USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Plymouth church records, 1620-1859 > Part 33
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A True Copy Test JOSEPH BELLAMY Scribe
Upon this Result, the Comittee returnd to Plymouth & some Days after, came the following Letter from ye Revª M' Sproutt to ye Chh & Congregation in Plym° directed to Thomas Foster Esq'. - Viz
GUILFORD Octobr 25. 1757.
To ye first Chh of Christ in Plymouth & y' Congregation DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN & FRIENDS!
I have frequently set down to write with an aking Heart & trembling Hands on many Occasions; but don't remember ever more than at this Time, when I am constraind in Point of Honour, Gratitude & Duty to write to a people for whom I have had so much Concern, who have been so peculiarly dear to me & to whom (I must confess) I had some pleas-
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DECLINATION OF JAMES SPROAT, 1757
ing Expectations of standing in a nearer Relation. My Heart & Affec- tions are much with You: & if you thought my poor Labours might have been for Soul Advantage to You & your Children, & are sad at y Tydings which you doubtless have receivd before this Time, by your Dear & faithful Representatives - I may say, In all your Afflictions I am afflicted. - I firmly believe a Universal Providence - and trust I can say with some Sincerity, am inwardly pleasd that ye Lord God om- nipotent reigneth; And acquiesce in the Disposing Will of the great Redeemer who is Head over all Things for his Church. - As to the Affair of my Removal to Plymouth, which has for Months past lain so heavy on my Mind, I feel satisfyd that I have taken such Steps to know y. Mind of God, as are not only approved by my Revd Fathers & Brethren, but also by my own Conscience, & therefore rest in the Council's Result as a Declaration of ye Mind of God 1 at present. - I freely acknowledge myself unworthy of ye Respect you have manifested for me at Plymouth - Yet since my Labours have been acceptable to You, & you have manifested such Regard for them, I as freely own, my heart is affected that I may not spend my Life among so Dear a People, in so pleasant a Place, & where I might have pleasing Prospects of extensive Use- fulness. - Your dear Agents have acted here, in the most faithful, pressing genteel but yet Engaging Manner: - By their truly Christian & affecting Representation of the Circumstances of Plymº, they gaind ? Esteem & Honor to themselves, & the most tender Love & Concern for the Church they represented; both in the Council & in the Hearts of all By-Standers. - I trust the Chh at Plymº is founded on yo Everlast- ing Rock of Ages, & that the Gates of Hell shall never prevail ag" it. - & D' Brethren, Sisters & Children, my Ht is open towds You, & let me yet tell you the Redeemer reigns, is ye great Shephd of the Sheep, & has as tender Regard for them, Yea, & for the Lambs of yo Flock as ever. - In my poor Requests at y Throne of Grace (before wch I trust youll often be found bowing ye Knee in humble Supplications) Plym- outh's Destitute Circumstances shall be rememberd by me till indulgent Heaven grants them one of Christ's Ascension Gifts, even a Pastor after Gods own Heart. - Let me suppose I had a few Minutes to spend3 wth You .- I wd fill them up in Exhorting You to stand fast in ye Faith, in the Name of y" Lord to erect your Spiritual Banners, & watch against all false Principles & Doctrines: for the Redeemers Sake maintain the Unity of y Sp in the Bond of Peace. - On one Hand, take heed, &
1 Here a word is crossed out.
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' Written, apparently, in the hand of Mr. John Cotton, over another word.
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
do not Encourage those Doctrines which are Derogatory to sovereign Grace in Christ - On the other, cautiously avoid Enthusiastick & Seperating Principles weh have provd of such fatal & pernicious Conse- quence in many flourishing Churches in New England.
