USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dover > Narrative history : a history of Dover, Massachusetts, as a precinct, parish, district, and town > Part 11
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The council met at the house of Dr. George Caryl at nine o'clock A.M. The Rev. Joseph Haven, of Ded- ham, was chosen moderator ; the Rev. Morrell Allen, of Pembroke, scribe. The examination of the candidate was very satisfactory ; and they proceeded to the ordina- tion, parts having been assigned as follows : -
Introductory prayer, the Rev. James Flint; sermon, the Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D.D., subject, “ The Christian Minister an Am- bassador of Christ," and as text the words : " My son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ"; ordaining prayer, the Rev. John T. Kirkland, D.D., president of Harvard College; charge, the Rev. George Morey; right hand of fellowship, the Rev. Stephen Palmer ; concluding prayer, the Rev. Henry Ware, D.D.
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The audience was large, and the music was unusually fine. It was conducted by Dr. Lowell Mason, of Med- field, whose devotion to the improvement of church music as a life work is well known. Dr. Mason com- posed one of the tunes for this occasion. The choir consisted of trained singers whom Dr. Mason brought with him from Medfield.
Mr. Sanger, in his thirtieth anniversary sermon, thus speaks of his ordination : -
An ordination thirty years ago was by no means a common occurrence: As it was a rare, so it was deemed an important, event. It was considered a solemn public sanction of ties sacred, binding, lasting as life itself. There had not been an ordina- tion in this place for nearly fifty years. Nor had there been more than one or two in the immediate vicinity for many years preceding. A large ecclesiastical council was invited. Liberal invitations were seasonably and widely extended to all the neigh- boring and even some more distant towns.
No small expectations were excited. In the afternoon of the day preceding the ordination, arrived the most distant members of the council with their delegates, and as many of their families as they could conveniently bring. On the morning the sun rose in a cloudless sky, the harbinger of a bright autumnal day. Soon were seen the guests arriving in all parts of the town.
The council assembled early in the day, transacted in union and peace its business, repaired in the forenoon to the church, where a large multitude had convened, and there attended with order and propriety to the solemnities and services usual on such occasions.
The remainder of the day was spent in social intercourse and in partaking of the entertainment which had been most liberally provided. And not one, it is believed, of the large number assem- bled on that occasion was permitted to leave town without having first been a partaker of the hospitality generously furnished on that day.
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Mr. Sanger immediately became the pastor of the whole people, and for more than a quarter of a century was the only minister in town. He liberalized the church, and the next year after his settlement it was voted "to make the Scripture our only guide in the admission of members to this church." All the mem- bers of the church were with their pastor in taking this advanced step, and all continued to work in love and harmony.
While faithful in all the offices of the church, Mr. Sanger was also interested in whatever pertained to the moral, intellectual, and material welfare of his people. Soon after his settlement he commenced the work of fitting young men for college. He had for students not only the boys of Dover and surrounding towns, but others from abroad. He continued this work for many years, and thus kept in touch with the great work of education.
The cause of common-school education enlisted his sympathy, and he labored to build on broad foundations and to arouse among the people a lively interest in the subject. For more than forty years Mr. Sanger labored in this town in the cause of public-school education, always making prominent the elements of useful knowl- edge and giving such training as would enable the pupils to carry on the work of education still further, and become intelligent, well-informed members of society, who would be enabled " to read, study, examine, judge, decide, and act for themselves in all the impor- tant affairs of life." He looked to the instruction, and labored to improve the schools through the employment of better trained and educated teachers.
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He gave much time to the examination of candidates for the teacher's profession, and was instrumental in the introduction of the best approved text-books. Mr. Sanger attended many educational meetings at home and abroad held to raise the standard of common-school education. Through his efforts Dover was placed in the front rank in its appropriations for the support of public schools in Massachusetts. During the time of his administration the appropriation for the support of schools was increased a hundred fold. Highly prizing the common school as an institution, he labored to perfect and increase its efficiency, that the commu- nity might gain that intelligence which is conducive to the happiness of men and women.
