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 31
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On the 4th of January, 1822, Samuel Prentiss, Esq. was chosen Dea- con in place of Amos Heywood resigned. On the 1st of March, it was voted to " introduce Dr. Samuel Worcester's Selection of Hymns to be sung occasionally in addition to Watts' Psalms and Hymns." On the 1st of November, chose Dr. Paul Raymond and Dr. Reuben Hyde as Deacons of the Church.
When Mir. Clark began his ministry, the Church was not large in pro-
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
portion to the congregation, but there was an awakened interest in re- ligious things. The influence of Mr. Pillsbury's life and prayers, was felt during the vacancy, and after the settlement of the new minister, and soon began to manifest itself more plainly. Besides, the preaching of Mr. Clark was fitted to produce a deep impression. He was a man of decided power in the pulpit. He was tall, had a powerful voice, and a positive manner. His sermons contained considerable thought, and were full of weighty, evangelical truth. The effect was soon manifest ; indeed the work of conversion had already begun. Some who had been awakened to a sense of religious things in the latter part of Mr. Pills- bury's ministry, were now ready to unite with the Church, and six were received soon after the installation of Mr. Clark. During the next year, five were received by profession, and one by letter. In the meantime, the religious interest had spread through the town, and become almost universal. Impressions were made which have lasted to this time, and will doubtless remain through all the future.
But the year 1822 was probably the most distinguished in all the history of the town, for attention to the concerns of the soul. At the several seasons of communion, in that year, eighty-four were received into the Church on confession of their faith in Christ. Forty of these were admitted at one time, on the 11th of September. A private let- ter from one of Mr. Clark's sons says : "Though a very small boy at the time of their admission, I remember the scene as vividly as if it were only yesterday. I remember the features of many of them, (some still living-1867,) as they appeared standing through all the aisles of the old Church." The interest was so absorbing that afternoon and evening meetings were held right on through the warm season of the year- through haying and harvesting-and were well attended. One man of large business -Mr. Phinehas Whitney,-and perhaps others, had an understanding with his workmen, that their wages would go on while they were at meeting.
This season of special attention to religious things, was drawn out into the next two succeeding years. In 1823, there were twenty-one ad- missions to the Church ; and in 1824, fifteen, besides four by letter from other Churches ; making one hundred and twenty-four in the space of about three years. From that date there were admissions from time to time. In 1831, there were thirteen, and the next year, ten. The
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
whole number received into communion of the Church during his pas- torate was as follows :
In 1820, 6. In 1825, 3.
In 1831, 13.
1821. 6.
1826, 1.
1832, 11.
1822, 84. 1827, 5. 1833, 7.
1823, 21. 1828, 5. 1834, 2.
1824, 19.
1829, 2. 1835. 1.
Eighteen of this number were received from other Churches, leaving one hundred and sixty-eight who were admitted as new converts, or eler- en per annum, on the average. Taking the whole number, the aver- age was thirteen.
It would serve no useful purpose to call up from the grave, the trou- bles which marred the good work of grace, or disturbed the peace of the minister. Some did not walk worthy of their profession, and in some cases, the action of the Church might have been hasty. But a great and good work was wrought, whose effects have been felt to this day. In connection with what was done in the Baptist and Methodist Soci- eties, it may be said that the town, to a large extent, experienced a mor- al and spiritual renovation. After an uncommonly successful pastorate of nearly fifteen years, dating from his first sermon, he asked a dismis- sion in the following note, dated
" WINCHENDON, JANUARY 2, 1835.
I hereby request that I may be dismissed from my pastoral charge in this place, believing the time has come when my dismission is expedient both for me and for the people, -that another minister can be more useful here, and that I can be more useful in some other part of the Gospel vineyard.
Praying that grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied to you abundantly, through our Lord Jesus Christ, I subscribe myself yours in the faith and fel- lowship of the Gospel. EBER L. CLARE."
The same day, the Church voted to comply with his request, and a committee was chosen to unite with him in calling a Council. In due time, the Council met, and he was honorably dismissed. A few addi- tional facts will be interesting to some here who yet live to remember him with grateful affection. According to a note from his son, Julius L. Clark, Esq., Chief Clerk in the State Auditor's office, he was born in 1786, instead of 1785, as stated on a former page. He " fitted for College under the instruction of the late Rev. Dr. Jennings, of Dalton, Mass., to which place he removed with his parents in early childhood."
