USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Pittsfield > Pittsfield, Mass., church and other records from manuscripts copied by Rollin Hillyer Cooke, Vol. II > Part 9
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Voted, that Dea.Bissell be added to Dea.Chapman on the committee
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FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD. VOL. 11
1825
to converse with Br. Peter Adams & wife for absenting them- selves from public worship & communion & report to the church. Voted, that Br. Martin be a committee to settle with the Treasurer of this church & report the state of the funds. Voted to dissolve this meeting.
Attest -- R. W. Bailey Pastor
Aug. 31. At a church meeting regularly warned & held this day at the Lecture room, the committee appointed on the 18th of May last to settle with the Treasurer of this church & report the state of the funds, made a report, which was read accepted & put on file. At this meeting Jno. C. Williams Eso., resigned the office of Treasurer of this church.
The meeting then voted that Dea. Vivus Osborn be Treasurer of this church.
Vote that Dea. Bissell be a committee to enquire into the reports unfavorable to the moral & christian character of Benjamin Squier a member of this church & report to the church.
Voted, to postpone the further consideration of Br. Jona. Day's communication to the church to the next church meeting. Voted to adjourn this meeting to the fifth of Sent. next at three o'clock P.M. of said day.
Attest Caleb Martin, Scribe.
Sept. 5. The church met agreeable to adjournment. The subject of Jonathan Day's communication being again taken into consideration.
P. 166
Voted, that Br. Jona. Day's communication be accepted as a expression of penitence for the offence therein set forth. Voted, that Bro. Day's communication so much thereof as describes the offence & expresses his penitence be read before the church congregation at a proper time.
At this meeting Dea Osborn declined accepting the office of Treasurer.
Voted to proceed to the choice of a Treasurer by ballot. On counting the votes it appeared that Calvin Martin was elected Mr. Martin being present declined accepting the trust Voted to dissolve the meeting.
Attest Calvin Martin, Scribe
Sept. 12. At a church meeting regularly warned & held this
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FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD, VOL. 11
1825
day at the meeting house.
Voted that Henry C Brown Esq. , be Treasurer of the church. Voted that our late Treasurer Jno. C. Williams Esq., cay over to Henry C. Brown, the present Treasurer, the balance in his hands belonging to the church, being $154.54, and said. Brown's receipt shall be Mr. Williams, discharge.
Voted that Henry C. Brown give bond to the Deacons of this church for the faithful discharge of his duty as Treasurer.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at the last church meeting on the subject of Br. Day's confession being read before the church and congregation.
Voted that Br. Day's confession be accepted & placed on file, and that a letter of recommendation be granted agreeable to his request.
Voted, to accept the report of the committee in case of Benjamin Squires and that the same be filed.
Voted that the report of the committee in case of Eliza Frentis be accepted & placed on file.
Voted that the Deacons of the church be a committee to procure another.
Tankard for the communion table if they should deem it expedient.
Voted to dissolve the meeting.
Attest Calvin Martin, Scribe.
1826
P. 167 Sept. 20. At a church meeting regularly warned & held this day at the Lecture Room, on motion it was
Voted that a committee be appointed to enquire into the truth or falsehood of certain reports unfavorable to the christian character of brother Ira Weston & which are of public notoriety.
Voted that Brother Des. Osborn, Thaddeus Clapp & Nathan Merriam constitute this committee.
Boted to dissolve this meeting.
Attest R. W. Bailey, Pastor.
Voted that the report of the committee in case of Ira Weston be accepted & placed on file.
1827
Sept. 10 At a meeting of the church convened at the Meeting house, by previous notice.
Voted that Rev. Eliakim Thelps be chosen Moderator Pro tem Voted that Dea. Vivus Osborn be chosen Scribe.
A communication from the Rev. Rufus W. Bailey was received & read requesting a dissolution of his pastoral connexion with
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1827
this church & people, whereupon
Voted, that Jonathan Allen, Esq., Dea. Daniel Crofoot & Dea. Vivus Osborn be a committee to confer with a committee of the Parish & to agree with the Rev. Mr. . Bailey in the selection of an ecclesiastical Council
for the purpose above specified.
Attest Vivus Osborn, Scribe.
Rev. R. W. Bailey's Communication
Pittsfield, Sept. 18, 1827
To the Congregational Church in Pittsfield.