It seems by ye Providence of God my Station is fixd for the present: & though I love my little Flock here, & hope I may do something for Gd in these Parts, yet my Heart is much with You, & I grtly rejoice that Christ hath so great an Interest in Plymouth; & hope you will have pre- vailing Power at ye Throne of Grace. [22] If Providence shod give me Opportunity to visit my Friends in that Part of ye Country, I pur- pose as Paul said in another Case, to Visit the Brethren at Plymouth & see how they do. - This I think I can say gives me no small Com- fort, that I hope to meet many of you, in a little Time (thro the Riches of Redeeming Love) in a better World, where there will be no sad Hearts. - May Almighty God bless you & shed abroad his Love in your Hearts by the holy Ghost, preserve you in Peace & Umty - shower down plentifully upon you converting & sanctifying Grace, & in his Own Way & Time supplie you with a Pastor after his own Heart; wth one yt shall be constraind from the Love he has to ye Great Shepherd, to feed his Sheep & tender Lambs. - I commend you all to ye Mercy of God in Christ to ye good Word of his Grace, woh is able to make you wise unto Etern1 Salvation thro' Faith weh is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen.
I am your Affectionate Serv' in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
JAMES SPROUTT.1
Thus 2 this poor Chh being disappointed in their Hopes of ob- taining Mr Sprout (altho' as we have been informed above one Half of the ministers in the Council favoured his Removal, but were over-voted by the Messengers) They agreed upon a Day of Fasting & Prayer for Direction under their present Difficulties; which was accordingly attended on the 9th of November - several neighbouring Ministers being present. - And at the Close of it, the Comittee warned a Church Meeting to be the next Day at 1. a clock " to consider what further steps were proper to be taken for the calling & settling a minister or supplying the Pulpit at present." - [For the Comittee that went to Connecticut had not procured
1 Here the unidentified hand ceases.
" From here to the bottom of p. [23] of the text - or p. 312 of this volume - the entries are in the hand of Mr. John Cotton.
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PREACHERS AT PLYMOUTH, 1757-1758
any Candidate - as they were comissioned to do in case of Mr Sprout's Failure - They not hearing of any suitable one, altho' they had asked the advice & Direction of the Council.] 1
· November. 10. 1757. The Chh met at the Meeting House - and Mª John Cotton was chosen Moderator. - After Prayers &c. The Church Voted
1. That they would hear. 4. Candidates for the ministry on Pro- bation each for the space of 4. Sabbaths at least.
2. Voted that the Chh. present Comittee Viz Deacon Foster Deacon Bartlett & Deacon Torrey (Together with such as the Pre- cinct shall joyn with them) should be a Comittee to look out for said Candidates as speedily as may be.
Attest JOHN COTTON Mod"
The Precinct having concurred and joyned 4. to the Church Comittee, They first procured M' Stephen Minot, who preach'd from November .20. to the middle of December. - Then M' Livermore, who preach'd from Jany. 15. to Feby.6.1758. - The 3ª Candidate was Mr Stephen West, who preached his month from Feby. 26. - and continued preaching two months longer at the Request of the Precinct to May.12.
[During which Term Viz. April.9. The Rev' M' Patten of Hallifax at the Request of the Chh administred the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to them - as also did the Rev' M' Wheelock of Lebanon some months after August.20.] 2
Lastly, M' Locke was procured, who preach'd May. 28. June. 4. & 11. three Sabbaths - Being then obliged to leave us, because of his engagements at College. [23]
At a Meeting of the 1st Chh of Christ in Plymouth (duely warned by the Chh Comittee) at the Meeting House June.27.1758.
1. M. John Cotton chosen Moderator, who opened the Meeting with Prayer.
2. Voted that the Church will not at this Time proceed to the Choice of a Pastor.
3. Voted to make further Application to M' Samuel Lock to supply the Pulpit for 4. Sabbaths as soon as he conveniently can.
1 The square brackets are in the original.
" The square brackets are in the original.
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4. Voted That the former Church Comittee Viz. Deacon Foster, Deacon Bartlett & Deacon Torrey should lay the Votes of the Church before the Precinct for their Consideration & Concurrence.