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
After leaving College, in 1811, he immediately commenced his " theo- logical studies with Rov. Mr. Hinsdale of Hinsdale, and was licensed in the following year by the Berkshire Association." His first settle- ment was in Chatham, Conn., in that part now called Portland. In about three years he was dismissed " at his own request, and for rea- sons wholly his own." In Granby he " maintained a pleasant and use- ful ministry of six years." Soon after his ordination, in 1812, he " mar- ried Mary, daughter of Dea. Charles Starkweather, of Worthington, Mass. She died in Winchendon, in 1832." His ministry of fifteen years in this place, has already been described. "Then followed a pastorate of three years at Berlin, Mass., terminating in accordance with his own wish and request. He was immediately installed at Rich- mond, Mass., where for fifteen years he continued the beloved and hon- ored pastor of an affectionate congregation. In 1853, he became the pastor of the Church in Washington, Mass., a relation which he sus- tained for four years, or until his death ; his aggregate ministry cov- ering a period of forty-six years." His second wife whom he married not far from the time of his removal from Winchendon, was Sarah Law- rence, of Norfolk, Conn., who survived him. He had six children, three of whom, the two oldest, and the youngest, are now-1868-living. Six weeks previous to his own decease, he was called to officiate at the funeral of a " dear brother in the ministry," Rev. C. H. Norton, at North Becket, " little dreaming that his own lifeless form would so soon rest upon the same altar, and his funeral discourse be so shortly delivered from the same pulpit. The day was one of unusual inclem- ency, and from the effects of his exposure, he fell into a rapid decline, gently and sweetly failing asleep in Jesus. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Todd, of Pittsfield, from John 3 : 2. At the conclusion of these obsequies, his earthly remains were removed to Rich- mond, for interment."
The following passages are taken from the funeral discourse by Dr. Todd :
" His character was every way symmetrical, and his talents highly respect- able. Indeed, though I have often heard his public performances, I never saw a failure, and never heard him preach a poor sormon. I have often heard others make the same remark. He was a modest, unassuming man, but an earnest and faithful preacher. I can account for his multiplied removals only on the supposition that he was too meek to contend with difficulties. He was
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HISTORY OP WINCHESDOS.
diffident to a fault, wien the day demands that the ministers of God shall not be like reeds shaken by the wind. But all this modesty was based upon . the meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of the Lord, is of great price.' I have seldom known a public man who seemed to me so free from enry and jealousy. I: never seemed to trouble bim that others had higher seats in the synagogue or at the feast. On the contrary, be rejoiced at every measure of usefulness that others could fill. I never heard him make an envious or jeai- ous or a severe remark about any one. . . To those who have known Br. Clark long as I have, I need not say that he was an affectionate husband. and a most kind and considerate father. His house was such as bis brethren loved to visit. Mr. Clar' was a good man. We loval to hear him pray in our associations and at our ordinations. We have every reason to feel that he walked with God. After having servei his gener- ation for forty-five years as a minister of Jesus Christ, bis sun gradually went down, but the sky was clear, and if there was anything in the shape of clouds. they were lined with silver and coated with gold. * him what is a great thing to say of any man, that he lived and del by the grace of God. at the full age of chroe-score and cen. and has gone down :o the grave without reproach, with an unsullied reputation, and with the sont- dence and respect of all who knew him."
THE MINISTRY OF BEV. DANIEL O. MORTON.
After hearing various ministers during the spring and summer. che Church, on the 9th of December, 1835, voted and " chose / mmanimous- ly) the Rev. Daniel O. Morton as Pastor." He was chen settled in Springfield, Vt., where his people desired to retain him. Extra edorts were necessary to induce him to remove. On the 17th of January, 1836, the Church chose Rev. Lemuel P. Bates, of Templeton. to rer- resent their case " before the Ecclesiastical Council to be convened at Springfield, in reference to the dismission of Mr. Morton. Deacons Hyde and Raymond were chosen a committee to make a statement to Mr. Bates." Mr. Morton was dismissed by the Council, and accent- ed the invitation to come hither. He was settled on che Li of March. The proceedings of the Council will not be given, as the date is too ro- cent to have the smack of antiquity. The public services were as fol- lows :
" Invocation and Reading the Scriptures, by Rev. George Goodyear. Asi- burnham ; Introductory Prayer, Rev. Sumner Lincoin, Gardner ; Sermon, Rev. Cyrus Mann, Westminster ; Consecrating Prayer, Rev. Ebenezer Per-
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kins, Royalston ; Charge to the Pastor, Rev. Amos W. Burnham, Rindge ; Right Hand, Rev. Alexander Lovell, Phillipston ; Address to the People, Rev. Lemuel P. Bates, Templeton ; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Giles Lyman, Jaffrey."
