USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Pittsfield > Pittsfield, Mass., church and other records from manuscripts copied by Rollin Hillyer Cooke, Vol. II > Part 12
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reported the names of Sam'l D. Colt, Phinehas Allen, Amos Barns and Thos. Taylor and they were duly elected. Voted to adjourn to the third Wednesday of March next.
Attest Jas. Warriner - Scribe pro tem.
March 10. Church met by appointment at the Lecture room, and
Voted that the scribe serve Mrs. Clarissa Williams with a copy of the report of the committee on her case, and that she be cited to appear before the Church at its next meeting, to answer to the charges against her.
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Voted that Jas. Noble be cited to appear before the Church at the next meeting to answer to the charges against him.
P. 228
Voted that Thos Taylor be a committee to converse with Uriah Lathrop, on the subject of his absence from public worship in the Sanctuary & the ordinances of the Church. Voted that Nathan Merriam be a committee to converse with Thos. Mitchell, in regard to his absence from public worship in the Sanctuary, and from the ordinances of the Church.
W/m. S. Wells was also on this committee.
Voted, that Mrs. Eliza Bailey be cited by the scribe to appear before the church at its next meeting, to answer to the charges against her.
Voted that the scribe notify Jabez Colt that the church will receive his confession at its next meeting. Voted that Mr. Stoddard be a committee to converse with Allen Boothe & to endeavour to persuade him to return to duty.
Voted that Doct. Coleman be a committee to converse with Martin Brown in regard to the reasons for his ab- sence from public worship in the sanctuary & the ordinances of the Church.
Voted, that Deac. Goodman be a committee to enquire into the present habits of Horace Watkins, it being reported that he has been guilty of intemperance.
Voted, that Augustus Gold & Elijah Peck be a committee to converse with Calvin Gunn in regard to his neglect of Christian duty in several particulars.
Voted that Wm. S. Wells & W. S. Howard be a committee to enquire into the religious feelings & life of Schoval Merriam.
Voted, to adjourn to the first Tuesday of April next at 2 o'clock P. M. at the Lecture room.
Attest O. S. Root, Scribe.
P. 229
March. After the preparatory lecture before the com- munion the following confession was read.
To the Congregational Church in Pittsfield
Dear Brethren - It has become my duty to make public confession of my sins, which I have committed against God & this church with which I am connected. It is with shane & deep sorrow that I do now confess that I have wickedly departed from the Lord & brought reproach upon the cau. e I have covenanted to keep and honor.
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The particular sins that I would now confess are gambling - associating with evil company, and mingling in scenes of dissipation, which are contrary to the gospel. & incon- sistent with the christian character. A remembrance of my sins, the influence they have had upon my impenitent associates, and the grief they have caused my brethren & sisters of the Church, has given me much sorrow of heart, & has led me as I think to sincere penitence be- fore God.
Having, as I humbly hoped, obtained forgiveness of Him through the blood of Christ, I would now ask the for- giveness of my brethren & sisters of the Church, & de- sire that I may again be restored to your Christian watch & fellowship.
Earnestly desiring an interest in your prayers that I may have grace to walk according to the gospel of Christ & no more wound the Saviour in the house of his friends, I would subscribe myself your erring brother.
Almon Jones,
A true copy. Attest O. S. Root, Scribe.
P. 230 April 7. Church held its Annual Meeting at the Lecture room, and
Voted, that Jabez Peck, Thos. Taylor, & Phinehas Allen,
be a committee of overture for the ensuing year .
Voted that Phinehas Allen be Treasurer.
Voted that O. S. Root be Scribe.
Case of Mrs. C. Williams considered & voted to suspend further proceedings for the present.
Case of Jas. Noble as he was out of town, voted to suspend further proceedings in relation to him for the present
Case of Uriah Lathrop, left in the hands of the committee. Case of Thos. Mitchell left in the hands of the com- mittee.
Case of Eliza Bailey continued to the next meeting of the church for business.
Jabez Colt was present & consented to subscribe to and renew the confession of Jan. 1840, except that part of it referring to abstinence from all intoxicating drinks. Thereupon, voted to restore him the privilege of the Sacrament .
Voted that Allen Boothe, Calvin Gunn & Schoval Merriam be left in the hands of the same committee (See records of last meeting. )
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Voted to adjourn to Ist Tuesday in May next.
Attest O. S. Root Scribe.
P. 231 Sept. 1. Church met at the Lecture room by appoint- ment.
Voted that O. S. Root be added to the committee on the case of Thos Mitchell & they report at the next meeting for business.
Voted that Jabez Peck be added to the committee in the case of Allen Boothe.