5. Voted that M" John Cotton should be applied to, to supply the pulpit till we hear further from MY Lock.
Attest JOHN COTTON Mod".
Pursuant to this (and the Precinct's) Vote, M' Lock was again in- vited - and preach'd at Plymº Aug. 20. PM. & 27. Sept. 3. 10. & 14. on the general Thanksgiving for taking Cape-Breton.
At a Church Meeting of the first Church of Christ in Plym° duely warned & met together in the Meeting House in the first Precinct in said Plymouth upon Friday the 15th of September 1758.
Thomas Foster Esqr was chosen Moderator. - And after Prayer to God for Direction.
1 ** The Question was put, whether the Chh would at this Time come to the Choice of a Pastor? It passed in the negative.
2ª Voted that application be made to M' Lock to preach four Sabbaths more upon Probation with us.
3d Voted that George Watson Esq be chosen to joyn with a Comtee of the Precinct to make application to M' Lock to preach with us agreeable to said Vote.
4th Voted that this Meeting be adjourned to Monday the 25th of this month at two a'clock in the Afternoon to meet at this Place .- And said Meeting was accordingly adjourned.
THOMAS FOSTER Moderator.
Mr Lock being applied to agreeable to the Vote above, refused to preach further upon Probation with us. - And the Pulpit was chiefly supplied by M' Cotton, till the 17th of December.
[The Candidates that preacht before M' Leonard's Removal, from July 1756. to May 1757. were M' Solomon Reed - M' Joseph Jack- son - M' Smith of Casco-Bay - M' Dana - M' Jonas Meriam - Revd Josiah Cotton - M' Thomas Brown.] 1
Nov" 17582 at a Church meeting of ye first Chh in ye meeting
1 The square brackets are in the original. Here the hand of Mr. Cotton ceases.
" From here to the end of p. [34] of the text - or p. 322 of this volume - the entries are in the hand of Deacon Thomas Foster.
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JOB WHITNEY CHOSEN PASTOR, 1759
house duly warnd Tho' Foster Esq' moderator Voted yt a Comtee be Chosen to Joyn with ye Precinct to procure some suitable person to Preach for two months Voted that the Deacons be ye Comtee for that purpose y. Vote was Layd before the Precinct & the Precinct Concurred on the Vote. [24]
1758 Dec" 17th MY Job Whitney began to Preach amongst us and to good acceptance Till the 22d of Jany 1759 upon which day the Church being duly warned met in ye meeting house in the first Pre- cinct Thomas Foster Esq". was Chosen moderator & then Voted that application be made to M' Job Whitney to Preach to us four Sabbaths more before we Come to a Choice then Voted yt Deacon Foster Deacon Bartlett & deacon Torrey be a Comtee to make ap- plication to M' Whitney to supply ye Pulpit agreable to ye Vote and then Voted that these Votes be laid before the Precinct for their Concurrence. which was accordingly done and the Precinct Con- cured with ye Church, and M' Whitney Preached four Sabbaths Longer. Saving that upon the 21st day of Jan' in ye forenoon, Mr Sprout Preached and administred the Sacrament.