The congregation was still quite large at the time of Mr. Morton's settlement. The meeting-house was well filled, below and in the gal- lery, on pleasant Sabbaths. The members of the Church numbered 171, which was 15 less than were added in the pastorate of his prede- cessor, showing that the removals by death and otherwise, had been quite numerous. The two first years of Mr. Morton's labors here re- sulted in large accessions to the Church. He was a man much above mediocrity both in regard to his general abilities, and his gifts as a pub- ilc speaker. He held the " pen of a ready writer," and was prompt in the fulfillment of every duty. He was what is sometimes styled a " revival preacher," and delighted in scenes of religious awakening. He was active in the use of all those allowable measures which charac- terized the era of "protracted meetings," when religious services were held four or five days in succession. He was a man of warm heart, of kindly feeling toward all, and of a persuasive tongue ; and withal, felt a deep intereset in the welfare, temporal and spiritual, of the people of his charge. Besides preaching on the Sabbath, and in school-houses, he performed much labor from house to house. In the first year of his pastorate here, forty-six were added to the Church, and in 1836, sixty-one. In the next three years, five, five, and seven, respectively. The whole number in six years, was one hundred and twenty-four, or about twenty per annum. The Church was larger the second year of his ministry, than ever before or since, there being about two hundred and seventy-five members. Though a faithful and discriminating preach- er, he was perhaps too urgent in pressing persons feeling an interest in religion, to unite with the Church. Probably some of the trouble which he experienced here, and some of the defections among those received in his time grew out of this fact. But after making due al- lowance, it is most certain that his labors here were abundant, and were crowned with the blessing of God.
After a settlement of rather more than five years, Mr. Morton asked a dismission, which was effected by a mutual Council, on the 29th of June, 1841. The Council spoke of him as an " able, faithful and
.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
useful servant of Christ," who had "labored with more than usual success."
After leaving here, he was settled at Bristol, N. H., in 1842, where he closed his ministry and his life, on Thursday, March 25, 1852.
He was the author of the Life of the Rev. LEVI PARSONS, one of the early Missionaries of the American Board, and of other works, be- sides single discourses, of considerable literary merit. Farther partic- ulars would be given here, were it not that an extended notice of him may be found in the History of Shoreham, Vt., the place of his first settlement, and also in a sermon by Dr. Bouton, and an obituary ad- dress, by Prof. Eli B. Smith, delivered at his funeral, and both pub- lished in the same pamphlet. These gentlemen, who knew him well, speak of him in the most affectionate and appreciative terms, the latter closing his remarks in these words: " thus died a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith."
THE ERA OF SUPPLIES.
There was an interval of about five years before the settlement of an- other minister, but the pulpit was filled almost without interruption, by stated or occasional supplies. In 1842, March 21, the Church invited Rev. EDWIN LEIGH to become its pastor. He was in the Parish about two years, though he declined a settlement. Mr. SHEDD, Principal of the Appleton Academy, at New Ipswich, preached on several occasions. Rev. ROBERT W. FULLER did good service, and was highly esteemed. From May till November, 1843, Mr. ABLJAH P. MARVIN, a recent graduate of Yale Theological Seminary, supplied the pulpit, while that portion of the parish living in the Village and the north part of the town, were building a sanctuary, and preparing to found a new Church. At this time the house was quite well filled though not crowded. The Meth- odist Church had been established in the Village ten or twelve years, and the congregation was respectable in number. Many had withdrawn from the congregation at the Centre, on account of the difficulties about ministers, and in Church discipline, some of whom never were stated attendants on public worship at any place afterwards. Perhaps two hundred and fifty or three hundred, on pleasant Sabbaths, were found in the old meeting-house.
Rev. BENJAMIN RICE was acting pastor, though not formally in- stalled, from the latter part of the year 1843, till his decease in 1846.