Brethren,
The afflictive Providence which has suspend- ed my Ministerial labors among you for the past year, has from the beginning, presented a question of duty, both to you & to me of a new & important character. From the beginning of my sickness, I have considered it doubtful whether I should ever be able to serve you again as an active Pastor. I have, therefore,
P. 168 been always careful to express without reserve my willingness to sacrifice my own feelings & interest whenever the cause in which I am engaged should re- quire my removal from this responsible & important station as a Minister.
Encouraged no doubt, & justi- fied by these expressions of my own feelings, several of my friends, a few months ago, expressed to me their apprehensions, that my dismission might, at that time, be required by the state of my health, & the inter- ests of the Parish.
This led me to request a meet- ing of such gentlemen in the Parish as could be con- veniently informed & assembled when on the eve of my departure on my late journey. To them I again stated my perfect willingness to cooperate, with the church & Parish in any measures on the subject which might be thought best. By these gentlemen & several others whom I consulted & from whom I suppose I learnt the public sentiments, I was advised to prosecute my con- templated journey before any other course of duty, should be decided on or pursued . From this journey I have recently returned with an improved state of health, but by no means competent to the prosecution of my studies & Pastoral labors. It has become finally evident to my own mind that I shall be obliged to spend the approaching cold season in a warmer latitude, & that I can hardly hope to be able
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RECORDS OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD. VOL II
to renew the labors of this Parish in less than six months or a year . Added to this is the uncertainty whether I may ever be able to do justice to a field of labor so extended as this. Although I feel greatly encouraged that I may eventually regain a degree of health to labor in some employment with usefulness to myself or others. Under these circum- stances & considerations, believing that the im- portant interests of this religious community will suffer by my longer continuance as their Minister & supposing that the same conviction must prevail in the minds of my brethren, & acting according to what I suppose to be the indications of Providence, & the will of the great head of the Church. I now offer my resignation as Pastor of this Church & ask you to unite with me in calling a mutual council in the usu- al ecclesiastical order to assemble at a convenient time to deliberate & act on the subject of this com- munication. A duplicate of this communication I have addressed to the Clerk of the Parish that they may have an opportunity to express themselves on the subject & bear a similar responsibility in this transaction as they did in my call & Installation.
P. 169
Committing you in my prayers to the great head of the church, & asking yours in return for myself.
I remain still your affectionate Pastor,
R. W. Bailey.
A true copy. Attest Vivus Osborn, Scribe.
Result of the Council & Dismission of Mr. Bailey
In consequence of letters missive from the Rev. Rufus W. Bailey & the church & Society under his care, a Council was convened at the house of Messrs. Russell in Pittsfield on Sept. 27, 1827, for the purpose of considering the propriety of dismissing the Pastoral relation between Rev. Mr. Bailey & sd church & Society, a request in consequence of ill health having been made for this purpose, by him, & acceded to by them. The Council was composed of the following Pastors and Delegates.
Church
Pastor
Delegate
Lee Rev. Alvan Hyde, D.D.
Dea. Josiah Spencer
Lenox = Sam'l Shepard , D. D. 11 Gurdon Hollister
Dalton = Ebenezer Jennings
Varnum Holden
Richmond 11 Edwin W. Dwight
Lanesborough
Rev. Henry B. Hooker
7
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RECORD OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD, VOL. II
1827
The council was organized by choosing Rev. Alvan Hyde D. D. Moderator, & Rev. Henry B. Hooker Scribe. The Council having proceeded to the Meeting house, was opened by prayer by the Moderator. A communication from the Rev. Mr. Bailey to the church was read, re- questing in consequence of his ill health a dismission from his Pastoral relation he had sustained to them. A reply to this communication was also read, according to his wish to unite with him in calling a Council for the purpose of his dismission. A similar communica-
P. 170
tion was also made to the Society, by Mr. Bailey, the answer to which was also read, expressive of the sym- pathy the Society felt with his health & of their sense of obligations to him for his faithful labors among them. They also voted to
him in the failure of concur with the Church in calling a council for his dismission. These papers having been exhibited, the council voted to adjourn to the house of Messrs. Russells for consultation. The Council having re- tired for deliberation & having examined the papers present came to the following unanimous result.
Voted, that in view of the papers submitted, it is in the opinion of this Council expedient that the pastor- al relation between Mr. Bailey & this church & Society be dissolved, & that this relation is hereby dissolved.
Voted, that while it is painful to this council to be the organ of dissolving this relation they rejoice in finding that no other than sentiments of the utmost cordiality & affection exist in the minds of the church & Society toward Mr. Bailey, & they cheerfully give this public testimony to the ability & faithful- ness, which he has manifested in the work of the ministry, & cordially recommend him to the churches as a brother in whose ability & devotedness to the cause of Christ, they have the fullest confidence, & whose whole character as a Minister of Christ gives promise of much usefulness, wherever God in his providence may call him to labor.