Voted that the committee in the case of Calvin Gunn be instructed to bring in a written report at the next meeting.
Voted that committee in the case of Schoval Merriam be instructed to bring in a written report at next meeting. Voted that Phinehas Allen, H. H. Childs & N. S. Dodge be a committee toraise money to pay the expenses of the Lecture room.
Voted to adjourn to Friday next, the 5th inst. at the close of lecture.
Attest, O. S. Root, Scribe.
Sept. 5. According to adjournment at the church a meet- ing for business was held, and
Voted to defer further action in the case of Allen Boothe for one month.
P. 232
Voted that Thos. Mitchell be cited on the following re- port of the committee to appear before the church at the next meeting.
Pittsfield, Sept. 5, 1840.
To the Church of Christ in Pittsfield
The undersigned committee in the case of Thos Mit- chell, have repeatedly conversed with him in regard to the complaints against, viz. absenting himself from public worship on the Sabbath & from the Lord's supper & that he manifested no disposition to return to duty. We there- fore recommend to the church to take such farther steps with him as the Gospel requires.
N. Merriam Wm. S. Wells O. S. Root
Voted that the committee in the case of Calvin Gunn be instructed to hand to the Scribe a written report, & that he be cited thereupon to appear before the church at its next meeting to answer to the chorges therein contained, Committee in the of se of Schoval Merriam made the follow-
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ing report whereupon it was Voted, that the scribe cite him to appear before the church at its next meeting for business.
Pittsfield, Sept. 5, 1840.
To the Church of Christ in Pittsfield.
P. 233
Your committee have conversed with Schoval Merriam in regard to his absenting himself from public worship on the Sabbath & from the Lord's Supper & that he mani- fests no disposition to return to duty. We therefore recommend to the church to such farther steps with him as the Gospel requires.
Wm. S. Wells. W. S. Howard.
Voted that Doct. Childs be added to the committee in the case of Uriah Lathrop & that they have farther conversa- tion with him,
Voted that P. Allen, T. B. Strong, & O. S. Root be a com- mittee to take care of the Lecture room for the ensuing year .
Voted to adjourn to two weeks from next Monday, at 3 o'clock P. M.
Attest - O. S. Root, Scribe.
1841
Aug. 25. The Church met by appointment from the desk
at the Lecture room. Desc. Goodman was chosen Moderator, who opened the meeting with prayer.
(error )
Voted that the Deacons of the Church, together with Mr. Martin, Mr. Marsh, Dr. Childs, Dr. Root, and Mr. I. Clapp be a committee to confer with our pastor and see if he cannot be induced to withdraw his request before the Church.
Voted to adjourn to Saturday next at three o'clock, P. M.
Attest O. S. Root, Scribe.
P. 234
Aug. 25. The Church met by appointment from the desk at the Lecture room. Deac. Goodman was chosen moderator who opened the meeting by prayer; when the following com- munication from our pastor was read.
To the officers and members of the Congregational Church Brethren,
I have made a full expression of my views on the last Sabbath which renders it unnecessary for me to go into the detail of the reasons for making the request which I now offer . I will only state that for a long time I have been persuaded I Could not continue to perform
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as I ought and would wish to, the duties of my present relation to you; and now as an opening is pointed out for a change in my sphere of labor, I feel it to be my duty, to ask as I now do that my connection with this church as its pastor be dissolved, and that you will take the proper measures, to accomplish this object. In the bonds of Christian love, I am your friend and pastor .
H. N. Brinsmade.
To Dr. O. S. Root, Clerk of the Church.
Whereupon it was voted that the Deacons, together with Mr. Martin, Mr. Marsh, Dr. Childs, Dr. Root and Mr. I. Clapp be a committee to confer with our pastor, and see if he can be induced to withdraw his request. Voted to adjourn to Saturday next at three o'clock P. M. then to meet at this place.
O. S. Root Scribe
P. 235 Aug. 28. Church met according to adjournment, and the following communication from our pastor, in reply to the committee on him was rec'd and read.
To Messrs Martin, Marsh, Allen, Clapp, Goodman, Fenn and Root, Committee of the Church.
Dear Brethren,
I have thought much of the consideration which you suggested the other evening, and am truly gratified for the expressions of kindness and sympathy from yourselves individually, and on the part of the church.