8
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
He was born in Sturbridge, May 9, 1784, and was sixty-three years of age at the time of his death, which occurred on the 12th of July, 1847. He was a graduate of Brown University. He had been settled in Sken- eateles, N. Y., South Deerfield, Mass., and New Gloucester, and Bux- ton, Me. As a man of sense, piety, industry and gentle disposition, he was useful in the ministry. His wife was Lucy, daughterof Capt. Phin- ehas Whitney, who still survives; and his children are Hon. William W. Rice, of Worcester, Charles J. Rice, Esq., of Winchendon, and Mrs. Lucy Anna, wife of Rev. Milan H. Hitchcock, formerly missionary to Ceylon. During these five years, but five persons were admitted by profession ; that is, three in 1842, and two in 1843. From this last date, there were no admissions till 1850; but the losses were great. On the 28th of November, 1843, sixty-five members were dismissed, with recommendation, to form the North Congregational Church. Be- sides, many on the Church roll were absent from town. After this time, the congregation was much reduced, and the Church labored under discouragement, as many believed that it would be difficult, if not im- possible, to sustain two Churches not more than a mile apart. .
LATER MINISTERS.
However, the Church made commendable exertions to sustain the institutions of the Gospel. On the 19th of November, 1846, the Rev. MALACHI BULLARD was settled by ordination services. He labored faith- fully till his removal by death in the spring of 1849. During weeks of decline his soul was inspired with profound peace and submission, and animated with joyful hope. His will seemed lost in Christ. He was esteemed by his people, and his ministerial brethren, who lament- ed his early removal from this society. The sermon at his funeral was preached by the writer. His remains were taken to Medway.
The Rev. JOHN STORRS was installed August 22, 1849, and continued in his pastorate nearly five years, when he was suddenly cut off at the age of fifty-two. The following entry was made in the Church Rec- ords, May 8, 1852.
" Rev. John Storrs, Pastor of this Church, after a short but distressing sick- ness, was removed by death from an affectionate Church, in the midst of his labors and usefulness, much respected and highly prized, to occupy, as we confidently believe, a higher place in the presence of his Saviour, God, aged 52."
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
The author's respect and affection for Mr. Storrs, are expressed in a funeral sermon, which was published at the time. It contains the main facts of his useful life, and may be found by any desiring to see it, for information, in the library of Brown University, of which he was a grad- uate. In a word, it may be said, that he was a thoroughly sincere and godly man ; devoted to his family, and his people, and his God ; of tender sensibilities and literary tastes, and full of a generous public spir- it. His wife has carried out his designs in the education of his children, who are their crown of honor.
During the pastorate of Mr. Storrs, the ancient Church, erected in 1792, was taken down, and the materials were used in building a house. of smaller dimensions. Not only were the timbers sound, but the clap- boards, split fifty years before, were better than could be obtained new. The house was placed a little west by north of the old site.
The pulpit was supplied by several ministers until the settlement of Rev. BENJAMIN F. CLARKE, on the 24th of October, 1855. After a ministry of nearly ten years, useful and harmonious on the whole, though under discouraging circumstances, he was honorably dismissed by a mutual Council in April, 1865. The constant tendency of the popu- lation to the villages weakened the society from year to year. There were no admissions from 1843 to 1849. In Mr. Storrs' time, thirteen were received, besides some others, including his own children, who united with Churches in other towns to which they removed. In the next eight years, twelve were admitted. Several members of this Church, excellent young men, fought against the rebellion, and died in the ser- vice of their country. Mr. Clarke now resides at Wellesley, Mass., still active after a half-century of faithful service in his Master's cause.
Different ministers officiated until May, 1867, when Rev. MILAN H. HITCHCOCK became acting pastor, besides taking charge of the High School in the Village. By his indefatigable efforts, the congregation was somewhat enlarged, and eleven were gathered into the Church, in 1867. Since the present year came in, five have been added, making sixteen, on profession.