He was an active leader in the organization of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, and was a member of the legislature which created it, and greatly rejoiced in its work. He recognized the importance of professional training, and labored for the establishment of State normal schools. It was a matter of pride to him that a normal school was located at Bridgewater, the home of his youth.
Whatever interested his people enlisted his sympathy. As the community was much engaged in agricultural pursuits, Mr. Sanger became extremely interested in the subject. He believed an advantage would accrue in the founding of an agricultural college, and labored earnestly for its establishment. His wisdom has been confirmed, and it is gratifying to know that the Massa- chusetts Agricultural College is the most popular of all with the young men of this town.
He was vice-president of the Norfolk Agricultural
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Society and for some years chairman of the committee on farms. He took a deep interest in this department ; for he believed " that improvement in agriculture tends to improvement in morals and religion ; that the better men are fed and clothed and housed, the more con- tented, virtuous, and happy they will ordinarily be; so that improvement in this pursuit tends to promote ulti- mately the highest interest of man."
During the first forty years of his residence here he made more than eight hundred visits to the schools, giving much attention to public examinations, and by the word fitly spoken helped many a timid child to efforts of self-control.
Mr. Sanger early saw the importance of supplement- ing the common school by the establishment of a public library. After his marriage, in 1817, he kept a circulat- ing library at his house, and for many years was the librarian. He selected the books with great care, and the list included many works of standard merit in his- tory, biography, and fiction. In 1842 the library con- sisted of seven hundred volumes. This library had a wide and lasting influence on the community, and its influence is felt to-day in the lives of the second genera- tion of readers. Later, school libraries were established in each school district. In the beloved work of educa- tion the lyceum was introduced by Mr. Sanger ; and from the platform Henry Wilson, John B. Gough, and other prominent men instructed the people.
At the time of his settlement the drink habit was strong among the people. Liquor was plentiful and cheap. The number who were strictly temperate was very small. Well-filled decanters were found in every
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house, and imbibing was frequent. The farmer took his " bitters " before breakfast, his "eleven o'clock " before dinner, and his "four o'clock " before supper, and several mugs of toddy before bedtime. A liberal supply of intoxicating drinks was furnished on all occa- sions, and was considered an important part of hospi- tality in friendly visits. Even the laborers in the field were given a daily allowance of liquor. When, in 1762, the parish voted to thank John Battle for generously entertaining the council at the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Caryl, the liquor furnished was no small part of Mr. Battle's expense.
New England rum was "on tap" in every grocery- store; and much of the poverty, crime, and pauperism of the time is traceable to this habit. Cider and New England rum, distilled from molasses, were the favorite drinks. Through this habit "sons of honored sires" became drunkards, and ancestral acres fell into strangers' hands.
While ministers were accustomed to use intoxicating drinks, they were among the first to recognize its evils and to take steps to correct the habit. Mr. Sanger was early convinced that the drink habit was a great detri- ment to his people, and became a member, in the year of its organization, of the Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance, which was organized at a meeting held at the State House in Boston, February 5, 1813. It may be true, as has been charged, that this society did little beyond observing its anniversary and the preaching of a sermon, after which preachers and hearers would retire to tables richly laden with wines for their refreshment and entertainment ; but,
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even so, it was not true of Mr. Sanger. He became a total abstainer from the start, and also refused to give liquor to those in his employ, as was the universal cus- tom. He lived to see a wonderful work accomplished in this reform, as the evils of intemperance prevailed to an alarming extent. Mr. Sanger thus spoke of the result of the work : -
It has produced a great change in the customs and habits of society. It has made multitudes sober and temperate, industri- ous and useful. Into many houses which were once the abodes of want and wretchedness and woe it has brought plenty, com- fort, and joy. The hearts of many wives and many children will forever bless God for the unspeakable good which they have received through the temperance cause.
