welfare of all concerned in this agreement. And that the declarative glory of God may be advanced.
LEVI PILSBERRY.
Winchandon, May 7, 1801."
" Read May 10th, 1801, by Rev. S. Payson in publick."
The Council met on the 23d of June, and was composed of the fol- lowing ministers and their delegates: Rev. Messrs. John Cushing, Mr. Lees, Seth Payson, Mr. Aiken, Mr. Barton, John Osgood, and Mr. Williams. Several of the Churches sent two delegates, the last case of the kind in Councils held in this town. Mr. Sparhawk, of Templeton, was invited, but was not present. Rev. John Cushing was chosen Moderator, and Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Scribe. After prayer, the Council adjourned to the next morning, at 6 o'clock. At the meet- ing of the Council, the next day, the " candidate exhibited a confes- sion of his faith ;" and many questions were asked, to which he gave
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
satisfactory answers. Motioned and seconded to see if the Council were ready to proceed to the ordination of Mr. Levi Pillsbury. Voted in the affirmative.
" Voted that the Rev. Mr. Cushing give the Charge ; Lev. Mr. Lee, the Ordaining Prayer ; the Rev. Mr. Osgood give the Right Hand of Fellowship; the Rev. Mr. Barton make the Introductory Prayer ; and the Rev. Mr. Will- iams the Concluding Prayer ; and that the Rev. Mr. Aiken preach the ser- mon. N. B. Every part of the solemnities of the ordination, was performed to the great satisfaction of the audience, and Mr. Pillsbury was ordained, June 24, 1801, according to appointment. Before the Council proceeded to ordi- nation, the candidate was received into the Church, before the whole assembly, by virtue of a dismission and recommendation from the Church in Rowley."
Just previous to Mr. Pillsbury's settlement, on the 13th of April, 1801, the Church voted " that no person shall in future be admitted by the Church upon the principles of what is commonly called the half- way Covenant." This was in accordance with the views of the new minister, and the prevailing sentiment of the time. However, these quasi members were permitted, if they were so disposed, to come into full communion, and some availed themselves of the privilege.
The condition of the Church, in relation to spiritual things, must have been trying to the heart of the young minister. Owing to the admission of members on the half-way plan, or the laxness of the former minis- ter's views, or neglect of discipline, or all these causes combined, the Church was in a lamentable state, and years passed away before it be- came united and strong. It is not needful to enter at any length, in- to the details of difficulties and heart-burnings that have long been sleep- ing in the quiet of the grave, but a glance at the situation seems to be desirable.
After disposing of the case of Mr. Brown, measures were taken to bring several members who had held aloof from the Lord's Table, back to hearty fellowship with the Church ; and in several cases, the result was a restoration of harmony. In other instances, the Records are' marred with the recital of violation of covenant obligations and of the commandments of God. Different persons were dealt with, and some were expelled on account of intemperance, and of violations of the sev- enth commandment. These measures were proof of vigorous spiritual life, which sloughed off the dead and decaying parts of the body. By taking care in admitting new members, the Church became really much
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDOX.
stronger, in the course of years, though there was a decrease in the membership. .
At the time of Mr. Pillsbury's settlement, there were about eleven hundred people in Winchendon, and the great mass of them were in re- al or nominal connection with the First Society. A Methodist and a Baptist Church had already been formed, but only a part of their mem- bers resided within the limits of the town. No means of ascertaining the precise number of members of the First Church, in 1801, can be found. On the 51st page of the Records, it is written as follows : "June 1st, 1810, 55 males, 75 females, total, 130." There is a full list of the members of the church, extending down to 1819, on pages 50-53, and 48, and it is supposed that this list comprises all those in the church when Mr. Pillsbury was settled, and all who were received during his ministry. But this is not certain. There is no way of determining when the list was made out. The list contains 159 names, as having united previous to 1810; but at that date there were only 130 mem- bers. Of these 159, 38 are marked dead, 35 removed, 3 excommu- nicated, and 4 have a line drawn across their names, leaving but 79 names. But as there were 130 members in 1810, it is evident that some of the 159 were not marked as deceased, removed, etc., until af- ter 1810, so that it is impossible to learn who were members when Mr. Pillsbury came. Of the 159 in the list up to 1810, 35 were received by Mr. Pillsbury, leaving 124 who must have joined previous to 1801.
Another detached entry in the Record reads as follows : " In 1815, May 20, 107 members belonged to this church, and 6 received within a year ; 40 males and 67 females." The admissions during his min- istry are given below.
PROF.
LEITER.
In 1802,
12,
11.
In 1812,
2.
" 1804,
3,
1.
" 1813, -
" 1805,
2,
4.
" 1814,
9.
" 1806,
4.
" 1815,
3.
" 1807,
4.
" 1816,
3.
" 1810*
10.
" 1817,
1.
" 1811,
4.
" 1819,
9.
The whole number is eighty-nine, about five annually.
The Church was drained by frequent removals to the Baptist and
* From this date no distinction is made as to the mode of becoming a member.