February 19th 1759 At a Church meeting duely warned In order to Come to the Choice of a Pastor if the Church should Incline to it, The Church mett in the meeting house in the First Precinct. and Thomas Foster Esq" was Chosen moderator the meeting being opened with Prayer and there being thirty four members Present
The Question was first put whether the Church were now Deter- mined to Come to the Choice of a Pastor Voted in the affirmative and Mr Job Whitney was Chosen by a Considerable majority, and y. Vote Draughted in The Following Form Viz after as a Church Bewailing the Frowns of Divine Providence in taking away ye use- fulness of our Dear Pastor y. Revd M. Nathaniel Leonard from us by Bodily Infirmities, For whom we have a sincere Love and shall not cease to Pray For, as Long as God shall spare his life, Lament- ing also our Great Barreness and unfruitfulness under his Soul Searching ministry, who while with us Break y. Bread of life to us & Nourished us up in the words of faith and sound Doctrine, and Doubt not but he has had many Seals of his ministry, and many that at the Great day will be his Crown & Joy, Beleiving this flock over which ye holy Ghost made & Continued him So long an overseer will yet be dear to him & always be Interested in his prayers So long
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
as God Continues him in this vale of Tears Though his Pastoral Re- lation to us shall be Dissolved-and after serious Consideration and earnest applications to the Great head of the Church to bestow on us a Precious [25] Ascension Gift of our ascended Lord & Divine Re- deemer even a Pastor after Gods own heart; & having had Tryal of the ministerial Gifts & Pulpit Abilities of MY Job Whitney For ten Sabbaths Past, and being in a Good measure Satisfyed with them. The Votes of y. Church were Called for by the moderator to be brought In in writing which when sorted & Counted it appeared that Mª Job Whitney was Chosen to the Pastoral office in this Church there being 28 Votes for him one for M' Sprout and five yt Did not Vote
Then the Question was put whither it be the mind of this Church if the Precinct Concur their Choice that before M' Whitney Gives his answer (in case he accept the Call) he should Give his assent & Consent to the New England Conffession of faith Commonly Re- ceived in these Churches or Exhibit one to the Chhs in writing to their satisfaction. It Passed in yo Affirmative.
Then the Church Voted That Thomas Foster Joseph Bartlett and John Torrey be a Comtee to Lay the Votes of the Church before the first Precinct in Plymouth at a meeting Called for that purpose, for their Concurrence
Then the Church Voted that Joseph Bartlett George Watson and Lazarus LeBaron be a Comte to Joyn with a Comtes of the Precinct (if they Concur the Churches Choice) of MY Job Whitney To the 1 Pastoral office in this Church & Congregation, To Cause the Votes · of Church & Precinct in some suitable manner to be laid before M" Whitney for his acceptance Praying that the Great head of the Church would Incline his heart to accept of ye Call and take upon him the Charge of this Flock if it may be for y. Glory of God & Good of this People, and that he may Come to us in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord & prove a Rich Blessing To us and our families and to the Children that are yet to be born, that so he that Sows & they that Reap may at Last Rejoyce together Amen
A meeting of the Precinct was Called accordingly and Concurred with the Churches Choice of MY Job Whitney and Voted him a
1 The words "To the" are apparently written over "for this."
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DECLINATION OF JOB WHITNEY, 1759
Sallary & Chose a Comtee to Joyn ye Churches Comte in Laying y" Votes of Church & Precinct before M' Whitney for his Consideration and answer, which was done M' Whitney then went out of Town & Sent M' Potter the minister of Brookline who Preached with us two Sabbaths Viz March the 11th & March the 18th [26] and upon the Last Sabbath administred the Sacrament and then M' Whitney Came & Preached to us one Sabbath and Gave his answer as Follows, Viz -
To Mess"" Thomas Foster Esq" George Watson Esq" Deacon Joseph Bartlett Deacon John Torrey Doctr Larazus LeBaron Thomas Spooner Thomas Mayhew & Barnabas Hodge a Comte Chosen by the First Church & Precinct in Plymouth To Present me with a Call From Said Chh & Precinct to Settle in the work of the Gospel ministry with them
Gentlemen Please to Communicate the Following to Said Church & Precinct
TO THE FIRST CHURCH & PRECINCT IN PLYMOUTH
Dearly beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ, after Returning you my Greatfull acknowledgments, for the Civil and Christian Like Treatment you have shewn me during the time of our acquaintance, as also for your kind and generous Invitation to me to Settle with you in the work of the Gospel ministry; I would Inform you that I have taken your In- vitation into Consideration, and having Seriously and maturely Con- sidered the Same, and likewise asked advice of those whom I apprehend by their wisdom and Experience to be well Qualifyed to Give advice; as well as of him who is able to direct us in the most Difficult and Intricate 1 Cases. I beleive it to be my duty to Refuse a Compliance with your Invitation. - and Give me leave to assure you that this my Refusal does not arise from a Disregard to you or to your Interest - It is with Tender Concern I Veiw your Present unsettled Broken & Divided State. And Had I Just Grounds to beleive it was in my power by a Common Blessing of heaven to Render you a United and happy people I assure you that a will to Perform it would not be wanting, Peace & unanimity are great Blessings both in Chh & State. I would by no means willingly be accessory to the making or2 Increasing Divi- sions and annamosities amongst any of my Christian Brethren, which I apprehend would Inevitably be the Case (without a Remarkable In-