I trust I shall never be insensible to the generosity of this church in their forbearance, and all their offers of relief and aid - and I should very unhappy to think that their welfare would suffer by any act of mine. Many of the suggestions which you made, have much weight, and it is not that I feel no desire to meet the wishes so kindly expressed that I say it still appears to me best that my request be granted and I think it will be best for this people to enjoy the ministrations of one of more vigor, and who will devote himself to the work here with a new ardor. And though I might derive some benefit from a temporary release, still I could not
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P. 236
cease to feel an anxiety for you, and it would in all probability be found that your interests would suffer in the meantime. In view of the whole subject as it lies before my mind, & has already come before the public, I do not feel as though I ought to withdraw my request made at your last meeting. Though I was for a moment led to waver in my purpose by your reason- ing, and wished to consider the subject candidly; I think that serious reflection confirms the opinions I have already expressed.
That God may give you wisdom, and impart his bless- ing to you richly, now and at all times, is the fervent prayer of your friend and pastor. ,
H. N. Brinsmade
Pittsfield Aug. 28, 1841
Whereupon the following resolution was adopted.
Whereas the Rev. H. N. Brinsmade on the 23rd inst. made his communication to the church signifying his wish to be dismissed from his pastoral care and charge, and thereupon the Church appointed a committee to wait on the pastor, and learn more particularly his views and feelings in relation to the subject of his communication to the church - and the pastor has this day made another communication in which he feels it still his duty to ask for a dismission, as being conducive to the Spiritu- al interests of all concerned - Whereupon the church pass the following Resolutions -
Resolved - that we will unite with the Rev. H. N. Brins- made in calling a mutual council to dissolve the con- nection that now exists between him as pastor of this church, provided the parish concur therein.
Resolved that Mr. Martin, Deac. Goodman & Dr. Childs be a committee on the part of the church to carry into effect the above vote.
Voted to dissolve this meeting.
Attest O. S. Root, Scribe.
P. 237 Dec. 21. Church met by appointment at the Meeting house. Meeting was called to order by the Scribe. Calvin Martin was chosen chairman - Dr. Colman opened the meet- ing by prayer. After some communications had been read in relation to the Rev. Jon. Todd it was
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Voted that we invite the Rev. Jno. Todd to become the Pastor of this Church, provided the Parish unite with us in this invitation.
Voted that Calvin Martin, Phinehas Allen, & Dr. Childs be a committee of the church to act with the Parish, to carry the above vote into effect, if the invitation be accented.
Voted that this meeting be dissolved.
Attest O. S. Root, Scribe.
P. 238 Blank
1844
P. 239 Jan. 12. Church held a meeting by appointment from the desk.
. Meeting opened with prayer by the pastor.
Enquiries in relations to reports from committees were made.
No written reports were made Voted that Calvin Martin, T. A. Gold & Amos Barns be a committee to solicit and obtain subscriptions to
liquidate the debts of the church, and to report at the next meeting of the Church.
Voted that Deac. Allen be the Treasurer of the church for the year ensuing.
Voted that Deac. Allen, Thos. Taylor & Deac. Fenn be the prudential committee for the year .
Voted that Jas. Warriner be Scribe for the year ensuing. Voted that in addition to the present standing rules of the church, the Treasurer and Scribe Shall be chosen at the Annual meeting.
Voted. to adjourn sine Die.
A true copy . 4 Attest. O. S. Root, Scribe.
P. 240 & 241 Blank.
1845
P. 242 May 21. At the annual meeting for business of the first Congregational Church, P. L. Page was chosen Scribe pro tem. Voted, that Charles Benjamin be Scribe for the coming year .
Voted that Deacons Fenn, Goodman & Allen be a Com. of Overtures.
Voted that Dea. Allen be Treasurer.
Voted that Deacons Goodman & Fenn be a committee to set- tle with the Treasurer for the past year.
Voted that Rev. Mr. Todd, Deacs. Goodman & Fenn be a Prudential Committee.
Voted that the Treasurer be required at the next annual meeting to monitor an naamint of all monata rannivel &
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Voted that the articles Faith, Covenant & certain portions of the bye laws of the church be printed.
Voted that one thousand copies be printed & that Rev. Mr. Todd & Mr. Martin be a committee to select such portions of the byo laws as they may think proper to be printed with the articles of faith & covenant . Voted that Messrs. Hinsdale, Pierce & P. L. Page be a committee of publication & also to ascertain the names of the members of the church & to appoint sub committees for this purpose & for the sale of the above publications in the different districts.
Committee for making inquiries about building a Lecture room reported that the expense would probably be about fifteen hundred dollars.
Voted that Jason Clapp, Elijah Peck, Dan'l P. Merriam, C. T. Fenn & Amos Barns be a committee for building a
Lecture room. Said committee are to build the Lecture Room on the ground granted by the Town for the purpose. They are to act according to their own discretion & are expected to proceed to the business as soon as they can obtain the necessary funds.