The Deacons of this Church have been Richard Day, Abel Wilder, Moses Hale, Samuel Prentiss, Levi Moor, Amos Heywood, Israel Whi. ton, Desire Tolman, George Coffin, Samuel Prentiss, Jr, Reuben Hyde, Paul Raymond, John Cutter, Levi Prentiss, and George Cummings.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
2. THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN NEW BOSTON.
Searching for the origin of a Church is sometimes like looking for the source of a river in the mountain. You think it is found, when farther survey reveals a little stream which comes from a spring still higher. Dr. Whiton thought the Baptist Church was not organized previous to the settlement of Mr. Pillsbury in 1801. At that time, he says :
" The great mass of the people were still of the Congregational denomina- tion. A very few individuals were Methodists, and a very few Baptists ; but probably more than nine-tenths were Congregationalists. There had been a very little occasional Baptist preaching from a date perhaps as early as 1793, by Elder Moses Kinney of Royalston. At what time a Baptist Church was organized, I cannot state. It was probably subsequent to the ordination of Mr. Pillsbury."
Mr. Hyde, in 1848, said : " about fifty years ago." This is accor- ding to the fact. The first mention of Baptists in the Town Records, is under date of February 10, 1783, when there was an article in the warrant " to see if the town will vote to exempt those persons from pay- ing taxes to the settled minister in the Town, who attend Baptist or Friends meetings." The article was passed over, but came up again next March, when it was voted to " submit the article to the judgment of the Assessors." They probably laid no tax on the parties concerned. There was one man, Jeremiah Stuart, who sometimes claimed to be a Friend or Quaker. Whether the meetings which the Baptists attend- ed, were held in this town, or near the border, is not certain. If they went out of town to find a place of worship, they might have thought it unfair to be obliged to help support a service which they did not at- tend. The point was before the town again in March, 1800, when . money was to be raised for paying damages to Rev. Mr. Brown. " Those persons who were of the denomination of Baptists or Methodists" asked for exemption from tax to pay the bill. The matter was left with the Assessors, who, of course, declined the responsibility of laying the tax.
From the above citations it is a fair inference that there was Bap- tist preaching in this vicinity as early as 1783. It might have been sometimes in Royalston, and sometimes in Winchendon, or Templeton. The Church was composed of members belonging to these towns, and also Fitzwilliam. An effort was made to form a new town, by taking por- tions from three or four, as Winchendon, Royalston, Templeton, and
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
perhaps Phillipston, with New Boston as the centre, in 1794. This was always the centre of the Baptist Society. Meetings were held at the house of Mr. John Whitmore, in the edge of Royalston ; and sometimes in his barn. They were held also in the house of Mr. Thomas Wyman, just across the road from the late Mr. Silas Wyman's. The Church was finally organized in the house of Mr. Whitmore, in the year 1798. Among the preachers, were Messrs. Moses and Aaron Kinney, and Ephraim Whitney. Among the members, besides Mr. Whitmore, and perhaps Mr. Wyman, were John Bosworth and his wife, who was the first person born in this town, and Thornton Barrett. One of the ear- liest deacons was Asa Nourse, who lived about half way from the meet- ing-house to the Sibley mill. His house was the resort of the elders and brethren whenever the meetings were held in his neighborhood. In the words of his son, he had " entertained ministers and brethren enough to make a man rich if he had been paid." After meeting for several years, in private dwellings, they built a 'Society house' as it was called, about 1811. It was located where the meeting-house now stands, and was used for a school-house. The old building is now a dwelling- house, painted dull yellow, a little north of the house of Mr. Daniel Day, on the east of the road.
Elder Samuel Simonds was the first stated minister. He was from Templeton. His ordination took place, in the society house, in the fall of 1816. He was influential in securing the erection of the meet- ing-house in 1820. He died in 1837, aged 66. He had six children. viz : Stillman, Ephraim, Albert, Frederick, George and Mary. His wife's maiden name was Abbott. Mr. Simonds was held in respect by the people of the town generally. At the time of Mr. Pillsbury's death, there was a town meeting to make arrangements for the funeral, when he was requested to offer prayer, and by vote he was invited to attend the funeral with the Congregational clergy of the neighboring Churches. Under his ministrations the Baptist Church had a healthy growth. At times, there were special manifestations of the Spirit's power in the con- version of souls. His name is yet mentioned gratefully by survivors who were benefitted by his labors. After his decease, there was preach- ing by elder Brown. Elder Jones supplied the pulpit about two years. He was followed by Rev. Warren Cooper, who occupied the field two or three years, in 1840-2. From that date to 1849, Rev. Andrew Dunn was the Pastor. Besides attending to his pastoral duties with
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