1 Here "affairs" is crossed out.
" Written above "and," crossed out.
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
terposition of Divine Providence) should I accept of your Invitation when such a number of the people are so averse to my Settling [27] That more than twenty of them have by a Letter directed to me de- clared that they Cannot be easy with my Settling but will do every thing that lyes in their Power (in Case their be occasion for it) to prevent it, while this is the Disposition of So Large a number of the People towards me, The Consequences of my Settling with you will in all Probability be very unhappy both for you & for me, and as these Gentlemen who are so averse to my Settling with you declare that it is not from an Dislike to my Doctrine or moral Character that they oppose my Settling, but because they have a great desire to obtain the Revd M' Sprout, I ap- prehend it would be Intirely in Vain for me to attempt to Reconcile them to a thing to which they are So very averse, this opposition 1 maturely Considered will appear I beleive to every unprejudiced per- son a very sufficient Reason for my Refusing a Compliance with your Invitation
And Now my Christian freinds & Brethren, wishing that the God of all grace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ that Great head of the Church would be Pleased to shower down upon this his Chh & people the best of Blessings Temporal & Spiritual, that he wo'd Indow you with every Christian grace & Virtue, and afford you all that wisdom from on high which is Profitable to direct you, that he would Inspire your minds with Sentiments of Love towards Each other of Brotherly kindness & Charity, and in due time bestow upon you a Pastor after his own heart,
I subscribe my self your affectionate and Sincere Freind & very humble Servant in our Common Lord and Redeemer
JOB WHITNEY.
The above named M' Whitney died Since and 2 was Never Set- tled in the ministry any where; tho' he had a Call from the first Chh in Marblehead.3
Then after M' Whittney went away M. Samuel West of Barn- stable & M' Cotton Supplyed the Pulpit for some time. Till Mr Potter of Brookline was dismist from his people & application was made to him Saving M' Livermore preachd to us one Sabbath [28] Upon the fifth of April 1759 was held a meeting of the first Church
1 Here "will" is crossed out.
? Here "was" is crossed out.
* The words "tho' he had a Call from the first Chh in Marblehead" are in- serted in the hand of Mr. John Cotton.