Adjourned sine die.
1846
P. L. Page, Scribe pro tem.
P. 243
May 20. The annual meeting of the Church for business was held at the Lecture Room according to appointment &: P. L. Page chosen Scribe pro tem.
Voted that Deas. Fenn & Goodman be a committee to settle with the Treasurer & report at our next monthly meeting. Voted that Theodore Hinsdale, Dr. Pierce & P. L. Page be a committee of publication & to ascertain the names of the members of this church.
Voted, that Dr. Todd & Calvin Martin be a committee to select matter for the publishing committee.
The report of the prudential committee was then read & accepted.
Voted that Deas. Goodman, Fenn & Allen be a committee of Overtures.
Voted that Dr. Todd, Deas. Fenn & Allen be a Prudential committee.
Voted that Dea. Allen be Treasurer & report at our next annual meeting the receipts & disbursements of the charities of this church.
Voted that the church accept Bible presented to them by Mr. Walker Tracy for the use of the new Lecture Room & return their thanks for the same.
Voted that P. L. Page be Scribe.
Voted that the subject of the change of Psalm Books be
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indefinitely postponed . Adjourned to the third Wednesday in June next.
P. L. Page Scribe pro tem.
P. 244 June 17. Church met according to ad journment , The committee appointed to settle with the Treasurer made a full and satisfactory report, which was ac- cepted & ordered to be placed on file. Voted that the debt of Lemuel Pomeroy against the Church be paid out of the funds now in the hands of the Treasurer.
Voted that the Church return their thanks to Dea. Allen for the faithful & accurate manner in which he has kept the accounts of the church since he has been Treasurer .
Attest P. L. Page Scribe.
1847
May 19. At the annual meeting of the church for business
Voted that Walter Tracy, Dea. Fenn, P. L. Page & J. H. Dunham be a committee of publication & to ascertain the names of the members of the church.
Voted that this meeting be adjourned to the third
Wednesday of June next.
P. L. Page, Scribe.
June 16. Church met according to adjournment.
The report of the Treasurer was read & accepted & ordered to be put on file.
Voted that Dr. Todd & Calvin Martin be a committee for selecting matter for publication.
Voted that Deas. Goodman, Fenn & Allen be a committee of Overtures.
Voted that Dr. Todd, Deas. Fenn & Allen be a prudential committee.
Voted that Dea. Allen be treasurer.
Voted that P. L. Page be Scribe.
Voted that this meeting be dissolved.
P. L. Page Scribe.
1848
P. 245 May 24. The annual meeting of the church for business was held at the Lecture Room.
Walter Laflin was chosen Scribe Pro Tem.
The report of the Treasurer was read & accepted & to be placed on file.
Deacon Phinehas Allen was chosen Treasurer.
Deacons Allen, Fenn & Thomas Taylor were chosen committee of overtures.
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Rev. Dr. Todd, Deacons Allen & Fenn were chosen a Pruden- tial committee.
P. L. Page was chosen Scribe.
Voted that the Rev. John Todd, C. Martin & Theodore
Hinsdale, Esq. be a committee of Publication - the names of members & Bye Laws.
Voted that the committee appointed to ascertain the names of the members that have heretofore & at this time heen united with this church & report to the Publishing com- mittee by the 10th of June at the expense of the Church. Voted that we ought to proceed to the election of one or more deacons next Wednesday.
Adjourned to meet at this place next Wednesday at 4 O'clock P. M.
Attest Walter Laflin Scribe P.T.
P. 246 May 31. Church met according to adjournment & chose Thomas Taylor, deacon.
Voted that blanks be printed at the expense of the church, to be used on the dismission of its members & recommenda- tion to other churches. Ad journed .
P. L. Page Scribe. 1849
May 16. The annual meeting of the church for business was held at the Lecture Room.
Voted that O. S. Root be Scribe pro tem.
Voted that Deacons Allen, Fenn, Taylor, Colt & Jas. H.
Dunham be a committee of Overtures.
Voted that Dr. Todd & deacon Taylor be a prudential com- mittee.
Voted that P. L. Page be Scribe for the ensuing year.
Voted that Deacon Allen be Treasurer.
Voted that this meeting be dissolved.
O. S. Root, Scribe Pro tem.
1850
P. 247 June 26. The first Congregational Church held it's annu- al meeting at the Lecture Room.
Voted that O. S. Root be Scribe pro tem.
The Treasurer's report was read in gross & accepted by vote.
Voted that M. H. Baldwin, Jason Clapp & Jabez be a com- mittee to devise ways & means to pay the debts of the church for the articles of faith & covenant.