While this Council greatly regret, that the providence of God has called for the dissolution of the union be- tween this church & Society & their P.stor, they re- joice in their knowledge of the kindness & sympathy which this people have expressed toward him during his continuance among them & especially during his pro- tracted ill health. And they express the hope that he
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RECORD OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD, VOL. II
P. 171 who now no longer sustains the interesting relation of Pastor to them, will still be the object of their affectionate sympathies & prayers; & that the Church & Society will now deeply feel the importance of seek- ing as speedily as the providence of God may open the way, on, who shall again take the Pastoral oversight of them, to preach to them "on the word of truth" & "to break to them the bread of life".
And we commend this church & society & their re- cent Pastor, to the grace & blessing of the great head of the church, praying that on them all, may be confered the blessing of those "who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God."
Passed unanimously.
Alvan Hyde Moderator
Attest Henry B. Hooker, Scribe
A true copy. Attest - Vivus Osborn, Scribe
1828
Jan. 11 Eliakim Phelps was chosen Moderator.
Robert Spencer restored to fellowship with this church upon Mr. Wisner's letter, on file, & a confession read before the church sometime ago, nowlost, in which the sd Spencer expressed deep repentance & sorrow for his sin.
March 12. At a church meeting regularly warned & held this day at the Lecture room.
Voted that Deacons Josiah Bissell, Vivus Osborn & Daniel Crofoot be chosen a committee of overtures.
Voted that Sam'l D. Colt, Thomas B. Strong & Calvin Martin be a committee to draw money from the church funds to pay the deficiency for painting outside of the Lecture room & whitewashing the inside.
Voted to pay Deacon Bissell for taking care of Lecture room in 1823.
P. 172 March 12. Voted that a special contribution be called For on the next communion to defray the expenses of the Lecture room.
May 28. At a church meeting regularly warned & held at the Lecture room this day. Voted that Gamaliel Bolton be cited to appear before the church to answer to the following charges, brought against him h
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RECORD*OF FIRST. CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD Vol. II
1828
Ist. Neglecting to attend on communion seasons.
2nd . Making use of profane language.
3rd . Neglecting family prayers.
4th .. Making too free use of ardent spirits.
Aug. 4. At a Church meeting legally notified & held at the Lecture room. Voted unanimously to give Henry P. Tappen a call to settle with us in the work of the Gospel Ministry.
Voted, that the Rev. Eliakin Phelps, Joseph Merrick, & Doct. Henry H. Childs be a communicate the doings of the church to the Parish.
Voted to adjourn this meeting till after the Parish meet- ing. Ang. 26. At a church meeting legally notified & held at the Lecture room
Voted to choose a Council to settle Henry P. Tappin.
Voted to choose a committee of five to unite with a com- mittee of the Parish in the settlement of Henry P. Tappen. The following persons were chosen - Deacons Josiah Bissell, Daniel Crofoot, Vivus Osborn, Doct. Coleman, Henry C. Brown.
Henry C. Brown & Vivus Osborn were excused from this com- mittee & Mr. Reed & Sam'l D. Colt were chosen to fill their place.
Voted to observe Wednesday on the week previous to the ordination as a day of fasting & prayer. Voted that this meeting be dissolved.
Attest Vivus · Osborn Scribe.
P. 173 Sept. 4. At a church meeting held at the Meeting house Camaliel Bolton appeared before the Church & acknowledged himself guilty of the charges brought against him by Dea. Josiah Bissell, thereupon the Church voted to sus- pend him from their communion for a season, on trial.
Dec. 1. At a church meeting regularly warned & held at the Lecture room. Voted that the subject of a new Flagon & cups be at the discretion of the Deacons. Voted, that Deacons Josiah Bissell, Vivus Osborn & Charles Goodrich be excused from serving as Deacons up- on their own request.
Voted that Joseph Merrick, Ebenezer Burt & Curtis T. Fenn be chosen Deacons of this church. Voted that this meeting be adjourned to the third Wednes- day of this month to meet at this place.
Dec. 17. At an adjourned meeting of the Church, held at the Lecture room. Curtis T. Fenn declined the accept- ance of the appointment made by the church of a Deacon,
LY
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RECORD OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
1828
whereupon
Voted that Josiah Bissell be chosen Deacon.
Voted to adjourn this meeting to Wednesday next.