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NATHANIEL POTTER DESIRED AS PASTOR, 1759
in Plymouth in their meeting house in the first Precinct the Church being duly Notifyed 1 to Consider what steps might be Proper to be taken Relative to our ministerial affairs
The meeting was opened with prayer and first Voted that Thomas Foster George Watson Doctor LeBaron Joseph Bartlett John Torrey Thomas Mayhew and Thomas Spooner be a Comtee to Con- sider what Steps may be proper for the Church to take under our present Difficulties Relative to the settling a minister and what steps may be best to be taken as to Supplying the Pulpit. and Re- port their opinions to the Church at their meeting upon the adjournment,
Then Voted that the meeting be adjourned to Monday the 23ª of April Instant at two aClock in the afternoon at which time the meeting was adjourned to meet in y. Said meeting house
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This Com tee mett & Considered 2 affairs severall times and our having accounts that M' Potter of Brookline & his people were like to part & hearing nothing there against M' Potters moral Character and finding So many of our people Inclined to give him a Call in Case of his being fairly Dismissed from his Pastoral office at Brookline tho't it much best to wait & See how affairs went at Brookline be- fore we made any further attempts to Settle, but still made no written Report to the Church but verbally Informed them of our [29] Opinion and that we thot it best to wait and See if M Potter & his people should part. which seemed Satisfactory. but hearing noth- ing further upon Lorday day y. 22 of April ye Chh was Stayed & Voted y+ meeting be further adjourned to monday ye 27th of April,' at two aClock in the afternoon, still hearing nothing from Brookline nothing further was done only the meeting was adjourned a week Longer and if nothing was further heard ye meeting not be attended accordingly it fell thrº - but hearing M' Potter & his people were parted application was made to him - and he Came the 28th of June following Turn over [80]
the 28th of June 1759 M" Potter preached to us upon a fast day & upon the Sabbaths of July ye first & July the 8th
July 9th 17514 At a Church meeting duly Notifyed the Church
" Here "the" is crossed out.
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* Here "but" is crossed out.
' An evident error for "1759."
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PLYMOUTH . CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME II
mett at the meeting house in the first Precinct and Thomas Foster was Chosen Moderator
Then the. meeting being opened with prayer The Question was put whether the Chh would now proceed to the Choice of a Pastor Voted in the affirmative, thirty members being present Sixteen members Voted to Come to a Choice Then the members were Called upon to bring in their Votes for a Pastor there being then 31 members Present and upon Sorting & Counting the Votes it ap- peared that The Revª M' Nathaniel Potter was Chosen to the Pastoral Office over this Church he having Nineteen Votes out of 31 Voters there being no more present
Then the Church Voted to Chose George Watson Larazus LeBaron & Thomas Mayhew A 1 Comtes to cause the Votes of the Church & Precinct (in Case the Precinct Concur the Churches Choice) to be laid before M Potter for his acceptance as also to Lay the Votes of the Church before the Precinct for their Concurrence. which was done at a meeting Called for that purpose & the Precinct Concured the Churches Choice. M. Potter while he had The Call under Con- sideration sent M' Baily who preacht three Sabbaths & M- Liver- more who preached two Sabbaths, in which time some melancholy things opened with Respect to M' Potters moral Charecter and then he Sent us his answer as Follows
BROOKLINE August 16th 1759
DEARLY BELOVED
It will be sufficient to Inform you that such is the state and Posture of things with Regard to me as will not Permit me to accept your In- vitation. I do therefore by these give you a Denial wishing you a Pastor after Gods own heart and all Spiritual Prosperity. I beg your prayers for me, now I have left the Sacred work, and for my family
I am your very humble Servant
NATHANIEL POTTER
Thus this poor Church seemed to be saved from Ruine. [$1]
Then the Church appointed August the 23 to be kept as a day of fasting and prayer and to seek diretion from God with Respect to our ministerial affairs .? Passed the following Vote, to be Read to
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DIFFICULTIES IN OBTAINING A PASTOR, 1759
y. Congregation upon ye Lords day which was accordingly Read & the Congregation 1 very unanimously attendd the fast the Vote is as follows Viz This Church Considering the many Frowns of Di- vine providence upon them & Especially Their 2 Disapointments with Regard to the Resetling the Gospel and ordinances of Christ among them have agreed to Sett apart & Thursday the 23: of August currant as ' a day of fasting and prayer to humble themselves before God for their Sins and to Seek of him the great Blessing of a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, and they earnestly desire the Congregation to Joyn with them in observing and keeping the day & Pleading with God for this Blessing, and the Blessings of Love & Peace that the God of Love & peace may yet dwell with us & bless us. - and the day was kept by Chh & Congregation the ministers Called in to assist us upon ye Fast were " Mess"" Angier Shaw Parker & Conant, M. Angier & Shaw Preached M' Parker & M" Conant also prayed
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