As early as 1830 the construction of railroads had become quite common in Massachusetts. About this time the " Air Line" route between Boston and New York was surveyed to run through Dover. Believing it would add greatly to the prosperity of the town, Mr. Sanger labored earnestly for the gaining of a charter. Rufus Choate was counsel for the opposition. At one of the hearings Mr. Choate tried to draw Mr. Sanger out on the subject of the population of Dover ; but to all his questions he replied, " Not very numerous, Mr. Choate, not very numerous." In his address to the committee Mr. Choate referred to Dover "with its millions of population still unborn."
To aid in gaining a railroad charter, Mr. Sanger was elected to the General Court in 1837, and in subse- quent years several times returned. In 1838 he was elected chaplain of the Massachusetts Senate. In 1853
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he was chosen an agent of the town to aid in gaining from the legislature the extension of the Charles River railroad to Dover. As a member of the General Court he served upon the committees on education, public charitable institutions, and prisons ; and, although quiet and unassuming, he exerted a powerful influence and was highly esteemed by his fellow-members.
Mr. Sanger's settlement in 1812 was at a stormy period in American history. He was a strong Federal- ist, while the prevailing sentiment was anti-Federalist. In a short time there developed in the district a strong sentiment against him, which was purely political and had no theological significance. The difficulty arose in a misunderstanding and misconstruction of Mr. Sanger's language on the part of Joseph Richards, who claimed that Mr. Sanger intimated before his call to the district that he would not exercise the right of suffrage. At
this time ministers often refrained from voting. The Rev. Morrill Allen, a native of Dover, who was settled at Pembroke, Mass., in 1801, never attended a town meeting or voted, until dismissed from his pastorate. In 1816 Draper Smith and others petitioned the district for the removal of Mr. Sanger, and a committee was chosen to wait upon him and ascertain upon what terms he would retire.
It is related that when the committee called he was engaged in washing his chaise, and anticipating their errand he said : " Good-morning, gentlemen. I under- stand you desire me to leave town, so I thought I would have a clean chaise in which to ride out." His ex- treme politeness and good nature exceedingly embar- rassed the committee.
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Mr. Sanger addressed the following significant letter to the society, which was read in district-meeting :-
TO THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF WHICH THE SUBSCRIBER IS PASTOR :
My Christian Friends : - Your committee, consisting of Capt. Hezekiah Battle, Messrs. Josiah Draper, and John Brown, appointed by a vote of the society on the 4th inst., waited upon me on the 9th of the present month, stating that they were directed to inquire of me upon what terms I would consent that my pastoral relations with their society should be dissolved. I inquired of the committee whether they were instructed to acquaint me with the reasons why such a dissolution was requested. I replied that, when difficulties existed, it appeared highly proper that they should be distinctly stated, that then, if possible, they might be amicably adjusted. Although the com- mittee stated what they considered to be some of the difficulties, yet they did not feel themselves authorized to state them by virtue of power received from the society. I remarked to the gen- tlemen of the committee that, in case the society should desire to have a mutual ecclesiastical council, I would join the church most heartily in calling one. I do now repeat this assurance to the whole society. I will afford my most prompt exertions to have a mutual council, with this provision, however,-that a written communication or specific statement of all the articles of charge and complaint be made to me prior to its appointment. Wishing that grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied unto you, I sub- scribe myself your friend and pastor,
NOVEMBER 18, 1816.
This episode illustrates his tact and sense of humor. As there was no dissatisfaction in the church and no reason for calling an ecclesiastical council, the whole
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matter was dismissed by the district and never again brought up.
We believe there was one feature of this controversy which was among the pleasantest recollections of Mr. Sanger's life. During this time of strong excitement many members of the society expressed to him under their signatures assurance of their attachment and satis- faction with his ministry, and a strong desire to have it continued. They also pledged themselves to a full and
punctual payment of his salary. More than a quarter of a century afterwards Mr. Sanger bears testimony to the fact that not one member ever failed to fulfil his pledge.