Dec. 24. At an adjourned meeting of the Church held at the Lecture room. Voted to accept of the report of the committee in case of Charles Brewster & place the same on the files.
Voted that Vivus Osborn, Samuel A. Danforth & James Reed be chosen a committee to hold farther conversation with Charles Brewster on the subject of his leaving the house of worship & the communion.
Voted, that the Deacons pay Mr. Clark from the Church funds the rearages for keeping Mrs. Eunice Burt & also that they pay him twenty five cents pr week for keeping her until this vote shall be reconsidered by the church. Voted, that the Deacons pay Charles Goodrich from the Church funds thirteen dollars for the Stove now used in the Lecture room.
P. 174
Voted that the Deacons elect be inducted into office by prayer & laying on of hands on the next preparatory lecture day.
Dec. 26. At a meeting of the church held at the Lecture room, Joseph Merrick & Ebenezer Burt were set apart to the office of Deacons by prayer & laying on of hands by the pastor, Josiah Bissell having been set apart to that office at a former election.
Voted, to accept of the report of the committee in case of Charles Brewster & place the same on the files.
Attest Vivus Osborn Scribe.
1830
Jan. 1. At a meeting of the Church held at the Lecture room this day, a confession from Gamaliel Bolton was read before the church, for sins charged against him, by a committee of the church, in May, 1828, for which in Sept. following, he was suspended from the communion whereupon
Voted, that his suspension be continued, for further trial, until May next.
At this meeting, Elianor Newell's request was brought before the church for a letter of dismission & recom- mendation to the Methodist, whereupon
Voted that Curtis T. Fenn, Joseph Merrick & Vivus Osborn be a committee to wait on Mrs. Newell, & report at a future meeting.
Jan. 10. At a meeting of the Church at the Meeting house Voted that Charles Goodrich & Jason Clapp be united to
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RECORD OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
1830
the Deacons to form a committee, with discretionary powers, to give such assistance from the church funds, to Mary the wife of John Cummings, as in their opinion, the necessity of her case muy demand.
Attest Vivus Osborn, Soribe.
P.175 Feb. 17. At a church meeting held at the Lecture room this day, Voted, that the committee appointed Jan. 1 1830 to wait on Elianor Newell upon her request for a dismisston from this Church, inform her of the rule of the church in such cases.
At this meeting Mrs. Bidwell made a request for a dismission from the church & a letter of recommendation to the Methodist church, whereupon
Voted, that Vivus Osborn, Deacon Josiah Bissell & Charles Goodrich be a committee to see Mrs. Bidwell on the subject of her request.
Attest Vivus Os born Scribe.
March 5. At a meeting of the Church at the Lecture room, the confession of Mary Ann Hall ( formerly Dickinson ) for Fornication, was read & accepted, to be placed on the files with the Church papers.
Attest Vivus Osborn, Scribe.
June 23. At a church meeting regularly notifyed & held at the Lecture room this day
Voted that the committee appointed sometime since to print a list of the members of this church be requested to finish this business as soon as may be.
Voted to procure another Flagon.
Voted that Henry C. Brown procure a new Flagon & defray the expense from the funds of the Church.
At this meeting the case of Gamaliel Bolton was brought before the Church, & after a full & free discussion of the question, as to the acceptance of his confession made be- fore the Church in January last, on which question the Church were not agreed.
Voted, that this meeting be adjourned four weeks to meet at this place at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
July 21. The Church met according to ad journment . Voted to adjourn this meeting one week to meet at this place.
Attest £ Vivus Osborn Scribe.
RECORD OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II 131
1830
P. 176 July 28. At a church meeting held this day according to adjournment at the Lecture room.
Voted that the support given by this church to Eunice Burt be discontinued .
The case of Gamaliel Bolton being brought before this meeting, it was moved that his confession be accepted . After a full & free discussion of this question,
Voted, unanimously, not to accept of the confession made by Gamaliel Bolton.
Voted, that Gamaliel Bolton be further suspended from the communion until the officers of the Church shall bring his case before the church for further trial.
Vivus Osborn Scribe
1831
June 16. At a meeting of the church duly notified at the Meeting house, Voted that a Scribe be chosen to supply the place of Deacon Osborn deceased.
Voted that Samuel A. Danforth officiate as Scribe.
Voted that the Scribe be a committee to ascertain & re- port to this church, whether Charles Brewster & Mrs.
Bidwell have united themselves with the Methodist church. Voted that Deacon Merrick be added to the committee
chosen some time since to prepare a record of the members of this church
Voted that this committee be requested to complete this object forthwith.
Voted that this meeting be dissolved.