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HISTORY OF WLYCHENDON.
Methodist Churches, which were now in active operation. In addition, by removals to other Congregational Churches, and by deaths, the number was kept from increasing.
DEATH OF MR. PILLSBURY.
His ministry was suddenly closed by his decease, on the 5th of April, 1819, after five days sickness, of bilious colic. He was forty-eight years of age, in full strength and activity, and increasing in influence. The efforts to coerce his political action had ceased, and entire harmo- ny prevailed in the Church. " His death-bed scene was calm and se- rene, and being asked what directions he wished to leave in relation. to his family, he replied, ' Follow the leadings of Providence.'" The universal testimony of those who remember him is, that he was a faith- ful Christian minister, and a plain preacher of the evangelical truths of the Bible. His ministry came in time to save the Church from the experience of many others in the Commonwealth, which lapsed into some form of Unitarianism. Since his time, there has been no ques- tion about the adherence of the great body of the Church and congre- gation to the religious views of the early settlers of the town. His successors in the ministry have all been firm believers in the same sys- tem, and earnest preachers of the Gospel.
It is said by aged people, that Mr. Pillsbury became increasingly devoted to his work, and that his ministrations during the winter pre- ceding his death, were marked by growing spirituality ; and it is the general conviction of those who remember the great revival which made the beginning of his successor's ministry so memorable, that the foun- dation of that work of grace was then laid. He enjoyed the confi- dence of the Church, and the respect of the community to the last, and his memory has been revered to the present time. He was buried . near the centre of the old grave-yard, where an elegant monument has been recently erected by his children, in place of a plainer one that was set up not long after his decease.
An incident in his life should be noted, because it evinces his inde- pendence of character, while it brings into view the intermeddling spirit of " Associations" at the time. In the Records is the following, under date " Dec. 19, 1804. The Westminster Association having long, and contrary to my wish, meddled with our Church discipline, I requested my relation or connection with them to be removed." It seems that
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
this body of ministers had been in the habit of considering cases of dis- cipline brought before them by individuals, and of sending their advice to the Churches. In the case of a member of the Winchendon Church, they heard witnesses, and reviewed the conduct of Mr. Pillsbury and the Church. As they had no more right to do this than an association of deacons or superintendents of Sabbath Schools, he very properly denied their jurisdiction, and withdrew from them. On the 14th of June, 1806, " a number of ministers in the County of Worcester, met at the Rev. Samuel Austin's, in the town of Worcester, for the pur- pose of forming into an Association, to be called the Worcester Asso- ciation ; and agreed to meet three times in a year." Mr. Pillsbury became a member of this Association, which has always been charac- terized by its strict adherence to early Congregational usages.
It may be said, in conclusion, that Mr. Pillsbury has descendants quite numerous and very respectable, in this and neighboring towns.
The formal action of the Church in relation to the decease of Mr. Pillsbury, is here inserted by way of appendix to the account of his ministry :
"Tuesday, April 6, 1819. At a meeting of the Church at the meeting- house, it was voted to choose a standing Moderator, to preside at meetings during the vacancy occasioned by the death of our Rev. Pastor ; also, an As- sistant Moderator and Clerk. Chose for these officers respectively, Rev. John Sabin, of Fitzwilliam, Dea. Desire Tolman, and Daniel Henshaw, Esq." [This was the day after the Pastor's decease. The meeting adjourned to Thurs day, the 8th, at the school-house, at 10 o'clock, A. M. Then met, and] " made arrangements for proceeding at the funeral of our late Pastor." OD the 1st of May, the Church voted to " appoint a Fast on the third Thursday in May, instant." The Church also voted " that the town be respectfully in- vited to unite with the Church in the fast ; and to invite the neighboring min- isters to unite with them."
On account of Probate Court, the Fast was held on the first Thurs- day in June. Thus respectfully and reverently did the Church and the Town unite in paying funeral honors to the departed, and in seek- ing divine direction, with reference to a future minister.
REV. ELAM CLARK.