During Mr. Sanger's pastorate the Church and State were entirely separated, and the parish became an inde- pendent organization, holding all the church property. Mr. Sanger belonged to the liberal wing of the Congre- gational Church ; but so great was his respect for the opinions of others that all who were members of the Congregational Association of Ministers when he joined in 1812 continued to fellowship and exchange pulpits with him, although some were what are now called " Orthodox."
There were conservative people in his church, some of whom did not agree with him in all his teachings, yet they so loved and revered him that they lived and died as members of his church. He held and carried the whole church with him; and, although an Evangelical Congregational Church was organized before the close of his ministry, only two members of the First Parish Church have withdrawn to join this organization.
In the forty-six years of Mr. Sanger's active ministry ninety-eight persons united with the church, one hun-
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dred and ninety-three were baptized, and there were one hundred and fifty-nine marriages and three hundred and fourteen deaths in the parish.
Mr. Sanger was eminently a peacemaker, and ever tried to heal dissensions and quiet disputes. He ends the record of a church meeting where he had brought charges against an erring brother with this benediction : May the God of peace dispose our hearts to peace, and may we live in peace one with another.
In the stormy days of 1816, when sorely tried by political opponents, he threatened to bring a suit in law if his life was spared. After the storm had blown over, failing to execute his threat, some of the people asked him how he justified such failure. He replied, " A bad promise is better broken than kept."
Mr. Sanger was ever true to his alma mater; and, in the forty-seven years of his life after graduation, he missed the exercises of Commencement only on one occasion. In 1857 Harvard University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
The house which Mr. Sanger built in 1817 and to which he brought his young bride - the house in which his six children were born, the home which had been for nearly half a century the center of every domestic virtue, of every elevating influence - was destroyed by fire on the morning of July 8, 1857.
Dr. Sanger remained for two months in the family of Mr. Benjamin Newell ; but, feeling the weight of years, he did not rebuild, and in the fall of the same year took up his residence with his family in the house of his son-in-law, Mr. William Gannett, in Cambridge, Mass., where on the 6th of May, 1860, he peacefully passed
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away. The morning following his death the Boston Daily Advertiser thus spoke of him :
Although firm in his religious sentiments as a Unitarian, he was charitable to all; and every one, of whatever denomination, esteemed him as a man of honest and sincere purpose, whose aim was to do good and to be good. Dr. Sanger was extensively known and universally respected for his mild, amiable disposition and his spotless integrity. We believe it may be truly said he was without an enemy. He labored with great fidelity and in perfect harmony with the people of his charge until his death, a period of forty-seven years and seven months.
In a notice of his death a friend writes in the Chris- tian Register : -
Dr. Sanger had a heart that held in its affection the true, the good, and the faithful of every communion. He believed that the spiritualities of the gospel flowed out upon all and sanctified all, however separated by diversities of form and utterance, who received and obeyed it as a Heaven-sent and life-giving messenger of truth and grace.
He worshipped God the Father, and sought spiritual commun- ion with him as the highest object of his homage, his trust, and his love. He honored Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the repre- sentation of the divine mind, as a messenger-and a blessed messenger -of peace, and power, and life to a world that needed his Heaven-sent benefaction. He believed, and rejoiced in believ- ing, that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, in its gracious influence to the soul that prayed for it, would be imparted in all-sufficient measure. To the interests of the farmer and to all industrial avocations that concerned the well-being and happiness of com- munities he gave his hearty encouragement and support. He felt that he was doing honor to himself when his time and talent were employed in behalf of the social, literary, and religious interest of his fellow-men. He was in sympathy with all his fellow-men. Were they happy, he was happy. Were they in
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sorrow, he was not insensible to their affliction. His ever-ready smile and friendly hand betokened the principles of life and con- duct that he cherished.
Dr. Sanger, in his learning, in his native wit, in his urbanity, in his devotion to the best interests of human- ity, in his labors for social elevation, in his fidelity to the church, in his helpfulness in the home, was a fine example of the old-time country minister. Dr. Sanger attended with great punctuality the Anniversary Meeting held in Boston during the last days of May. Here he drew in much inspiration from the public exercises and in intercourse with his fellow-ministers at home and abroad.