Sam'l A. Danforth. Scribe.
P. 177 Oct. 24. A meeting of the church was held this day at the Lecture room. Voted that Phinehas Allen act as Moderator pro tem.
A communication from the Rev. Henry P. Tappan was re- ceived, requesting of the church a dismission from his pastoral charge whereupon
Voted that the Church concur with the Parish in their vote for the calling of an Ecclesiastical Council, to deliberate & act on the subject of Mr. Tappan's com- munication.
Voted that Phinehas Allen & Sam'l A. Danforth, be a com- mittee to be joined to the Parish committee to agree with Mr. Tappan in the selection of an Ecclesiastical Council for the purpose above mentioned.
Voted that Phinehas Allen & Thomas A. Gold be a committee
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RECORD OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
132
1831
to answer in behalf of the Church, the communication of the Rev. Mr . Tappan.
Attest Sam'l A. Danforth, Scribe.
Mr. Tappan's Communication
To the Congregational Church of Pittsfield.
Brethren:
I have already sent in a communication to the Par- ish, in which I requested a dismission from my pastoral charge. I was not aware that a separate communication to the church is necessary, in such cases, or I should ere this, have made one. As you form a part of the par- ish, and have, as such, received my communication to that body, it is not necessary for me here to enter into any details. I do, therefore, merely hereby request of you my dismission from my pastoral charge.
P. 178
Yours in the Lord
H. P. Tappan.
Pittsfield Oct. 24, 1831
Result of the Council
Tuesday Nov. 1, 1831.
A mutual Ecclesiastical council was convened this day at the Lecture Room, in Pittsfield, by letters from the Pastor and a committee of the Congregational church and Society in this place, for the purpose of dismissing the Rev. Henry P. Tappan from his Pastoral charge. The members of the Council present were
Rev. Dr. Hyde, Dr. Hubbard Bartlett from the church in Led Rev. Dr. Shepard, James W. Robbins Esq. 11 11
11 Lenox
Rev. E. Dwight
=
11
Rich-
mond
The Council having been organized by the choice of Dr. Hyde as Moderator & Mr. Dwight as Scribe, the meeting was opened with prayer by the Moderator.
From the documents presented, and the communications of the Pastor & the committees, it appeared that a mutual agreement had been entered into, between Mr. Tappan and the Church & Society, in regard to his dismission, and that on account of ill health on his part it had been judged expedient that the connexion between them should be dissolved.
RECORD OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
133
1831
The Council after having deliberately considered the cause before them unanimously -
P. 179
Voted. 1. That under existing circumstances it is expedi- ent that the Pastoral relation now subsisting between Mr. Tappan and his people, should be dissolved : and it is hereby dissolved. 2. That the Council cordially commend the Rev. Henry P. Tappan, as a faithful and beloved brother in the ministry, to the affections & confidence of the churches of Christ, and Congregations, wherever Provi- dence may cast his lot.
The Council are happy to find that in the deliberations of the Church & Society & their proceedings on the sub- ject, there has been such an exhibition of kind & af- fectionate feeling, on their part toward Mr . Tap pan, & no implication of unfaithfulness or unchristian conduct, on the part of their Pastor.
The Council commend the Church & Society to the favour & protection of the great Head of the Church, praying that they may be guided & succeeded in their endeavours to establish speedily among them, In the sacred office, one who may long be continued as a faithful laborer in this part of the vineyard of our Lord.
Passed unanimously as the result of Council.
(Signed ) Alvan Hyde, Moderator
(Signed ) E. W. Dwight, Scribe.
Attest Sam'l A. Danforth, Scribe. 1832
Feb. 3. At a meeting of the church duly notified and
held. in the Lecture Room this day.
Voted. that Henry C. Brown act as Moderator of this meeting. Voted that this church do now proceed to ballot for a Pastor.
On counting the votes it appeared that forty two had been given in, of which, the Rev. John W. Yeomans, of North Adams had forty.
Voted that H. C. Brown, Calvin Martin & S. A. Danforth, be a committee to communicate the proceedings of this meeting to the Parish meeting, to be convened tomorrow. Voted, that this meeting stand adjourned until after the Parish meeting.
S. A. Danforth Scribe.
P. 180 Feb. 4. The Church met according to adjournment. The Parish having concurred in the choice made yesterday of Rev. Mr. Yeomans, as their Pastor.
Voted that £ Joseph Merrick, Calvin Martin & S. A. Danforth
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RECORD OF FIRST CONG. CHURCH, PITTSFIELD VOL. II
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