Voted that Dea. Allen be treasurer.
Voted that P. L. Page be Scribe.
Voted that Deacons Allen, Fenn, Taylor, Colt & Jas. H. Dunham be a committee of Overtures.
1850
Nov. 22. Meeting of the 1st Congregational Church called at the Lecture Room at 2 P.M.
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Voted to choose three Deacons.
Nominating committee selected by the chair who reported names of Henry H. Childs, Henry G. Davis & Charles C. Hulbert who were chosen.
Voted that E. Werden be Scribe.
1851
P. 248 May 21. The Annual meeting of the Ist Congregational Church held at the Lecture Room.
Voted that H. G. Davis, Walter Laflin & Samuel Hall be a Committee of Overtures.
Voted that Dea. Allen be Treasurer.
Voted that E. Werden be Scribe.
Voted that F. W. Peas & James Warner be a spetial comitee to see that some efficient person is present to lead in singing in evening meeting. Voted that the officers of the church attend to the wants of the poor of the church.
Voted that the meeting be desolved.
1851
July 3. At an adjourned meeting of the church the report of the Treasurer was read and accepted.
Voted that the treasurer of the church be authorized to print some blank forms to be used for the dismissal of members of the church.
Voted that the meeting be desolved.
1852
March 24. At a meeting of the Ist Congregational Church persuant to adjournment .
Voted to chuse two Deacons in persuance thereof.
G. C. Burnap & F. W. Pease were chosen.
Voted to adjourn to the next communion meeting.
1853
P. 249 May 19. At the annual meeting of the church held at the lecture room, Rev. Dr. Todd in the chair. The clerk of the church being absent H. G. Davis was chosen clerk pro tem.
The report of the treasurer was called for. Phe Allen, the treasurer read a report for two years which was ac- cepted by vote of the meeting.
Voted that Rev. Dr. Todd, Dea. Phe Allen and G. C. Burnap be a committee to take up the subject of procuring a new selection of Psalms and Hymns for public worship and re- port at a future meeting.
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Voted that Phe Allen be requested to procure a silver spoon to be used when necessary in connection with the communion service.
Voted that Phe Allen be treasurer for the year ensuing. Voted that W. M. Root be clerk of the church for the ensuing year.
P. 250
The subject of church discipline was then taken up and discussed and a complaint to the church having been made against Mr. Oliver Brown, Mr. Frederick A. willis, Mr. Allen Booth, Mrs. Eliza Bailey, members of this church for unchristian life, and breach of covenant en- gagements by absenting themselves from public worship and the communion of the church. Mr. Thos. A. Gold,
Dea. Phe Allen and F. w. Pease were chosen a committee to visit those individuals to labor with them as
' Christian brethren to endeavour to bring them to con- fess their errors and return to their covenant promises and said committee to report the result of their efforts in each case at a meeting of the church hereafter holden. Voted that this meeting adjourn to meet at the close of the preparatory lecture to be holden previous to the next communion season of this church.
Attest W. II. Root, Clerk of the Church.
1853
P. 251 June 27. At a meeting of the first Congregational Church held at the lecture room. Rev. Dr. Todd in the chair.
Voted that wherens Mrs. Martha N. Baldwin has applied for a letter of dismission and recommendation to the first church in New Haven, and whereas there has been, and are, rumors which if true, would utterly destroy all confidence in her christian character, therefore Voted. that a committee of three be raised, whose duty it shall be, to investigate the whole case, to bring before the church statements of facts, so far as pos- sible, and to recommend a course of action for this church to take in the matter.
Voted that Rev. Heman Humphrey, Dr. Henry H. Childs and James Warriner be appointed as such committee. The committee previously raised to sellect salms and Hymns to be used by this church reported in favor of Watts
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and select Hymns which report was accepted by vote of the meeting.
Voted that Deacon Pe Allen be requested to procure the Hymn books.
Attest W. M. Root, Clerk of the Church
P. 252 July 8. Church met according to adjournment. The committee previously raised on the case of Oliver Brown, Mr. F. A. Willis, Allen Booth & Mrs. Eliza Bailey reported in each case the result of their labor, which report was accepted by the meeting.
Voted Whereas a complaint presented to this church against Mr. Frederick A. Willis a committee was appoint- ed to wait on him and to endeavour to persuade him to return to christian duty and walk, and whereas the said committee met him repeatedly and tried to win him back, and in reply to which he declined conversation and re- turned a short and decided note of rejection of all fur- ther communication, thereby setting the authority of the church at defiance, contrary to his express covenant, therefore resolved that the clerk be directed to com- municate to him the unanimous vote of the church which is as follows, viz:
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