At the meeting of the Association, of which Dr. Sanger was a member, held in Boston on the twenty- ninth day of May, 1860, the Rev. Dr. Miles thus spoke of him : -
It seems as if we must meet him now, with his pleasant smile and hearty greeting and ready anecdote. Descended from a min- isterial family and heartily loving the ministerial profession, per- haps he was the best representative among us of the old-fashioned New England minister. Modern improvements may yield more learning and more eloquence, but fraternity, companionship, re- quire other things besides learning and eloquence ; and who of us, as his image now passes before our minds, does not wish we had more like him in his urbanity and kindness and demonstrative- ness of interest and affection welling up from a warm and loving heart ?
CHAPTER XIII.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
THE THIRD MINISTER - ORDINATION OF EDWARD BARKER, THE REV. GEORGE PROCTOR, THE REV. C. S. LOCKE, THE REV. EUGENE DE NORMANDIE, THE REV. G. H. BADGER, THE REV. OBED ELDRIDGE, THE REV. P. S. THACHER - FIRST SUNDAY-SCHOOL - PARISH LIBRARY - CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION - LADIES' BENEVOLENT So- CIETY - CHURCH DECORATION - EASTER.
O thou to whom in ancient time The lyre of prophet-bards was strung ! To thee, at last, in every clime, Shall temple rise and praise be sung. - JOHN PIERPONT.
At the time of the settlement of the third minister, in 1858, we may note the changes that had taken place in the religious thought and customs of the parish since its organization in 1749. A century before, on a Sunday morning, the men and boys would have been seen coming on foot from all directions to the common meeting-place. The women and girls, mounted on horseback, arrived a little later, and dismounted at the horse-block, which had been placed near at hand.
Inside the meeting-house the congregation gathered in an unheated room with bare walls, uncushioned seats, and an uncarpeted floor. In summer-time the stillness was broken by the neighing of horses tied to trees, as no horse-sheds had been built for their protection.
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The song of birds was heard without, while the congre- gation within united, without the aid of an organ, to
. " Chant their artless notes in simple guise."
The long sermon was usually doctrinal, and fre- quently dwelt upon infant damnation and perdition. It had no word of the fatherhood of God and the brother- hood of man. At noon the little congregation dispersed to the "noon house," where friendly greetings were exchanged ; and after a hasty lunch the men slipped round to the "tap room" of the tavern, where over a mug of flip they discussed the weather and their crops.
The third minister was invited to a church of approved architecture. The congregation arrived in their own carriages at the tolling of the bell, which had been rung an hour and a half earlier, inviting them to worship. The horses were cared for in a long row of sheds, which had been provided for them in the rear of the church. Within, the congregation was seated in comfortably cushioned pews. The building was well heated in winter; and in summer, by means of large windows and closed blinds, the atmosphere was tem- pered to the needs of the congregation. The services began with the reading of a hymn ; and, helped by the choir and the organ,
" They tuned their hearts,- by far the noblest aim."
And the preacher's voice, which had been heard there for nearly a half century, had led them out of theology into religion, and had built a more glorious church. That voice had never tired of telling of the loving- kindness and tender mercy of the great Father of us all.
INTERIOR FIRST PARISH CHURCH.
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In the lapse of time customs had changed. For many years marriage notices were "cried" by the town clerk, who, before the assembled congregation, an- nounced the names of the contracting parties. These notices were given three Sundays in succession before the marriage ceremony.
After a death near relatives sent a "note to the minister," which was read from the pulpit, asking the prayers of the congregation.
In the early years of his ministry, after pronouncing the benediction, Mr. Sanger left the pulpit, and, giving his arm to Mrs. Sanger, they walked down the aisle, bowing to the congregation as they passed, who re- mained standing until the minister and his wife had left the church.
The congregation then dispersed, those from the seats of " dignity " passing out first, while the " common people " were the last to leave their pews.
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