The efforts of the town to induce Mr. Elam Clark to become their minister, have been related in another connection. The fact that he
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
was for a time the most popular man that ever lived in the place, makes it proper to refer to him again. The vote in his favor was as strong in the Church as in the Parish. At a meeting held on the 26th of September, it was voted " to choose a committee of five to join the town's committee, to confer with Mr. Elam Clark concerning his preach- ing in this town, and with reference to his settlement. Chose Dea. Desire Tolman, Mr. Ezra Hyde, Daniel Henshaw, Mr. Hananiah Whit- ney and Col. Jacob B. Woodbury." Next day met again, and voted " by ballot, and chose unanimously, Mr. Elam Clark to be Pastor of this Church." After considering, Mr. Clark declined. On the 6th of March, 1820, the call was renewed, with but one dissenting vote, out of twenty-six. This call was also declined ; but the people found it hard to abandon the hope of obtaining him for their Pastor. He was a man of remarkable gifts to win popular favor and esteem. The people hung upon his lips in public, and were pleased greatly with him in private. A manuscript sermon of his fails to reveal the secret of his power. It has matter enough to keep attention awake, and not enough to fatigue a common audience. The style is neat and clear, without being ornate or forcible. Ornament and illustration are judis- ciously employed, but the discourse does not grasp the mind and hold it by the power of intense thought or passion. Much was due, doubtless, to a pleasing person, a modulated voice and fine elocution. Add to these qualities, amiability of disposition, an interest in his hearers, and unc- tion, and we probably have the secret of his popularity. But however accounted for, there is no question that he completely captivated all classes of the people, old as well as young. Says Dr. Whiton : " the people were enthusiastically attached " to him. He says farther, in reference to Mr. Clark's second call : " he unexpectedly and strangely declined again. It was probably happy for them that he did, as he was a man of an extremely nervous temperament, and was not success- ful in other places. He deceased some years ago, about 1834." It . may be added that after leaving this place, he was married ; that he awakened an extraordinary interest in himself wherever he preached ; and that he never remained long in a place. The reason given by class-mates and friends was, that whenever he was obliged to engage in intellectual labor, his faculties seemed to be paralyzed. He had ability, taste, judgment, a desire to do good ; and when his mind was entirely free from constraint, he could write with case. As soon how-
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
ever as he was confronted with the dread fact that a discourse must be ready at a certain time, he grew restive, made an effort to write, became discouraged, and as a consequence, sad and mortified. It is probable that in some other calling, he would have fulfilled the high hopes of partial friends. According to Mr. Hyde, he had two calls at Tiverton, R. I., as in Winchendon. He was settled over a Church in Providence, about a year, and was then dismissed at his own request. He kept school for a while. Afterwards he resided at Suffield, Conn., with a weathy farmer, whose daughter he had married. He died of cancer.
THE NEW MINISTER.
Among other candidates was a Mr. Becket of Peterborough, and Rev. Caleb Burge, a man of more than average ability. The Rev. EDER L. CLARK came to Winchendon, May 27, 1820, (being then settled as a minister in Granby, Conn.) and continued to supply the pulpit till in- vited to settle. At a meeting of the Church, on the 31st of July, to see " whether they would choose Rev. Eber L. Clark as their Pastor, it was voted to take the question by yeas and nays. The vote was then taken, and the whole, being twenty-seven, were in the affirmative, and accordingly the Rev. Eber L. Clark was declared unanimously elected.
1820, October 18, Mr. Clark was installed by an Ecclesiastical Coun- cil, composed ministerially as follows : the names of delegates being omitted.
Church in Ashburnham,
Gardner,
Rev. John Cushing. Jonathan Osgood.
Templeton,
Charles Wellington.
Royalston,
Ebenezer Perkins.
Rindge,
Seth Payson, D. D.
Antrim,
John M. Whiton.
Leicester,
John Nelson.
Worthington,
Jonathan L. Pomroy.
East Windsor,
Thomas Robbins.
A note in the Church Records, probably by the hand of Mr. Clark, may claim a place here for the sake of the information it gives.
" The Rev. Eber L. Clark was born at Mansfield, Conn, March 23, 1785 ; was graduated at Williams College, Sept. 1811; was licensed to preach the Gospel, Feb'y, 1812 ; was ordained, Sept. 24th of the same year, Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Chatham, Con .; was dismissed August 13th, 1815,-
331
HISTORY OF WISCHENDON.
was installed Pastor of the Church in Granby, Turkey Hills Society, Con., July 3, 1816 ; was dismissed again, July 5th, 1820 ; and installed in Win- chendon, October 18th of the same year. His salary, $600, and his settle- ment $400. After being destitute of a minister about 18 months, and after making several unsuccessful attempts to settle another.
The said Mr. Clark, was, soon after his installation, admitted a member of said Church, by vote of the same, on the recommendation of the mutual Ecclesiastical Council which dismissed him from his charge in Granby, Conn. As he was not admitted a member of the Church in Granby otherwise than being installed as Pastor orer it, and as the Council which dismissed him from said Church was mutual, and the general recommendation which they gave of him an act in some sense of the Church herself, no other recommendation was thought necessary."
Mr. Clark's settlement was the last in regard to which the Town 25 a Parish took concurrent action. The Sermon was by Rev. Thomas Robbins, afterwards D. D., from the text, Psalm 122, vs. 3. 4, 5. The discourse grew directly out of the test, and related to the Church, or Ecclesiastical Government. It was arranged under three heads :
I. Its Union.
II. Its Worship. And,
III. Its Government.
The sermon evinces ability and familiar knowledge of Church history.
At the time of MIr. Clark's entrance upon his pastoral labors. the congregation was large. The population of the town was 1263, a large majority of whom were regular or occasional attendants on his ministry. The Baptist Church was in one corner of the town, and was small. The Methodist Church was in another corner, and far from numerous. Therc were not twenty families in the three villages where more than two-thirds .of the whole population now reside. The parish extended orer a large territory, several families living as far as four, and some more than five miles distant from the Common.
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